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Text File | 1994-01-29 | 28.7 KB | 679 lines

HIDIMG (C) Copyright 1993-94 John Caputlu-Wilson All Rights Reserved Hidden Image AutoStereograms All other copyrights(C) and trademarks(TM) mentioned herein are hereby acknowledged *************************************************************** * * * Create your own professional-looking hidden images like the * * ones seen in the malls. Put your own message or picture in * * the hidden image and hide it with any covering pattern. * * * *************************************************************** To get started QUICK (if you have SVGA 800x600x256 or higher): Run the program by typing HIDIMG19 at the dos prompt Press the (H) Key ///Hide the Current Image/// Press the <Enter> Key ///Use Default Resolution/// To get started SLOWER (if you have VGA 320x200x256 and couldn't go quick): Run the program by typing HIDIMG19 at the dos prompt Press the (G) Key ///Generate File/// Press the (I) Key ///an Input File/// Press the (0) Key ///Selects 320x200 resolution/// Press the (D) Key ///Make the Doughnut/Torus/// Press the (8) Key ///Give it Random Colors/// Press <ESC> ///Back to Main Menu/// Press the (R) Key ///Change Repeat Scale/// Type "32" and Enter ///Set Repeat to 32/// and finally, Press the (H) Key ///Hide the Current Image/// Press the <Enter> Key ///Use Default Resolution/// Packing List: ------------- Name: FileSize: HIDIMG20.EXE 43461 SVGA256.BGI 7799 HIDIMG.DOC 29414 INVOICE.DOC 1833 VENDOR.DOC 2195 PT1.BMP 83502 PT2.BMP 61078 PTAD.BMP 11078 PTDAZ0.BMP 13478 PTDAZ1.BMP 10608 PTDAZ2.BMP 8750 PTDAZ3.BMP 10500 PTDAZ4.BMP 12880 SHAPES.BMP 11312 TITLE.BMP 72654 TORUS.BMP 67112 HID1.MAP 3328 HID2.MAP 3328 HID3.MAP 3328 --------------- RLE2BMP.EXE 22303 TIPS.DOC 6191 These files in the REGISTERED version HIDIM20R.EXE 43270 --------------- INTRODUCTION ------------ HIDIMG is a program to create an autostereogram from any 256 color .BMP (bitmap) file included with program or that the user supplies. An autostereogram is a picture which appears 3-Dimensional when viewed in the correct manner. Unlike other stereogram programs, HIDIMG is not limited in color or in the surface pattern displayed. Most other programs only create black and white SIRDS. A SIRDS is a Single Image Random Dot Stereogram. HIDIMG can use full 256 color and whatever surface pattern the user desires, not just random dots. That means that you can create pictures similar to those that are done professionally and sold in the malls and other shopping areas. The hidden image is then saved into a .BMP file which the user may edit or print out as desired (using other programs). You can "hide" any image that you can create. There are a number of shareware painting programs available. Of course there are a number of expensive painting programs available as well. However, most computers come with Windows nowadays, which has a Paint application built-in. Unfortunately, Windows Paint doesn't tell you which palette numbers you are using, which makes things difficult. You will just have to experiment. I would suggest using a different paint program, one which does you the palette numbers. In any case, have fun making posters, post cards, invitations, ads, pictures, nameplates, etc. Without exception, everyone I have met who has "seen" a hidden image picture has thought that it was very neat. Sometimes it takes a little while to "see" the images, but it is usually worth the effort. Even if you have already "seen" the pictures, it is great to see someone else's face when they finally "see" it too. At that point you share their sense of wonder and prove that you really are not crazy ! All the images that I have printed out have looked great! I have found that they make very entertaining gifts. REGISTRATION ------------ HIDIMG is a SHAREWARE program. Shareware programs are great because they allow a limited trial period before actually purchasing the program. If you do not like the program, then it costs nothing. You simply quit using it. Users may use HIDIMG for a trial period of 30 days. At that time they may either register (if they haven't done so already) or quit using the program. The registration price is $24.95 US. All images created by an unregistered user are for personal use only; they may not be sold or used commercially. Limited permission is granted for the distribution (uploading, downloading, etc.) of the unregistered version. Feel free to let your friends and others try out the unregistered shareware program and see if they would like to order the registered version. Vendors may charge no more than $5 over the cost of media for this program. Registration information is in the INVOICE.DOC file. The REGISTERED version of HIDIMG has the following: ------------------------------------------------------------ All features of UNREGISTERED version, including: full SVGA 256 color manipulation of image colors and hidden effects works on picture, pattern, and color map files included or supplied by user images displayed on screen and saved in .BMP form for later editing by user allows from 300x200 up to 1280x1024 resolution on screen allows up to 2048x2048 in disk-video mode PLUS!!! no annoying SHAREWARE screens HIDIMG message is not "stamped" on hidden pictures images created by program may be freely used, no copyright restrictions on registered