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PCX SuperTools A PCX Image Processing Software System ====================================== INTRODUCTION ------------ PCX SuperTools is a series of programs and utilities designed to aid in the manipulation and processing of pcx file images. The SuperTools are divided into two main categories. . . Memory Resident (TSR) utilities and the PCX-ToolBox. The PCX-ToolBox is a single program that contains numerous tools to view, scale, crop, dither, convert palettes, adjust, and print your pcx-images. In addition, the program includes several handy features such as copy, move and delete files. The utilities in ToolBox are all contained in easy to use pull-down menus and pop-up dialog boxes. Each of the menus and boxes are mouse aware and selections may be made with the cursor(arrow) and Tab keys or by clicking the left mouse button on your choice. ToolBox also contains help screens for each tool and menu. The Memory Resident utilities contain several different capture tools that provide you with the ability to capture any screen (even a DOS text screen made up of ASCII characters) and save it as a pcx graphics image file. In addition, we feature a memory resident print tool that allows you to print any graphic screen to a laser or dot matrix printer with several different options. These memory resident tools are only available in the registered version of PCX- SuperTools. The files included in this shareware package are: PT.EXE - PCX-ToolBox Program PCXST.DOC - This document file *.PCX - A sample pcx image ORDER.FRM - An ASCII text order form READIT.NOW - Any additional information The PCX file format is, perhaps, the single most used graphics file format in the DOS world. It is the native format of the PC Paintbrush series of programs and was developed by Zsoft Corporation. Most of the major graphics programs allow the importing and/or exporting of graphics screens in this format. ===================== SHAREWARE INFORMATION ===================== Why register? The shareware concept is simply. Try the program for a reasonable amount of time (30 days is reasonable). If you like it, register (order) the program. If you find the program does not meet your needs, discontinue use of the program. A lot of time, effort and money has gone in to the programming and creating of this series of programs. Through the shareware concept we offer this series at a fraction of the price you would pay for commercial products that offer similar functions. Shareware only works, however, when users support the product. There are no differences between the registered version of PCX-ToolBox and the unregistered version. Registration disables the opening and the ending screen so the program will start running without delay and you will not see the shareware screens on beginning and exiting the program. The unregistered version and the registered version of PCX-ToolBox are identical, with the exception of the aforementioned "features". As a further incentive to register, when you order the PCX-SuperTool series you not only receive the latest version of PCX-ToolBox, but 8 additional tools that comprise the entire PCX-SuperTools software package. These include screen capture programs (CGA-SuperVGA), a special tool that captures a DOS Text screen and changes it to a graphics screen and saves as a pcx file, a graphics print screen TSR, a command line viewer, a printed and bound operating manual and more. And of course we are constantly updating our series of programs and files. When you register, you'll receive the very latest version and you will be on our list for special update and new program offers. Business User Please Note: -------------------------- If this program is to be used by a BUSINESS, it MUST BE registered prior to its use. You may not evaluate it for the purpose of making a profit. Registrations are given on a SINGLE USE ONLY license, meaning the program may be used on a single machine at one time. Although, it can reside on as many machines as you want, it must not be used on more than one at one time. How to Order/Register: ---------------------- By Phone: You may call us at 602-992-0310. The best time is between 8:30am and 2pm pacific time. We accept COD orders and Purchase Orders by phone. We are also making arrangements for credit card (MasterCard & VISA) purchases. By Mail: Included in the distribution files is an order form file named ORDER.FRM. This is an ASCII text file and may be loaded into any editor or word processor. It also may be printed from the DOS command line by typing TYPE ORDER.FRM >PRN at the prompt. How much?: The PCX-SuperTool series is $39.95 plus $5.00 for priority shipping and handling. International shipping (outside USA) is $10.00. All payments are to be payable in U.S. Funds. We do have distributors in England, Germany, Sweden, Austria and the Baltic states. Contact us for further information. All orders and inquiries should be directed to" PC West, Inc. P.O. Box 31418 Phoenix, AZ 85046 602-992-0310 Arizona residents, please add the appropriate sales tax. This documentation is a subset of our printed manual. There may be references to some of the programs not included with the shareware version. For the most part, chapters dealing with these files have been removed from this shareware documentation. =================== SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS =================== PCX-ToolBox requires a minimum of a color graphics card (CGA, EGA, VGA or Super VGA), 512K of conventional memory recommended. Expanded memory may be required to run the parameter and interactive sizing tools. This depends on the size and resolution of the pcx image. DOS 3.1 or higher is recommended. ToolBox recognizes the majority of chipsets and also recognizes VESA standard