Short: Fast universal loader module for XiPaint Author: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann) Uploader: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann) Type: gfx/misc HHsFastUniversalXiPaintModule 2.0 (incl. PhotoCD-support) ============================= -> New: Now direct module suport for XiPaint 3.2 and up <- This universal module can be used to quickly load images in many file formats (more than 20 and additionally Datatypes) very quickly into XiPaint 3.x. The way to use this module depends on your version of XiPaint: 1) XiPaint 3.2 or higher Just copy the module "hhsxipaintmod.xio" to the XiPaint/Modules directory. The module will then be detected by XiPaint 3.2 as "HHsUniversalLoader" which you can then select in the Settings/Loaders list of loader modules. The Loader will be automatically used (if selected) for Opening of new projects and for loading into existing projects. Please note that it is currently not possible to load bigger pictures into smaller projects. By the way: The included ARexx script (ending with .rx) is not needed for XiPaint 3.2 or higher. 2) XiPaint 3.0/3.1 As thoose XiPaint versions have no special support for external modules, the way of access to the module is a bit inconvenient. It can be started by an ARexx script (included) from XiPaints Macro/Execute menu. It will then switch to the WB screen and display a standard file requester. You can then select a file for loading (see below for supported file formats). The picture will be loaded if possible and transferred to XiPaint as a new project window. Then the WB screen is sent back so that XiPaint screen should appear in front again. Some XiPaint versions add absolute path names of new project windows to the relative standard path. I can't work around this, so such pictures will get wrong project names with such versions (Only use SaveAs to save such pictures). Please upgrade to XiPaint 3.2 to get a more convenient access to my module... There are currently no error requesters (if a file can not be loaded nothing will happen). If you register for the XiPaint modules you will receive a keyfile together with the latest version of the modules. The keyfile will enable you to use future demo versions as update. The demo version will load all pictures in greyscales, but usually at the same speed as the full version would do in color. Supported file formats for loading: * IFF-ILBM (all standard formats 1 to 8Bit, EHB, HAM6, HAM8, 24Bit) * PhotoCD (Base format 768x512 or 512x768 (portrait); linear 24Bit colors) * 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. 1/8/15/16/24/32Bit;incl. interleaved) * PCX (compr.&uncompr. EGA1-4Bit, VGA 8Bit grey/Colormap and 24Bit) * MacPaint (b&w compressed 1Bit format; datafork only) * BMP (uncompr. 24Bit RGB,1Bit,4Bit or 8Bit Colormap; RLE compressed 8Bit,1Bit) * 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 (sequential or random access) * HHsXRL formats (1-8Bit ColorMap incl. HAM6/8, 8Bit grey, 24Bit RGB compressed) * binary-EPS bitmaps (RGB and CMYK; this function is experimental) * TBCPlus frames (maybe also fields; this is untested) * DataType (incl. first frame of animations with Anim-Datatypes) Installation and Usage: 1) XiPaint 3.2 and up Please copy the file ending with ".xio" to the XiPaint/Modules directory. The file ending with ".rx" is not needed. Use the module by selecting it in the Settings/Loader list as HHsUniversalLoader and then by using the usual Load or Open functions. 2) XiPaint 3.0/3.1 Please copy the file ending with ".xio" into the main directory of XiPaint. Please copy the file ending with ".rx" into the XiPaint/Makro directory. You can then use the module by calling the Makro from within XiPaint (menu Macro, subentry Execute). So to load a file with the module into XiPaint 3.0/3.1 you do not use the usual load function but instead call the macro. The demo version will load all pictures in greyscales only, but at the same speed as the full version would do in colour. The fast loading functions have all been written by me in assembler and optimized for fastest speed. I did this for my famous shareware programs *** CyberShow *** (universal viewer for all OS3.x Amigas and esp. for Cybergraphics users), *** 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). When new formats are implemented for my other 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 ============ You can register for the modules at the small add-on price of only 8US$ or 10DM if you order one of my other shareware programs, e.g. CyberShow, the universal viewer and slideshow program for all Amigas with at least OS3.0 (loading the same formats as the Fast Modules and additional JPeg and offering True/HighColor support with Cybergraphics) or EGSPhotoAlbum or EGS-TV. Just include the extra amount with your order for one of thoose programs and specify your XiPaintModule order on the registration form. Demo versions of the programs should be available at the same places where you got this demo or at least on Aminet (incl. CDs) or on the Actual Tools and Demos CD from ADX (Hamburg). Otherwise you should use the supplied registration form to register. If you only want to register for the modules, the registration fee is 18US$ outside europe or 20DM in europe. You will also get the latest demo versions of my other programs. If you are already a registered user of one of my programs and now want to register for the modules, the registration fee is 13US$ outside europe or 15DM (in europe). This includes the latest versions of my programs as update. (Special note for users in germany only: Wenn Sie schon registrierter Benutzer eines meiner Shareware-Programme sind und sich Ihre Anschrift nicht geändert hat, können Sie die Module direkt per Überweisung bestellen. Als Verwendungszweck geben Sie bitte "XiPaintMod für ...." an, wobei Sie das Programm was Sie schon haben und die Registriernummer angeben. Zusätzlich möglichst auch noch Name/Anschrift; die Bankverbindung: Konto-Nr. 5740147 BLZ 310 500 00 Stadtspark. Mönchengladbach) (No bank transfers from outside germany!) Send your filled in registration form together with cheque, international postal money order or banknotes to: Helmut Hoffmann Rubensstrasse 4 D-41063 Mönchengladbach Germany You can currently also contact me by EMail (e.g. for suggestions): hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de No registrations by EMail! If you want to register, please write by ordinary mail to my address above. My EMail address: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de Special Thanks ============== My special thanks go to Mr. Thomas Dorn and Ossowski's Schatztruhe for providing me with XiPaint. Disclaimer ---------- 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 -------------------------- HHsFastUniversalXiPaintModule (module 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 xipaintmod.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 demo version may be included with XiPaint. 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. Version history --------------- V0.1 (7th aug. 95): Prerelease for loading functions V0.2 (20th aug. 95): Prerelease for loading by ARexx script: added Request option and screen switching functions V1.0 (15th sep. 95): First official release for use by Arexx script (usable with XiPaint 3.x) V2.0 (21st sep. 95): First release with direct loader module support for XiPaint 3.2 (just copy the .xio file into the XiPaint/Modules directory and configure it as loader) ============================= Archive contents ============================= Original Packed Ratio Date Time Name -------- ------- ----- --------- -------- ------------- 535 281 47.4% 21-Sep-95 04:18:34 hhsxipaintloader.rx 9982 4276 57.1% 21-Sep-95 03:40:08 hhsxipaintmod.readme 477 247 48.2% 15-Sep-95 14:12:38 hhsxipaintmod.readme.info 26940 14191 47.3% 21-Sep-95 04:01:22 hhsxipaintmod.xio 2200 955 56.5% 21-Sep-95 03:17:46 registration.txt 477 247 48.2% 15-Sep-95 14:12:38 registration.txt.info -------- ------- ----- --------- -------- 40611 20197 50.2% 22-Sep-95 14:04:36 6 files