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- VGACAP (c) Copr. 1987-91 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). Freely distribute UNMODIFIED copies of VGACAP*.ZIP 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 VGACAP ?
-
- VGACAP is a resident utility that captures pictures in
-
- MCGA 320x200x256
- VGA 640x480x16
- SVGA 640x480x256
- SVGA 800x600x16
- SVGA 800x600x256
- SVGA 1KBx768x16
- and
- SVGA 1KBx768x256
-
- VGACAP will capture and "Bsave" 320x200x256 pictures; all others are
- saved to *.RAW file files (ie., "RAW" pixel dumps).
-
-
- WHAT IS VGAFIL ?
-
- VGAFIL is a conversion program for use in a batch file (*.BAT) or as an
- interactive stand-alone program; BLD/PLT files are 320x200x256 screens,
- all others are RAW/PLT files. VGAFIL is designed to integrate directly
- with VGACAD v2.0 (and up) and replace BLD2GIF and RAW2GIF. Moreover,
- VGAFIL converts and saves captured images to 32768-color TGA (Targa 16),
- 256-color BMP (Windows 3.x), PCX, GIF files or 16-color GIF files.
- VGAFIL is also a utility to customize and configure VGACAP to take
- advantage of specific SVGA chipset hardcoding for FAST screen captures.
-
-
- VGACAP and VGAFIL can be viewed as a generic conversion utility system
- since almost any MCGA/VGA/SVGA image from (320x200 to 1024x768) that can
- be viewed, can be converted to/from GIF, PCX, BMP or TGA format ! If you
- can view files using 'less popular formats', you can capture and convert
- them like so ...
-
- 'LESS POPULAR'
- FILE FORMATS (input)
-
- EFS \
- WIPS \
- SFP \
- PIG \
- RAS \ YOUR --> SVGA
- ISF / VIEWER --> SCREEN
- PDA / | CAPTURED VGAFIL
- DEGAS / VGACAP --> RAW FILES --> UTILITY
- GEM / |
- ETC / |
- 'MORE POPULAR'
- FILE FORMATS (output)
-
- GIF
- PCX
- BMP (Windows 3.x)
- TGA (Targa)
-
-
-
- REQUIREMENTS
-
- About 512KB of memory is required for VGAFIL, although it uses about 2/3
- of that; it, also, requires that the BRUN41.exe runtime module be present
- in your present path; this is explained later in this manual. You MUST
- have a VGA or MCGA adaptor (at least BIOS compatible) present and an
- analog monitor to use VGACAP. VGACAP uses about 4KB of RAM. To use
- the VGA 640x480x16 or ANY SVGA mode, you MUST have VGA or SVGA.
-
-
- COMPATIBILITY
-
- The BRUN41.exe runtime module HATES 'Shadow RAM' (ie., putting your
- VIDEO BIOS in low or high RAM); it 'hangs' (at least on our 386 SX).
- If VGAFIL 'locks-up' at start-up then you have this problem too;
- disable 'Shadow RAM' (eg., via CMOS set-up) and it should work.
-
- Trident TVGA card users that have the supposedly rare 'BR versions'
- will notice that the bank switching will be erroneous. We tried to
- accomodate this version but ended up compromising the more popular
- TVGA 8800 and 8900 versions <sorry>. The Trident 1024x768x256 grabs
- are not supported at this time since it uses a very peculiar, card
- specific, bank switching methodology (ie., it conflicts with SVGA
- display conventions); screen grabs are limited 800x600x256 or
- 1024x768x16, if available.
-
- ATI SVGA card users CANNOT capture 1024x768x16 screens if they are
- trigerred via mode 65 (hex) since this is the old packed mode that
- is inconsistent with SVGA 16-color display conventions. ATI users
- MUST view 1024x768x16 screens via mode 55 (hex), the planar mode,
- to grab them.
-
- If you grab a screen from an application that "simulates" the SVGA
- 640x480x256 mode and get 1/4th of the screen or get four 1/4ths of
- the screen then you grabbed from the unsupported 360x480x256 mode
- NOT a real SVGA 640x480x256 screen; you must configure that application
- for a TRUE 640x480x256 SVGA mode if your card supports it.
-
- If you create CUSTOM colors in your Windows 3.x environment, the
- BMP encoding algorithm may not work as well as it should; it will do
- its best with the Windows 3.x default color palette.
-
- If you are having compatibility problems with VGACAP (particularly SVGA
- bank switching) or VGAFIL encoding, please contact Lawrence Gozum
- [73437,2372] via CompuServe's
-
- E-Mail
- or
- PICs Forum
-
-
-
-
- CONFIGURING VGACAP
-
- VGACAP, on default, is set for BIOS operations; BIOS calls are 'generic'
- and should work with most, if not all, SVGA cards. However, BIOS calls
- are slow. By using the hardware configuration, VGACAP will capture
- screens in 2-3 seconds compared to about 20-30 seconds for 800x600x256
- screens (based on 28ms HD on 16 MHz 386sx).
