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This tour of our galaxy begins at Earth, then recenters and zooms in on the Moon. After that, Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver heads out toward the far reaches of the solar system. Text in the upper left of the screen shares information such as the name of each object, its diameter, and its orbital period. However, you can disable this information if you so choose. The closer planets and many of the moons are gorgeous. For example, Saturn's Ganymede looks like a scarred garnet. On less-studied objects, such as the satellites of Uranus, only the part that's been photographed has detail. While most appropriate for astronomy or sci-fi buffs, we could easily see this program gaining a larger audience, especially since it comes free of charge.Publisher's Description
From First Light Software:
Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver is a high-speed, full-motion, solar-system simulator using OpenGL technology and accelerated graphics. The positions and rotations of each of the planets and its moons are accurate to the current date and time (making the program a clock of sorts). As the day progresses, you can observe the great red spot of Jupiter as it wheels across the face of the giant planet. Watch the moons of Saturn in their daily dance around the majestic ringed world, and watch Earth rotate under your feet. The constantly changing scenes assure an infinite variety of interplanetary vistas. Grand Tour 3D now comes with Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars, and features the Mars Rover landing sites. Version 1.22 build 1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
2.8 starsout of 59 votes
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Current version:
3.0 starsout of 16 votes
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My rating:
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"takes my breath away."
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
It's very well done, moving through space. Not just a slideshow!
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"Crappy even for free"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
Compared to just about every other free software I've used, it has no pros.
Cons
bad graphics, problematic download and use.
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"Awesome software"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
Quite realistic. Very good graphics and animation and, most of all, it's free.
Cons
There are other similar programs that are more realistic, with better colors/animation but they'll cost you.
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"do NOT download this"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
great concept. doesn't work.
Cons
this program locks up my system. no screensaver; no response. had to unplug the computer. twice.
the message i got when i tried to shut down was that "there are other users logged into your computer now. shutting down may cause them to lose data." my computer is not networked. i'll be running a few spyware scans next.
i'm running xp home on fast win box with a broadband connection. also have an nvidia graphics card.
thanks download.com for this utter waste of time.
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"Slow, no Adware, free is nice"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
Nice for a freebie. Cries for speed control and configuration options (maybe custom list for the "tour"?). Installs fine in XP, btw
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"Lousy"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
None.
Cons
Childish doodles.
Reviewer "prafulbhogal" could use some knowlage of the spelling and grammar of the English language.
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"unable to install on my Windows XP system"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
it sounds very interesting for a free download but unable to view as I am unable to install it, program said unsuitable for Windows XP, etc.
Cons
unable to download, tried tips mentioned in Having Trouble Downloading
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"ITS GREAT IT GIVE YOU ALL KNOWLAGE OF SPACE"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
ITS GREAT IT GIVE YOU ALL KNOWLAGE OF SPACE
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"would not install on my XP Pro???"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Cons
would not install on XP Pro. Downloaded it twice but it popped up a message to say 16 bit MS DOS and windows applications wont run with a button to close or ignore. Clicked different button each download and nothing happened so I gave up.
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"good"
Version: Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 1.22 build 1
Pros
colors
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