Boston 2/boston-2.iso/DOS/ANWENDUN/VGACAD/GIFPUB.DOC

Text File | 1993-12-01 | 30KB | 585 lines

            GIFPUB (c) Copr. 1988-91 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 UNMODIFIED copies of GIFPUB 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 GIFPUB ?

    GIFPUB converts colored GIF/PCX pics (up to 2KBx2KBx256) or any of the
    following listed below to a dithered (modified, error-distributed
    Floyd-Steinberg matrix with "Stucki-like" values) Black & White image
    and saves it to a .PCX (ZSoft) file for First Publisher, Ventura
    Publisher, Publisher's Paintbrush/PC Paintbrush+, Aldus PageMaker (if
    you rename the .PCX file to .PCC and use its convert/import facility),
    WordPerfect 5.0 (through GRAPHCNV to convert/import the PCX output).
    It also PRINTS the output to most Epson and IBM compatible dot matrix
    printers.

    1)   ANY colored GIF picture (2KBx2KBx256);
    2)   ANY 256-color PCX (version 5) picture (to 2KBx2KBx256);
    3)   ANY 256-color BMP (Windows 3.0) picture (to 2KBx2KBx256);
    3)   ANY VIEWABLE VGA/MCGA 320x200x256 picture captured with VGACAP;
    4)   ANY VIEWABLE SVGA 640x480x256 or 800x600x256 picture captured and
         converted to TEMP files used by VGACAD (version 1.6 and up);
    5)   ANY 16-color picture converted to any size with EGA2VGA or SQZGIF;
    6)   Colorized/converted MacPaint (READMACs) with MAC2GIF.

    With GIFPUB, NO VIDEO CARD IS NECESSARY.  Save and load images without
    viewing them.  For interactive viewing/saving, GIFPUB supports CGA
    (640x200), Hercules (720x348), EGA (640x350), VGA (640x480), EEGA or
    SVGA (to 1024x768).

    GIFPUB converts colored pictures to 256 grey shades on a 64 grey scale
    continuum; you can adjust the brightness and contrast levels through
    sophisticated Grey Scale Skewing,  Histogram-based Contrast Stretching
    and several Histogram-equalization algorithms.

    With error-distributed dithering, GIFPUB facilitates very fine grey
    shades to "appear" in various sizes (ordered dithers do not).  GIFPUB
    supports resizing of any image, while maintaining the aspect ratio in
    ANY video mode (including EEGA and SVGA); you can integrate in your
    desktop publishing application and have the best possible rendering
    with any size you choose.

    GIFPUB (2.0 and up) supports virtual screens for SVGA pictures up to
    2KBx2KBx256 (EMM support will follow shortly)!  All the detail in SVGA
    pictures will be accurately reproduced in your dithered images (e.g.,
    fine text along with the continuous grey image).  By using the VDISK
    path you can redirect the creation of virtual screen in RAM (i.e., RAM
    disk) for FAST processing or another drive for dual floppy users.


    REQUIREMENTS

    NO VIDEO CARD REQUIRED FOR USING GIFPUB.  About 512KB of memory is
    required, although it uses about 3/4 of that.


    COMPATIBILITY

    GIFPUB has been tested on a 386sx clone, XT clone and PS/2 Model 50;
    video modes were tested in CGA, Hercules, EGA, EEGA and SVGA video
    modes using the STB VGA E/M 512, ATI VGA Wonder 512 card and IBM's VGA
    PS/2 VGA card.

    486, 386, 386sx, 286 and AT users with extended memory should disable
    "Shadow RAM".  Although GIFPUB is predominantly coded in assembly and
    C; QuickBasic (QB) 4.00b is used as a shell and error-handler.  QB
    v4.00b HATES Shadow RAM for some reason and locks-up (at least on our
    386sx clone).  With AMI BIOS, you can disable Shadow RAM by pressing
    <DEL> during boot and changing the set-up; it is much wiser to have
    EMM.SYS/QEMM.SYS or WHATEVER.SYS to manage expanded and extended RAM
    anyway.  With 2MB on board, I suggest you use 720KB for VDISK to
    emulate a fast 3.5" drive and allocate the rest as expanded memory; a
    1MB system with a 384KB RAMdisk (VDISK) would match 640x480x256
    screens which decompress to 307200 bytes.

