ftp.nice.ch/pub/next/graphics/bitmap/GraphicsWorkshop.1.1.README

This is the README for GraphicsWorkshop.1.1.s.tar.gz [Download] [Browse] [Up]

To the site administrator: This is the newest version of GraphicsWorkshop.
   The two tar files, GWSource.tar and GraphcisWorkshop.tar replace the
   previous release. The source tar contains all the source code, while the
   second contains all the binaries. I split the two files up since the 
   source is about 1.3 megs while the executable and converters alone are
   only about 300k. This should make ftping faster for people who don't have
   a need for source code.


This program is a set of generic tools for loading and saveing bitmaps
in  various formats. It has a simple program for demonstrating the
features of the  object. Currently, the objects are for the most part
out of Beta, but are still in  testing and should be final  sometime in
the future. At this time, the protocol spoken is stabalized,  so if you
wish to program with the objects at this time, you can expect that all
the converters will always respond in a similar manner. I may add
abilities in the future, but this should no longer detract from
existing messages.. 

Here's whats new fr release 0.85:
   o Writing of jpg files
   o Read and writing of pcx fils
   o 3.0 help system
   o a few bug fixes
   o cleaned up source code for 3.0 (not in all places)

The bitmaps support are the following:

Type      Long Name                             Reading Writing Multiple
--------- ------------------------------------- ------- ------- --------
gif(1)(2) Graphics Interchange Format              Y       Y       N
jpg       Joint Photographic Extention Group       Y       Y       N
pbm       Portable Bitmap                          Y       Y       N
pcx(2)    IBM PC PCX File                          Y       Y       N
pgm       Portable Graymap                         Y       Y       N
ppm       Portable Pixmap                          Y       Y       N
tiff      Tagging Image File Format                Y       Y       Y
xbm       X11 Bitmap                               Y       Y       N

(2) Be careful when saving to these formats, since it requires color
    quantitization, you may experience color banding. Saving works best 
    on images with losts of colors.

Installing:

   Installing is easier than ever. Take the following steps:

   o untar the package, tar -xvf GraphicsWorkshop.tar
   o Double click on the appropiate package.
      o GraphicsWorkshop.pkg is the main executable
        These files should go in /LocalApps or ~/Apps.
      o Converters.pkg are the converters
        These files should go into /LocalLibrary or ~/Library
   o If you'd like the source, also ftp GWSource.tar. Untar this file like
     the one above. This will create the GWSource package. You may install
     this package wherever you'd like on your system. If you plan to program
     with the convertes, check our the Documentation subdirectory, as it has
     header specifications for all the object you'll need to use.
   o Have fun and report bugs to alex@data.ACS.CalPoly.EDU.

   PS: To previous users, the install script is no longer valid. Do not try
       to use it.

If things don't work, and you have the developement enviroment, try building
everything in debug mode, so you can send me a snap shot of the console
window. This will help me find the problem quickly and easily. If you can't
compile, just try and send me the best description you can of the problem.
Also, if the problem involves a particular bitmap, please NeXTmail be that
bitmap along with the problem description. (Don't worry about picture 
content, I'm not easily offended.) Anyways, I can be reached at the address
below.

Alex Raftis
alex@data.ACS.CalPoly.EDU

These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Netfuture.ch.