-
- To configure VGACAP for your specific hardware type
-
- VGAFIL -V <ret>
- or
- VGAFIL -C <ret>
-
- A menu will guide you. Simply select the letter which corresponds to
- your video card chipset. Remember, when in doubt, return the setting
- to BIOS operations. BIOS operations does not guarantee that it will
- work, generally, if your video board manufacturer took care in
- writing its BIOS - it SHOULD work. BIOS grabs are limited to a
- maximum of 800x600x256/16 resolution, if available.
-
-
- HOW TO USE VGACAP
-
- Run VGACAP before entering your painting/CAD or digitized picture
- viewer. Press <ALT-F4>, while viewing your picture in any paint/CAD
- program and the screen and palette will be saved in your default drive
- and directory. If you are viewing your picture in MCGA/VGA 320x200x256
- then it will be "Bsaved". If you are NOT is MCGA/VGA 320x200x256 mode,
- then VGACAP will assume you are in an SVGA mode ! Since 800x600x16,
- 1024x768x16 and 1024x768x256 modes cannot be reliably differentiated,
- capturing screens in those modes require pressing different HOTKEYS.
-
- <alt-F4> is the HOTKEY for MCGA 320x200x256
- VGA 640x480x16
- SVGA 640x480x256
- and
- SVGA 800x600x256
-
- <alt-F6> is the HOTKEY for SVGA 800x600x16
-
- <alt-F7> is the HOTKEY for SVGA 1KBx768x16
-
- <alt-F10> is the HOTKEY for SVGA 1KBx768x256
-
- You'll note that we tried to keep the "hotkeys" as easy as possible
- to remember.
-
- <alt-F4> '4' all the common modes
-
- <alt-F6> for 800x600x16
- *
-
- <alt-F7> for 1024x768x16
- *
-
- <alt-F10> for 1024x768x256
- **
-
- Note: Some applications (eg., Windows) will NOT allow "hotkeys" and
- will not allow screen captures.
-
-
- The first time you run the program it will save your screen and palette
- to SCREEN00.BLD (.RAW) and SCREEN00.PLT respectively. If there is an
- existing SCREENxx.BLD (.RAW) or SCREENxx.PLT file, it will increment to
- the next higher number. You can use your favorite memory managers to
- remove this TSR or reboot to release it from memory.
-
- Note: Other programs, such as VGTIZE (Oculus-20 video grabbing
- software) alters the video mode to the extent that garbage
- results in files.
-
- If you are viewing in MCGA 320x200x256 then a SCREENxx.BLD and *.PLT
- file is saved. SCREENxx.RAW files are saved in all other cases; the
- "Bload" header is not included and a "RAW" contiguous pixel dump is
- implemented. If you wish, you can easily design your own utilities to
- read and process these "RAW" pixel dumps; they are simple contiguous
- pixel dumps (eg. 307,200 bytes = 640 x 480 pixels for VGA 640x480x16
- or SVGA 640x480x256 screens). The *.PLT files remain the same.
-
- Note: When in DOS or using a picture viewer or application which
- requires a keypress to continue, it is necessary to hit
- another key after hitting the 'HOTKEY'.
-
-
- LOADING/CONVERTING SCREEN GRABS WITH VGAFIL
-
- If you type "VGAFIL <ret>", then 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.
-
- A matching *.PLT file MUST exist or an error message will result.
- A *.GIF or *.PCX file is created with the corresponding name.
- GIF/PCX FILES WITH THE SAME NAME WILL BE OVERWRITTEN !
-
- On default, VGAFIL selects RAW/PLT files. BLD/PLT files can be selected
- by using the "-B" option.
-
- VGAFIL -B <ret>
-
- On default, all captured screens are converted to GIF (87a) files.
- To convert screens to 256-color PCX files, use the "-P" option.
-
- VGAFIL -P <ret>
-
- To convert screens to 256-color BMP files for Windows 3.x, use the
- "-W" option (for uncompressed Windows 3.x "Wallpaper"). A special
- color palette procesing option is applied to reduce "hot spots" when
- Windows alters and remaps the image to fit Windows color scheme.
-
- VGAFIL -W <ret>
-
- To convert screens to 32768-color TGA files for XGA, Hercules GS,
- Targa cards (and other "high-end clones"), use the "-T" option (for
- uncompressed Targa-16 format").
-
- VGAFIL -T <ret>
-
- To convert screens to 16-color GIF files, use the "-H" (ie., "Hex)
- option. USE THIS OPTION ONLY WHEN YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE ENCODING
- 16-COLOR IMAGE GRABS OR THE PROGRAM WILL HANG !!!
-
- VGAFIL -H <ret>
-
-
-
- COMMAND LINE AND BATCH FILES
-
- VGAFIL can be used in batch (*.BAT) files for multiple conversions.
- Simply type "VGAFIL [filename] " with no extension (path optional) for
- every file you want to convert in your batch file; you can also use
- this method if you want to convert a specific file from DOS.
-
- Examples: VGAFIL screen00
- VGAFIL -B screen00
- VGAFIL \capture\screen99
- VGAFIL -B \capture\screen99
- VGAFIL -P \capture\screen99
- VGAFIL -W \capture\screen99
- VGAFIL -T \capture\screen99
- VGAFIL -H \capture\screen99
-
- VGAFIL will automatically search for the RAW/PLT files or BLD/PLT files.
