HPAVC/HPAVC CD-ROM.iso/VFD17.ZIP/VFD.DOC

Text File | 1995-05-04 | 34KB | 693 lines

                            VFD(tm) Video for DOS
                            Release 1.7 (5/05/95)
             Copyright (c) 1994,95 by Bob Williamson  CIS 76570,2752

      VFD(tm) is a DOS command-line motion video cross-compiler for creating
      .FLC, .FLI and .AVI files from:

      Windows .DIB files (all BMP & RLE)
      Windows .RDI files (RIFF DIB)
      Windows .BMP files (1, 4, 8, 16 & 24-bit)
      Windows .RLE files (4 & 8-bit, including deltas)
      IBM OS/2 .BMP files (1, 4, 8 & 24-bit)
      Truevision .TGA files (8, 16, 24 & 32-bit rle & uncmp)
      Zsoft .PCX files (8 & 24-bit)                     *registered version*
      Autodesk .FLC and .FLI files (all)
      Windows .AVI files (RLE and 8, 16, & 24-bit DIB)
      MPEG .RAW files produced by DMPEG.EXE v1.1 (8 & 24-bit)

      VFD will extract a numpic file series from FLC, FLI, RAW, and AVI
      (RLE & DIB only) in BMP, RLE, GIF, PCX or TGA formats.  Direct
      conversion of FLC, FLI, AVI and single image formats is also supported.

      VFD uses an advanced method of color quantitization called Hilite
      Promotion (Scaleable Adaptive, Histogram-based).  Hilite Promotion
      produces 8-bit motion video with high color fidelity and image
      resolution from a diverse range of image files and palettes by using
      scaleable quantitization (color reduction) and variable dither
      intensity.  Hilite Promotion can be used to create an optimum palette
      containing both the most popular colors and the most diverse colors
      from the input images.

      Hilite Promotion was developed as a solution to the motion video color
      quantitization problem of multiple images and palettes.  It may be
      used for building compatible Windows identity palettes for one or more
      bit-mapped images to be displayed by Windows, as well as motion video.

      PARAMS:

      VFD options may be invoked by use of command-line parameters.  The
      parameters follow the infile, preceded by a space and either a forward
      slash '/' or a hyphen '-'.  The params may be in any order and are case
      insensitive.  Typing 'VFD <enter>' will display a list of the options:

  VFD infile [params]
  -I         create .FLI (default is .FLC)
  -An        create .AVI n=1 8-bit DIB, n=2 RLE, n=3 16-bit DIB, n=4 24-bit
  -En        Extract numpic series n=1 8-bit .BMP, n=2 .RLE delta, n=3 .GIF
             n=4 8-bit .PCX, n=5,6,7: 8,16,24-bit .TGA uncmp
  -Sn        playback Speed in frm/sec n=0.1 to 99 (default=15)
  -Ofname    Outpath [d:\path\]fname (default fname=infile w/ outtyp .ext)
  -Tn1[,n2]  Total frames n1=start, n2=total count (disables B2 pingpong)
  -Mn        CoMpression n=1 50%, n=2 67%, n=3 75%, n=4 80%, ..., n=99 99%
  -Kn        Keyframe interval n=1 to 65535 (Default is no keyframes)
  -Bn        Backward n=1, pingpong n=2, mirror n=3, flip n=4 (B1,B2:numpic)
  -Rn        Resize n=1 1/2, n=2 2x n=3 override dflt FLI aspect correction
  -Cn        Color count n=2 to 255 (default=256)
  -Hn        Hilite promotion (range 0 to 255) Use to override default.
  -Dn        Dither (intensity range 0 to 255) Use to override default.
  -L±n[,c]   Luminance n=1 to 255 (+ lite, - dark) (c=r,g,b: red,green,blue)
  -Wn        Windows id palette n=1 mapped (default), n=2 not map, n=0 no id
  -Fn        Fixed Windows id pal n=1 Indeo, n=2 gray, n=3 hlftne, n=4 b&w
  -Pn        write Pal n=1 RIFF .PAL, n=2 DIB .PAL, n=3,4 AA,AAPro .COL,
             n=5 PicLab .MAP, n=6 PSP .PAL, n=7 NeoPnt .PAL, n=8 generic .PAL