    Users with third-party EMM.SYS drivers should avoid mapping the ROM
    BIOS to "high" RAM (i.e., Shadow RAM) or mapping extended/expanded RAM
    to areas where there is no RAM (e.g., to use LOADHI) QB's runtime
    module crashes (at least on our 386sx clone).  We suggest that you
    keep two versions of your CONFIG.SYS file; one with your usual set-up
    and one with a set-up to run ALL our programs/utilities (preferably
    with as much VDISK as possible).  Note: VGACAP cannot be loaded in
    "high" RAM.

    If your system is still locks-up, do a 'naked boot' !  Rename your
    AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files (e.g., to *.BAK) then reboot; this
    way you can isolate the incompatible TSR or SYS file.


    COMPATIBLE printers

    GIFPUB now supports HP Laser printers and compatibles from 75 DPI
    to 300 DPI.  400 DPI is not listed in setup but is possible.

    GIFPUB also supports Epson and IBM compatible printers that support
    120 dpi (horizontally) and 72 dpi (vertically) at the minimum.

              Epson (e.g., LQ,FX,GX,RX,JX, ...)
              IBM (e.g., Graphics Printer, Proprinter, ...)

    The following partial list of manufacturers have compatible "ESC"
    codes to run GIFDOT; if your printer supports "ESC L" (sets double
    density graphics) and "ESC J" or "ESC A" (sets n/216 or 1/72 inch
    single line spacing) GIFPUB will print on your system.  Check your
    printer manual.

              Canon (e.g., PW series)
              Centronics
              C.Itoh
              NEC (e.g., Pinwriter, ...)
              Okidata (e.g., 92/93, 192/193, 292/293, ...)
              Panasonic (e.g., 1080i,1090i, ...)
              Star (e.g., Gemini, Micronics SG series)
              Tandy DMP

    YOU MAY HAVE TO DISABLE AUTO-LINEFEED IF YOUR PRINTER HAS THIS FEATURE
    'ON'; SET THE DIP SWITCHES TO TURN IT 'OFF' IF YOUR PICTURE PRINTS WITH
    'SKIPPED' LINES USING ANY OF THE HARDCODED PRINTER DRIVERS.


    LOADING PICTURES INTO GIFPUB

    Five formats are accepted by GIFPUB: GIF, PCX, BMP (Windows 3.0)
    BLD/PLT files and TEMP files of VGACAD;  At the start of the program,
    you will be prompted to select any of these formats. With a VGA/MCGA
    card, GIFPUB will display a sampled image of the entire virtual screen
    or the whole screen with *.BLD/*.PLT files.  The sampled screen does
    not reflect the full picture; it is intended as a visual reference for
    image processing (i.e., Histogram-equalization).  All other cards will
    load in memory; GIFPUB automatically detects VGA/MCGA/SVGA cards.

    With 16-color EGA/EEGA/VGA pictures, use EGA2VGA or SQZGIF (v3.0 or
    higher) to process them as SVGA GIFs with the same size (e.g., 640x480x16
    -> 640x480x256) before loading, to take advantage of richer grey scales
    and image processing capabilities; EGA2VGA or SQZGIF does not require a
    graphics card !

    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.

    When selecting a *.BLD file, a corresponding *.PLT file must exist or
    an error will result; captured 320x200x256 pictures have two files:
    the screen and palette.  The extension .BLD stands for BLoaD and .PLT
    for PaLetTe.

    To use SVGA screen captures with GIFPUB, create a 640x480 or 800x600
    'blank' screen with VGACAD (i.e., VSCRN menu); exit VGACAD without
    deleting the TEMP files (i.e., reply 'N'o when prompted); copy your
    capture *.RAW and *.PLT image to replace the respective TEMP files.
    For example, if you captured an AUTOCAD 640x480x256 drawing, your
    first capture will saved as SCREEN00.RAW and SCREEN00.PLT.  Activate
    VGACAD (v1.6 and up) then create a 'blank' 640x480x256 virtual
    screen.  Exit VGACAD without deleting the TEMP files when prompted.

