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ANIMATION WORKS INTERACTIVE ADDENDUM ==================================== File: README.TXT Animation Works Interactive Ver 1.02 Gold Disk Inc. This addendum describes changes and additions to the Animation Works Interactive programs and documentation. These changes and additions were made after the publication of the manual. Any text editor or the Windows Notepad application can be used to view the contents of this file. =================== GENERAL INFORMATION =================== Running the Setup Program ------------------------- The Setup program must be executed using the Windows Program Manager application. As stated in the manual, the Run menu item under the File menu should be used. The Setup program may not function correctly when executed from another shell application. Directory Structure ------------------- When Animation Works Interactive is installed using the Setup program, a predefined directory structure will be created under the main Animation Works Interactive directory (eg. c:\animwrks). The directory structure is as follows: animwrks\movies - contains movie files animwrks\actors - contains actor files animwrks\sounds - contains sound files animwrks\bkgnds - contains background files It is suggested that you save your work in the appropriate directories (actors in the actor directory, etc). If you wish to group files into separate directories, the new directories should be created within the appropriate directory, for example: animwrks\actors\actors1 animwrks\actors\actors2 animwrks\actors\new animwrks\actors\birds Memory Considerations --------------------- Animation Works Interactive will operate on a system with 2MB of RAM memory. However for improved performance, it is recommended that your system have a minimum of 4MB of RAM. If during the usage of Animation Works Interactive, you encounter many "out of memory" messages you should try some of the following suggestions to reduce the amount of memory required: * Keep the number of other Windows applications running at the same time as Animation Works Interactive to a minimum. * Avoid running all three editors (Movie, Cel, and Background) simultaneously. After closing the current editor you can invoke the desired editor by double clicking on its icon in the Program Manager. * Use 16-color mode. Animation Works Interactive requires much more memory on a 256-color system than on an 16-color system. * Purge all resources (backgrounds, actors, sounds) that are not used in your movie. In the Movie Editor, select the Purge Unused menu. In the Cel and Background Editors, display the unused actor or background then select the Delete Actor or Delete Background menu item. * Reduce the number of images (bitmaps, pcx, gif files) used for backgrounds in your movie; use full screen color backgrounds instead. If the amount of available memory or resources becomes very low, a "Critical! Low Mem" message will appear on the status line. When this message appears you should save your work and free-up some memory by doing some of the suggestions listed above. If you continue to make editing changes during a low memory situation, a message will occasionally appear warning you of the situation and suggesting that you save your work. Single User ----------- Each original copy of Animation Works Interactive can only be installed and used on one individual PC system. It cannot be installed on a common network PC and then shared. Restrictions Without Windows Multimedia Extensions -------------------------------------------------- Animation Works Interactive uses the Windows Multimedia Extensions to support sound and MCI events. Windows 3.0 requires that the extensions be installed separately. The extensions are included with Windows 3.1. If the extensions are not available, these events will be ignored when movies containing them are played. However, you can add these events when you are creating or editing a movie but you will not be able to preview (play) the sound that is used in the event. Saving Compressed ----------------- In the Movie, Cel, and Background editors you have the option of saving your work compressed. When this option is selected, all the images will be saved in a RLE compressed format. Some types of video drivers cause the images to be compressed incorrectly. If your images are not correct when reloaded after being saved in the compressed format, avoid using this option. You may want to contact the video manufacturer and request an updated driver. Graphics Controllers With More Than 256 Colors ---------------------------------------------- Animation Works Interactive does not support graphics controllers that have more than 256 colors (example: 24-bit color cards). The maximum number of colors supported is 256. Dithered Colors Not Available When in 256 Color Mode ---------------------------------------------------- When you use the Define Color dialog in 256 color mode, dithered colors cannot be selected even though they appear in the Color preview rectangle. When the OK button is selected the color shown in the Nearest Solid preview rectangle will be used. Accompanying GIF Backgrounds are Best in 256 Color -------------------------------------------------- The background files with .GIF extensions that can be installed from the installation disks were created for 256 color systems. They may not appear correctly when displayed in 16 colors. ======================== MOVIE PLAYER APPLICATION ======================== Automatically Loading and Playing a Movie or Play List ------------------------------------------------------ You can load a single movie or a play list file into the Movie Player, automatically skipping its main window. Simply add the name of the movie or play list file to the Movie Player's command line. For example: c:\animwrks\awpa.exe mymovie.awm c:\animwrks\awpa.exe mylist.awl This can be done using the Program Manager's File/Run menu item. You can also, add a movie or play list to the properties of the Movie Player icon by using the Program Manager's File/Properties menu. Then, when you double click on the icon, the Movie Player will be executed and will automatically load and play the movie or play list. Playing a MIDI Sound While Loading ---------------------------------- You can add MIDI sound files in between your movie files in the Play List. The Movie Player will play this MIDI sound while it is loading the next movie. Special "Exit Player" Command ----------------------------- You can insert a special "Exit Player" command at the end of your Play List. When this command is reached, the Movie Player application will terminate. To add this command, select any entry in the Play List and press the F8 key. Avoid Using Movie Editor with Movie Player ------------------------------------------ Some problems may occur when you use the Movie Editor and the Movie Player applications simultaneously. Distributing Your Movies ------------------------ You are allowed to distribute the Movie Player application and its associated files, according to the enclosed licence agreement. You may also distribute any movies that you create so they can be played on other systems. When distributing your movie, it is recommended that you save the movie in the embedded format. In addition to the movie files, the following files are required when distributing the run-time player: awpa.exe - * Movie Player application awmp.dll awdo.dll pcx.dll - required with non-embedded movies that use pcx files awmptsk.tsk wipe.wip - required with non-embedded movies only animwrks.ini - required when you distribute the resource files (eg. actors) and want to maintain the directory structure (actors, bkgnds, sounds, etc) instead of putting them all into one directory When distributing movies, the movie files (.awm) (and any MIDI sound files used by the movies - because these aren't saved embedded) are required. When distributing Play Lists, the play list files (.awl) and the individual movie files that are included in the play list are required. When distributing non-embedded movies, all the resources (actors, backgrounds, sounds, etc.) that are used in the movie are required. When distributing these files you can put them all into one directory (for example, the root directory of a floppy diskette or a separate hard disk directory). IMPORTANT: You cannot distribute the Movie Editor, Cel Editor, and Background Editor applications. The files listed above are the only files that you can distribute. Any attempt to distribute files that are not listed will be in violation of the licence agreement. ======================== MOVIE EDITOR APPLICATION ======================== Storyboard and Cue Sheet Printing --------------------------------- If you have installed a raster printer which supports bitmap transfers using the Windows Control Panel, you can print the Storyboard or Cue Sheet. When printing, the Movie Editor uses the printer selected in the Control Panel. To print the Storyboard or Cue Sheet, select the Print button located at the top of your Storyboard or Cue Sheet window. A Print Options dialog box appears containing the following options: FRAMES You can indicate which frames will be included in the print operation. Your choices are: MATCHING CONDITIONS Prints only those frames that meet the conditions specified in the Storyboard/Cue Sheet Options dialog box. ALL FRAMES Prints every frame in the movie subject to the "Every nth Frame" option. FRAMES FROM/TO Prints a range of frames subject to the "Every nth Frame" option. You specify the starting and ending frame numbers in the From and To edit boxes. MOVIE NAME AT PAGE TOP When checked, the filename of the movie will be printed at the top-center of the each printed page. PAGE NUMBER AT PAGE BOTTOM When checked, the page number will be printed at the bottom-center of the each printed page. PRINT BACKGROUNDS (STORYBOARD PRINTING ONLY) When checked, the background image of the frames will be included in the print operation; otherwise, the backgrounds will not be printed. NUMBER OF COLUMNS (STORYBOARD PRINTING ONLY) Allows you to format the printed page by indicating the number of columns. WIDTH (STORYBOARD PRINTING ONLY) Allows you to specify the width (in inches) of each printed frame. The height of the frame will be automatically calculated so that the width/height ratio will be the same as your current screen configuration. SPACING (STORYBOARD PRINTING ONLY) Allows you to specify the spacing (in inches) between each printed frame. PRINTER SETUP BUTTON Selecting the button will display a setup dialog box containing the current print options for the selected printer. This setup dialog will show the options specific to the printer driver you have installed. You can change any of the print options in this dialog. PRINT BUTTON Select this button to begin the print operation. Once printing has started, a dialog box will appear indicating the current page being printed. You may stop printing at any time by selecting the Abort button in this dialog. Avoid Using Movie Editor with Movie Player ------------------------------------------ Some problems may occur when you use the Movie Editor