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GIFBIT (c) Copr. 1989 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 for a 10 DAY TRIAL PERIOD. Should you find
this program useful, you MUST register it; you will then be provided
with the latest releases of the VGACAD system see last section of this
manual).
You can freely distribute copies of unmodified GIFBIT and charge $10
max for distribution, in lieu of recognized Users Group guidelines
(e.g., Asso. of Shareware Professionals or NY Amateur Computer Club).
WHAT IS GIFBIT ?
GIFBIT converts B&W PCX pics (up to 32KBx32KB) from an ordered
dithered B&W pic (i.e., simulating grey shades) to a real grey shaded
GIF picture. Once converted to grey shades, these pictures can be
vraiably resized since grey shades take kindly to being resized. You
can use VGACAD to colorize/edit/garnish/image process your grey
images; use GIFPUB to redither grey images to any size you want for
desktop publishing; or use GIFDOT to make a hardcopy in several
sizes. With GIFBIT, NO VIDEO CARD IS NECESSARY. Save and load images
without viewing them. For interactive viewing/saving, GIFBIT supports
MCGA (320x200x256), MVGA (320x200x256 with a 1:1 aspect ratio !), VGA
(640x480x16), and SVGA modes (640x400x256, 640x480x256 & 800x600x256).
1024x768 modes will be included in later releases.
GIFBIT will virtually accept ANY PCX B&W image up to 32KBx32KB; no
matter what scanner you are using, if it is in PCX B&W format, GIFBIT
can process it. You can select grey shade conversion matrices from
1x1 to 15x15 ordered dithers. With the DFI HS-3000, you can use any
multiple of 3x3 matrices. GIFBIT features interactive brightness,
contrast, and skewing adjustments; save any viewable output or use the
[F]ile mode to save MASSIVE grey images.
REQUIREMENTS
NO VIDEO CARD REQUIRED FOR USING GIFBIT. About 512KB of memory is
required, although it uses about 3/4 of that. You MUST have an
EMM.SYS (LIM EMS v32. or higher) to use the expanded memory option.
To use the MVGA mode (320x200x256 w/ 1:1 aspect ratio, a register-
compatible 256KB VGA card must be present.
COMPATIBILITY
GIFBIT has been tested on a 386sx clone, XT clone and PS/2 Model 50;
video modes were tested in MCGA, VGA and SVGA using the STB VGA E/M
512, ATI VGA Wonder 512 card and IBM's VGA PS/2 VGA card.
486, 386, 386sx, 286 and AT users with extended memory should disable
"Shadow RAM". Although GIFBIT is predominantly coded in assembly and
C; QuickBasic (QB) 4.00b is used as a shell and error-handler. QB
v4.00b HATES Shadow RAM for some reason and locks-up (at least on our
386sx clone). With AMI BIOS, you can disable Shadow RAM by pressing
<DEL> during boot and changing the set-up; it is much wiser to have
EMM.SYS/QEMM.SYS or WHATEVER.SYS to manage expanded and extended RAM
anyway. With 2MB on board, I suggest you use 720KB for VDISK to
emulate a fast 3.5" drive and allocate the rest as expanded memory; a
1MB system with a 384KB RAMdisk (VDISK) would match 640x480x256
screens which require 307200 bytes.
Users with third-party EMM.SYS drivers should avoid mapping the ROM
BIOS to "high" RAM (i.e., Shadow RAM) or mapping extended/expanded RAM
to areas where there is no RAM (e.g., to use LOADHI) QB's runtime
module crashes (at least on our 386sx clone). We suggest that you
keep two versions of your CONFIG.SYS file; one with your usual set-up
and one with a set-up to run ALL our programs/utilities (preferably
with as much VDISK as possible).
If your system is still locks-up, do a 'naked boot' ! Rename your
AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files (e.g., to *.BAK) then reboot; this
way you can isolate the incompatible TSR or SYS file.
