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1995-10-23
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VGSCAP - v1.2
VGA screen capture
General Information
(C) 1994 Bernard Voedts - All rights reserved
DESCRIPTION
___________
VGSCAP is a resident program (TSR) enabling the user to capture pictures
or texts appearing on a VGA or SVGA display.
Its installation mode makes possible to do the capture, whatever
the currently running program (especially if it is a game),
by pressing a key on the keyboard or the right button of the mouse.
A "Pause" function allows to do the capture at a precise moment.
The capture is possible under Windows 3.1, directly in the Standard mode,
indirectly in the 386 Enhanced mode.
LIMITED WARRANTY
----------------
The software is supplied "as is" with no warranty of any kind,
explicit or implicit.
In no event can the author be considered as responsible for any damages
resulting from using the software, any risk being assumed by the user.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-------------------
PC/AT & Compatible.
VGA controller or SVGA register-level compatible.
DOS 3.1 or higher.
CONTENTS OF THE SUPPLY
----------------------
After uncompressing data (if necessary), the supply must contain
the following files :
- VGSCAP.EXE Captures VGA or SVGA pictures
- VGSCAP.DOC The documentation (the current text)
- VGSCAP.TXT Order form
- WINCAP.EXE Captures under Windows
- WCAPDLL.DLL DLL used by the WINCAP.EXE
- VIEWVGS.EXE Visualizes captured pictures
- VGS2TXT.EXE Converts a .VGS file into a .TXT file
- VGS2GIF.EXE Converts a .VGS file into a .GIF file
- VGS2PCX.EXE Converts a .VGS file into a .PCX file
- VGS2BMP.EXE Converts a .VGS file into a .BMP file
(the shareware version does not allow SVGA screen capture,
neither does it allow captures using the mouse)
The full version, available after registration, contains all same files
lightened of the messages and peculiarities of the shareware version.
LICENSE
-------
VGSCAP is SHAREWARE and may be freely distributed.
You may try it is freely and decide whether it suits your needs
and works correctly in your environment. After this testing period
you are in full knowledge for deciding to acquire the license.
For your registration, you can print the VGSCAP.TXT file, fill in it,
join you payment of US $40 (or equivalent) in check or cash,
and sent it to
Bernard VOEDTS
4 rue Michelet
92130 ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX
FRANCE
Registering will make you receive the full version on a 3.5" diskette.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
--------------------
1) VGSCAP
---------
Features :
VGSCAP is a resident program enabling pictures capture from a VGA
or SVGA display. It requires 12 Kb of RAM and loads itself inside
High Memory, using only 256 bytes of conventional memory.
VGSCAP must be launched from DOS.
The capture is possible for all modes compatibles with a standard VGA
card, including the most unused modes (for example : text 80x28,
graphic 720x400 16 colors, 360x480 256 colors ...).
In VGA mode, the capture does not use the BIOS but operates directly
with the registers of the card.
The capture is also possible for the SuperVGA modes compatible with
the VESA norm :
- text 80x60, 132x25, 132x43, 132x50, 132x60
- graphic 16 colors 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024
- graphic 256 colors 640x400, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024
In this mode the capture uses the VESA BIOS, the card must consequently
use a BIOS compatible with this norm.
(for old cards, VESA drivers are available in the public domain
or as sharewares).
It is better to install VGSCAP after the other resident programs.
One should especially avoid to install it before a resident
VESA driver, otherwise the VESA driver would be ignored.
The program watch out if 2 specific keys ("Hot-Keys") are activated
- KEY1 (default value : 'F11' key) launches the capture directly
- KEY2 (default value : 'F12' key) stops/resumes the current program
After the KEY2 stop :
'C' key launches the capture then resumes the intercepted program
'B' key reboots the machine
Any key other than 'C', 'B' and KEY2 blackens the screen, after
which only KEY2 allows the resumption of the intercepted program.
The capture causes the display blinking shortly at the beginning
and at the end of the process. In the meanwhile, a file with extension
.VGS is created on the hard disk, it contains the captured picture.
In the shareware version, launching VGSCAP causes the writing of
VGSCAP.DOC and VGSCAP.TXT.
Syntax : VGSCAP /on|off [parameters] [options]
Parameters :
/on : installs the program as resident
/off : uninstalls the program
Options :
/clock
Causes external clock being reprogrammed at the end of the capture.
