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1987-12-04
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Update Information
This is the DEMO release of ICONVERT Release 1.10. This
version fixes the following bugs from Release 1.00D.
1. Fixed bug in File Maintenance that
would not allow exiting from the
DELETE file function.
2. Fixed bug in to PC PAINTBRUSH
conversion which caused large files
to be messed up.
Two new features have been added.
1. Support for Hercules Graphic Card.
2. Flip option to flip picture from top
to bottom.
If you have downloaded the previous version there is little
need to download the new one, unless you need the Hercules
support.
Iconvert
Release 1.10D
Copyright 1987
by
John Paul Michalski
Infinity Engineering Services
P.O. Box 812
Chandler, Az 85224-0812
All Rights Reserved
NOTICE
------
This Software is NOT in the Public Domain nor
is it ShareWare. This program is distributed as
DemoWare with the sole purpose of allowing an
evaluation of ICONVERT before purchase.
Redistribution of this program is encouraged
as long as the following is observed:
1: All files are to remain intact. No
modifying or altering of the files
contained in ICON110D.ARC is allowed.
2: If uploaded to an electronic bulletin
board (BBS) the name shall remain as
ICON110D.ARC. This is to allow updates
to be distinguished.
3: If uploaded to a BBS the description
of the program must make the statement
that this is a DEMO program.
Introduction
------------
ICONVERT is a graphics format conversion program, which means
ICONVERT allows graphics created in one type of software to be used in
another. An example is to use PrintShop icons in Printmaster. In fact
this program is an outgrowth of a Public Domain program I wrote for
converting PrintShop to Printmaster to Fontasy formats. Though the
concept is based on my earlier program, ICONVERT is really a totaly
different program, with many new conversions and functions.
This release supports conversions TO/FROM
PrintMaster (IBM and CBM versions)
PrintShop (IBM and CBM versions)
NewsMaster
Newsroom
FONTASY
Doodle (CBM defacto standard)
MacPaint
RLE (Compuserve Vidtex)
BASICA BLOAD
Windows Paint
PC Paintbrush
In addition ICONVERT contains the following features
ViewMode - previewing graphics
- marking graphics for latter
conversion.
- modifying color conversion map
Conversion - unattended converesion of up to
255 files. (disabled in DEMO)
- clipping of graphics
- converting color to mono
- color seperation
- flipping
- mirroring
- inverting (negative)
- double width
File Maintenance - copy files
- delete files
- move files
- rename files
This DEMO release of ICONVERT is fully functional with the exception
of multiple conversions. Only one converted file can be created at a
time. The selection of up to 255 source files is allowed but only the
first file selected will be converted.
System Requirements
-------------------
IBM compatiable PC,XT or AT
256K min. memory
CGA or Hercules display adapter
DOS 2.x or greater (DOS 3.x recommended)
2 floppy drives and/or HardDrive
ICONVERT will work on a floppy only system, but was written to be
used with a hard drive. The program does not support disk swapping. You
can change disks, as long as the program and the seven overlays aren't
moved. The program will not prompt for a disk change nor will it
realize that a different floppy is in place. In fact ICONVERT will run
on only a one floppy system, but since the program files take up 194K
bytes of disk space this leaves only 171K byte for both the source and
target files. It is highly recommended that the program be run on a
hard drive.
Getting Started
---------------
The file ICON110D.ARC should contain the following:
ICONREAD.ME - this file
ICONVERT.COM - the main program
ICONVERT.000
ICONVERT.001
ICONVERT.002
ICONVERT.003 - overlay files
ICONVERT.004
ICONVERT.005
ICONVERT.006
The main program and the seven overlay files must be in the same
directory (on the same disk) to run. To run just type
ICONVERT <RET>
You can run ICONVERT from any directory by adding the path :
\path1\path2\ICONVERT <RET>
Once the program starts it will check that the overlay files are in
the same directory as the main program. If they are not found the
program will terminate. IF found you will be presented with the option
menu.
