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SQZGIF Copr. (c) 1988-90 Lawrence Gozum & Marvin Gozum ────────────────────────────────────────────────────── User Manual DISCLAIMER This product is distributed AS IS. The authors specifically disclaim all warranties ,expressed or implied, including ,but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to defects in the diskette and documentation, and program license granted herein, in particular, and without limiting operation of the program license with respect to any particular application use or purpose. In no event shall the authors be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages. LICENSING AGREEMENT You may use this program for a 10 DAY TRIAL PERIOD. Should you find this program useful, you MUST register it; you will then be provided with the latest releases of the VGACAD system see last section of this manual). You can freely distribute copies of unmodified SQZGIF and charge $10 max for distribution, in lieu of recognized Users Group guidelines (e.g., Asso. of Shareware Professionals or NY Amateur Computer Club). WHAT IS SQZGIF ? SQZGIF is now a multi-functional utility. It resizes small or LARGE GIF/PCX pics (up to 2KBx2KBx256) to variable sizes (ie., 320x200x256 to 1024x768x256) AND adds the synergistic power and functionality of EGA2VGA (to create/add up to 256 NEW COLORS) with GIF images with less than 256 colors (ie., 2 to 128 colors) for: * image processing/editing in VGACAD * conversion to EGA in VGA2EGA * printing or desktop publishing with GIFPUB (integrates GIFDOT) * reconversion to a smaller or larges 256-color GIF/PCX files with VGAFIL (included) * bloading in BASIC or QuickBASIC (BLD & PLT files only) SQZGIF also integrates functionality of an unreleased utility - MIXBLD, to weave four 320x200x256 BLD/PLT images into ONE SVGA 640x400x256 file! MIXBLD functionality facilitates the rendering of 'oversampled' 320x200x256 video image grabs (ie., 'ala CDs' but for video) for greater 'texture' and resolution by integrating oversampled ODD and EVEN video vertical fields (ie., to get close to a FULL frame) AND oversampled horizontal fields. With SQZGIF you can resize and smooth LARGE 256 color pics with correct aspect ratios; all sizes such as 320x240 (Jovian Logic), 320x400 (Amiga), 512x480 (TARGA), 640x400 (MACII), 640x480 and 800x600 (SuperVGA) can be handled (up to 2KBx2KBx256). NO GRAPHICS CARD IS REQUIRED! Use SQZGIF to reduce a LARGE GIF/PCX pic or expand a small GIF/PCX pic. VGA/MCGA users can pick any selected area and ZOOM it to full screen size; you can treat LARGE GIF/PCX pics as "virtual screens". INTERPOLATION & COLOR AVERAGING Interpolation is a method to add or remove pixels to "fit" an image to a particular size; no changes to the colors are implemented - you simply see more or less pixels in a defined image size. Since calculations are minimal, this algorithm is VERY fast. SQZGIF supports a sophisticated "color averaging" algorithm to replace groups of color pixels with one of the colors in the 256 color palette or with a NEW color (EGA2VGA algorithm), by finding the closest match or creating a color with a close or perfect match (ie., EGA2VGA algorithm). This method will render large GIFs in 320x200x256 with the closest approximation of the original picture as you would view it on the system that originated it. The "color averaging" method removes "noise" and patterns that result from interpolating certain large GIFs. In addition, this process actually adds some element of "anti-aliasing" or "smoothing" since "jaggies" are averaged into one color pixel. REQUIREMENTS Since large GIF pictures can decompose into megabytes, a harddisk is highly recommended. An 800x600 GIF will decompress to 480,000 bytes. SQZGIF uses a user-specified temporary file to decompress these large GIFs and requires an additional 64KB for saving the "squeezed" picture and another 64KB (MCGA/VGA only) for the "zoomed" screen. A large RAM disk is recommended for fastest processing; specify a RAM disk in your VDISK path. High-density dual drive users (e.g., 720KB or 1.2MB or 1.44MB) should place the GIF file to be converted in one drive while the other should contain only