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VPIC USERS MANUAL A Picture File Viewing/Conversion Program (C) Copyright 1990 Bob Montgomery, All Rights Reserved by Bob Montgomery CIS 73357,3140 INTRODUCTION Background The original program was called VGIF, reflecting its ability to view only GIF files. When the program evolved to include other paint file formats, its name was changed to VPIC. VPIC ver 4.0 and up implements all of the GIF89a features. See the revision history in Appendix A for latest additions and bug fixes. Print VPIC.TXT at 17 chars/inch and 8 lines/inch for a handy reference card. Look at the section titled 'How Vpic Operates' for an explanation of the differences between VPIC and other viewers, and the advantages and dis- advantages of both types. IMPORTANT: VPIC requires DOS 2.0 or up to run from the current directory, or DOS 3.0 up to run from anywhere. You must configure VPIC for your graphics board using CVPIC or CONFIG (unless you have a Tseng ET-4000 SuperVGA board with 1M memory). The WHICHVGA program will try to identify your VGA chip and the amount of display memory. See CONFIG.DOC. The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) is a Service Mark owned by Compuserve. For further information, please contact: Compuserve Incorporated, Graphics Technology Department, 5000 Arlington Center Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43220, USA GENERAL FEATURES - VPIC is a very easy to use but powerful file viewer and converter. It shows pictures in EGA, MCGA, VGA or SuperVGA video modes on most of the popular display adapter cards, and uses a plain text config- uration file to tell VPIC which VGA chip your display card uses and what video modes it can do. It will show and convert pictures to other file formats, and has a single file, slideshow, and menu mode of operation. The menu mode lists all viewable files in a 4 column menu with easy to use controls to allow you to show pictures the way you want to see them (including a slide mode). The single file mode has advanced features which make it attractive to an application program as a utility for displaying graphics. The slideshow mode uses a plain text command file listing the pictures you want to see in the order you want to see them, with mode and delay specs if desired. When a picture is on the screen, except in slide modes, VPIC has commands to manipulate the picture, or convert the picture to other file formats. INDEX Topic Page ============================================================================ SuperVGA Boards Supported ............................................. 1 Filetypes Viewed nad Converted ........................................ 1 Menu Features ......................................................... 2 Mouse Support ..................................................... 2 Menu Layout ....................................................... 2 Commands while Viewing ................................................ 3 VPIC Command Line Options ............................................. 4 Examples of VPIC Command Line Options ................................. 5 Slideshows ............................................................ 6 Detailed Command List ................................................. 7 Keyboard and Mouse Commands in Menu Mode .......................... 7 Keyboard Commands while Viewing a Picture ......................... 8 Decoding Other File Formats .......................................... 11 Added features ....................................................... 11 Known Problems ....................................................... 11 Support For Other SuperVGA Boards .................................... 12 How VPIC Operates .................................................... 13 Decoding Directly to Screen Memory ............................... 13 Decoding to CPU Memory First ..................................... 13 VPIC Terms and Conditions ............................................ 14 Upgrades from Previous Programs and Updates .......................... 15 Orders from Me ....................................................... 15 Disclaimer ........................................................... 15 Special Versions ..................................................... 16 Graphic Oriented BBS's ............................................... 16 Appendix A - Revision History ........................................ A1 History of VGIF .................................................. A1 History of VPIC .................................................. A3 Page 1 SUPERVGA BOARDS SUPPORTED - Presently, VPIC has SuperVGA support for the following SuperVGA chips (see CONFIG.DOC for details): * Ahead (A & B chip) * ATI New and old boards. * Chips & Technology * Everex * Genoa * Headland - Newer Video 7 cards. * Oak * Paradise - Older Paradise cards. * S3 GUI Accelerator - Doesn't use VESA info since not all modes supported. * Trident (8800BS/CS and 8900) * Tseng(ET-3000 and ET-4000) * Video 7 - Older Video 7 cards. * Western Digital - Recent Paradise cards. * Zymos The CONFIG program semi-automates the configuration process. If your display board implements the VESA standard (thru BIOS or a TSR), this will be auto- detected and used regardless of the configuration; the only drawback to VESA is you can't scroll down quite as far. The /v command line option makes VPIC ignore the VESA info your display card returns, and use the configuration info. FILETYPES VIEWED AND CONVERTED - VPIC will view and convert to the following file formats [convert command while viewing in brackets]: 1. Dr. Halo CUT files (with PAL if present). Not Dr. Halo PIC files, which are display adapter specific. [C] 2. GIF87a and GIF89a files; saves to GIF87a format only since GIF89a stuff is mainly animation and text handling enhancements. [G normal], [I interlaced], [M mirrored], [U upside down], [< rotated CCW 90 deg], [> rotated CW 90 deg]. 