drivers. Choose the Memory/Video option from the File menu to see how ToolBox interprets your current system configuration. It will also tell you if it recognizes your chipset. If the chipset is unknown, load the VESA driver for your card and re-start PCX-ToolBox. =========== PCX-TOOLBOX =========== The PCX-ToolBox utilities are all contained in easy to use pull-down menus and pop-up dialog boxes. Each of the menus and boxes are mouse aware and selections may be made with the cursor(arrow) and Tab keys or by clicking the left mouse button on your choice. To begin using the program type PT at the prompt and press the enter key. If you have a mouse driver installed but do not wish the mouse to be active while using the ToolBox then type PT /NO MOUSE at the prompt. USING THE KEYBOARD: There are three sets of keys you will use to move around the pull down menus and dialog boxes. The left & right arrow keys (cursor keys) will move among the 5 main menu choices. The up/down arrow keys will select (highlight) the menu options. The Enter key selects the option that is highlighted in the main menu box. In the dialog boxes, you use the Tab key to move to the various group of options. Those options may be list boxes, check boxes, input boxes or command buttons. Input boxes require you type in a response. List and check boxes allow you to choose from a list of options using the arrow keys. When all the parameters in the various boxes are they way you wish press the Enter key to execute the tool. To abort press the Esc key or highlight the cancel button and press enter. USING THE MOUSE: If you are using the mouse for main menu selections, place the mouse cursor on the desired menu choice and click the left button. In the dialog boxes, you may use the mouse cursor to move among the various list, check and input boxes. Input boxes require you to input some information (file name or other parameters) using the keyboard. When all the parameters in the various boxes are the way you wish you may click the left mouse button on the OK command button or by pressing the Enter key. To abort, click on the cancel button with the left mouse button or press the Esc key. THE MAIN MENUS: There are five (5) main menu choices. They are File, Size, Palette, Print & Help. We will review each of these main menus and the menu choices of each in the following documentation. You will also find on-line help documentation for each of the PCX tools in the Help Menu. File Menu --------- View PCX File: -------------- When choosing this tool, a directory dialog box will appear on your screen. Contained in that box will be all your pcx files found in the current directory. You may change the directory or drive right from the dialog box if you wish to display a file stored on another drive or directory. You may use the mouse or the cursor and tab keys to move around the dialog box. To view a pcx image, highlight the file you wish to view and press the enter key or place the mouse cursor on the filename and press the left mouse button. The pcx image will be displayed on your screen until you press a key. You will then be returned to the dialog box. To return to the file menu press the Esc key or the cancel button on the dialog box. View PCX Info: -------------- The purpose of this file utility is to read the header of the designated pcx file and to display that header information in a formatted text screen. This is helpful when you need to determine a pictures resolution, dimensions, screen type, etc. When the info screen appears you have two choices. You may view the pcx image by pressing the F1 function key or return to the dialog box by pressing the Esc key. Copy, Move & Delete: -------------------- The next three choices on your Files menu allow you to copy, move or delete any files from any drive and/or directory. The procedure is the same for each tool. Highlight the file you wish to copy, move or delete and press the enter key or place the mouse cursor on the filename and press the left button. When moving a file, you will see an additional input box requesting the destination drive, directory and filename. You may keep the same filename or give the file a new name at this time. Whichever you do, you MUST include a filename in the input box. CAUTION: When choosing the delete tool, there is no warning after you have selected the filename you wish to delete. The file will be deleted and a message to that effect will appear on your screen. DOS Shell: ---------- Choosing this option will temporarily transfer you to the DOS prompt. You may then perform any normal DOS function such as copy, list a directory, erase and so forth. Do not load any memory resident programs while in the DOS Shell. Doing so will cause unpredictable results and probably freeze your system which will require you to reboot your computer. Exit: ----- Choosing this option will end your session with PCX-ToolBox and return you to the calling program or prompt. Size Menu --------- The purpose of the tools in this menu is to change the dimensions of a pcx picture by sizing, cropping or changing the pcx file header. In most cases (except change resolution) The source image will remain unchanged and a new file will be saved with the name you give in a dialog box. Interactive Size: ----------------- After entering the various information in the dialog boxes, the source pcx image will appear on your screen. You may change the dimensions of the screen by pressing the arrow (cursor) keys or the plus (+) and minus (-) keys. By default, the change made will be a 5% increase or decrease. You may change this percentage by pressing the X key on your keyboard. The percentage will toggle between 1%, 5% and 10% when pressing the X key. The larger percentage, the larger the change you will see on your screen each time you press a