Win Platinum/Win Platinum.iso/graphics/pixfolio/pixread.me

Text File | 1991-11-06 | 15KB | 353 lines

PixFolio - Windows Image Viewer and Catalog Manager (Shareware)

PixFolio (formerly ShowGif) is a Microsoft Windows program that can view a
variety of bitmapped graphics formats and maintain multiple catalogs of
images. Version 1.02.1 is being distributed as Shareware for $25.00 plus $4
Shipping and Handling ($7 outside of US and Canada) by the author,
Allen C. Kempe. You are free to use PixFolio for a 30 day period. After that
time, you are expected to register your copy and pay the $25.00 registration
fee (plus shipping & handling).

The graphics formats currently supported are:
    BMP -   Windows Bitmap
    CLP -   Windows clipboard file
    EPS -   Encapsulated Postscript with imbedded TIFF preview images.
    GIF -   CompuServe Graphics Interchange Format
    ICO -   Windows Icon
    IFF -   IFF/LBM (Amiga) used by Computer Eyes frame grabber.
    IMG -   GEM/IMG (Digital Research).
    MAC -   Macintosh MacPaint files.
    PCX -   Microsoft Paint & PC Paintbrush
    RLE -   Windows Run Length Encoded
    TGA -   Targa
    TIFF-   Tag Image Format. Most formats including 24 bit color
            are supported.

Note: Not all variations that may be possible in the above file formats have
been tested due to lack of suitable test files.

The major feature of PixFolio is the ability to build catalogs of
images, that may reside on different disks. The catalog can then be searched
and images can be easily located. Provisions are made for saving a primary and
backup location for the image concurrently. To enhance searching for a
particular image the program can display postage stamp images in a matrix.

The ability to read an image in one format and to save it in another allows
the program to be used as a file conversion utility.

PixFolio version 1.02.1 is Shareware (see the accompanying file "PIXREGST.ME").
PixFolio may be freely distributed on Bulletin Boards so long as all files
are included along with this file.

THE AUTHOR RESERVES ALL RIGHTS TO THIS PROGRAM. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT WARRANT
THIS PROGRAM'S FITNESS OR SUITABILITY FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL USERS SHOULD USE
IT AT THEIR OWN RISK.

The author will make a reasonable effort to correct problems and software
bugs relating to documented features of the program for registered users.
The author intends to make continuing improvements to the program including
supporting additional file formats. To this end, comments and suggestions are
welcomed.

Users may contact the author, Allen C. Kempe on CompuServe (71220,23) or
in writing at:

        Allen C. Kempe
        298 W. Audubon Drive
        Shepherdsville, KY 40165
        USA
Main Features

File Menu:
    New File - create a blank image suitable for pasting from the
           clipboard.
    Open File - Open a new file for viewing.
    Save File - Save an image, possibly in a different format.
    Move/Copy file - Move or copy a file.
    Delete - Delete a file.
    Print - print all or part of an image.
    Export - Export the contents of a catalog for input to a database
         or spreadsheet.
    Select Printer - select a printer
    Close

Catalog Menu:
    Select catalog: Create, delete, select or rename an image catalog.
    Catalog. Create or update a catalog entry for a displayed image.
    Browse Catalog. View catalog entries one by one; select a subset
                    for viewing.
    Build Catalog. Create catalog entries for groups of images.
    Rebuild Catalog Index. Recover lost space in file and compact it.

Edit Menu:
    Paste palette and image from clipboard.
    Copy all or part of an image to the clipboard.
    Cut a selected area from an image.
    Crop an image.
    Expand an image to fill the dimensions of the current window.
    Resize an image by a percentage amount or fit to a given dimension.

Options:
    Set background color used when image is expanded.
    Set whether to use a solid or pattern background color.
    Display DIB or Bitmap format.
    Control whether warning messages will be displayed.
    Establish default operating options.

View Options:
    Palette manipulation (Brightness and contrast).
    Convert to gray scale.
    Dither to Black & White
    Dither to a lower color resolution.
    View thumbnails of catalog entries.
    Play a GIF animation sequence.
    Single step through a GIF animation sequence.
    Change the speed of a GIF animation sequence.

Other:
    Using the mouse in the main viewing window, a marquee can be
    selected for copying or cutting to the clipboard. The right mouse
    button can be used to draw a stretch marquee where the selected
    image rectangle is copied.

Help:
    Context sensitive help is included for all menu items.