      The infile may be any of the above listed image file formats.  VFD
      will read a numpic series if wildcards ('*' or '?') are used in the
      file name. The infile may include the path. The output file path is
      the current default.  Examples:

      VFD pretty00.bmp                     (produce a one frame .FLC
                                           PRETTY.FLC)

      VFD pretty*.rle                      (produce a 100 frame .FLC
                                           starting w/ pretty00.rle
                                           thru pretty99.rle named
                                           PRETTY.FLC)

      VFD d:\pretty\pretty??.rle -a2 -w1   (produce PRETTY.AVI with a
                                           Windows identity palette)

      VFD pretty.avi -i                    (produce PRETTY.FLI)

      MAKEFILE:

      Typing 'VFD -? <enter>' will display the following:

      The infile for VFD may be a text file with the extension of .MAK which
      lists the source image files and optional keywords.  If a motion video
      file is used in the makefile, it must be the only input image file.
      The keywords are:

            REPEAT_n (repeat the previous input file 'n' times)
            PINGPONG (read the previous numpic series in reverse order)
            BACKWARD (read the following numpic series in reverse order)
            MIRROR_ON (the following frames will be mirror-image)
            MIRROR_OFF (turn mirror-image off)
            FLIP_ON (the following frames will be inverted)
            FLIP_OFF (turn inverted off)
            TRANSPARENT_r,g,b (the rgb color will be transparent - AVI only)
            TRANSPARENT_OFF (turn transparent off)
            KEYFRAME (the following frame will be a keyframe)
            CD-ROM (the AVI video chunks will be padded for CD-ROM playback)
            CROP_n1,n2,n3,n4 (n1=top, n2=left, n3=width, n4=height) zero base

      Keywords are not case-sensitive.  The comment character is a semicolon.

      Example text of PRETTY.MAK:
                                 ;216 frames, 320x240, identity pal
                                 pretty.pal
                                 d:\pretty\pretty00.bmp
                                 REPEAT_8
                                 d:\pretty\pretty??.bmp
                                 d:\pretty\pretty99.bmp
                                 REPEAT_8
                                 PINGPONG

     The above example will produce PRETTY.FLC containing 10 frames of
     pretty00.bmp, 98 frames of pretty01.bmp thru pretty98.bmp, 10 frames
     of pretty99.bmp and 98 frames of pretty98.bmp thru pretty01.bmp.  The
     palette file pretty.pal will be used for the motion video palette.
     PINGPONG repeats the previous numpic series in reverse, omitting the
     first and last frames.

     The maximum frame count is 65535.  The maximum makefile size is 16kb.
     Numpic series with the same base name are limited to a maximum of 5460
     frames.  VFD reads stdin for response to input prompts.  VFD may be
     invoked in a batch file (.BAT) using redirection of a text file for
     input response.  The system date, time and command line params are
     inserted as the first comment line in the makefile each time the
     makefile is processed by VFD.  Input image files are opened read-only.

     The .MAK extension is not required on the command line.  'VFD pretty'
     is equivilent to 'VFD pretty.mak'.

     HILITE PROMOTION:

     Any combination of input image types and color formats (1 to 32 bit)
     may be combined in a VFD makefile.  If the total color count exceedes
     256, Hilite Promotion and dither should be used to obtain the optimum
     output for 8-bit video.  VFD builds a popularity histogram of all the
     colors from the input images.  The motion video palette consists of the
     256 most popular colors less the Hilite Promotion value.  The Hilites
     are then added to the motion video palette from the remaining colors in
     the histogram.  The Hilites are selected as those colors in the
     histogram having the greatest difference from the colors already
     included in the motion video palette.  If the '-Cn' (color count) option
     is used, the Hilite value is subtracted from the color count.  Black, by
     default, is always the first color in the motion video palette.

     A Hilite value of 255 (true-cut) will produce results similar to the
     standard unbiased median-cut method of color reduction.  With Hilite
     promotion, the palette colors are actual colors from the input images,
     not averaged colors.  Lower Hilite values (-H128) will often produce the
     best results for motion video and generate a smaller file, as less
     dither is required.  The lower value guarantees inclusion of the true
     most popular colors in the video palette.  If reducing a single image,
     or making a slide show, use -H255 -D128 for best results.

