Imagine.dll

What is it?
  Imagine.dll is a dynamic link library that gives your 16 bit Delphi
application the ability to read gif, jpg, mac, pcx, tga, and wpg files.
It accomplishes this by converting these files to comparable bitmap
files.  Formats that support true color images (bmp, jpg, pcx, tga) can
also be optionally reduced to 256 colors, allowing users without true
color video boards to view these files.

Will it work with Delphi 2?
  Don't know yet.  Imagine.dll is a standard 16 bit dll that "should"
work with Delphi2, Visual Basic, C, C++, etc., but hasn't been tested
with these languages.

Why imagine.dll?
  Imagine.dll was conceived as a way to allow programmers to add image
handling to their applications without the overhead and cost of more
elaborate and expensive image libraries.  If you have ever been
overwhelmed by the coding required by some of these libraries, or
frustrated by their inability to handle certain esoteric image subtypes
(such as progressive jpegs, multi-image gifs, or reversed 32-bit targas),
then imagine.dll may be for you.  The source used for the format
conversion has already been used successfully in a wide variety of
applications.

How do I use it?
  Just add the image.pas file to your project, make sure imagine.dll is
in your path, and with one line you're done.

output := ConvertImage(Callback, Dither, FileIn, FileOut);

The parameters are:

Callback:  The function to receive progress information from the dll
Dither:  Do you want the colors reduced? (0 = no, 1 = yes, 2 = yes
   ((concerns only jpeg processing - produces high quality bitmaps))
FileIn:  The file to be converted
FileOut:  The bitmap output file

The function returns 0 for success or an error for what went wrong.

How do I register?
  Registration is only available on Compuserve (GO SWREG, I.D. 10432)
for $35.  Registered users will receive a non-beeping dll, the code for the
shadowed about box used in imagine.exe, and where to find the sources
used for the .dll.

Michael Pepperell
June, 1996