user-made images tips on how to create good images program RLE2BMP.EXE to convert .RLE files to .BMP files Note: .RLE files are one of the formats used to transmit picture files over the Internet. It is used by some other SIRDS programs. These files can be converted to .BMP's. Some of these .RLE file pictures are copyrighted. You must get the artist's permission for other than personal viewing of those files. Also, do not mistake these files with Windows RLE compressed .BMP's. They are two different things. ------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************************* * Remember, registered programs or images from a registered * * program make great gifts for family and friends!!! * ************************************************************* HOW TO USE HIDIMG PROGRAM ------------------------- Basically, HIDIMG takes an input file and "hides" it by covering it with a pattern file. The resulting image is displayed on-screen. There are triangular indicators on the image to help in "locking-in" on the image. The user must change his/her focus until the indicators appear to merge in the center. At this point of focus, the hidden effect should be noticeable in the image. The colors of this image may be modified. When the user is finished looking at the picture, it is saved to the output file. If you chose to make your own pictures, you need to create them in a special way. The picture must be in the form of a topographical map, i.e. the palette numbers that you use must correspond to the heights that you wish that color to be at. For example, the following values would give a pyramid structure: 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 1-2-2-2-2-2-1 1-2-3-3-3-2-1 1-2-3-4-3-2-1 1-2-3-3-3-2-1 1-2-2-2-2-2-1 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 All numbers not shown are 0. These numbers represent the palette numbers in the drawing program. Note that the colors which are assigned to the palette numbers are arbitrary. You can make them whatever colors you like. Think of it like this; your palette numbers correspond to 256 boxes into which you will put whatever color of paint that you want. What color of paint goes into which box is up to the you. When you want to make a topographic structure however, you must use the paint from the correct palette box that is at the height you want that color to be at. The "4" at the center of the pyramid indicates that it is at height "4". Notice that it is surrounded by colors at height "3", and so forth. Thus, the highest point is at the center, with the sides sloping down to form a pyramid. If you are using a painting program to make your own .BMP input files, I have a few suggestions. First of all, set the entire background color palette number 0. This is usually the color black. If you are using a program that tells you the palette numbers, then draw something with low palette numbers, around 1-20. If your program doesn't tell the palette numbers, draw a few objects with each a different color and write down what color each object was. Then, go to the HIDIMG program. If you used low palette numbers against a 0 height background, then a normal "hide" should work. If you used colors but don't know the heights, then you will have to play with the (Z) scaling factor. Try setting this to about 0.1 to 0.2 and look at the resulting hidden picture. What that does is takes each palette number and multiply it by the Z scale before displaying. Thus the number 240 would be sent to 24, a much more reasonable height, with a much greater chance of being seen in the hidden effect. However, it will also take the number 5 down to 0, so those low numbers will get lost. Therefore, it is REALLY helpful to use a program that tells you the palette numbers and use Z scale of 1. Under the (G)enerate Input command, there is a choice called Test Pattern. It creates a file with all of the 256 colors in ascending order as you read a page. You may be able to import it into your painting program and find out what color corresponds to what palette number. I am currently working on some way to make the "input file creation" easier and more intuitive, but this is all that I have right now. DISK SPACE: Make sure that you have LOTS of it. HIDIMG can read in compressed or uncompressed .BMP's, but it only creates uncompressed files. The reason for this is that a large number of the hidden pictures have larger compressed .BMP files than uncompressed. This is due to the way that the Windows RLE compression works. You might try converting the files to other formats and see if they work better. I would suggest a hard drive with at least 2-5M of free space. HIDIMG will try to save hidden images to the file HIDDEN.BMP unless the default is changed. This is intended to keep your disk from getting overrun with hidden image files. If you want to keep an image that you like, I would rename it to something else, so that you don't inadvertently write over it on the next hidden generation. Another reason for the uncompressed files is that they get displayed faster. This program is math intensive; the faster your system the better. I have a 486/66 and it gets slow at times. I have yet to see a computer that I can't slow down. Come on Pentium, your next... Speaking of slowing something down, HIDIMG is capable of very high rez disk-video modes of up to 2048x(available