- If no files are found or matching *.PLT file is missing, then an error
- will result; the matching PLT files MUST be in the same drive/directory
- or default drive/directory.
-
-
- TEMP, MVGASCRN, NYBLSCRN, AND USERSCRN FILES
-
- TEMPorary files are used by VGACAD, SQZGIF, GIFPUB, ... (and other
- utilities we may release). When TEMP files are detected by VGAFIL, you
- will be prompted to convert it. If you acknowledge the prompt, you will
- be presented with two options: 16-color encoding and forcing 1:1 Aspect
- Ratio (these options will work ONLY for GIF files).
-
- MVGASCRN files are essentially similar to *.RAW files. USERSCRN files
- are created with VGACAD (v2.0 and up) and SQZGIF (v2.1 and up); these
- files have unusual screen sizes and have additional support files like
- TEMP files.
-
- NYBLSCRN (a "nybble" is half a byte or 4 bits or 16 colors) files have
- special meaning for VGAFIL. If VGAFIL detects this filename, it
- immediately converts the file in TRUE 16-color format; this applies
- only to GIF files.
-
-
- 16-COLOR MODE GRAB & CONVERSION
-
- All VGA 640x480x16 screens will be grabbed regardless of the hardcoded
- hardware setting of VGACAP.
-
- SVGA 800x600x16 screens can also be captured in two ways:
-
- 1) With the <alt-F4> 'hotkey', if and only if the BIOS configuration
- is used, since your video card will determine and execute the
- appropriate routine, albeit much slower.
-
- 2) With the <alt-F6> 'hotkey', using FAST direct memory read
- routines (actually more dependable than BIOS in some respects).
-
- 16-color images will be saved as 256-color files with the remaining
- 240 colors unused UNLESS
-
- you rename the captured files to NYBLSCRN.*
- and use GIF encoding (default)
-
- or
-
- use the "-H" option.
-
-
- Note: Using the "-P","-W" or "-T" option will encode a 16-color .PCX,
- .BMP or .TGA file BUT it will be encoded and viewable as a
- 256-color or 32768-color image with remaining colors unused
- (ie., you can still view the 16-color PCX, BMP or TGA file, BUT
- only in 256-color or greater mode).
-
- 256-color PCX compression of 16-color images is VERY poor (it is
- not designed that way). It would be better to encode 16-color
- GIF files with VGAFIL then use another program (eg., VPIC) to
- convert the 16-color GIF to a 16-color PCX file.
-
-
-
- THE CHAINED VGACAD ENVIRONMENT
-
- BRUN41.exe is a runtime module distributed under licence with Microsoft;
- it can be distributed and used ONLY in connection with this program.
- You can place it in any drive/directory as long as your PATH has access
- to it. VGACAD v2.0 and up integrates VGAFIL into its chained
- environment; it is actually a module of VGACAD (v2.0 and up).
-
- The advantage of using the BRUN41.exe is an integrated system of
- utilities and "sub-programs". New releases will be modified to support
- the "chained environment", with VGACAD as the integrator. Only one copy
- of BRUN41.exe is required.
-
-
- USING SVGA SCREEN GRABS IN VGACAD
-
- If you capture a 640x480x256 or 800x600x256 screen for direct editing in
- VGACAD then:
-
- (1) from the VSCRN Menu, create a blank 640x480 or 800x600 Virtual
- Screen (whichever corresponds to captured screen);
-
- (2) exit VGACAD and DO NOT DELETE the TEMP files;
-
- (3) overwrite TEMP.RAW and TEMP.PLT with the selected SCREENxx.RAW
- and SCREENxx.PLT files; for example, at DOS prompt type
-
- "COPY screen00.* temp.*" <ret>
-
- (4) run VGACAD and load TEMP.PLT at the Files Menu;
-
- (5) click the VSCRN box; at the VSCRN Menu, click iSCR vDSK then OK;
- you see the captured 640x480x256 or 800x600x256 image as the new
- Virtual Screen.
-
-
- REGISTRATION
-
- REGISTRATION OF VGACAP 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'
- VGACAP OR VGAFIL.
-
- ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ 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, TGA (Targa 16/24/32),
- BMP (Windows 3.0) and BLD/PLT files. A unique SVGA 32K-color rendering
- is used in viewing 24-bit BMP files or TGA files in 16/256-color modes.
- 4096 file selection. Smart slideshows - picks best mode. 320x400x256
- and 360x480x256 modes. GIF 89a support. AutoSize/AutoCenter/AutoAspect.
- RGB/Color/Contrast/Brightness and Monitor adjust. 1:1, 5:6 and TGA aspect
- ratio correction. EGA/MCGA/VGA required.
-
- VGACAD - extensive paint/image processing program for VGA/MCGA 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.
-
-
- 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 a specialized application 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, TIFF (*.TIF), TARGA (*.TGA) and Windows
- 3.x (*.BMP) files will be the main input sources. 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
-
-
-
- ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Graphics Interchange Format and GIF are trademarks (tm)
- of CompuServe Inc. an H&R Block Company.
-
-