3. Deluxe Paint LBM (or IFF) files, regular and enhanced. [D] 4. MacIntosh MAC files. Display only. 5. Pictor/PC Paint PIC files. [P] 6. ZSoft PCX files (including 256 color files). [Z] 7. ColorRIX/EGA Paint SCx files, uncompressed only. RIX wont tell anyone his compression algorithm, so compressed files can't be done. Use RIXLATE to uncompress SCx files that are compressed. [R] 8. Targa 8 thru 32 TGA files, compressed or uncompressed. Also uncompresses Targa files that are compressed (e option while viewing). Now supports the Sierra DAC in 15 bit color, but file conversion options don't work from viewing screen. [T] 9. Binary Image Files (BIF) from B&W image capture boards. Display only. 10. Microsoft Windows 3.0 Bitmap BMP files, compressed or normal. [W] 11. Viewpoint PIC files with a fixed palette (usually 1024x768x256). Display only. Page 2 MENU FEATURES: * Handles up to 500 files using mouse or keyboard. * Gives 4 column menu of files with extensions VPIC recognizes. * Arrow keys, PgUp/PgDn move thru menu. * Starting letter (or number) of filename jumps to files starting with that character. * Shows file at cursor with ENTER or left mouse button. * Mark/unmark files for viewing with SPACEBAR or right mouse button. * Shows marked files singly (ENTER or left mouse button) or like a slide show (F2). * [F1] gives help. * [F2] shows marked files like a slideshow. * [F3] gives file size and colors. * [F4] toggles between 16 (EGA) and 256 (VGA) color modes. * [F5/F6] decrease/increase default resolution. * [F7] Locks current resolution, or selects auto resolution mode. * [F8] Makes multiple GIF images pause for a keypress. * [F9] prompts for new path. * [F10] shows current path for files. * Alt_D prompts for new slide delay for slideshow (F2). * Alt_X prompts if you want to delete the file at the cursor. * Menu text color setable in configuration file. MOUSE SUPPORT All the above functions are now controllable by the mouse. Click on the resolution bar, bottom 2 lines of quick help, or files. For the menu screen, the left button is the same as enter, and the right button is the same as the spacebar. While decoding, the right button aborts; while viewing, the left button returns to the menu. MENU LAYOUT - Menu lines are as follows: 1. Gives the board type along with the number of colors (16 or 256). Toggle values also appear on this line (Lock/Auto, Wait). 2. Gives the resolutions available with the default resolution highlighted. 3 - 22. Four column menu of files with extensions VPIC recognizes. 23. Prompt and message line. Free memory displayed at far right. 24 & 25. Quick help on commands. Page 3 COMMANDS WHILE VIEWING - The following commands (shown in brackets) are available when the picture is on the screen (/ or ? gives a help menu): * Shows filename while decoding, and [ESC] aborts decoding. * [A] animates a picture by rotating the palette; very pleasing for fractals. SPACEBAR pauses the animation, ENTER stops it for further commands such as conversions, and ESC returns to the menu. Up/Dn arrows and PgUp/PgDn increase/decrease the animation rate. * [B] converts a 256 color picture to 64 gray shades. 256 color modes only. * [E] expands a compressed Targa to disk for use by other programs. * [F] prompts for another filename and x,y margins; gives picture in picture. Works best when VPIC invoked with /m, /x, and /y options (see command line options). * [C, D, G, I, M, P, R, T, U, W, Z, <, >] are file conversion commands; see 'FILETYPES VIEWED' above. The picture is converted in the number of colors you are viewing it in, thus allowing 256 <-> 16 color conversions. * [Alt F] momentarily display filename in case you forgot. * [Alt X] prompts if you want to delete this file; Y deletes. * [F1-F10] are adjustments for red, green, blue, contrast, and brightness which decrease/increase in pairs; ie F1 decreases red, f2 increases red. [Alt F10] restores the original palette (except after a [B] command). * If the picture is larger than the screen the Up/Dn arrows and PgUp/PgDn scroll the picture on the screen. This only works if you have enough video memory and your display card will write to video memory not being displayed (Video 7 won't). VPIC doesn't scroll sideways; see 'How VPIC Operates'. Page 4 VPIC COMMAND LINE OPTIONS - The DOS command line format for running VPIC is: vpic [[path]filespec][/a /b /e /h /l /mN /r /v /w /xN /yN /z /?] where: * The default path is the current drive and directory, and the default extensions are BIF, BMP, CUT, GIF, IFF, LBM, MAC, PIC, PCX, SCx, and TGA. * The /a option starts VPIC in Auto resolution select mode. * The /b option causes VPIC to beep after displaying a file except in slide mode or with /r. * The /e option starts VPIC in 16 color (EGA) mode. * The /h option allows the viewing of hidden files; great for R or X rated. * The /l option tells VPIC not to set the video mode. This is used to add a picture to a picture already on the screen. Works best with /r /m /x /y. * The /mN locks the video resolution to mode N, where N is determined from the menu. The 256 color modes are 1 thru 10, and the 16 color modes are 11-20; ie, 320x200x256 is mode 1, 640x480x16 is mode 12. * The /r option immediately returns control to a calling program after displaying the picture. Calling program must reset text mode (mode co80). * The /v option disables VESA detection and uses the config file info. * The /w option wait for a keypress after each image in a multi_image GIF file. Only works for multi-image GIFs. * The /xN option gives a left margin of N pixels. Only works when picture is smaller than the screen. * The /yN option gives a top margin of N pixels for pictures smaller than the screen. * The /z option inhibits printing the filename of each file when showing. * The /? option gives a help screen. * The /@xx option uses the commands in file xx to do a slideshow. * If filespec is a filename, the single file will be shown (the default extension is GIF). * If path\filespec is a directory, a menu of all viewable files in that directory will appear. Otherwise all files meeting the filespec will appear. For example, [vpic d:\pics\*.pcx] would give a menu of all PCX files in the PICS directory of drive D, while [vpic d:\pics] would give a menu of all viewable files in the PICS directory of drive D. Options and filespec may be entered in any order. The /r option only works in single file mode, where all other work in menu or single file mode. Page 5 EXAMPLES OF VPIC COMMAND LINE OPTIONS 1. VPIC [path\]filename[.ext] shows the single file specified. The default path is the current directory, and the default extension is GIF. 2. VPIC [path\][filespec] will give a menu of all files in the specified path meeting filespec (may contain wildcards). The default path is the current directory, and the default filespec is any of the viewable files; just entering VPIC will give a menu of all viewable files in the current directory. If Path contains . or .., a filespec must be given (may contain wildcards). Thus ..\*.* would give a menu of all viewable files in the parent of the current directory. 3. VPIC /a starts VPIC in auto resolution mode. 4. VPIC /b causes VPIC to beep after a file has been fully decoded. Lets you know when the viewing options are available. Doesn't beep in slide mode or when using the /r option. 5. VPIC /e starts VPIC in 16 color modes; default is 256 color modes. 6. VPIC /h allows VPIC to find and display hidden files in the menu. Great for those R or X rated files you don't want to be normally accessible. This option doesn't appear on the help screen. 