SPX Slide Show Operating Instructions ===================================== (c) 1987 by Darek Mihocka This documentation covers version 1.05, released on 12/04/87. This program can be used freely and uploaded to any BBS, for as long as it is not altered in any way, and this documentation is present. Brief Program Description: -------------------------- SPX is a multi-format slide show program. It can currently load Degas PI1 and P12 files, Spectrum compressed (SPC) and uncompressed (SPU) files, and NEO format files. The user can select which file format they wish to view, and on which directory. Text windows can be added to pictures to add comments or descriptions. These pictures can then be saved in Spectrum SPC format. The user can also choose to view individual files. The function keys control view time, and the space bar freezes the picture. System requirements: -------------------- 512K ST (any model) with a color monitor or TV attached. Currently there is no support for monochrome viewing. Instalation: ------------ The files SPX.PRG and SPXSHOW.RSC must be on the same directory and should be placed in the root directory of the disk, due to a current bug. The picture files can be on another drive or directory. Running the program: -------------------- Double click on SPX.PRG to run it from the desktop. Or, if you are using Flash (version 1.5x) type GEM SPX.PRG (after setting the default path). If you already use ARC Shell from Flash, this allows you to view the files too, without even going offline. Selecting file types: --------------------- When first loaded, a dialog box appears with 10 active buttons. Five of them are used to select and deselect certain file types. They are NEO, PI1, PI2, SPC, and SPU. The default setting is SPC on, all others off. Changing the drive or path: --------------------------- Right below them is a button to change the current drive, path, or mask. When selected, a standard file selector box appears, with the current path displayed. To select a particular file to view, click on that file name and press the OK button. To view all files in that directory, press the Escape key and then OK. Viewing files: -------------- There are two ways to actually display a picture. Selecting the View button will display the currenlty loaded picture. If none is currently loaded, the first file on the disk will be loaded. If none is found, the program returns to the main dialog box. Selecting Restart has the effect of restarting the slide show from the first file on the current directory. Viewing options: ---------------- When a picture is being displayed, several keyboard keys can be used. The space bar will freeze the current picture. Pressing Return will advance to the next picture. The function keys F1 thru F10 control the speed at which pictures are changed. The Help key will return the user to the main dialog box, and Undo and Escape will exit the program, quickly. The Insert key is used to toggle the filename display. The default is on. Pressing Shift Insert overrides the filename display and puts up the text window. If the picture is frozen, the text can be edited. Currently the editor is quite primitive and will need some improvement. Saving files: ------------- To save a picture file, select the Save button from the main dialog box. Another box will then appear prompting the user to select a file format. The default is SPC. NOTE: converting a picture to another format may not always work. The program will put up an alert box if the attempted conversion cannot be made. I'd recommend that only conversions to a Spectrum format be made. Note: only SPC format will support the text windows, since it allows for expansion to the file format. Bugs? ----- Of course this program has bugs and room for functionality upgrades. If you have any suggestion, or come across a bug not mentioned, drop me a line at one of the places below. Keep your eyes open for updated versions. Oh, before I forget, how many people would be interested in an accessory version of this program? (no it wouldn't take up 400K!) Note: There is a _bizarre_ bug in the save routine. It seems that some SPC pitures get saved out slightly garbled. If you then load the garbled picture and save it again, it will correct itself. A few rare files requred 3 saves. The end result is a file that is correct. CI$: 73657,2714 DELPHI: DAREKM Faster BBS: (514)-489-0680 FNET: #118: (519)-744-8617 GEnie: DAREKM