You should try this option with some games (for example :
Oh No ! More Lemmings) if the system hangs after resuming.
/nopic
Switches PIC reprogrammation off. As default, VGSCAP reprograms
the PIC (Programmable Interrupt Controller) when installing itself.
Switching PIC reprogrammation off gives priority to VGSCAP over
the intercepted program as far as keyboard interrupt is concerned.
/mouseright=1
or
/mouseright=2
Makes the right button of the mouse replace KEY1 or KEY2.
Furthermore, after an interception by KEY2 (keyboard or mouse),
hitting left button launches the capture, while right button
resumes the intercepted program.
Warning : with some mouse drivers, it is necessary to move the mouse
slightly between the hits.
This option is to be used conjointly with /nopic if default
installation does not allow VGSCAP activation or hinders running
a program (this may happen with DOS Extenders). Example :
VGSCAP /ON /NOPIC /MOUSERIGHT=1
This option is not available in the shareware version.
/nomouse
Makes hardware mouse cursor vanish while activation.
/dma
Closes the DMA channel specified during activation, in order
to avoid desynchronization with a sound card.
Two parameters can be specified : one for low channels (0,1,3),
the other for high channels (5, 6, 7). Example :
VGSCAP /ON /DMA1 /DMA7
Note : sound cards usually utilize channel 1.
/k1=nnn
Specifies a keyboard code for KEY1.
Default value is 87 (F11 key).
(a list of keyboard is available as appendix).
/k2=nnn
Specifies a keyboard code for KEY2.
Default value is 88 (F12 key).
/name=[path\]xxxxx
Specifies a prefix (of 5 characters or fewer) for the names of
the files containing the captured pictures. The remaining 3 characters
will be 000, 001, 002 ... 999.
Full names will be xxxxx000.vgs, xxxxx001.vgs, xxxxx002.vgs, ...
Default value of the prefix is : vgs.
Examples : VGSCAP /on /name=c:\vgs\
Files vgs001.vgs, vgs002.vgs ... will be created in directory
c:\vgs (this directory must exist before activation).
VGSCAP /on /name=toto
Files toto001.vgs, toto002.vgs ... will be created in current
directory.
2) WINCAP
---------
Features :
WINCAP is a Windows program which diverts keyboard messages
and provides the same functions as VGSCAP under Windows.
VGSCAP must be installed under DOS before running Windows.
WINCAP can be used only with 386-Enhanced mode under Windows.
WCAPDLL.DLL needs to be accessed by windows.
Installation :
Run WINCAP.EXE and activate the 'Install' menu.
Quit WINCAP, capturing is now possible.
Uninstalling :
Run WINCAP.EXE and activate the 'Uninstall' menu.
Quit WINCAP.
3) VIEWVGS
----------
Features :
VIEWVGS is a program for visualizing .VGS files resulting from
the captures.
Its use in the interactive mode makes possible to delete or rename
the files after visualizing them.
In batch mode, one can scroll through the files using the keys
HOME, END, PGUP, PGDOWN.
Syntax :
VIEWVGS Use in interactive mode
or
VIEWVGS file1 file2 ... [/n] [/auto] Use in batch mode
VIEWVGS @file [/n] [/auto]
/n time of visualization in seconds
/auto must be used conjointly with /n, at the end of
the file list, loops the loop on the first file
Example : VIEWVGS C:\VGS\*.VGS /2
Displays automatically the selected files every 2 seconds.
VIEWVGS @vgsflist
Displays automatically the files the names of which are listed
in the file 'vgsflist'.
4) VGS2TXT
----------
Features :
VGS2TXT converts .VGS files resulting from captures in text mode
into files using monochrome ASCII, GIF, or PCX formats.
Syntax : VGS2TXT file1 file2 ... [parameters]
Parameters :
none : converts into a .TXT file (ASCII).
/C : converts into a .TXT file with screen outlines.
/G : converts into a monochrome .GIF file.
/P : converts into a monochrome .PCX file.
5) VGS2GIF - VGS2PCX - VGS2BMP
------------------------------
Features :
VGS2GIF, VGS2PCX and VGS2BMP convert .VGS files into
.GIF, .PCX or .BMP formats.
Syntax : VGS2GIF file1 file2 ...
VGS2PCX file1 file2 ...
