Hey you,

First, thanks for taking a look at SlowView, the ImageFileViewer for Win32. SlowView is Freeware, that means: no registration fee, full functionality, you can copy it so often you want, but you must not ask any money for it. This program is provided "as is", which means the author is not reliable for any damage SlowView may cause. Use at your own risk!

Oh yes, it would be cool if you could send me an email and tell me what you think of SlowView. Or use the Feedbackform at the SlowView-Hompage!

Now some info:

• Installation:

Extract the ZipFile into a Directory of your choice. To assign Filetypes to SlowView (means: When you doubleclick on an imagefile in Explorer, it will get viewed by SlowView if you want) just select Options from the Menu (or press the Hotkey "O"), and choose between the different Filetypes SlowView supports, then click on "Update Registry"l. Thats it.

• Updating:

Just overwrite the old files. (Or delete the old ones an copy the new ones ;-).

• UnInstall:

Start SlowView.exe and select Options. In the Fileassociations Menu check "Unselect All" and click on "Update Registryl". Exit SlowView and delete all files in the Directory and at least the Directory itself.

History:

March 23rd 2000 - Version 1.76 Dev (Version 0.76):

+ Added new Option: Toggle Show Filenames in Thumbnailsmode.

- Fixed a Memorybug in the Thumbnailer.
 

March 20th 2000 - Version 1.75 Dev (Version 0.75):

- Fixed a bug when displaying icons on NT4.

+ Now the filecreation date and time are also shown in the Statusbar.

+ Added new Option: Only view to SlowView registered Imagefiletypes in Thumbnailer.

+ When resizing the window, the Progressbar (if active, e.g: Saving, Loading Thumbnails, etc.) )gets now automatically also resized to fit the new windowsize.

+ Added a second ViewStyle: Automatically shrink big images to fit into screen, and automatically scale Images to the current Windowsize.

+ The new NextImage & PreviousImage Hotkeys are: Cursor Right and Cursor Left.

+ The new Delete-Hotkey is now: "Delete".

+ Added GIF Support (read & write).

- Fixed some repainting problems in the Thumbnailer.

- Some small bugfixes in the Thumbnailer.

+ Several minor changes/bugfixes.
 
 

February 26th 2000 - Version 1.71 Dev (Version 0.71):

+ The Thumbnailer can now store up to 200 directories (before it was 80).

+ New Icons!
 
 

January 21st 2000 - Version 1.7 Dev (Version 0.7):

- SlowView is now also available in german!

- Fixed some bugs in the Rotate-left and Rotate-right routines.

+ Speeded up JPEG Loading in ThumbNailer.

+ Added different ScaleFilters like: Gaussian, Bilinear, ...

+ Added Effect: Gradient Fill.

+ The new Exit-Hotkey is now the "Escape" Key.

+ This Version should be more stable.

+ Added possibility to show/hide the Toolbar and/or the Statusbar immediately.

+ No Installation is required anymore! Just copy SlowView into your desired Directory, and it will work! :)

+ Added LoadSupport for Windows NT BMPs using BitField Compression.

+ Added a 5th CopyTo and MoveTo DirectoryStorage Possibility.

+ Improved OptionsDlg (File Associations Menu).

+ Slightly speeded up the JPEG-GrayScale Loader.

- Fixed a bug when loading 16 or 32bit TGA's and Windows runs in 8bit Displaydepth.

+ Added a workaround for a Win32 OpenDlg Shell Bug.

+ Improved PropertiesDlg. Now you need only to press the "Ok" Button, not always "Save" :)

- Fixed a BMP Loading bug, when trying to load a vertically flipped BMP (Height is negative).

- Fixed a 16bit Floyd-Steinberg Dithering Bug.

+ Added Support for Floyd-Steinberg Dithering for 24->8bit ColorQuantization.

+ Completely rewrote the Window/Image Positioning and Resize Function. Works now also correct if the user has chosen another Fontsize in Windows than 100% ( e.g: 125% ).

+ Now the last used OpenDirectory get's stored and used.

+ SlowView now uses LibPNG 1.05 for PNG Loading/Saving.

+ Added another 24->8bit ColorQuantization method: Neural Network Quantization.

+ Improved ImageDisplay on Machines running Windows in 8bit DisplayDepth.

+ PNG's containing Alpha are now displayed much better (Alpha gets combined with Background).

+ Speeded up the "DirectoryExtensionSearch" (used in ThumbNailer and SlideShow).

+ Finally: Added ThumbNails/ListView!!!

- Fixed a Save As Directory bug.

- Some Minor Bugfixes/changes.

+ Added ReadSupport for DirectDraw TextureSurfaces (*.dds)!
 
 

November 06th 1999 - Version 1.60 Dev (Version 0.6):

- Fixed some TGAReader Bugs.