     Motion video created from digital video capture (16/24-bit color) can be
     converted to  8-bit color motion video with very good results by using
     Hilite Promotion and dither.  Start with -H128 -D20 and adjust up or
     down to produce the best result.  For ray trace input, start with -H160
     -D8. As Hilite value increases, the dither requirement decreases.

     A default Hilte and Dither value is used if the color count exceeds
     255 and no Hilite and Dither values are given on the command line.
     The default is replaced by the command line values when they are given.
     Params of -H0 and -D0 will disable the defaults.

     DITHER:

     Dither will reduce or eliminate 'color banding'.  Dither may be used
     even when the total color count is less than 256.

     VFD uses the 'Floyd-Steinberg' dither pattern in alternating direction
     (serpentine).  The dither intensity (-Dn) is the maximum difference
     between the true pixel value and the motion video palette value that
     will be used in the error dispersion.  Lower dither values produce less
     'background animation'.

     COMPRESSION:

     Motion video compression (data rate reduction) may be achieved in two
     ways: Reduce the data content (image quality) of each frame, or by
     reducing the frame count and the playback speed by a corresponding
     amount.  VFD uses the second of the two compression methods.  VFD motion
     video image quality is always 100%.  The range (-Mn) is n=1 50% to n=99
     99%.  Compression may be used with Extraction of a numpic series as well
     as motion video output.  Example:

              -M1    write 1, skip 1, write 1, ...    Speed/2     50%
              -M2    write 1, skip 2, write 1, ...    Speed/3     67%
              -M3    write 1, skip 3, write 1, ...    Speed/4     75%
              ...
              -M99   write 1, skip 99, write 1, ...   Speed/100   99%

     Use of compression is recommended when processing 24 or 30 frame/sec
     input.

     PALETTES:

     The motion video palette may be output with the '-Pn' param. VFD reads
     and writes the following palette formats:

                  -P1     RIFF .PAL (VFW PalEdit)
                  -P2     DIB .PAL (Windows Paintbrush)
                  -P3,4   AA,AAPro .COL (Autodesk Animator, AA Pro)
                  -P5     ascii .MAP (PicLab - DOS Public Domain)
                  -P6     ascii .PAL (Paint Shop Pro - Windows Shareware)
                  -P7     ascii .PAL (NeoPaint - DOS Shareware)
                  -P8     generic .PAL (Improcess - DOS Shareware)

     The programs in parentheses are applications that can read and edit the
     specific palette format.  Ascii palette files may also be edited with a
     text editor.  The edited palette may be used as the motion video palette
     by including it as the first file in the makefile.  The Color count
     (-Cn) and Windows id pal (-Wn) params are disabled when a palette is
     read from the makefile.  Windows Paintbrush will only read DIB palette
     files with 28 colors maximum.

     ID PALETTES:

     The Windows identity palette option (-Wn) will add the 20 reserved
     Windows system colors to the motion video palette.  The 20 colors are
     subtracted from the color count prior to subtracting the Hilite
     Promotion value.  The identity pal may be mapped (-W1) or not mapped
     (-W2) to the motion video palette.  VFD maps the closest color in the
     motion video palette to the color in the input image using the spherical
     distance method.

     Some motion video, while requiring the identity pal for compatibility
     under Windows, will look better when mapped only to the colors from the
     input file (-W2).

     FIXED PALETTES:

     VFD provides 4 fixed palettes:    -F1 = 256 color Indeo Win identity pal
                                       -F2 = 32 color grayscale Win id pal
                                       -F3 = 32 color halftone Win id pal
                                       -F4 = black & white Windows id pal

     The -F1 default is mapped identity pal.  The -F2, -F3 and -F4 defaults
     are not mapped identity pal.  The defaults may be overridden by use of
     the -W1 or -W2 params.  Example:

                                     -F4 -W1 will use the 20 color Windows
                                     identity palette (b&w are id colors)

                                     -F4 -D128 for dithered b&w output

     The Luminance '-L±n[,c]' param color channel option '[,c]' may be used
     to change the tint of the grayscale and halftone palettes.  The '-Cn'
     color count param is disabled when a fixed palette '-Fn' is used.

     RESIZE & ASPECT:

     The '-R1' param will halve the vertical and horizontal dimensions of
     the input image.  Example: 640x480 -> 320x240.  The -R2 param will
     double the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the input file.
     Example: 320x240 -> 640x480.

