Thank you for buying this software package, and we hope you enjoy visiting Stereoworld.
It's really easy to find your way around Stereoworld. The main menu screen allows you to select from seven choices; each choice is displayed on a large graphical button:
Images
Animations and Morphs
Games
Create Your Own Stereograms
Options
Help
Exit
To make your selection, simply move the mouse pointer over the appropriate graphical button and click the left mouse button.
The Help button starts this on-screen help facility.
The Exit button enables you to leave Stereoworld.
For more information about the other buttons, please select the appropriate headings in this Help section.
If you ever find that you get stuck or don't know what to do, you may find it helpful to press the Esc key to cancel your current selection.
##END
##2 Problems Running Stereoworld
If Stereoworld fails to load some sections of the software, or Stereoworld runs slowly, please refer to the information below:
##CENTRE HIMEM and EMM386 Memory Managers
The memory managers HIMEM and EMM386 need to be installed on your computer for Stereoworld to function correctly.
Please consult your DOS manual for details of how to install HIMEM and EMM386.
##CENTRE Memory Shortage due to TSRs, Device Drivers, and DOS Shells
The term, TSR, is an abbreviation for Terminate and Stay Resident, and some TSRs may be automatically loaded into memory when you start up your computer. We recommend that you do not run any TSRs, device drivers, DOS shells, etc. when attempting to run Stereoworld. For details of how to create a DOS Boot Disk for Stereoworld, please see the READ.ME file in the Stereoworld directory.
##END
##3 Tips on Viewing Stereograms
In our experience, it seems as if nearly everyone who has reasonable sight in both eyes is able to view the hidden images in stereograms. Don't be discouraged if you find it difficult at first; it's worth persevering because it's an astonishing experience when you see one of the hidden images for the first time. It becomes easier with practice, and Stereoworld is an ideal place for you to improve your viewing skills.
The stereogram viewing technique is quite safe, and it should not cause you any strain. In fact it may be potentially beneficial by exercising your eye muscles. If you experience any strain, take a break and return to Stereoworld at a later time.
The most useful tip is: relax, take your time, and don't force it.
Each stereogram image is made up from a pattern which is repeated across the screen, except that the pattern varies slightly, and it is these variations that create the effect of depth. You should look through the image and focus on a point behind the image so that the each pattern overlaps onto the one beside it.
There are three main methods that can help you to view a stereogram's hidden image for the first time. Once you have got the knack, you may find that you can view the hidden images almost instantly without needing to go through these methods.
##CENTRE Method 1
Move your head quite close to the stereogram image, and slowly move your head backwards until the image is about seven or eight inches in front of your eyes. Keep looking through the image, and relax. You may start to see a blurred hidden image. If not, repeat this process a few times and vary the viewing distance: just slightly closer or slightly further away. Seeing a blurred hidden image means that you're nearly there. However, at this point it's very easy to allow yourself to switch back into looking at the image instead of looking through the image - this is when a little self-control is required. Relax and repeat the process until you find that you are able to focus on the hidden image.
##CENTRE Method 2
Look at the stereogram image on your computer screen in a well-lit room. Then instead of looking at the image, look at a reflection on the computer screen, and focus your eyes on that reflection (for example, use the reflection of a lamp). Keep staring at the reflection, but allow your eyes to gradually take in the image itself. As with Method 1, you may initially see a blurred hidden image or it may suddenly leap into view. You may be so surprised that you lose the hidden image as quickly as it appeared. If so, just start again with the knowledge that you really can do it. If you have a small mirror, such as a dentist's mirror, you can place it in the centre of the screen and look at your reflection in the mirror. Again, allow your eyes to gradually become aware of the image surrounding the mirror until the hidden image comes into view.
##CENTRE Method 3
This method sometimes works excellently for people who have been unable to see the hidden images using the other two methods. You will need to have a printout of a stereogram image. Using a pen or pencil, make a smallish hole (about the diameter of a pea) in the centre of the image. Now hold the image about four inches in front of another object. Look at the object through the hole in the image, and focus on the object. Without adjusting your focus, allow your eyes to take in the image. As with Method 2, you may now see a blurred hidden image or the image may jump out at you. If not, repeat this process, and move the stereogram image closer to you or further away from you whilst continuing to look at the other object through the hole in the centre of the image.
Experiment with the different methods to see which one you prefer, keep relaxed, don't force it, and prepare to be amazed by what you see.
##END
##4 Images
To view the static images in Stereoworld, simply move the mouse pointer over the Images button on the Main Menu screen, and click the left mouse button.
Then select one of the images from the list by moving the mouse pointer and clicking on the image which you would like to view.
Click the Reveal button (which is marked with a pair of eyes) to see a representation of the hidden image in the stereogram. This shows you a greyscale depth image: the lighter areas appear closer to you than the darker areas when the image is viewed in stereogram form. Please note that the floater stereograms, such as the one named "Fly Me!", do not have a hidden image so the Reveal button is not selectable for floater stereograms.
Click the Print button to print out the stereogram. If your printer is not listed, please refer to the Printing Stereograms section of this Help documentation.
You can now select a different stereogram by clicking on one of the three image selection buttons (previous image, image number, next image) at the left-hand side of the screen.
