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FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 1
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker
Version 1.0
Operational Manual
Copyright (c) 1995 Constellation Software
Written by ATYPiCAL
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table Of Contents ................................................ 2
Introduction ..................................................... 3
Warranty/Disclaimer/Acknowledgements.............................. 4
System Requirements .............................................. 5
Distributing FLASH! .............................................. 5
Registration Information ......................................... 6
Getting Started .................................................. 7
Files List ..................................................... 7
Installing FLASH! .............................................. 8
How to use FLASH! .............................................. 9
Making your First Intro ........................................ 10
Effects Descriptions ............................................. 12
Nothing ........................................................ 12
Fire with Text ................................................. 12
Disappearing Text .............................................. 12
Fire ........................................................... 13
Plasma ......................................................... 13
Stretch ........................................................ 13
3D Stars ....................................................... 13
3D Tunnel ...................................................... 14
Simple Scroller ................................................ 14
Text ........................................................... 14
Fade In ........................................................ 14
Fade Out ....................................................... 15
Delay .......................................................... 15
Build Screen ................................................... 15
Load Picture (.PIC) ............................................ 15
Special Clear Screen #1 ........................................ 15
Special Clear Screen #2 ........................................ 15
Scroller (.LOC) ................................................ 16
A few more options in the effects .............................. 16
The Font Editor .................................................. 17
Loading Fonts .................................................. 17
Creating New Fonts ............................................. 17
Saving Your Fonts .............................................. 17
The Font Viewer ................................................ 18
Using The Fonts ................................................ 18
The Screen Thief Utility ......................................... 19
Loading FLASH!'s Screen Thief Into Memory ...................... 19
Stealing Screens From Other Programs ........................... 19
Using The Screens Stolen From Other Programs ................... 20
The Picture Viewer ............................................. 20
The Scroll Locations Editor ...................................... 21
Creating New Scroll Paths ...................................... 21
Using The New Scroll Paths Created ............................. 21
The Files Linker ................................................. 22
Making a simple intro with a MOD ............................... 22
Editing The Files List ......................................... 23
Choosing What Files in What Order to Run ....................... 23
Compiling ...................................................... 23
Other Small programs ............................................. 24
PizzaWorm, Clock, The Help Menu ................................ 24
Author's Words ................................................... 25
Contacting the Author .......................................... 25
Greetings ...................................................... 25
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 3
Introduction
you are presented here with a new generation of IntroMakers - FLASH!
If you were looking for someone to make your company/BBS a demo/intro
this is for you! With FLASH! it is now easy than ever to make
yourself good looking intros. FLASH! was made comfortable to use and
full with features you'll never see anywhere else.
It is highly recommended to print this document. To do so, choose
option "Print Documents" in the HELP menu.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 4
WARRANTY/DISCLAIMER/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FLASH! and all other accompanying files are provided "AS IT" without
any warranty, expressed or implied. This includes without limitation
the fitfulness for a particular purpose or application and any
warranties of merchantability.
In no condition the author of FLASH! be liable to you for any
damages, including lost savings, lost profits, information lost,
computer damage (including all parts of the computer) or any other
types of damages from your direct or indirect use of FLASH!.
Individuals using the software bear all risk as to its quality and
performance.
All brand/product/company names mentioned in FLASH! and all its
components are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners. They are used for identification purposes only.
FLASH! may not be modified in any respect, for any reason, including
but not limited to, disassembling, de-compiling, or anything alike.
All program output, the text, names, and everything else must not be
altered, removed, bypassed or modified by any means.
You may distribute the shareware version of FLASH! to other people
subject to the above restrictions and also the following:
1. No fee is charged for it.
2. All accompanying files are included. For files listing look under
section Getting Started/Files List in page 7.
3. It must be made clear that the disributed program is the shareware
unregistered version.
All the above license statement does not apply to the registered
version of FLASH!. The registered version of FLASH! may never be
re-sold or given in any way to others who haven't paid for it.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 5
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
In order to run FLASH! your system must have the following hardware:
386SX or better Computer
Standard Serial Mouse
VGA or compatible screen card
That's all FLASH! required.
If you last one of the following equipment, FLASH! will probably not
run in your computer. The 386SX requirement is only s minimum. FLASH!
will probably run slow like hell on such a computer. 486SX/25 is
probably the minimum for running FLASH! in a comfortable way.
