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fastifxmodul41.readme
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1995-07-02
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Short: Fast ImageFX loaders(incl.PhotoCD)&savers
Author: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann)
Uploader: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann)
Type: gfx/misc
HHsFastImageFXModules 4.1 The probably fastest shareware ImageFX loader/saver modules
=========================
*** new: now with PhotoCD loading support ***
The fast universal loader/saver modules can be used with ImageFX and
ImageFX-EGS. They are shareware; without a keyfile which you
get after registration, they will load and save all pictures in greyscale,
regardless if they are color or not, but the speed and format support is
the same, so that you can try if they fit your needs. The saver module
is only restricted for some formats (will be saved as greyscale); the
HHsXRL formats can always be saved in full color, so that you can try
out the interesting compression facilities of them (but please note that
the demo will load them only in greyscales).
The loader module currently supports the following file formats:
* IFF-ILBM (all standard formats 1 to 8Bit, EHB, HAM6, HAM8, 24Bit)
* PhotoCD (Base format 768x512 or 512x768 (portrait); linear 24Bit colors)
* PPM/PGM/PBM (P1&P4 b&w, P5 grey, P6 color)
* QRT (also known as dump format by PD raytracers as POV-Ray)
* Targa (RLE compr.&uncompr. 24Bit, 1Bit, 8Bit grey/Colormap; incl. interleaved)
* PCX (compr.&uncompr. EGA1-4Bit, VGA 8Bit grey/Colormap and 24Bit)
* MacPaint (b&w compressed 1Bit format; datafork only)
* BMP (uncompr. formats for 24Bit RGB and 1Bit, 4Bit or 8Bit Colormap)
* TIF (packbit-compr./uncompr. Motorola formats 24Bit RGB, 1-8Bit grey/Colormap)
* EGS7.x window iconification file format
* DEEP (compr.&uncompr. 24Bit and 32Bit)
* RGB formats (RGB8, RGBN, RGB5)
* ACBM formats (1 to 8Bit, incl. HAM6/HAM8)
* FBM formats (8Bit grey/color and 24Bit)
* IFF-PBM (DPII) format
* Sun raster (1Bit, 8Bit grey/color and 24Bit uncompressed)
* YUV (color 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and greyscale)
* VLAB raw (color 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and greyscale)
* HHsYUVSq sequence format (sequential or random access)
* HHsXRL formats (1-8Bit ColorMap incl. HAM6/8, 8Bit grey, 24Bit RGB compressed)
* Picture DataTypes (many formats are available as DataTypes for OS3.x users)
* Animation DataTypes (many animation formats are available as DataTypes for
OS3.x users)
The saver module currently supports the following file formats:
* QRT (also known as dump format by PD raytracers as POV-Ray)
* Targa (RLE compr.&uncompr. 24Bit, 8Bit grey, 8Bit color map, 1Bit color map)
* HHsXRL formats (1-8Bit ColorMap incl. HAM6/8, 8Bit grey, 24Bit RGB compressed)
with optional lossy reduction for TrueColor or greyscale pictures; this new
file format series has surprisingly good (lossless) compression of raytraced
24Bit pictures or undithered color mapped pictures with 2 to 256 colors;
also very usable with ClipArt...
To install this, just copy the file named "-HHsFastImageFXLoader-" to your
ImageFX modules/loaders directory and "-HHsFastImageFXSaver-" to your
ImageFX modules/savers directory. They should work with standard ImageFX
as well as with ImageFX-EGS, but I could only try it with ImageFX-EGS.
The file format is automatically detected for loading except for the DataType
formats. If you want to load a picture with a DataType, you have to use the
"Load As" function from ImageFX and select "-HHsFastImageFXLoader-" manually
as loader module. The name of the loader module begins with a "-" so that it
appears first in the list of loader modules and thus is used before all
other loader modules. The typical speed advantage factors on my configuration
(see below) are:
IFF-ILBM: upto 4.9 (HAM8)
PPM/PBM: upto 7.2 (P6)
QRT: upto 4.4
Targa: upto 15.3 (uncompr.)
