
Welcome to FilterFormula 1.0 by ATS/Graphics! 

FilterFormula is an Adobe-compatible meta-plugin filter for PCs that allows 
you to create image filters by using a syntax similar to "C".

This version of FilterFormula is distributed as SHAREWARE. You may use it
for a period of 30 days. If you want to use it after this, you will have to 
register. See the FilterFormula homepage for details about registration 
(price, where to register etc.).

The shareware version has some restrictions, see the manual for details.
Additionally, the full version allows you to create standalone filters
that can be distributed by you without any license charges to ATS/Graphics.

Additional to the FilterFormula plugin, you get a number of currently 17
professional sample plugins in SOURCE CODE format that can be modified
by you to fit all your needs. The number grows continuously, also 
by contributions from users of FilterFormula.

Visit the FilterFormula homepage:
  http://members.aon.at/ats-graphics/ff.htm

NOTE: The full/registered version of FilterFormula is different from the 
      shareware version and cannot be upgraded by simply entering a 
      registration key. During the process of registration, you will be
      told how to obtain the full version and be given an individual license
      key.

*******************  DISTRIBUTION CONTENTS:

The distribution file is an archive called "fformula.zip" and can be unzipped 
with the standard decompression programs WinZIP, UNZIP or PKUNZIP.
It contains the following files:

  setup.exe       The installation program, must be called to install FFormula.
  fformula.8bf    The main part, this is the plugin module
  readme.txt      this file
  liesmich.txt    this file, in German
  license.txt     the license agreement
  ffexmpl.txt     many sample filters in source code

  fformula.htm,      (main page of manual)
  f*.htm,       
  *.gif           FilterFormula manual in HTML format (with images)

  uninst.exe      deinstallation utility

  fformula.tpl    Standalone filter template (only in the full/registered 
                  version!)
   
The manual is in HTML format (with GIF and JPEG images) which can be read 
with your favourite HTML browser (preferrably Netscape 3 and above, IE 4 
and above). 
(New since this version)

The best thing to do first is to print and read the manual (about 25 to 30 
pages, depending on the paper size you use) and follow the instructions 
therein.


*******************  Installation

Simply copy the distribution file into a temporary directory and unpack it
with your decompression program. There call the installation program "setup.exe"
and follow the program's instructions.

If you are using the full/registered version, please enter the registration
information (name and serial number) exactly as given to you.

You have the possibility to enter besides the program directory (default
C:\FFormula) up to four filter directories (for these, see the description
of your image editing program), where the filter file fformula.8bf will
be copied to.


*******************  Hardware and software requirements:

- IBM-compatible Personal Computer with Intel Pentium compatible CPU
- Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows NT 4.0 operating system 
    (probably also NT 5 will work!)
- a minimum of 16 MB main memory (>64 MB preferred, as with all image 
    editing tasks)
- 2 MB of free hard disk space 
- Imaging software that supports Adobe compatible plugins, such as:
    Adobe Photoshop
    JASC Paint Shop Pro
    Corel PhotoPaint
    and many others..
    
*******************  Registration

If you decide to register FilterFormula, you can do it via the Shareware registration
service ShareIt (http://www.shareit.com). Please follow the links on our homepage that
lead you directly to the registration page.

For the exact prices, please see our homepage.

When you register, you will be given a license key and all information needed to obtain 
the full version from the internet.


*******************  Questions

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via e-mail:

     ats-graphics@aon.at
 