******** Equipment Requirements **********

While PixFolio will execute in a minimal Windows installation, for example, a
286 with 2 megabytes of memory, program operation will be severely inhibited
by a lack of memory. On such a configuration, large bitmaps, especially 8 or
24 bit images may fail. Other applications could be adversely affected as
well and fail with unexpected UAE's. Actual results will vary depending upon
the amount of memory used by other applications running concurrently.

PixFolio was developed and tested on a 20-MHz 386 with 8 megabytes of memory.
It is recommended that PixFolio be run on a machine with at least 2 and pre-
ferrably, 4 megabytes of memory. Running in 386-Enhanced mode will also
make available the benefits of virtual memory.

The display of images containing more than 16 colors requires that you have
a Super VGA or better video display and a 256 color Windows device driver in
order to display the full range of colors in the image. However, PixFolio
incorporates dithering functions that will allow display of a 256
color image using a 16 color driver such as the standard VGA driver. Such
operations are slow and the results are not as good as if you have a video
display capable of displaying 256 colors.

********** Program Limitations *************

PixFolio has no limit on the number of catalogs that can be created or the
size of these catalogs except those restraints imposed by your file system.
However, the following points should be noted:

1. The size of a catalog is limited by the amount of disk space where it
   resides or 32,767 index entries. Catalog records are variable length and
   depend upon the type of image and how big the comments are.

2. PixFolio may encounter difficulty with extremely large images, those in
   excess of 1024 x 768 pixels. This is particularly true of color images
   and even more so by 24 bit color or gray scale images. This is primarily
   due to the increased memory requirements.

3. While PixFolio and Windows supports 24 bit color and gray scale images,
   the display of such images using a video driver that only displays 256
   colors, can result in some lengthy delays whenever windows has to realize
   the 24 bit RGB data to an 8 bit palette. It may take 15 to 20 minutes to
   realize a 640 x 480 image depending upon the speed of your machine.
   Dithering a 24 bit image to 256 colors can take more than an hour in some
   cases.

4. The support for GIF animation in PixFolio requires large amounts of free
   memory. GIF animation files with a large number of frames or overlays may
   unexpectedly fail when PixFolio runs out of memory.

5. PixFolio has not been rigorously tested in a network environment. The
   affect of network operations and more than one user accessing PixFolio
   files concurrently cannot be predicted.

6. Not all graphics formats are supported equally with respect to reading and
   saving a file. For example, not all of the compression options are
   currently supported for saving TIFF images. GIF images can only be saved
   in GIF87a format. Likewise, some of the more obscure or obsolete formats
   such as 4 color CGA formats for PCX cannot be written although they can be
   read.

7. The author has not been able to test PixFolio with printers that print
   in color. The new HP LaserJet "Intellefont" driver does produce good
   quality halftones from color images without dithering.

8. Other program limitations, if any, can be determined by accessing the
   online context-sensitive help.

******** NOTE **********

If you have previously loaded Showgif (the former name of this program), you
should edit your WIN.INI file changing the section name [Showgif] to
[PixFolio]. Catalog file names, e.g. SHOWGIF.CAT need not be renamed but if
you do, be sure to rename the index file, SHOWGIF.CIX also!

****** Installation and Getting Started*******

If your copy of PixFolio was received on a distribution diskette, the
installation can be done from within windows by running "SETUP" from drive
A: or B: (whichever is appropriate). Otherwise, the following installation
procedure should be followed:

It is suggested that the files which constitute PixFolio be placed in their
own subdirectory on your hard disk. These files are:

    PIXFOLIO.EXE
    PIXFOLIO.HLP
    SPIN.DLL
    METER.DLL
    PIXDLL.DLL
    PIXIODLL.DLL
    PIXHELP.DLL
    PIXCATLG.DLL
    PIXTIFF.DLL

Not necessary for program operation are this file PIXREAD.ME, PIXREGST.FRM
and PIXREGST.ME. PIXPACK.LST is a list of files included in this zip file.
The user guide is USRGUIDE.WRI. It can be printed with Windows Write.

Once the above files have been located in the subdirectory of your choice,
start Windows and then use the Program Manager "Add" command to add PixFolio
to the desired program group.

When PixFolio runs for the first time, it will establish a section in
your WIN.INI file with program variables. These default options should enable
you to start using PixFolio immediately. Once PixFolio is running you may
access the online Help command for specific instructions and explanation of
PixFolio menu commands.

A quick review of PixFolio features and operating procedures can be gained by
reviewing the user guide.

