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Text File | 1989-01-06 | 16KB | 398 lines

          SQZGIF Copr. (c) 1988-89 Lawrence Gozum & Marvin Gozum
          ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                User Manual

    DISCLAIMER

    This  product  is distributed AS IS.  The authors specifically disclaim
    all  warranties  ,expressed  or implied, including ,but not limited to,
    implied  warranties  of  merchantability  and  fitness for a particular
    purpose  with respect to defects in the diskette and documentation, and
    program  license  granted  herein,  in particular, and without limiting
    operation  of  the  program  license  with  respect  to  any particular
    application  use  or  purpose.  In no event shall the authors be liable
    for  any  loss  of  profit or any other commercial damage including but
    not limited to special,incidental, consequential or other damages.


    LICENSING AGREEMENT

    You  may  use  this program on a TRIAL BASIS only;  this means that you
    may  freely  evaluate  this program for a period not to exceed TEN (10)
    DAYS.    Should you find this program useful, you must register it (see
    last section of this manual).

    You  may  freely  distribute  copies  of this program in its UNMODIFIED
    state  provided  you do not include it in other software packages, with
    the  exception  of distributing it as part of a bundle of Public Domain
    or  Shareware  programs  on a single diskette.  In addition you may not
    charge  more that $3.50 for copying and/or distributing this program in
    the absence of any recognized Users Group guidelines.


    WHAT IS SQZGIF ?

    SQZGIF  is  a  conversion  utility  that  will  convert  256  color GIF
    pictures  that  are  larger  than  320x200x256  (e.g.  640x480x256) and
    interpolate  or  "color  average"  that  picture into a 320x200x256 and
    save it to a .BLD and .PLT format for importing the results to:

         (1) VGACAD for editing/image processing;
         (2) VGA2EGA for conversion to EGA 640x350x16 or EEGA 640x480x16;
         (3) BLD2GIF for reconversion to a smaller 320x200x256 GIF pic;
         (4) GIFDOT for printing to an Epson/IBM compatible printer;
         (5) GIFPUB for destop publishing.

    With  SQZGIF  you  can convert, edit or print those 256 color pics with
    correct  aspect  ratios;  all  sizes  such  as  320x240 (Jovian Logic),
    320x400  (Amiga), 512x400 (TARGA), 640x400 (MACII), 640x480 and 800x600
    (SuperVGA)  can  be  handled.   SQZGIF handles any GIF up to 2KB x 2KB.
    SQZGIF is graphics card independent; NO GRAPHICS CARD REQUIRED!

    VGA/MCGA  users  can,  also, pick any selected area and ZOOM it to full
    screen size; you can treat LARGE GIF pictures as "virtual screens".













    INTERPOLATION VS. COLOR AVERAGING

    SQZGIF  uses  two  methods  for  "squeezing" a picture down to VGA/MCGA
    size.    The  first  is interpolation which several GIF picture viewers
    use  (e.g.,  PICEM, VGAGIF and SNAPVGA); this method is fast and yields
    acceptable  results  most of the time.  Interpolation works by sampling
    color  pixels from the original picture.  For example, in a 640x400x256
    GIF;  half  of all the pixels in the X-axis and Y-axis will be sampled.
    This  method,  however,  may  yield  unpleasant side effects which vary
    from  picture  to  picture.    Firstly,  certain  pixels may be skipped
    during  interpolation  which  results  in  a  loss of important detail.
    Secondly,  "noise"  or  repeating  dark  and  light  color patterns may
    appear  since  these  patterns  were  supposed to be viewed in a higher
    resolution and "smooth" into a continuous image.

    The  second  method is "color averaging" which replaces groups of color
    pixels  to  one  of  the colors in the 256 color palette by finding the
    closest  match;    this  method  will  represent  these  large  GIFs in
    320x200x256  with the closest possible rendition (i.e., it will provide
    the  closest approximation to the original picture as you would view it
    on  the  system  that  originated it).  The "color averaging" method is
    much  slower  but  yields  the  best  results;  it  removes "noise" and
    patterns  that  result  from  interpolating  certain  large  GIFs.   In
    addition,  this  process  actually adds some element of "anti-aliasing"
    or "smoothing" since "jaggies" are averaged into one color pixel.


    REQUIREMENTS

    Since  these  large  GIF  pictures  can  decompose  into  megabytes,  a
    harddisk  is highly recommended.  An 800x600x256 GIF will decompress to
    480,000  bytes.  SQZGIF uses a temporary file to decompress these large
    GIFs  and requires an additional 64KB for saving the "squeezed" picture
    and another 64KB (MCGA/VGA only) for the "zoomed" screen.

    High-density  dual  drive users (e.g., 720KB or 1.2MB or 1.44MB) should
    place  the GIF file to be converted in one drive while the other should
    contain only SQZGIF.exe in the default drive.

    SQZGIF   needs   no   video  card  and  should  run  on  any  IBM/MSDOS
    compatible.    NO  GRAPHICS  CARD  IS  REQUIRED.    The  "Pick 'N Zoom"
    feature,  however  will  only  be  activated  is  a  VGA/MCGA  card  is
    detected.


