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- Short: Fast loader&saver modules for ImageFX/ImageFX-EGS
- Author: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann)
- Uploader: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann)
- Type: gfx/misc
-
- HHsFastImageFXModules The probably fastest shareware ImageFX loader/saver modules
- =====================
-
- This is version 3.1 of the very fast universal loader/saver modules for
- ImageFX and ImageFX-EGS. They are shareware; without a keyfile which you
- get after registration, they will load and save all pictures in greyscale,
- regardless if they are color or not, but the speed and format support is
- the same, so that you can try if they fit your needs. The saver module
- is only restricted for some formats (will be saved as greyscale); the
- HHsXRL formats can always be saved in full color, so that you can try
- out the interesting compression facilities of them (but please note that
- the demo will load them only in greyscales).
-
- The loader module currently supports the following file formats:
-
- * IFF-ILBM (all standard formats 1 to 8Bit, EHB, HAM6, HAM8, 24Bit)
- * PPM/PGM/PBM (P1&P4 b&w, P5 grey, P6 color)
- * QRT (also known as dump format by PD raytracers as POV-Ray)
- * Targa (RLE compr.&uncompr. 24Bit, 1Bit, 8Bit grey/Colormap; incl. interleaved)
- * PCX (compr.&uncompr. EGA1-4Bit, VGA 8Bit grey/Colormap and 24Bit)
- * MacPaint (b&w compressed 1Bit format; datafork only)
- * BMP (uncompr. formats for 24Bit RGB and 1Bit, 4Bit or 8Bit Colormap)
- * TIF (packbit-compr./uncompr. Motorola formats 24Bit RGB, 1-8Bit grey/Colormap)
- * EGS7.x window iconification file format
- * DEEP (compr.&uncompr. 24Bit and 32Bit)
- * RGB formats (RGB8, RGBN, RGB5)
- * ACBM formats (1 to 8Bit, incl. HAM6/HAM8)
- * FBM formats (8Bit grey/color and 24Bit)
- * IFF-PBM (DPII) format
- * Sun raster (1Bit, 8Bit grey/color and 24Bit uncompressed)
- * YUV (color 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and greyscale)
- * VLAB raw (color 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and greyscale)
- * HHsYUVSq sequence format (sequentiel or random access)
- * HHsXRL formats (1-8Bit ColorMap incl. HAM6/8, 8Bit grey, 24Bit RGB compressed)
-
- * Picture DataTypes (many formats are available as DataTypes for OS3.x users)
- * Animation DataTypes (many animation formats are available as DataTypes for
- OS3.x users)
-
- The saver module currently supports the following file formats:
-
- * QRT (also known as dump format by PD raytracers as POV-Ray)
- * Targa (RLE compr.&uncompr. 24Bit, 8Bit grey, 8Bit color map, 1Bit color map)
- * HHsXRL formats (1-8Bit ColorMap incl. HAM6/8, 8Bit grey, 24Bit RGB compressed)
- with optional lossy reduction for TrueColor or greyscale pictures; this new
- file format series has surprisingly good (lossless) compression of raytraced
- 24Bit pictures or undithered color mapped pictures with 2 to 256 colors;
- also very usable with ClipArt...
-
- To install this, just copy the file named "-HHsFastImageFXLoader-" to your
- ImageFX modules/loaders directory and "-HHsFastImageFXSaver-" to your
- ImageFX modules/savers directory. They should work with standard ImageFX
- as well as with ImageFX-EGS, but I could only try it with ImageFX-EGS.
-
- The file format is automatically detected for loading except for the DataType
- formats. If you want to load a picture with a DataType, you have to use the
- "Load As" function from ImageFX and select "-HHsFastImageFXLoader-" manually
- as loader module. The name of the loader module begins with a "-" so that it
- appears first in the list of loader modules and thus is used before all
- other loader modules. The typical speed advantage factors on my configuration
- (see below) are:
-
- IFF-ILBM: upto 4.9 (HAM8)
- PPM/PBM: upto 7.2 (P6)
- QRT: upto 4.4
- Targa: upto 15.3 (uncompr.)