              Type "copy screen00.* temp.*" <return>

    You can edit the 640x480x256 screen with VGACAD (v1.6 and up) and use
    its various grey image processing capabilities, or go directly into
    GIFPUB.


    VIEWING, CREATING & SAVING DITHERED B&W PCX FILES

    Simply select the letter to initiate that function or option.  You can
    view and save in (C)GA 640x200, (E)GA 640x350, (H)ercules 720x348,
    (V)GA/MCGA 640x480, (U)ser EEGA/SVGA modes up to 800x600, or (F)ile
    mode up to 2000x2000.

    After selecting a video mode or the file mode, you will see these
    options (this screen shows blanks filled with examples).

              Video Mode/Aspect Ratio: VGA 640x480
              Image Width  (pixels)  : 640
              Image Height (pixels)  : 480

              Resizing Factor (1-100): 100%
              Pathname               : C:\PUB\PCX
              Filename               : NONAME.PCX
              Dither Density  (1-255): 128

    Image Width and Height are set by the video mode you have chosen and
    cannot be changed except when the [U]ser EEGA/SVGA mode or [F]ile mode
    is selected; it is automatically adjusted by the Resizing Factor. In
    this example, the Image Width and Height matches the full screen since
    Resizing Factor is 100%; if it were 50% then each number will be cut
    in half.  To maintain your aspect ratios in SVGA or EEGA modes, start
    with a Resizing Factor of 100% then reduce it.  Saving direct to files
    works similarly.

    When a standard video mode is selected (CGA,EGA,VGA and HGC); the
    Image Height and Width will always follow what is stated in the Video
    Mode/Aspect ratio line; only the Resizing Factor can be altered.  To
    retain an old setting, press return and the setting will remain.

    Dither Density defaults to 128; the lower this number, the more dots
    will be placed (becomes brighter too).  The quality of the dithering
    is drastically affected by this variable; if you get some undesired
    patterns, then try adjusting this variable until you get the desired
    dithering.

    While viewing your image you can press <Esc> to abort and be brought
    back to the Main Menu.  If the image is completed, pressing <return>
    will save your image.  In [F]ile mode there is no viewing; the file is
    immediately constructed once you choose this option.


    OPTIMAL dithering

    To get the BEST dithering, we suggest that you experiment with a small
    image (e.g., VGA at 75%) while interactively adjusting the brightness,
    contrast stretching and histogram-equalization option at the Image
    Processing function; you can always [U]ndo changes if you "messed-up"
    your picture.  When satisfied with the results, you can progress to
    larger sizes or a LARGE file (up to 2000 x 2000 pels).  Normally, an
    image at a particular screen size will look better when expanded; an
    original 640x480x256 image will look best in 640x480 or 800x600.  Too
    much expansion (e.g., 320x200 -> 1024x768) results in dark images.


    HP LASER or compatible printers

    Optimal desktop publishing is facilitated through the use of HP Laser
    or compatible printers.  These printers have 1:1 aspect ratios.  Thus
    in VGA 640x480, or SVGA 800x600 or 1024x768 modes, WYSIWYG ("what you
    see is what you get") is facilitated.

    You can select from standard resolution settings at 75, 150, 200 and
    300 DPI.  If your printer supports 400 DPI, then simply enter "400"
    at the DPI field setting.

    To maintain maximum versatility.  The Image Width and Height settings
    default to 640x480.  These can be changed with a maximum Height and
    Width of 2000x2000.  At 300 DPI we suggest a 2000x1600 image setting
    as the maximum since it will correspond to most SVGA screen images
    with 1:1 aspect ratios. IF YOU SELECT A DPI SETTING THAT WOULD CAUSE
    YOUR IMAGE TO EXCEED STANDARD 8x11 PAGE THEN YOUR INPUT WILL BE REJECTED
    AND A HIGHER DPI SETTING WILL BE REQUIRED.

    [L]aser printing uses the standard printer output device.  No port
    settings are required.


