README.TXT

Photo Pat 1.5 - Copyright 1994, Rainbow Scan Inc.

PhotoPat is a shareware program.  Registration is $25/registration ($22 + $3 postage, 
materials, and handling) payable to:

Rainbow Scan, Inc.
135 Beech Lake Court
Roswell, Georgia  30076
(404) 642-7515

CompuServe 75027,3674

Registration includes:
        Custom Registered version with no more registration reminder screens
        or "unregistered version" text appearing on your printouts!

        A printed User's Guide!

        More bitmaps and palettes!

        A useful screen saver for your bitmaps and patterns!

        Three months of support via mail, telephone (404) 642-7515, and
        CompuServe (75027,3674)

        Information on upcoming releases, bug notices, scanning services,
        and design contests.

        Two free scans of your favorite photographs so that you can use them
        with PhotoPat.  Simply send them along with your registration.  They
        will be returned with your registered version. (Additional scans are
        $6/photograph).

1. Program Description

PhotoPat 1.0 is a truly unique Windows image processing package.  Bitmap 
images are read in (or transfered via the Window's Clipboard) and then
converted into "color-by-number" patterns.  A sophisticated algorithm is 
used to optimally select pixels into appropriate color-balanced pieces.  
B-spline based edge detection techniques are then used to construct the 
piece outlines.  A user-definable palette (with as many as 240 colors) 
is used in matching up the regions.  The user is also able to control the 
number of pieces allowing for designs of different complexity.  The pattern
may be customized by several means including line color and style, font
selection, and a grid.  A selection of palettes and sample images are 
provided.  Various scaling options are available when printing allowing for
poster-size output.  Patterns can be saved as bitmap images (in BMP format)
or as vector output (in HPGL and DXF formats).

Patterns generated by PhotoPat are extremely photo-realistic, making them
quite different from those found in Children's "color-by-number" kits.  
PhotoPat patterns can use colors from the entire set of crayons, making the 
spectrum of available shades and tints much greater than an 8-color kit.  
Because PhotoPat "averages" and "optimizes" the color matching, the resulting
drawn pictures closely match the orginal image.

Drawing the pattern is quite a challenge and makes for an entertaining puzzle.
It can take up to an hour to carefully draw in a pattern, during which time
your child (or even you!), will be totally immersed, particularly if the 
pattern has some relevance (like a picture of him/herself).

        Some pointers:

                + You can easily make poster size prints by scaling.  This will
                help by enlarging the smallest pieces.

                + Keep the crayons sharp!

                + Print out the Palette so that you have an easily accesible
                list of the crayon colors and their ids.
                
                + Divide the crayons into groups of 16 (typically how they are
                packaged anyway) and color one group at a time.

                + Have fun!

Applications for PhotoPat include "color-by-number" designs and puzzles, 
sign making, stain-glass design, needlecraft work, etc.

PhotoPat has been designed to be a well behaved Windows Application making
it easy to learn and use.  Features include a simple setup program, context
sensitive help, standard looking Windows menus and dialogs, toolbar, status 
bar, and clipboard support.

2. System Requirements

Windows 3.1
Diskspace: Installation takes approximately 800K (0.8Meg)
Memory: 5 Megs or more
Video: 16 color display (usable); 256 color display (recommended)
Mouse: Recommended
Printer: Recommended (tested with HP Laser Jet III and Epson 1500)
CPU: 368/16Mhz or higher

PhotoPat requires MFC250.DLL (which is included and installed with the 
release).

3. Known Limitations
Currently only Windows 256 color BMP files and 256 color PCX files are
supported.  Images can be transferred from any image reader into PhotoPat
via the Clipboard.