A mouse is also required, because all the choices and everything
is chosen using the mouse.
And last, a VGA or compatible screen card is required because FLASH!
(its interface) runs at 320x400x256. Though, the intros made using
it require actually only a simple MCGA card.
DISTRIBUTING FLASH!
You may freely share FLASH! with your friends and give them or anyone
else the unregistered shareware version. But please, before doing it,
make sure that the version of FLASH! you are giving them wasn't
changed even a bit. If you do not know which files belong to the
IntroMaker and which files doesn't, compare them to the files list
in page 7. The name of the archive that holds all these files has to
be FLASH!.ZIP or FLASH! followed by any other known archive
extension (ARJ,ARC,UC2,LZH,...).
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 6
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
FLASH! is a shareware product.
Shareware means that you have a "trial time" to test the program, and
if after this time period, you decide you wish to continue using the
program, you have to register it.
The trial time is given to you in order to let you test this software
before you have to pay for it. This way you can be sure if the
program is useful for you before buying it.
FLASH!'s "trial time" is 3 weeks.
If 3 weeks pass, and you decide you wish to continue using FLASH!,
you have to register it.
You may not distribute any intros made using FLASH! before
registering it.
Fore more information, please refer to the registration text included
in this IntroMaker in the file REGISTER.DOC. This file explains
everything (hopefully) you need to know in order to decide if you
want to register FLASH!, and what to do if you decide to register or
if you decide not to.
For the registration form, that includes the prices etc, choose
option "Print Reg. Form" in the Help menu, to print it, or browse
it yourself - it's in the file FLASH!.REG.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 7
GETTING STARTED
The following files are included in the shareware version of FLASH!:
Filename: Description:
FLASH! EXE Main IntroMaker executable.
FLASH! DAT IntroMaker data - do not change/remove.
FLASH!ST EXE FLASH!'s Screen Thief.
FLASH! REG FLASH!'s Registration form - print & send!
FLASH! DOC Documents.
REGISTER DOC Registration information.
SAMPLE PIC Sample picture for use by the sample intro(s).
SAMPLE1 PIC Same as above.
SAMPLE1 LOC Sample location file for use by the same intro(s).
SAMPLE LOC Same as above.
SAMPLE1 INT Sample intro #1 "Source" (.INT).
SAMPLE2 INT Sample intro #2 "Source" (.INT)
01 FNT 38,700 -|
02 FNT 38,700 |___ Fonts!
03 FNT 38,700 |
04 FNT 38,700 -|
SAMPLE1 EXE 154,333 Sample intro #1 executable - Run and
watch FLASH!'s capabilities!
SAMPLE2 EXE 217,640 Sample intro #2 executable - Run and
Watch FLASH!'s capabilities.
The name of the archive that holds all these files has to be
FLASH!.ZIP, FLASH!.ARJ, FLASH!.LZH, FLASH!.UC2, etc.
If you miss one or more of the following files, then you do not have
the whole FLASH! IntroMaker Package and you are encouraged to get it
from a BBS near you. Any other files included with FLASH! such as BBS
adds or other .INT/.FNT/.LOC etc files are not needed and should
be deleted.
Please note that you may not distribute FLASH! without all the
original files! Do NOT distribute FLASH! partially in ANY way!
If you give it to your friends or others, always compare YOUR
list of files to the original ones. If some files are missing, you
are not allowed to distribute it! Get the original one from a BBS
near you.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 8
INSTALLING FLASH!
What do you need in order to install FLASH! ?
Almost nothing.
Yes, installing FLASH! is fairly simple. You probably got this
program in an archive downloaded from some BBS or taken from a public
domain software library. No matter where you got it, just open the
archive using the needed archive program. I don't think there's
anything hard in this process, though you were supposed to pass it
already if you got to reading this text file.
So now, you have your FLASH! open on your harddrive, in the directory
of your choice. It is highly recommended if not a must to put FLASH!
in its own directory separate from other files.
Now, you may check the files you got by comparing them to the list of
files in page 7 (The last page). After you see that everything is
fine, you may proceed reading this document and... Get to know FLASH!
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 9
HOW TO USE FLASH
In this section I will try to explain the basics in using FLASH's
interface.
