The VR5 runtime files needed for this program can be found at
this URL:  http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/win95/dll.html

PURPOSE:
Photo-realistic Icon Creators for Windows 95/98/NT4

INSTALLATION:  
Run the setup.exe program and follow the on screen instructions.

STATUS:
Shareware. $29.  

DISTRIBUTION STATUS:
Freely distributable.

CONTACTING THE AUTHOR:
Chris Doan
doanc@san.rr.com
chris_doan@compuserve.com


---------------------------------------------------
PHOTO ICONS 32
Photo-realistic Icon Creators for Windows 95/98/NT4

------------
INTRODUCTION
------------

Photo Icons 32 is a 32-bit professional icon processing tool that 
allows you to create and modify Windows icons at any color depths 
(up to 24-bit or true color).  Using high performance imaging tool 
kit LEADTOOLS ActiveX Professional developed by LEAD Technologies, 
an industry leader in imaging technology, Photo Icons 32 allows 
you to convert any image of any size and any color depth into the 
standard Windows icon format (16x16, 32x32, 48x48) at 16, 65,536, 
and 16.7 million colors.  A screen capture utility is also 
provided so you can capture any area of the screen into an icon.  
Photo Icons 32 is the ultimate icon utility you ever need to 
create/modify photo-realistic icons.

Photo Icons 32 allows you to extract icon(s) embedded inside 
DLL/EXE files and save them under ICO format. The software is 
also capable of creating DLLs from ICOs to optimize the use of 
disk space (optional).

Images/icons can be printed to any Windows-supported printers.  
You can even print icons embedded inside DLL/EXE files without 
having to extract them first.

Photo Icons 32 can also be used as an image format converter.  
The software is capable of converting between 40 different image 
file formats including ICO.

For added convenience, a TWAIN interface is also available 
(optional) so you can import images from a scanner or digital 
camera directly into icons.


--------
FEATURES
--------
* Converts from about 40 image file formats (including BMP, WMF, 
  JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PCD, FPX, MAC, PCX, WPG, TGA, MSP, PCT, 
  RAS, etc.) to ICO.
* Creates Edits photo-realistic icons (up to 16.7 millions colors).
* Scans and displays thumbnails of all images on your hard drive.
* Captures any area of the screen to create photo realistic icons.
* Imports images from scanners or digital cameras into icons 
  (optional).
* Extracts icons embedded inside DLL/EXE files.
* Builds resource-DLL files that store icons inside (optional)
* Makes parts of icon transparent.
* Prints hard copy of images/icons to any Windows-supported printers.
* Editing tools:
	. Free-hand drawing (pixel by pixel).
	. Line drawing.
	. Box drawing (outline/fill).
	. Circle drawing (outline/fill).
	. Flood fill drawing.
	. Color probe.
	. Image rotating (any angle).
	. Image shifting (up, down, left, and right).
	. Image flipping (horizontal and vertical).


---------------------------------------------------
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SHAREWARE & REGISTERED VERSIONS
---------------------------------------------------

Shareware (free):
* Creates/Edits 16-color icons at 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48.
* Copies/Renames/Moves/Deletes images.
* ICO to BMP conversion.
* Prints hardcopy of icons.
* No "nag" screen (I don't believe in "nag" screen" ;-)

Registered (regular edition - $29):
* Above functions plus:
* Creates/edits 16, 256, and true-color icons at 16x16, 32x32, 
  and 48x48.
* Converts from about 40 image formats to ICO.
* Icons extraction from DLLs and EXE files.
* Captures any portion of the screen into an icon.
* Access to image flip, shift, and rotate tools.
* Your name (or company name) is displayed on the opening screen 
  and in the About window.  No more shamefully displaying that 
  you are merely evaluating this software -- you will be a full-
  fledged Photo Icons 32 power user :-)
* You will know in your heart that you have done the right thing 
  (both legally and morally).
* You will be notified via e-mail of new major releases and will 
  be qualified for substantial discount for the upgrade.
* Although technical support has not been a drastic necessity, 
  registered users are naturally given  more priority and 
  attention regarding technical support.

Registered (Plus edition - $43):
* All functions in regular edition plus:
* Creates resource-DLL files that contain icons inside for easy 
  cataloging and to save disk space.
  
