These Demo Versions of MultiLayer are provided to give you a sample of what the software can do. Currently, MultiLayer is only available directly from Prime Software. To order the complete version of MultiLayer, contact:
Prime Software
31164 Country Way
Farmington Hills, Michigan
48331-1035
USA
Voice/FAX (810) 661-3393
Please note that because this demo software is distributed to provide a sample of what MultiLayer can do, Prime Software cannot provide technical support for demo program users. Technical support is only available to registered owners of MultiLayer.
MultiLayer Demo Users Manual: Third Printing: November 6, 1994.
Copyright Information
The included software and manual are Copyright 1993-1994 by Prime Software and Sam J. Marrocco. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, rewritten, scanned, or translated into other languages without the express written permission of Prime Software and Sam J. Marrocco.
MultiLayer is a trademark of and is copyrighted 1993-1994 by Prime Software and Sam J. Marrocco. All Rights Reserved.
AMIGA is a trademark of and is copyrighted 1985-1994 by Commodore-Amiga, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ART DEPARTMENT PROFESSIONAL and MORPH PLUS are trademarks of and are copyrighted 1991-1993 by ASDG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
IMAGE-FX is a trademark of and is copyrighted 1991-1994 by Nova Design. All Rights Reserved.
Prime Software makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the programs and hardware described herein, its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The included programs and hardware are sold as is.
Published by Prime Software
Printed in USA
Welcome to MultiLayer! This demo version contains all the features and power of the release version of MultiLayer 1.7 except for two things: you cannot perform sequences of more than 10 frames or 3 layers. While this may seem like a severe limitation, try to remember that this demo software exists only to aquaint you with the features of MultiLayer. To order the full version of MultiLayer, contact:
Prime Software
31164 Country Way
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331-1035
Voice/Fax: (810) 661-3393
CURRENT VERSION INFORMATION:
MultiLayer exists in two versions: one for Art Department Professional and one for Image-FX. Both version are basically identical with a few differences for special effects, and both demo versions are present on this CD-ROM. For full details, contact Prime Software. The most current version (as of this writing) for both programs is 1.7. MultiLayer for ADPro 1.7 requires ADPro 2.5 or higher. MultiLayer 1.7 for Image-FX requires Image-FX 2.5 or higher. Both programs require AmigaDOS 2.0 or higher. A hard drive is recommended, as is a 24-bit display card of some sort. We recommend the Retina card from NoahJi's. If you are a current MultiLayer user with an earlier version than 1.7, contact us for a free update.
MULTILAYER 2.0 NEARS COMPLETION:
MultiLayer 2.0 is currently undergoing beta-testing. It should be available to all current users for the price difference between what they paid for their current version and the new list price. In this manner, we avoid overcharging users who buy the earlier version first. You MUST be a REGISTERED user to update in this manner. Some of the new features include:
Grouping of layers for easier editing
Trimming
Several new different types of timeline display
Custom project sizes
More hot-keys
Multiple selection of layers
Canned effects
Automatic shadows for layers with independent movement, colors, softness and transparency.
Independent scaling of layers
Completion scripts
More dope sheet information
Automatic looping of layer foregrounds and/or alpha image sequences
and many others....
All registered users will receive notice when the upgrade is ready.
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL LAYERING WITH MULTILAYER
MultiLayer uses the concept of layers to combine images and sequences. A layer consists of some basic information:
An image (or images, if moving) to be used.
Positioning information
A method of compositing to use.
Of course, this is extemely over-simplified, as there are many other components to a layer, but these are the basic units.
The image or sequence of images determines the picture we see. The positioning information determines where the image lies on the screen (upper left, lower right ...). The method of compositing, or Key Type determines how the layer is combined with the other layers.
By combining several (or hundreds) of layers, many images and sequences can be combined, flying pictures around the screen in any configuration. Large images can be panned across the screen, giving the illusion of motion. Type can be scrolled up the screen. By adding effects, even more types of layering are possible.
Layers are "stacked" as such:
Layer 1 is on the bottom of the stack.
Layer 2 is on top of layer 1.
Layer 3 is on top of layer 2.
etc...
When you look at the "stack" from above, you see the highest numbered layer (in this case, 3). If areas of layer 3 are transparent, you may see layers 2 or 1 behind it. This is the principle behind layering.
The digital in digital layering means that no picture quality is lost, no matter how many elements are combined. With the layering performed by analog tape editing, every layer of imagery degrades the quality of the final product by a generation. Even 1" videotape loses a significant amount of quality after 4 or 5 generations. True digital layering NEVER loses any quality or picture information no matter how many layers are combined, and this is the principle behind MultiLayer. Absolutely NO COMPRESSION is performed since compression is the bane of quality. MultiLayer's uniques archetecture allows you to perform unlimited digital layering quickly and easily with a small amount of memory. MultiLayer never contains more than 3 images in memory at a time, thus saving the expense of high-priced ram.
1 System Requirements
-Workbench 2.04 or higher.
-An Accelerator is recommended but not required, as is as much memory as possible. MultiLayer uses an efficient method of layering which never leaves more that one foreground, alpha and background image in memory at a time. Your memory requirements will not increase with more layers. MultiLayer itself requires 1 megabyte or RAM. The host program, either ADPro or Image-FX will require enough RAM for itself and 1 to 3 images depending upon the effect being created.
-MultiLayer may be run on it's own screen or upon the Workbench. To run MultiLayer on the Workbench you MUST run a Workbench of at least 640 X 400 with at least 4 colors. This is because MultiLayer windows contain more information than can fit on a screen any smaller.
-You cannot use spaces in frame filenames when giving them to MultiLayer.
-The last selected/used settings for your framebuffer that were set by ADPro or ImageFX are those that will be used when MultiLayer calls it to display an image.
-Foreground and Alpha Images should always be the same size/resolution.
-With MultiLayer-ImageFX, preview should be disabled and you should use ImageFX from the Workbench. This will speed up compositing tremendously and allow you to see what ImageFX is doing during processing.
-With MultiLayer-ImageFX, you should disable the undo buffer. It is unnecessary to leave it on during compositing, and only slows down ImageFX.
-You must have the RexxSys library on your libs drawer.
- You must have the RexxMast server running. This is standard with AmigaDOS 2.0, and it is recommended that you keep it in the WBSTARTUP drawer so it is run every time you boot your computer.
2 General Description
MultiLayer is designed to create moving effects containing multiple layers of video images, either moving or stills, and composite these layers quickly in an interactive environment. This environment facilitates quick and easy changes to any aspect of the layering with a fast preview window to give the user a rough idea of what the final composites will look like.
