GRAPHICS VP Deluxe 

README TEXT (software version 3.5)
Copyright (C) SKISOFT 1994-1997


INTRODUCTION:

Graphics VP Deluxe (GVPD) is an application designed to help 
you find, view, print, acquire, convert, and resize picture files.  
Supports class conversion to Gray Scale, Palette, and True Color.  
You can reduce image file size using different file compression 
formats such as LZW, RLE, CCITT, and JPEG.  There are built in 
links to other graphics programs such as image editors.  It 
includes a Graphics Gallery program which is designed to help 
you find, organize, display, and print your picture files. 
Multiple picture files are displayed in an re-sizeable gallery 
which you can organize, sort, delete, and save to a file as 
thumbnails so you can quickly view them again.  You can run a 
slide show or screen saver from the gallery files or a list of 
picture files. GVPD works with many different kinds of picture 
file formats such as BMP, PCX, TIF, GIF, JPG, PIC, PCD, FLT, RAS, 
TGA, CUT and more. 


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

 * Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows '95 
 * A hard disk and a mouse
 * 486/25 MHz or higher recommended
 * A minimum of 4 Meg of RAM; 8 Meg or more recommended
 * Approximately 1.85 Meg of hard disk space
 * Visual Basic Runtime module - VBRUN300.DLL
 * To edit images, you'll need Windows Paintbrush or another 
   graphics editor program


GRAPHICS VIEWER FEATURES:

 * Extensive file formats supported: JPG, TIF, GIF, BMP, DIB, 
   CUT, TGA, DCX, PCX, PCT, PCD, FLT, RLE, PIC, RAS, IM8. 
 * File format conversion support: Gray Scale, Palette, True Color.
 * File Compression methods LZW, RLE, CCITT, JPEG.
 * Scan/Acquire support for Twain compatible devices.
 * Zoom and Resize control. 
 * Image Printing with sizing, print dither, and smoothing.
 * Supports 8-bit palette optimization which prevents color 
   distortion.
 * Image clip control for cut/copy/paste.
 * Image file finder feature.
 * MDI support allows for multiple image display.
 * Accepts screen captures.
 * Allows drag/drop from File Manager.
 * GVPD will automatically load an image to any image editor.
 * HALO Imaging VBXs were developed by Media Cybernetics, 
   industry leaders in imaging technology since 1985.

GRAPHICS GALLERY FEATURES:

 * Easy search and selection of graphic files.
 * Graphics Slide Show.
 * Graphics Screen Saver.
 * Gallery display as thumbnails.
 * Custom Gallery Sizing.
 * Gallery printing. 
 * Save/Load Gallery files and thumbnails.
 * Set Windows Wallpaper from Graphics Gallery. 
 * Load thumbnail images to other viewer or editor program.


INSTALLING GVPD:

If you received one compressed file:

  1) Unzip GVPD##.ZIP or run GVPD##.EXE from DOS or Windows 
     File Manager to expand the files.  

If you received a disk with all of the compressed files
or after expanding the files:

  2) Run SETUP.EXE which will uncompress the files and install 
     GVPD to the default or selected directory and create icons 
     in Program Manager.

IMPORTANT:  In order to use the screen saver, you need to add 
the SkiSoft Shareware program directory to the PATH statement 
in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  Example: PATH=C:\GVPD or PATH=C:\GVPG 
or PATH=C:\GGSS (yes you can still do this for Windows '95).  
If there is already a PATH statement, append to the end using 
a semi-colon.  Example: PATH=C:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\GVPD.  An 
alternative is to move all the .DLL and .VBX files in the 
SkiSoft Shareware program directory to your WINDOWS\SYSTEM 
directory.  Remember not to copy any files with an older date 
than those that you already have. 

The following files are installed in the same directory:

    GVPD.EXE		- Graphics VP Deluxe Program    
    GVPD.HLP		- Graphics VP Deluxe Help File
    GGSS.EXE    	- Graphics Gallery Program
    GGSS.HLP		- Graphics Gallery Help File
    GVPDSS.SCR		- Graphics VP Screen Saver Program    
    GVPDSS.HLP		- Graphics VP Screen Saver Help File
    SSGCONV.EXE		- Graphics Gallery SSG File Conv Utility
    README.TXT 		- Information File
    UNINSTAL.BAT	- Uninstall BAT file
    FILE_ID.DIZ    	- BBS program file description
    MACAWS.JPG    	- Test picture file

    CMDIALOG.VBX	- VB Control for common dialogs
    THREED.VBX 		- VB Control for 3D objects
    MSGBLAST.VBX    	- VB Control for Windows Messaging
    FPTAB11.VBX    	- VB Control for Tabs
    PICCLIP.VBX    	- VB Control for Toolbar images
    HAC.VBX		- Acquisition Control
    HGC.VBX		- Gallery Control
    HIC.VBX		- Image Control
    HACSCAN.EXE		- Scanning Program