1: Convert Graphic
2: View Graphic
3: Change Defaults
4: File Maintenance
5: Disclaimer
0: Exit to DOS
ICONVERT is a menu driven program. By just following the prompts you
should be able to navigate the program with no problems. The manual
that comes with the non-DEMO version will cover each option in detail.
This file will only lightly touch on each option.
0: Exit to DOS
--------------
Entering '0' at the main menu will terminate the program and return
you to DOS.
5: Disclaimer
-------------
This displays the program copyright notice and trademark declaration.
4: File Maintenance
-------------------
The options are: Directory - list any directory
Copy - copy files from one directory,
or disk, to another
Delete - delete files
Move - move files from a directory to
another. Actually only the file-
name is moved.
Rename - rename files.
File maintenance can be selected to work with only certain types of
files, marked files (marked in ViewMode) or all files.
3: Change Defaults
------------------
ICONVERT uses a set of default parameters for each type of
conversion. Source file extension, Target file extension, Source file
directory and Target file directory are all preset. This option allows
you to modify any of these defaults and save them into file that will
be used when next running ICONVERT.
NOTE: due to the fact that PrintShop,PrintMaster,NewsMaster
and Newsroom require specified filename extensions
changing the default extension is not allowed. The
Source and Target directory can be changed.
2: View Graphic
---------------
ViewMode is the second most useful option in ICONVERT. You can use
it to preview files to see how the graphic looks before converting. It
also allows you to see what happens when you convert using the Invert,
Mirror,Flip or DoubleWidth options.
When entering ViewMode you are presented with a list of the
availiable formats. After selecting a format, the program will then
search the directory,set up under main menu option 3, and show you what
files are availiable to view. After selection the program switches to
graphic mode and shows the first file. The following commands are used
in the graphic mode:
<RET>,'0' - Exit graphic Mode
<INS> - advance to view next graphic
<DEL> - backup to view previous graphic
Cursor Keys - Move around picture in large steps
<ALT> Cursor Keys - Move around picture in small steps
<F1> - Invert picture
<F2> - Double Width of picture
<F3> - Mirror picture
<F4> - Flip picture
<F5> - Show full view of picture
<F6> - Adj. color map
'+' - Mark file
'-' - Unmark file
Note to TANDY 1000 users: The Tandy 1000 has a different keyboard
then the IBM. The "INS" key on an IBM is
the "0" key on the Tandy keypad. The
right arrow on the Tandy isthe "+" on the
IBM keypad. The Tandy down arrow is the
IBM kepad "-".
Marking a file (+) creates a file that can be used instead of
individually selecting files before converting. It also will save any
options currently selected in ViewMode (invert,mirror,double width and
current color map). Each file can be marked up to 8 times thus allowing
different options for the same picture.
If a file is in color, (PC PaintBrush only in this release), the
picture is first converted to black and white before conversion. The
ColorMap is used to determine which colors will be foreground (Black)
and which colors will be background (White). The ColorMap can be
changed under main menu option #3 or from the ViewMode. Modifying the
ColorMap in ViewMode allows each picture (if marked) to have a
different color conversion. Since each picture can be marked 8 times
you can create color seperation. In addition the adj. color map option
has predefined color seperation options.
1: Convert Graphic
------------------
When selected you are prompted to select which file format you which
to convert from. Next you choose what format to convert to. The program
finds the available source files and you are given the option of
converting all files, selected files, or from a marked file (if any).
After selecting the source files the program creates target filenames
for each one. The target directory willl be checked to make sure
that no file there has the same name. If it finds a duplicate name it
will modify the target name until it doesn't. This can sometimes cause
some pretty odd filenames. After all of the target names have been
created you are given the option of accepting the default name or
changing the name.
A third option allows setting up the options for the target file
(invert, mirror, ect.). Included in the menu is the option to
select Multiple. PrintShop and PrintMaster waste a lot of file space
when converted to Newsroom (not too much) or MacPaint (lots). To offset
this ICONVERT will place multiple PrintShop/PrintMaster icons in each
file. For Newsroom this is 6 icons and for MacPaint it is fifty.