****** Credits ******

The author of PixFolio would like to recognize the efforts of Mr. Paul Hachey,
(CompuServe Id 76247,3716) who performed an invaluable service by getting
deeply involved in the extensive testing that went on over a period of months.
Paul is responsible for the design of the PixFolio cover page, Icon and
"About" dialog box and his many suggestions greatly influenced the "look and
feel" of PixFolio.

****** Known Bugs in Version 1.01a  that have been corrected ******

1.  Saving an uncompressed PCX file does not create a file that can be
    read by other programs such as Windows Paint. Try the compressed
    option.

2.  The save IFF file format is not working; the resulting file cannot
    be read.

3.  PixFolio does not properly interpret the image origin bit for
    TGA images. Some TGA images may display upside down.

4.  There is a memory allocation problem. After viewing a GIF file,
    an attempt to view a TGA file will result in a "Local Alloc" error.
    It may be necessary to stop and restart PixFolio to read a TGA file.

5.  The "DIB to Screen" radio button on the default Options dialog does
    not work. The option can still be changed from the Options menu.

6.  If you uncatalog a slide that is displayed in Slide View, the slide
    is not erased from the screen and subsequent attempts to access it
    will result in a UAE.

7.  You may experience UAE's after attempting to read a corrupted TIFF
    file.

8.  PixFolio would fail when attempting to create a thumbnail of a large
    image.

9.  The File Open/Save dialog wil now allow direct entry of a pathname in
    lieu of selecting from the listbox.

10. PixFolio "hangs" when the only item in a Catalog is Uncataloged.

11. Windows crashes after exiting PixFolio. (This problem was introduced in
    version 1.02.) This problem could occur if global memory was compacted
    because while PixFolio was running.

***** What's new in Version 1.02 *****

New features in version 1.02 include:

1.  Print contents of a catalog, including the thumbnails or print selected
    entries.

2.  Read MACPAINT .MAC files.

3.  Read imbedded TIFF preview images in Encapsulated Postscript .EPS files.

4.  Dither 256 color images to 16 colors when using a standard VGA driver
    which only supports 16 colors. Or dither 24 bit images to 256 colors.
    An "Auto Dither" option has been added which provides for automatically
    dithering an image for display if it's color resolution is greater than
    your display driver's.

5.  Cut and paste different images with different palettes and/or number
    of colors.

6.  File and record locking needed for running in a network environment.

7.  Separate, printable user manual.

8.  The file list in the Build function can now optionally display only
    those images that are not cataloged.

9.  Support has been added for users of PixFolio using Bernoulli boxes or
    other high-capacity removable media. See the User Guide for details.

10. "Slide View" has been renamed "Thumbnail View".

11. PixFolio will maintain the original color information. Previous
    versions would reduce color resolution to that of the display whenever
    editing operations took place. For example, you can cut and paste 24
    bit images even if you don't have a 24 bit video display and retain the
    24 bit color data in the image. Likewise, PixFolio will not lose color
    information when working on 8 bit color images and using the standard
    VGA, 16 color driver.

12. The contents of a catalog, less the thumbnail image, can be written to
    a standard ASCII comma-delimited file which can be read by many
    database programs or spreadsheets.

13. Another application can be launched from the Thumbnail view using a
    selected image file.

14.    Support has been added for the Windows MetaFile clipboard format.

15. Date and time in catalog entries will now be formatted per WIN.INI
    (Control Panel - International) settings rather than customary USA
    usage. (See the special note below).

16. Support added for reading GEM ".IMG" files.

17. Added a "Slide Show" for sequentially viewing selected images in full
    screen mode.

18. Added support for reading Windows Icon ".ICO" files.

19. Added support for Windows clipboard ".CLP" files.

20. Added support for user defined scaling parameters for printed images.

21. Add support for labeling a backup volume that has no label.

**** Special Notes for users updating from a prior version ****

If you are upgrading from a previous version of PixFolio, you may wish to
update the default extensions (via the default Options command) or the
extensions defined for each catalog (via the Select Catalog command) to add
the new extensions for file types ".EPS", ".ICO", ".IMG" and ".MAC" if you
plan to use these file types. Alternatively, you may change these options
by editing the PixFolio section of your WIN.INI file.

If you are not using the US standard date and time formats, PixFolio will not
convert dates and times in existing catalogs to the format specified in your
Windows WIN.INI file. However, all new catalog entries will use these formats.