space)x256. These files take a LONG time and take a LOT of disk space (about 4.2M) per picture. However, there are some programs that can use them so here they are. Just run the program normally and select whatever resolution you like. HIDIMG is really a disk file-to-disk file converter. The images displayed on-screen are actually virtual. They do not affect the size of the images which are created in the hiding process. The output file size will be the same as the input file size. HIDIMG uses the following commands: Creating Hidden Images ---------------------- (H) Hide the Input file *** The Heart of HIDIMG *** The current input file is hidden with the current pattern, displayed on then screen at a selectable resolution, and saved in the output file. The image colors may be modified while the image is on-screen using the color palette changing commands. The final colors will be saved with the file information. Focusing indicators will appear at the top of the picture. Try to make the indicators merge and your eyes should be approximately at the correct focusing distance to "see" the image. Make sure that you have a lot of disk space availiable, especially if you use the high-rez modes. This is the shortcut key for generating an output file. Changing Settings ----------------- (C) Change a File Setting Each of the different file types; input, pattern, output, and color map may be changed with this command. It will go to a submenu from which the choice (I,P,O,C) can be made. Be sure to include the entire name when you select a file (e.g. HIDIMG.BMP). If you spell a filename incorrectly, it will be shown as "NUL", and you will have to change it again or generate a new file. (I) Change the Input file A list of .BMP files in the directory will be displayed. A default file may be chosen by pressing <Enter>. (P) Change the Pattern file A list of the pattern PT*.BMP files in the directory will be displayed. A default file may be chosen by pressing <Enter>. (O) Change the Output file The user may chose a filename. A default file may be chosen by pressing <Enter>. (C) Change the Color Map file A list of the .MAP files in the director will be displayed. A default file may be chosen by pressing <Enter>. A .MAP file is a color palette text file which contains a list of the Red, Green, and Blue intensity values for each color used by the image. These files are identical to those used by the FRACTINT fractal generation program. Any comments stored in these files must be below the 256th color triplet, or HIDIMG will have problems reading the file (HIDIMG not equipped to handle words). (Z) Change the Z-Scale parameter The Z-Scale parameter controls the apparent depth of the hidden image. A large Z-Scale value gives the picture a lot of 3Dness. A small Z-Scale values makes the picture look more flattened. Too large a value destroys the hidden effect. Too small a value makes everything flat. The original Z-Scale value of an input file is 1. The generated standard files work best at values near 1. (R) Change the Repeat parameter The Repeat parameter controls the apparent distance of the hidden image. A large Repeat value makes the image appear further away. A small Repeat value makes the image appear closer. Too small a Repeat value destroys the hidden effect. This parameter is useful in making the hidden image easier to see in terms of the focusing ability of the viewer. The two triangular indicators on the hidden image screen are controlled by this parameter. Larger Repeats make the indicators move apart, smaller make them move together. The original Repeat value is the width of the Pattern file. For most comfortable viewing, the indicators should be about an inch apart. For most screens, this means that the Repeat value should be: (Screen Width in Pixels)/10, approximately. (S) Change the Symmetry Algorithm HIDIMG supports three different symmetry algorithms for hiding the images: LTR, SYMM, and RTL. The SYMM or symmetric algorithm tries to hide the picture from the center towards the sides. The result is usually good, unless there is a lot of depth, in which case some of the picture near the center gets lost. LTR and RTL are the Left-To-Right and Right-To-Left algorithms. These will not lose any of the picture's data, but the surface pattern will appear distorted more on one side as the algorithm runs across the picture. (T) Change the Type of Hide Pictures may be hidden in either Normal or Inverted form. Normal form has higher palette numbers appearing closer to the viewer, while the inverted forms have higher palette numbers appearing further from the viewer. Typically the normal images appear upraised or embossed, while the inverted images appear depressed, like footprints. Sometimes the inverted images are fairly difficult to "see". Displaying Files On-Screen -------------------------- (D) Display a File On-Screen This option will display on-screen any of the file types; input, pattern, output, or color map. A beep will be sounded when the image is finished being made. The user can then modify the color palette of the image using the color palette changing commands (0..8,O,M). This command goes to the choice of file submenu. As of version 1.9, 2-color, 16-color, and 256-color uncompressed files should be capable of being displayed on-screen, making HIDIMG useful as a .BMP viewer. 