SQZGIF. SQZGIF needs no graphics. The "Pick 'N Zoom" feature, however, will only be activated if VGA/MCGA is detected; it cannot be selected with non-VGA video cards. HOW TO USE SQZGIF Run SQZGIF and select a file to be converted. Use the <arrow> keys to move the highlight bar the press <return> to select. Pressing the <spcbar> will allow you to change the drive or sub-directory (e.g., D:\GIF\LARGE\NUDES" or "B:). Only the first image of GIF pictures with multiple images will be processed; they can have any number of colors (ie., from 2-256). Only 256-color PCX (version 5) pics will be handled by SQZGIF AND must have equal screen and image size. After selecting a file, simply select the size you want. You have a choice of interpolation or color averaging (ie., <tab> key). All other control options are directly related to EGA2VGA functionality, which is described in depth in another section of this manual. If you select [U]ser, you are prompted for the screen dimensions, any screen dimension upt to 1024x768 is allowed. SQZGIF saves all 320x200x256 BLD/PLT images to NONAME (BLD/PLT). For all other sizes, MVGASCRN (RAW/PLT) files will be created for latter GIF or PCX encoding with VGAFIL (included). NONAME and MVGASCRN files are constantly overwritten, so be sure to encode and rename immediately. TEMP files (in a format compatible with VGACAD v1.6 and up) will be created each time you run SQZGIF; if you want to reprocess/resize or zoom another part of the same picture, reply [Y]es to prompt "Use TEMP.RAW ?[Y/n]". Dual drive users SHOULD delete TEMP files when prompted, if you are not going to process the same picture again; you may get an error message for insufficient disk space if you don't. PICK 'N ZOOM If a VGA/MCGA card is detected, then this feature will be activated. This feature is very useful in selecting only areas of a picture which you want to use (e.g., editing in VGACAD). A "capture box" appears which defines an area to be "zoomed" using the interpolation (i.e., no smoothing is applied). You can move the "capture box" with the arrow keys or use the <Shift-ARROW> keys to move around the screen faster. Pressing the <+> key will increase the size of your "capture box" (the area to be zoomed) - resulting in a smaller "zooming factor", but including a larger area of the picture; conversely, pressing the <-> key will decrease the "capture box"- resulting in larger magnification but procesing a smaller area of the total picture. After viewing the "zoomed picture", press <return> to save the image or press <Esc> to reselect and redefine the "zoomed image". The image will be saved to "ZOOM.BLD" and "ZOOM.PLT"; these files will be constantly overwritten; thus, you MUST rename these files later. CONVERTING IMAGES WITH LESS THAN 256 COLORS EGA2VGA functionality converts images with less than 256 colors (eg., EGA 640x350x16/2, VGA 640x480x16/2, SVGA 1024x768x16/2) into a real 256 color image by actually generating up to 256 new colors from the original 2-128 color palette by synthesizing color mixtures. Not only can you create LARGE SVGA GIFs but you can apply extensive image processing since you have 256 colors to play with. CONTROL OPTIONS Selecting the optimal Matrix and Color Match Threshold is the key to fully utilizing EGA2VGA functionality. 2,4,8 or 16 color images are usually dithered (ordered or error-distributed). Generally, the 2x2 Matrix type performs adequately; you can opt for the 3x3 Matrix type for richer color generation. The Color Match Threshold determines how closely matched colors are to be generated. If an existing color is "close" enough to the required color, then it will be used; otherwise a new one is generated. To optimize color generation, you can ABORT the processing and choose a new Matrix or Threshold value and restart color generation. While the picture is being generated, monitor the number of colors generated. If the processing is slow at the start of a few lines then your Threshold is too low but VERY RICH. Abort processing (ie., <ESC>) and reselect a HIGHER Threshold value. If colors being generated are too few then decrease the Threshold. Your mission is to find the ideal Matrix and Threshold value to create as