4. Program Files
The following files are installed with the shareware PhotoPat 1.5 version:

PHOTOPAT directory
==================
brooke.bmp      - Sample BMP file
locomoti.bmp    - Sample BMP file
louis.bmp       - Sample BMP file
mountain.bmp    - Sample BMP file
parrot.bmp      - Sample BMP file
seagull.bmp     - Sample BMP file
train.bmp       - Sample BMP file
zach.bmp        - Sample BMP file

cray24.pal      - Crayola 24 crayon palette
cray64.pal      - Crayola 64 crayon palette
cray96.pal      - Crayola 96 crayon palette
kodak64.pal     - Kodak 64 crayon palette
pbrush.pal      - Windows Paintbrush program palette

photopat.exe    - Program file
photopat.hlp    - Help file
rsfon.fon       - Registration file

readme.txt      - This file
register.doc    - Registration info file
vendor.doc      - Vendor distribution info file
file_id.diz     - PhotoPat identification file

WINDOWS DIRECTORY
=================
photopat.ini    - INI (settings) file for PhotoPat

WINDOWS SYSTEM DIRECTORY
========================
guage.vbx       - Gauge control
mfc250.dll      - Microsoft Foundation Class version 2.5 DLL
muscroll.dll    - Scroll on


5. Installation

PHOTOP.ZIP:
1) Create a temporary directory (e.g. C:\PTEMP)
2) Copy PHOTOP.ZIP to this directory
3) Uncompress the file by running PKUNZIP PHOTOP.ZIP
4) From Windows Program Manager do File/Run Setup
5) Delete C:\PTEMP and contents.

PHOTOP.EXE:
1) Create a temporary directory (e.g. C:\PTEMP)
2) Copy PHOTOP.EXE to this directory
3) Uncompress the file by running PHOTOP.EXE (file is self extracting)
4) From Windows Program Manager do File/Run Setup
5) Delete C:\PTEMP and contents.

6. Shareware

This program is produced by a member of the Associate of Shareware 
Professionals (ASP).
          ________
      ___|__      |                (R)
   --|       |    |-------------------
     |   ____|__  |  Association of
     |  |       |_|  Shareware
     |__|   o   |    Professionals
   -----|   |   |---------------------
        |___|___|

The ASP want to make sure that the shareware principle works for you.
If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP
member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.  The
ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member,
but does not provide technical support for member's products.  Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon MI 49442 or send
a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.

Shareware distribution gives users a change to try software before buying it.
If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to
register.  Individual program differ on details -- some request registration
while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.  With 
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the 
software to an updated program with a printed manual.  Copyright laws apply
to both Shareware and commercial software and the copyright holder retains
all rights, with a few specific expections as stated below.  Shareware
aurhors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the
programs are of comparable quality.  (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!)  The main difference is in the method of distribution.  The
author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software,
either to all and sundry or to a specific group.  For example, some authors
require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.  Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.  You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether its's
commercial or Shareware.  The Shareware system makes fitting your needs
easier, because you can try before you buy.  And because the overhead is low,
prices are low also.  Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarentee -- if
you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

6. Disclaimer

This software and other distributed materials are sold as it and without
warranties as to performance of merchant ability or any other warrenties
whether expressed or implied.  Because of the various hardware and software
environments into which this program may be put, no warrenty of fitness for
a particular purpose is offered.  Any program should be thoughly tested with
non-critical data before relying on it.  The user must assume the entire risk
of using the program.  Any liability of the seller will be limited to product
replacement or refund of purchase price.

7. Revision History

Version 1.5 - September 30, 1994
   1.  Allowed patterns to be separated by colors.
   2.  ASP acceptance      
   3.  Allowed X/Y to be directly changed in resampling.
   4.  Incorporated quick resampling.
   5.  Allowing for scaling, 1-1, and actual size printing.
   6.  Supported HPGL and DXF for vector output.
   7.  Added Help buttons to most of the dialogs.
   8.  Allowed for configurable Major and Minor lines in the Grid.
   9.  Increased maximum size of user palette to 240 colors.
   10. Fixed problem with sharpen filter.
   11. Allowed for enabling/disabling of palette colors.
   12. Expanded Image/Info display
   13. Allowed for upto 20 undo operations.
   14. Displayed Pattern Statistics.
   15. Added Palette Save and Save As menu selections.
   16. Improved Font selection and scaling.
   17. Automatically ask to resample when creating patterns with large images
   18. Changed wording of Curve Degree listbox.
   19. Improved Help layout and readability.
   20. Zoom percentage in Image Windows titles.
   21. Image on/off and Pattern on/off buttons.
   22. General 1.0 to 1.5 string changes.

Version 1.0 (Orginal Version)  August 14, 1994
