Windows Expert/Windows Expert.iso/graphics/pixf11.zip/PIXREAD.ME

Text File | 1991-07-10 | 10KB | 212 lines

PixFolio - Windows Image Viewer and Catalog Manager (Shareware)

PixFolio (formerly ShowGif) is a Microsoft Windows program that can view a
variety of bitmapped graphics formats and maintain multiple catalogs of
images. Version 1.01 is being distributed as Shareware for $25.00 by the
author, Allen C. Kempe. You are free to use PixFolio for a 30 day period.
After that time, you are expected to register your copy and pay the $25.00
registration fee.

The graphics formats currently supported are:
    IFF -   IFF/LBM (Amiga) used by Computer Eyes frame grabber.
    TIFF-   Tag Image Format. Most formats including 24 bit color
            are supported.
    PCX -   Microsoft Paint & PC Paintbrush
    TGA -    Targa
    GIF -    CompuServe Graphics Interchange Format
    BMP -    Windows Bitmap
    RLE -    Windows Run Length Encoded

Note: Not all variations that may be possible in the above file formats have
been tested due to lack of suitable test files.

The major feature of PixFolio is the ability to build catalogs of
images, that may reside on different disks. The catalog can then be searched
and images can be easily located. Provisions are made for saving a primary and
backup location for the image concurrently. To enhance searching for a
particular image the program can display postage stamp images in a matrix.

The ability to read an image in one format and to save it in another allows
the program to be used as a file conversion utility.

PixFolio version 1.01 is Shareware (see the accompanying file "PIXREGST.ME").
PixFolio may be freely distributed on Bulletin Boards so long as all files
are included along with this file.

THE AUTHOR RESERVES ALL RIGHTS TO THIS PROGRAM. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT WARRANT
THIS PROGRAM'S FITNESS OR SUITABILITY FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL USERS SHOULD USE
IT AT THEIR OWN RISK.

The author will make a reasonable effort to correct problems and software
bugs relating to documented features of the program for registered users.
The author intends to make continuing improvements to the program including
supporting additional file formats. To this end, comments and suggestions are
welcomed.

Users may contact the author, Allen C. Kempe on CompuServe (71220,23) or
in writing at:

        Allen C. Kempe
        298 W. Audubon Drive
        Shepherdsville, KY 40165

Main Features

File Menu:
    Open File - Open a new file for viewing.
    Save File - Save an image, possibly in a different format.
    Move/Copy file - Move or copy a file.
    Delete - Delete a file.
    Print - print all or part of an image.
    Select Printer - select a printer
    Close

Catalog Menu:
    Select catalog: Create, delete, select or rename an image catalog.
    Catalog. Create or update a catalog entry for a displayed image.
    Browse Catalog. View catalog entries one by one; select a subset
                    for viewing.
    Build Catalog. Create catalog entries for groups of images.
    Rebuild Catalog Index. Recover lost space in file and compact it.

Edit Menu:
    Paste palette and image from clipboard.
    Copy all or part of an image to the clipboard.
    Cut a selected area from an image.
    Crop an image.
    Expand an image to fill the dimensions of the current window.
    Resize an image by a percentage amount or fit to a given dimension.

Options:
    Set background color used when image is expanded.
    Set whether to use a solid or dithered background color.
    Display DIB or Bitmap format.
    Control whether warning messages will be displayed.
    Establish default operating options.

View Options:
    Palette manipulation (Brightness and contrast).
    Convert to gray scale.
    View slides of catalog entries.
    Play a GIF animation sequence.
    Single step through a GIF animation sequence.
    Change the speed of a GIF animation sequence.

Other:
    Using the mouse in the main viewing window, a rectangle can be
    selected for copying or cutting to the clipboard. The right mouse
    button can be used to draw a stretch rectangle where the selected
    rectangle is copied.

Help:
    Context sensitive help is included for all menu items.

******** Equipment Requirements **********

While PixFolio will execute in a minimal Windows installation, for example, a
286 with 1 megabyte of memory, program operation will be severely inhibited by a
lack of memory. On such a configuration, large bitmaps, especially 8 or 24
bit images will fail. Other applications could be adversely affected as well.
Actual results will vary depending upon the amount of memory used by other
applications running concurrently.

