Magicom Multimedia Collection: Morph

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Magicom Multimedia Collection: Morph / Magicom-TheCompleteMorphSharewares-Win31.iso / programs / imgmstr / imgmstr.arj / README.TXT < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1995-02-01 | 20.5 KB | 502 lines

IMAGE MASTER by ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE (If it's good, it's ACCIDENTAL) Copyright (C) 1994, 1995 all rights reserved NOTE: To print a copy of this file from DOS, type "TYPE README.TXT > PRN" then push Enter. This program is SHAREWARE. Distribution of the UNREGISTERED version of this program is encouraged as long as it is copied in whole and remains unaltered. No fee may be asked for this program itself, but a nominal distribution fee may be charged for the diskette used to distribute this software as long as the purchaser of said diskette is informed that the fee for acquiring the diskette does not constitute payment of the REGISTRATION FEE. Vendors, see the file VENDOR.TXT for details. Use of or distribution of the REGISTERED version of this software without purchasing this program by paying the registration fee or without a license granted from ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE is illegal. NOTE: You may have a version of this program without the, file "VBRUN300.DLL" provided. If so, this was done to save disk space and download time. VBRUN300.DLL is widely available and in fact may already be in your windows directory. Vbrun300.dll is required for this program to function. It will be necessary to obtain a copy of VBRUN300.DLL in order to install and run this program. Registered users receive the complete version of this program with vbrun300.dll included. See How Do I register below for details. System requirements. 1. IBM or compatible (486 processor or better recommended). 2. 4 mega bytes of RAM. 3. VGA or better video card capable of 256 color screen modes. 4. Mouse or other pointing device. NOTE: 16 or 24 bit color modes work best, 256 Color mode is the minimum compatible screen mode. What is this program? 1. IMAGE MASTER is a screen saver and image viewer for windows that can use your own images and midi files. IMAGE MASTER can play songs from a CD-ROM. Music can play as pictures are being displayed. You can select Password protection if desired. Messages can be left on the screen. 2. IMAGE MASTER can be installed as a standard Window's Screen saver from Window's desk top, or can be used from the Program Group that IMAGE MASTER makes for windows. IMAGE MASTER can be used as both. 3. IMAGE MASTER can be used as a screen saver and/or an image viewer. If you have installed IMAGE MASTER as a screen saver, and want to use it from the program manager to leave a message or make your system password protected while you have to be temporarily away, you can do this by double clicking the IMAGE MASTER Icon. If IMAGE MASTER is running from the program manager, it will not invoke itself as a screen saver even if the amount of time has passed to call it as a screen saver from the desktop. 4. IMAGE MASTER is ideal for corporations that need a screen saver that can use their own pictures or corporate logos. It is also ideal for users who want a way to display their own images (regardless of format) as a screen saver or as a stand alone program. What is SHAREWARE? 1. Shareware is a marketing method. For a minimal investment, you can try a program to see if it fits your needs. After a short trial period, you are expected to purchase the program by paying the reg- istration fee if you decide to use it on a regular basis. How do I install the program? 1. Install IMAGE MASTER for Windows. a. Start Microsoft Windows. b. Insert the disk in the proper drive. c. From the Window's Program Manager, select FILE MENU and choose RUN. d. Type B:\SETUP and press Enter. Substitute your drive letter for "B:" if your disk is in a different drive. NOTE: If you have a version of this program that is provided without the file VBRUN300.DL_ on the distribution diskette, you must obtain a copy of this DLL (VBRUN300.DLL) and copy it to your windows\system directory before Image Master can be installed or used. In some cases, if you are using a program that is accessing or using a DLL or other file that IMAGE MASTER uses and installs, you may receive a message during installation that warns you that a file can not be installed since it is already in use by your system. You can choose Ignore to this warning and the program should install correctly. How do I make IMAGE MASTER the active screen saver? 1. Select Yes to the Install Image Master as the current windows screen saver when the setup program asks you to respond to this query. This will set Image Master to the active screen saver in your windows desk top. A 5 minute time out will be set. Alternate screen saver installation. 1. Once IMAGE MASTER is successfully installed, it may be selected as the current screen saver from windows. a. From the Windows Program Manager, select MAIN. b. From MAIN select CONTROL PANEL. c. From CONTROL PANEL select DESK TOP. d. From DESK TOP select the arrow key next to SCREEN SAVER. e. From the menu, select IMAGE MASTER. 2. The above steps will select IMAGE MASTER as the current screen saver. Use the SET UP button to select the features of the program you want. It is possible to select and preview pictures, MIDI files, and CD-ROM songs. Do this for pictures by double clicking on the picture you want to preview in the list of Bit Maps To Show. For Midis double click on the mid you want to hear in the list of Mide Songs to Play. 3. Push the TEST button to run the screen saver program as a test. 4. Select the desired inactive time for the screen saver program to implement itself. How do I use the program from the Windows Program Manager? 