EXPANDED MEMORY USAGE
GIFBIT supports virtual screens and EXPANDED MEMORY (EMM support).
All the detail in SVGA pictures will be accurately reproduced from
your dithered images. By using the VDISK path you can redirect the
creation of virtual screen in RAM (i.e., RAM disk) for FAST processing
or another drive for dual floppy users. Expanded memory users can use
all the memory they want.
To trigger EXPANDED MEMORY mode type "GIFBIT /em" <return>.
If your EMM.SYS or equivalent driver is incompatible or insufficient
momeory remains unallocated, GIFBIT will automatically use the VDISK
instead.
LOADING PCX PICTURES INTO GIFBIT
Only B&W PCX formats are accepted by GIFBIT. You can select any
filename by moving a highlighted bar (with the arrow keys) and
pressing the <return> key. Pressing <Spc> allows you to select a
different PATH, while <Esc> exits.
VIEWING, CREATING & SAVING GREY-SHADED PICTURES
After selecting your scanned file, select a letter to initiate a
specfic function or option. GIFBIT supports a (M)odified MCGA/VGA
320x200x256 mode with a 1:1 aspect ratio (what scanners normally
output as) as well as the MCGA/VGA 320x200x256 mode and a special VGA
640x800x16 mode that force-fits grey scales to 16 grey levels (no
matter how many levels). SVGA 640x400x256, 640x480x256 and
800x600x256 modes are supported as well. There is, also, a (U)ser
256-color for exotic video modes/cards.
Prior to selecting a video mode for viewing, select a the desired grey
level. Using the [I]ncrease or [D]ecrease functions will reduce an
image but increase the grey scale; these functions increase or
decrease the grey levels by multiples of 3 (i.e., 3x3, 6x6, 9x9, 12x12
and 15x15 grey matrices can be selected) to accomodate the DFI HS-3000
which we feel is the best hand scanner we've tried so far. Use the
[+] or [-] keys to adjust the grey matrix by "1" if your scanner
supports dithering matrices with other multiples (e.g., 4x4, 8x8); the
maximum allowable grey matrix is 15x15 (i.e., 225 grey shades).
Unless you want to shrink your image considerably, a grey matrix
between of 6x6 or 8x8 is highly recommended.
As your image is displayed as grey shades, you can press <Esc> to
abort completion of the image (if the resulting image is greater than
the screen width, then the remaining portions will be clipped); once
completed, you can press <return> to save the entire screen. TEMP
files will be created. These TEMP files can be edited with VGACAD
(v1.60 and up) or directly encoded with RAW2GIF (v3.4 and up), which
is included with GIFBIT. If the image is clipped, you can reduce the
overall size by increasing the grey matrix or simply use the [F]ile
option to save the entire grey image.
When viewing in 320x200x256 (Modified or Normal), the screen will
scroll to view more of the image vertically. All other modes will
clip any portion that extends beyond the screen's vertical boundaries.
While viewing an completed image (i.e., allowing GIFBIT to complete
the entire grey image even if it is clipped vertically or horizontally
due to screen limits), you can adjust the contrast and brightness, as
well as skew the grey scale distribution towards the darker or
brighter spectrum.
The preferred approach to creating grey images is to simply use the
viewing modes to interactively adjust the grey scale; then, after
modifying the palette to your satisfaction, press the <Spcbar> to exit
palette modification and use the [F]ile mode; your modified palette
will be retained with the complete image (i.e., even if it exceeds
viewing screen boundaries).
While the image is being contructed, pressing <ESC> halts grey image
construction and exits to Main Menu. Pressing any other key (e.g.,
<SPCBAR>) will halt image construction but activate grey palette
modification keys.
GREY PALETTE MODIFICATION KEYS
<Up> - increases contrast
<Down> - decreases contrast
<Right> - increases brightness
<Left> - decreases brightness
<Esc> - restores (undo) palette
<+> - skews grey scale towards bright spectrum
<-> - skews grey scale towards dark spectrum
<return> - save screen to TEMP files (for RAW2GIF conversion)
Pressing any other keys exits from PALETTE Modification.