First, to load FLASH!, go to the directory where you've put FLASH!
and type in the following:
FLASH!
This will simply load FLASH.
As FLASH is loaded, you see a picture with the word "FLASH!" in big
letters in the middle of it. Press any key to pass this and get to
the program.
After this, the screen mode will be switched to 320x400x256 and you
will see a mouse cursor and a few icons.
move it, and choose one of the icons.
To exit the program, simply close the window by clicking on the [-]
with your mouse. No double click is needed anywhere. Always click
only once because no more is necessary.
Now, just choose some icons, and play with it! It shouldn't be very
hard! The menuing system is easy enough to understand, so I won't get
along with it much. Now, just keep reading, and you will be taught,
step by step, about how to make your first intro.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 10
MAKING YOUR FIRST INTRO
In this chapter, I will try to teach you how to create one simple
intro using FLASH!.
To start editing your intro, choose from the Main Menu the icon
FILE. You'll then be presented with a new menu. Choose NEW to start
a new intro. A new window will then be open, full with "Nothing" and
X near each one.
Notice the "+" that appear between every two columns in the window.
Count the number of lines that are full with "Nothing" and you will
see that there are 10. Now, try to understand the basic of how the
intros are built. It's a simple flow chart! You put two effects
in the two sides of the "+" and they run together at the same time.
The others, run one after one, from the top till the bottom.
And now, you may ask, how can I CHANGE the effects?
Simple! Just click on the X icon - YES, it's a icon! By clicking on
it it'll change to another icon and the effect name will be changed,
too. Please note that by using the LEFT mouse button, the effects
switching will be forward, and by using the RIGHT mouse botton, the
effect switching will be backward! This was done to make it more
comfortable to switch between effects, switching to the last effect
by one click instead of doing the whole cycle again, etc.
And what now? Can't I change any information about the effects?!?
Well, yes you can! Simply click on the tiny [P] icon that appears
near every icon - in case you didn't notice, near every icon,
there is a tiny icon with [P] on it. Click on it!
A new window will then be open!
Effect Properties window.
This window includes various options, when some of the options
appear only in part of the effects and some in all.
Here is a list of all the options that appear in ALL effects. Note
that these options are available in one array for each line in the
flow chart meaning by that that you have these options only one time
per every two effects (The ones with "+" between them).
By changing these options at one of the effects, you change also
the options at the effect in the other side.
Here's a list of these options:
Running time? - How many time do you want the effect to run? This
isn't a constant value by itself. Effects can end in other ways
too like putting @ or # in scroller/fire text as you may see later
on in the effects description.
Allow ESC to exit?
If an ESCAPE press occured while the effect is running, should
it be aborted and switch to the next one?
Allow any keypress to exit?
If the user presses some key while the effect is running, should
it be aborted and switch to the next one?
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 11
MAKING YOUR FIRST INTRO
Wait for retrace?
Should the effect wait for retrace after every frame drawn?
This asks you by simple means, "Do you want the effect to wait
for screen refresh before continuing?"
If you answer yes, the effects will run slower and smoother.
If you answer no, the effects will run faster.
It is highly recommended when using a starfield of any kind or
a stars effect with a big number of stars, not to use this option
(Turn it off) and when using any kind of scroller, turn it on.
Clear Screen upon exit?
Please note:
1. I have used the word "effect" here while it's actually effects
pairs.
2. These options are the same in all effects, because they actually
don't have any connection to the effects themselves. Examples for
options that has connection to the effects themselves are things
like scrolling text, screen positions, number of stars, etc.
So now, to start your first intro, just follow these instructions:
1. Change the X icon at the first slot to 3D Tunnel by clicking on it
7 times with the LEFT mouse button.
2. Click on the [P] (Properties) button.
As you can see, the options available to you here are the following:
Shape(1=Bar 2=Circle)
Number Of Stars (1-3000)
Upper X
Upper Y
Lower X
Lower Y
Speed (1-10)
To change an option, just click on its name letters with the mouse
(No matter which button).
Now, I won't give a big explanation about every option, because
I think it's really simple!
For example : Shape (1=Bar 2=Circle) - I don't think someone will
put here 352 for some reason.
The "Number Of Stars" field is understood too.
Then, comes the Upper X, Upper Y, Lower X, Lower Y. What does THAT
mean? Using these options, you can decide where exactly on the screen
you wish to put your effect.