PixFolio was developed and tested on a 20-MHz 386 with 8 megabytes of memory.
It is recommended that PixFolio be run on a machine with at least 2 and pre-
ferrably, 4 megabytes of memory. Running in 386-Enhanced mode will also
make available the benefits of virtual memory.

The display of images containing more than 16 colors requires that you have
a Super VGA or better video display and a 256 color Windows device driver.
Future versions of PixFolio may incorporate dithering functions that would
allow display of a 256 color image using a 16 color driver such as the
standard VGA driver distributed with Windows. This version of PixFolio will
display such images using whichever of the 16 colors that Windows uses are
closest. The results of this can be disappointing.

********** Program Limitations *************

PixFolio has no limit on the number of catalogs that can be created or the
size of these catalogs. However, the following points should be noted:

1. Catalog indexes are read into memory whenever a new catalog is selected.
   Large catalogs with many entries could result in lengthy delays whenever
   a catalog is opened or a search is initiated. The author has maintained
   catalogs with over 150 entries without encountering unacceptable delays.

2. The size of a catalog is otherwise limited by the amount of disk space
   where it resides. Catalog records are variable length and depend upon
   the type of image and how big the comments are.

3. PixFolio may encounter difficulty with extremely large images, those in
   excess of 1024 x 768 pixels. This is particularly true of color images
   and even more so by 24 bit color or gray scale images. This is primarily
   due to the increased memory requirements. There is a known problem creating
   the "postage stamp" image for a large bitmap; this is believed to be a
   problem with the video device driver's StretchBlt function.

4. While PixFolio and Windows supports 24 bit color and gray scale images,
   the display of such images using a video driver that only displays 256
   colors, can result in some lengthy delays whenever windows has to realize
   the 24 bit RGB data to an 8 bit palette. It may take 15 to 20 minutes to
   realize a 640 x 480 image depending upon the speed of your machine.

5. The support for GIF animation in PixFolio requires large amounts of free
   memory. GIF animation files with a large number of frames or overlays may
   unexpectedly fail when PixFolio runs out of memory.

6. PixFolio has not been tested nor has it been designed to work in a network
   environment. The affect of network operations and more than one user
   accessing PixFolio files concurrently cannot be predicted.

7. Not all graphics formats are supported equally with respect to reading and
   saving a file. For example, none of the compression options are currently
   supported for saving TIFF images. GIF images can only be saved in GIF87a
   format. Likewise, some of the more obscure or obsolete formats such as 4
   color CGA formats for PCX cannot be written although they can be read.

8. Other program limitations, if any, can be determined by accessing the
   online context-sensitive help.

******** NOTE **********

If you have previously loaded Showgif (the former name of this program), you
should edit your WIN.INI file changing the section name [Showgif] to
[PixFolio]. Catalog file names, e.g. SHOWGIF.CAT need not be renamed but if
you do, be sure to rename the index file, SHOWGIF.CIX also!

****** Installation and Getting Started*******

It is suggested that the files which constitute PixFolio be placed in their
own subdirectory on your hard disk. These files are:

    PIXFOLIO.EXE
    PIXFOLIO.HLP
    SPIN.DLL
    METER.DLL

Not necessary for program operation are this file PIXREAD.ME, PIXREGST.FRM
and PIXREGST.ME. PIXPACK.LST is a list of files included in this zip file.

Once the above files have been located in the subdirectory of your choice,
start Windows and then use the Program Manager "Add" command to add PixFolio
to the desired program group.

When PixFolio runs for the first time, it will establish a section in
your WIN.INI file with program variables. These default options should enable
you to start using PixFolio immediately. Once PixFolio is running you may
access the online Help command for specific instructions and explanation of
PixFolio menu commands.

A quick review of PixFolio features and operating procedures can be gained by
selecting "User Guide" under "Help".

****** Credits ******

The author of PixFolio would like to recognize the efforts of Mr. Paul Hachey,
(CompuServe Id 76247,3716) who performed an invaluable service by getting
deeply involved in the extensive testing that went on over a period of months.
Paul is responsible for the design of the PixFolio cover page, Icon and
"About" dialog box and his many suggestions greatly influenced the "look and
feel" of PixFolio.