EDITING SCAN LINE JITTERS
The [J]itter editor is a special function designed to help hand scan
users edit those "scan line jitters" (SLJ?) that inadvertently arise
from uneven surfaces, a slight unsteadiness of your hand or mechanical
wear. The [J]itter editor will work only in EGA 640x350 or VGA/MCGA
640x480 (default if detected) video modes.
The [J]itter editor will allow you to delete offending scan lines.
Even with the superior qualities of the DFI HS-3000 (and latter
versions), "SLJ's" are inevitable (even if you hold your breath while
scanning with two hands). The best scanning utility software is one
that actually shows you the scanned image as you scan it (e.g.,
SCAN.exe utility of DFI HS-3000); utilities that do not give feedback
on how you are doing do not provide the benefit of feedback (learning
to make smoother scans); use the [J]itter editor when you have no
recourse left (do the job well at the start).
The key commands of the [J]itter editor are similar to VGACAD's VSCRN
virtual screen scroller.
The arrow keys <Up>, <Down>, <left> and <Right> will scroll the
original Black & White image by a specified range. The <+> key
increases the range, while the <-> key decreases the range; use <*> to
restore the scrolling range. Rising or falling tones will give you
feedback on your present range setting.
There will be a a line in the middle that will indicate the scan line
to be removed. Press [Z]oom and that section will be magnified.
Pressing any of the <arrow> commands will restore your mode to
scrolling mode. Pressing <Shift-Up> or <Shift-Dn> moves this editing
line up or down by one scan line.
An offending "SLJ" scan line can be removed by pressing <return>; the
screen will "flip-flop" between the original and the modified image to
confirm your edit. If you decide to remove the scan line, simply
press <return> again or <Esc> to abort.
Simply removing "SLJs" is not an easy matter. If the SLJ is an
additional or duplicated scan line or group of scan lines, then
deleting them will "clean-up" your image. If the SLJ is the result of
"skipped" scan lines, then the most viable solution would be to remove
the entire set of "skipped" scan lines and restore the "flow" of the
ordered dithers. Use the [Z]oom command to see the "flow" of the
ordered dithers up close.
To illustrate, let us assume you have the if you have the following
type of SLJ: The Inserted Garbled Scan Line(s)
██ ██ ██ ██ ███ ███ █████ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ █████ line 1
██ ██ ██ ██ ███ ███ █████ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ █████ line 2
██ █ █ █ █ █ ███ █ █ █ ██ █ █ █ line 3
██ ██ ██ ██ ███ ███ █████ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ █████ line 4
██ ██ ██ ██ ███ ███ █████ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ █████ line 5
This type of problem is easy to correct, simply delete line 3. In
actuality, line 3 may be duplicated requiring you to delete several of
these lines.
Another type of SLJ problem could be: The Excess Blank Scan Line(s)
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
blank line 1
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
blank line 2
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
blank line 3
blank line 4
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
To correct this problem, simply delete "blank line 3 or four".
Ofcourse, the reverse can happen, where there are insufficient
"blanks" in some patterns; if a group of patterns are separated by two
"blanks" and group is separated by one blank"; this problem cannot be
corrected (we will deal with inserting and copying scan lines in
updqates of GIFBIT). If a garbled line is NOT inserted but simply
garbled, deleting it will destroy the flow of the ordered dithers; you
will have to delete an entire set of scan lines that follow (even if
they are not garbled) to restore the "flow" of the ordered dithers.
Editing SLJs can be quite an "art"; you have to "see" the "flow" of
the patterns and determine which line(s) to delete so that the flow is
restored. In many cases, you may simply have to rescan the image.
Too much deletion will affect the overall composition of your image.
