                             Copyright (c) 1998, The Worknet Hacker's Group.
                             Written by Paul Yanchenko. All rights Reserved.

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                     ڲ   
            ڱ        ı   ı 
                         
                                     
                                                        Version 3.0 RELEASE
                                                             DOS version

                        ++ September 20, 1998 ++

     ͻ
      Contents Ķ
     ͼ

     INTRODUCTION
       - Description
       - Disclaimer
       - Distribution
       - Hardware requirements
       - Software requirements

     GETTING STARTED
       - Installation
       - Command-line parameters
       - Configure using characters
       - Configure RGB-palette
       - Recommendations for work
     SUPPORT
       - Download latest version
       - Feedback with the author

     ͻ
      Introduction Ķ
     ͼ

     Ŀ
         Description                                                  
     
     This utility realy need to SysOps of BBS, though not only them. It
     allow you to easy creating *.ANS & *.ASC logos. All what you need is
     to draw picture in any graphic editor like Adobe Photoshop and than
     convert it by this utility.


     I see surprise on your face, certainly, it is impossible to transform
     the graphic image into the text. The loss in quality is inevitable...
     BUT! It is possible to try to reduce to a minimum of loss in quality.
     Just in it this program also is engaged. It statistically selects the
     necessary colours and symbols.

     Turning out pictures it is best to look from distance of 4-5 meters,
     then turns out similar. This version, not look. on optimization, has
     become slower, than previous, but in a result the picture turns out
     better.

     Ŀ
         Disclaimer                                                   
     
     WARNING: THERE IS NO WARRANTY!

     PCX 2 ANSi distributed "as is", i.e. the author bear no responsibility
     for any damage or loss of data resulting from the use this program,
     but the author has used the best efforts that it has not taken place.

     Ŀ
         Distribution                                                 
     

     The program is distributed absolutely free-of-charge and use it in
     commercial objectives is infringement of the copyrights and rough
     disrespect for the author. At the same time its free distribution
     very much even is welcomed. If it is not difficult, put it on your
     FTP, BBS and throw the information about this program in your local
     echos, devoted to search of the software.

     Ŀ
         Hardware requirements                                        
     
      - IBM PC 286, but to not fall asleep it is recommended 486 or Pentium;
      - VGA or SVGA video adapter;
      - Minimal 140 K free RAM, Recomended 200 K;
      - Hardly needed math co-processor. With it the program works in 5-7
        times faster.

     Ŀ
         Software requirements                                        
     
      - MS DOS 3.30 or higher (or 100% compatible OS);
      - Rather correct work under MS Windows 95. On so much on how many
        it is possible ;-)


     ͻ
      Getting started Ķ
     ͼ

     Ŀ
         Installation                                                 
     
     The installation is very easy. All you need to do is extract all
     files in the distribution kit to any directory on your disk.

     For example:

         C:\>RAR X PCX2ANS3.RAR C:\PCX2ANSI\

     Ŀ
         Command-line parameters                                      
     
     With start of the program first in parameters to the program
     transfer a name of a PCX-file, then name of a target file and
     additional keys. The picture must be _ONLY_IN_256_COLOR_MODE_ !
     The recommended size - 320 x 200. If less - OK, if more - the
     picture will be cut off on this border.

     WARNING: Targed file will be overwritten if it already exist!

     Parameters order


               It is absolutely not important in what order you transfer
               parameters, two rules work only:
               1. If parameter begins with a symbol "/" or "-", it will be
                  considered additional key.
               2. If the condition 1 is not carried out, it name PCX of
                  a file or name of a output file. As first under the account
               the PCX-file, last - output file will be considered.
               3. The parameters should be separated by a space and should
                  not contain spaces in itself.

     Additional keys:

     /C=xx     There you can specify colour, which will be fixed for the
               whole picture. It is rather necessary only for ASCII.
               'xx' is heximal number, which defines attribute
               (background and foreground colour) of symbols. For
               example: "/C=0f" means black background (0) and white
               foreground (15).
     /A        Exclude from targed file any escape codes, i.e. save as
               ASCII (text) file.
     /F=<font> Defines a file of a font which on the basis of is made
               selection of symbols. By default standard.fnt is used,
               but you can define your own. This file contains as the
               alternative coding russian symbols. In general, it is not
               recommended to permit to use symbols from a range 128..175
               and 224..253, since on different computers they can look
               differently.
               The file of a font - is a font 8x16 for 256 symbols. Each
               symbol is described in 16 bytes (on byte on each line).
     /H        Inserts into a beginning of a final file a code of moving
               of the cursor in the top left position of the screen.
     /J        Inserts into a beginning of a final file a code of
               clearing of the screen.
     /K        To clear each line before a drawing. It can be very useful
               for SysOps of BBS, because some stupid terminals do not
               correctly support a code of clearing of the screen
               "<esc>[2J" (key "/J"), but code of clear line "<esc>[K"
               support all known to me terminals.
     /URL      The information on, where is possible to pull down latest
               version of PCX 2 ANSI.
     /HELP, /? Help.

