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1994-01-01
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VuePrint User's Guide
Version 1.1
Copyright (c) 1994 Edward B. Hamrick
All Rights Reserved
1.0 Introduction
VuePrint is a program that lets you display and print graphics
files that use the GIF, JPEG, and BMP graphics formats. VuePrint
supports all graphics displays and printers that operate with the
MicroSoft Windows 3.1 operating environment, using a 386 or 486
microprocessor.
The two key features of VuePrint are speed and ease of use.
VuePrint is more than twice as fast as most other JPEG viewers, and is
able to scale images to full-screen more than five times as fast as
other viewers. VuePrint will scale images to fill a window
automatically, without distorting the image shape. While VuePrint has
dozens of features, all are integrated in an easy to use menu system.
Most printers are only capable of displaying an array of black
(or sometimes colored) dots. However, many graphics files contain
images with up to 256 different colors. VuePrint uses a very fast
error-dispersion algorithm (also called a dithering or half-toning
algorithm) to print the image in the graphics file. This error
dispersion algorithm takes advantage of the number of colors that a
printer supports.
One of the main design goals of VuePrint was to make it quick and
inexpensive to download. The size of the file VUEPRINT.ZIP is about
70,000 bytes, which can be downloaded in about 5 minutes at 2400 baud.
This costs less than $1.00. Other programs with comparable
functionality take up to ten times as long to download. In order to
keep the size of the file small, this User's Guide is deliberately
brief and limited to explaining those features of VuePrint which can't
be discovered by exploring the various menus.
2.0 Prerequisites
In order to use VuePrint, you will need a personal computer that
is capable of running Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or higher. You
will also need a 386 or 486 microprocessor.
VuePrint is distributed via CompuServe as shareware, and may be
evaluated for 15 days without charge. If you decide you want to
register VuePrint, type "GO SWREG" and follow the instructions for
registering VuePrint. You can also send e-mail to
71470.3236@compuserve.com to request a mailing address to send the
$35.00 registration fee. The reason the mailing address isn't
included is that shareware tends to be distributed through channels
that result in an average 1 year time lag between initial release and
registration.
When you register VuePrint, you'll receive assistance via e-mail
with any problems you may encounter. You'll also receive a Serial
Number which enables VuePrint's capabilities past the 15 day
evaluation period.
VuePrint is a shareware product like most other shareware
software packages. The copyright holder allows the unlimited non-
commercial distribution of the software, and a trial period during
which the software may be evaluated at no cost. However, the reality
is that 99.9% of the shareware that people choose to use after the
trial period is never paid for.
VuePrint is different from most shareware in that it has a simple
technique for discouraging unlicensed use after the 15 day trial
period. Most shareware programs simply state that the program may not
be used after the trial period without registration. Since this
technique is ineffective, VuePrint simply overlays the display and
printout with a checkerboard pattern after the trial period is over.
When you register VuePrint, you'll receive a Serial Number that will
remove the checkerboard overlay, and re-enable the full use of
VuePrint. However, it is still possible to evaluate the speed,
functionality, and usability of VuePrint after the 15 day trial period
even with the checkerboard overlay.
3.0 Installing and Running VuePrint
To install VuePrint, put the file VUEPRINT.EXE in a directory
that's convenient for you. Then use the Windows Program Manager's
File->New menu item to install a new program item named VuePrint. To
run VuePrint, just double-click on the VuePrint Icon.
All commands are accessible through the menu bar. Each command
has a short-cut key which consists of a single keystroke. In addition
to the short-cut keys documented in the menu bar, the arrow keys move
the image when it is zoomed in. The arrow keys along with the shift-
key move the image one full screen at a time.
Pressing the left-hand mouse button causes the image to zoom in
by a factor of two at the point the mouse was located. Pressing the
right-hand mouse button allows you to move the image around when it is
zoomed in.
One feature that's a little bit subtle is the ability to convert
JPEG files to GIF files. If you check the JPEG Option "Write GIF",
every time you view a JPEG file, a GIF file will be written at the
same time. For instance, if you display XYZ.JPG, you'll find a file
XYZ.GIF in the same directory.
4.0 Bug Reports and Enhancement Requests
If you have problems running VuePrint, or have an idea for
enhancing VuePrint, please send e-mail to Ed Hamrick on CompuServe at
71470,3236. You can also send e-mail from the Internet to
71470.3236@compuserve.com.
TRADEMARKS
GIF, Graphics Interchange Format, and CompuServe are trademarks of
CompuServe, Inc., an H&R Block Company.
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of
Microsoft Corporation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
VuePrint is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.