Newsroom icons are seperate clips when used in Newsroom. The 50 icons
in a MacPaint format would need to be clipped out by whatever
application is using the file. The Multiple option will override the
default and create a seperate file for each icon. One advantage of
going seperate files is that the clip function will not work in
Multiple mode.
ICONVERT will allow up to 255 files to be converted unattended. This
demo version will only allow one. An exception is made when using the
Multiple option, the maximum number of files that will fit into one
target file will be converted. Also converting PrintShop to Printmaster
will convert without any limit.
After approving the target name the conversion takes place. If the
size of the source graphic is larger than the max size allowed for the
target you are asked how to clip it. The two options are AutoClip and
GraphicClip.
NOTE: Due to limitations in the current version of ICONVERT the max
size allowed for a source file is 640 columns by 812 rows.
AutoClip will clip out a portion of the source file the max size
allowed by the target file. The start points (TOP,CENTER,BOTTOM -
LEFT,CENTER,RIGHT) are preset by you in main menu option #3. You can
also change the AutoClip start point from the clipmenu.
GraphClip allows you to see exactly what you are clipping and also
choose to clip a smaller area then the max allowed. When selecting the
GraphClip option the program goes into graphic mode and displays the
source graphic. A blinking box (the size of the max allowed for the
target) shows where you are. Using the cursor keys for large steps,
<ALT> cursor keys for small steps, move the upper/left corner of the
box to the place where you want to start clipping. <INS> will lock the
upper/left corner in place and move the view to the lower/right corner
of the clip. Use the cursor keys to set the lower/right corner. <INS>
will lock in the lower/right corner and invert the picture showing what
area you will clip. <INS> one more to start clip.
If you feel that you have made a mistake before the final <INS> use
the <DEL> key to back up a step. The following are additional functions
while in GraphClip:
'0' - Exit back to ClipMenu
<F1> - Invert picture
<F2> - Double Width of picture
<F3> - Mirror picture
<F4> - Flip picture
<F5> - Show full view of picture
The function keys <F1> - <F4> have no effect after the upper/left
corner has been locked.
This covers the very basics of using ICONVERT. Go thru the program
and try the different menu options and experiment. Much effort has gone
into trying to make the user interface as easy as possiable and still
leave much flexibility.
The Future
----------
This program is still growing. The actual program that you purchase
already contains one more conversion then is present in this demo. The
following is the current plans for ICONVERT.
Release 1.xx - Addition of the following conversions
1: Pc Paint
2: Dr. Halo
3: EGA Paint
4: Amega IFF
5: TIFF
6: Compuserve GIF
Release 2.00 - Full color to color conversions
- Allow graphics beyond 640 x 812
- Support for EGA and VGA
- Option to create and print an
organized portfolio of graphics.
- support for FONTASY .PV and .PIC files.
- more conversions.
How to Order Non-Demo Version
-----------------------------
There are two options in purchasing the full version of ICONVERT
1: $35.00 - You receive the latest 1.xx version of
the program, printed user manual, and
all released updates to Release 1.xx.
2: $45.00 - The above plus Release 2.00 when availiable.
The above pricing is in effect until the end of January 1988 and is
special offer for trying out the demo.
To order send a check or money order (for your protection; please no
cash) to:
Infinity Engineering Services
P.O. Box 812
Chandler, Az 85244-0812
I would also appreciate any comments or sugestions on improving
future versions of ICONVERT. I can be reached at:
INFINITY ENGINEERING SERVICES
P.O. Box 812
Chandler, Az 85244-0812
OR
On CompuServe : USER# 70441,274
On GENIE : J.MICHALSKI
Using CompuServe or GENIE will generate the fastest response. When
corresponding please include the following information;
. Type system - PC,XT,AT (clone or true BLUE)
. Amount of system memory
. Floppy or Hard disk
. make of Video adapter
. DOS version
. BIOS manufacturer, Rev and Date
If corresponding about a problem, include;
. Description of what you were trying to do
. Any error messages that might have occurred
A Special Note
--------------
I would like to thank Larry Wilson of The MotherBoard BBS and also to
thank Jeff Johnson for all their time and effort in Beta-testing this
program. Their support is a major reason this program exists in it's
present form.
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