many colors before reaching 256 colors (maximum). The picture is generated in an interlaced fashion which ensures that colors are sampled and generated from all over the screen. VGA/MCGA users should monitor the quality of the picture and speed of processing in default 320x200x256 mode; this will give you an indication of the colors being generated. Watch the Colors generated on the status line; if you generate over 100 colors after the first 3-5 lines then your Threshold is too low. If you run out of colors too soon then other colors in your picture will have to settle for the closest match in the existing palette. If you can generate 180-240 colors then an optimal compromise has been met. MIXBLD FUNCTION The MIXBLD function is available ONLY through the COMMAND LINE. Essentially, MIXBLDing is a method to 'weave' four 320x200x256 BLD/PLT files into ONE 640x400x256 SVGA image. Many users bought video grabbers before MultiMedia became THE buzzword for graphics hobbyists. Many of these video grabbers supported only MCGA 320x200x256 image grabs as their 256 color mode - moreover, they used a small palette with 4096 maximum colors to choose from. Before we proceed, let us review what the NTSC signal means to our high-tech but, now, 'low-end' video grabbers. The typical FULL FRAME of a video signal can be thought of as THE SUPER VGA NNNNx560xCOLORS screen. Of the NNNNx560 'pixels', only NNNNx480 can be usually seen - sounds familiar - yes! - 480 lines is close to VGA !!! There are TWO FIELDS in ONE FRAME: ODD and EVEN fields. Each visible field can be thought of as having 240 lines each. Thus, a FULL FRAME has 480 lines. Each line has more than 1200 pixels of luminance information (that's 'grey' to us mortals); the actual, 'distinct' color information is about 320 'pixels' per line. Thus, a FULL FRAME with 'distinct color pixels' is roughly 320x480xCOLORS. A FULL FIELD of 'distinct color pixels' is 320x240xCOLORS - half of a FULL FRAME of 'distinct color pixels'. Sounds familiar ? Yup, that's why the Jovian VIA video board grabs 320x240x256 screens - to get a FULL FIELD, as it were - usually the ODD field. Now, the other boards were not as thoughtful. They decided to get only 200 of the 240 lines; thus, they crop out 40 lines from the top and bottom of the screen. To do this, they monitor the sync signals and begin grabbing a little later - about the 21st visible line. If you are able to monitor what the grabber is 'seeing' before you hit a key to grab your 320x200x256 image, you'll probably notice the image 'flip-flopping' between the ODD and EVEN fields. You know this is happening when key portions of the image, such as the eyes or nose of a human subject seem to change with every image update. Sooner or later you'll notice a pattern. Yes, your image grabber is INACCURATE and is sometimes grabbing the ODD or EVEN field when it SHOULD be grabbing ONLY the ODD or EVEN FIELD - ALL THE TIME. This is particularly true when grabbing an image from a commercial VCR on pause mode. An imperfection ? Yes, but something to take advantage of. If you save a 320x200x256 image while it is showing the ODD FRAME and then do a second grab when it is showing the EVEN frame, then combining the two will give you a FULL FRAME with TWICE the resolution. There is more imperfection we can take advantage of. Even if you manage to grab the same FIELD a second time, chances are NO TWO SIMILAR FIELDS WILL BE THE SAME. The second grab, of the same ODD or EVEN FIELD will probably 'sample' a different portion of the same lines - MORE COLOR INFORMATION FOR YOU. Thus, if you combine 'oversampled' EVEN FIELDS with 'oversampled' ODD FIELDS, you should get a 640x400x256 SVGA image - the likes of which you never thought your grabber could produce. Get the picture <hehe>. To summarize, before using the MIXBLD function, 1) grab a good 320x200x256 EVEN FRAME; 2) grab another 320x200x256 EVEN FRAME (oversample); 3) grab a good 320x200x256 ODD FRAME; 4) grab another 320x200x256 ODD FRAME (oversample); and 5) save and convert each of these images to BLD/PLT format (if you used VGACAP, they are saved in BLD/PLT format). You should have four sets of BLD/PLT files. Example: screen01.bld \ the