Support: FAQ
Open Exhibits is an educational multitouch software development kit for ActionScript. It is free for museums, educational organizations, nonprofits, and U.S. Government agencies. Commercial users are free to use the modules but need to purchase the GestureWorks software framework. (Non-commercial, individuals interested in development can purchase the inexpensive,”Standard Version” of GestureWorks.)
This frequently asked questions page addresses many aspects of using Open Exhibits for multitouch application development. If your issue isn’t listed in the FAQ, or believe you may have encountered a bug, please post the issue in the Forum.
Please note, this FAQ looks at questions concerning the Open Exhibits 2.0 SDK, please see Legacy Support for questions about the Open Exhibits 1.0 SDK.
Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Started
- What is Open Exhibits?
- What’s new in Open Exhibits 2?
- What is the Open Exhibits SDK?
- Who qualifies for the Open Exhibits SDK?
- How do I get the Open Exhibits SDK?
- What hardware is required?
- What software is required?
- What hardware do I need?
- How do I get starting developing applications with Open Exhibits 2?
- Is Open Exhibits 2 backwards compatible?
- What are Exhibits?
- What are Templates?
- What are Components?
- What are UI Elements?
- What are Utilities?
- What is GestureWorks?
- What is GML?
- What is CML?
What is Open Exhibits?
Open Exhibits is a National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored initiative that looks to transform the way in which museums and other informal learning institutions produce and share computer-based exhibits. Open Exhibits is both a collection of software and community of practice. For more information visit: openexhibits.org/about
What’s new in Open Exhibits 2?
The Open Exhibits website has been rewritten to facilitate navigation and foster community participation. Software downloads can now be sorted and searched. Community pages such the Wanted Board provide incentives for software development and extends the Open Exhibits development community.
The Open Exhibits SDK has been rewritten from the ground up. You can now author Open Exhibits applications entirely through markup and style them using CSS. The gesture analysis engine is now more optimized and extensible through the use of a new gesture markup language (GML). The display engine now provides better gesture-based transformations and can be externally scripted using a new creative markup language (CML).
What is the Open Exhibits SDK?
The Open Exhibits Software Development Kit is an ActionScript framework that is comprised of a gesture analysis engine, a display engine, and pre-built components. ActionScript developers can utilize the SDK to create their own custom components.
Who qualifies for the Open Exhibits SDK?
The Open Exhibits SDK is available free to museums, students, schools, nonprofits, and US government agencies. Commercial users can purchase GestureWorks, a Multitouch SDK to gain free access to all of the software modules.
How do I get the Open Exhibits SDK?
You must be a member to download software. If you are currently a member then log into your profile. If not, then you must create a new profile by clicking the SIGN UP button located in the top right corner of the website. It is important to fill out the profile form in its entirely. Users will be given a 30-day trial license. During those 30-days, your profile will be evaluated to determine if you are eligible for a permanent licence. Once you have a profile and are signed in, you may download the installer here: openexhibits.org/downloads/sdk
What hardware is required?
All you need is a computer with Windows XP / Vista / 7 or Mac OS X 10.6 and above. We recommend you create and test your applications with a multitouch input device, but you may alternatively use the built-in simulator. For a list of the supported hardware visit, the GestureWorks supported hardware page: gestureworks.com/features/supported-hardware/
What software is required?
You need the Open Exhibits 2 framework, the Adobe Flex SDK 4.0+, and a way to compile AIR 2.5+ applications. We recommend using one of the following IDEs to compile your applications: Adobe Flash CS5+, Adobe Flash Builder 4.5+, Flash Develop 4.0+, or PowerFlasher FDT. You can also use command line compilers.
What hardware do I need?
We recommend using the latest release build of the Adobe Flex SDK which can be found here: opensource.adobe.com/wiki/display/flexsdk/Flex+SDK
How do I get starting developing applications with Open Exhibits 2?
See the getting started tutorials here: openexhibits.org/support/tutorials/
Is Open Exhibits 2 backwards compatible?
No, since version two is a complete rewrite and architectural redesign, we were not able to provide compatibility with prior versions.
What are Exhibits?
Exhibits are Open Exhibits applications which are pre-populated with content. These apps are ready for the museum floor or website.
What are Templates?
Templates are Open Exhibits applications which are not populated with content. These apps are ready for curators to populate them with a custom set of media.
What are Components?