    OPTIMAL printing

                                (inches)            (pixels)

         [P]ortrait            10.0 x 8.0          960 x 768
         [B]ig    Landscape     8.0 x 6.0          960 x 432
         [M]edium Landscape     6.0 x 4.5          720 x 320
         [S]mall  Landscape     4.0 x 3.0          480 x 216
         [T]iny   Landscape     2.6 x 2.2          320 x 144
         [L]aser  Landscape     nnn x nnn          nnn x nnn

    This is self-explanatory; a picture with the corresponding size in
    inches and pixels will be printed accordingly.  A [P]ortrait, which is
    the largest possible print size, will be printed sideways; Landscape
    is the normal way we view a picture.  PORTRAIT size prints are
    avaliable only with *.BLD/*.PLT files.  As noted above [L]aser
    printing allows a user to specify DPI settings and ANY image size
    up to 2000x2000.

    Except with [L]aser printing, you will be asked if you want to adjust
    the settings.  You can select between an [E]pson, [I]BM driver,
    [O]kidata OR USER-SPECIFIED linefeed drivers.  You can also opt for
    single or double pass printing (when your ribbon is worn), and printer
    port #1 or #2.  While printing, you can press <Esc> to abort the
    printing process.  User-specified (linefeed) drivers use the (n/216)
    ESC code and is configured for both Epson and IBM(Proprinter)
    compatibles; you will have to experiment with both Type #1 and Type #2
    to see which works on your printer.

    Except with [L]aser printing, a Horizontal Tab feature will allow you
    to fit as many as 8 Tiny pictures on one page.  Simply input the number
    of pixels that will be USED AS an 'offset'.

    To get the BEST possible dot-matrix print-out, we suggest that you
    experiment with the [T]iny Landscape option while interactively
    adjusting the brightness, contrast stretching and histogram-equalization
    variables; you can always [U]ndo changes if you have "messed-up" your
    picture. When satisfied with the results, you can progress to larger
    prints.  Become familiar with the Histogram charts and the results on
    your printer.  After a while, you will be able to gauge the quality of
    your prints by simply looking at the histograms before printing.

    VGA/MCGA users, remember that what you see is not necessarily what you
    get.  In this respect, all other users are equal; you have to
    interactively adjust the picture quality with your printer.  I suggest
    keeping 1-3 pages of tractor-feed paper during your experiments.


    IMAGE processing

    Selecting the [I]mage Processing function shows a Histogram of your
    Original image and Modified image.  All functions here are GLOBAL;
    they will be used on the virtual screen image pointed to by the VDISK
    path.  The first histogram, labelled "Original", is the sampled image
    that will be restored with the [U]ndo function; the second is the
    "Modified" sampled image which reflects all the changes made.

    The scales used in the histograms are based on the MODE, which is the
    highest grey scale frequency in the picture; normally these are the
    far bins: BLACK and WHITE.  There are 64 points on the x-axis and 10
    points on the y-axis.  The 64 x-axis points correspond to the 64 grey
    scale continuum; the entire picture is "stretched" to 256 grey shades,
    which means that each point on the x-axis represents 4 grey levels.

    Each point on the y-axis varies with the MODE.  If the most frequent
    grey shade is BLACK and 20,000 pixels (about 1/3 of sampled image),
    then each point on the y-axis will represent 2,000 pixels.  With this
    in mind, grey shades with less that 2,000 pixels will appear as a
    "flat line"; changing the Contrast or Brightness may make your
    "Modified" histogram appear as a "flat line" with a few very high
    bins.  You can magnify the scale (i.e, reduce the value each y-axis
    point represents) by pressing [M]agnify.  Bins with the "┼" character
    show grey shades that extend beyond the MODE (as you magnify the
    scale, more Bins will have this symbol).

    After modifying, the Modified histogram may not display the full
    distribution since the bins are so large, smaller bins are "flat
    lines ".  To see more, [S]lice the bins and/or [M]agnify the scale."
    [S]licing the bins will cut the "anchors" of your "Modified" histogram
    by 1.  The first time you press [S]lice, the grey scale continuuum
    spase a 2-62 grey scale; the next will be 3-61 and so forth.  Since
    pure BLACK and WHITE pixels tend to dominate the MODE, adjusting the
    [B]ins makes he distribution more viewable.  Experiment freely; you
    can always press [R]eset the histogram settings.