     Examples:
          pcx2ansi.exe test.pcx                    <-- Preview only
          pcx2ansi.exe test.pcx test.ans           <-- Save to test.ans
          pcx2ansi.exe test.pcx test.asc /a /c=0f  <-- Save as ASCII

     Ŀ
         Configure using characters                                   
     
     By default to touch need symbols used the standard ANSI-symbols
     (32-127) and symbols the pceudo-graphics (176-223) participate.
     But you can redefine the set of used symbols by specifying their
     decimal numbers or intervals in a file "CHARSET.CFG", which is
     taking place in the current catalogue. If this file will be found,
     the parameters of symbols by default will be cleared.

     Example of ASCII.CFG:
     =====================
       ; comment
       32   ; comment
       176..178 ; comment
       219..223
       254
     =====================

     Ŀ
         Configure RGB-palette                                        
     

     Since this version it is possible to define a user RGB palette,
     which can be different from standard. It is not meaningful for
     *.ANS, since in them the information of a palette is not kept,
     however, you can use the received picture in the own programs,
     where you can to change a palette. It is rather interesting to
     experiment a black-and-white palette if to set in it shades grey.

     With reading palette.cfg all same rules of registration are applied,
     as for charset.cfg, i.e. the spaces, comment are permitted...

     Ŀ
         Recommendations for work                                     
     

     The program with selection of the necessary colours works by a
     principle: to choose from all is malicious smaller, and it chooses
     by simple overlapping and comparison, i.e. selects each time a symbol,
     which _VISUALLY_ more others approaches on this place. So some fine
     or not so appreciable details can be omitted by the program. Moreover,
     set of fine details can turn to a chaotic character set. Try to not
     use a picture sated by colours, since in a textual mode two colours
     on one symbol are accessible only, therefore from all colour variety
     the choice will fall on 2 most frequently meeting. With preservation
     True-Color of a picture in 256 colour it is not recommended to use a
     diffusion method.


     ͻ
      Support Ķ
     ͼ

     Ŀ
         Download latest version                                      
     
     Nowadays most convenient means for the majority is internet,
     therefore you always can pull down last version here:

              http://worknet.home.ml.org/
              http://users.ur.ru/~chirchik
              ftp://195.38.63.145/bin/whg  (not 24h work, home station)

     If you have not access in internet, you can try to take away by its
     modem. My station answers daily 22-05 hours (on Moscow time) or
     19-01 hours on Greenwich (UTC - Universal Co-ordinated Time).

     File request: PCX2ANSI  (it's universal alias)
     BBS: WHG Site/PCX2ANS?.RAR

     If you have difficulties with reception of the program from the
     above-stated addresses - inform me about it. The list of addresses,
     where it is  possible to find last version of the program can change
     and to be supplemented. To receive the list of addresses in the
     internet - send the message through a Fidonet like this:

     From: <Your_name>          <Your_address>
     To  : Server               2:5080/102.56
     Subj: pcx2ansi.url
     ----------------------------------------
     <body_of_message_has_not_importance>


     Ŀ
         Feedback with the author                                     
     
     I shall wait for the comments from you and wishes on the future, and
     also ideas ans offers on improvement of the program.

                   Fidonet:   2:5080/102.56
                                   or
                              2:5080/130.3
                                   or
                              2:5080/129.16

             ... or E-mail:   paul_y@chat.ru


     If you have any questions, I always shall answer them to the
     above-stated addresses.
     This program was made on enthusiasm of the author and is distributed
     free-of-charge, however if you like this program and you want to
     support interest of the author to development of the new versions of
     this program or other useful programs, send to me by the postal order
     5 dollars (or how many it is not a pity) on the address:
                                620072
                                Ekaterinburg
                                Visotsky street, 30-169


     Thank you for using our software!                    Paul Yanchenko

     P.S. Sorry for my english, I'm russian...