and the Movie Player applications simultaneously. Insert Path Tools Does Not Place You Into Registered Motion Tool Mode --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Movie Editor Tools section of the manual states that when you are using the Insert Path Node After or Insert Path Node Before tools, you are automatically placed into the Registered Motion Tool mode. This does not occur. After selecting either Insert tool, you must select the path tool you wish to use -- the Registered Motion Tool or any of the other path tools. Path/Magnetize -------------- The reference manual states that "...the center of the magnet changes color when it is over a path and it is valid for you to click the mouse to magnetize; you can't magnetize when the center of the magnet is black.". The magnet center no longer changes color when it is over an actor that you can magnetize to; instead, the magnet will change shape so that the bottom ends of the magnet turn inwards. The Path/Magnetize menu item will have a checkmark beside it when the path that is currently selected is a child path magnetized to another path. By selecting the Path/Magnetize menu item when it is checked, you can de-magnetize the selected path; therefore, it will no longer be a child to another path. Starting Wipe Events -------------------- You should avoid starting a wipe event while a previous wipe event is still in progress. Wipe events should only start when the duration of the previous wipe event is completed. ====================================== CEL AND BACKGROUND EDITOR APPLICATIONS ====================================== Selection Menu -------------- The selection menu is only enabled when an area is currently selected. If the lasso and polygon selection tools are used, the area that is operated on will be the rectangle that bounds the selected area. Quick Methods of Display Attribute Dialog Boxes ----------------------------------------------- To quickly display the Pen Width dialog you can double click on the Pencil, Paint Brush, Air Brush, Straight Line or any of the Empty Shape tools. To quickly display the Fill Pattern dialog you can double click on the Paint Bucket or any of the Filled Shape tools. To quickly display the Color dialog you can double click on the current color indicator rectangles at the bottom of the tool window. Select Color Eye Dropper Tool ----------------------------- When you use the Eye Dropper tool in the Select Color dialog, clicking the left mouse button will cause the pen color to be changed and clicking the right mouse button will cause the fill color to be changed. Constraining ------------ If you hold the Shift key or the right mouse button while using some of the paint tools you can constrain the drawing. The type of constraining varies for the different tools: Rectangle Selection Tool - perfect square Polygon Selection Tool - 45 degree angles Eraser Tool - horizontal and vertical directions Paint Brush Tool - horizontal and vertical directions Pencil Tool - horizontal and vertical directions Air Brush Tool - horizontal and vertical directions Straight Line Tool - 45 degree angles Rectangle Shape Tools - perfect square Oval Shape Tools - perfect circle Rounded Rect Shape Tools - rounded square Polygon Shape Tools - 45 degree angles Arc Shape Tools - during oval definition: perfect circle - during arc definition: 45 degree angles When Zoomed - horizontal and vertical directions Grabber Tool ------------ The grabber tool allows you to move the entire image (background or cel) to a different location on the screen. If any portion of the image is moved and placed outside the borders of the drawing area it will be clipped off. If your current background size setting is larger than your physical screen size, you may encounter problems using the Grabber tool. Single Pixel Movements When Dragging ------------------------------------ To make fine movements while dragging, you can press the Ctrl key and any of the arrow keys. This will cause the cursor to move by one pixel in the direction of the arrow when you are using any of the tools that involve holding down the mouse button and dragging. Delete Cels Operation (Cel Editor) ---------------------------------- The manual incorrectly states that when you select OK in the Delete Cels dialog box and the current actor has not been saved, the Cel Editor will ask you to confirm the deletion. This is not true, you will not be asked to confirm the deletion. Importing Autodesk Flic (.FLI) Files (Cel Editor) ------------------------------------------------- You can use the Cel Editor's Import menu item (under the File menu) to read Flic files. The import operation will automatically create a new empty actor. Each image in the Flic file is read and converted into a separate cel of the actor. The resulting actor is an Animation Works Interactive compatible actor that can be edited as usual and used in the Movie Editor. When you import a Flic file, a dialog box will be displayed asking you to choose a transparent color. You can choose black, white, or no transparent color. New Menu Item Attributes/Canvas Size (Cel Editor) ------------------------------------------------- A new menu item has been added to the Cel Editor that allows the user to change the currently used canvas size. The canvas size determines the largest cel that can be edited, created, or displayed and is set to the physical screen size when the Cel Editor is started. This is useful for example when editing an actor's cel that was created (perhaps on a different computer) too large to edit within the physical screen size.