For example, by changing only the Upper Y to, let's say 50, you make
the tunnel not appear in a smaller Y column then 50. This lets you
put other effects there, such as a scroller (Hint hint hint...).
And finally, the SPEED field. This specifies the number of pixels
to advance the stars on every move. So just put there 1-10 as you
wish. for our example, leave everything as the default except the
following: Wait for retrace? No... Number Of Stars(1-3000): 1000
Now, just close this window by clicking on the [-] button, click on
"Compile + Run" and watch your intro!
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 12
EFFECTS DESCRIPTIONS
Here is a list of all available effects in FLASH!
Effect Name: Nothing
Description: Nothing effect, does simply nothing.
Comments: If put twice in one line, it will ignore EVERYTHING and
switch to the next effect immediately.
Parameters:
None
------------------------------
Effect Name: Fire with Text
Description: Draws a fire on the screen. The TEXT parameter will be
used for the letters that suddenly "appear" in the fire.
Comments: Uses pallete colors 0-63
Parameters:
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Lower X Location
Lower Y Location
Text This is a pretty complex part, so read
carefully.
The text is divided to part s like this:
1234512345123451234512345 ...
|___||___||___||___| ...
| | | |
1 2 3 4 ...
Every 5 letters will be shown at the same time.
Only 5 letters can be put in the same time.
The font used is the default BIOS 8x8 font,
which is good enough for this purpose.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Disappearing Text
Description: Draws a text that disappears in a way fire does. No
other fire exists on the screen.
Comments: Uses pallete colors 0-63
Parameters:
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Lower X Location
Lower Y Location
Text This is a pretty complex part, so read
carefully.
The text is divided to parts like this:
1234512345123451234512345 ...
|___||___||___||___| ...
| | | |
1 2 3 4 ...
Every 5 letters will be shown at the same time.
Only 5 letters can be put in the same time.
The font used is the default BIOS 8x8 font,
which is good enough for this purpose.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 13
EFFECTS DESCRIPTIONS
Effect Name: Fire
Description: Draws a simple fire with no text in it.
Comments: Uses pallete colors 0-63
Parameters:
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Lower X Location
Lower Y Location
------------------------------
Effect Name: Plasma
Description: Draws a "PLASMA" on the screen. No special effects
available.
Comments: Always on full screen. Make sure you do not run any
other effects at the same time. Pure Assembler code,
works pretty fast. Uses all colors in the pallete.
Parameters:
None
------------------------------
Effect Name: Stretch
Description: Makes a "stretch" effect. You have to try it to
understand it.
Comments: Works pretty slow (Might get fixed on later versions)
If used, not in full screen unless you have a Pentium.
Uses picture colors.
Parameters:
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Lower X Location
Lower Y Location
.PIC filename Filename of a .PIC file which was saved using
FLASH!'s Screen Thief. Refer to "The Screen
Thief Utility" for more information.
------------------------------
Effect Name: 3D Stars
Description: Draws REAL 3D stars on the screen!
Comments: Uses colors 80-96
Parameters:
Number Of Stars
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Lower X Location
Lower Y Location
Speed How many pixels to advance the stars on every
move.
2-8 highly recommended.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 14
EFFECTS DESCRIPTIONS
Effect Name: 3D Tunnel
Description: Draws REAL 3D Tunnel on the Screen!
Comments: Uses colors 80-96
Parameters:
Shape(1=Bar 2=Circle)
Number Of Stars (1-3000)
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Lower X Location
Lower Y Location
Speed Number of pixels to advance the stars on each move.
2-8 highly recommended.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Simple Scroller
Description: Just a simple scroller.
Comments: Requires a font installed in the intro. For more
information see section "The Font Editor"
Uses the font colors - 64-79.
Parameters:
Upper Y Location Y position where the scroller should be drawn
from.
Speed (1-10) How many pixels to advance the scroller on every
move. 2-4 highly recommended.
Scrolling Text Text to be shown in the scroller.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Text
Description: Simple but powerful text drawing routine.
Comments: Requires a font installed in the intro. For more
information see section "The Font Editor".
Uses the font colors - 64-79.
Parameters:
Speed (1-100) Delay between each letter (The actual delay
highly depends on the existence of other effects
at the same time).
