Important information before you start ImgFun:

[1]  For all users, especially disk vendors:

    If users want to  distribute imgfun,  please   do  distribute  the
whole package  and  read  the  files  imgfun.txt  and    register.txt.
The following descriptions are suggested  for  disk   catalogs  or BBS
file info:

Keywords: GIF, BMP,  PCX, JPEG, compression,  image processing, ImgFun
short description:Powerful viewer and fast JPEG compression for GIF's!
long  description: 15 lines

IFSE100.EXE: Self extracting file of ImgFun 1.0. ImgFun is a  powerful
image compression  and enhancement  program for  computer  images.
  1. Instant ZOOM images up to 4 times in width and height.
     Reverse   and    mirror  images   instantly. Explore pleasures of
     viewing images in the eye catching SVGA modes up to 1024x 768!!
  2. Adjust colors,  background, and cut area of color mapped images.
     These functions are performed ALL INSTANTLY.
  3. Super fast JPEG compression and decompression for GIFs.
     REDUCE IMAGE FILES TO A FRACTION ONLY!!! SAVE YOUR DISK SPACE!!!
  4. Convert between, GIF ,BMP, PCX, and JPG formats.
  5. Smooth, sharpen and rescale color mapped images directly.
  6. Lean and fast!! REQUIREMENTS: 286, VGA or SVGA

  BEST GIF COMPANION!! TRY TO BELIEVE IT!!!
  The program is approved by ASSOCIATION of SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS!!!

[2] system requirements

  1. imgfun.exe and imgfun.hlp together in a directory
  2. at least a VGA and 300K free under DOS, 512k recommended
  3. at least 1 MB  free  hard disk space, for image processing, 2MB
     recommended

   For viewing images only, a hard disk is not necessary.
   A disk caching program like smartdrv is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

    For users with a  486 computer, it  is  not  recommended  to spend
your money for a JPEG compression  card for the speed of imgfun in the
JPEG part.  This should save you at  least  several  hundred  dollars.
The  current version  is compiled  by  a 16  bit compiler.  A 32   bit
compiler  will  speed  up   the program at  least  50%. A new  version
compiled by 32 bit compiler might be  available in  1993  for 386SX or
above  computers.   For   a   640x480x256  color  gif  compressed   by
ImgFun ,the pure  JPEG decompression  part   takes around  7  seconds,
and the  mapping to the palette takes about  6 to 8 seconds on a 486DX
33MHz system.

    For   most  compressed files by  ImgFun, users should  be able  to
view the images on  the screen within  15 seconds without  decoding to
disk files on a 486DX 33MHz system.


[3]. start the program in the following two ways:

1. Test of the auto-detection mode.

    Type "imgfun"  to start the  program in the  auto  detection mode,
then  please use the function, Option, Directory, image, to  set   the
source image directory,  i.e., where your  image files are.   Then use
the File,  View  function to view  your  images.  If everything  works
fine, then just enjoy the package!!!

    If  you  start imgfun,   but  find  only  320x200  mode available.
Then please  install a VESA  driver, then restart   imgfun  to see  if
you can get SVGA modes working.

NOT ALL VESA  DRIVERS ARE  VALID, YOU MIGHT END UP  WITH 320x200  ONLY
AGAIN, OR PROBLEMS WITH INCOMPATIBLE VESA DRIVERS!!!

2. Start the program with the standard mode only

    If  you have problems  in   the auto  detection   mode, then type:
"imgfun -s" to start the program with the 320x200 mode only.

    The  program  will be  able  to  run   on any  VGA  system without
problems.  But  only  the standard  320x200  mode  available.  You can
use  the function, Option,  Display,  card, auto for auto-detection of
your card or choose the SVGA  drivers  manually only when you are sure
about the chip used in your SVGA card.

    My suggestion is that try  the auto detection  at your first time.
If  anything wrong, then live with the 320x200   mode,  or  get a SVGA
card for around $50, for example, Trident 8900  with 512KB  on  board.
A VGA card that  can  not display 640x400x256 mode is out of date  and
waste your investment on the VGA monitor.


    When  setting the Display,  mode,  please   make  sure   you  have
enough memory  on your  VGA  board, otherwise  the  program  might not
function properly, AND  YOUR  MONITOR  CAN  STAND  THE  RESOLUTION YOU
CHOOSE, OTHERWISE YOU  MIGHT BURN YOUR MONITOR'S TUBE!!! REMEMBER THIS
ALL THE TIME!!!