     VFD prompts for screen aspect correction to high resolution mode if
     the source files are 320x200 and the output format is .FLC or AVI. If
     the source files are not 320x200 or 160x100 and the output is .FLI, the
     images are corrected from high resolution mode to FLI aspect by default.
     Default FLI aspect correction may be overridden by using the -R3 param.

     The maximum input and output image size is 1024x768.  Input image size
     for .FLC and .AVI output must be consistant.  Input image size for .FLI
     output may vary from a maximum of 640x480 (the output for .FLI will
     always be 320x200, with image centered).

     Sequence of geometic operations:   Resize 1/2
                                        Mirror
                                        Resize 2x
                                        Crop
                                        Aspect
     CONVERTING AVIs:

     Many .AVI files are compressed with formats for which there are no
     Public DOS drivers.  These files must be converted to RLE or Full
     Frames with VFW VidEdit or a similar Windows program for use with VFD.
     If the AVI is 8-bit color, save the file as RLE or 8-bit DIB.
     For 16 & 24-bit AVIs, save the file as a 16 or 24-bit DIB.

     When saving in RLE format for VFD input, set the target to custom, no
     data rate, no keyframes, no CD-ROM padding, and set quality at 100%.
     If the data rate is not set to a high value, data may be lost when
     converting to RLE compression using VidEdit.

     Capture files created with a capture card may be converted to full frame
     compression option for processing with VFD.

     AVIs created with VFD may be converted to other compression options
     with VidEdit.  If VidEdit returns 'out of memory' errors when converting
     RLE compressed AVIs, use VFD to add keyframes (-K15 -A2).

     Note: MS VidEdit 1.1 is included as a free bonus with the registered VFD.

     RLE DELTAS:

     Deltas are the differences between the current frame and the previous
     frame.  Delta encoding uses line and column skips to create
     transparency.  When a delta input series is processed, the frames are
     overlayed with the transparent portion unchanged from the previous
     frame.  Delta input series may not be dithered with VFD.  If dither is
     required, the delta series should be extracted from a motion video that
     was created using dither.

     MS BitEdit, Paint Shop Pro (Windows Shareware), and AAWIN (Freeware
     Autodesk player for Windows) read and display RLE deltas correctly.

     The first frame of a RLE delta series is a keyframe (opaque), and the
     following frames are all deltas (transparent except for changes from the
     previous frame).  Full frame (opaque) RLE series may be extracted by
     using the Keyframe param: -E2 -K1.

     RLE delta input files should not be used with the Backward, Pingpong
     coMpress, or Total (where n1 > 1) options.

     CHROMA KEY OVERLAYS:

     Titles, copyright notices, etc. may be added to AVI motion video using
     transparent RLE delta overlays.  First, make a title frame using any
     paint or drawing program, and save it as TITLE1 (in RLE image format).
     Extract a RLE image series from the target video. Then create a make
     file using the TRANSPARENT_rgb keyword to set the title frame background
     invisible.  The makefile (pretty.mak) should look like this:

     first.rle                  ;first frame renamed
     TRANSPARENT_0,0,0          ;black
     title1.rle                 ;title frame
     REPEAT_20                  ;optional
     TRANSPARENT_OFF
     pretty*.rle                ;second thru last frame

     'VFD pretty -a2' will produce a new AVI with the title frame overlaying
     the first frame.

     SPEED:

     VFD may be used to produce slideshows as well as motion video.  Playback
     speed range is from 0.1 to 99 frames/sec.  Fractional rates above 1
     frame/sec are not supported.  Some .FLC & .FLI players do not accept
     speed values less than 1 frm/sec.  VFD produced .AVIs with speeds less
     than 1 frm/sec may be converted with VFW VidEdit to other compression
     types and retain a speed of less than 1 frm/sec, even though VidEdit
     v1.1 will only set rates of 1 to 99 frames/sec. Example:

                      -S.1 = 10 seconds per frame
                      -S.2 =  5 seconds per frame
                      -S10 = 10 frames per second

     When using VFD to create looping AVI slideshows, the REPEAT_1 makefile
     keyword should be used to repeat the last frame for play with Win MCI.

