Welcome to the Demo version of PICS Tools™. This demo version is identical to the working version with one exception: As it optimizes a PICS file, it will print the message “PICS Tools Demo” on each frame of the output PICS file.
Description:
-----------
PICS Tools optimizes and plays PICS animation files created by programs such as MacroMind Director™, Stratavision 3D™ and Swivel 3D™, et al. Many such animation programs save a full frame for each image, even when only a portion of the image changes from frame to frame. PICS Tools performs 100% lossless compression by removing redundant information from frame to frame.
PICS Tools can also reduce bit depth. For instance, reducing a file from 32 bits to 16 bits can result in a much smaller file size with virtually no visible reduction in image quality. This is especially useful when a PICS animation will be recorded on video tape, since the slight loss in color resolution is usually too subtle to be preceived during tape playback.
For PICS animations that will be shown on the Mac, reducing bit depth from 32 bits to 8 bits will create smoothly dithered images with much smaller memory requirements for playback. This means that longer animation sequences can fit into memory for “real-time” (or nearly real time) playback.
PICS Tools also offers a player function for PICS animations at bit depths of from 32 bits down to dithered 1-bit levels, and supports single- or multiple-monitor systems.
System Requirements:
--------------------
PICS Tools requires a Macintosh with 5 Mb RAM, System 6.0.5 or later and 32-bit QuickDraw. For PICS file playback, the more memory available, the larger and longer the animation can be. If an animation sequence is too large to fit into memory for playback, PICS Tools loads as many frames as it can, and will play those frames.
PICS Tools is System 7 compatible.
Setting Up and Using PICS Tools:
-----------------------------
PICS Tools comes with virtually its entire manual on-line. Select Help... under the Apple menu, and you can page through all the information you’ll need to use PICS Tools.
PICS Tools Pricing and Availablity:
-------------------------------
PICS Tools is available directly from McQ Productions, and is distributed in two ways, and at two prices:
A complete PICS Tools package, including the program disk and manual, is available for $79.95.
PICS Tools is also available via electronic delivery for $69.95. Simply supply your mailbox address on America Online, AppleLink, CompuServe or GEnie. (Please also include the organization name and (optionally) individual name you’d like to appear on the title screen as the registered owner.) We’ll rush you your copy of PICS Tools, literally at the speed of light, as a program file sent to your electronic address.
PICS Tools is also available through professional video dealers who carry the Comprehensive Video Supply product line.
Guarantee:
---------
PICS Tools comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. There is, of course, the usual fine print that you’ll receive along with the program, but the bottom line is that we want you to be happy with PICS Tools so you’ll consider buying other neat stuff from us.
To Order:
--------
Send your check or money order for the appropriate amount as listed above to:
McQ Productions
P. O. Box 1676
San Mateo, CA 94401
Or order using your MasterCard or Visa by calling:
1-800-659-4755 (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time)
Please have your card number and expiration date handy.
If you have any technical questions, please call:
(415) 348-1344 - voice
(415) 342-0199 - fax
For package (non-electronic) orders, we’ll pay shipping for normal ground shipments; please add $10 if you want overnight delivery via Federal Express.
California residents please add the appropriate sales tax for your county.
About McQ Productions:
---------------------
McQ Productions was founded in 1976 as a video production company by Lon McQuillin, who went on to earn numerous awards as a producer/director/editor. He is also the author of “The Video Production Guide” and “Computers in Video Production.” Lon became involved in software development in 1981, releasing the first version of Edit Lister - an edit list management program - for the Apple II computer in 1983 through Comprehensive Video Supply Corp. Edit Lister is by far the best-selling program of its type, with thousands of copies in use on Macs and PCs around the world.
The groundwork laid with Edit Lister was later applied to Edit Master, a full-featured video tape editing system distributed since 1988 by CV Technologies, a division of Comprehensive Video. Edit Master 4.0 for the Macintosh was introduced at the 1991 NAB show, and Edit Master 4.0 for the PC debuted at the 1992 NAB. There are now more than 600 Edit Master installations world wide.
Other Neat Stuff from McQ Productions:
-----------------------------------
MacAnimator
------------
MacAnimator provides direct control of video recorders equipped with RS-422 remote control ports that conform to “industry standard” (ie. Sony) protocol. This includes D2, Betacam, MII, broadcast 3/4-inch, professional SVHS and all except Ampex 1-inch video recorders. (Ampex uses their own proprietary protocol for their 1-inch machines. Their Betacam machines, however, will work fine with MacAnimator.)
MacAnimator loads PICS files or sequences of numbered PICT files and automatically records the images a frame at a time onto video tape. Once the process is started for an animation sequence, MacAnimator works with no further operator involvement.
MacAnimator can also be used with other video sources, such as a camera on an animation stand. In such instances, the operator need only click the “Start” button or press Return to record each frame.
For output of Mac-created animations, MacAnimator requires a Macintosh with 5 Mb RAM, System 6.0.5 or later, 32-bit QuickDraw and an NTSC or PAL video output card in addition to the one driving the main monitor. For animation control from other sources, it requires a Macintosh with 1 Mb RAM, System 6.0.5 or later and 32-bit QuickDraw.
MacAnimator is available for $249.95 for the standard package (including program disk, manual and Mac-to-VTR cable), or $199.95 via electronic delivery (including simple instructions for making your own cable to connect the Mac to the Remote port on your VTR).
Mac Video Titler
---------------
Mac Video Titler™ is a low-cost character generator program for the Mac that works with Adobe Type Manager® and Apple TrueType™ fonts to create extremely high-quality, anti-aliased titles. Titles can be created over a color background or “keyed” over any PICT file background image. Character size, color and font can be set on a character-by-character basis. Drop shadows with selectable shadow depth and color are also available. It comes with a built-in video graphics font that lets you create lines, shapes and borders, and includes a series of sample files. The only things it doesn’t to is perform rolls and crawls (we thought we’d save you a phone call). On the other hand, it costs less than many fonts.
For title creation and output, Mac Video Titler requires a Macintosh with 5 Mb RAM, System 6.0.5 or later, 32-bit QuickDraw and an NTSC or PAL video output card in addition to the one driving the main monitor. For title composition, it requires a Macintosh with 1 Mb RAM, System 6.0.5 or later and 32-bit QuickDraw.
Mac Video Titler is available for $139.95 for the standard package, or $119.95 via electronic delivery.
If you order PICS Tools before June 15, 1992, either as a standard package or via electronic delivery, we’ll knock another $10 off the price! Get PICS Tools for $69.95 for the standard package, or $59.95 via electronic delivery!
(This offer is good only for orders placed directly with McQ Productions.)