    Contrast stretching

    [C]ontrast Stretching uses a "histogram" of your pixel distribution.
    Each pixel can have a grey value 0 to 255 which corresponds to each of
    the colors 0 to 255.  This function expands the distribution of grey
    scales to extend the range of grey values from 0 to 255.  For example,
    a typically unequalized image may have the following distribution of
    pixels.  The low and high bins are the edges of the histogram
    distribution.  All pixels between the bins will be stretched to fill
    the 256 grey range.

        N  ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
           ║ low                   ▓▓                  high      ║
        P  ║ bin ──┐          ▓   ▓▓▓▓                 bin       ║
        i  ║       │         ▓▓   ▓▓▓▓                 │         ║
        x  ║       ▓     ▓  ▓▓▓▓  ▓▓▓▓                 ▓         ║
        e  ║ ▓     ▓     ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓           ▓▓  ▓▓▓        ║
        l  ║ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓║
        s  ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
           0 -------------------------127----------------------255

    After Contrast Stretching the distribution will approximate this.

        N  ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
           ║                         ▓ ▓                         ║
        P  ║                ▓      ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓                       ║
        i  ║              ▓ ▓      ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓                 ▓     ║
        x  ║▓     ▓     ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓    ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓                 ▓    ▓║
        e  ║▓     ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓  ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓       ▓ ▓  ▓  ▓ ▓  ▓║
        l  ║▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓║
        s  ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
           0 -------------------------127----------------------255

    When prompted "Contrast Stretch (1-127 grey levels):", select a number
    within that range; the high and low bins will adjust accordingly; a
    value in multiples of 4 (e.g., 4, 8, 16) yield the best results.

    When you have a picture surrounded by a large "black" area, that area
    may not be black BUT a very dark shade of grey resulting in undesired
    error-distributed patterns to appear; use a value of "1" to equalize
    the grey distribution and make BLACK the DARKEST COLOR.

    VGA/MCGA users can press [P]review and see the sample 320x200x256
    screen.  Keep in mind that the screen you see does not accurately
    reflect the virtual screen image; use it merely as a visual reference
    of your GLOBAL changes to the virtual screen image.

    Brightness Adjustment

    When this option is selected, you will be prompted with "Brightness
    Skew (+64-)"; the grey range will move left or right accordingly.  A
    value of "-10" will "darken" all pixels by 10 grey levels (it will
    skew the distribution left; conversely a value of "20" will "brighten"
    by 20 grey levels (i.e. towards the right).

    Histogram-equalization

    Pressing [E]qualize will present several equalization distributions.
    Select a desired distribution to change the image accordingly.

    Flat distribution - forces grey shades to be evenly distributed for
    MAXIMUM contrast and grey shade discrimination.

    Sine distribution - forces grey shades to be 'normally' distributed
    (i.e., pseudo Gaussian or normal binomial probability curve).

    Bi-Modal distribution forces grey shades to be distributed between two
    sine curves for greater bi-level contrast.

    Tri-Modal distribution - forces grey shades to be distributed among
    three sine curves for greater bi-level contrast with improved
    mid -range.

    Lite-skew distribution - forces grey shades to be skewed towards the
    brighter spectrum; use this when you want to enhance the contrast of
    images that are already skewed towards the brighter spectrum (i.e., a
    lot of pixels fall in the upper grey levels).

    Dark-skew distribution - forces grey shades to be skewed towards the
    darker spectrum; use this when you want to enhance the contrast of
    images that are already skewed towards the darker spectrum (i.e., a
    lot of pixels fall in the lower grey levels).

    NOTE: WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT YOU GET !!!.  Since these histogram-
    equalization algorithms are based on a 320x200 sampled screen, the
    results are DRASTICALLY different when you actually dither from the
    virtual screen image; it is merely a point of reference for GLOBAL
    grey range manipulation.  If your image looks too bright, too dark,
    washed-out or 'flat' when you use the [P]review option; it will not
    necessarily look that way when you actually view/save a dithered PCX
    file.  PREVIEW SHOULD BE TREATED AS A VISUAL REFERENCE ONLY.