256-color compressed .BMP's should also work. The hiding effect still only works with the 256-color .BMP's however. During the display, a progress indicator line should be visible at the top of the screen; when it reaches the left side of the screen, the display should be finished. (I) Display the Input file on-screen Reads in the current Input file listed in the current settings and shows it on-screen at a selectable resolution. (P) Display the Pattern file on-screen Reads in the current Pattern file listed in the current settings and shows it on-screen at a selectable resolution. (O) Display the Output file on-screen If a hidden image has been created, then reads in the current Output file listed in the current settings and shows it on-screen at a selectable resolution. Otherwise, it gives the message that no hidden image has been created during the current operation of the program. Note, hidden files displayed this way do not have the focusing indicators included. Also, these files are not affected by the "hidden effect" parameters. At this point, the program is simply drawing an already made picture, whether that picture is a hidden image or not. (C) Display the Color Map file on-screen Reads in the current Color Map file listed in the current settings and shows an on-screen palette in a 16x16 grid. The palette number and the (R,G,B) components are displayed. This option should be chosen at 640x480 resolution or above to see the numbers and components. Showing File Information ------------------------ (I) Information about a File This option allows the information about the different files types to be seen. It goes to the file choice submenu. The input, pattern, and output files are all bitmaps (.BMP), and the information given is the information contained in the file headers of the images. This includes picture size, compression, color info, etc. The Color Map Information gives the palette numbers and (R,G,B) values of the file. (I) Show Input file information Gives .BMP bitmap info on the Input file such as image and file sizes, compression and color info, etc. (P) Show Pattern file information Gives .BMP bitmap info on the Pattern file such as image and files sizes, compression and color info, etc. (O) Show Output file information If a hidden image has been created, then gives .BMP bitmap info on the Output file such as image and file sizes, compression and color info, etc. Otherwise it gives the message that no hidden file has been made in the current use of the program. (C) Show Color Map file information Gives the Palette numbers and Red,Green,Blue color values of the current Color Map file listed in the current setting section. Modifying Image Colors On-Screen -------------------------------- When an image is displayed on-screen, it is shown in the current palette of whatever system you are working on. If you don't like these colors, or at least get tired of them, you may change them to the possible palette colors listed below. (0..8) Random Color Palette Once an image is being displayed on the screen, press a number from 0 to 8 to use a random color palette on the image. The value indicates the degree of randomness in the color patterns, with 0 giving the smoothest color transitions and 8 giving very rough, random color transitions. On certain pattern files, such at PT1.BMP, a value of 8 creates random dot hidden images much like the other SIRDS viewers. Note that pressing 8 several times also gives the same effect as many of the SIRDS animation programs, which vary the patterns slightly to help lock in on the 3D efffect. (O) Original File Color Palette Once an image is being displayed on the screen, press O to use the original color palette that was saved with the file. The image is initially displayed in whatever are the standard colors of that system. (M) Map File Color Palette Once an image is being displayed on the screen, press M to use the color palette of the current .MAP file. (P) Palette Map Display This is a new, much-requested-for function. It displays the current palette on the top portion of the screen. The currently selected palette number will be flashing, and the number itself will be diplayed on the left side of the screen. This function is used to determine what palette number, or "height", each section of the screen is. When it is first turned on, the number zero will be displayed and all parts the image at height zero will be flashing. The (U)p and (D)own keys may be used to change the palette number, which will cause that palette number to be the flashing one; the other will stop. By using this, one can tell which if an input image has been correctly made. If you want a smoothly sloped object, then the palette numbers or heights of closeby sections of that object should be placed at adjacent heights. My suggestion is to make sure that the entire background of your picture is at height zero. Then use low heights (about 1-20) in your pictures until you are familar with how the hidden generation works. Once you are finished, use the (Q)uit key to return to the normal color changing mode. Generating Standard Files ------------------------- (G) Generate Standard Files This feature is a protection in case some of the other files with HIDIMG get lost. Using this feature creates a random Color Map file called HIDIMG.MAP, a semi-random Pattern file called PTHIDIMG.BMP, an Input file called HIDIMG.BMP, or