    HOW TO USE SQZGIF

    Run  SQZGIF  and  select file to be converted.  Use the <arrow> keys to
    move  the  highlightbar  the  press  <return>  to select.  Pressing the
    <spcbar>  will  allow  you  to change the drive or sub-directory (e.g.,
    D:\GIF\LARGE\NUDES\"  or "B:\); PATHs must be specified with and ending
    backslash  "\"  character.   Then, specify the OUTPUT filename (without
    the  extension); this is the converted output (e.g. "A:\TEST" or "TEST"
    or  "\GIF\LARGE\NUDES\TEST").  The program will automatically place the
    .BLD and .PLT extensions for you.











    The  picture  will  be  saved  in  two  files: .BLD and .PLT file.  For
    example,  if  you specify MYPIC as your converted filename, the program
    will  save  your  converted  picture as MYPIC.BLD and MYPIC.PLT.  These
    files can be imported directly into BASIC or compiled BASIC programs.

    If  an  input file cannot be found then an 'error beep' will result and
    your  input will be rejected.  If an output file exists (i.e., there is
    an  existing  .BLD or .PLT file with that name) then your input will be
    rejected.    SQZGIF  will  handle  interlaced  and sequential GIF pics.
    Unusual  pictures  such  as  those with multiple images, or local color
    maps,  will be handled with unpredictable results; only the first image
    will  be  processed.      Pictures  with  less than 32 colors should be
    avoided; use EGA2VGA for best results.

    If  a  LARGE  GIF  file was processed previously, a TEMP.RAW file would
    have  been  created which are the decompressed pixels; this file is NOT
    automatically  deleted  after  processing  a LARGE GIF picture.  If you
    want  to  process  the  same  picture  using  a different method (e.g.,
    "color  averaging")  or  want to zoom another part of the same picture,
    simply  reply  [Y]es when prompted "Use TEMP.RAW ? [Y/n]".  The palette
    data  and  screen  size  dimensions  are  NOT retained and MUST be read
    (i.e.,  again)  from  the  original  GIF picture processed.  Be sure to
    remember  what  that  GIF file was (if you intend to reuse the TEMP.RAW
    file)  or  you will have mismatched colors and screen dimensions.  This
    feature  saves  a lot of time since decompressing the pixels of a LARGE
    GIF  file  is  avoided  when you simply want to try another "squeezing"
    method or zoom another portion of the picture.

    Floppy  disk and High-density drive users SHOULD delete TEMP.RAW if you
    are  not going to process the same picture again;  you may get an error
    message for insufficient disk space if you don't.

    When  prompted, select [I]nterpolated or [C]olor Averaging method.  The
    latter  method  will take approximately 7 minutes (on an 8Mhz machine);
    the  program  will  process  one raster line and show you the estimated
    processing  time  for  a  "color  averaged"  picture which you can then
    continue  to process or abort.  Leave the program alone to process your
    picture and it will save the results when finished.


    PICK 'N ZOOM

    If  a  VGA/MCGA  card  is detected, then this feature will be activated
    after  the  interpolated or "color averaged" picture has been processed
    and saved.

    A  "capture  box"  will  appear  which  will  represent  the area to be
    "zoomed"  using  the  interpolation  method  only.    You  can move the
    "capture  box"  with  the  arrow  keys or use the <Shift-ARROW> keys to
    move  around the screen faster.  Pressing the <+> key will increase the
    size  of  your  "capture  box" (the area to be zoomed) - resulting in a
    smaller  "zooming  factor", but including a larger area of the picture;
    conversely,  pressing  the  <->  key  will  decrease the "capture box"-
    resulting  in  larger magnification but procesing a smaller area of the
    total picture.











    This  feature is very useful in selecting only areas of a picture which
    you want to use (e.g., editing in VGACAD).

    After  viewing  the  "zoomed picture", press <return> to save the image
    or  press <Esc> to reselect and redefine the "zoomed image".  The image
    will  be  saved  to  "ZOOM.BLD"  and  "ZOOM.PLT";  these  files will be
    constantly overwritten; thus, you MUST rename these files later.


    REGISTRATION


    BONUS:    Registered   users  of  VGACAD  v1.4-1.5,  VGA2EGA  v1.0,
              SQZGIF  v1.0-v1.2,  GIFPUB  v1.0-1.2, MAC2GIF v1-2 and/or
              EGA2VGA  v1-2  are  registered  for  SQZGIF.    Copy your
              REGISTER.OVL  file  into  the  directory of SQZGIF and it
              will  operate  as  a registered version.  IF YOU HAVE NOT
              REGISTERED  ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, DO SO NOW; WHEN VGACAD
              v1.60  IS RELEASED, THE REGISTER.OVL FILE WILL CHANGE AND
              ALL  NEW RELEASES WILL REQUIRE REGISTER.V16 TO OPERATE AS
              A NON-SHAREWARE VERSION.