    USER EEGA/SVGA MODES

    EEGA/SVGA users with 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x768 video modes can use
    this function.  We have included several *.CFG files of popular EEGA
    and SVGA modes.

    If you see your EEGA/SVGA mode, copy the *.CFG file to GIFPUB.CFG;
    for example, if you have a TECMAR VGA card then copy the TECMR800.CFG
    file to GIFPUB.CFG for its 800x600 mode.

         "copy TECMR800.CFG GIFPUB.CFG" <return>

    If your video mode is not included, simply specify your [P]arameters;
    include the screen height, width, video mode and Chip Type.

    The video mode calling number can be specified in decimal or hex.  To
    enter a hexadecimal number type "&H" before the hexadecimal number
    ("&H12" is the same as "18", which is the VGA 640x480x16 mode); refer
    to your video card manual for the decimal or hex codes (or call them
    up for tech support if they forgot to list it in the manual).  Once
    you change the parameters, these are saved to the GIFPUB.CFG file.


    THE CHAINED VGACAD ENVIRONMENT

    BRUN41.exe is a runtime module distributed under licence with Microsoft
    in connection with this program.  Place it with GIFPUB or anywhere your
    PATH has access to.  GIFPUB integrates directly with VGACAD (v2.0 & up).
    ONLY ONE COPY OF BRUN41.EXE IS REQUIRED.


    REGISTRATION

    REGISTRATION OF GIFPUB 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' GIFPUB.

    ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │ 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 - 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, HP Laser and compatible printers.
     Variable sizes. 8 pics/page and/or  Single/Double Pass printing on
     dot matrix printers. 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.  Variable sizing.  Also, converts
     GIFs (16 colors and below) and creates up to 256 new colors; outputs
     directly to GIFPUB, GIFDOT, VGACAD, MVGAVU, VGA2CGA or VGA2EGA.
     No graphics card required.

     GIFHEX (formerly VGA2EGA) - converts 256-color pictures to 16-color
     EGA or VGA .  Error-distributed dithering.  User support to 1024x768.
     Variable sizing/RGBICMY/contrast.  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.  Unique 16-color rendering.  SVGA
     support to 1024x768x256.  Auto-sizing.  Auto-Centering.  Auto-EMS
     usage.  AutoMode select.  Contrast/Brightness/Monitor Adjustment.
     EGA/MCGA/VGA required.

     VGACAD - extensive paint/image processing program for MCGA/VGA/SVGA
     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 !  Full screen SuperVGA editing
     and image processing function to 1024x768x256.   360x480x256 support.
     MCGA/VGA 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.

     VGACAP - resident utility to capture 256-color MCGA/VGA or SVGA images.
     FAST SVGA 640x480x256 or 800x600x256 screen grabs.

     VGAFIL - GIF, PCX, BMP (Windows 3.0) and TGA (targa 16) encoding
     utility.  Accepts ALL RAW file formats used by our utilites as well as
     BLD/PLT files.  This utility replaces RAW2GIF, RAW2PCX and BLD2GIF.



     WHAT'S NEXT ?

     Aside from enhancing existing releases with greater capabilities (e.g.,
     expanded memory, virtual screen, SVGA functions, other graphics
     formats), we are developing VGACBT (Computer-Based Training program)
     and MANNEQUIN for Advertising/Fashion Design or creating your own
     artistic nudes.  We will try to develop and integrate more image
     processing functions for all our applications; if you have any image
     processing functions you would like to see, please let us know.

     In the short term, we are developing RGBLAB.  This is a color reduction
     utility to 'downsize' 24-bit or 16 Million-color pictures to 256-colors.
     RAW red, green and blue files or TIFF (*.TIF) files will be the main
     input source.  IDTVGA dithering will play a key role in previewing
     or rendering 24-bit images in SVGA 256-color modes.

     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 your 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

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