first screen01.plt / EVEN FIELD grab screen02.bld \ the second (oversampled) screen02.plt / EVEN FIELD grab screen03.bld \ the first screen03.plt / ODD FIELD grab screen04.bld \ the second (oversampled) screen04.plt / ODD FIELD grab Now that you have these BLD/PLT files type: SQZGIF screen01 screen02 screen03 screen04 <ret> After processing, MVGASCRN (RAW/PLT) files will be created; encode then with VGAFIL (included) to GIF or PCX format. Note that the ORDER of files is SIGNIFICANT. The first file will be used to match the colors of the remaining files. Also, 'ordering' of the pixels are determined by the file sequence as follows. SQZGIF screen01 screen02 screen03 screen04 <ret> EVEN EVEN ODD ODD FIELD FIELD FIELD FIELD EVEN ODD EVEN ODD PIXELS PIXELS PIXELS PIXELS In this sequence, SCREEN01 (BLD/PLT) is used as the color reference; SCREEN02, SCREEN03 and SCREEN04 are 'melded' using SCREEN01's color palette. SPECIAL EFFECTS WITH MIXBLD FUNCTION You can create 'subliminal' effects using the MIXBLD function. For example, you can create a 640x400x256 image with 1/4th of the image showing a different image. Example: SQZGIF bird ocean ocean ocean This image will have a an 'subliminal' bird in the backgorund, as if it were faded-out', against a solid foreground of the ocean. You can also, MIX the same image but with different palettes for greater texture. If you have LISAW.GIF, modify the palette to show different lighting conditons, contrast or brightness with a picture viewer (eg., MVGAVU, VPIC or PICEM) and save each variation. You should have four sets of BLD/PLT files with the same image but with different color palettes. Example: SQZGIF lisaw1 lisaw2 lisaw3 lisaw4 The result will be VERY INTERESTING. Your eyes will resolve the different colors with NEW gradients of color tones. This same palette mixing technique can be use in conjunction with the ODD/EVEN FRAME MIXING explained in the previous section. From your local Radio Shack, acquire their "video gain" amplifier/attenuator - it costs about 35$. Use it to modify your incoming video signal and your video grabber will tend to select softer or harsher colors when it reduces and renders your final 320x200x256 images. Combine the different images the same way LISAW1, LISAW2, LISAW3 and LISAW4 were mixed and you'll see AMAZING results. Experiment with these variations/functions and have fun !!! USING VGAFIL If you type "VGAFIL <ret>", then you can select any filename by moving a highlighted bar (with the arrow keys) and pressing the <return> key. Pressing <Spc> allows you to select a different PATH, while <Esc> exits. On default, VGAFIL selects RAW/PLT files. BLD/PLT files can be selected by using the "-B" option. VGAFIL -B <ret> On default, all captured screens are converted to GIF (87a) files. To convert screens to 256-color PCX files, ues the "-P" option. VGAFIL -P <ret> NOTE: If screen blanks during conversion, DO NOT BE ALARMED. This simply means that COLOR 255 is black. Color 255 is used to give feedback on encoding process. After encoding, colors will be reset to text mode; you know its working by the disk access. VGAFIL can be used in batch (*.BAT) files for multiple conversions. Simply type "VGAFIL [filename] " with no extension (path optional) for every file you want to convert in your batch file; you can also use this method if you want to convert a specific file from DOS. Examples: VGAFIL mvgascrn VGAFIL -B zoom VGAFIL -B \mcga\zoom VGAFIL -P \work\svga\mvgascrn VGAFIL -P e:\ramdisk\userscrn THE CHAINED VGACAD ENVIRONMENT & USERSCRN FILES BRUN41.exe is a runtime module distributed under licence with Microsoft in connection with this program. Place it with SQZGIF or anywhere your PATH has access to. SQZGIF TEMP files can be used with VGACAD (v1.6 & up), GIFPUB (v2.0 & up) and VGA2EGA (v5.0 & up). With VGACAD (v1.6), remember to load the TEMP.PLT file before invoking the VSCRN menu. ONLY ONE COPY OF BRUN41.EXE IS REQUIRED. With VGACAD (v2.0 & up, when released), SQZGIF is treated as an integrated component module. SQZGIF can be used to reduce a 256-color image or create a 256-color image from one with less colors - in variable sizes - and save the output as USERSCRN files. USERSCRN files