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1992-08-04
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ST to TT Picture Converter v1.10
Documentation
Released on July 25, 1992
Copyright 1992 by Lonny L. Pursell and ENCOM
All Rights Reserved.
Archive Contents
----------------
This archive should contain the following files.
ST2TTPIC.PRG the utility program itself
ST2TTPIC.DOC this doc file
Introduction
------------
This program will convert Spectrum 512 and GFA Raytrace files into
Prism-Paint files. Neither Spectrum or Raytrace function on the TT
but why should that stop TT owners from viewing the images they can
create. I decided on Prism-Paint output since I own Prism-Paint and
it supports TT low resolution. Since Prism-Paint reads quite a few
file formats, I see this program as a companion to Prism-Paint to fill in
the gaps for users who would like Spectrum 512 support. I threw in the
Raytrace support since it is similar to Spectrum.
This program is ShareWare!
--------------------------
All versions of this program are 'ShareWare', this means that if
you decide to use it you're expected to pay for it. You pay for the
commercial programs you use, right? Why not pay for the ShareWare you
use as well? Rememeber, ShareWare doesn't happen by accident. The
author spent time writing the software and relies on your honesty
as an Atari Computer owner.
The registration fee is $5.00 ... or send what you think it's worth.
If you do decide to use it, please send a check or money order
in U.S. funds to...
Lonny L Pursell
Attn ST2TTPIC
PO Box 145
Pandora OH 45877 USA
I thank you for your support! Please remember, if you want to see
more ShareWare programs like this, you have to do your part and pay for
the ShareWware programs you use.
----User Support----
If you have an idea for a feature or want to report a bug (if any)
then by all means contact me. Please include the full name and
version# of the program you are refering to.
I can be reached by U.S. Mail at the address above or by telephone at
(419)-384-3594 [ask for Lonny]...
I can also be reached on my FAVORITE multi-line BBS...
CodeHead Quarters BBS
(213)-461-2095
1200/2400/9600 baud
Username: Lonny Pursell
Before you get started
----------------------
Runs on a TT030 in TT low resolution only.
Reads GFA Raytrace 'SUL' uncompressed files only.
Remember, Raytrace crashes on a TT so you'll need an ST or STE!
You must first uncompress the file you wish to convert. To do this
you need to load GFA Raytrace and turn off the 'Compression' feature
under the 'Status' option from the editor. Load the picture and
then resave it and it will be uncompressed.
Reads Spectrum 512 'SPU' uncompressed or 'SPC' compressed files.
Writes TT low rez uncompressed Prism-Paint 'PNT' files only.
----To use the program----
Double-click on the program from the GEM Desktop. The program uses
the GEM interface so you'll soon see a menu bar at the top of the screen.
The drop down menus:
DESK
Desktop Info Displays the program credits.
FILE
Load Spectrum 512 Loads a Spectrum 512 pic directly to the screen
where it's scanned into an internal buffer.
Load GFA Raytrace Loads a GFA Raytrace pic. (same as above)
Save Prism-Paint Save the currently loaded pic to disk in
Prism-Paint format.
Quit Returns you to the GEM Desktop.
VIEW
Color Info Shows some statistics about the currently loaded
pic like total colors, etc.
Show Picture Redisplays the pic to the screen. Press any key
to exit.
Redraw Picture Converts the image to TT low rez directly on the
screen and averages out any colors beyond 256.
Press any key to exit.
Options
Full Size When checked it scales the pic to full size
and when not checked it draws the image pixel
for pixel.
Now for an example:
Select 'Load Spectrum 512' under the File menu and locate the picture
file with the file selector. You'll see what looks like a mess loaded
to the screen and scanned line by line. After that's done select 'Redraw
Picture' under the View menu. The Spectrum image will be transformed in
TT low rez right before your very eyes. Press any key to exit the pic
and select 'Save Prism-Paint' under the File menu. Save the pic to
whatever drive you want with the file selector. Keep in mind that
the converted file will be about 160K in size.
Select 'Full Size' under the Options menu to change the size of the
converted pic. Select 'Redraw Picture' under the View menu to make
the change.
After you've selected 'Redraw Picture' you can use 'Show Picture' to
review the image instantly. This is the image that will be saved to disk.
Notes:
The way averaging works is like this. If the pic has over 256 colors
then the program totals up all the colors used per pixel and finds the
least used color. It then matches it to the closest possible color that's
already in the pics palette. This continues until the pic has exactly
256 colors. Averaging isn't very fast, but it averages pretty good.
When conveting the pics to TT low rez the program tries to insure
that when it's loaded into Prism-Paint the background color won't be the
same as the text color used by Prism-Paint's menus. If the pic has less
than 256 colors the background will be set to black and the text color
will be set to white. If the pic has more than 256 colors then the
darkest color will be used for the background and the lightest color
will be used for the text.
If an error is detected all open files will be closed, and you will be
alerted and the program will try to recover.
About the program
-----------------
This program was written with GFA Basic 3.6TTe on an Atari TT030,
4meg ST RAM, TOS 3.06, and a PTC1426 color monitor. I can't say for sure
if it will run on lesser or newer machines. Since I wrote the program
without any docs on the GFA Raytrace file format or the Prism-Paint file
format it's possible I over looked something important. If anyone has any
scrap of info on these file formats I would like to see it. Future
version might read compressed GFA Raytrace files and perphaps write GIF
files or other formats that can also retain all 256 colors. Please
contact me if you have an docs on GIF, GFA Raytrace, or Prism-Paint
that you would like to share.
Acknowledgments
---------------
Atari, ST, Mega ST, STE, and TT030 are trademarks of Atari Corp.
GEM, GEM Desktop, and DRI are trademarks of Digial Reasearch Inc.
GFA and GFA Basic are trademarks of GFA Systemtechnik
GFA Raytrace is (C)1989 by GFA Data Media Ltd.
Spectrum 512 is (C)1987 by Trio Engineering, Inc.
Prism-Paint is (C)1991 by Lexicor Software
All other items are copyrighted/trademarked by their respective owners
Disclaimer
**********
This document and all versions of ST to TT Picture Converter are
Copyright 1992 by Lonny L. Pursell and ENCOM
All Rights Reserved.
ST to TT Picture Converter may not be sold. It may, however, be freely
distributed as long as this document is included and neither program nor
document are modified in any way whatsoever. This document may not be
reprinted without prior permission from the author.
While every effort has been made to ensure that this program is free of
bugs, I claim no responsiblity for any damage or loss of data resulting
from the use or misuse of ST to TT Picture Converter.
Revision history
----------------
v1.00 first release
v1.10 added GFA Raytrace compressed SCL file support