the Output file called HIDDEN.BMP which is based on the current file settings. Note that the last option is the same as pressing the (H) key. The size of the Output file is determined by the resolution selected during the generation. Make sure that you have plenty of disk space available during the creation, since the high-rez files can be quite large (a 1024x768x256 .BMP occupies about 800KB). Please be patient during file generation, it could take a while on some machines. There will be a beep when the generation is finished, at which point the colors may be modified as described above for input files. (I) Generate Standard Input File This option will create some standard .BMP files which may be used as input files. The file created will be saved as HIDIMG.BMP. It will be saved at the resolution selected. (P) Generate Pattern File This option will create a semi-random pattern file which may be used to cover the hidden images. It will be saved as PTHIDIMG.BMP. It is a 100x100 size file, which is good for the higher resolution modes. (O) Generate Output File This option is exactly the same as the (H)ide the Image key (M) Generate a Color Map File This option creates a smoothly random color map file of 256 colors. Quitting the HIDIMG Program --------------------------- (Q) Quit from Main Menu <Control-Break> Quit from Anywhere <Control-C> Quit from Anywhere Return to the DOS prompt. Halting Screen Drawing ---------------------- <ESC> Halts the Screen Drawing and goes to next program step ** Any key not listed should escape the user one level back in menu selection. Once at the main menu, it will page back and forth between the shareware ad and the main menu. ** REQUIREMENTS ------------ To run HIDIMG, you must have SVGA card capable of 256 color. The file SVGA256.BGI needs to be in the same directory as HIDIMG18.EXE. Not all SVGA cards are alike, so some cards may not run HIDIMG. If nothing else, I believe the low rez (320x200) mode should work, if the card can do 256 color. Finally, it is designed for 286+ machines. A 287+ coprocessor is highly recommended, but not required. If for some reason the accompaning files (.BMP's or .MAP's), these files may be created with the (G)enerate feature. VERSION HISTORY --------------- v1.0-v1.6 Numerous Unreleased versions, all growing bigger and better Capable of doing more and more stuff v1.7 1st Public Release -- early Jan 1994 Main sites-SimTel MSDOS directory /graphics (The everything site) katz.anu.edu.au (A great stereogram site) v1.8 General Clean-up of v1.7 based on user feedback and further testing. Lots of minor detail cleaning Increase overall "smartness" of program Added <Control-Break>ing and <ESC>ing Added more warnings about required files and filenames and disk space Added more pattern files Added display line indicator to show progress of file display Partial fix of color palette problem Discovery of exe compressor v1.9 Bug fix of v1.8 Complete fix of color palette problem -- I think Complete fix of 2,16,256 color file display -- I think Replaced some slow real code with faster bit operations Added a Test Pattern of 256 colors to the Generate Input Menu Fixed Video Default Resolution v2.0 Fix of .BMP save mode for sizes which have width mod 4 byte<>0 "You know, it would be nice if I actually had the specs on the .BMP image format. You people are looking at the result of sending known signals into a black box, and seeing what you get out. Hopefully, I have explored all of the cave by now, but when you don't have a light, who can tell? Who invented this format anyway, and what the heck were they thinking at the time? Just send me a message if you have any problems and I'll do some more spelunking..." Added the much-requested-for palette display of height levels/palette numbers for input images Using a new version of SVGA256.BGI. This should cure the problems for a few more video card types, but no garantees. The kit is in the SimTel MSDOS directory under /borland -- svgabg52.zip I believe. Special Thanks to J. Michael Gibbs and Frank D. (Tony) Smith, whose help made this program possible. A version of the program should eventually be made available for Apple Mac computers. J. Michael Gibbs will be the author. More details about this later... Also, thanks to Harald Zappe, whose comments and suggestions have be very helpful. For technical support contact HIDIMG author: John Caputlu-Wilson 1451 Mecaslin St NW #8303 Atlanta, GA 30309-2288 (404) 875-4384 gt2346a@prism.gatech.edu DISCLAIMER AND LEGAL NOTICE --------------------------- All files included in this package must be distributed together and may not be modified in ANY WAY by anyone other than John Caputlu-Wilson. I reserve the right to refuse anyone the right to distribute this software with a written notice. In no way will John Caputlu-Wilson, J. Michael Gibbs, Frank D. (Tony) Smith, Harald Zappe, or FHS Supply, Inc. accept ANY RESPONSIBILITY for ANY damages, real or otherwise that this program, or images produced by it, may cause. This software is provided AS IS, USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. None of the parties above guarantee that the program will work as described. Now with that out of the way, have fun in the world of Hidden Image AutoStereo 3D!!! H H H H H H H H H H H H H i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m g g g g g g g g g g g g g