     DATA RATE:

     The data rate required for playback is displayed for .FLC, .FLI. & .AVIs
     when they are rendered by VFD.  The first frame of .FLCs & .FLIs is
     ommitted from the calculation because it is displayed only one time,
     and then replaced by the ring frame.  The ring frame is a delta of the
     last and first frames.  AVIs do not have a ring frame.

     The coMpress (-Mn) param may be used with a corresponding percentage
     reduction in playback speed to reduce the data rate (and file size)
     while maintaining the same apparent speed.

     TOTAL FRAMES:

     If extracting from motion video when the start frame (-Tn1) is greater
     than 1, the first extracted frame will be a delta.  To make the first
     frame a keyframe, use VFD to create a video with a Keyframe interval
     (-Kn) syncronized with the start frame value (n1), and then the start
     frame will hit the keyframe.  Example: to extract a 100 frame FLC
     starting at frame 157, use 'VFD pretty.flc -k157 -otmpfle', then 'VFD
     tmpfle.flc -t157,100 -opretty2'.

     If the Total frames param is used with the Backwards param (-B1), the
     start frame is the highest numbered frame defined by the Total frame
     param.  Example: to skip the first file in a 100 frame series using the
     -B1 param: -T1,99. (its backwards)

     KEYFRAME INTERVAL:

     Keyframes (-Kn where n=1 to 65535) and the KEYFRAME makefile keyword may
     be used when creating FLC, FLI, RLE compressed AVI, and for RLE delta
     extraction.  The default is no Keyframes.  Keyframes may be useful in
     video editing, but are not necessary for playback in VFD produced motion
     video, as the image quality is always 100%.

     Keyframes may also be useful in AVIs with a programmed or script-driven
     player that seeks to specific frames in response to user input.

     Extraction of all full frame RLE images may be accomplished by using the
     -E2 -K1 params.

     PADDING:

     Padding will improve the data through-put of AVIs when played from
     CD-ROM.  To add padding, place the 'CD-ROM' keyword in the makefile
     prior to the image files.  The default is no padding.  The CD-ROM
     keyword is ignored for FLC and FLI output.

     CTRL-BRK:

     Use of CTRL-BRK will terminate VFD at any point in processing.

     AUDIO:

     VFD skips over audio tracks in input files.  VFW VidEdit and WavEdit or
     similar Windows programs may be used to add audio to VFD produced .AVIs.
     See Converting AVIs for info on how to obtain a free copy of VFW.

     AVITXT:

     AVITXT.EXE adds plain text comments to AVI files. The comment text is
     limited to 28,000 bytes, and is padded to a 2Kb boundary by default.
     Existing comment text may be replaced with AVITXT. To remove comments,
     use AVITXT with a text file of zero length (as created with DOS EDIT).
     The Shareware version is limited to DIB, RLE, and msvc AVIs. The AVITXT
     included with the registered VFD will add comment text to all AVIs.

     MPEG:

     DMPEG v1.1, a Public Domain MPEG viewer and extractor by Stefan Eckart,
     is included with VFD.  DMPEG.EXE will extract a .RAW file from MPEG Type
     1 files (see the DMPEG.DOC file).  For best results, the .RAW file
     should be extracted in 24-bit format for VFD input (DMPEG -d4).  VFD
     Hilite value of 128 and dither value of 20 usually produce very good
     results from 24-bit RAW input.  Compress (-M1) and Speed (-S15) will
     convert the frame rate from 30 frm/sec to 15 frm/sec while retaining the
     apparent speed of the origional MPEG video.  Many .RAW files can be
     compressed even more by using '-M2 -S10' or -M3 -S8'.  The Luminance
     param '-L±n[,c]' will be useful with some MPEG conversions.

     JPEG:

     VFD does not accept .JPG input files.  JPG files are 24-bit color lossy
     compression and must be converted to another file format for input to
     VFD.  For best results, use Paint Shop Pro (Shareware by JASC, Inc.), to
     reduce the JPG file to 8-bit color and save as a 8-bit compressed TGA
     file.  Then use VFD with Highlite promotion to render the TGAs.

     PSP.ZIP is avaliable on CompuServe in the GRAPHSUP forum, Format
     Conversion library.

     MEMORY & SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

     VFD.EXE is a DOS real-mode application requiring 500Kb free conventional
     memory and 96Kb XMS memory for processing 320x200 images.  Larger image
     sizes require additional XMS memory.