Upper X Location
Upper Y Location
Text Text to be shown. Maximum 20 letters, which will
be automatically devided to two lines (10 Lines
each).
------------------------------
Effect Name: Fade In
Description: Fade In routine.
Comments: None
Parameters:
Speed Fade In speed. 1-10 highly recommended.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 15
EFFECTS DESCRIPTIONS
Effect Name: Fade Out
Description: Fade Out routine.
Comments: None
Parameters:
Speed Fade Out speed. 1-10 highly recommended.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Delay
Description: Make a delay - used to slow down other effect running in
the same time.
Comments: None
Parameters:
Delay Cycling speed. 1-10 highly recommended.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Build Screen
Description: Does a strange thing! Shows the picture in low
resolution, moves it part by part into the screen (4
parts), and switches to high resolution fast.
A pretty complicated effect, you have to see it to
understand it. Uses picture colors.
Comments: None
Parameters:
Picture Filename (.PIC) Picture for use with the effect.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Load Picture(.PIC)
Description: Loads a picture saved using FLASH!'s Screen Thief.
Comments: None
Parameters:
Filename: .PIC filename to load.
------------------------------
Effect Name: Special Clear Screen #1
Description: Clears the screen in a special nice way.
Comments: Gives best results when there is a picture on the
screen.
Parameters:
None
------------------------------
Effect Name: Special Clear Screen #2
Description: Clears the screen in a special nice way (Different than
the way in Special ClearScreen #1 of course).
Comments: None
Parameters:
None
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 16
EFFECTS DESCRIPTIONS
Effect Name: Scroller (.LOC)
Description: A special scroller type. It lets you use scroller
locations made using the Scroll Locations Editor.
Uses font colors - 64-79.
Comments: None
Parameters:
Scrolling Text : Text for use by the scroller.
Scroll Locations Filename (.LOC) : A .LOC file made using FLASH!'s
Scroll Locations Editor.
These are all the effects available in FLASH! at this time.
Get ready for the next version.
(Which will be released only if enough people register).
And now, to another subject.
The effects "Fire with Text", "Disappearing Text", "Simple Scroller"
and "Scroller (.LOC)" has one more important option.
You have probably already noticed, that when using these effects,
there's only the time variable you can change to make the scroller/
text run as much time as you like it to. But if it runs on different
computers? What then? It'll give different results on each computer!
The scroller will reach other location at every computer type!
Why is that? Because the time will be always the same, like in your
watch, but the actualy computer speed is faster!
So, FLASH!, of course has a way to bypass this problem!
Here's how it can be done:
In the scroller effects, type the character "@" at the scroller
whenever you like it to stop running . This will work on both
scrolling effects available, and will simply stop the scroller.
However, it will keep running the other effect if there was any
at the same time. If you wish to stop the other effect too, simply
use "#" instead. This will immediately SKIP and jump to the next
effect. Using these options in "Fire with Text" or "Disappearing
Text" is a bit more complicated: The characters stay the same, "@"
and "#" with same results, but you HAVE TO write them on the first
character at the 5-chars string. For example, if you want it to say
"Hello World" and skip to the next effect immediately, type the
following: HelloWorld#
This will do it all.
And another comment:
As you have probably noticed, a few of the effects specify the exact
colors they use. For example, effects with a font always use colors
64-79, stars related effects always use colors 80-96, etc. To fully
use the IntroMaker, you have to know what this means. It means that
while these effects are running, you CANNOT use these colors! If you
do, it will probably screw up the pallete. Test it to see what I
mean. So, in order to overcome it, you simply have to avoid using
the colors of the effects that run in the same time in the picture
you are drawing, etc.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 17
THE FONT EDITOR
FLASH! has a built in Font Editor which you can use to make original
fonts for your intros.
To load it, choose the icon Font Editor in the utils menu.
As the Font Editor is loaded you get directly to it. You see a grid
of pixels. The grid is 30x30 pixels long. In the lower-right corner
you can see a small model of the font you're currently working on.
The Font Editor is very simple to use - Just move your mouse pointer
to the pixel you wish to change its color, press the left mouse
button, and simply, the pixel will be drawn in the big grid and in
the small model too. To change the current color used, simply move
your mouse to the pallete and click on the color you wish to switch
to. There'r 16 available colors and I believe it is enough.
