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Sightlab2 Command-Line Installation Guide

Overview

This guide explains how to run the Sightlab2 installer with command-line parameters for automated deployment. The installer runs with a visible GUI showing installation progress, but automatically skips manual input steps when parameters are provided.

Prerequisites

  • Windows 10/11
  • Administrator privileges
  • Internet connection (for downloading components)
  • At least 10 GB free disk space

Installation Steps

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

  1. In Windows Search type "cmd" and hit enter to open the Command Prompt Window

Step 2: Navigate to Installer Directory

cd "path to installer"

Step 3: Run the Installer

With License Key (Auto-skips on user input, uses default path):

Sightlab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input.exe /LICENSE=LASTNAME-TYPE-HASH123

Silent Mode (no GUI shows) use /s flag

SightLab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input-GUI.exe /S /LICENSE=Smith-SINGLE-abc1234

With License Key and Custom Installation Directory:

Sightlab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input.exe /LICENSE=LASTNAME-TYPE-HASH123 /DIR="D:\CustomPath\Sightlab2"

With Custom Directory Only (Trial Mode):

Sightlab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input.exe /DIR="D:\CustomPath\Sightlab2"

No Parameters (Shows all pages normally):

Sightlab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input.exe

Step 4: Monitor Installation Progress

If not in auto mode but not silent, the installer will display a visible GUI window showing:

  • Download progress for each component
  • Installation status messages
  • Success/failure indicators
  • Detailed progress information

If in silent mode can monitor by using the task manager and viewing the SightLab installer exe file, as well as monitoring the installation folder.

What Happens Automatically:

  • Component Selection Page - Shows (you can select what to install)
  • License Page - Skipped if /LICENSE= provided
  • Folder Selection Page - Skipped if /DIR= provided
  • Installation Progress - Shows detailed real-time progress
  • Vizard Installation - Runs in silent mode (no extra windows)

Typical Installation Time:

  • 5-15 minutes for full installation
  • Depends on internet speed (downloading ~4-8 GB of content)

What Gets Installed

By default, the installer installs:

  1. Sightlab2 Resources → C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Sightlab2\
  2. 3D assets, environments, icons
  3. Sightlab2 Projects → C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Sightlab2\
  4. Example scripts, project templates
  5. Vizard 8 → C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Vizard8\
  6. VR engine (if not already installed)
  7. Sightlab Core → Python packages installed to Vizard's Python environment
  8. Core utilities and dependencies
  9. E-Learning Lab → C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Sightlab2\ELearning\
  10. ~4.5 GB immersive presentation tool
  11. K-Lite Codec Pack → System-wide
  12. Required for video playback
  13. Syncthing → C:\wvlab\syncthing\
  14. Tool for synchronizing multi-user resources
  15. Configured to start automatically at login
  16. Access web interface at: http://localhost:8384
  17. Extra Packages → Vizard 8's Python environment
  18. Additional Python libraries for Example Scripts
  19. Note: Vizard 8 only (Vizard 7 requires manual installation)
  20. Orchestrator → C:\wvlab\
  21. Files: C:\wvlab\utility-scripts-main\
  22. Virtual Environment: C:\wvlab\venv-orchestrator\
  23. Allows remote control of client machines
  24. Requires Python 3.10 (automatically installed via winget)

How to Stop Installation

If you need to cancel the installation:

Simply click the Cancel button in the installer window. The installer will prompt you to confirm.

Method 2: Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  2. Find Sightlab2_Installer_Full.exe
  3. Right-click → End Task

Method 3: Command Line

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

taskkill /F /IM Sightlab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input.exe
taskkill /F /IM vizard8_installer.exe
taskkill /F /IM sightlab_res_installer.exe
taskkill /F /IM sightlab_prj_installer.exe

Note: You may need admin privileges to kill the installer since it runs elevated.

Verification After Installation

After the installer window closes (installation complete), verify everything installed correctly:

Check Installed Components

:: Check Resources
dir "C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Sightlab2"

:: Check Projects
dir "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\Sightlab2"

:: Check Vizard
dir "C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Vizard8"

:: Check Desktop Shortcuts
dir "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Sightlab*.lnk"
dir "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\E-Learning*.lnk"

Test Launch

Double-click the "Sightlab2" shortcut on your desktop. It should open File Explorer showing your projects folder with example scripts.

