PhotoGIF¬ 2.1 Read Me. Copyright 1996 BoxTop Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
BoxTop Software, Inc.
One Research Boulevard
Suite 201
Starkville, MS 39759
voice 601/323-6436
fax 601/324-7352
http://www.boxtopsoft.com
ftp://ftp.boxtopsoft.com/pub/
info@boxtopsoft.com
11/18/96 PhotoGIF¬╩2.1 has been named a finalist in the 1996 MacUser Eddy Awards, Best New Production Tool class.
PhotoGIF¬ 2.1x3 Released 12/5/96
Just changed the splash screen.
PhotoGIF¬ 2.1x2 Released 11/24/96
Note, we changed our version numbering scheme slightly to use build numbers, i.e. 2.1x2, where the x2 denotes the build, of the released version of the software. New build numbers mean minor bug fixes without feature enhancements or the inclusion of additional material with the plug-in, while new version numbers, i.e. 2.2, would mean a significant change in the software such as feature enhancements.
PhotoGIF¬ 2.1x2 fixes a corrupt 'DLOG' resource that turned out to be the cause of the pop-up menu in the preferences dialog generally not working and sometimes causing system crashes on attempting to use the menu in the recent 2.1.1 release.
The dialog window names have also been changed to _not_ include a version number, because it was getting to be entirely too much trouble to change every dialog, every time. Dialog titles should now say "PhotoGIF¬" across the board in PhotoGIF¬ 2.1x2.
The file format menu name of PhotoGIF¬ 2.1x2 has also been changed to '00 PhotoGIF¬ 2.1' to ensure that the plug-in will still load before the Compuserve GIF plug-in in Photoshop 4.0 so it will remain the default method for opening all GIF files in Photoshop 3.0 - 4.0. Instructions for controlling this behavior are now included in the folder "Changing Load Order", so you can now control whether you want PhotoGIF¬ as the default method for opening all GIF files or as a secondary method for opening select GIF files from the 'Open' menu.
The previous 2.1.1 release made no changes to the internal workings of PhotoGIF¬, as the 2.1x2 release still makes no changes to the internal workings of the plug-in. Various resources were changed to correct cosmetic oversights in the original 2.1 update, which have been changed again in this release to avoid having to change them again in the future, and the major enhancement of the previous 2.1.1 release was the inclusion of significantly improved documentation in self-viewing DOCMaker format.
As previously noted in the Read Me file that accompanied the 2.1.1 release there is a potential problem in Adobe Photoshop 3.0 - 4.0 with purgeable 'WDEF' resources that may give you a thousand headaches under the right conditions by causing seemingly random application and system crashes, especially under low memory conditions. It may, also, never cause so much as a system burp, but if you have or do experience suspect behavior while using Photoshop there is a shareware utility called 'WDEF' Fixer that will eliminate one possible problem with purgeable 'WDEF' resources. You can download 'WDEF Fixer' from http://www.linksware.com
Please see "Cost and Registering" for information on purchasing and upgrading.
So what exactly is PhotoGIF¬?
PhotoGIF¬ is a file format plug-in for Adobe Photoshop 3.0 and above that provides unsurpassed capability for creating and editing highly optimized, web-ready GIFs and GIF animations.
Key Features:
Ñ Creates the highest quality, smallest GIF files possible.
Advanced proprietary techniques for quantization, palette usage optimization, and compression enhancements result in superior image quality while saving up to 50% in file size. Rated 5 mice by MacUser, Online.
Ñ The most advanced color reduction capability available.
Utilizes new revolutionary color reduction technology that improves both image quality and compression when using custom or fixed palettes such as the Netscape palette. Also, provides true super palette capability for GIF animations.
Ñ Complete support for multiple image GIF animation files.
Allows you to create and edit GIF animations directly in Photoshop with complete control over palette usage, background color, looping, logical screen size, image position, delay times and disposal methods.
Ñ Advanced, easy-to-use transparency tools.
Transparency can be set by color or from any alpha channel in the working image. A preview with advanced transparency tools including eye dropper color picker, touch up brush, and automatic halo removing edge tool allow perfect transparency every time with ease.
Ñ Powerful preferences capability to speed work.
Nearly every aspect of opening and saving files can be easily configured through preference settings and customized for individual work habits to speed use and simplify working with large numbers of images.
For more details:
All the gruesome details can be found in the included documentation, and of course, first hand from PhotoGIF¬, just drop it in your plug-ins folder and have a go at it. There are big improvements over the previous documentation. It╒s longer, more thorough and better written now and does a lot to explain the multitude of capabilities in PhotoGIF¬ from editing modes for GIF animations to using the edge tool to remove halo effects from you transparent GIFs.
Also, we never mind answering questions, whether you╒re registered yet or not, but it would leave us a lot more time to work on new tools for you if you make sure to read the documentation to see if it answers your questions first. If it doesn't, give us a holler (Can you tell we're from the South?) at <support@boxtopsoft.com>.
That╒s about it. We hope you find PhotoGIF¬ an indispensable tool for web graphics. Please see our web site for information on our other tools for web graphics, ProJPEG¬ and GIFmation¬ .
Thanks for trying PhotoGIF¬.
Travis Anton, CEO
BoxTop Software, Inc.
travis@boxtopsoft.com
PhotoGIF¬ 2.1 is Copyright 1996 BoxTop Software, Inc. All rights reserved. PhotoGIF¬ is a Trade Mark of BoxTop Software, Inc.