+ Also finally implementd 16bit Floyd-Steinberg dithering.

+ Finally: When moving an Image in the Window, the ToolBar and StatusBar Flickering/Overdrawing is gone!!! :)

- Fixed a MSPReader bug (now support for MSP version 1.x (uncompressed) ).

- Removed the Icon for the *.ico files. Now, when associating the *.ico files with SlowView, their IconImage will be shown as default in Windows.

+ Added better ErrorHandler for PSDLoader -> means corrupt PSD files shouldn't hang the app anymore.

+ SGI Images received their own icon.

+ Added WriteSupport for Sun Raster Images.

- Fixed many bugs in the SUN/RAS Reader. Should now work always ok :)

+ Improved JPGSaveing and JPGSaveDialog (support for smoothing, optimize huffman tables, progressive encoding).

- Fixed a PBM-Reader bug.

- Fixed some BMP-Saver bugs.

- Fixed some IFF-Reader bugs, but still some left (i'll get them all hehe :) ).

+ Improved StatusBar.

- Fixed some Sizeing/Repainting Problems.

+ Added OptionsButton to the ToolBar.

+ Improved Dither/Quantize Options.

+ Much better ErrorHandling.

+ When using Save As, SlowView stores now also the different Properties for every FileFormat, SlowView can save to.

- Fixed Bug when viewing 1-8 or 32bit PNGs and Windows runs in 8 or 4bit Depth.

- Fixed terrible Bugs in the CopyTo, MoveTo and Delete Functions. They should work now fully correct.

+ Improved Options. Now nearly everything gets saved automatically -> means SlowView is now really configurable! :)

+ Improved CopyTo and MoveTo Dialogs.

- Fixed a WidthBytes Bug in the 16Ditherer that loved to crash the app.

+ Improved the "FileExtensionLinkFunctions", means, now other ImageFileViewers like IrfanView32 can live with SlowView on the same System, without haveing to be afraid, that their Extensions get grabbed by SlowView :) So SlowView is now social to other ImageFileViewers that store their info in the registry :)

+ Added ProgressBars for saving Images and some effects.

+ Now SlowView always stores the last used SaveDirectory (and of course uses it :).

- Fixed LoadingBug with 16bit PSD Images containing 2 channels.

+ Added ReadSupport for OS/2 BMPs.

+ Added ButtonizeEffect.

+ Added SwapRGBOrderCommands.

+ Changed the Colors of some FileIcons.

+ Added WriteSupport for PCX Format.

+ Added WriteSupport for SGI Format(None, RLE, ARLE Compression Types).

+ Greatly improved TIFLoading. It should now work better with most files.

- Fixed small BMPLoading bug.

+ "Install.exe" doesn't kill any previous installed Associations anymore.

+ EMFLoader can now handle transparent Images too.

+ PNGLoader now can display 8bit files including Alpha correctly.

- Fixed stupid Bug in PNGSaver that could crash the app when trying to save an image in PNG Format.
 
 

September 23rd 1999 - Version 1.60 Dev (Version 0.6) BETA 1:

+ When viewing images bigger than the screenresolutions, the programwindow is now initially fully maximized. No sideborders anymore.

+ Finally: Options (Properties)!!!

+ Ha, a new MainIcon arrived! (devil :)

+ When saving an Image, the saved Image is now immediately loaded and shown after the saving is finished.

+ When saving 16bit Images (e.g: Bitmap Format) the images get automatically dithered.

+ Added HotKeys for nearly all functions, plus the HotKeys are now displayed in the menu, no extra dlg needed anymore.

+ Added Commands for viewing first, last and random Image in a directory.

* EMF Loading works now a bit better.

+ Added Confirmation Request when deleting Images.

+ Finally added dithering for displaying images in 16, 8, 4bit displaydepth.

* Reimplemented Read/WriteSupport for PPPFiles version 1 (ascii/RLE) (*.ppp).

+ Added WriteSupport for Truevision Targa Images (*.tga).

+ Added WriteSupport for Portable Network Graphics File Images (*.png).

+ Added WriteSupport for Tagged Image File Images (*.tif).

+ Added WriteSupport for Portable GrayScale Images (*.pgm).

+ Added ReadSupport for Slow Scan Television Format Images (*.hrz).

+ Added ReadSupport for SGI Image File Format Images (*.sgi;*.rgb;*.bw).

+ Added ReadSupport for Pictor PC Paint Format Images (*.pic).

+ Added ReadSupport for GDLib Image Format Images (*.gd2;*.gd).

+ Added ReadSupport for Portable Bitmap Format Images (*.pbm).

+ Added ReadSupport for Portable Network Graphics File Images (*.png).