To exit back to the Main Menu, click on the Exit button at the right-hand side of the screen.
##END
##5 Animations and Morphs
To view the animations and morphs in Stereoworld, click the Animations and Morphs button on the Main Menu screen.
Then select one of the animations from the list by moving the mouse pointer and clicking on the animation which you would like to view.
When the animation has loaded, it will automatically start to play. To pause the animation click the Pause button, and click on the Play button to restart the animation.
Click the Save button to save the current frame of the stereogram. The frame is saved in BMP format into the OUT directory.
You can now select a different animation by clicking on one of the three image selection buttons (previous animation, animation number, next animation) at the left-hand side of the screen.
To exit back to the Main Menu, click on the Exit button at the right-hand side of the screen.
##END
##6 Game 1: Escape
To play Escape, click the Games button on the Main Menu screen, and then click the Escape button on the Games Menus screen. Instructions for playing the game will then appear on the screen.
##END
##7 Game 2: Lunar Lander
To play Lunar Lander, click the Games button on the Main Menu screen, and then click the Lunar Lander button on the Games Menus screen. Instructions for playing the game will then appear on the screen.
##END
##8 Game 3: Stereosaw
To play Stereosaw, click the Games button on the Main Menu screen, and then click the Stereosaw button on the Games Menus screen.
Now you can select the starting level: Easy, Medium, or Difficult, by clicking the appropriate button.
Press the mouse button to jumble up the pieces.
Now, to solve the puzzle, you have to swap around the pieces until you have reassembled the original stereogram. To swap two pieces, select the first piece by moving the mouse pointer over the piece and clicking the mouse, then move over the second piece and click the mouse to make the swap.
##END
##9 Create Your Own Stereograms
To create your own stereograms, click the Create Your Own Stereograms button on the Main Menu screen.
Then select the objects and characters that you want to place on your stereogram by clicking the buttons on the right-hand side of the screen. The objects are shown in grey shades, and they will make up the hidden image that will be concealed in your stereogram.
To reselect any object that you have placed on the screen, move the mouse pointer over the object and click the right mouse button. The object can then be moved to a different place on the screen or removed by clicking the Delete button.
You can save and load your hidden image by clicking the Save and Load buttons.
When you are satisfied with the hidden image that you have produced, click the Stereogram button. You will be shown a menu of images that can be used as the dual image of your stereogram. Decide which image you would like to use and select it by clicking your chosen image. The stereogram will then be created before your eyes, and it can be printed or saved by clicking the appropriate button. The stereogram will be saved in BMP format into the OUT directory.
You can even make an animation from your stereograms by combining your images using animation software; there is a particularly good animation utility, called "DTA", which is widely available.
The stereograms may be freely used for your own private use, such as sending them out as greeting cards, or using them as personal posters. You may not use the stereograms commercially without the prior written permission of Impact Software.
##END
##10 Options
Click the Options button on the Main Menu screen to view the available options.
You can alter the settings for the sound system, sound quality, sound volume, and printer port.
You can also choose to use the stereograms as Desktop Wallpaper by clicking the Make Wallpaper button.
##END
##11 Printing Stereograms
Stereograms can be printed from the following sections of Stereoworld:
Images,
Create Your Own Stereograms.
If your printer is not listed, you can still print out the stereograms by simply loading the files into a graphics utility software package, and then printing the files. To make this easy for you, standard graphics file formats, GIF and BMP, have been used as much as possible. Two suitable graphics utility packages, which are easily obtainable, are "Paint Shop Pro" and "Graphic Workshop".
##END
##12 About Stereoworld
Design and Implementation: Richard Hanson, Steve Botterill.
Programming: John Whigham, David Bolton, Roger Womack,
Richard Hanson.
Graphics: Faisel Mohamed, Alick Morrall, Mike Ellis,
John Whigham, David Bolton, Richard Hanson.
Sound Effects & Music: John Whigham, Matthew Atkinson,
David Postlethwaite, Karl Morton.
General Assistance: Pete Davidson, Paul Smith (Raytech B.B.S.),
Richard Allsebrook, Tom Pigott.
Special thanks to John Whigham for taking on a difficult job, and accomplishing it with style.
(c) Copyright Impact Software, 1994.
All rights reserved. No part of this documentation or the software mentioned in this documentation may be copied, reproduced or translated in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Impact Software.
Impact Software reserves the right to make modifications to the product described in this documentation at any time and without notice.
Stereoworld 2 is scheduled for release early in 1995. As well as containing a host of new stereograms, it will also feature three new stereographic games. Available on PC CD-ROM or PC 3.5 inch disks, it will be priced at a recommended retail price of 29.99 pounds sterling, which includes postage & packing when ordered direct from us.
To ensure that you receive Stereoworld 2 as a priority order as soon as it is available, you can place your order now using an Access, Mastercard, or Visa card, or by cheque. Please contact Impact Software by phone, fax, or mail at the address shown. We guarantee that we will not deduct your credit card payment or cash your cheque until Stereoworld 2 is despatched to you.
Impact Software is planning a range of other stereogram products. Please contact us for more information.