As we get to isolate and determine more cases of SLJ's, we will
develop better ways of dealing with it. Good Luck.
SVGA (256 or 16 colors from 256KB palette)
To set your own modes specify the Screen Width, Screen Height, colors
(16 or 256), Video Mode, and Chip type (9=BIOS). On default,
GIFBIT.CFG contains the Paradise chip 800x600x16 mode. Several *.CFG
files for 800x600x16 mode are included as well as some of the more
unusual modes (e.g., Video7 modes); select the SVGA chip family with a
corresponding *.CFG file (as indicated at Main Menu) and copy that to
GIFBIT.CFG and it will be your User Mode (i.e., "U" option).
If you want set a 256 or 16 color mode, press "P"arameters. Once
edited, it is saved and can be recalled anytime. Input the video mode
in decimal (e.g. 255) or hex (e.g. &HFF); REMEMBER THAT HEX ENTRIES
*MUST* BE PRECEDED BY THE "&H" CHARACATERS. 16-color SVGA mdoes are
labelled EEGA (although they are treated in GIFBIT as SVGA since 16
colros from a 256KB is used); they can be set to 800x600x16 and are
hardcoded for speed. SVGA modes can either use safe BIOS modes or
specify the Chip type for FAST bank-switching. 16-COLOR MODES MUST
ALWAYS USE "9" FOR BIOS EVEN IF IT IS ALREADY HARDCODED FOR SPEED
SINCE NO BANK SWITCHING IS NECESSARY UP TO 800x600x16.
ENHANCING YOUR GREY IMAGES
Use VGACAD (v1.6 and up) to edit the TEMP files; you can zoom and
smooth selective areas and apply diffrent image processing functions
to segments of your image.
To create the LARGEST grey image possible, use a small grey matrix.
The image will not appear as smooth though. Adjust the contrast,
brightness and grey scale distribution. If you have less than 16
colors, then process the TEMP files with EGA2VGA (v4 and up); it will
GLOBALLY, generate additional grey shades and smooth your image (i.e.,
anti-aliasing) to several screen sizes.
If you used EGA2VGA to generate more grey shades and smooth a large
impoverished grey image; you can further enhance the results by using
SQZGIF to GLOBALLY add more "smoothing" and resize the image to more
conventional screen dimensions.
ENCODING TEMP FILES TO GIF
From within VGACAD (v1.6 and up) you can simply use eNCODe at the
VSCRN menu. If you are not using VGACAD (v1.6 and up) the simply run
RAW2GIF (v3.4 and up). RAW2GIF will prompt you with a message "Encode
TEMP files ? [Y/N]"; reply "Y"es and it will encode the TEMP files
into NONAME.GIF (which you should immediately rename to avoid it being
overwritten).
Since converted grey images come in "weird' dimensions, if you reply
"Y"es when prompted to use a 1:1 aspect ratio, then RAW2GIF will try
to adjust the Screen Width specification to approximate a 1:1 screen
aspect ratio.
If you used a small grey matrix to generate a LARGE grey image
resulting in 16 or less colors, then reply "Y"es when prompted to
force 16-color encoding.
MAC2GIF
MAC2GIF is a viewer/colorizer/conversion utility for MAC (MacPaint or
"readmac") file in EGA, VGA or MCGA. As with GIFBIT, all pictures are
colorized (greys or EGA colors); with MAC2GIF, the whole 'readmac' is
completely viewable (no scrolling) in selected EGA, VGA or MCGA modes.
VGA/MCGA users can Bsave 320x200x256 screens for image processing with
VGACAD or incorporation in their own BASIC programs.
MAC2GIF requires an EGA, MCGA or VGA video card and about 512KB.
After selecting a *.MAC file, specify a header. Most *.MAC pictures
use a 640 byte header; press <return> or <0> to select the default
header. A stripped *.MAC file has a 512 byte header; select <1>.
Other header combination can be used for corrupted *.MAC files.