1. If the Image Master program group is not open, double click on the IMAGE MASTER program group. 2. To run Image Master, double click on its Icon. 3. The program will start in the Set Up Mode. Select the options you want, then push the Screen Saver button to start the program. What are the program features? 1. Registered users can add up to 500 Bit Map files (500 images) in each of the 10 Slide Shows. These images can be located in any directory on your hard drive or floppy drives. You can even us your CD-ROM as a source of pictures. If you have Kodak's Access software, you can use Image master to show you photo CDs. 2. Registered users can add up to 100 Midi selections to be played by your midi software as the program displays your pictures. 3. Set the length of time for the picture to remain on the display before the next one replaces it. This time ranges from 10 seconds to 1 minute. 4. Any image can be used as long as it is in .PCX, .BMP, .GIF format (UNREGISTERED VERSION). The REGISTERED VERSION of Image Master will access the following additional file formats. .DIB, .TGA, WMF, .EPS, .TIF, .JPG, CMP, .CAL, .IMG, .MAC, .MSP, .PCD, PCT, RAS, WPG. NOTE: Photo CD images (.PCD) requires Kodak's Access Software. 5. You need not copy any picture or midi file to any other directory to use it. IMAGE MASTER can find and use your files from any valid hard drive, floppy or CD-ROM drive and directory your computer. 6. You can add or delete picture and midi files and set the picture delay through the standard setup button provided by windows for screen savers or by starting IMAGE MASTER from the program manager by double clicking on its Icon. 7. You can use scanned images as long as the image is saved in a format that is compatible with IMAGE MASTER (see 5. above for details.) 8. Bit maps may be displayed as full screen images or they can be displayed so that their original size is retained. If your bit map files are not the same aspect ratio as the screen mode you are using, you will probably want to show them while retaining their original size so that no picture distortion occurs. If showing your images in full screen size, a frame will outline your bit map. This frame will change from time to time and even disappear to avoid screen burn in. 9. You can randomize the order in which your images are displayed. Click on the Randomize Picture Order check box to choose this option. 10. The speed that Image Master uses to put your images to the screen can be adjusted. Select Picture Attributes, then slide the selector bar to the slower or faster end of the adjuster bar to vary this speed. 11. Any mouse button press and most keyboard keys will terminate Image Master and return you to the application you were using before Image Master started. The following keys have special meaning. 1. If MIDI is selected, pushing the "M" key on the keyboard will toggle the MIDI selections playing to mute and back on again. 2. If you have CD-Audio selected, pushing the "space" bar will bring up an audio selector panel. You can select Previous, Next, Play, Pause, and Stop with this selector bar. 3. The "A" key initiates the Adjust Image form. You can choose any valid option on this form. After EXIT any options chosen will be applied to the image shown. 4. The "P" key will pause Image Master on the present image. Pushing "P" again will toggle pause off. 5. The "T" key initiates the Image Transitions form. You can choose the types of transitions to use when displaying your pictures. You can preview each type of image transition by using the View command button. After EXIT any changes to the transitions choosen will be used to display your pictures. 12. You can use a Password to protect access to your computer when Image Master is running. 13. You can leave a message for any visitors you may have while you are away from your computer, or messages you may want to display to the public. 14. If using Photo CD pictures (REGISTERED VERSION ONLY), you can select the size that the image will appear on the screen. You can also choose one of several options available for displaying your picture such as gray scale and flipping your image. 15. CD-ROM audio is available in both the registered and unregistered versions. If your CD-ROM is capable of playing CD-AUDIO, you can select it as the source of music for Image Master. How much does it cost to register? 1. The registration fee is $19.95 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. 2. FOREIGN ORDERS (Except CANADA). Shipping and handling is $5.00. 3. Site licenses are available. Contact Accidental Software for details. 4. Accidental Software can modify this program to provide a unique application for Company or other large groups of users. Custom applications can be developed to include the incorporation of AVI or QuickTime video, and support of fractal image files. Contact Accidental Software for details. How do I register? -- We accept VISA or MASTERCARD! 1. Print a registration form. Select the Set Up button for screen savers in Windows, or start IMAGE MASTER from the program manager by double clicking on it's Icon. When Image Master Set Up shows, select Registration and print out a registration form. If you can't do this, send me a note with payment and the type of disk you need. Only 1.44 HD or 1.2 HD diskettes are offered. 2. Send a check or money order to: ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE 13245 SKIOMAH RD. APPLE VALLEY, CA. 92308 3. FOREIGN ORDERS: Send international money order (U.S. Currency) or Visa or MASTERCARD information. 4. Easier yet, register using your VISA or MASTERCARD. 619-247-2804 -- Registration and Technical Support 1-619-247-6819 -- FAX What does registration do for me? 1. You will receive the complete most recent version of Image Master. 