ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 …eeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)/ProfitPress-MegaCDROM2.B6I/GRAPHICS/MISC/VGACAD25.ZIP/VGACAP.DOC

Text File | 1991-02-21 | 16.7 KB | 369 lines

         VGACAP v7.1 (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).

    You can freely distribute copies of unmodified VGACAP 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 320x200x256
    VGA/MCGA mode, any 640x480x256 SVGA mode or any 800x600x256 SVGA mode
    (e.g., Genoa GVGA, Tseng 3000/3000, Paradise/PVGA, Trident 8800/8900,
    ATI, Video7, C&T 452/453, Oak, ...) supported.  VGACAP will capture and
    "Bsave" 320x200x256 pictures; SVGA 640x480x256 and 800x600x256 pictures
    will be 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; RAW and BLD/PLT files are 640x480x256
    or 800x600x256 screens, or 320x200x256 screens respectively.  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 3.0), 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.


    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 3KB of RAM.  To use
    the 640x480x256 or 800x600x256 capture mode, you MUST have SVGA.


    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 18 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.

    If you are having compatibility problems with VGACAP or VGAFIL please
    contact Lawrence Gozum by:

        1) E-plex at CompuServe [73437,2372]
        2) E-mail at the CompuServe PICs Forum
        3) Telephone [phone]
        4) Mail at
                        One Oriole Rd. #206
                        Toronto, Ontario
                        Canada M4V 2E7



    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 !

                        <alt-F4> is the HOTKEY

    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.

    If you are viewing in 640x480x256 SVGA mode or 800x600x256 SVGA mode,
    then the SCREENxx.BLD file is changed to SCREENxx.RAW; 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 with file sizes
    of 307,200 bytes (i.e., 640 x 480 = 307,200 pixels) for 640x480x256 SVGA
    mode and 480,000 bytes for 800x600x256 SVGA mode.  The *.PLT files remain
    the same.

    Note:     When in DOS or using a picture viewer (e.g., PICEM, VPIC, or
              CSHOW) 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 3.0, use the
    "-W" option (for uncompressed Windows 3.0 "Wallpaper").

                        VGAFIL -W <ret>

    To convert screens to 32768-color TGA files for XGA, Hercules HGSC,
    Targa cards (and other "high-end clones"), use the "-T" option (for
    uncompressed Targa 16 bits format").

                        VGAFIL -T <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 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, EGA2VGA, ... (and
    other utilities we may release).  When TEMP files are detected by
    VGAFIL, you will be prompted to convert it.  It 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

    Most 640x480x16 and 800x600x16 screens can be captured IF the BIOS
    configuration is used.  Through the BIOS, your video card will
    determine and execute the appropriate routine, albeit much slower.
    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).

    1.  Configure VGACAP (with VGAFIL to use BIOS).
    2.  Load VGACAP (by "running" it).
    3.  View your 16-color image in VGA 640x480x16 or SVGA 800x600x16 mode.
    4.  Grab it (press alt-F4).
    5.  Rename captured files to NYBLSCRN.

        eg., nename SCREEN00.* NYBLSCRN.* <ret>

    6.  Run VGAFIL and convert to GIF (ie., with NO OPTIONS ).

    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 (v1.6 and up)

    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 and BLD/PLT files.
    Smart slideshows - picks best mode.  320x400x256, 360x480x256 and
    640x400x16 modes on regular VGA.  EGA posterization.  EEGA/SVGA
    support.  Auto-sizing.  Contrast/Brightness.  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 MANNEQUIN 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
    3.0 (*.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.