HHsFastImageFXLoader The probably fastest shareware ImageFX loader module... ==================== This is a very fast universal loader module for ImageFX and ImageFX-EGS. It is shareware; without a keyfile which you get after registration, it will load all the formats as greyscale, regardless if they are color or not, but the speed and format support is the same, so that you can try if it fits your needs. It currently supports the following file formats: * IFF-ILBM (all standard formats 1 to 8Bit, EHB, HAM6, HAM8, 24Bit) * PPM (P6 color and P5 greyscale) * QRT (also known as dump format by PD raytracer as POV-Ray) * Targa (several variants for 24Bit, 8Bit, ColorMap; incl. RLE compression) * PCX (several compressed formats for EGA1-4Bit; VGA upto 8Bit and 24Bit) * BMP (several uncompressed formats for 24Bit RGB and 8Bit or 1Bit Colormap) * TIF (uncompressed formats for 24Bit RGB, Colormap 1-8Bit and 8Bit grey) * EGS7.x window iconification file format * DEEP (24Bit and 32Bit; compressed and uncompressed) * RGB formats (RGB8 and RGBN compressed; RGB5 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) * 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) To install this, just copy the file named "-HHsFastImageFXLoader-" to your ImageFX modules/loaders directory. It should work with the standard ImageFX as well as with ImageFX-EGS, but I could only try it with ImageFX-EGS. The file format is automatically detected 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: 1.1 to 4.4 (HAM8) PPM: 6.6 to 7.2 QRT: 4.4 Targa: 9 to 15.3 PCX: 4 to 4.6 BMP: 2.6 to 4.6 TIF: 3.8 to 8.9 RGB: 2 to 3.3 YUV: 5.4 to 5.6 (only loading times compared, not displaying; my configuration: Amiga 3000; 68030/25MHz; loading from Quantum harddrive) Some formats in my loader are not supported by the original loaders (I compared with ImageFX-EGS 1.61), e.g. the IFF-DEEP formats, VLab raw formats, DataTypes, RGB5, PCX greyscale, YUV greyscale, EGS-icons. Some original loaders create wrong colors (e.g. IFF-ILBM for EHB pictures, Targa greyscale). 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. 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 *** 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. This loader is 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 this loader module, which registered user can then use due to the keyfile concept. Registration ============ If you want to register for this loader and for at least one of my shareware programs mentioned above, you can get the loader 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 loader, 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 this loader module, the registration fee is 12US$ (outside europe) or 15DM (in europe). This includes the latest versions of my programs as update. Please note: the 12US$ must be paid as banknotes; if you want to pay by cheque or postal money order, the registration fee is 16US$. This is due to the complicated handling of foreign cheques. Send your filled in registration form together with cheque or banknotes to: Helmut Hoffmann Rubensstrasse 4 D-41063 Mönchengladbach Germany Disclaimer ---------- I tried my best to make this module error-free. It has been checked with enforcer and mungwall and works without problems on my configuration. Nevertheless, as there are so many possible configurations, I can not guarantee that this software will work on your configuration. This software (program and documentation) is provided "as is" and comes with no warranty, either expressed or implied. The author is in no way responsible for any damage or loss that may occur due to direct or indirect usage of this software. You use this software entirely at your own risk. Copyright and Distribution -------------------------- HHsFastImageFXLoader (module and documentation) is copyright by Helmut Hoffmann Rubensstrasse 4 D-41063 Mönchengladbach Germany The demo version may be freely distributed and used as long as the following conditions are met: 1) All files have to be kept together 2) No file may be modified or crunched/packed. The only official way to distribute the demo packed is the original fastifxloader.lha archive. This loader may not be disassembled or analysed. The limitations integrated in the demo version may under no circumstance be removed or bypassed. 3) Distributors may only charge for the duplication process (including media) and not for the software. Theese charges may not exceed the following limits: a) Demo on a PD-disk: 7$ (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 module (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.