     DOS 3.1 or greater, 80286 or greater, 4Mb RAM required.  At least 2Mb
     XMS memory should be configured using HIMEM.SYS or equivilent.  A SVGA
     video card is required to play 256 color .FLC and .AVI files.  FLI files
     use only the standard VGA video modes.  The VFW runtime and 8Mb Ram is
     required to play AVIs with the Windows v3.1 MCI player.

     MOTION VIDEO SOURCES:

     The following CompuServe forums are sources for motion video:

     TIMESCAPE: AVI
     ARCFILM: AVI
     ASOFT: FLC, FLI
     COMANIM: FLC, FLI, MPG, AVI
     SPACE: MPG, AVI (NASA uploads)
     WINAV: AVI

     The latest VFW runtime for Windows may be found in the COMANIM forum.

     TECHNICAL SOURCES:

     VFD is written in MASM 6.1 using file format specifications found in the
     Windows SDK and the following:

     CIS:ASOFT: FLCSPC.ZIP
     Zsoft Corporation Technical Reference Manual, 1991
     Truevision Targa File Format Specification v2.0, 1991

     Much credit is due David Hoffmann, Michael Koch, and Vince Pilgrim for
     their patient counsel and beta test bug reports.

     SUPPORT:

     VFD continues to be upgraded with new features.  For the latest version,
     GO GRAPHSUP on CompuServe and download VFD.ZIP from the Format Conversion
     library section.

     VFD support is provided on CompuServe in the Graphics Support forum
     (GO GRAPHSUP).  Leave a message in the Format Conversion section for
     prompt response.  Direct support is also provided from Internet at:

                         [e-mail]

     The author of VFD may be reached at the following address:
     (For credit card registration orders, see below.)

                             Bob Williamson
                             PO Box 172349
                             Arlington, TX
                             76003-2349
                             U.S.A.

     Developers wanting to add FLI, FLC, and/or AVI edit or playback,
     including codecs, to their applications are encouraged to contact the
     author for information on porting.

     SHAREWARE:

     VFD is copyrighted software that is marketed as Shareware.  The
     Shareware version of VFD may be used for a 30 day trial period, after
     which registration is required for continued use.  The registered
     version of VFD includes input/output file formats that are not included
     in the Shareware version.

     The Shareware version of VFD may be placed on computer bulletin boards
     and distributed on diskette by Shareware vendors, if priced less than
     $7.00.  VFD may not be distributed bundled with other software or
     hardware, on CD-ROM, or included on diskette with a book, magazine or
     other product without the written permission of the author.

     VFD(tm) is a trademark of Bob Williamson, CIS 76570,2752.

     REGISTRATION:

     The registered version of VFD adds the following features:

     * Includes MS VidEdit 1.1 for conversion to/from other codecs and
       adding/editing audio in AVIs.  Requires Windows 3.1.
     * 16-bit and 24-bit AVI output.
     * PCX input and output.
     * 16 and 24-bit TGA extract from 16 and 24-bit DIB AVIs and MPEG .RAW.
     * AVITXT.EXE for adding text comments to all AVIs (all codecs).
       The text comments are displayed with GeeWiz.

     Single-copy registration of VFD is $39.00.  The following discount
     schedule applies to quantity and site licenses:

                     2 to 4 copies      $29.00 each
                     5 to 9 copies      $24.00 each
                     10 or more copies  $19.00 each

     Registered users will be notified by mail of upgrade opprotunities and
     new products as they become avaliable.  The next VFD upgrade following
     registration is sent free to registered users.  Subsequent upgrades are
     half-price to registered users if ordered directly from the author, with
     the following upgrade free.

     Corporate Purchase Orders and checks for VFD registration may be mailed
     directly to the author at the PO Box address listed under Support.
     Checks should be payable to Bob Williamson in US dollars and drawn on a
     US bank.  International Postal money orders are also accepted.

     Please include $4.00 S&H ($6.00 overseas) with each order.

     CREDIT CARD ORDERS:

     You can order with M/C, VISA, AMEX, or DISCOVER from Public software
     Library by calling 800-242-4775 or 713-524-6394 or by FAX to
     713-524-6398 or by CIS Email to 71355,470.  You can also mail credit
     card orders to:
                               PsL
                               PO Box 35705
                               Houston, TX
                               77235-5705
                               U. S. A.