    After you clear  the first hurdle of testing your SVGA,  then  you
can start to play with the program.

[4]. On line help system

    The help system is  activated by  pressing  F1  in the menu  mode.
Press the space bar  for  the  topic  selection  list. Type in  or use
arrow keys to scroll for the topic  you want, and then press Enter for
the topic.

    For all   list selections, ImgFun will match  the topic name  with
the keystrokes  as you  type in, usually two  or three keystrokes will
be enough.  For example, to select  a format from a list of  GIF, PCX,
BMP, JPEG.  To  select BMP,  then just type  'B', if  you change  your
mind, and want  to   select GIF, then   just type  'GG'.  ImgFun  will
notice  this change  and   switch to the  GIF  format. The  first  'G'
which  is not a following letter, 'M' of 'BMP'makes ImgFun to  rematch
from  subsequent  letters  and  abandon  the current  selection.   The
second  'G'  let  ImgFun  jump  to  the   GIF  selection for   closest
matching.  It  will be  better for  users  to   try  on this   feature
several times  for learning  fast selection through  out  the package.
This is especially  useful when locating a  particular file in  a long
file list.

[5]. For the viewer

    There  are   two   ways  to  view  images.  First  use  the  File,
VIEW function.  This  function  dumps  output  to  the screen directly
like other  image  viewers.   This  function  is always available even
after you loaded two images.

    Another powerful viewer is available   AFTER YOU LOADED THE IMAGE,
by the function File, LOAD. Then try the following keystrokes:

  Press F5: then the image will be displayed in the screen.
  Press Page Up several times to zoom in. Press Page Down to zoom out.
  Press: Left, Right, Up, Down keys to scroll.

    So far,  I  have not seen any   package can do  this software zoom
as fast as ImgFun. Enjoy your images, especially gifs.!!!

    A  manual  slide  show   is   implemented   in  the Utility, Slide
show function.  Read the  help file for its usage. The slide show part
will be much more powerful in future versions of ImgFun.


[7]. Transparent Disk compression systems (Stacker for example) :

    If you use  Stacker  or  other  disk compression programs on  your
hard disk, there's no need for lossless  compression of your files  by
LHA, LZEXE, or PKZIP, and etc. programs.

BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR JPEG LOSSY COMPRESSION!!!!

YOU CAN GAIN DISK SPACE EVEN ON A TRANSPARENT  DISK COMPRESSION SYSTEM
BY COMPRESSING YOUR IMAGES USING THE IMGFUN PACKAGE!!!

[8]. the undo(F2) and update(F4) mechanism

    You  can undo all changes made to the  loaded image 1 by  pressing
F2.   The undo function  will remove all  the  changes since the  last
time you update  the image. After  some processings on the  image, you
must press, F4, (update) to make the changes permanent. The update and
undo  should  work as  a   pair.   This  makes  it  possible   for  an
unlimited step undo without more  memory than a one step undo. If  you
prefer one step undo like   other packages, just   press  F4:update to
accept  the change you just made,  or F2:undo to  undo the change  you
just did on  the image after every step of processings.

[7]. Read the file, ImgFun.txt and Register.txt.

    Please DO READ the documents, many answers are in those two files.

[8]. Please REGISTER to support the development of this program!!!

    I have a  lot  ideas   for  playing with  images. But  I  do  need
your registration to finance  me  to  develop these ideas into ImgFun.
Right now I am working on  a  lossless compression of 256 color  gifs.
If it works the registered users will be informed first.

    The $35.00  registration fee guarantee you the life  time  use  of
the  DOS    version  of   ImgFun    package,  and mailed  notices   of
new versions available.  You  can  get  new  versions  for  $5 in 1993
for the media, mailing and processing fees upon your request.

    And   you'll  receive  a  bonus  package  including   some  useful
utilities.  Currently,  a  stand alone gif  to  jpeg and, vice   versa
programs and image print  out programs for EPSON compatible dot matrix
printers or HP   compatible laser   jets  are  available and  complete
LHA and  LZEXE  packages!!!  LHA is  used for the self-extracting file
of this package,  and  LZEXE is  used   in imgfun.exe  to   reduce the
file  size.  Please register  to receive  these  two data  compression
packages along with the complete ImgFun package.



      Chin-Chi ,Hsu at Speedy Software
      author member of Association of Shareware Professionals

      173 Franklin Ave.  San Gabriel, CA 91775

      CompuServe ID : 71551,3641 (the best way to contact me)

      TEL: 818-282-8018

      PS. All trademarks mentioned belong to the proper owners.
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