Command-Line Parameters Reference

Parameter Description Behavior Example
/LICENSE=key Provide license key Auto-skips license page and validates key /LICENSE=SMITH-SINGLE-ABC1234
/DIR=path Custom installation directory Auto-skips folder selection page /DIR="D:\MyProjects\Sightlab2"

Parameter Behavior:

  • No parameters: Shows all GUI pages (license entry, folder selection)
  • With /LICENSE=: Skips license page, still shows folder selection (or uses default)
  • With /DIR=: Skips folder selection page, still shows license page (if Core selected)
  • Both parameters: Fully automated - only shows component selection, then proceeds

License Key Format:

LASTNAME-TYPE-HASH
  • LASTNAME - User's last name (uppercase)
  • TYPE - Either SINGLE or MULTI
  • HASH - 7-character validation hash

Default Installation Paths:

  • Projects/E-Learning: C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Sightlab2\
  • Resources: C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Sightlab2\
  • Vizard 8: C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Vizard8\

Troubleshooting

Problem: "Access Denied" Error

Solution: Make sure you're running Command Prompt as Administrator

  • Right-click CMD → "Run as administrator"
  • Click "Yes" on UAC prompt

Problem: Installer Doesn't Start

Causes:

  1. Not running as administrator
  2. Installer file doesn't exist in current directory
  3. UAC is blocking execution

Solution:

  • Verify file exists: dir Sightlab2_Installer_Full_CLI_Input.exe
  • Run as administrator
  • Check antivirus isn't blocking it

Problem: Installation Takes Too Long

Normal Duration: 5-15 minutes depending on:

  • Internet speed (downloading ~4-8 GB)
  • Disk speed

To check if it's still working:

tasklist | findstr /I Sightlab

If you see the process, it's still running.

Expected Behavior Summary

✅ Normal Behavior:

  • Installer GUI window appears
  • Component selection page shows with checkboxes
  • License page appears (unless /LICENSE= provided)
  • Folder selection page appears (unless /DIR= provided)
  • Progress window shows real-time installation details:
  • [Section: Sightlab2 Resources]
  • Downloading resources...
  • Download result: OK
  • Installing resources...
  • Similar messages for each component
  • Vizard installation runs silently (no separate window)
  • Installation takes 5-15 minutes
  • Desktop shortcuts appear
  • Folders created in Documents and Program Files
  • Installer closes automatically when complete

❌ Error Indicators:

  • Error message box appears
  • Download result shows error code (not "OK")
  • Installation stops prematurely
  • No files in C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Sightlab2
  • No files in C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Sightlab2
  • No desktop shortcuts created

Automated Installation Script Example

For streamlined deployment with command-line parameters, create auto_install.bat:

@echo off
echo ========================================
echo Sightlab2 Automated Installation
echo ========================================
echo.
echo The installer will start with:
echo - License: RABAUDI@WORLDVIZ-MULTI-4CB6114
echo - Directory: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\Sightlab2
echo.
echo A GUI window will show installation progress.
echo This will take approximately 5-15 minutes.
echo.
echo Starting installer...
echo.

cd "C:\Users\sepsi\Documents\WorldViz Work\sightlab_utils_git\sightlab_utils"

Sightlab2_Installer_Full.exe /LICENSE=RABAUDI@WORLDVIZ-MULTI-4CB6114

echo.
echo ========================================
echo Installation Complete!
echo ========================================
echo.
echo Check the following locations:
echo - C:\Program Files\WorldViz\Sightlab2
echo - C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\Sightlab2
echo - Desktop shortcuts
echo.
pause

Run as Administrator: auto_install.bat

Note: The installer will still show a GUI window with progress, but will skip the license and folder selection pages since they're provided via command line.

Post-Installation

After successful installation:

  1. Check Help Documentation:
  2. Opens automatically at the end: https://help.worldviz.com/sightlab/
  3. Explore Examples:
  4. Navigate to: C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Sightlab2\ExampleScripts\
  5. Launch SightLab VR:
  6. Use desktop shortcut: "SightLab VR.lnk"

Support

For issues or questions:

  • Documentation: https://help.worldviz.com/sightlab/
  • Release Notes: https://help.worldviz.com/sightlab/release-notes/

Additional Notes

Vizard Installation

The Vizard 8 installer always runs in silent mode (/S flag) to avoid nested installer windows, regardless of how you run the main Sightlab installer.

Revision History

  • v2.0 - Updated for GUI-visible automated installation with command-line parameters
  • v1.0 - Initial command-line installation guide
  • Created: October 21, 2025
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