key. The following are the interactive keys to change the image size: INCREASE TOTAL SIZE: Press the plus (+) key DECREASE TOTAL SIZE: Press the minus (-) key INCREASE WIDTH: Press the left arrow () key DECREASE WIDTH: Press the right arrow () key INCREASE HEIGHT: Press the up arrow () key DECREASE HEIGHT: Press the down arrow () key INCREASE % CHANGE: Press the X key (toggles between 1, 5 & 10 percent) SCROLL LARGE IMAGE: Press Pg/Up or PgDn key and then use scroll keys. Press Enter to exit scroll. SAVE RE-SIZED IMAGE: Press the S key. ABORT PCXSIZE: Press the Esc key. To abort the PCXSIZE program without saving the new file, press the Esc key. Parameter Size: --------------- Use this tool when you know the size, i.e. pixel width & height coordinates, you wish to make the destination pcx file image. As with the interactive sizing tool, you will choose the source pcx file and enter a new file name (destination file). Then you will note two input boxes contained in the dialog screen. One is for width, the other is for height. For example, if you want to size a file to a full screen VGA image, you would enter 640 for the width and 480 for the height. Once you have entered all the information press the Enter key (or click the OK button) and the picture will be re-sized. To see the newly re-sized pcx image, choose the view or view pcx info option from the Files menu. Key Crop: --------- This tool will allow you to cut-out any portion of a pcx file image using your keyboard. You will pick a source file from a dialog box to begin. You then will see another dialog box containing the name of the source file you picked, and an input box asking you to type a new filename for the cropped image you will create. The program will then load and display the source pcx picture on your screen. Also displayed near the center of your screen is an expandable box. It is by sizing, moving and manipulating, this box that you may save any portion of the screen as a new pcx file. You may control the speed and movement/size of the sides of the box as follows: SPEED: By default the sides of the box move one pixel length at a time. To speed the movement to 5 pixels, press the Space bar key. This key acts as a toggle switch. Pressing it will increase the speed/pixels. SIZE/MOVEMENT: You control the size and location of the box using the cursor (arrow) keys. When you first being using the Key Crop, the up and down cursor keys will move the top line of the box up or down. The right and left cursor keys will move the left side of the box left or right. To move the other two sides of the box press the S key once. Now the up and down cursor keys will move the bottom line of the box up or down. The right and left cursor keys will move the right side of the box left or right. The S key serves as a toggle switch. If you press it a second time, you will again be able to move the top and left sides of the box, and so forth. Once you have the portion of the screen you wish to save inside the sides of the box, press the Enter key. That cropped portion of the screen will be saved with the filename you typed as the destination filename in the dialog box. You will then be returned to the size menu. To view the newly cropped file, choose the View option from the File Menu. If you decide you really don't want to crop a portion of the displayed pcx file, pressing the Esc key will return you to the size menu without saving the cropped (boxed) portion of that screen. Mouse Crop: ----------- This tool, as the Key Crop, will allow you to cut-out any portion of a pcx file image but uses the mouse instead of your keyboard. You will pick a source file from a dialog box to begin. You then will see another dialog box containing the name of the source file you picked, and an input box asking you to type a new filename for the cropped image you will create. The program will then load and display the source pcx picture on your screen. Also displayed near the center of your screen is your mouse cursor arrow. Move this mouse cursor arrow until the tip of the arrow is at the upper left hand corner of the area you wish to crop. Now press the left arrow key and drag your mouse down and right. You will see a expandable box appear on your screen. Once you have the portion of the screen you wish to save inside the sides of the box, press the Enter key. That cropped portion of the screen will be saved with the filename you typed as the destination filename in the dialog box. You will then be returned to the size menu. To view the newly cropped file, choose the View option from the File Menu. If you decide you really don't want to crop a portion of the displayed pcx file, pressing the Esc key will return you to the size menu without saving the cropped (boxed) portion of that screen. Change Resolution: ------------------ The Change Resolution is similar to the sizing tools except rather than changing the picture dimensions, this utility will change the physical resolution portion of the pcx file header. This part of the header file tells your graphics card which screen mode to set. For example, if the physical resolution (different from the picture dimensions) of a picture says 640 X 350 then it will set the EGA screen mode. By using PCX-Change, you can change that portion of the header to force a new screen mode. Say for example, if you have a 640 x 480 256 color pcx image but you don't have the capability to show that picture on your graphics card. You do, however, have a 320 x 200 256 color screen mode on your graphics card. You can use PCX-Change to change the header to 320 x 200 and then you'll be able to view the picture. Of course the picture will be twice as large as the original. You may then use PCXSIZE to reduce the size of the picture if you so desire. There are some limitations. For instance, you