@database tapgif.guide

@remark Copyright © 1994,1995 by John Bickers.

@master tapgif.guide
@node main
@title "TAPGIF 1.2 Copyright © 1994,1995 by John Bickers"

                              TAPGIF 1.2
                  Copyright © 1994,1995 by John Bickers.

    This is a direct IFF ILBM to GIF converter for KS 2.0 or better
    that does not tamper with the picture's palette.

    @{" Requirements        " link "requirements"}
    @{" Overview            " link "overview"    }

    @{" CLI Parameters      " link "cli"         }

    @{" Credits             " link "credits"     }
    @{" Distribution        " link "distribution"}
    @{" Contact Info        " link "contact"     }
    @{" History             " link "history"     }

    DISCLAIMER: It works on my machine.
@endnode

@node requirements
@title "Requirements"

    TAPGIF requires a machine with KS 2.0 and Chris Weber's IFF
    library. The IFF libary can be found on Aminet in util/libs.
@endnode

@node overview
@title "Overview"

    TAPGIF is a console-only program, and does not handle HAM, EHB, or
    the other variations from the norm correctly.

    I use it specifically for converting 640x480/8 AGA pics with
    Windows identity palettes to GIF format without disturbing the
    palette. There is a program called AM2GIF that will do HAM and so
    on, but does not support AGA. And unfortunately ImageMaster and
    PPM, which can both write GIFs, also both insist on fooling with
    the palette in the process.

    If the IFF picture contains an ANNO chunk, then the GIF file will
    be written with a GIF89a signature and a comment extension block
    will be added containing the annotation. This can be prevented by
    specifying an empty NOTE string on the command line.

    If the TRAN command-line option is used, the GIF file will be
    written with a GIF89a signature.
@endnode

@node cli
@title "CLI Parameters"

    The command template for TAPGIF is...

    FROM/A,TO/A,BACK/K/N,NOTE/K,TRAN/K/N

    FROM        The name of an IFF ILBM picture to convert.

    TO          The name of the GIF picture you want created.

    BACK        An optional background color index to be placed in the
                GIF header.

    NOTE        An optional comment to be added to the GIF file. This
                will cancel any ANNO chunk that may be in the IFF
                file, and the file will be written with a GIF89a
                signature.

    TRAN        An optional transparency color index to be added to
                the GIF file. The file will be written with a GIF89a
                signature.
@endnode

@node credits
@title "Credits"

    TAPGIF is written by John Bickers using SAS C 6.51.

    GIF compression is performed by a modified version of the LZW code
    in Jef Poskanzer's PPMTOGIF program, which in turn is based on the
    LZW code in the Unix compress program.

    Christian A. Weber's iff.library is used for loading ILBM files.

    Shaun Flanagan pointed out a problem where TAPGIF was ignoring the
    origin picture's exact width. This affected conversions of brushes
    and other pictures with widths that aren't a multiple of 16.
@endnode

@node distribution
@title "Distribution"

    TAPGIF is Copyright © 1994,1995 by John Bickers.

    Distribution is via normal channels. That is, distribute it for
    free or for Fred Fish like costs, but not more. And remember to
    include the documentation.

    If you want to contribute something to the cause of PC file
    conversion and playback, you might want to consider sending me an
    R18 CD.
@endnode

@node contact
@title "Contact Info"

    I can be reached at:

        John Bickers
        Level 6, Grand Arcade
        16 Willis St
        Wellington
        New Zealand

    Or: jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz

    Or: +64 4 801 8768 (home) +64 4 474 6625 (work)
@endnode

@node history
@title "History"

    94.09.20    1.0
    95.03.01    1.1
                Added BACK and TRAN options.
    95.07.23    1.2
                Uses exact width instead of bitmap width. This bugs
                out some GIF viewers.
@endnode