+ Added ReadSupport for Tagged Image File Format Images (*.tif, *.tiff).

+ Added ReadSupport for Interchange File Format (ILBM) Images (*.lbm; *.iff).

+ Added ReadSupport for GEM Raster Images (*.img; *.gem).

+ Added ReadSupport for Sun Raster Images (*.ras; *.sun).

+ Added ReadSupport for Dr. Halo Images (*.cut).

+ Added ReadSupport for MAC PAINT Images (*.mac).

+ Added ReadSupport for MS PAINT Images (*.msp).

+ Added ReadSupport for Portable Graymap Images (*.pgm) (binary & ascii).

+ Added ReadSupport for X Bitmap Images (*.xbm) Loadsupport.

* Completely rewrote PSD Loader! Now support for nearly all different types (8 & 16bit channel support also! CMYK Support!)

* Completely rewrote BMP Loader! Now support for RLE4 and RLE8 Bmp's on NT too!

* Completely rewrote TGA Loader! Support for 1-32bit TGA files!

* Completely rewrote PCX Loader! Support for 1-24bit PCX files!

* Completely rewrote PPM Loader!: Now every image is loaded correct, plus support for ascii-variants.

- Fixed a stupid JPGLoadingOffsetbug.

+ Now the Loadtime of an Image is shown in the Statusbar.

* FileAssocsRegistration now finally works completely with internal Registryfunctions and is ten times easier to use!

* SlowView now uses JpegLib 6.2 for loading/saving Jpegs.

+ Added MinimizeKey: Escape (Bosskey :)

+ Scaled Images can now get scrolled around too!

* Improved FileassocsDlg.

* Again speeded up JPEGLoading.

* Improved Installer.

- Finally fixed some printerbugs.

+ Added ColorChannelcommands.

+ Added Reload command.

+ Added Clipboardcommands (Copy, Paste).

* Redesigned MenuItems.

+ Added SetWallPaper commands.

- Some small bugfixes.
 
 

July 27th 1999 - Version 1.52 Dev (Version 0.52):

* JPEG Saving for some certain Images works now better. But theres still a damned bug left :(

* Changed InstallerDialogdesign a bit.

* Grayscale/Flipping functions now work correct with every image!

* Edge computation when dragging the Image now works correct.

- Fixed some Repainting problems.
 
 

July 18th 1999 - Version 1.51 Dev (Version 0.51):

+ Changed Optionsdialog style.

+ Added Emailresponse possibility.

+ Flip vertically/horizontally commands.

+ Speeded up PSD Loading about 15%.

+ Speeded up PPM Loading & Saving about 100%.

+ Speeded up JPEG Loading about 20%.

+ GrayScale function is now faster.

- Fixed bug when viewing an image in a directory, where you can find more than 1000 images. Now increased the size to 5000 possible ones. Hope thats enough for now :)
 
 

May 5th 1999 - Version 1.5 Dev (Version 0.5):

+ Added SlideShow possibility!

- Had to remove PNG Support temporary, cause i couldn't write a sufficient Loader :-( Perhaps in the following versions i will add good PNG Support.

+ Improved Installer. He has now update possibilty!

+ Added Accelerator commands for Next/Prev Imagefile and changed the look of the Keyboard commands Dlg.

+ Improved "Filesizevalueshowing" in the Statusbar.

+ MouseCursor is now placed on the buttons, when using the Scale or Next/Previous Image commands, so that you can do that really fast and don't have to move the cursor to the new position by yourself.

+ Defined the Minimum size for Windowtracking.

+ Added ToolTips.

+ Finally added "switch to Next/Previous Imagefile" Buttons!

+ Renaming is now easier to use.

+ Scrolling of Images with the Mouse now works correct.

+ Now Images can be saved in DIB Format.

+ Now SlowView uses a "Flat"-ToolBar.

- Fixed Scaling-Repaint Bug.

+ Changed most ButtonStyles.

+ Smaller ExeSize.

+ General optimized Version.
 
 

March 15th 1999 - Version 1.44 Dev (Version 0.44):

+ Finally added scrolling for Images, when the ViewWindow is smaller than the actual loaded Image.
 
 

March 06th 1999 - Version 1.43 Dev (Version 0.43):

+ Grayscale function is now a bit faster.

+ Now Images can be saved in PPM Format.

- Fixed bug with the icons.

- Fixed small bug in the Grayscale function
 
 

March 03rd 1999 - Version 1.42 Dev (Version 0.42):

+ Now Iconfiles have an Icon of their own.

+ And again tried a new MainIconLook.

+ Created a small Installprogram for SlowView.

+ Added WaitMessage when saving Images.
 
 

February 17th 1999 - Version 1.41 Dev (Version 0.41):

+ Added CompressionLevelMenu for saving Punk Files.