cannot create a 1024 X 768 2 color image since this size/color combination does not exist. When you choose this tool a dialog box will appear telling you the current physical resolution of your image. You also will be given a list of seven (7) resolution options from which to choose. You may choose any of those options or press the Esc key to abort the whole procedure. If you choose one of the 7 options, the header of your file will be re-written with the new physical screen resolution. You then may view, size, etc., the pcx image using the view tools from the File Menu. Remember, this does not create a new file. . . it simply changes the header of the source file. You, of course, may always change the header back to the original setting or to any new setting by using the tool again. Palette Menu ------------ This tool is one of the most powerful among the PCX SuperTools. This tool is used to manipulate/change the palette information for pcx images. You will note that there is one option choice, Palette conversion. With the palette tool you may convert any combination of 256, 16 or 2 color images to a default palette, a super palette or to a palette of any other pcx file image. The purposes of this tool include: 1. Changing two pcx files with different palettes to the same (identical) palettes. One of the limitations of most every graphic card on the market is that they are only able to display one palette at a time. If you have two pcx images with different palettes, it is then impossible to display both images on the screen with the proper palettes. Using the palette conversion tool will allow you to change one of the pcx image file palettes to the other or to convert both of them to some third palette. You then will be able to display both images on the screen at the same time. 2. Change a 256 color image to 16 color image. There are many computer systems with limited graphics capability, such as VGA only. If you have an image(s) that have 256 colors, these will not display on these systems. By using this tool, you will be able to display the image on these systems with lower resolution graphics cards. 3. Changing 256 or 16 color image to 2 color image. Most printers on the market are black and white dot matrix or laser printers. This utility will change your image to 2 color and allow you to print the image to one of these standard printers. There are many other uses for this palette tool including special effects and sharpening the colors of an image. Palette Conversion: ------------------- When choosing this option you will be asked to pick the source pcx file from a dialog box. Next you will see a new dialog box with four different parameters and 2 command buttons. There are two input boxes. The first contains the file name of the source file you just picked. If this is correct, press the tab key (or click in the 2nd input box) to move to the next input box. Here you need to type the new filename you are creating. You may include drive/path if necessary. A .PCX extension is not required since the program will add it if none is typed. Next you will note a check box that gives you three choices. They are: (.) Default Palette ( ) Super Palette ( ) Choose A PCX File Palette The period inside the parentheses designates the current choice. To make another choice, use the up/down arrow keys until the period is next to your desired choice. Here is an explanation of the palette choices: 1. Default Palette: This is palette of the source image. If you are converting from 256 to 16 color (or even 2 color) it will dither the image as close to the source palette as possible. 2. Super Palette: This is a pre-defined palette that often is the best choice when converting to a lower resolution. It typically is brighter and very true to the original palette of the source image. This is not always the case and the only way to determine the best palette is by experimenting with a combination of all three (Default, Super and Other) palettes. 3. Choose A PCX File Palette: If you choose this option, you will see an additional dialog box containing all your pcx files in the current drive and directory. You may, of course, change drives/directories to locate pcx files stored elsewhere. When you have highlighted the image palette you wish to use press enter (or double click) to select this file. The new image file will then use the palette of this pcx image. Next you will see a list box of all possible combinations of screen sizes and colors. Highlight the desired size/color you wish to convert to. Press Enter or click on the OK button. A message will appear that the file and conversion process is underway. In a couple of seconds you will see the converted image. If you wish to save this image simply press the Enter key. If you do not wish to save the displayed image press the Esc key. IMPORTANT NOTES: Palette conversion can be a little tricky. It takes some experimentation with the various parameters and options to get a good feel for converting images. For example, if you are attempting to change two different 256 color pcx images to the same 256 color palette so they may be displayed on the same screen, there are three possible combinations you will wish to try. They are: 1. Convert Image #1 palette to Image #2 palette. 2. Convert Image #2 palette to Image #1 palette. 3. Convert both Images to the Super palette. View the results of all three options and choose the one that looks the best. One other note, you may not directly change a 16 color palette to another 16 color palette. This may be accomplished with an intermediate step. Here are the steps to change one 16 color image to the palette of another 16 color image: 1. Change source image 16 color to 256 color using default palette. 2. Change the new 256 color image to 16 color image using choose another pcx file palette option. 