7. VPIC /r filename[.ext] shows the filename picture and then returns to DOS (or a calling application program) with the picture still on the screen. It is not necessary to change the video mode between viewing each file, but it is up to the calling program to reset text mode (mode 3) after all viewing is done. The /a, /e, /l, /m, /x, /y switches are valid with /r. 8. VPIC /v gives a menu of the files in the current directory, but doesn't look for VESA info from the display card. This is useful if the VESA info is incorrect or doesn't support all the modes the card can do. 9. VPIC /? gives a help screen. 10. VPIC /m3 /x0 /y0 /r file1 displays file1 in mode 3 in the upper left corner. Then, VPIC /r /l file2 /x320 /y200 displays file2 starting at column 320 and row 200 leaving file 1 on the screen. Page 6 SLIDESHOWS VPIC /@[path\]slidefile[.ext] will do a slide show from commands in slidefile. The default path is the current directory, and the default slidefile extension is SLD. The path applies to both the slide file and all files for viewing, so the slide file should be in the same directory as the viewable files. The commands are placed on separate lines, and consist of either: a. A filename (GIF extension assumed) and optional: 1. Display mode (number) and/or 2. Animate command (a followed by optional number with no spaces). b. A delay (viewing time) spec of the form d n (space required) where n is the desired viewing time in seconds. c. The statement QUIT to end the slideshow after 1 pass. QUIT may be upper or lower case. The maximum number of files is 100. The number following the optional 'a' is the number of vertical retraces between animation steps. The default value is 8 (if no number follows the 'a'). The mode is explained below. To pause a slideshow press [SPACEBAR]; to end it press [ESC]. The default viewing time is 5 seconds if no delay spec is given. A delay spec applies to all files following in the slide file until changed. The first slide is not delayed the first time it is shown. The default viewing mode is automatic (whatever fits). VPIC understands comments preceded by a semicolon, blank or comment lines, and extra spaces. For example, the following slide file contents are understood by VPIC, but not recommended: d 20 ;Delay for file1.gif & file2.pcx is 20 seconds. file1 1 ;First file in slideshow. File1.gif using mode 1. file2.pcx ;This is a ZSoft filename with leading spaces. ;This is a comment line with leading spaces, next is a blank line. d 10 ;File3 is delayed 10 seconds. file3 a30 ;Show file 3, animate at 1 shift every 30 vertical retraces. d 15 ;15 second delay file4.gif. Has leading & separator spaces. file4 ;Show file4.gif for 15 seconds, then do file1.gif. The mode requires a little further explanation. In the above slide file, it says to use mode 1 with file1. Modes 1 thru 10 are the VGA (256 color) modes, and modes 11 thru 20 are EGA (16 color) modes. Most display boards only have a few of each type. The Orchid Designer has 4 VGA modes and 4 EGA modes which appear in the file menu. The VGA modes are ║ The EGA modes are 1. 320x200x256 2. 640x350x256 ║ 11. 640x350x16 12. 640x480x16 3. 640x480x256 4. 800x600x256 ║ 13. 800x600x16 14. 1024x768x16 Thus, the slide file says to show file1 in the 320x200x256 mode, and show all the others in the default modes (whatever fits). Page 7 DETAILED COMMAND LIST - The following gives details & peculiarities of the various commands. Keyboard and Mouse Menu Mode Commands. 1. The [up], [down], [right], and [left] arrow keys move the cursor around the menu of files. [PgDn/PgUp] goto next/previous page. Pressing a key goes to next file starting with this character. The PgUp/PgDn area in the lower right corner allow the mouse to change pages. 2. Pressing the [SPACEBAR or the right mouse button] marks a file for viewing or slides, and [SPACEBAR] moves to the next file; it will also unmark a previously marked file. 3. Pressing [ENTER or the left mouse button] will display the marked files in the order they were marked. If no files were marked, pressing enter or the left mouse button displays the file at the cursor. 4. Pressing [F1] will bring up the help screen; any key will return to the menu. 5. Pressing [F2] will do a slide show of marked files until [ESC] is pressed. 6. Pressing [F3] will display the file size, colors, and filetype on the prompt/message line. 7. Pressing [F4] will toggle between 256 (VGA) and 16 color (EGA) modes. 8. Pressing [F5/F6] will decrease/increase the default resolution for file viewing. In VGA, the default resolution 320x200 pictures is 320x200 unless 'lock' [F7] is invoked. 9. Pressing [F7] goes to LOCK, which forces the default resolution (above) no matter what the file size. Pressing F7 again goes to AUTO, which automatically selects a resolution which will display the whole picture. Pressing F7 again goes back to the normal default mode. 10. Pressing [F8] toggles the wait mode, where VPIC waits for a keypress between multiple images in a GIF file. 11. [F9] prompts for a new path\filespec, and displays a menu of the files in the new path meeting the filespec. 12. [F10] displays the current path on the prompt/message line. 13. [Alt D] prompts for a new slide [F2] delay time in seconds. 14. [Alt X] prompts if you want to delete the file at the cursor. [Y] will delete it, [N] or ESC doesn't, and all other keys are ignored. 15. Pressing [ESC] ends the program and returns to DOS. 16. Pressing [Ctrl-Break] or [Ctrl-C] will get you directly to DOS from anywhere. All other keys are ignored. If errors are encountered, an error message appears on the third line from the bottom, and disappears when the cursor is moved. The amount of far memory available is also printed on the same line. The menu title is the search spec. Page 8 Keyboard Commands while Viewing a Picture (except in slide mode) * The up/down arrow keys will scroll the picture by one line if it is longer than the screen, provided you have sufficient display memory. The [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys will scroll by 10 lines. The Video 7 extended VGA boards do not support writing to non-displayed memory or scrolling pics larger than the screen, so this function is disabled for these boards. Straight VGA boards can't scroll in 320x200x256 mode because the picture takes up all of display memory. VPIC will not scroll sideways; see 'How VPIC Operates'. * If the picture size is <= 1/2 the screen width, pressing [2] will give a double size image (which may be scrollable) and pressing [1] will give the normal size again. For VGA, the picture will be changed only in the horizontal direction; this will unsquash some 320x400 pics so the aspect ratio is correct. * Pressing [+] will increase the resolution (320x200 to 640x480, etc). * Pressing [-] will decrease the resolution; useful if 800x600 rolls. * Pressing [/] or [?] gives a help screen of commands available while viewing. NOTE: The file