
MainActor - A video sequencer and modular animation package 
                for Windows 95/98/NT and OS/2 Warp
======================================================
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What is MainActor:
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MainActor is a modular multimedia processing package that includes a
powerful timeline-based video sequencer, MainActor Sequencer, and an
animation processor, MainActor Video Editor (MainActor VE). With MainActor
Sequencer you can easily create and edit video sequences with complex
effects and transitions. With MainActor VE you can load / edit / play and 
save / convert all  major animation and and the most common picture 
formats. MainActor  supports more animation formats for loading / saving 
than any other program on any platform!

MainActor Sequencer
-------------------

MainActor Sequencer is a timeline based video sequencer. With a 
drag and drop interface, MainActor Sequencer makes video creating/editing 
very easy. With its 99 video and 99 audio tracks, extensive transitions,
video effects including 3D paths, and text tools, MainActor Sequencer
is a powerful tool that is very easy to use. Objects on the timeline can be
moved and resized with the mouse and each object's properties can be
accessed with a mouse click. In addition to the normal MainActor modules 
used by MainActor VE, MainActor Sequencer supports other import/ export 
mechanisms as well, like Video for Windows, ActiveMOVIE etc.

MainActor VE
------------

MainActor VE is the Video Editor portion of the MainActor product. With
MainActor VE, you can create/edit/view animations in a wide variety of
formats. (See the complete list below.)

The MPEG support supplied by MainActor VE allows easy conversion of your
animations / picture lists to MPEG-I/II, complete with audio. And with 
MainActor VE's REXX scripting you can automate anything that you 
can do manually with the program.

This release of MainActor supports both English and German, you can change
the language during runtime in the "Settings" menu.

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Windows 95/98/NT Installation:
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-Simply execute the self-extracting .exe file.

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OS/2 Installation:
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-Unzip the archive into a directory of your choice
-Start the installation program (setup.exe for Win 95/NT; 
 install.cmd for OS/2)
-You can now start MainActor VE or MainActor Sequencer from your desktop
-Make sure to read the documentation and the online help to make the most 
 of MainActor.


Windows 95/NT Notes
-------------------

MainActor requires DirectX for its playback capabilities. If you do not
have DirectX installed, MainActor / MainView will not start up!

The DirectX runtime can be downloaded from Microsoft's homepage at
http://www.microsoft.com. However its pretty hidden on the Microsoft site.

You can also download it from http://www.softseek.com or 
http://www.download.com and simply search for "DirectX".

OS/2 Warp Notes
---------------

Have a look into the documentation for information
on how to install TIMER0.SYS and DIVE.

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Modules
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Currently MainActor ships with the following modules:

Loader modules:
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8SVX (Sound)
AIFF (Sound)
AU (Sound)
AVI (Animation)*
BMP (Picture)
DL (Animation)
FLC (Animation)
FLI (Animation)
GIF (Picture)
GIF-Anim (Animation)
IFF (Picture)
IFF-Anim3/5/7/8/J (Animation)
JPEG (Picture)
MPEG-I/II (Animation)*
MPEG-Audio Layer I/II/III (Sound)
PCX (Picture)
PNG (Picture)
PPM/PGM/PBM (Picture)
TGA (Picture)
Quicktime (Animation)*
WAV (Sound)

Saver modules:
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AVI (Animation)*
BMP (Picture)
FLC (Animation)
FLI (Animation)
GIF (Picture)
GIF-Anim (Animation)
JPEG (Picture)
MPEG-I/II (Animation)*
MPEG-Audio Layer II (Sound)
Quicktime (Animation)*
MacPICT (Picture)
PNG (Picture)
PPM/PGM/PBM (Picture)
TGA (Picture)
Video Data (Picture)
WAV (Sound)

Animation formats marked with an * support sound.

More modules are on the way ( SGI Movies, .MOD ) etc.

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The Rexx language processor for Windows95/NT was licensed from
Enterprise Alternatives. If you are interested in Rexx support
outside of MainActor, please contact them on their excellent
WinRexx product:

Enterprise Alternatives
635 South 16th Street
San Jose, CA 95112-2372
USA

Enterprise@WinRexx.com
http://www.winrexx.com

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The files in this archive, except dive.zip and timer0.zip in the OS/2 
version, are copyrighted by MainConcept, GbR and may not be reproduced 
for any use without the written agreement of MainConcept, GbR.

Otherwise you are permitted and encouraged to distribute this (the 
shareware) version of MainActor. There are no restrictions with regards 
to copying,transferring or otherwise distributing MainActor in its 
complete and original shareware form.

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Suggestions are always welcome.

For information or registration contact :

MainConcept, GbR Moenig/Zabel
Hermann-Heusch-Platz 3
52062 Aachen
Germany

Tel: 49-(0)241-4090444
FAX: 49-(0)241-4090445

EMail: info@mainconcept.de
http://www.mainconcept.de  (Europe)
http://www.mainconcept.com (USA)