3. When asked for the pcx file palette option filename, choose the file containing the desired palette. Print Menu ---------- These options are associated with printing your pcx images to a dot matrix or laser jet printer. This printing tool will only print black and white (2 color) pcx images. If you have a 256 or 16 color image you wish to print using this tool, you must first create a 2 color image file using the Palette conversion tool outlined above. You then use the 2 color image file to print on your dot matrix or laser printer. Print PCX File Image: --------------------- First you will choose the file you wish to print from the dialog box. Then a new dialog box will appear with a couple of choices. You may print in draft or quality mode. Choose from the displayed check box. You may then choose to scale the printed image. You double the size by choosing 200 percent. 100 percent prints the picture in normal size. You may also reduce the size of the picture in 25% increments. You may also change the size of the picture by changing the size of the source file using the sizing tools in PCX- ToolBox. Be sure your printer is on-line then press the Enter key or click on the OK command button to print the image. Printer Setup: -------------- The purpose of this option is to set the proper configuration for your printer and printer port. When choosing this option you will see a check box appear on your screen. Choose the correct printer settings for your system by using the up/down arrow keys or by pointing the mouse cursor to the appropriate check box and clicking the left button. Help Menu --------- This version of the PCX-ToolBox features complete, on-line, help screens. The help screens cover each of the tools as well as general information. To access the help screens, choose the Help Menu from the main menu selections. Then highlight the help screen from the list in the drop down box using the mouse or cursor (arrow) keys. Press enter (or click the left mouse button) to display the help screen. The help screen will remain on your monitor until any key is pressed from your keyboard. Pressing a key will return you to the Help Menu. MEMORY RESIDENT TOOLS ===================== Overview: Memory Resident programs, often referred to as TSR files (Terminate but Stay Ready), are programs that may be called anytime, in any program, by pressing a hot key(s). Several of the PCX-SuperTools fall into this category. Capture tools, such as PCXCAP.EXE, can only work as a TSR. This means that once you've loaded PCXCAP.EXE into memory you may capture and save any graphics screen from any program as a pcx file. The same is true with our printing TSR, PCXPRN.COM. There are eight memory resident tools including screen captures, print and viewing utilities. These are available only in the registered version of PCX-SuperTools. TECHNICAL HELP ============== Technical assistance is available from PC WEST at no additional charge for registered users only. The number to call is 602-992-0310. The PC WEST phone is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The best time to reach us, however, is Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, Pacific Time. If no one is available when you call, you will be able to leave a recorded message and we will get back to you. . . usually within 24 hours. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DISCLAIMERS ============================== Warranty: This manual explains how to use the PCX-SuperTools Software System on MS-DOS micro-computers. The PCX-SuperTools Software System and documentation is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Information in this manual/document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of PC West Incorporated. PC WESTSM Incorporated and it's officers and employees shall have no responsibility or liability to you or any other person, persons, or entity with respect to loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by use of PCX-SuperTools and/or its documentation. The liability of PC WEST Incorporated under the warranty set forth above shall be limited to the amount paid by the customer for the product. No other warranties are expressed or implied as to the operation, use or suitability of PCX-SuperTools. Copyright: The computer files and this manual are protected by United States Copyright law. That means you need our permission to make copies of them. You own this copy of the book and the diskette(s). PC WEST Incorporated owns and retains title to the computer programs, files and the contents of this book. Copyright 1990/91/92, PC WEST Incorporated. You are encouraged to make a backup copy of the distribution diskette(s) for your own use and back-up protection. Copies of the distribution diskette made for any other purpose is expressly prohibited. You may not decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or otherwise reduce the software to human perceivable form. Acknowledgements: The programs and utilities in the PCX-SuperTools software package were created using various language editors, compiler, and link programs and library toolbox routines. These include Microsoft Professional Development System 7.1, QuickBasic 4.5 and associated compiler and link programs from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, WA. Portions also were compiled/linked using PDQ from Crescent Software of Stamford, CT. Code includes toolbox routines from the QuickPak Professional Library & Graphics Workshop also from Crescent Software of Stamford, CT. Also, portions Copyright Genus Microprogramming, Inc. 1988-1991. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. PC WEST is a registered service mark of PC WEST Incorporated. Published by: PC WEST Incorporated P.O. Box 31418 Phoenix, AZ 85046 All rights reserved.