*=----------------------------------------------------------------------=* >> VIC-Vision V1.03 << The C64 To Amiga IFF GFX Converter Amiga Programming By Kevin Picone & Daniel Martin C64 Format Reverse Engineering by Daniel Martin © Copyright 1996 Kevin Picone & Daniel Martin of Underware Design All Rights Reserved. *=----------------------------------------------------------------------=* Vic Vision V1.03 DOC'S contains: *=----------------------------------------------------------------------=* * Copyright: * Archive contents: * Disclaimer: * Introduction: * How to use: * Foreseeable problems: * Release Information: * What advantages are there in registering? * What's in the future of VIC-Vision? * Greetings: * Note From the Authors: *=----------------------------------------------------------------------=* Copyright: ========== The 'Vic Vision' executable, documents and related files are all © copyright 1993-1996 by Kevin Picone, All rights reserved. Vic Vision is SHAREWARE. You can copy this Shareware version as long you don't ask payment for it. (A small fee is allowed to cover your media costs, But should not exceed $5 Australian..) Permission *IS* granted to upload this Shareware version of Vic Vision to bulletin boards and FTP sites. However, you must include all the files present in the original archive, unaltered when distributing 'Vic Vision', anywhere, or to anybody. This includes all documents... Permission *IS* here by given for the Shareware version of Vic-Vision to be included in P.D. / SHAREWARE packs such as, but not limited too 'Aminet CD's' & 'Fred Fish' etc etc Permission is *NOT* given for either this the Shareware or Registered versions of Vic-Vision to be included in any form, in whole or in part, within any Commercial Software without prior consent from me. These are my wishes please respect them, Thank You. Disclaimer: =========== The 'Vic Vision' software and documents are provided 'as is'. No guarantee of any kind is given as too what 'Vic Vision' does or that the information in the related files is globally correct in any way. Furthermore, You are using this software at YOUR own risk. The authors of 'Vic Vision' are in NO WAY responsible for any loss of or damage to data caused either directly or indirectly by the execution of 'Vic Vision'. If *YOU* are unhappy with the above Terms !! please turn back now and delete your copy of the 'Vic Vision' archive, Thank You. Archive contents: ================= This release contains the following files and MUST be distributed in its entirety, no files should be added or removed !!. * Vic_VisionV1.03 * Vic_VisionV1.03.DOC * Vic_VisionV1.03.Trouble.DOC * Example Pictures (Directory) * Example Fonts (Directory) * Example Sprites (Directory) We must give a huge amount of CREDIT to all the known and unfortunately unknown artists of the above graphics, who retain full copyright to their respective artwork. Special credits must go to the following FLI artists: OGAMI of FAIRLIGHT (for the knight picture) ATTE of EXTEND (for various FLI's) ELECTRIC of EXTEND (for various FLI's) Introduction: ============= We believe that VIC-Vision is the most comprehensive GUI based program for the conversion of C64 graphics to IFF, upon the Amiga. It was developed for 64 artists, demo-coders etc etc... who are moving onto the Amiga and want to take all their favourite artwork with them. The current version supports the following formats as direct inputs - Koala Paint, Advanced Art Studio, Blazing Paddles, Doodle, FLI, AFLI, the extremely rare CFLI format, fonts in raw data (8*8,8*16 & 16*16), Raw sprite data (Expanded X/Y), Centauri Logo Editor, Image System and Artist 64. All formats which are capable of multi or single colour modes have been supported. A powerful parameter option has also been included so that you can create your own custom bitmap conversion, that is, if you know how the file is constructed. How to use: (walk through) =========== * First, a suitable file must be obtained, the most common way is via the use of a Null Modem between the 64 and your Amiga, in this example we'll assume that a file called 'AVENGER II.FLI' was obtained. * Load VIC-Vision, insert the disk which contains your picture(s), then from the main menu select LOAD FILE. A file requester will now appear, use the mouse to select the file called 'AVENGER II.FLI' (or whatever picture/graphic you wish to convert). In a few seconds the file will be loaded and the main menu will re-appear. * To convert the image, select the menu option titled 'CONVERT MENU'. Doing so enters you into listing of all the possible conversion methods. To process the image, simply click upon the format of the image you just