2. While this program is designed to allow the user to use his/her own images. The registered version is shipped with six (6) pictures that can be viewed with the sample function. 2. The registered version of IMAGE MASTER allows you to select and use up to 500 pictures in each of the 10 Slide Shows. 3. The registered version of IMAGE MASTER allows you to select and use up to 100 MIDI files (songs). If you have a CD-ROM Drive capable of playing CD-AUDIO, you can listen to CD-AUDIO as your pictures are displayed. 4. The registered version of this program has no registration reminders. 5. The registered version of this program allows you to access additional file formats (listed in Program features #5 above). Common Questions! Q. When I double click on the Image Master Icon the program will not start. What is happening? A. Multiple instances of Image Master cannot be started. If the program was started by double clicking on its Icon and a subsequent click outside its form hides the application, it is still running in the background. You need to bring up the Windows Task Manager to switch back to Image Master. It is always best to end Image Master by clicking on the EXIT button in the Set Up form if you are not going to run the screen saver portion of the program. Q. Can I use this program to display pictures of my business or family? A. Yes, you need to use a scanner to scan your image into a paint program. Once an image is scanned and retouched as necessary, save it as any file format compatible with this program. Select the User Bit Maps option button in Image Master. Find the file by clicking to the correct drive and directory. Highlight this file or as many files as you want to add to the list of Bit Maps to show. Once the file or files are highlighted, click the Add Files button to place them in the Bit Maps to Show list box. You can preview this or any file by double clicking on its entry in the Bit Maps To Show window. If your personal pictures are on a Photo CD, Image Master is the ideal tool for displaying them. Q. I want to use several of my own MIDI songs to be played by the program when my pictures are being displayed. How can I do this? A. You can select any valid MIDI file ".mid" that is available on your hard disk. It can be placed in a List of Songs to Play (up to 100) that will be played in order. Once the last file is played, the tunes will start over in a continuous loop. Choose the drive and directory that your MIDI files are on. Highlight this file or as many files as you want to add to the list of Midi Files to Play. Once the file or files are highlighted, click the Add Files button to place them in the list of Midi Files to Play. You can listen to any Midi file in the Midi Files To Play window by double clicking on it. Q. When using JPG or other large 24 bit images with Image Master, my MIDI music occasionally degrades. Can this be prevented. A. These files have extremely high compression ratios, and as a result monopolize your processor so that there is no time left to play your MIDI file. The only way to cure the problem is to covert your image file to a format the has less compression. PCX and BMP 256 color files will not interfere with the MIDI as the pictures are decompressed. You could also inactivate the Enable Music check box or Mute (press the "M" key on the keyboard) the MIDI so it will not play. You can listen to CD-Rom audio instead without interference from highly compressed 24 bit images. Q. When using Photo CDs to show my images with Image Master, MIDI music I am using seems to degrade as some pictures are displayed. How can I cure the problem? A. Very large 24 bit images can take a tremendous amount of processing power to decompress and decode. These large files combined with the slow access time of most CD-ROM drives can use your system resources so that the processor time needed to play your MIDI files is no longer available. You could copy your PCD files to a hard disk, the faster access time of a hard disk should help; insure you are using the Retain Bit Map Size option, then choose a smaller display size for your images. You may have to disable your MIDI with the enable music check box or the "M" key on the keyboard if the problem persists and is bothersome. Q. How do I reach you if I have a question? A. Call at any time between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Pacific Standard time). Ask for Technical Support...1-619-247-2804 Image Master program files installed to your hard disk! The following is a list of files this program installs to your hard disk or generates as the program runs. This list can be used for uninstall information if desired. Files in your Windows directory.... SSIMAGEM.SCR SSIMAGEM.EXE IMASTER.INI IMASTER.RRG IMASTER.GRP EXCLUDED.MST MESSAGE.MST MIDI.MST TRANSIT.MST SLIDES(1 THRU 10).MST SLIDET(1 THRU 10).MST Files in your Windows System directory... FXCMP200.VBX FXLBL200.VBX FXSND200.VBX FXTLS200.DLL LEAD.DLL LEADDLL.DLL * MCI.VBX * THREED.VBX * VBRUN300.DLL Files in the graphics directory used by this program... PP(1 THRU XX).BMP SI.MID README.TXT * Delete these files with caution since they may be used by other programs. Disclaimer: This product is distributed "as is". All warranties, either expressed or implied, as to the software quality, performance, or fitness for any particular reason are disclaimed. You will bear the entire risk of relating to the quality and performance of this product, and will, in no event hold ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damage resulting from the use of this software. Vendor Distribution: See the file VENDOR.TXT. ASP Information: Association of Shareware Professionals working for you. ASP STATEMENT _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | | ---------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |------------------------- |___|___| MEMBER "This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.