Amiga ACS 1997 #2

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--------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Creative. Intuitive. New. - - - - A r t E f f e c t - - - - - - The Ultimate Graphics Program. - - - - - - DEMO 1.5 - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - NEW IN VERSION 1.5 - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- * NEW: Support for HAM8 mode (A1200, A4000) This mode is not as fast as the normal modes, but it looks much better. We recommand to use it not for drawing, but for image processing. HAM8 mode can be switched on/on at: SETTINGS/PROGRAM SETTINGS * NEW: Plug-In MotionBlur The picture will look like it is in motion. * NEW: Plug-In Tile This module fills the complete picture with the current brush. * NEW: Plug-In MakeTile This module creates a tile that can be used with the module tile to create and "endless" texture. * NEW: Plug-In ScanQuix This module calls the external scanner software ScanQuix if it is installed on your computer. --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - H I N T S - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- * The preview of some PlugIns might not refresh correctly every time. In this case you should close the module and open it again. * When you are using HAM8 mode there might be some refresh problems and your picture will not look right. In this case you should resize the window a bit. This will cause a redraw of the graphic. * If you are loading an TIF picture and get a black window, then this picture is of a TIF type that ArtEffect does not support. If you have a TIF datatype you can use this one instead of the internal loader, but you have to remove the file TIFF.pss from the drawer ARTEFFECT:PLUGINS first. --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Installation Reference - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- When you received AE from the Internet (WWW) the installation is simple as can be. Unpack the archive AE.LHA with LHA or another suitable program. A drawer named "ArtEffect.Demo" is created automatically. If the BGUI.library does not yet exist in your LIBS: directory you must copy it to this location. You will find it in the drawer LIBS. Before starting the program an ASSIGN is required. This can be executed by double-clicking the ASSIGN icon or by entering the following command to your user-startup file. ASSIGN ArtEffect: drawer_of_installation Please keep in mind that AE requires the following system: - AmigaOS 3.0 - ECS or AGA system or CyberGraphX software - hard disk - at least 2 MB RAM (with limitations), 4-8 MB RAM are recommended --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Limitations of the demo version of ArtEffect - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- - After 10 steps the word "DEMO" is written to the image. - Only IFF and JPEG pictures can be loaded. (Loaders and Savers for BMP, GIF, TIF, PCX, PNG, TARGA, MPEG are missing and Datatypes can not be used !) - Saving and printing pictures is disabled. (You can not use TurboPrint or Studio with the demo version and using the special ArtEffect 24-Bit-Workbench driver is not possible !) - All filters can be used, but the word "DEMO" will be written to the picture, before the filter is used. - The special version for advanced processors (>68000 and 68881/2) of some filters are missing. --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - I M P O R T A N T - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- The word "DEMO" is always written into the image using the foreground colour. When this happens, there will be a delay during which you will not be able to use the program. Keep in mind that, as the word "DEMO" is always written in the same colour the change will not always be apparent, making it seem as if the program has stopped working. This is simply the delay mentioned above, and the program will become operable again in a few seconds! --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Starting the Demo version - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- - Before the starting ArtEffect, the command "ASSIGN ArtEffect: drawer" must be executed. If that is not done in your user-startup sequence you must do it now by clicking on the icon MAKEASSIGN - Now double click on the icon to start ArtEffect. The startup dialogue will appear and the Plug-Ins are loaded. After a short while the GUI is loaded too. - A click will close the startup dialog and ArtEffect is ready for use. - Try opening a picture now and have a look at ArtEffect's exciting features. Please keep in mind that the demo version can only load IFF and JPEG pictures. --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - I M P O R T A N T - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- - In case ArtEffect should not start correctly, please delete all files in the drawer "ArtEffect:Settings". --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Creative. Intuitive. New. - - - - A R T E F F E C T - - - - - - The Ultimate Graphics Program. - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- ArtEffect unites painting and image processing under a particularly productive user interface. We emphasise on productive functions which are quick and simple to use in your daily work. However not only beginners will like it but also the professionals who are looking for high quality and who want to get the job done quickly and efficiently. ArtEffect is not "just another" graphics program for the Amiga. ArtEffect is not oriented towards the current "standard" programs on the Amiga, but rather to the classic programs for professional image processing such as Photoshop (TM) and for creative painting like Fractal Painter (TM). Proven concepts and ideas of these classic products were merged with the uncontested advantages of the Amiga. You see the result before you. Naturally these are only advertising statements if they are not supported by facts. Here then is the demo version of ArtEffect, which giving you an opportunity to convince yourself of the advantages. Professional Image Processing with ArtEffect Processing scanned images and graphics of all kind has been the Amiga's domain ever since the machine appeared. Nevertheless the products available for the Amiga have not been widely recognised by the graphics world during recent years. ArtEffect is the first program to provide productive image processing functions under a uniform and effective user interface in the typical Amiga style. Selection Functions Particularly important are the functions to select certain areas of an image for processing. Of course some filters are often applied to the entire image, but when dealing with image errors it is necessary to select a particular area. So one can retouch a scanned photo in a narrow area without influencing the quality of the rest of the picture. ArtEffect offers a wide range of selection functions (they are also known as mask functions) such as: rectangle, circle, freehand and specialities like colour selection, running