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1994-10-13
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Converting Vector Graphics To Rip Graphics
Introduction:
About a year ago I came across a small utility known as wmf2rip.
It was supposed to be able to convert a windows metafile(*.wmf)
graphic to a rip graphic. Initially when I first tried it my
success was very limited. But over time I have managed to perfect
some rather interesting results. For example I was no longer
limited to the fonts that came with the rip paint programs. I could
now use most any truetype font, I could set the text to path, skew
it, rotate it. One could say, that my only limits were that of my
imagination. I have been on RIPnet! for almost a year now, and
still find very few people using this technique. Why, you might ask?
One reason for sure, is there is no flood fills in this type of rip.
I also find those rip paint programs too limiting and for me drawing
with a mouse has its limitations as well. This is not to say that I
haven't seen some excellent screens produced by others though. My
hat goes off to them.
Tools Required:
1. The ability to play :)
2. A copy of the wmf2rip.exe conversion utility.
3. Coreldraw I have used both version 2 and 3 with excellent results.
4. Hijack Pro (for graphic conversions). *.cgm to *.wmf
5. A rip paint program.
6. A rip viewer called freeview.exe.
7. A text editor
8. A reusable template you create
Creating The Template
I work mostly with the *.cgm graphic format both for importing and
exporting with Coreldraw. My reason for this is if I export the
graphic out as a *.wmf I am unable to control the graphic's x and y
coordinates. I am sure that many of you who are working with Coreldraw
would know how to control the header info of the graphic. I only
started to use this program when I realized I could use it to create
my rip screens, so my appologies, for not knowing how to set the
header info for a *.wmf.
My first problem was not being able to control the size of my
graphic. In other words some graphics were too large when finished
and when converted to a rip only the top portion of the graphic
displayed. To get around this problem, I created a template in
Coreldraw. This template was merely a dot in the top left hand
corner of the page, and a rectangle just slightly to the right and
below the dot.
Next I exported this screen out of Corel as a *.cgm. and also saved
it as a *.cdr.I then converted the *.cgm to a *.wmf using Hijackpro.
My next step was to convert the *.wmf using the wmf2rip utility to a
rip. I usually use the /w switch when converting as it always gives me
a background I can edit in my rip paint program.
I kept doing this until I was able to achieve the maximum sized
rectangle(that would display fully on the screen).
If you get an out of range error with the wmf2rip utility you know
you will have to reduce the rectangle size in Corel. The wmf2rip
utility will report if it is an x or y out of range error and you can
adjust your rectangle accordingly. Please keep in mind this is only a
one shot deal, once you get this template set up, you can use it
over and over again for each rip screen. By the way just for interest
sake my template when completed was about 80% of the maximum x and y
coordinates in a rip screen. I have also customized this template to
use, when I wanted to create wallpaper and my own icon buttons from
vector graphics.
Creating A Rip Screen From A Vector Graphic
Your template should be saved in Corel as a *.cdr. So once you have
gotten your template made you can try a couple of screens.
First thing I do after Corel loads is open my template.cdr. Next I
import the graphic I want to work on *.cgm. Then it's up to you, size
it, locate it, whatever, just remember to keep it within the limits
of your template. When you are finished editing your graphic in Corel
you will export it as a *.cgm. I then go into Hijackpro and do my
conversion of the *.cgm to a *.wmf. Now using the wmf2rip utility
you can convert it to a rip.(wmf2rip *.wmf /w)
Here's a little sample to try. Load your template, draw a circle,
put some text on the screen, and set the text to path. Export the
screen out of Corel as a *.cgm. Convert it with Hijackpro to a *.wmf.
Then convert it to a rip with the wmf2rip utility.
You should end up with the text following the curve of the circle,
depending on what orientation you selected. When you are all done,
try and emulate that effect in a rip paint program :) .
Suggestions:
When using a graphic to convert to a rip, the size of the file
(in Bytes)is always on my mind. I really do not like to use any
screens on line that are bigger than 15 or 20k. I prefer them to be
around the 4k mark(I still have a few 2400 baud callers). Anyway with
this thought in mind I try to reduce my graphics initially in Corel.
A great deal of clipart is layered and I have found that a great deal
of this information can be deleted from a graphic with no effect to
the final result. It is a lot easier to edit the graphic in Corel than
it is with a rip paint program or a text editor. For example I have
been able to use clipart images as large as 100k and by removing some
of the layering, have ended up with a rip screen of only 8k.
If you prefer to edit your converted rip screen outside of Corel
the freeview.exe program, with the trace mode on is good for locating
parts of a rip which are uneccessary. At this stage I would use my
rip paint program or the dos editor to remove the unwanted info.
Also don't forget to optimize your rip screen by saving it in
your rip paint program. This is actually one of my final phases
when doing a rip.
When using the wmf2rip program here are a couple of things to note.
Avoid at all costs the large polygon errors. If you get one use the
switches and do the conversion again /m150 /x10 /y7 /w. I prefer not
having to use these as some distortion of the graphic takes place.
So quite often I will disgard these graphics or find the offending
portion and delete or alter it.
You can ignore any "unrecognized functions" reported when converting,
this will not affect your final output.
Well I hope you can excuse my rather simplified explanation of how
I do my rips. I apologize for not being more technical with my
descriptions but I can't offer something that's not there :)
Andy Forget
Good Times Unlimited BBS (905)825-0564
Fidonet : 1:259/324
ZyXELnet: 12:259/324
CNnet : 169:905/4
Ripnet! : 154:815/200
Sfnet : A0416002
All Shareware programs listed above can be file requested from my
system. For a complete listing of available rip related files
including my gturips, make a file request for "FILES",from any of
my addresses listed above.