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Suzy B Software 2
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Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso
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animap
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animap.doc
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1995-05-02
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ANIMAP ST
Version 1.0
Weather map animator for the Atari ST, STe and Mega series
SYSTEM REQUIRMENTS:
ST, STe, or Mega ST series computer
Color monitor
300 K free memory
VIEWING THE DEMO:
All files in the demo should be uncompressed to the same disk and
folder
Double-click on ANIMAP.PRG from either a low or medium resolution
desktop
Select OLD from the alert box
Select 062192.INF from the selector box
Your ANIMAP demo picture set will load and display, first as the
pictures were downloaded, second with the geographic map highlighted,
and finally with the cloud cover computer enhanced to highlight active
weather. Isn't technology wonderful.
The demo will loop until any key is pressed.
The demo picture files included in the archive are a series taken on
21 June 1992 starting at 9:00 a.m. CDT and ending 9:00 p.m. CDT. A
text file, 062192.TXT, reporting on active weather areas for this
time period is also included in the archive.
MAKING YOUR OWN ANIMATED MAP:
Satellite weather maps are available from Compuserve and updated every
couple of hours. Just GO MAPS. For best results, you should have a
series of maps with the time between maps no more than 3 hours apart.
4 hours will work but appears a little jumpy.
Select the VGA option when prompted for screen display on Compuserve.
The maps are in GIF format and need to be converted to Degas .PI1
format for display. See the section on converting GIF to PI1 format.
The following files must be in the active window and directory:
ANIMAP.PRG
ANIMAP.PI1
MAP_COL.PI1
CEG_PAL.PI1
CIS.PI1
All files beginning with 06 are part of the initial demo and do not
need to be present when making your own animation.
After converting your maps, select NEW after running ANIMAP ST. Select
a series of 6 maps in chronological order. Select a name for the .INF
file to hold the names. Your information file should end with an .INF
extender. Your animation will appear on the screen. Pressing any key
will end the animation and take you back to the AGAIN | QUIT prompt.
You can either run another animation or quit the program.
If you have only 4 map files, select map 1, map 2, map 2, map 3, map
3, and map 4 or a similar combination. For 3 maps, select map 1, map
2, map 2, map 2, map 2, map 3. Experiment with other combination for
best results. Best animations are obtained with 5 or 6 maps in a
series.
SOME TIPS:
If your weather maps are in the same directory as ANIMAP.PRG, your
path names are not saved to the .INF file you create.
If your map files are in a different directory or different drive than
the program, your .INF file saves the filenames and path as part of
the information.
If your term program supports time delay or trigger, write a script
file to download the maps at a regular interval a couple of minutes
before the hour.
CONVERTING GIF TO PI1 FORMAT
To run properly, all converted files should have a common color
palette. I have tried conversions with a couple of converters with the
following results:
Q_GIF.TTP - Very fast converter that keeps the color palettes intact.
Does a scrolling .GIF file in full resolution. Make sure you have
scrolled to the exact spot on each map before saving. Does only 8
shade colors so you lose cloud detail available on the STe.
DMJGIF.TOS - Very slow converter (the doc file says registration will
get you a faster version) that compresses the scrolling .GIF file into
one Degas low resolution screen. You need to make sure that your X and
Y compression are the same to avoid distortion. Use the highest number
of the two the program suggests for both the X and Y axis and use the
same compression on all files. Supports the STe extended color
palette.
Due to the compression technique and dithering, DMJGIF does not always
convert with a common pallette. Your pictures may need to be
recolor-mapped using Degas Elite or Seurat to a common palette.
GIFNEOC.PRG - Bombs out while decompressing the file (CIS satellite
maps are 378 pixels wide, a format not supported by this program).
FORECASTER III ST - Converts to a scrolling .GIF file in full
resolution with a common color palette. Medium speed with a really
good conversion of GIF files. Supports the extended palette of the STe
with 16 shades for full color detail. Make sure you scroll to the same
spot on each map converted before you hit "S" for save.
Only version 1.2 and higher of the program supports the STe palette
and Degas save of map screens. Registered users of 1.1 and lower can
upgrade to the latest version by mailing a check for $5.00 to the
address in the manual. Anyone registering the program after June 1,
1992, will get the upgrade for free.
The sample map set in .PI1 format included in this archive was created
with Forecaster III ST.
REGISTERING YOUR COPY OF ANIMAP ST:
Registration is free. This program can be freely copied and placed in
user group and commercial disk libraries. We ask that all
documentation remain intact. The GIF format and weather maps are
property of Compuserve Information Service.
If you would like to be kept up to date on improvements to ANIMAP ST
and other weather related programs, drop us a postcard or e-mail with
your name and address.
We would also appreciate your comments on GIF converters other than
the ones listed above as well as suggestions for improving the program
and ideas for related programs.
Enjoy the ANIMAP animator.
Randall Kopchak
It's All Relative
2233 Keeven Lane
Florissant, MO 63031
GEnie or Delphi address: GREG
Compuserve address: 70357,2312