- PCX: upto 12.8 (planar 4Bit)
- BMP: upto 4.6 (24Bit)
- TIF: upto 9.5 (packbit compr. 4Bit)
- RGB: upto 3.7 (RGB8)
- YUV: upto 5.6 (YUV1/4)
- DPII: upto 1.3
-
- (only loading times compared, not displaying; my configuration: Amiga 3000;
- 68030/25MHz; loading from Quantum harddrive)
-
- The loader includes many formats, which the original loaders (I compared with
- ImageFX-EGS 1.61) do not support: IFF-DEEP, IFF-ACBM, FBM, Sun raster,
- VLab raw, DataTypes, RGB5, PBM4, TGA1, YUV grey, PCX grey, EGS icons,
- MacPaint (Datafork).
-
- It also loads many formats, which are loaded with wrong colors (or other bugs)
- in the original loaders, e.g IFF-ILBM-EHB, BMP1, PBM1, TIF1 grey, TGA grey.
- The original PCX loader also had massive problems with loading VGA
- pictures from CD-ROMs under the OS3.1 CD-file system. Although this is a bug in
- the file system, I could work around this so that my loader should work with
- CD-ROMs under the OS3.1 filesystem. Please note that some third party CD-ROM-
- file systems can cause massive problems as well, so I recommend to use the
- original Commodore OS3.1 filesystem.
-
- The saver module can be used as normal (QRT only for true color/greyscale
- buffers; Targa and HHsXRL also usable for rendered images from 2 to 256 colors).
- The individual formats and variants are listed at the beginning of the list
- of savers in the SaveAs window. The typical speed advantage for the fast
- saver module:
-
- QRT: upto 3.5
- Targa: upto 3.8 (compressed)
-
- Beside the speed advantage, the general compression is also better
- (compared to ImageFX-EGS 1.61). Targa compression is sometimes 25% better
- with my saver than with the original. The Targa saver also supports
- the true greyscale format for greyscale pictures and allows compression
- of rendered images as well. Rendered 1Bit images will be saved in 1Bit
- Targa format. For good compression of e.g. raytracing pictures I recommend
- my own file formats "HHsXRL", usable from 1Bit to 24Bit.
-
- The fast loading/saving functions have all been written by me in assembler and
- optimized for fastest speed. I did this for my famous shareware programs
- *** EGSPhotoAlbum Professional *** (picture management and presentation
- software for EGS) and *** EGS-TV Professional *** (sequence/animation editing,
- framegrabber (VLab/IV24) and Blue Screen Keying software for EGS).
- Both require the EGS graphic system. Theese modules are independent of EGS
- and should be usable by all ImageFX users. When new formats are implemented
- for my EGS programs (or the speed is improved further), I will usually
- also update the modules, which registered user can then use due
- to the keyfile concept.
-
- Registration
- ============
-
- If you want to register for the modules and for at least one of my shareware
- programs mentioned above, you can get the modules for additional 8US$ (outside
- europe) or 10DM (in europe). Just include the extra amount and state your
- wish on the registration forms of EGSPhotoAlbum or EGS-TV. Demo versions of
- the programs should be available at the same places where you got this demo.
-
- Otherwise you should use the supplied registration form to register.
-
- If you only want to register for the modules, the registration fee is
- 15US$ (banknotes) or 18US$ (cheque) outside europe or 20DM in europe.
- You will also get the latest demo versions of EGS-TV and EGSPhotoAlbum.
-
- If you are already a registered user of one of my programs and now want to
- register for the modules, the registration fee is 12US$ (banknotes)
- or 15US$ (cheque) outside europe or 15DM (in europe). This includes the latest
- versions of my programs as update.
-
- The higher charges for foreign cheques are due to the complicated handling
- of foreign cheques.
-
- Send your filled in registration form together with cheque or banknotes to:
-
- Helmut Hoffmann
- Rubensstrasse 4
- D-41063 Mönchengladbach
-
- Germany
-
- Disclaimer
- ----------
-
- I tried my best to make the modules error-free. They have been checked
- with enforcer and mungwall and work without problems on my configuration.
- Nevertheless, as there are so many possible configurations, I can not
- guarantee that this software will work on your configuration.
-
- This software (program and documentation) is provided "as is" and
- comes with no warranty, either expressed or implied.