The following characters are available in every font:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 ! ? ( ) - , .
To switch to another character, simply press its key on the keyboard.
For example, if you wish to switch to "A" simply press A on your
keyboard. Lowercase/uppercase letters does not matter.
Another example: If you wish to switch to "!", push your SHIFT key
down, and while it is down, press "1" (You can see on the "1" key
also a "!").
If you wish to DELETE pixels (black color), do exactly as drawing,
but use the RIGHT mouse button.
If you wish to SAVE the fonts you made/changed, simply use option ">"
- Save a font.
After pressing ">", you will be asked to enter the font filename.
Simply enter the the filename with no extension and it will be saved.
If you wish to LOAD fonts you made or got with the IntroMaker, do
exactly the same as saving fonts, just press "<" (load) instead of
">" (save).
You can view a list of all these functions using the key "+".
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 18
THE FONT EDITOR
FLASH! has another built in option named "Font Viewer".
To load it, open the utilities menu and choose "Font Viewer".
This utility lets you view fonts in a very easy way.
Once loaded, you are asked for the font filename. As before, simply
type the filename, with no .FNT at the end of it.
Then, with no more questions, the font will be shown on the screen -
all letters at the same time - so it will be easy to check the font.
Once a key is pressed, the program exits and gets back to the menu.
That's all, another useful small util.
If you wish to use a font made by you (or a font that came with
FLASH!) in your intros (Of course you want, right?), remember a
few things:
1. The only effects that use the fonts are SCROLLER and TEXT. Other
effects that show text, use the BIOS 8x8 font, which you cannot
change.
2. Only one font can be used in one intro. There's no limit for the
number of times you use this font, or if you combine two scrollers
or such at the same time (hint hint hint), but all must be from
the same font. If you want to use more than one font, it's
actually POSSIBLE! Just make two (Or more) separate intros with
different fonts and link them using the Files Linker (Read about
this utility later on).
Well, first to make your program know about the font, choose the box
"FONT" in the effects editing menu. Type in the filename, and that's
all! The font is ready for use.
Now, how do I use this font?
The font is automatically used when you activate an effect that
requires it - so simply add an effect - Scroller or Text -
whichever you prefer - if you want information about these effects,
refer "Scroller" or "Text" in the Effects Description part in this
document (Starts on page 12).
After you have set up everything, all you have left to do is compile
your intro ("Compile + Run") and watch the results!
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 19
THE SCREEN THIEF UTILITY
FLASH! includes a built-in screen capturing program.
This program is called FLASH!'s Screen Thief and can be ran by
typing the following in the DOS prompt :
FLASH!ST
After activating the program, you see a screen with a little
information and get back to the DOS prompt. Now, the program is
in memory! You can activate it by pressing ALT+S. This will simply
save the graphics screen to a file named SCR.PIC in a special format
made for FLASH!. This picture can be easily combined in an intro made
using FLASH!. (For information on HOW to do this, switch to the next
page).
When using the program, remember the following things:
1. The program supports only 320x200x256 colors modes. Other modes
will probably not work, or steal only a part of the screen.
2. If activated while in text mode, SCR.PIC will still be created,
but it will probably include garbage, blank, or the last thing
you have done in graphics mode.
3. If you save the screen, and then press Alt+S again, the first
screen will be overwrited! If you wish to save more than one
picture in one strike, before pressing Alt+S at the second time,
RENAME the file. Rename can be done in the following way:
RENAME SCR.PIC FILENAME
This will change the name of the file SCR.PIC to whatever you
specified in FILENAME. For example, to change the name of SCR.PIC
to MYPIC.PIC type:
RENAME SCR.PIC MYPIC.PIC
That should do it.
After you have saved all the screens you wanted,
you may want to uninstall the program (To free some memory).
To do so, simply re-execute the program by typing FLASH!ST again.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 20
THE SCREEN THIEF UTILITY
And now, you probably want to use all those screens you have captured
when you were bored right?
Well, doing this is pretty simple:
Choose the effect named: Load Picture(PIC)
This effect has only one option in, and this option is the filename.
So just type the name of the picture you wish to put in the intro,
and it will be linked to the intro and loaded whenever you have
chosen.