conversion options won't work when viewing a Targa in 32000 colors with the Sierra DAC. All the following conversion options check if the default filename is present, and prompt for a new name if it is. They create a file on the current drive and directory with the same dimensions as the file being viewed. If you screw up at the new filename prompt, hit [Ctrl-C] to escape immediately to DOS; this will usually preserve a file you don't want to write over. The safest bet is to view files in another directory, since the new file is saved to the default directory, which is the drive and directory you ran VPIC from. I put VPIC in my UTIL directory, and have my PATH set to include UTIL, so I can run VPIC from any drive or directory. * Pressing [A] will 'animate' a picture by rotating the palette periodic- ally. This is especially effective on fractals, where large areas tend to be the same color. Pressing [SPACEBAR] will pause the palette rotation, and pressing [ENTER] will terminate it and return to the command mode. Thus, by waiting for an especially nice pattern and then pressing [ENTER], the pattern can be written to a file using the file save commands. Pressing [ESC] will return to the menu. The rate of palette rotation can be increased/decreased with the up/down arrows (slow) or PgUp/PgDn (fast). * Pressing [B] will convert a color VGA picture to a 64 shade gray picture. The resulting image can be saved with the gray palette. Only works in VGA. The original palette cannot be restored with [Alt F10] after [B]. * Pressing [C] will create a Dr. Halo CUT file with the same filename and extension CUT. A palette file (.PAL) will also be created. * Pressing [D] will create a Deluxe Paint II (Electronic Arts) file. VPIC will prompt for a normal or enhanced DP II file. Page 9 * Pressing [E] will expand a Run Length Encoded (RLE) compressed Targa file. If the file is not a Targa or is already uncompressed, this key does nothing. * Pressing [F] will prompt for a new filename to overlay on the existing picture. It also prompts for x and y offsets (in pixels). The colors may not be exactly correct since the new picture uses a best match to the palette of the original picture, and some colors may be missing. This feature is handy for building composite pictures; ie, four 320x200 pics on a 640x400 screen with the screen size 'locked' using F7 or /m on the command line. Specify where you want to place the first picture on the command line when VPIC is executed using the /x and/or the /y options; the filename display is suppressed using the /z option on the command line. Alternately, you can have have an all black picture as the first picture, then overlay the others onto it. The composite picture can then be saved in any of the file formats VPIC supports. You can also specify the /mN resolution mode from the command line to lock the video mode to the desired composite size; it can be changed once you are in the menu. Later pictures use the first pictures palette (if all are 256 color), so it's a good idea to pick the first picture with the widest range of palette colors; this gives the best rendition of the other pictures. A good way to invoke VPIC for this mode is `vpic /x0 /y0 /z /m3'. * Pressing [G, I, M, U, <, or >] will create a GIF file on the default drive, and prompt for a new filename; the default extension is GIF. [G] is for non-interlaced, and [I] is for interlaced, [M] is for mirror image, [U] is for upside down (inverted), [<] is rotate image 90 degrees CCW, and [>] is rotate image 90 degrees CW. * Pressing [P] will create a PC Paint or Pictor file. The default exten- sion is PIC, and for EGA it prompts for a PC Paint or Pictor file. * Pressing [R] will create a ColoRix file with the same filename and extension SCx where x is a function of the screen size. If in EGA, will prompt if you want an EGA Paint or ColoRix file. * Pressing [T] will create a Targa 16 or 24 file with the same filename and extension TGA. VPIC defaults to Targa 16, and prompts for Targa 24. * Pressing [W] will create a Microsoft Windows Bitmap file. The default extension is BMP and it prompts for a compressed or uncompressed file. * Pressing [Z] will create a ZSoft (PC Paintbrush) file with the same filename and extension PCX. The file will be in whatever mode you are currently using (EGA or VGA). The VGA palette will be correct for the latest version of PC Paintbrush, which saves a VGA palette in the file. * [Alt_F] displays the current filename momentarily. * Pressing [Alt-X] will prompt you to delete the current file. If you answer [y] it will be deleted, [n] or ESC it won't, and all other keys are ignored. Page 10 * Pressing [ENTER] will return to the menu or DOS, or show next file for marked menu mode. * Pressing [ESC] will end the display and return to the menu. * The following keys control the picture tone as follows: [F1] Decrease red content of picture. [F2] Increase red content of picture. [F3] Decrease green content of picture. [F4] Increase green content of picture. [F5] Decrease blue content of picture. [F6] Increase blue content of picture. [F7] Decrease contrast of picture (VGA only). [F8] Increase contrast of picture (VGA only). [F9] Decrease brightness of picture (VGA only). [F10] Increase brightness of picture (VGA only). [Alt-F10] Restore original palette after you thoroughly mess up the colors. Doesn't work after a [B] grey shade conversion. [V] Reverses the current palette; interesting effect especially for black & white images. After a little experimenting, a 'washed out' VGA picture can be greatly improved by using [F1-F10], and you can always start over by using [Alt-F10]. To retain a black background in a VGA picture, the brightness should be decreased when the contrast is decreased. If you have really improved the picture, you can then save it any of the supported formats. VPIC will prompt you if the file exists in the default directory, and you have the option of overwriting it or giving a new filename. This works really well with images created on the Sharp, Howtec or Targa scanners, which are sometimes 'washed out'. All other keys are ignored. Pressing [Ctrl-Break] or [Ctrl-C] will go directly to DOS. Page 11 DECODING OTHER FILE FORMATS Each picture is viewed in whatever mode you are presently using (VGA or EGA) and at the resolution you have selected. If you choose to save to another file format which differentiates between VGA and EGA modes, it will be converted using the appropriate rules. This makes EGA <-> VGA conversions possible, which is not supported by most paint programs. The decoding for other than GIF is not as fast as could be done, but the added versatility more than compensates for this. For example, EGA PCX files can be very quickly decoded to EGA, but are in the wrong format for VGA, and considerable manipulation is required