Registered (Gold edition - $43):
* All functions in regular edition plus:
* TWAIN interface to import images from scanners or digital 
  cameras directly into icons.

Registered (Pro edition - $57):
* All functions in regular edition plus:
* Builds resource-DLL files that contain icons inside for easy 
  cataloging and to save disk space.
* TWAIN interface to import images from scanners or digital 
  cameras directly into icons.

Options:
* DLL building ($14).
* TWAIN interface ($14).
* Icon library ($14).
* Photo-realistic icon collection ($14).


----------------------------------------------
WHERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST SHAREWARE VERSION
----------------------------------------------
http://members.aol.com/doanc/products.html


------------------------------
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
------------------------------
In order to gain the most from Photo Icons 32, it is recommended
that you run the software under color modes higher than 256 such 
as 32K or 64K color depth mode.

Hardware Requirements
·	Windows-based PCs (486 or better is recommended).
·	VGA card (Windows-accelerated is recommended).
·	Mouse or trackball.
·	TWAIN-compliant scanner or digital camera (optional).
·	Printers supported by Windows (optional, color printer is 
    recommended).

Photo Icons 32 was designed and tested under Windows 95/NT 4.0 on the 
following hardware platforms:

·	300 MHz Pentium II with 128 MB SDRAM, 4 MB SGRAM AGP-based 
    Diamond Viper V330.
·	150 MHz PCI Pentium-based computer with 32 MB of RAM, 2 MB 
    PCI-based Diamond Stealth VRAM (S3-968).
·	IBM P5-133 with 32 MB or RAM, 1MB PCI Diamond Stealth DRAM (S3-764).
·	Sharp PC-9050 notebook computer with 32 MB RAM and a 2 MB VRAM 
    PCI -based Trident (9660/9680/938X) linear accelerator.
·	AST Bravo LC 4/33s with 8MB of RAM, 512K ATI ISA-based video card.
·	MicroTek ScanMaker E3 flatbed scanner.

The following printers were successfully  tested:
·	HP LaserJet 4L.
·	HP LaserJet 5L Extra.
·	HP LaserJet 6L.
·	Brother HL-720.
·	NEC SuperScript 660plus.
·	Canon BJC-610.
·	Epson Stylus Color.
·	Epson Stylus Color Pro.

Software Requirements
·	Microsoft Windows 95, NT 4.0 Workstation.

Photo Icons 32 has not been tested in other environments because 
I do not have all the time and resources in this rapidly changing 
computer world.  Therefore, unless you have the above tested hardware 
and software I cannot guarantee that it will work on your system.


------------
REGISTRATION
------------
For your convenience, a registration form is provided on line
under Help on the menu bar. The registration fee is $29.  The
registered version supports over 40 image file formats.  A
separate TWAIN module is also available for an additional $14.
The TWAIN option adds the image scanning capability to Photo 
Icons. As of this writing, I only accept money orders, cashiers 
checks, bank checks, or personal checks. Please fill in the 
registration form and mail it along with your payment to:

        Chris Doan
        4891 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #401
        San Diego,  CA 92117

For checks or money orders drawn from a non-US bank, please add
$5.00 for bank service charge.

Please refrain from sending cash.  But if you have to send cash,
please also include a written order for my bookkeeping purposes.

Registered users will receive a temporary license file through
internet e-mail (uuencoded or MIME-encoded).  The license file
will recognize you as a registered user and allow you full access
to all Photo Icons 32 features.  Your permanent license file
registered in your name (or your company name) and the latest
version of Photo Icons 32 will be in the mail the next business day.

International users may transfer $US 29 directly to my Bank of
America account.  There will be an additional processing fee of
$10 because that's how much BoA charges my account for Fund
Transfer Service.  You will have to contact me by e-mail to
obtain my account number for this type of payment.

A site license is required by a corporation, company, educational
institution, or governmental agency for use of Photo Icons 32
software on the total number of computers that will use the software.

Thank you for your interest in Photo Icons 32.

Chris Doan
doanc@san.rr.com
chris_doan@compuserve.com

San Diego,  California
July 1998