    COMMDLG.DLL		- Common Dialogs
    HIFFL.DLL		- File Format Library
    HILCONV.DLL		- Conversion Library
    HILENH.DLL		- Enhancement Library
    HILIMMGR.DLL	- Image Memory Mang Library
    HILXFORM.DLL	- Transformation Library
    IFFBMP.DLL		- BMP File Format Library
    IFFEPS.DLL		- EPS File Format Library
    IFFFLAT.DES		- FLT Description Library
    IFFFLAT.DLL		- FLT File Format Library
    IFFGIF.DLL		- GIF File Format Library
    IFFHCUT.DLL		- CUT File Format Library
    IFFJPEG.DLL		- JPG File Format Library
    IFFPCD.DLL		- PCD File Format Library
    PCDLIB.DLL		- PCD File Format Library
    IFFPCX.DLL		- PCX File Format Library
    IFFPICT.DLL		- PCT File Format Library
    IFFRAS.DLL		- RAS File Format Library
    IFFTGA.DLL		- TGA File Format Library
    IFFTIFF.DLL		- TIF File Format Library
    
GVPD is written in Visual Basic Ver 3.0.  You will need 
the runtime DLL for Visual Basic: VBRUN300.DLL.  This may
not come with your copy but can be downloaded from most 
online services.  If you have installation problems,
send me an EMail on: 

America Online     Skibby
CompuServe         73042,3371
Internet Web Site  http://users.aol.com/skibby
Internet Email     Skibby@aol.com 
                   Skibby@compuserve.com


GETTING STARTED:

To begin using Graphics VP Deluxe double click on the GVPD 
icon in Program Manager created by GVPD SETUP.EXE or double 
click on GVPD.EXE in File Manager.  

You can follow GVPD.EXE with a path and file name and Graphics 
View/Print will start up with that picture file.  See GVPD.HLP 
for more information on using GVPD.   


UNINSTALL

To uninstall Graphics VP Deluxe, run UNINSTAL.BAT located
in the same directory GVPD.EXE is located.  You may need to
edit the file if you specified a location other than
C:\GVPD.  You can also manually delete the program files 
listed above.  You probably do not want to delete CMDIALOG.VBX, 
THREED.VBX, FPTAB11.VBX, MSGBLAST.VBX, or COMMDLG.DLL from your 
Windows\System directory. They may be used by other programs.  

NOTE: If you are using Windows '95 you should not use the 
UNINSTAL.BAT.  It is best to use the Add/Remove Software Wizard 
on the Control Panel which will install and uninstall software 
loaded with Windows '95.


WHAT'S NEW WITH VERSION 3.5:

GRAPHICS VIEWER CHANGES:
* Add new startup window for quick access to functions.
* Added file finder option.
* Misc fixes.
GRAPHICS GALLERY CHANGES: 
* Automatic sizing of viewed gallery thumbnails when the program
  window or directory panel is resized.
* New splitter bar to adjust the size of the directory panel and
  gallery.
* The ability to specify custom thumbnail sizes.
* The option to hide or show individual thumbnails during loading.
* Graphics Gallery will accept a passed gallery file (.SSG) during
  startup.  This allows you to create .SSG startup icons.
* Misc fixes.


WHAT'S NEW WITH VERSION 3.4:

LOTS OF NEW GRAPHICS GALLERY CHANGES: 
* NO longer a 600 gallery image limit.
* New Gallery Files utility to find, display, edit, delete .SSG files.
* New Toolbar and status bar.
* File listing grows with size of screen.
* Ability to show/hide and move directory listing and toolbar.
* Allow multiple selected gallery thumbnail delete.
* New Build Gallery Files list utility.
* Added Copy, Cut, Paste of Gallery images.
* Allow last image stop or continuous loop with slide show.
* Fix Find Files list selection.
* Fix gallery printing when vert./horz. changed.  Still only one page prints.
* Menu option to show thumbnail full screen.
VIEWER CHANGES:
* Changed look of status bar.
* Added main window scroll bars.
* Misc fixes.

WHAT'S NEW WITH VERSION 3.3:
 
* Added customizable Screen Saver program which works with the
Graphics Gallery .SSG files.
* Misc fixes.
NOTE: Version 3.2 was skipped in order to avoid confussion with
the new 32-bit Windows '95 and Windows NT version comming soon.

WHAT'S NEW WITH VERSION 3.1:
 
* Display all menu and toolbar options even if there is
not image.  If there is not image, some options will be
disabled.
* Added better slide show controls.
* Added slide show window size and positioning options.
* Misc fixes.

WHAT'S NEW WITH VERSION 3.0:

* Improved interface for faster processing using less system
  resources.
* Acquire from any Twain compliant device such as scanners,
  digital cameras, and frame-grabbers.
* New zoom control functions.
* Better MDI window positioning.
* New updated help file.
* View Clipboard option.
* If upgrading from Graphics View/Print there are too many
  changes to list!!
* Misc fixes.

 
SHAREWARE/REGISTRATION:

Graphics VP Deluxe is a shareware program.  You may use it for 
a trial period of up to 30 days.  After that time, you must 
register your copy of the program.