to produce a VGA image. For all formats, the method of viewing is to decode to a buffer for a single line at 1 byte/pixel, then copy this line to the display in whatever mode you are using. This is a compromise for most file formats, since they are geared to EGA or VGA, and display time suffers, but it makes the code much simpler. Besides, the other formats are supported mainly to allow easy conversion to GIF, which is the preferred format for storage since it gives the smallest file size. The TARGA viewing (except with the Sierra DAC) uses a fixed palette to speed up the decoding, so the picture does not have good color rendition. It is mainly there to verify that an image is present. Use Pegasus Imaging Corp's SHOWFRAC to make a Targa 8 with excellent color rendition, and then convert this to GIF using VPIC. ADDED FEATURES VPIC is meant to fill a void not covered by paint programs, and to allow very convenient file viewing and conversion between file formats. It is not meant to compete with the paint programs, and in general if a paint program does something well (such as resize a picture to fill the screen or cut out a portion of the picture), VPIC will not attempt to do it. On the other hand, if you think of a feature which would enhance VPIC, please let me know, and I will consider adding it to the program. KNOWN PROBLEMS 1. The ATI VGA Wonder 1024x768x16 mode and all the S3 16 color modes use 2 pixels/byte, unlike any other VGA or EGA mode. It is supported for most viewing and conversions, but will not view or convert to EGA Paint files, ColoRIX EGA files, or Pictor EGA files, since these are on an EGA plane basis. 2. If you have a board with the Trident TVGA 8900 VGA chip, don't run MAMODE before running VPIC, or run MAMODE 64 if you were in a 128K bank mode. Page 12 SUPPORT FOR OTHER SUPERVGA BOARDS I will try to support other VGA boards with extended VGA modes if the owners will write me with the details of how to set the various modes, and how to bank switch the display memory. Of course, if you also register VPIC I will give the problem more consideration. Use of a board is almost mandatory, since I can't tell if the new routines work unless I can try them. The bank switching Info for some of the 'not so common' VGA boards is hard to come by, and is needed if VPIC is to support extended VGA modes for these boards. A VGA board needs to bank switch for extended modes because there is only a 64K window in the PC address space for graphics memory (from A000 to AFFF), and extended modes require more than 64K of memory; 640x480x256 requires 307200 bytes of memory, or about 4.7 'banks of 64K'. Bank switching is a means of mapping the (A000 to AFFF) graphics address space into 64K chunks of actual display memory. The method of bank switching is determined by the VGA chip used on the display board, and what I need is info on how to switch banks and how to set the various modes the board supports. Page 13 HOW VPIC OPERATES VPIC decodes a picture file directly to screen memory on your display card. The other technique is to decode to CPU (normal) memory and then copy the picture (or a portion of it) to screen memory. Both ways have their advan- tages and disadvantages. DECODING DIRECTLY TO SCREEN MEMORY (LIKE VPIC). ADVANTAGES - This method offers the best speed, since it doesn't have to go thru the intermediate step of decoding to CPU memory first. It will also always decode large pictures, even above the maximum display size. The CPU method usually doesn't have sufficient memory for large pics, like 1024x768x256, or even 800x600x256 if you have any TSR's in memory; these pics require 1 byte/pixel. The file conversion options uses the current palette data and the current data in display memory to make the new file. Thus, what you see is what you get in a new file format, in whatever mode you are viewing (256 or 16 color). DISADVANTAGES - Because the picture is decoded directly to screen memory, any picture data beyond the right edge of the screen is thrown away. For this reason, you can't scroll left and right. VPIC will continue to decode to display memory beyond the bottom of the screen until it runs out of memory, set by BANKS in the configuration file. If the card wraps memory beyond the bottom of the screen back onto the screen, like the Video 7 cards, then VPIC doesn't decode beyond the screen bottom. Thus, if your display card doesn't wrap display memory, you will be able to scroll the picture up and down. If the screen doesn't display the whole picture width, any converted file will be truncated on the right edge to the screen size. DECODING TO CPU MEMORY FIRST ADVANTAGES - If there is sufficient CPU memory to hold the whole picture (at 1 byte/pixel), a rectangular area equal to the screen size can be copied to display memory, which allows you to scroll around the picture in all directions. DISADVANTAGES - If there is not sufficient CPU memory, most of the programs will refuse to display the picture. There is also the wait while the picture is decoded to CPU memory before you get to see it. Page 14 VPIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS VPIC is copyrighted software, and all rights are reserved. VPIC may not be changed or modified in any way except by the author. VPIC is SHAREWARE, and may be freely distributed, as long as it remains in its complete form with all support, documentation, and configuration files. It may be used for a ten day free trial period. Regardless of how the copy is obtained, it is requested that all users comply with the following licensing/registration provisions if they continue to use it after the 10 day trial period: 1. $1/copy royalty if used as part of a DEMO; a demo is not part of your product, but is a means of advertizing your product. $2/copy royalty if used as a utility for running your product. The maker of the demo/product should be a registered user. If a recipient of the disk uses VPIC for other purposes (not part of the demo or product) he should register. You should sign a royalty agreement with me, and make payments annually. You may estimate the yearly usage, and then correct it from year to year. You should supply to me a written statement listing the copies shipped each year. 2. $15 per copy for individual users. Users can feel free to use VPIC for anything. I need your name and address for my records, and you are entitled to: a. Use all updates at no cost (except shipping and handling; see below) provided the registration fee hasn't changed.. b. Technical support either by phone (you call me) or by letter. 3. Quantity discounts: 10 to 99: $10 per copy. 100 up: $7.50 per copy. All registered users can feel free to use VPIC for anything. You should supply me the names and addresses of the users so I can honor update requests and provide technical support on an individual basis as in 2. 