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IMasterRT.ASCII
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1978-04-13
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ImageMasterRT (Version 1.50b)
R. Shamms Mortier
What is ImageMasterRT? That's a harder question to answer than you might at
first realize. Certainly it's one of the four best image processing packages for the
Amiga. But is that really enough to describe it in full? No. ImageMaster is at least two
separate things: a heavy duty image processor and an very complete 24bit paint pro-
gram. The "RT" in its name means "Re-Targetable", and that indicates that it can be
used in conjunction with several screen and board configurations. At present, it in-
cludes Amiga AGA modes (2 to 256color or HAM8) as well as the HAM-E box (which
some folks still own, though it is no longer manufactured), OpalVision and FireCracker
24bit boards. When I say "at present" I mean just wait a few minutes and ImageMas-
terRT is sure to have added more addressable boards and more features, because I know
of no other software that is so steadily and furiously upgraded (each time with major
new attributes!). Since I have called your attention to both of its dual personalities, let's
look at it from both viewpoints,..as an image processor and as a 24bit paint program.
ImageMasterRT the Image Processor
I'll walk you through a fairly general tour of the possibilities, because I'm afraid
that if I try to cover everything in detail, another two versions will be out before I finish
writing. What is an "image processor" anyway? In computer graphic terms, it's a pro-
gram that allows you to import image files, manipulate them in some manner, and then
write them out to storage again. Manipulation can occur in any of three general ways:
you can (1.) play with the image's size and resolution, you can (2.) alter its file format
(like translating an IFF file to a GIF file), and you can (3.) reconfigure the images vi-
sual elements (shapes and colors). ImageMasterRT does all of this.
1. Manipulating Image size and resolution
This is the easiest IMRT capability to validate and describe. Typically, you
would do this when you wanted to target a resized or different resolutioned image for
other purposes. The opening "SetUp" button brings up a very full-featured requester
that allows you to select NTSC or PAL display, image paths and extensions, while the
"File I/O" button allows choice of image type (24bit, etc.) and the "Save size". As with
every other decision in IMRT, every choice you make presents you with a bulging list
of other options. Images in any file can also be "catalogued", meaning that a small vi-
sual thumbnail can be included for quick image reference.
2. Format Conversion
Choosing image format for loads and saves is best done by striking various Func-
tion keys, each of which access a special IMRT "PI Module" ("Public Interface"). F1,
for instance, launches one that reads various formats (DEGAS, AutoDesk, FLI, BMP,
JPEG, Rendition, Targa...32 types and growing). F2 is an Image Writer, F3 contains a
number of esoteric possibilities (like drawing a fractalized "Koch Snowflake" over your
image, F4 addresses any scanner you have attached, and F5 brings various display de-
vices on line. IMRT has a future option of adding PI Modules to the other five Function
keys and more.
3. Reworking the image
This is the guts of the IMRT engine. All of the associated sub-choices are
umbrella'd under one general button heading..."Process". There are fifteen choices:
Standard Adjust (23 separate options, from brightness/gamma correction to antiqing the
image); RGB corrections (addressing the Red/Blue/Green mix with nine options);
CMYK Adjustments (meant for those using IMRT to adjust an image that will be
printed in color); Geometric (flips, rotating, Spiral Blurs in and out, X-Specs transi-
tions...21 separate options, including realigning the monitors color guns!); Special FX
(37 options at this time, among which are two of my favorites which I will return to in a
moment); Filters (24 choices, like sharpening image levels, removing chunks and
streaks, and getting rid of the "zipper line" on DCTV images); Clipping (eleven ways to
alter a "clip" from the image); Scientific (nine options for altering the image with spe-
cific scientific algorithms); Analysis (measuring regions and distances in the image
with nine different tools); Set Blend (a very complex series of graphic displays that al-
lows you to set the blend directions for an infinite variety creative options); UnSharp
Mask (a toggle on/off); Print Area (which allows you to print a selected area of the
screen image); Define Color (which allows you to select any color in the image and re-
turns its RGB, Average, and Variance data); Mask (allows the determination of the
shape and coverage of a stencil mask).
My favorites
Among these infinite varieties of possibilities, my personal favorites are the Spe-
cial FX "Asterize" and "Annular" options (see my Aladdin-4D tutorial #10 in Amaz-
ing). With these two extremely deep and exacting tools, it's possible to place very well
defined stars and aural rings anywhere in the image (or over the whole screen for that
matter). You can accomplish this in an infinite build-up of semi-transparent levels as
well, producing awesome results. None of the other competitive packages offers any-
thing like this, and if they decide to add it they'll have a long way to go to catch up. The
control screens for these options in IMRT are packed to overflowing with layers of op-
tions, including a graphic interface that allows you to interact with each selection by
drawing over the wave.
An Extra...IMRT is also a full fledged warping/morphing package!
IMRT contains a full-featured warping/morphing module. It offers either
side-by-side or "onion skin" viewing of source/target images, fast previewing, point and
grid operations (some other software only offers one of the two options), data feedback,
and excellent magnification options. It would be easy to write an entire article on this
module alone. With each new release of IMRT, new features are added to this module.
Tutorial Tapes
Do not, I repeat DO NOT consider this software without purchase of the tutorial
video tapes (ImageMaster Apprentice) marketed by Kinetic Visions ($67.95 plus $5.00
S&H for the set of three tapes and two disks). The first two tapes walk you through
90% of the available tools and hint at the rest, while the third tape allows you to follow
along in tutorial style. The tapes are accompanied by two disks of images that match
those shown being manipulated on the video. If you are an experienced ImageMaster
user, you will still find that these tapes help you make the ImageMaster processes much
more memorable and intuitive.
What I'd like to see added in the future
Let me say at the start that this is one package that I have no suggestion for as far
as new tools are concerned, though I'm sure the throbbing minds at BlackBelt will think
of more and more tools as time marches on. I would like to see a multiple UNDO func-
tion added. That would allow a user to undo more than one step back in the creative
process (multiple REDO as well). The most esoteric and somewhat arcane tool (or set
of tools) is the way that IMRT addresses brushes (small sections of the image or sepa-
rate brush files). It's a bit too different from anyone else's method for me, and might do
well to be more standardized. I would also prefer a more standardized approach to plac-
ing text segments on the screen as well, though once you get the hang of how IMRT
does it, you can proceed fairly intuitively. BlackBelt has been struggling to regroup like
tools in similar areas for the last five versions of this software, and seems to be on the
right track with this release.
Conclusion
The software comes unprotected on seven disks (I'll bet that some future version
will come on twelve disks). Installation is simple and to the point. The more RAM you
have the better, as it takes at least 2 megs to run it, and much more to get decent control
of the options. This software is so thick, so dense with possibility, that anyone inter-
ested in Amiga image manipulation for graphic or videographic purposes must investi-
gate it, and should probably sell some furniture if need be to own it. Considering all
that it does, the price is ridiculous (just try and add together the cost of a 24bit paint
program, image processing software, and a warp/morph program, and compare that
with the cost of IMRT). The value of this software is underscored if you happen to have
one of the 24bit graphics boards it supports mounted in your system. If you take a good
six months and use every one of its features, the odds are that BlackBelt will have re-
leased at least one more upgrade in the interim, so the possibilities are truly endless.
ImageMaster RT
MSLP: $249.95
BlackBelt Systems, Incorporated
398 Johnson Road
RR#1 Box 4272
Glasgow, Montana 59230
(800) 852-6442
Captions:
Figure 1. One of ImageMasterRT's most interesting attributes is the capacity to take a
24bit picture and dither it to any other selected resolution. Here, a 24bit graphic has
been translated to a 16 color picture.