Components are are high-level CML building blocks. Mix and match Components to create Templates and Exhibits.
What are UI Elements?
UI Elements are are low-level CML building blocks. Combine UI Elements with Components to create templates and exhibits.
What are Utilities?
Utilities are applications which may or may not be directly dependent on the Open Exhibits SDK.
What is GestureWorks?
GestureWorks is the commercial version of the Open Exhibits SDK. For more information visit: gestureworks.com
What is GML?
GestureML is the world’s first markup language for multitouch and gesture-based authoring. This open XML-schema allows users to define gestures and their interactions. For more information visit: GestureML.org
What is CML?
CreativeML is an XML-based open standard for defining object creation, management, and interaction within a multiuser / mulititouch environment. For more information visit: CreativeML.org
Frequently Asked Questions: Support and Licensing
Can I distribute and sell applications I make with Open Exhibits 2?
Open Exhibits is made available for non-commercial, educational use. Completed applications can be freely distributed as long as they are non-commercial in nature. Commercial users of GestureWorks can distribute finished applications that are built with Open Exhibits modules. (One stipulation is that Open Exhibits modules cannot be repackaged and sold as an “authoring tool” without prior permission.)
How do I get direct support for Open Exhibits?
Support for Open Exhibits can be found in the Forums. While support is voluntary, questions are usually answered by an Open Exhibits staff member in a couple of days.
Where is the source code for the SDK?
The source code for Open Exhibits 2 is not publicly available.
Frequently Asked Questions: Compatibility
- Which versions of Adobe Flash Player are supported?
- Which versions of Adobe AIR are supported?
- Which multitouch hardware systems work with Open Exhibits?
- Can I use Open Exhibits to build multitouch applications in Windows 7?
- Can I use Open Exhibits with the Microsoft Surface, Ideum multitouch tables, DiamondTouch, GestureTek, Evoluce tables, and others?
- Can I use Open Exhibits on the Android phone or other mobile platforms?
- If I develop on one system and deploy on another, do I need both the Mac and PC versions?
Which versions of Adobe Flash Player are supported?
Open Exhibits 2 is backwards compatible to Flash Player 10.1 and is always up to date with the latest release version of Flash Player.
Which versions of Adobe AIR are supported?
Open Exhibits 2 is backwards compatible to AIR 2.5 and is always up to date with the latest release version of AIR.
Which multitouch hardware systems work with Open Exhibits?
Open Exhibits directly supports any device that uses the Windows 7 operating system. In addition, Open Exhibits supports systems that use the TUIO protocol. We have tested Open Exhibits on dozens of devices. You can check out a full chart of compatible multitouch hardware on the Open Exhibits website.
Can I use Open Exhibits to build multitouch applications in Windows 7?
Yes, we have built custom drivers to integrate Open Exhibits with Windows 7 and access the touch data acquired by the operating system.
Can I use Open Exhibits with the Microsoft Surface, Ideum multitouch tables, DiamondTouch, GestureTek, Evoluce tables, and others?
Generally, yes, although on older systems you may need a third-party TUIO bridge to make it work. You can find those bridges on the TUIO site, although we haven’t tested them and can’t guarantee they’ll work.
Can I use Open Exhibits on the Android phone or other mobile platforms?
You can publish Open Exhibits apps with Adobe AIR on the Android platform. Open Exhibits is fully compatible with Adobe AIR for mobile.
If I develop on one system and deploy on another, do I need both the Mac and PC versions?
No. The workflow is the same as it would be in any Adobe ActionScript development environment. Of course, multitouch has particular hardware requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Windows
Which version of Windows can I use with Open Exhibits 2?
You can create and run Open Exhibits 2 applications in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. We haven’t tested Open Exhibits with Windows 8 (yet).
Which version of Windows is recommended?
We recommend the latest release version, which is currently Windows 7.
Frequently Asked Questions: Macintosh OS X
Which version of Mac OS X can I use with Open Exhibits 2?
You can create and run Open Exhibits 2 applications in Mac OS X 10.6 and above.
Which version of Mac OS X is recommended?
We recommend the latest release version, which is currently 10.7.
Frequently Asked Questions: Linux
Which distribution/version of Linux can I use with Open Exhibits 2?
Currently you cannot create Open Exhibits 2 applications in Linux, but you can run Open Exhibits 2 applications in any version of Linux which supports Adobe Flash 10.1 and above.