Registered users will receive:
 * The very latest version of the program
 * The companion program: Graphics Gallery  
 * Notification of future releases
 * Free downloaded upgrades 
 * Full online support

To register your copy: run the program and when the About form 
is displayed, click on the Register button and a registration 
form will be displayed.  Click on the Print Topic button to 
print out a registration form.  Fill out the registration form 
and mail it with your payment to the address on the form.  You
will be mailed the most recent, registered version of Graphics 
Developer.  If you do not use the registration form, send your 
name and address and check or money order to:

    SkiSoft Shareware
    3499 223rd Street SW
    Brier, WA  98036

Feel free to copy and distribute the unregistered version of
GVPD##.ZIP, unmodified.


AVAILABLE PURCHASE OPTIONS:

Windows '95 32-bit

Graphics Discovery.................................... $20 
Graphics VP Deluxe upgrade to Graphics Discovery
 (downloaded)......................................... $ Free
Graphics VP Deluxe upgrade to Graphics Discovery 
 (mailed disks)....................................... $ 5
GVPG upgrade to Graphics Discovery.................... $ 5
GGSS or GRVP upgrade to Graphics Discovery............ $10 

Graphics Discovery maintains the original features and look
of Graphics VP Deluxe.  The main difference is the support
for long file names, the gallery is a child window within
the viewer instead of a seperate program, plus some additional
image enhancement features and more supported image formats. 
You can download Graphics Discovery from our internet web 
site at http://users.aol.com/skisoft1.  From America Online 
by searching the software libraries for GRDC17.ZIP or from 
CompuServe by going to the WINSHARE Forum and searching the 
libraries for GRDC17.ZIP. 

Windows 3.x 16-bit

Graphics VP Deluxe.................................... $20 
Graphics View/Print with Graphics Gallery............. $15 
Graphics View/Print Only.............................. $10  
Graphics Gallery Only................................. $10 
GVPG upgrade to Graphics VP Deluxe.................... $ 5
GGSS or GRVP upgrade to Graphics VP Deluxe............ $10 

Graphics VP Deluxe adds extra features to Graphics View/Print 
like Twain compatible acquire, Bilevel class support, and
image enhancement features like flip, rotate, sharpen, blur,
contrast, brighten, and more.  You can download Graphics VP 
Deluxe from our internet web site at http://users.aol.com/skisoft1.  
From America Online by searching the software libraries for 
GVPD35.ZIP or from CompuServe by going to the WINSHARE Forum 
and searching the libraries for GVPD35.ZIP.  

Ask us about special prices when purchasing multiple licenses!

     
COMPUSERVE REGISTRATION:
If you have a CompuServe account, you can use the on-line 
software registration service.  This service will charge your 
CompuServe account, and will automatically send SkiSoft an e-mail 
message notifying us that you have registered Graphics Gallery.  

To use this service, go to the SWREG forum on CompuServe.  
Search for one of the following Registration IDs:

Graphics Discovery: (# not know at release time, search on name)
Graphics Gallery: 8313
Graphics View/Print: 8311
Graphics VP Deluxe with Graphics Gallery: 10542  
Graphics View/Print with Graphics Gallery: 8314  

You will receive a serial number by E-mail (usually within 24 - 48 
hours) that will register your current copy and a disk with the 
most recent version will be mailed to you.
  

LICENSE INFORMATION:

This program is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your 
friends, but do not give it away altered or as part of another 
system.  If you find this program useful and continue to use it 
after 30 days, you must make a registration payment to SkiSoft 
Shareware for the fee specified on the registration form found in 
the program's help file.  The fee will license one copy for use on 
any one computer at any one time.  If used on a network system, 
each user is considered to be using a distinct copy of the licensed 
program whether or not he or she is actually using it.  Site-License 
arrangements may be made by contacting SkiSoft Shareware.

Anyone distributing this program for any kind of remuneration must 
first contact SkiSoft Shareware at the address contained in the help 
file for authorization.

SkiSoft Shareware warrants that for a period of ninety days from the 
date of delivery of the licensed program, the program, if unmodified 
by the Licensee, will perform in substantial conformity with the user 
documentation.  SkiSoft Shareware does not warrant that the licensed 
program is free from coding errors.  Any modifications to the licensed 
program shall thereafter be licensed AS IS.

The above warranty does not apply to the extent that any failure of 
the licensed program to perform as warranted is caused by the licensed 
program being (1) not used in accordance with the user documentation, 
or (2) modified by any person other than authorized SkiSoft Shareware, 
Inc. personnel.

LICENSOR MAKES AND LICENSEE RECEIVES NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, 
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES 
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

The total liability of SkiSoft Shareware for any claim or damage 
arising out of the use of the licensed program or otherwise related 
to this license shall be limited to direct damages which shall not 
exceed the license fee(s) which have been paid by Licensee to SkiSoft 
Shareware for the specific client project which is the subject of such 
claim or damage.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO LICENSEE FOR ADDITIONAL 
DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL 
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO 
USE THE LICENSED PROGRAM, EVEN IF LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE 
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

GIF/TIFF - LZW Capability Licensed under U.S. Patent No. 4,558,302 and 
foreign counterparts by UNISYS Corp.