     There is a $4.00 S&H charge ($6.00 overseas) on all orders.  The above
     numbers are for orders only.

     ORDERS FROM UK:

     Registration and/or orders can be sent by phone, fax, mail or email to:

                               Digital Workshop
                               First Floor
                               8 West Bar
                               BANBURY
                               Oxon
                               OX16 9RR
                               England

                               Tel: [phone]
                               Fax: [phone]
                               CIS: 74431,1160
                          Internet: [e-mail]

     Access, Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and Delta welcome.

     Cheques, money orders and postal orders payable to Digital Workshop.

     ORDERS FROM GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND:

                                Holin Datentechnik
                                Buchrainweg 61
                                63069 Offenbach Germany

                                Tel: ++49 69 833587
                                Fax: ++49 69 845242
                                CIS: 100441,1366
                           Internet: [e-mail]

     MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club welcome.

     Checks, money orders and postal orders payable to Holin Datentechnik.

     NOTICE:

     You accept this program and files with the understanding that the
     author makes no representations or warranties as to the suitability
     of this program for your particular purpose, and that to the extent
     you use or implement this program in your own setting, you do so at
     your own risk.  In no event will the author be liable for any damages,
     whether consequential, incidental, or special, arising out of the
     use or inability to use the program.

     REVISION HISTORY:

     Version 1.0 05/16/94 (CD-ROM release Aug '94)
     ______________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.1 07/05/94
     General revision too extensive to detail.
     _______________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.2 07/23/94
     Maximum image size increased from 640x480 to 1024x768.
     _______________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.3 08/25/94
     Verifies AVI infile index - if bad, walks RIFF chunks for processing.
     Reduced XMS requirement.
     Included GeeWiz, the Freeware AVI player for DOS.
     _______________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.4 10/10/94
     Improved processing speed for Repeat frames & compress (skipped frames).
     Improved processing speed for Luminance option.
     Write Palette option is now independent from extract/create options.
     Writes AVI index records for 64k frames maximum (was 4096).
     Added FLIP_ON and FLIP_OFF makefile keywords.
     Added doc reference on how to obtain free copy of Video for Windows.
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Version 1.5 10/31/94
     Added Flip command line param (-B4).
     Numpic series are sorted on filename & extension (was filename only).
     Added TRANSPARENCY_r,g,b makefile keyword.
     Added 16 and 24-bit TGA extract (*registered* version).
     _______________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6 12/01/94
     Added default Hilite Promotion and Dither values.
     Added text comment display and SVGA video mode to GeeWiz 1.3.
     Included AVITXT 1.0, a utility to add text comments to AVIs.
     _______________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6a 12/05/94
     Bugfix for palette extraction (-Pn) when -Cn param is used.
     GeeWiz v1.3a is compatible with more SVGA cards.
     ________________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6b 12/20/94
     Added read compatiblity for Corel RLE AVIs (VFD and Geewiz).
     Increased GeeWiz v1.4 max frame size to 640x480, & added single-step.
     Allowed VFD Hilite & Dither param value of '0', to override defaults.
     Added msvc codec to the Shareware version of AVITXT v1.1.
     ________________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6d 12/30/94
     Added 8-bit msvc codec playback to GeeWiz 1.5.
     Added developer porting information to VFD.DOC.
     Removed GIF i/o due to license requirements.
     ________________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6e 3/02/95
     Adopted Intel's Indeo fixed palette for the 256 color fixed pal option.
     Revised Chroma Key Overlay doc section.
     CROP width & height values are adjusted if they exceed frame limits.
     Added .RDI (RIFF DIB) input file format.
     ________________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6f 3/15/95
     VFD reads FLIs captured with ComputerEyes correctly now.
     ID palettes are preserved from input->output and with the luminance param.
     GeeWiz 1.6 has silver screen option (-i) and improved CD-ROM performace.
     ________________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.6g 4/13/95
     VFD reads FLCs created with PhotoMorph correctly now.
     Color reduction default values for Hilight Promotion & Dither improved.
     Luminance control is improved.
     Win identity palette is now the default. '-W0' will override (no id pal).
     _________________________________________________________________________
     Version 1.7 5/05/95
     Added 16 and 24-bit AVI output with registered version.
     Includes MS VidEdit 1.1 free with registration.