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- Notes on MKRLE002 and DERLE002.
-
- These two programs MaKe and DEcode run length encoded (RLE) files. Both are
- based on a screen display of a picture or drawing. Most computers can make
- and display RLE graphics so Visual users can now exchange graphic files
- with other brands of machines. For printing a graphic, use the program
- GDUMP. All three of these programs are especially written for the Visual
- 1050 __only__.
-
- To display an RLE format file, enter...derle002 filen.ame...where the
- filen.ame may include the drive path (e.g. derle002 b:max.rle). If the file
- isn't there, you will be prompted for the name again. The graphic will be
- displayed and you'll be returned to the system prompt (A:>). RLE graphics of
- the 'high' resolution type only are allowed (virtually all of them are
- anymore). The specification for the RLE format says the graphic is to be 256
- dots wide and 192 dots high (vertical) and this is how it's displayed by
- this program in the upper left of the screen. Screen proportions vary from
- one machine to another; so what was drawn on one may have a different height
- to width ratio when displayed on the Visual. The program does a literal dot-
- for-dot translation and no scaling was attempted. On completion the cursor
- is left positioned high enough above the bottom of the screen to allow you
- to run another program without the graphic scrolling off the top. To abort
- in the middle of a display press CONTROL BREAK keys.
-
- MKRLE002 does the opposite of DERLE002. Whatever is in the 256x192 dot area
- in the upper left is converted into an RLE format file. You can make a
- drawing with one of the drawing programs for the Visual, then convert to an
- RLE file and send it to someone with a different machine and they'll be able
- to see it using their own RLE decoder. To run the program just type in
- ...mkrle002... and watch the prompt at the bottom. The graphic is scanned in
- three parts to prevent integer counters from exceeding the 32K limit in
- complex pictures. After the first part is scanned, you are prompted for a
- name of the RLE file you are creating; then the last two parts are scanned.
-
- COPYWRITE (c) 1988 by Alex Fetesoff. These programs are shareware and as such
- may be distributed freely but not for profit. With such distribution must be
- included the above documentation and this paragraph. I disclaim any warranties,
- expressed or implied, including any warranties of merchantability, performance,
- and suitability for any purpose with respect to this software and documentation.
-
- But I hope you like them anyway!
-
- If you have questions or comments, send email on GENIE to alex.f or on
- CompuServe to 72277,1607.