4. Site License: $75 per 10 copies if used or distributed by you, or as part of your product. All users would be registered collectively under your name, but can fell free to use VPIC for anything. Update requests and technical support would be thru you (since I don't know the names of the individual users) and would be distributed by you to the users. 5. Clubs, schools, universities and other non-profit organizations may license VPIC for $45.00 per 6 copies. All users would be registered collectively under your name, but can feel free to use VPIC for anything. Update requests and technical support would be thru you, since I don't know the names of the individual users, and would be distributed by you to the users. For foreign orders, please send a check drawn on a US Bank, International or US Postal Money Order, Travelers Checks, or cash, since the banks charge up to $60 collection fee for foreign checks. Page 15 For all the above, VPIC should be distributed intact, with all documentation (DOC files), support programs (CVPIC, CONFIG, and WHICHVGA), and configur- ation (.CFG) files. Archived form is OK to meet this requirement, since it minimizes disk space, if you supply the un-archiving program. A user may install VPIC on more than one machine, provided he is the only user on each machine. The registration and license policy is similar to a book, which can be taken with you but used only by you. Please use the enclosed registration/order form since it allows me to keep better records and keep up with the newer VGA boards. UPGRADES FROM PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND UPDATES You may use all updates (with the same registration fee) free once you have registered VPIC. If you are already registered for VGIF or ZS (any version) you may upgrade to VPIC for an additional $5. Since VPIC is updated regularly, I do not send notices, but it gets around quickly to most graphics oriented BBS's, and is available at Compuserve in Data Library 3 of the PICS forum. ORDERS FROM ME If you order VPIC, an upgrade, or an update from me, please add $5 ($10 outside the USA and Canada) for materials, postage, and handling. As a bonus I will fill the rest of the disk with good pictures. Please specify 360K or 1.2Meg 5.25" disk or 1.44M 3.5" disk, and EGA, VGA, or SuperVGA (640x480x256 etc) so I'll know what pictures to send. I have three 1024x768x256 pictures, but each is about 700K in size and eats up a sizeable portion of a disk, so if you want one of these there wont be much room for other pictures. If you want additional disks of pictures, please add $5/disk. I have quite a few 640x480x256 pictures (mostly by Boris Vallejo), only 1 disk full of 320x200x256 pictures and 1 disk of EGA pictures, and a few larger sizes. Even if you can't read a 1.2 Meg disk, I would recommend getting VPIC on that size, since you get about 1 Meg of picture files that way. Then, have a friend (or computer store) copy the files to your disks. Data on the various file formats VPIC supports is available free if you request it with your order, but will use about 200K of disk space. Please use the enclosed registration/order form since it allows me to keep better records and keep up with the newer VGA boards. DISCLAIMER All warranties are disclaimed, including damage to hardware and/or software from use of this product. In no event will I be liable to you for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of your use or inability to use the program, or any other claim by any other party. Page 16 SPECIAL VERSIONS Contact Bob Montgomery for: 1. Special versions of VPIC tailored to your application. 2. Other graphics oriented applications (file conversion, etc). Any suggestions or comments should be mailed directly to me. The following are graphics oriented BBS's: GRAPHICS ORIENTED BBS'S Compuserve PICS Forum (My ID is 73357,3140) Magic City USA, Orlando, Florida 1.0 Gig Online Modems: 2400 baud (407) 628-2546, HST (407) 628-0185 Tsunami BBS, Half Moon Bay, Calif. (415) 726-2726 PC Rockland, S. Nyack, NY (914) 353-2538 [Freeboard] 1.6 Gbyte Online Megabyte Image Center (918) 492-0087 1200/2400/9600 baud USR HST Pictures and Scanning Services: Event Horizons: Catalog, 311 Avenue "B", Suite 209, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 Order:503-697-7700, Modems:(1200/2400) 503-697-5100, (9600HST) 503-697-5126 JPix Graphics Imaging: Modems:(2400) 219-267-2188, (9600) 219-267-8528 Page A1 APPENDIX A - REVISION HISTORY History of the original VGIF program. VGIF ver 1.1 1-13-88 * Added test for EGA adapter. * Fixed menu colors. * Allow [ESC]ape from marked file viewing. * Added [Ctrl-Break] or [Ctrl-C] exit to DOS anywhere. * Added 'disk full' notification when creating picture file. * Added critical error handler for 'drive not ready' errors. VGIF ver 1.2 1-15-88 * Changed name to VGIF. * Slide mode now ignores the end of file mark in slide file, and any key will now end slide mode. * Added slides to menu mode if [S] pressed-shows marked files as slides until a key is pressed. VGIF ver 1.3 1-21-88 * Added better error checking to GIF file decoding. Notifies if bad GIF file. * Fixed error reporting bug in single file mode. VGIF ver 1.4 2-9-88 * Added instantaneous screen update in slide mode from menu or command (SLD) file. * Added the /r option which allows an application program to call VGIF to view a file and then regain control. VGIF ver 1.5 3-2-88 * Added [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys to scroll by 10 lines at a time. * Added a max pic height of 819 lines so EGA buffer would not overflow. * Greatly improved color reproduction for 'problem' pictures (such as FROG, ARCHIT, PUFFIN, VEGTABLE, etc). These pictures typically have more than 16 colors. Selected colors on basis of frequency of use where possible. * Fixed following bugs: 1. Line buffer would overflow into other variables if pic width was > 640 pixels, causing strange results. 