are used as image 'clips', as it were, for 'pasting' into LARGE images. VGACAD (v2.0 & up, when released) will 'meld' and paste USERSCRN images (which MUST be smaller than the MVGA or SVGA screen being worked on). When used in the VGACAD 'chained environment' new images are decomposed into SPARE files (w/c have the same structure as TEMP files); this way the TEMP files you are currently working on are not affected. REGISTRATION REGISTRATION OF SQZGIF IS BASED ON 'PERSONAL USAGE'. CORPORATE OR ORGANIZATIONAL USERS *MUST* REGISTER ALL COPIES USED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS; A SPECIFIC PERSON (NAME) MUST BE EXPLICITLY ASSIGNED TO EACH REGISTRANT WHO WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRESPONDING REGISTER.OVL FILE TO INDICATE REGISTERED USAGE. REGISTRATION GRANTS A SPECIFIC PERSON (NOT A JURIDICAL PERSON OR CORPORATE ENTITY) THE RIGHT TO 'USE' SQZGIF. ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ ALTHOUGH WE WILL TRY TO RESPOND TO YOUR REGISTRATION IN 2-3 WEEKS,│ │ PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 4-6 WEEKS DELAY TO PROCESS YOUR REGISTRATION. │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ As token of our appreciation (i.e., to registered users), we will send you the the latest version of the VGACAD system; many of the programs listed below do not require a graphics card. GIFPUB/GIFDOT - converts 256 color GIF/PCX files to B&W images desktop publishing (DTP) as .PCX (Ventura, First Publisher, Publisher's Paintbrush, WP, Pagemaker). Variable sizing/contrast/brightness. Includes printing on IBM/Epson printers. Several sizes. 8 pics/page. Single/Double Pass printing. Preview in CGA/HGC/EGA/VGA/EEGA/SVGA. Histogram-equalization. No graphics card required. GIFBIT - converts B&W PCX files (e.g., scanner output to 32KBx32KB !) to grey shades for VGACAD image processing, GIFPUB redithering or printing, or VGA2EGA conversion - it edits those "scan line jitters". Viewing modes in MCGA/VGA/SVGA. No graphics card required. SQZGIF/EGA2VGA - converts LARGE GIF/PCX pics (to 2KBx2KBx256) to several sizes and video modes using "color averaging" to blend/smooth "jaggies" or fast interpolation. Converts GIFs (2-128 colors) to any sized image with 256 new colors. Variable sizing. No graphics card required. VGA2CGA - converts 256 color GIFs to CGA! See "405" colors in an unsupported 160x100x16 CGA mode. CGA/EGA/MCGA/VGA required. MAC2GIF - converts .MAC ("readmac") pictures to 5-16 grey shades or color and saves to .GIF or BLD/PLT file. EGA/MCGA/VGA required. VGA2EGA - converts 256 color pictures to 16-color EGA. Error- distributed dithering. Variable sizing/RGBICMY/contrast/dithering levels. EEGA support up to 1024x768. EGA/MCGA/VGA required. MVGAVU - EGA/MCGA/EEGA/VGA/SVGA viewer for GIF and BLD/PLT files. Smart slideshows - picks best mode. 320x400x256, 360x480x256 and 640x400x16 modes on regular VGA. EGA posterization. EEGA/SVGA support. Auto-sizing. Contrast/Brightness. EGA/MCGA/VGA required. VGACAD - extensive paint/image processing program for VGA/MCGA users (edit GIFs up to 32KBx32KBx256 !!!); airbrushes, color and grey image processing functions (smoothing, noise removal, shading, contrast stretching, edge detection, ...), splines, Cut&Paste, variable sizing, 256-color gradient/pattern fills, MORE ! MCGA/VGA required. WHAT'S NEXT ? Aside from enhancing existing releases with increased capabilities (e.g., expanded memory, virtual screen, SVGA functions, other graphics formats), we are developing VGACBT, a Computer-Based Training program and MANNEQUIN for Advertising/Fashion Design or creating your own artistic nudes. Support maverick authors like us and we will continue developing products like nothing seen commercially - otherwise they will simply "DIE" from lack of support ! Compare the cost/benefit ratio of any of our products with commercial products. You, and you alone, determine whether it will be worthwhile to continue developing. Support the User-Supported (Shareware) concept. Register you Shareware copies. To register, send the registration form and check or money order payable in USD to: Dr. Marvin Gozum 2 Independence Place #1105, 6th & Locust Philadelphia, PA 19106