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

IFSE101.EXE: Self extracting file of ImgFun 1.01.  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. Fast JPEG compression and new lossless compression for GIFs.
     REDUCE IMAGE FILES TO A FRACTION ONLY!!! SAVE YOUR DISK SPACE!!!
  4. Convert between, GIF ,BMP, PCX, PKI 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!!!

The  user  interface is  refined  from version  1.01  and  a  new  lossless
compression format better than GIf is  added.   Please  read imgfun.txt for
more details

[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] Configuration

    New   configuration  switches  for the  initial  card  driver,  display
resolution, image directory, and help directory are available  from version
1.01.   Also  the  warning  bell  sound can  be  turned  off.  Please  read
imgfun.txt for more information.

[5]. 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.

[6]. 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.

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

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

[10]. Supporting BBS: LA Dowtown BBS

                                THE DOWNTOWN BBS
                                LOS ANGELES,  CA
                  213-484-0260 [3/12/24/96/14.4k bps v.32bis]
                   4 Gigabytes of Graphics( including adult)
                  1.6 Gigabytes of Hard Drive Library Storage
                  4 Gigabytes of CD-ROM Drive Storage On-line
           14.4k HST/v.32bis & 16.8k ZyXEL subscriber lines available

You  can  have  non-subscriber  free  access  from  the  first  call.

[11]. Customized programming

Customized programmming for image processing and slide show generations are
available. Please contact the author.

[12]. 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.

    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,   stand alone  conversion programs for gif, pki, and
jpg and image print  out programs for EPSON compatible  dot matrix printers
or  HP   compatible laser   jets upto 300dpi  are  available + the complete
LHA  and  LZEXE   packages and  the  US national  high speed  BBS  list for
obtaing computer images and shareware!!!

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)
      Genie: <C.HSU2>
      LA Down Town BBS user name: Chin Hsu

      TEL: 818-282-8018

      PS. All trademarks mentioned belong to the proper owners.