2. Didn't recognize the end of image marker correctly. This would cause the palette to change when the image was done. VGIF ver 1.6 3-11-88 * Fixed a bug in handling multiple images. First noticed when viewing WHIMMI.GIF. * Use same palette for multiple images, and get best color match. * Added [L] and [S] commands while viewing a picture. These allow you to create full size paint program files. Page A2 VGIF ver 2.0 3-26-88 * Added the ability to view long GIF files ( > 819 lines) without wrapping the display. * Added the [C] and [H] (Dr. Halo) file creation option while viewing. * Added the [L] and [S] prefixes to paint program file creation commands while viewing to save long pic files. * Added the Info and Help commands in menu mode. * Deleted the # requirement to specify a directory from the command line. The program now looks for a directory which meets the spec on the command line. If none is found, it assumes the spec is for a single file. * Added [F1 - F10], and [V] palette control keys while viewing a file. VGIF ver 3.0 5-2-88 * Added VGA capability, and support for Tseng extended VGA modes (640x480x256 and 800x600x256). * Determines and displays available modes for your system. VGIF ver 3.1 5-11-88 * Fixed a bug in dir/file spec from command line. Now accepts VGIF d:\dir\*.gif or VGIF d:*.gif, although the [\]*.gif is not required, since this is the default filespec. * Fixed a bug in forced EGA when doing slides, where an interlaced pic displayed at double size would have a 'venetian blind' effect. * Changed so pics larger than 320x200 are shown in 640x480 VGA; can get 800x600 by pressing + key. * The EGA mode on the Orchid VGA card appears squashed vertically. This is normal, and cannot be corrected without reprograming the para- meters for mode 16, which would change the vertical retrace frequency and probably cause your monitor to roll. VGIF ver 3.2 5-26-88 * Added 500 file menu, and assy language text screen updating; now super fast. * Fixed a bug which caused the Vega VGA card to hang up. VGIF ver 3.3 6-9-88 * Added user spec of video mode for non-Orchid VGA boards. * Added GIF and Pictor save of current screen for VGA/EGA pics. * Added prompts to screen for conversion to other formats. * Removed conversion starting at first visible row-now does whole pic. VGIF ver 3.4 6-23-88 * Fixed a bug in the GIF save routine. * Added color, contrast, and brightness adjustment in VGA. * Fixed a bug in menu mode for marked files. * Added /n command line option to stay in 640x480x256 for VGA pics. VGIF ver 3.5 7-14-88 * Fixed some misc minor bugs. * Added increase/decrease resolution command while viewing 16 color VGA pics (using the /e option). * Added slide mode for VGA. * Added lock mode option to start pics from the menu in a desired mode. Page A3 VGIF ver 3.6 8-8-88 * Fixed some bugs. * Fixed EGA slide show. VGIF ver 3.6A 9-10-88 * Fixed 1024x768x16 mode. VGIF ver 4.0 10-20-89 * This was a beta test version which got out. It had lots of bugs, which were fixed in VPIC. HISTORY OF VPIC VPIC ver 1.0 & 1.1 12-27-88 * Beta test versions. VPIC ver 1.2 12-27-88 * Added configuration option for various display boards. * Added VGA file conversion for all previous Paint programs supported. * Added Deluxe Paint 2 conversion. * Added Targa 16 file conversion. * Added EGA/VGA toggle from menu. * Added default resolution select, and Mode Lock key from menu. * Added WAIT option to pause between images of multi-image files. * Added MAC, PCX, & Colorix file viewing capability. Others will be added in later versions. * Added 'animate' while viewing. * Fixed VGA 16 color palette. VPIC ver 1.2A 1-4-89 * Fixed MAC -> GIF conversion * Fixed CVPIC for ^Z as EOF char. * Fixed 16 color palette for other file formats if VGA 16 colors. VPIC ver 1.3 2-2-89 * Fixed cursor in menu. * Fixed 'lock up' if GIF header size wrong (640x350 labeled 350x640). * Now pauses pic if file error and waits for key press-can see partial pics in bad files this way. * Shows GIFs with MAC headers (1st 128 bytes are not GIF standard); if F3 (info) pressed shows if file has a MAC header. * Fixed so views and saves new ZSoft VGA PCX files which include palette at end of file. Still doesn't load PAL files. * Fixed ZSoft file displays and saves. * Added Wait toggle (F8) which pauses between images in multi-image GIFs, and allows conversion to other filetypes. * Made MACs black on bright white instead of gray. VPIC ver 1.4 3-15-89 * Added printout of filename while decoding except in slide mode. * Added help while viewing a picture; press [?] or [/]. * Added delete a file option [X] (with query) while viewing. * Added hit [ESC] while decoding to abort picture. Page A4 VPIC ver 1.5 3-23-89 * Fixed bug in 'Escape while decoding' which would hang system. * Fixed EGA x2 display for interlaced files. * Fixed problem with saving a pic after scrolling. * Fixed palette in animate, so save will use current palette. * Fixed problem with bad files in slide mode that would hang computer. * Fixed error display in /@ slide mode and single file mode. VPIC ver 1.6 4-5-89 * Fixed bugs in slide show from command file. Added comments. * Added resolution option for each picture in slide command file. * Fixed miscellaneous minor bugs. * Added configurable menu color. VPIC ver 1.7 6-13-89 * Added Trident chip set support (for Maxxon and Logix VGA boards and maybe the ATI board). * Fixed a few bugs concerned with putting & getting lines from the display screen. * Fixed problem with Ctrl Z at end of slide definition file. VPIC ver 1.8 6-28-89 * Added EGA Paint viewing/conversion. * Fixed conversion to 800x600 ColoRIX file. * Fixed other minor bugs. VPIC ver 1.9 7-19-89 * Added inverted, mirrored, and rotated GIF saves. * Fixed a bug in the Dr Halo CUT file creation. * Added menu updating after file creation or deletion. * Added new path spec feature from menu with [F9] key. VPIC ver 2.0 8-6-89 * Added Pictor/PC Paint PIC, Dr. Halo CUT, Deluxe Paint LBM, and Targa 16 or 24 file viewing capability. * Fixed a bug in the palette selection for EGA. * Fixed bug which would not show VGA for the plain vanilla VGA config. * Fixed a bug in the ZSoft PCX display for extended EGA modes. * Added Auto resolution option and switch from the menu [F7]. * Made cursor stay fixed when files are created or deleted. * Added Chips & Technology support. (VPIC 2.0A) * Fixed ZSoft save at higher screen resolution than pic. (VPIC 2.0B) VPIC ver 2.1 9-5-89 * Fixed a bug in LBM viewing * Added ColoRIX 16 color SCR and SCP view/create. * Speeded up GIF decoding about 50%. VPIC ver 2.1A 9-10-89 * Fixed a memory allocation problem for slides. * Made small increase in speed. * Fixed directory callout (*.PIC, etc). * Re-enabled [ESC] for GIF viewing. * Fixed Chip & Tech bank switching routine. * Fixed Deluxe Paint II (LBM) file creation. Page A5 VPIC ver 2.2 10-23-89 * Fixed problem in new path command ([F9] from menu). * Fixed intermittent GIF decode problem. * Program now tells if GIF image and screen sizes conflict. * Menu now correctly displays file sizes larger than 1 Mbyte. * Now lists & displays Electronic Arts IFF files (same as LBM). VPIC ver 2.3 12-13-89 * Fixed C_T bank switching. * Added Everex 678, Ahead (B chip), and Genoa 6400 support. * Fixed bugs in GIF and Pictor decoder. VPIC ver 2.4 12-28-89 * Fixed bug in GIF decoder for very wide pics. * Fixed palette for many file types. * Fixed slide mode from menu. VPIC ver 2.5 1-28-90 * Fixed single file and /r modes. * Fixed Pictor viewing for B&W pics. * Fixed MAC header interpertation problem. * Fixed memory clearing for pictures longer than the screen. * Added F10 to menu to display current path. Menu no longer shows complete