View/convert in any of these options:
[V]GA 288x360x5 greys
[X]VGA 384x480x5 greys
[M]CGA 192x200x13 greys
[E]GA 384x350x5 colors
'Readmacs' converted with CGA or EGA aspect ratios will appear
distorted. Only original .MAC pictures will show correct aspect
ratios (about 95% of all 'readmacs' on BBSs).
Press <RETURN> after viewing to save it. <ESC> aborts saving. Your
picture will be saved with the same name but with a .GIF extension.
If you viewed NJANUD.MAC then it will be saved as NJANUD.GIF; if
NJANUD.GIF exists then a file called NONAME.GIF will be created.
NONAME.GIF WILL BE CONSTANTLY OVERWRITTEN SO RENAME IT IMMEDIATELY TO
PRESERVE IT.
The [M]CGA option offers the option to save in the .BLD & .PLT format
if you elected that option at the start; otherwise it will save as a
.GIF file. Just press <B> while viewing in MCGA mode. In [E]GA mode,
select from 9 palettes by pressing numbers 1 to 9 after the picture
appears.
Once a .MAC is saved/converted ito a grey shaded GIF, you can use the
extensive image processing capabilities of VGACAD to enhance the image
or colorize it; with VGACAD you can stretch the grey shades to 256
levels. Since you cannot viably resize *.MAC images without getting
strange patterns and losing the desired dithering effect, with MAC2GIF
you can redither/resize those images with GIFPUB (for desktop
publishing) since it will be in a continuous grey scale. You can
print those images with variable sizes with GIFDOT or create LARGE
SVGA GIFs by combining your 'readmacs' into a large montage with
VGACAD. MVGAVU will display any of your GIF outputs in a smart
slideshow; it decides the best video modes.
THE INTEGRATED VGACAD SYSTEM
BRUN41.exe is a runtime module distributed under licence with
Microsoft in connection with this program. Place it with GIFBIT's
directory or anywhere your PATH has access to; ONLY ONE COPY OF
BRUN41.EXE IS REQUIRED. TEMP files of GIFBIT can be used directly by
VGACAD (v1.6 and up); remember to load the TEMP.PLT file from the
FILES MENU before invoking the VSCRN MENU.
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION OF GIFBIT IS BASED ON 'PERSONAL USAGE'. CORPORATE OR
ORGANIZATIONAL USERS *MUST* REGISTER ALL COPIES USED ON AN INDIVIDUAL
BASIS; A SPECIFIC PERSON (NAME) MUST BE EXPLICITLY ASSIGNED TO EACH
REGISTRANT WHO WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRESPONDING REGISTER.OVL FILE
TO INDICATE REGISTERED USAGE. REGISTRATION GRANTS A SPECIFIC PERSON
(NOT A JURIDICAL PERSON OR CORPORATE ENTITY) THE RIGHT TO 'USE'
GIFBIT.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ALTHOUGH WE WILL TRY TO RESPOND TO YOUR REGISTRATION IN 2-3 WEEKS,│
│ PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 4-6 WEEKS DELAY TO PROCESS YOUR REGISTRATION. │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Registered users who have received a registered package with the
VGACAD v1.6 system are registered for GIFBIT v0.9; simply replace your
old version with this version. As a built-in bonus mechanism, your
REGISTER.OVL file is normally good for two or three versions.
To register personal use of GIFBIT and receive a REGISTER.OVL file,
send a registration fee of $27.95 USD (out of USA/Canada add $15 USD
handling fee). For 3.5" updates, add a $10 USD 3.5" conversion fee.
Registered users will receive the latest VGACAD system of programs
(with an updated version of GIFBIT, if ready), which we provide in
appreciation of your support (through registration).
As token of our appreciation (i.e., to registered users), we will send
you the the latest version of the VGACAD system; many of the programs
listed below do not require a graphics card.