This is the simplest type of Picture Viewing effect. FLASH! includes
more of this type, such as the "Stretch" effect, the "Sonar Build"
and more! Just try them to see what they can do. (Detailed
information about these effects can be found under the "Effects
Description" section).
FLASH! includes another utility - the Picture Viewer that does
exactly what you understand from its name. It lets you view pictures
in .PIC format in a simple way without having to put them in the
intro, compiling it, etc. Using it is real easy, just as using the
Font Viewer, so I will not explain it again.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 21
THE SCROLL LOCATIONS EDITOR
FLASH! includes another small built-in utility that lets you make
your own scroll paths. It's called Scroll Locations Editor and can
be activated from the utils menu.
Here are a few notes to remember when using it:
1. Don't make long scroller locations or the scroller will move SLOW.
3. If you want a nice .LOC file, you can take one from the examples
that come with the IntroMaker, it will be easier.
(The example .LOC files are public domain, "Just for you").
4. If you press enter on the 'Enter Filename to Save' prompt, it
saves it as DEFAULT.LOC.
5. When drawing, remember that if you leave big spaces between every
line to the other, it will move faster, the fonts will be bigger,
but it might not look very good (sometimes).
Creating new scroll paths:
Creating new scroll paths is very simple. Just load FLASH!'s Scroll
Locations Editor and move with your mouse.
Please note: After you have drawn a line with the mouse, you are not
able to return back to the position of the line. Every
time you draw a line, your allowed screen size to use
is decremented so you have only what's right to the line
you have drawn.
Whenever you decide you wish to put a line in the current location,
press the left mouse button. It is highly recommended to press the
left mouse button and leave it down while making scroll paths.
To save the scroll path you have just made, press ESC.
You will then be prompted for a filename. Enter whatever you wish.
That's all! Your .LOC file ready for use.
Using the scroll paths made:
Using the paths made is fairly simple.
Use the effect named "Scroller (.LOC)". Put in it the .LOC filename
(With the extension .LOC this time!) at the "Scroll Locations
filename (.LOC)" field and put the text you want in the scroller at
the "Scrolling Text" field.
That's all. Enjoy your cool scrolly now.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 22
THE FILES LINKER
FLASH! includes another useful utility that can be used along with
other programs too. It's called Files Linker. It allows you to link
ANY 20 or less files to one executable file and run them in any
order you want. You can even put separate DATA files for the .EXE
and they will be able to use them with no problems. The main idea
when I made this program, was to make it possible to put music in
the Intros. Because of course intros without music doesn't worth
alot. Just keep reading and you will completely understand how to
use this little utility.
Run it from the utils menu. It's called "Files Linker". Upon running
it, you get into a menu with four options as follows:
Edit - Edit the .LNK file
New - Clear all information and let you edit a completely new .LNK.
Load - Load .LNK
Save - Save .LNK for later loading of it.
Everything is pretty easy to understand, but anyway, i'll give a
little explanation about what's going on.
As an example, I'll explain now how to put .MOD music in your intro.
Please note: I have included with this intromaker a file named
INTROMOD.EXE - this file was made by Sauron of THG F/X - all credits
to him for making this freeware program!. I don't think it is
copyrighted or something, but why not putting his name at the end of
the intros (Put at the batch file "Echo Music was added using
IntroMod by Sauron Of THG/FX").
For a better explanation about INTROMOD's capabilities, execute
INTROMOD.EXE.
First, find some MOD file on your harddisk. You probably have one
at least. When you've found it, proceed.
After that, take some intro you have made, or take the SAMPLE intro
SAMPLE.EXE (Later on recognize this file as SAMPLE.EXE).
Load FLASH!'s Files Linker. Choose edit and type the following in
one of the lines in the "Commands to exec" field:
IntroMod SAMPLE.EXE [Your MOD filename].MOD
Please Note : File extensions are not required, parameters are
accepted, everything is exactly like in the DOS prompt.
Then, at the "Files to Link" field, type the following:
INTROMOD.EXE
[Your MOD filename].MOD
SAMPLE.EXE
Here, full filenames are required but paths are NOT allowed. Files
must present in the current directory while compiling.
Then, choose Compile .EXE.
A file named LINKED.EXE will be created.