path (only filespec) to avoid clutter with long paths. * Deleted path from filename display when showing picture. * Added SCY conversion for ColoRIX. * Added Zymos VGA chip support. * Corrected CVPIC to allow more than 9 banks in config file. VPIC ver 2.6 1-28-90 * Fixed palette for 2 color GIFs. * Fixed SCU display in 1024x768x16 mode. * Fixed Pictor EGA and ColoRIX EGA slide viewing. VPIC ver 2.7 3-17-90 * Fixed GIF bug and palette for files with local color maps. * Added /b command line option to beep after a picture is decoded except in slide modes. * Added Alt_F command while viewing a picture to momentarily display the file name. * Fixed Targa viewing for all sizes; now handles RLE images too. VPIC ver 2.8 3-27-90 * Added /h command line option to find hidden files. * Changed menu display to allow up to 8 modes for VGA or EGA. * Fixed palette in Dr. Halo CUT files. * Added Tseng 4000 chip support. VPIC ver 2.9 5-23-90 * Fixed Targa module to handle all 8 thru 32 bits/pixel formats. * Added copyright messages. * Fixed PCX viewing for gray scale files. Page A6 VPIC ver 2.9A 7-1-90 * Fixed Targa module for files which don't follow the compression rules of 'don't overrun lines'. Added TGA expand option [E] while viewing a RLE compressed Targa file. * Fixed conversion routines so they save the pictures size. This was a bug that crept into ver 2.9. * Added ESC to abort deleting a file with [Alt_X]. * Added file types (where applicable) to the info command [F3] from the menu. * Added uncompressed ColoRIX SCO file (1024x768x256) support. * Fixed a bug in CVPIC. * Fixed a bug which prevented working with DOS 4.x. * Added Deluxe Paint II enhanced viewing and save capability. * Fixed a color bug in Targa 32 viewing. VPIC ver 3.0 9-15-90 * Added capability to view the new GIF89a files, and FRA fractal files. Added delay and user response features of GIF89a. * Fixed a bug which would hang the computer if you deleted the last viewable file from a directory. * Added prompt for a file conversion, allowing you to escape. * Added C&T, as well as the previous C_T, which VPIC will accept as the Chips & Technologies VGA chip in the config file. * Fixed memory allocation bug in PCX creation for 1024x768x256 images. VPIC ver 3.1 9-25-90 * Added flexibility to slide mode. Always decodes to memory and can change delay for files; see the section on 'vpic /@slidesfile`. VPIC ver 3.2 10-29-90 * Fixed the bank switching for the Trident 8800 chip. * Fixed a palette problem when viewing Targa files. VPIC ver 3.3 11-5-90 * Fixed problem with lines on VGA pics in slide mode. * Added animate command in slide command file, and speed control for animation. * Fixed MCGA 16 color palette. * Fixed ATI 1024x768x16 slide mode. VPIC ver 3.4 11-21-90 * Fixed most conversion routines so they work in ATI 1024x768x16 mode; can't do EGA Paint or 16 color ColoRIX, or Pictor EGA files. * Fixed most viewing routines so they work in ATI 1024x768x16 mode; can't do EGA Paint or 16 color ColoRIX, or Pictor EGA files. * Fixed bugs in conversion for pics less than screen width wide. * Cleaned up numerous small bugs. * Added BIF Binary Image File from B&W image capture boards. VPIC ver 3.5 12-15-90 * Added 64 shade gray conversion for VGA images (press b while viewing). * Added auto-centering for pictures smaller than the screen. * For slides, now displays as much of picture as memory will allow. Page A7 VPIC ver 4.0 02-13-91 * Added GIF89a features including transparent color, variable size plain text, user input, variable delay, and display of comments. Works in all EGA and VGA modes. * Fixed all file conversions so they work with centered images. * Improved palette selection, and made hi contrast help messages. VPIC ver 4.0a 02-20-91 * Added OAK and new ATI (with normal 1024x768x16 mode) card. * Added `whichvga' program to try to identify your VGA chip. VPIC ver 4.1 03-15-91 * Added Microsoft Windows 3.0 Bitmap BMP file viewing/saving in compres- sed or uncompressed format. Sometimes uncompressed is smaller than compressed. * Changed VGA chip designators, added VGA chips; see CONFIG.DOC. Be sure to use the version of CVPIC supplied with this version of VPIC. VPIC ver 4.2 04-10-91 * Fixed palette bug which would reverse black and white in some pictures. * Fixed menu when disk was rescanned. VPIC ver 4.3 04-27-91 * Added x and y offset, and inhibit filename display, from command line using /x, /y, and /z options. * Added overlaying of pictures onto display using the 'F' command while viewing a picture. VPIC ver 4.3a 05-05-91 * Fixed ATI VGA Wonder scrolling. VPIC ver 4.3b 05-15-91 * Fixed EGA palette. VPIC ver 4.4 07-09-91 * Added mouse support for the menu screen (so far). * Added Viewpoint picture viewing (.PIC files). * Added wider selection of menu colors; see CONFIG.DOC. * Added a mode set from the command line. * Added 1280x1024 EGA modes (DEFINICON.CFG) * Fixed a bug in the BMP decoder for OS/2 PM files. * Fixed a bug in slides mode. VPIC ver 4.5 08-05-91 * Added full VESA autodetect and use for all 16 and 256 color modes. * Added mouse support in the menu. * Added Tseng ET-4000 HiColor (32K colors) support for Targa files. VPIC ver 4.5a 08-15-91 * Did some cosmetic fixes for mouse operation. * Marked files now don't stay marked when you change directories. * Added 2 pages of comment storage for GIF89a files. Page A8 VPIC ver 4.6 08-23-91 * Fixed a VESA related problem with late STB boards. * Added /v command line option to ignore VESA info and use config file data. * Fixed a Windows BMP problem; removed compressed option for conversion. * Fixed GIF89a with comments problem. VPIC ver 4.7 never released Someone tried to add the Dark Avenger virus to VPIC in the Boston area. You can't change a single byte in VPIC or it will refuse to run, since it does a checksum on itself. They used a batch file or some other sneaky thing, and had the virus assemble and execute after exiting VPIC. It was not detected by Central Point Virus Scan, since it wasn't an EXE or COM file, but was detected by someone there who sent me a letter with the name and phone number of the person who uploaded it. The FBI is current- ly investigating it. VPIC ver 4.8 02-20-92 * Fixed BMP viewing and conversion so Windows will read all files creat- ed by VPIC (compressed too), and VPIC will view all files that windows does. * Added general means of telling VPIC in the configuration file about the presence of the Sierra DAC and what modes it works in. * VPIC now comes up with mouse cursor out of the way in upper right corner. * Added /l option for putting another picture on the screen from an app- lication; doesn't change the video mode. * Added Alt_D from menu to change the slide delay for marked files. * Added QUIT command in slide command file to do just 1 pass and quit. * Fixed numerous minor bugs in ver 4.6.