    For  19.95  (for  orders  outside of U.S.A. add USD $15.00) you will be
    entitled  to  the  latest  update of SQZGIF and REGISTER.V16 file (when
    released).    The  following programs listed below are provided (latest
    copy  or  update)  to  registered  users.   As much as possible, we are
    reprogramming  all  utilities  to  work  with  ANY video card; programs
    that,  at  present,  work  with  ANY  video  card  are: GIFPUB, GIFPUB,
    EGA2VGA  (v2.0), MAC2GIF and SQZGIF.  We intend to modify all utilities
    to  have  device-independent  graphics  capabilities  (with the obvious
    exception  of  VGACAD,  VGACAP,  VGA2EGA,  and  CGA2VGA).  If you are a
    Hercules,  CGA or EGA user, and you upgrade to VGA, please inform us as
    soon as possible so that we may send you VGA-dependent releases too.


    * Device-independent utilities

         GIFDOT  -  converts  256 color GIFs to B&W images of varying sizes
         for  printing  on  IBM  and  Epson  compatible  printers (separate
         drivers).    Several  print  sizes  with  perfect  aspect  ratios.
         Variable  Brightness  and  Contrast  Stretching.  Single or Double
         pass printing.

         GIFPUB  -  converts  256 color GIFs to B&W images of varying sizes
         for  desktop publishing/printing as .PCX (ZSoft format for Ventura
         Desk  Top  Publisher,  First Publisher, Publisher's Paintbrush, PC
         Paintbrush+)  or  rename  files  to  .PCC  for  importing in Aldus
         Pagemaker.

















         MAC2GIF  -  converts .MAC ("readmac") pictures to 5-16 grey shades
         or  color  and  saves  results  as .GIF or BLD/PLT file, and other
         formats;  graphics  are  viewable  in  VGA, MCGA or EGA - no video
         card is required for direct Black & White conversion to GIF.

NEW!     EGA2VGA  (v2.0)  -  converts  GIFs  (16  colors  and below) or ANY
         VIEWABLE   2-16  color  EGA/EEGA/VGA  picture  to  320x200x256  by
         actually  creating  256  NEW  COLORS;  outputs  load  directly  to
         GIFPUB,  GIFPUB, and VGACAD.  If you load .MAC pics (by converting
         to  GIF with MAC2GIF), you can smooth/convert Black & White images
         to   grey  shades;  B&W  GIFs  and  captured  pics  will  also  be
         "smoothed" into grey shades.  *NO VIDEO REQUIRED*


    * Device-dependent utilities/applications

         VGA2EGA  - conversion utility to convert 256 color pictures to EGA
         or  Extended  EGA picture with "35" grey shades or any combination
         of  42,875  COLORS  for  the  BEST possible rendition of 256 color
         pictures on an EGA/Extended EGA system.

         VGACAD  -  extensive  paint/image  processing program for VGA/MCGA
         users;      v1.50   features  extensive  paintingcapabilities,  an
         integrated   GIF  interface,  Airbrushes,  color  and  grey  image
         processing  functions (smoothing, noise removal, shading, contrast
         stertching,  edge  detection,  high frequency-boosting, ... more),
         Bezier/spline  curves,  multi-featured Cut&Paste, variable sizing,
         multi-directiona   256-color   gradient  fills,  256  color  16x16
         pattern fills, and a LOT of other 256-color capabilities.


    Whats next ?

    SYNPCX  is  utility  to convert dithered, monochrome .PCX (Zsoft) files
    to  smooth  grey  shades.This  utility is primarily designed to convert
    scanned  Black  &  White  images,  saved  to a .PCX file, for use image
    processing  with  VGACAD,  redithering/resizing  with  GIFPUB, printing
    with  GIFDOT,  or EGA conversion with VGA2EGA.  SYNPCX will be graphics
    device independent (No Video Required).

    VGA2EGA   is   being   "turbo-charged"   in   speed  and  will  feature
    Floyd-Steinberg   error-distributed  dithering  of  EGA  colors  for  a
    standardized  16-color  picture resulting in excellent detail retention
    and,  virtually,  standardized viewing on any EGA/EEGA system, with the
    greatest possible number of colors "viewable".

    On  the  longer term, you can expect radical changes in VGACAD.  We are
    also,  developing VGASHW (a 256-color presentation system), VGACBT (the
    PROGRAMMABLE   Computer-Based   Training  counterpart  of  VGASHW)  AND
    MANNEQUIN  (what "Weird Science" tried to do in the movie it will do on
    the  computer  screen  with  potential applications for Advertising and
    Fashion Design, aside from creating your own artistic nudes).














    If  you  support  maverick authors like us, we will continue to develop
    innovative  products  like  nothing  seen commercially - otherwise they
    will,  as  many (sigh!) good Shareware programs, simply "DIE" from lack
    of  support  !    Compare the cost/benefit ratio of any of our products
    with   commercial   products;   we  want  to  continue  supporting  and
    developing   these   products.     Please  support  the  User-Supported
    (Shareware)  concept;  you, and you alone, determine whether it will be
    worthwhile to continue developing.

    To register, send in the registration form and check payable to

                             Dr. Marvin Gozum
                      2 Independence Place Apt. 303-2
                            6th & Locust Street
                          Philadelphia, PA 19106


    NEW!      3.5" disk users:  We are now supporting this format.
              If you want your updates in this format, add $10.00.






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