From: senti@icarus.lis.pitt.edu (Shannon L. VanHemert)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.textiles
Subject: Chris O'Donnell's info on grid program for cross stitch etc.
Date: 10 Jan 93 03:09:40 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: senti@icarus.lis.pitt.edu

From 70431.1427@CompuServe.COM Sat Jan  9 21:54:45 1993
From: Chris O'Donnell <70431.1427@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Gifxts program description for color grids from pictures

I went ahead and read the manual (gasp!) Here's the program description
that I upload as an ascii file when I upload the program. This way people
can read the description before downloading the program. I'll send the
same description to rec.crafts.textile. What is the full address? I assume I
need a abc@ prefix to rec.crafts.textile. Thanks for the interest.

This is a detailed description of GIFXTS 3.x. It is available so
that you can get a feeling for the programs capabilities before
downloading the program. If it sounds interesting, go for it. I'm
specifically addressing those of you who downloaded a previous
version, and were dis-satisfied. A LOT of new features have been
added.

I'm also including the revision history to indicate all fixes and
enhancememts to minor upgrades.

1993 - Version 4.0 (Under development)
	Reduction in program size
 	Copy/Delete/Move capabilties
	Library utility
	More printers supported
	Hercules monitor	

December 1992 - Version 3.5
	1) Fixed EGA monochrome - (hard to test monitor I don't have - Sorry)

November 1992 - Version 3.4
    1) Added EGA Monochrome support
    2) The program could not be run from the root directory - FIXED

November 1992 - Version 3.3
    1) When using the INFORMATION menu to change the height of the image, the
       resulting image was "off" - FIXED
    2) When using the INFORMATION menu to change the height and/or width  of
       the image, "garbage" symbols were added to the right and bottom - FIXED
    3) When returning from using the INFORMATION menu to change the height
       and/or width of the image, the 'X' was not responding correctly - FIXED

Version 3.2 - Enhancements and "bug" fixes
    1) added CGA support
    2) when reading gifxts.cfg file program terminated with a divide by 0
       error - FIXED
    3) when saving an XTS file, if the Stitches/inch or Rows/inch had decimal
       point positions (ie 15.25) the numbers after the decimal point were
       lost - FIXED
    4) When changing the color PALETTE, the screen was not restored correctly
       - FIXED

Version 3.1 - Enhancements and "bug" fixes
    1) Amount of free memory reduced to 532000 BYTES
    2) In View mode, after scrolling IMAGE, box disappeared - FIXED
    3) When using FILE MENU, and changeing directory or drive, cursor
       disappeared - FIXED

Version 3.0

First of all, the size of the program has been reduced. You will
need approx 533400 BYTES of free memory. To determine if you have
enough memory, from the DOS prompt, enter MEM. The informationyou
are interested in is the LAST line. If the Largest program size is
greater that 533400, then you are all set. If you DON'T have
enough memory, please drop me a line and tell me how much memory
you have available. I'll be glad to try to trim the program size
to accomodate as many people as possible.

GIFXTS can load any GIF image, up to 640x480. Each of the pixel
colors will be translated into a symbol. GIFXTS can handle 254
different colors/symbols.  Although the display uses only 14
colors, there can be 254 DIFFERENT symbols.

The program can be controlled by either the mouse, or the
keyboard. The sensitivity of the mouse is adjustable, by entering
horizontal and/or vertical sensitivity number when starting the
program. The mouse can also be turned off, if desired.

The display on the screen is a section of a 640x480 grid. Each
individual grid square represents 1 stitch/pixel. The borders of
the image are represented by a thick black line. Every 10th line,
both vertical and horizontal are dashed. An 'X' is shown to mark
the "current" square. The 'X' moves in relation to the mouse, or
the arrow keys. Across the top of the display is a list of drop-
down menus, and options. These options can be selected via the
mouse, or the keyboard.

The VIEW option will display the image, as a GIF viewer, without
the grid lines. This image shows a "true" representation of the
image. If the stitches/inch:rows/inch ratio (SEE BELOW), the image
could exceed the borders of the screen. The image can be scrolled
up/down and left/right, as required. A box is drawn that
represents the current area visible when viewing the grid. This
box is movable, and upon returning to the grid, the new area is
visiable.

The INFORMATION menu shows the current height and width in
stitches, the current stitches/inch and rows/inch and the current
size in inches. ALL of these parameters are changable. The image
will be adjusted to meet the new parameters. The visual display,
both the grid and any GIF image views, will show the "true" ratio
of stitches/inch:rows/inch. The grid will be drawn with multiple
symbols in each square, the GIF views will be drawn using multiple
pixels for each square. Thus if the ratio is 2:1, the grid will be
drawn with 2 symbols, the GIF view will show an image twice a high
as wide. When printing the chart, or creating a GIF file of the
chart, the ouput will look identical to the display, with multiple
symbols in each square, as required.

Using the mouse/keyboard, individual symbols can be added or
deleted. Using the EDIT menu, ALL occurances of a symbol can be
delete, replaced with another symbol, and ALL blank squares can be
filled. Individual rows and/or columns can be added to the edge of
the image, inserted into the the image, or deleted from the image.
The image can also by "clipped" by moving the borders of the
image, and deleting all symbols past the new borders.

It is also possible to SCALE the image. The scaling is controlled
by specifing the ratio(s) to increase (1:many) or decrease
(many:1) the height and/or width of the image. The height can be
scaled independently of the width.  You cannot SCALE image greater
than 640x480.

PRINTING can be accomplished by either creating a GIF image of the
chart, to be printed later by a GIF print utility, or by printing
directly to a 9-pin printer. In order to print to the printer, you
MUST run SETPRINT to create a print configuration file.

You can "print" either the entire image, or select a section of
the image to print. When selecting a section to print, a GIF view
of the image is presented. A box is displayed on the image. The
box can be moved and/or re-shaped or re-sized to select the area
to be printed.

If you have questions about the capabilities that you want
answered before you download, drop me an E-mail, or start a thread
in the CRAFTS forum. I'll get back to you. My CIS id is
70431,1427.

     Chris