loaded. In this example we need to select the FLI option, in the FLI Sub-Menu. NOTE: You can Abort a conversion at any time via holding down both the left and right mouse buttons. * When Vic Vision has completed it's conversion it will display the image for you. * After the Image has been converted, you should find yourself once again back in the main menu, where if you'd like, you can now select the "Save IFF" option and save your converted image. A more advanced function is the EDIT PARAMETERS option, which is for converting any (we hope! - probably most ;) unsupported Bit-Map formats, so if you have your own custom format, you should be able too convert it with no problems. No description of its use will be given here as those who know how the files are constructed shouldn't have any problems using this feature. Foreseeable problems: ==================== This program has been extensively tested and would appear to be stable, however, problems may arise in the following areas: * Loading files larger than 64K in length could have unfortunate consequences and could possibly crash your system. So it's in your best interest that you avoid doing so.... :) * The program automatically strips the first two load address bytes from the head of any file it loads. Hence, if you've removed these yourself, well unfortunately the picture(s) will not convert correctly... * Also See "Vic_Vision.Troubleshoot.Doc" Update Information: =================== * V1.01 (Started 9/6/93, Completed 20/7/93) Released on the 22/07/1993 * V1.02 New features - 27/06/1995 - Quit via 'ESC' from main menu - Fixed Screen not open bug upon quiting - FLI centre & FLI's into one menu item - Abort while converting (both Mouse Buttons) - Multi custom param buttons are now active - View screen while converting is in progress - 8*16 font conversion - Set up FONTS button - File Exists / replace ? - Expanded sprites options X & Y - Sprite Colour options - Font colour select... - Parameter editor menu - Parameter Saving/re-loading - Fixed the Conversion Complete bug - Updated the Custom GUI * V1.03 New features - 10/03/1996 - Fixed Small Pref's bug - Added Versions for AmigaDos ;) Release Information: ==================== This program is SHAREWARE, this means that you should now go to the bank and withdraw all the money in your account(s) and then send it to us !, If that does not sound reasonable, $15 in Australian funds will do nicely instead. This covers return postage, handling, and any related media costs. To contact UNDERWARE DESIGN for 'Vic Vision' Bug Reports suggestions and update information write to either, Snail Mail: Kevin Picone Daniel Martin 74 Springs Road or P.O. Box 1735 RSD M539 BALLARAT MAIL CENTRE BALLARAT VIC. VIC. 3354 AUSTRALIA 3352 AUSTRALIA Email: uwdesign&lin.cbl.com.au dmartin&lin.cbl.com.au What advantages are there in registering? ========================================= You will receive the latest update of VIC-Vision, which should have the following features included. * NO more annoying 'Unregistered' requester's * Simple Auto Format Detection. ( possibly ) * Even Better Sprite Support. * Offset ability, which means you can have convert several pictures from one file (or even sprites, characters and pictures form one file) so for example, you could port your whole demo, game across and then convert any of the graphic data contained within it. * A toggle too include/remove the c64 load address bytes What's in the future of VIC-Vision? =================================== Depending on your support/feedback for our work, new features / updates will be added as they become necessary. If you would like specialized none supported formats included in future versions, well, feel free to send your idea's to us. Other future possible enhancements could be - * IFF to FLI conversion. * Amiga font to C64 font converter. * C128 graphic modes support. Greetings: ========== Ben Hemming, Lars Jensen, Steven Sheedy, Chris McCallum, Graeme Cooper, Bob Rye, Marcus Mroczkowski, Kris Roebuck, Stephen Walsh, Magnus Paulsson, Richard Orr, Simon (Style), John Sykes, Iain Stewart, Wayne (Rustler), Peter (Ravager), Chris leathley, Austex Software (AGX RULES), Beam Software, Ted Bailey @ Guildhall Leisure, BSP Design and all at Ballarat Amiga User Group. Note From the Authors: ====================== We would be very interested in seeing what you use Vic Vision for ! So should you feel the need, please feel free to send us a Demo of your work ! Be it, a Slide Show, Ported Demo or perhaps even a Game !! *=----------------------------------------------------------------------=* End of Vic Vision Doc's. *=----------------------------------------------------------------------=*