- The author is in no way responsible for any damage or loss that may
- occur due to direct or indirect usage of this software. You use
- this software entirely at your own risk.
-
- Copyright and Distribution
- --------------------------
-
- HHsFastImageFXModule (modules and documentation) is copyright by
-
- Helmut Hoffmann
- Rubensstrasse 4
- D-41063 Mönchengladbach
-
- Germany
-
- The demo version may be freely distributed and used as
- long as the following conditions are met:
-
- 1) All files have to be kept together
-
- 2) No file may be modified or crunched/packed.
-
- The only official way to distribute the demo packed is the
- original fastifxmodules.lha archive.
- The modules may not be disassembled or analysed. The limitations
- integrated in the demo version may under no circumstance be removed
- or bypassed.
-
- 3) Distributors may only charge for the duplication process (including media)
- and not for the software. Theese charges may not exceed the following
- limits: a) Demo on a PD-disk: 7$ (US-dollar) including
- postage&packing (in Germany: 10DM)
- b) Demo on a PD-CD-ROM: 40$ (US-dollar) including
- postage&packing (in Germany: 60DM)
- c) Demo on a BBS/Mailbox/ftp-site or other electronically
- callable system: Maximum charge 3$ (US-dollar) (in Germany: 5DM)
- for downloading
- Anyway, it must be made explictly clear to the buyer, that he does not
- pay for the modules (demo) itself but only for the duplication service.
-
- 4) It is not allowed to distribute this demo with any commercial product
- without a written permission by me. One exception is the distribution of
- the demo version with products not exceeding the above price limits (e.g.
- a cover-disk magazine for 7$ or less).
-
- The following companies have my explicit permission to distribute the
- demo with their products: NOVA Design, Ingenieurbüro Helfrich.
-
- 5) The registered version may not be redistributed. It may only run on one
- machine per registration. It is allowed to make a backup copy of the
- original disk.
-
- You can currently also contact me by EMail:
-
- hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de
-
- No registrations by EMail! If you want to register or have important
- suggestions/bug reports, please write by ordinary mails to my address above.
-
- Version history
- ---------------
-
- V1.0 (17th feb. 95): Support for IFF-ILBM,PPM,QRT,Targa,PCX,BMP,TIF,EGS7.x,
- DEEP,RGB,YUV,VLab,HHsYUVSq,DataTypes (picture&animation)
-
- V2.0 (25th feb. 95): Added support for FBM (24Bit,8Bit),IFF-ACBM,IFF-PBM(DPII),
- Sun raster (1Bit, 8Bit, 24Bit uncompressed),PBM-P1,
- BMP 4Bit and interleaved Targa formats
- Slight acceleration of some loading functions (esp. ILBM)
- Improved DataType handling
-
- V2.5 (1st march 95): Added support for MacPaint (1Bit compressed; datafork only),
- PBM-P4, PCX uncompressed and EGA-grey, Targa 1Bit,
- TIF packbit compressed and grey 1-4Bit
- Many enhancements on various formats for more compatibility
-
- V3.0 (14th march 95): Introduction of the fast saver module to supplement the
- fast loader module (QRT, Targa 1Bit/8Bit/24Bit, HHsXRL)
- Added loader support for HHsXRL (1Bit-8Bit, HAM, 24Bit)
- Acceleration of some planar loaders (e.g. ILBM, DataTypes)
- Improved HAM6 loading quality
- Correction of Targa 1Bit loading for compressed pictures
-
- V3.1 (07th april 95): Acceleration of RGB8 and RGB5 loader function
-
-
- ============================= Archive contents =============================
-
- Original Packed Ratio Date Time Name
- -------- ------- ----- --------- -------- -------------
- 23916 12112 49.3% 07-Apr-95 01:04:48 -HHsFastImageFXLoader-
- 6048 3094 48.8% 14-Mar-95 22:38:04 -HHsFastImageFXSaver-
- 11148 4551 59.1% 07-Apr-95 01:20:30 hhsfastimagefxmodules.readme
- 2080 874 57.9% 07-Apr-95 01:08:48 registration.txt
- -------- ------- ----- --------- --------
- 43192 20631 52.2% 11-Apr-95 15:10:32 4 files
-