/* ** ** $VER: film_datatype.guide 1.3 (23.12.96) ** film.datatype 1.2 ** ** documentation ** ** (C) Copyright 1996 by Roland 'Gizzy' Mainz ** All Rights Reserved ** */ ===================== film.datatype documentation ==================== =========================================================================== Datatypes class for IFF FILM movies (animation with sound). Based on the CBM datatypes example source/ documents written by David Junod. =============================== Misc ====================================== =========================================================================== film.datatype is a datatype to load and play IFF FILM streams. It's a subclass of animation.datatype. Thanks to Alexander G.M. Smith, who invented the IFF FILM format and send me detailed information about it. See AminetCD2:gfx/show/AGMSFilm2.lha, which includes tools for playing, cutting etc. IFF FILMs and more documents. Currently, only two tools support the IFF FILM output format: 1. AminetCD2:gfx/show/AGMSFilm2.lha, Alexander G.M. Smith's package for playing, cutting and creating IFF FILM streams. 2. aminet:gfx/conv/dumpdtanim#?.lha, which reads movies and creates single frames and samples, optionally IFF FILM streams (to file and/or clipboard). Now I fully support SAS/C for all my projects (SMakefile included). A matching DMakefile is on the way. Example streams are available in Aminet: - "pix/movies/" -- new directory for animations with interleaved sound (e.g. movies). - "AMINET10:aminet/game/demo/murder??of11.lha" -- a full motion video based mystery game by Ken Isley (krisley@eos.ncsu.edu). Includes a large set of IFF FILM streams. =========================== Future ======================================== =========================================================================== I decided to contact the current owners of the animation.datatype code (AmigaTech., VisCorp etc.) because I want to do the official future development of animation.datatype (and picture.datatype, if possible). If there are any comments/ideas, bug reports etc., send them to me. I'm going to write an article to explain how a subclass of animation.datatype, the common pitfalls etc. Don't try this without my article. This text will also explain future improvements. THIS IS NOT A GUIDELINE "How to write a subclass of animation.datatype". This article will follow (maybe in Dec 96' or in the first weeks of Jan 97'). Watch out. If you're interested, write me (now). ============================ Requirements ================================= =========================================================================== - You need at least Kick/WB 3.0. | Many people wrote me that they cannot find an "animation.datatype" class. | Only the 3.1 release contains it. (Subclasses of) animation.datatype | can run under 3.0. - "datatypes/animation.datatype", >= V39. "animation.datatype 40.7 (28.09.93)" requires itself some libraries/boopsi classes: - "realtime.library", >= V39 - for timing - "gadgets/tapedeck.gadget" (any version) - for the controls ====================== Request for comments/help ========================== =========================================================================== 1. Who owns the rights on the animation.datatype (source-)code ? 2. dito. amigaguide.(datatype|library) ? 3. email address (or something equal) of David N. Junod, who wrote the animation.datatype... For my address, email etc. see below... Wanted: Test files: These files __MUST__ be packed into a LhA archive (for compression and for checksumming. I won't like to search for "phantom" errors caused by corrupt files.) 1. Valid IFF LIST FILM files (ILBM's with interleaved 8SVX's) (for film.datatype testing). 2. CDXL files except "CALLNOW.XL" and "Walk.cdxl". 3. Small mpeg system streams (mpeg video + audio) (<= 5MB) Test files __MUST__ only be mailed to "Reinhold.A.Mainz@KBV.DE", any other mail-port isn't able to receive more than 512kb per mail. Thanks !! =============================== Usage ===================================== =========================================================================== If the datatypes descriptor file was activated, any attempt to load an IFF FILM stream using MultiView, AmigaGuide or SwitchWindow will load and play the animation. Iff the source was a file, film.datatype loads frames dynamically from disk, if the source was the clipboard, fil.datatype caches the whole anim. film.datatype supports also the clipboard as input, e.g. "MultiView CLIPBOARD", ClipView or SwitchWindow are able to show IFF FILM movies from clipboard. My "DumpDTAnim" tool (aminet:gfx/conv/dumpdtanim#?.lha) is able to write out IFF FILM stream to file and/or to clipboard. =========================== Installation ================================== =========================================================================== After unpacking this archive: Because this version does not include an Installer script, you have to do the installation manually through the shell: - Unpack this archive and copy the "film.datatype" to SYS:Classes/DataTypes: Copy CLONE FROM film.datatype TO SYS:Classes/DataTypes/film.datatype Then copy the datatypes descriptor into the DEVS:DataTypes directory Copy CLONE FROM "FILM(%|.info)" TO DEVS:Datatypes/ ================================ BUGS ===================================== =========================================================================== - Linking to an animation in an amigaguide.datatype object is currently not possible due a bug in amigaguide.datatype (not all required methods are passed to the animation). ->IF THERE IS A REQUEST, I will write a patch for amigaguide.datatype to fix this bug !!! - "Workbench emulation" sortware like cybergfx etc. is not tested. Reports are __very__ welcome. Note that possible problems belongs to the emulation software, not animation.datatype (which does the rendering and destination remapping). animation.datatype is very well written. See film.datatype.doc for a complete list of all (removed/fixed etc.) bugs. BUG REPORTS should contain your machine (type, CPU, FPU etc.), additional hardware (graphics card and the emulation software) and your used software (KICK/WB3.0/3.1, cybergfx etc.) =============================== TODO ====================================== =========================================================================== Following will be implemented in one of the later versions: - Fix some inconsistensies - DMakefile - More time to rework this and other public projects - To write a "real" #?.guide file (and clean up the docs...) See film.datatype.doc for additional TODO stuff. ============================== SOURCE ===================================== =========================================================================== WARNING: This source is__NOT__ a guideline "How to write a subclass of animation.datatype". This source is too optimized and hides many secrets. See above in the "Future" section. The source should be compile under SAS/c 6.56 without any problems. See film.datatype.doc for additional information. =========================== Author's Request ============================== =========================================================================== By releasing this program I do not place any obligations on you, feel free to share this program with your friends (and enemies). If you want to blame me, report any bugs, or wants a new version send your letter to: Roland Mainz Hohenstaufenstraße 8 52388 Nörvenich GERMANY Phone: (+49)(0)2426/4111 EMAIL is also available: GISBURN@w-specht.rhein-ruhr.de If you want to send me attachments larger than 1MB (up to 5MB, more with my permission): Up to Januar 1997 I'm reachable using this email address, too: Reinhold.A.Mainz@KBV.DE | Please put your name and address in your mails ! | German mailers should add their phone numbers. | See BUGS section above when submitting bug reports. Sorry, but I can only look once a week for mails. If you don't hear something from me within three weeks, please send your mail again (but watch about new releases) (problems with this email port are caused by reconfigurations, hackers, network problems etc.). The entire "film.datatype" package may be noncommercially redistributed, provided that the package is always distributed in it's complete form (including it's documentation). A small copy fee for media costs is okay but any kind of commercial distribution is strictly forbidden! Comments and suggestions how to improve this program are generally appreciated! Thanks to David Junod, who wrote the animation.datatype and lots of the datatypes example code, Alexander G. M. Smith for his IFF FILM format and the documents about it, Matt Dillon for his DICE, Olaf 'Olsen' Barthel for his help, ideas and some text clips from his documentations.