This document contains information about your ComputerEyes system that became available after the ComputerEyes manual went to press.
This disk contains Version 1.3.1 of the ComputerEyes System software. It includes several enhancements over previous releases of the software and corrects some problems. We feel that this system provides the features that you need to perform real world imaging with the ComputerEyes hardware. However, we rely on you, our customers, to inform us of any additional features that should be added to the software or problems that you encounter. We value our reputation for quality products and wish to respond to any concerns that you have in a timely manner. Please call (617) 329-5400 or write if you have suggestions or experience any problems and we will do everything possible to respond to your needs.
The revision history of ComputerEyes/Pro software is as follows:
Version 1.0
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Original
Version 1.01
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• Upgrade to fix minor bugs in the original application.
Version 1.1
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• Multiple monitor support has been added. The "Paused VCR" option has been upgraded to provide higher quality images with a wider variety of VCRs. A "Reverse Fields" option has been added to the "Goodies" menu. This feature will reverse the interlace on the current image.
Version 1.2
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• An improved 24-bit palette adjustment routine has been added. The palette adjust interactively updates as changes are made. The ability to load PICT files into ComputerEyes has been added.
Version 1.2.1
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• Due to minor System bugs in the Mac IIci, certain code required updating.
Version 1.2.6
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• Includes option for defining type of video source (S video or composite) in the Goodies menu as opposed to through a hardware switch. Corresponds to Revision C or greater of the hardware.
Version 1.3.0
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• Includes driver for PhotoShop, option to capture with the Apple standard palette, and updates for compatibility with new Apple Quadra computers. These new features are not included in the manual and are described below.
Version 1.3.1
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• Fixes minor bug that caused images to be incorrectly captured with non-interlaced video signal. This problem was often encountered when using the Canon XapShot still video camera.
NEW with 1.3.1 - HyperCard interface
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We have completed an XCMD for Hypercard that will allow you to capture color PICT images directly into HyperCard. We provide documentation so that you can write your own scripts to include the ComputerEyes interface in your own HyperCard application. We also provide a sample stack that allows you to copy the ComputerEyes interface into your stack with a minimum of knowledge of HyperCard scripting. Everything you need to capture color images into HyperCard is included in the file named HyperCard.sea. This is a self-extracting archive file and can be decompressed by double clicking on the file.
PhotoShop Plug In
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If you plan to use Adobe's PhotoShop to modify images captured with ComputerEyes, our PhotoShop Plug In software will allow you to capture images directly from within PhotoShop without using the ComputerEyes application software. To install the Plug In, copy the file named 'ComputerEyes for PhotoShop' from the ComputerEyes system disk to the folder that contains your PhotoShop Preferences files (named 'PS Prefs' by default) on your hard disk. When you run PhotoShop the 'Acquire' option under the 'File' menu will list 'ComputerEyes/Pro...' as an option. Clicking on this option will bring up the ComputerEyes dialog box for capturing images.
Apple Standard Palette Option
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When capturing and displaying 8-bit images (256 colors), the ComputerEyes software normally uses an algroithm to determine the best palette of 256 colors for the captured image. Apple has also provided a 'Standard Palette' that consists of a predetermined set of 256 colors that can be used for specific applications such as for animations where several images must have the same palette. Because of this, we have included a standard palette option under the 'Goodies' menu. Clicking on the 'Convert to Std Palette' option will allow you to capture all subsequent images with the Apple Standard Palette. Clicking on 'Convert to Best Palette' will return the software to calculating the palette. Please note that using the Standard Palette option will generally provide images with significantly lower color quality and we therefore recommend that you use this option only when necessary.
Compatibility with Quadra computers
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Because of changes in the way that ComputerEyes must interface with the slots on the Apple Quadra computers, the ComputerEyes software cannot automatically determine in which slot the ComputerEyes board has been installed. Therefore, before the first capture, the ComputerEyes software will display a dialog box asking for the slot number for ComputerEyes board. For the Quadra 900, the slots are numbered 2 - 6 from right to left (the first slot on the right most side of the Mac from the front is numbered 2). For the Quadra 700, the slots are numbered from 5 -6 from right to left.
In the future, if you wish to move the ComputerEyes board to a different slot, after moving the board, click on the change slot option under the Goodies menu and enter the new slot number before attempting to capture an image. Please note that attempting to capture an image with the slot incorrectly set will cause the Mac to crash.
If you receive the message that 32-Bit QuickDraw is not installed
32-Bit QuickDraw is an Apple System Software module that must be installed in the System Folder of your startup disk before ComputerEyes can be run. If you are running Release 6.05 or greater of the Apple Operating System, 32-bit QuickDraw is included on one of the Apple system disks and should be installed as described on that disk. If you are running an earlier release of the Apple operating system and you do not have 32-Bit QuickDraw installed, call your Apple dealer or Digital Vision and ask for a copy of this software.
24-bit vs. 8-bit
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ComputerEyes has options for working with 8 bits or 24 bits of information per pixel in three different areas: capture into memory, display on the screen, and save to disk. Using the 24-bit mode always provides the highest quality image but requires more resources. The 24-bit capture requires more internal memory, the 24-bit display requires a special video board, and 24-bit files require more disk space.
In general, when capturing in Slow (24 second) mode for 8-bit display and disk files, the 8-bit capture provides about the same quality as the 24-bit capture. However, when capturing in Fast (6 second) mode, the 24-bit capture produces a higher quality color image than the 8-bit capture. In this case, we recommend that you capture 24-bits (set the Tools to 24-bits) even though you will not display 24 bits on the screen or save 24-bit files. Capturing 24 bits when in Fast mode allows ComputerEyes to perform averaging and produce a higher quality 8-bit color image.
To summarize:
For 24-bit display or 24-bit files:
Capture in 24-bit mode
For 8-bit display or 8-bit files:
If capturing in Slow mode: capturing in 8-bit mode is sufficient
If capturing in Fast mode: capture in 24-bit mode for color images
capture in 8-bit mode for B&W images
Halftone Reduced window
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When displaying an image in the Halftone pattern, the image will not be correctly displayed when in Reduced mode. Always display the image as either Framed or Unframed when in Halftone mode.