VGS2BMP file1 file2 ...
Example : VGS2GIF C:\vgs\*.vgs
Note : The shareware version of VGS2GIF, VGS2PCX and VGS2BMP does not
allow conversion of files .VGS resulting from captures in VESA mode.
COMPATIBILITY
-------------
1) DOS
------
VGSCAP was tested successfully with several hundreds of programs
(games and others).
However, like any resident program, compatibility with the currently
running program or with other resident programs (for example,
network managers) is never 100% ensured, some hangings or
malfunctionments may always occur.
Consequently we recommend using VGSCAP only with strictly necessary
residents.
2) Protected mode
-----------------
VGSCAP runs with Windows 3.1 (not Windows 3.0) in standard mode
and with several DOS extenders.
Compatibility usually depends on presence or absence of a
memory manager (EMM386.EXE) in the CONFIG.SYS file.
It is advisable to test each configuration.
We have tested the following DOS extenders :
- DOS/4G (used by DOOM and most of recent games) :
VGSCAP requires the absence of EMM386.
- GO32 (with GNU C/C++) :
VGSCAP requires the presence of EMM386.
- DOSX (with Symantec C++) :
VGSCAP works.
- RTM (with Borland C++) :
VGSCAP works.
- PHAR LAP 286 (tested with PHAR LAP 286 Lite) :
VGSCAP works.
The option /nopic /mouseright works with all software above whatever
the configuration, as well as all DOS Extenders which do not allow to
capture via the keyboard. Examples :
- Super-VGA Harrier (game of Domark)
- Zone66 (shareware game of Epic)
Note : Option /mouseright= is available only in registered version.
3) VESA
-------
The captures in VESA mode were tested with Windows 3.1,
with several graphic viewers, and with some games
(Flight Simulator 5, Battle Chess 4000, Super-VGA Harrier ...)
Some SVGA cards incorporate a VESA interface which does not function
correctly when a program operates directly with the registers.
In such cases, activating VGSCAP (which uses the VESA interface)
may cause the system hanging.
Such situations may occur :
- under Windows (because the drivers do not use the VESA interface)
- under Flight Simulator (if the card is not declared as VESA
in the setup)
4) LOADING IN HIGH MEMORY
-------------------------
Faced with a memory manager (EMM386, 386MAX, QEMM ...),
VGSCAP loads itself in the High Memory if it finds a free block
of 12Kb, then it occupies only 256 bytes of low memory.
You must not try to load it "manually" with the LODHIGH command of DOS,
because its memory requirements would then be greater than 12Kb.
It is still possible to force the loading in low memory thanks
to the option /noup. Example : VGSCAP /ON /NOUP
APPENDIX : List of Keyboard codes for a 101-Key US Keyboard
-----------------------------------------------------------
First row : Second row : Third row :
Esc : 1 ` ~ : 41 Tab : 15
F1 : 59 1 ! : 2 q : 16
F2 : 60 2 @ : 3 w : 17
F3 : 61 3 # : 4 e : 18
F4 : 62 4 $ : 5 r : 19
F5 : 63 5 % : 6 t : 20
F6 : 64 6 ^ : 7 y : 21
F7 : 65 7 & : 8 u : 22
F8 : 66 8 * : 9 i : 23
F9 : 67 9 ( : 10 o : 24
F10 : 68 0 ) : 11 p : 25
F11 : 87 - _ : 12 [ { : 26
F12 : 88 = + : 13 ] } : 27
Alt+PrtScr : 84 Backspace : 14 | \ : 43
Scroll Lock : 70
Fourth row : Fifth row : Numeric pad :
Caps lock : 58 Left Shift : 42 Num Lock : 69
a : 30 z : 44 * : 55
s : 31 x : 45 - : 74
d : 32 c : 46 + : 78
f : 33 v : 47 7 Home : 71
g : 34 b : 48 8 Up : 72
h : 35 n : 49 9 PgUp : 73
j : 36 m : 50 4 Left : 75
k : 37 , < : 51 5 : 76
l : 38 . > : 52 6 Right : 77
; : : 39 / ? : 53 1 End : 79
' " : 40 Right Shift : 54 2 Down : 80
Enter : 28 3 PgDown : 81
0 Ins : 82
Sixth row : Del : 83
Ctrl : 29
Alt : 56
Space : 57