This is the linked intro file! This is all you need to run to play
your music, watch your demo, etc. Everything is included in the .EXE.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 23
THE FILES LINKER
Now, to an explanation about the other options:
The options "Load .LNK file" and "Save .LNK file" simply load/save
files with link information. These files, as you have probably
guessed, have the extension .LNK. You do not need to know more about
this in order to use all of its capabilities. So just try it and see.
Please note: Upon saving, if you press enter on the filename
without specifying anything, it'll save as "DEFAULT.LNK".
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 24
OTHER SMALL PROGRAMS
PizzaWorm
FLASH! includes also a game. I have no idea about how it is connected
to the IntroMaker, but enjoy playing it. I made this game a long time
ago (Not specially for FLASH! :) ) and it has bugs. I don't care,
please do not report about any bugs in it. Just try playing it. The
game is fairly simple and because it has no connection to the use of
the IntroMaker, I won't explain anything in it. Just move the little
worm and collect all the green squares. You'll never finish
collecting them because every time you take one, a new one appears.
Maybe i'll make a PizzaWorm championship for '96 (NOT).
Clock
You can see a little clock in the lower right corner of the screen.
To close it, simple click on its [-] button. To re-display it, choose
"Clock" from the Utilities menu.
The Help Menu
I didn't cover all the options in this menu good enough, so I will do
it now. This menu includes 3 options: Print Documents, About FLASH!,
and Print Reg. Form. To print the documents to your printer, turn it
on, and click the Print Documents icon. To print the registration
form, do exactly the same, just choose Print Reg. Form instead.
That's all. And about the "About FLASH!" option, just click on it to
see what it does. Fairly simple. A few "FLASH!"s moving, a little
text moving, and that's all. Just click the [-] button to exit and
you're out of it.
FLASH! The amazing IntroMaker v1.0 by ATYPiCAL 25
AUTHOR'S WORDS
Well... ATYPiCAL here, and now i'll talk easier in a free form.
It took me over 2 months to finish this IntroMaker. I started on
the 8/8, when I was back from abroad. The whole IntroMaker code
takes about 6000 lines (about 200k of pure code) and I have wasted
alot of time on making the fonts too. Try making your own fonts
and you will see how much time it takes to make a good font.
The interface itself - the windowing routines, and moving everything
to the graphical interface required re-programming alot of the
editing routines. At the beginning there was just a dull textmode
interface. This interface part took me about 2 weeks!
Contacting me: If you wish to contact me, you can send E-Mail to
one of the following addresses:
atypical@f418.n403.z2.fidonet.org (Fido: Atypical, 2:403/418)
Shauli.Daon@f414.n403.z2.fidonet.org (Fido: Shauli Daon, 2:403/414)
atypical@cyberspace.org
They are here in the preferred order - I put here all of them only
for a case that one of them stops working. You should try first the
first one and if you get no response, try the others. If the first
one works fine, the others will probably not be checked at all, or
checked once in a few weeks.
If you have a question concering the IntroMaker itself, first make
sure that you are a registered user - technical support is available
only for registered users. If, however, you have a question about one
of the rules mentioned in REGISTER.DOC or anywhere else, feel free to
ask about them and i'll try to help you. Also, if you find any bugs,
REPORT! if you want them to get fixed in the next version you HAVE TO
report! So why not doing so? If you do so, your name will appear in
the documents of the next version of FLASH!.
I'm also a SysOp, but no information will be given about this subject
for now.
I would like to greet the following people (In alphabetical order):
AEROMan, BioSonic, Black Bird, Calidor, CodeMan, Cruel Creator,
Dark Angel, Dark Moon, Flash Light, Gubli, Hex, Holy Fighter,
HyPoCRiTe, Jax, Mean Green, Nick Stealer, Number 1, Pepper,
Raven (dP!), Red Eye, Silver Fox, Snow Man, Speedy, T-1200, Tesla,
The Necrophile, Trans Fighter, Vampire.
There are also people who have directly contributed to the
IntroMaker so they deserve a few words (In alphabetical order of
course!):
The BetaTesters: Black Bird, Flash Light, Kfir Barhum, Kobi Schmukler
... and two more personal greetings to Cruel Creator for his
"amazing" (un)original (?!?!) protection idea s and to Nick Stealer
for the amazing .PIC of FLASH!. I really think that this picture
stinks and everything, but I have nothing else to use, so enjoy it
(If you don't think it sucks).
Hmm...