+ A bit better PNG support, but lots of things left to do.
 
 

February 12th 1999 - Version 1.4 Dev (Version 0.4):

+ Added Info in the Exefile.

- Fixed small bug in PPPLoader.

- Fixed stupid scaling Bug.

+ Added Updateinfo.

+ Added GrayScale function to EditMenu.

- Decreased general Memoryusage.

+ Save As Jpeg now works always!

+ Rewrote the JPEGLoader. Now support for progressive ones.

+ Size of File is now shown in the StatusBar.

+ Updated AboutBox.

- Fixed Bug in Installer.

+ Improved Uninstaller.

+ SaveDialog now works better and is easier to use.

+ Created new Icons.

+ Added support for Portable Network Graphics (*.png).

+ Added support for Portable Pixelmaps (*.ppm).
 
 

February 6th 1999 - Version 1.35 Dev (Version 0.35):

+ Introducing Punk File Format 2.0!

- Fixed some Problems with the TopMostWindowStyle.

+ Redesigned centering of Images.

+ Redrawing is now faster.

+ Added a StatusBar.

- Fixed very small bug in the ZBRReader.
 
 

January 31st 1999 - Version 1.33 Dev (Version 0.33):

+ Created a new SlowViewMainImage.

+ Added support for jpeg, jfif extensions.

+ Tried a new MainIcon look.

- fixed some small bugs.
 
 

January 14th 1999 - Version 1.32 Dev (Version 0.32):

+ Support for Photoshop PSD files.
 
 

January 14th 1999 - Version 1.31 Dev (Version 0.31):

+ Added CopyTo, MoveTo, DeleteFile and Rename Functions.
 
 

January 12th 1999 - Version 1.30 Dev (Version 0.3):

+ Changed AboutBoxStyle a bit.

+ Created a new FileExtensionMenu.

+ Most of the files can be saved now in JPGFormat!

+ Support for JPG, GIF, PCX, TGA, DIB Imageformats!
 
 

January 09th 1999 - Version 1.27 Dev (Version 0.27):

+ Added the list of Keyboardcommands to the Helpmenu.
 
 

December 27th 1998 - Version 1.26 Dev (Version 0.26):

+ Added Accelerators for the most important functions.

+ Enabled printing of the Images.
 
 

December 25th 1998 - Version 1.25 Dev (Version 0.25):

+ Support for Enhanced MetaFiles (*.emf).

+ Added a simple ToolBar.

+ Scaling is now faster.
 
 

December 20th 1998 - Version 1.2 Dev (Version 0.2):

+ SlowView is now always on top.

- And again fixed a Positioningproblem.

+ Images can be easily stretched and/or shrinked.

+ Support for OS/2 1.x and RLE encoded Bitmaps on Win9X (not NT).

+ And Again fixed a problem when loading Images bigger than the actual Desktopresolution.

+ Images can be easily saved as Bitmaps in 16, 24 or 32 BPP!

+ Width, Height and Bitdepth of the Image is passed to the Title.

+ Changed Windowstyle a bit.

+ Now Images are handeled via a MemoryDC!

+ Loaded Files can be easily saved as PPP File.

+ Support for compressed Punk Productions Picture Files (*.ppp) !!!

+ Now the Fileassociations can be easily uninstalled.

+ Support for Iconfiles (*.ico)

- Again fixed a problem when loading Bitmaps which are bigger than the screenresolution.

+ Changed the Bitmaploadroutine. Now on both Win9X and NT the Bitmaps are loaded ultra fast!

+ Bitmaps are correct repainted, resizeing of the window doesn't matter anymore.
 
 

November 23rd 1998 - Version 1.10 Dev (Version 0.1):

- Fixed Bug when using the Menu Open command. Now it works perfect.

+ Zoner ZBR File Support (*.zbr).

+ Tried a new Iconlook. Now with different Icons for each supported graphics file format.

- Again fixed problem when loading small bitmaps.

+ Fileregistration works! Added menu to choose the fileextensions you want to view with SlowView. ( For now this is only *.bmp and *.zbr )

+ Full NT-Compatibility

+ Under NT ultrafast Bitmaploading, don't know why with win9x so slow...
 
 

November 12th 1998 - Version 1.02 Dev (Version 0.02):

- Fixed a bug when using fileextension registration, although it doesn't work really...

+ Now the correct filename is passed to the Windowtitle when you use the OpenMenuItem.
 
 

November 08th 1998 - Version 1.01 Dev (Version 0.02):

+ Wrote this Readmefile.

- Fixed bug when loading Bitmaps bigger than the Screenresolution.

- Fixed bug when centering small bitmaps.
 
 

November 06th 1998 - Version 1.0 Dev (Version 0.0):

The first Release...