masks and "Magic Wand" (selection of connected areas with similar colour). With this all cases of selections of certain areas can be done quickly and easily. More than 30 Effects ArtEffect offers more than 30 different effects with countless options. All effects are used the same way and they all have the same user interface. Each effect has e.g. a Preview in which the effect is applied to an image section. The range can be zoomed in and out. A progress bar shows the progress of the operation. The options are very extensive so every effect can be adapted to your personal wishes. List of all effects: Colour Filters - Antique - Dynamic Range - Colour Correction - Colour Space Process - Histogram Equalisation - Negative - Posterise - Solarise - Threshold Blur - Gaussian - Strong Gaussian - Blur - Strong Blur - Smooth Sharpen - Sharpen Fine - Sharpen Coarse Stylise - Displace Pixels - Edge Find - Laplace - Oil Paint - Relief - Wax Paint Distortion - Caricature - Twirl - Curl Pixelate - Median - Mosaic - Polar Mosaic - Segmentate Picture Specials - BumpMap - Convolution - Mirror Picture - Shift Picture Natural Painting with ArtEffect While most of the paint programs will only be able to paint in full colour with full intensity and density, "natural painting" means to simulate natural drawing tools like paintbrush, crayon, airbrush, chalk, coal, oil colour. Coal, chalk, paintbrush, crayon, oil colour To do a good job on simulating all these drawing tools ArtEffect offers many controls for mode, opacity, intensity, density, roughness, form etc. All values are freely adjustable. With it the transparent colour of a water colour brush looks very realistic and also harsh chalk can be simulated excellently. Painting on different materials ArtEffect still goes one step further and even offers simulation of different materials. You can paint on canvas, wood, stone, marble etc. Attributes of Painting Tools The properties of the three basic tools stencil, brush, airbrush can be redefined completely. Form, intensity, density, roughness, transparency, opacity, pressure sensitivity (only on graphic trays) and Fade Out can be adjusted freely. With all these properties, natural drawing tools can be simulated very well and without any fringes. The properties of the tools are stored in the brush manager. Image sections (brushes) which are needed more often may be stored here as well. Strong Effects of ArtEffect Perfect Retouch of Images Scanned pictures often have scratches, specks of dust or similar distorsions. With Median filter one can remove these automatically, but the image will however loose its sharpness. It is better to retouch only the respective area. The tools "Smear" and "Smooth", but also "Lighten" and "Darken" are used often and with pleasure. These tools only work in the area coverd by their tip and so they can be used with great precision. Other effects like "hue", "saturation" and "luminance" may also be used this way. Endless Possibilities with Masks Masks are one of the most productive functions of ArtEffect. Therefore we have provided several possibilities of defining them. Thus masks are also selections and masking is the same as selecting. 1. Rectangle Masking: The fastest masking function is the masking of rectangles. 2. "Magic Wand": This is certainly the most powerful function for masking. One click with the Magic Wand will select/mask all connected pixels of the same colour. 3. Colour Selection: With it all pixels of the same colour anywhere in the whole picture are selected. 4. Stencil Masking: The stencil option also has a mask mode, allowing you to work with very fine details. A very special thing are running masks. These are masks that get increasingly permeable (oblique). It can be used for sophisticated effects. The many Extras of ArtEffect - ArtEffect is a pure 24-bit art package. All operations and manipulations will always be carried out in the highest possible quality. - All functions of ArtEffect are very fast. Some time-critical filters are even optimised for higher processors. - ArtEffect can display multiple Views of the same picture. - A special light table allows pictures to be overlayed. - A special perspective tool supports the creation of perspective drawings. - The pantograph lets you copy one part of a picture to another place of the same one or to another picture. Many effects can be used by this operation. - Further important features are: Zoom, Pipette (for colour selection), lasso (for freeform selections), colour interpolator, undo function. - ArtEffect offers many loaders/savers (IFF, JPEG, TIFF, GIF, PNG, BMP) but also the Amiga datatypes and the new 24-Bit datatype. - ArtEffect offers an efficient 24-bit printer driver that uses the standard Workbench drivers. There is additional support for the printer enhancers TurboPrint and Studio. - ArtEffect supports the graphic tray Wacom ArtPad II (a special driver is needed!). With the graphic tray all drawing modes become pressure sensitive. This is very important for natural drawing. - ArtEffect can be extended externally by a flexible Plug-In interface. With it 3rd party companies can offer new functions. There is also a special GUI for these Plug-Ins, so programming them is very easy. ArtEffect's GUI Operation of ArtEffect is very intuitive. This was a primary design goal for this product. The GUI is a very important part, because if it is not good, you will not be able to use the full power of the program. ArtEffect uses a unique GUI for all its parts. Different managers help you to control the different options. They can stay open so they show you the tool's current status. Because of the well thought-out user interface most of the functions of ArtEffect can be used without having to look into the manual. The positions of all windows and managers are stored and show up next time you start the program. System Requirements - AmigaOS 3.0 - ECS or AGA system or CyberGraphX software - Hard disk - a minimum of 2 MB RAM (with limitations), 4-8 MB RAM are recommended. The current demo version can be found on our homepage http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/haage_partner or on AmiNet(R). Price (may vary in some countries): ArtEffect 1.x ONLY 148 DM / 98 US$ ArtEffect 2.0 298 DM / 198 US$ (Layers, ARexx, multi-Undo etc.) Please watch our homepage for your local dealer/distributor !!! These features are subject to change without notice! For questions and orders please feel free to contact us: HAAGE & PARTNER Computer GmbH Mainzer Straße 10A 61191 Rosbach Germany Phone: +49 - 6007 - 930 050 Fax: +49 - 6007 - 7543 Compuserve: 100654,3133 Internet: 100654.3133@compuserve.com Web Page: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Haage_Partner Special thanks to: Hartwig Haage (title graphics) Peter "Dreamy" Traskalik (icons and some examples) Jeroen Vermeulen (proof-reading) We also want to thank our testers: Thomas Aglassinger Jan Geißler Bernd Lutz Massimo Mancini Jürgen Schäfer Bernd Sieker (c) 1997 HAAGE & PARTNER Computer GmbH