PCX: upto 12.8 (planar 4Bit)
BMP: upto 4.6 (24Bit)
TIF: upto 9.5 (packbit compr. 4Bit)
RGB: upto 3.7 (RGB8)
YUV: upto 5.6 (YUV1/4)
DPII: upto 1.3
PhotoCD: upto 2.0 (compared with PD-PCD loader in base size; in addition my loader
usually rotates portrait pictures automatically to correct orientation)
(only loading times compared, not displaying; my configuration: Amiga 3000;
68030/25MHz; loading from Quantum harddrive; PhotoCD loading from NEC2x)
The loader includes many formats, which the original loaders (I compared with
ImageFX-EGS 1.61) do not support: PhotoCD, IFF-DEEP, IFF-ACBM, FBM, Sun raster,
VLab raw, DataTypes, RGB5, PBM4, TGA1, YUV grey, PCX grey, EGS icons,
MacPaint (Datafork).
It also loads many formats, which are loaded with wrong colors (or other bugs)
in the original loaders, e.g IFF-ILBM-EHB, BMP1, PBM1, TIF1 grey, TGA grey.
The original PCX loader also had massive problems with loading VGA
pictures from CD-ROMs under the OS3.1 CD-file system. Although this is a bug in
the file system, I could work around this so that my loader should work with
CD-ROMs under the OS3.1 filesystem. Please note that some third party CD-ROM-
file systems can cause massive problems as well, so I recommend to use the
original Commodore OS3.1 filesystem.
The saver module can be used as normal (QRT only for true color/greyscale
buffers; Targa and HHsXRL also usable for rendered images from 2 to 256 colors).
The individual formats and variants are listed at the beginning of the list
of savers in the SaveAs window. The typical speed advantage for the fast
saver module:
QRT: upto 3.5
Targa: upto 3.8 (compressed)
Beside the speed advantage, the general compression is also better
(compared to ImageFX-EGS 1.61). Targa compression is sometimes 25% better
with my saver than with the original. The Targa saver also supports
the true greyscale format for greyscale pictures and allows compression
of rendered images as well. Rendered 1Bit images will be saved in 1Bit
Targa format. For good compression of e.g. raytracing pictures I recommend
my own file formats "HHsXRL", usable from 1Bit to 24Bit.
The fast loading/saving functions have all been written by me in assembler and
optimized for fastest speed. I did this for my famous shareware programs
*** EGSPhotoAlbum Professional *** (picture management and presentation
software for EGS) and *** EGS-TV Professional *** (sequence/animation editing,
framegrabber (VLab/IV24) and Blue Screen Keying software for EGS).
Both require the EGS graphic system. Theese modules are independent of EGS
and should be usable by all ImageFX users. When new formats are implemented
for my EGS programs (or the speed is improved further), I will usually
also update the modules, which registered user can then use due
to the keyfile concept.
Registration
============
If you want to register for the modules and for at least one of my shareware
programs mentioned above, you can get the modules for additional 8US$ (outside
europe) or 10DM (in europe). Just include the extra amount and state your
wish on the registration forms of EGSPhotoAlbum or EGS-TV. Demo versions of
the programs should be available at the same places where you got this demo.
Otherwise you should use the supplied registration form to register.
If you only want to register for the modules, the registration fee is
15US$ (banknotes) or 18US$ (cheque) outside europe or 20DM in europe.
You will also get the latest demo versions of EGS-TV and EGSPhotoAlbum.
If you are already a registered user of one of my programs and now want to
register for the modules, the registration fee is 12US$ (banknotes)
or 15US$ (cheque) outside europe or 15DM (in europe). This includes the latest
versions of my programs as update.
The higher charges for foreign cheques are due to the complicated handling
of foreign cheques.
Send your filled in registration form together with cheque or banknotes to:
Helmut Hoffmann
Rubensstrasse 4
D-41063 Mönchengladbach
Germany
Disclaimer
----------
I tried my best to make the modules error-free. They have been checked
with enforcer and mungwall and work without problems on my configuration.
Nevertheless, as there are so many possible configurations, I can not
guarantee that this software will work on your configuration.
This software (program and documentation) is provided "as is" and
comes with no warranty, either expressed or implied.