GIFPUB - converts 256 color GIF/PCX files to B&W images desktop
publishing (DTP) as .PCX (Ventura, First Publisher, Publisher's
Paintbrush, WP, Pagemaker). Variable sizing/contrast/brightness.
Histogram-equalization. No graphics card required.
GIFDOT - has all the features of GIFPUB for printing on IBM/Epson
printers. Several sizes. 8 pics/page. Single/Double Pass printing.
Preview in CGA/HGC/EGA/VGA/EEGA/SVGA. No graphics card required.
GIFBIT - converts B&W PCX files (e.g., scanner output to 32KBx32KB !)
to grey shades for VGACAD image processing, GIFPUB redithering, GIFDOT
printing, or VGA2EGA conversion - it edits those "scan line jitters".
Viewing modes in MCGA/VGA/SVGA. No graphics card required.
SQZGIF - converts LARGE GIFs (up to 2048x2048x256) to several sizes
and video modes using "color averaging" to blend/smooth "jaggies" and
retain a maximum of color information; use outputs in GIFPUB, GIFDOT,
VGACAD, MVGAVU, VGA2CGA or VGA2EGA. No graphics card required.
EGA2VGA - converts GIFs (16 colors and below) or ANY VIEWABLE 2-16
color EGA/EEGA picture to 320x200x256; creates 256 new colors; outputs
directly to GIFPUB, GIFDOT, VGACAD, MVGAVU, VGA2CGA or VGA2EGA.
No graphics card required.
VGA2CGA - converts 256 color GIFs to CGA! See "405" colors in an
unsupported 160x100x16 CGA mode. CGA/EGA/MCGA/VGA required.
MAC2GIF - converts .MAC ("readmac") pictures to 5-16 grey shades or
color and saves to .GIF or BLD/PLT file. EGA/MCGA/VGA required.
VGA2EGA - converts 256 color pictures to 16-color EGA. Error-
distributed dithering. Variable sizing/RGBICMY/contrast/dithering
levels. EEGA support up to 800x600. GIF or optional PCX save to 4
RGBI planes for Desktop Color Separation. EGA/MCGA/VGA required.
MVGAVU - EGA/MCGA/EEGA/VGA/SVGA viewer for GIF and BLD/PLT files.
Smart slideshows - picks best mode. 320x400x256, 360x480x256 and
640x400x16 modes on regular VGA. EGA posterization. EEGA/SVGA
support. Auto-sizing. Contrast/Brightness. EGA/MCGA/VGA required.
VGACAP - tiny TSR, captures MCGA/VGA/SVGA screens (from 320x200x256 to
800x600x256). MCGA/VGA required.
RAW2GIF - converts SVGA screen captures of VGACAP to GIF.
BLD2GIF - converts MCGA/VGA screen captures of VGACAP to GIF.
VGACAD - extensive paint/image processing program for VGA/MCGA users
(edit GIFs up to 32KBx32KBx256 !!!); airbrushes, color and grey image
processing functions (smoothing, noise removal, shading, contrast
stretching, edge detection, ...), splines, Cut&Paste, variable sizing,
256-color gradient/pattern fills, MORE ! MCGA/VGA required.
WHAT'S NEXT ?
Aside from enhancing existing releases with increased capabilities
(e.g., expanded memory, virtual screen, SVGA functions, other graphics
formats), we are developing VGACBT, a Computer-Based Training program
and MANNEQUIN for Advertising/Fashion Design or creating your own
artistic nudes.
Support maverick authors like us and we will continue developing
products like nothing seen commercially - otherwise they will simply
"DIE" from lack of support ! Compare the cost/benefit ratio of any of
our products with commercial products. You, and you alone, determine
whether it will be worthwhile to continue developing. Support the
User-Supported (Shareware) concept. Register you Shareware copies.
To register, send the registration form and check or money order
payable in USD to:
Dr. Marvin Gozum
2 Independence Place #303-2, 6th & Locust
Philadelphia, PA 19106
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