The author is in no way responsible for any damage or loss that may
occur due to direct or indirect usage of this software. You use
this software entirely at your own risk.
Copyright and Distribution
--------------------------
HHsFastImageFXModule (modules and documentation) is copyright by
Helmut Hoffmann
Rubensstrasse 4
D-41063 Mönchengladbach
Germany
The demo version may be freely distributed and used as
long as the following conditions are met:
1) All files have to be kept together
2) No file may be modified or crunched/packed.
The only official way to distribute the demo packed is the
original fastifxmodules.lha archive.
The modules may not be disassembled or analysed. The limitations
integrated in the demo version may under no circumstance be removed
or bypassed.
3) Distributors may only charge for the duplication process (including media)
and not for the software. Theese charges may not exceed the following
limits: a) Demo on a PD-disk: 7$ (US-dollar) including
postage&packing (in Germany: 10DM)
b) Demo on a PD-CD-ROM: 40$ (US-dollar) including
postage&packing (in Germany: 60DM)
c) Demo on a BBS/Mailbox/ftp-site or other electronically
callable system: Maximum charge 3$ (US-dollar) (in Germany: 5DM)
for downloading
Anyway, it must be made explictly clear to the buyer, that he does not
pay for the modules (demo) itself but only for the duplication service.
4) It is not allowed to distribute this demo with any commercial product
without a written permission by me. One exception is the distribution of
the demo version with products not exceeding the above price limits (e.g.
a cover-disk magazine for 7$ or less).
The following companies have my explicit permission to distribute the
demo with their products: NOVA Design, Ingenieurbüro Helfrich.
5) The registered version may not be redistributed. It may only run on one
machine per registration. It is allowed to make a backup copy of the
original disk.
You can currently also contact me by EMail:
hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de
No registrations by EMail! If you want to register or have important
suggestions/bug reports, please write by ordinary mails to my address above.
Version history
---------------
V1.0 (17th feb. 95): Support for IFF-ILBM,PPM,QRT,Targa,PCX,BMP,TIF,EGS7.x,
DEEP,RGB,YUV,VLab,HHsYUVSq,DataTypes (picture&animation)
V2.0 (25th feb. 95): Added support for FBM (24Bit,8Bit),IFF-ACBM,IFF-PBM(DPII),
Sun raster (1Bit, 8Bit, 24Bit uncompressed),PBM-P1,
BMP 4Bit and interleaved Targa formats
Slight acceleration of some loading functions (esp. ILBM)
Improved DataType handling
V2.5 (1st march 95): Added support for MacPaint (1Bit compressed; datafork only),
PBM-P4, PCX uncompressed and EGA-grey, Targa 1Bit,
TIF packbit compressed and grey 1-4Bit
Many enhancements on various formats for more compatibility
V3.0 (14th march 95): Introduction of the fast saver module to supplement the
fast loader module (QRT, Targa 1Bit/8Bit/24Bit, HHsXRL)
Added loader support for HHsXRL (1Bit-8Bit, HAM, 24Bit)
Acceleration of some planar loaders (e.g. ILBM, DataTypes)
Improved HAM6 loading quality
Correction of Targa 1Bit loading for compressed pictures
V3.1 (07th april 95): Acceleration of RGB8 and RGB5 loader function
V4.0 (30th april 95): Added support for PhotoCD (Base size; incl. portrait orientation)
V4.1 (09th may 95): Removed inconsistency in DataType-HAM8 handling for more compatibility
Filtering out of PCD overview files
============================= Archive contents =============================
Original Packed Ratio Date Time Name
-------- ------- ----- --------- -------- -------------
24260 12471 48.5% 09-May-95 14:09:18 -HHsFastImageFXLoader-
6048 3094 48.8% 14-Mar-95 22:38:04 -HHsFastImageFXSaver-
11680 4763 59.2% 09-May-95 14:20:54 hhsfastimagefxmodules.readme
2151 889 58.6% 09-May-95 14:13:18 registration.txt
-------- ------- ----- --------- --------
44139 21217 51.9% 11-May-95 13:12:54 4 files