Archive Information - EGA99.SDK (A ShrinkIt GS v1.1 disk archive) 3/29/99 Easter GIF ART - 1999 Status: (A compiled collection of copyrighted; freeware and shareware programs and graphics copyright and/or public domain - for use with the Apple IIgs) EZ Instructions for converting a GIF graphic file, imported from a Mac to a IIgs as either a: PIC graphic ($C1) file type or a IIgs 3200 graphic file type, follows. For speed and simplicity, I've converted all the GIF files to SHR ($C1) file types - which only results in 16 colors. Converting your GIF to a 3200 graphic file will give the best color accuracy results, which should give you a graphic with most all of the original 256 colors that the original GIF graphic file contained. But, using this conversion option may take up to 20 minutes for each conversion to be completed. There's a multitude of GIF graphic files available for free on the Internet for your IIgs conversions and use. There seems to be a lack of good IIgs Easter SHR and 3200 graphics also. With this in mind, I've put this disk together with a few select GIF graphic files that I found on the Internet and the two programs; Hermes NDA and the GIF Convert GS/OS desktop application, to give the user an EZ conversion step by step instruction (just as I've done it). I've included the GIF graphic files, which I imported as a Mac unknown file type, (using only the Mac 256 color- 8 bit GIF file format) - converted and saved each to a standard text file from the data only part of that file. And, I've also included each GIF file converted to a IIgs SHR graphic ($C1) file type, so you can view the difference. Each of the converted GIF files has a (.PIC) I gave it at the end of the file name. I used the MEDIAN-CUT option only with all converted ( .pic) SHR graphic files (again, for speed and simplicity). The freeware NDA (New Desk Accessory): ShadowWrite - Hermes (included on the disk) was used to load the GIF files, which usually come from the Mac as unknown file types, with both resource and data forks to them. It's VERY essential that you load your GIF (unknown file type) as data only - because that is the part of the file that contains the actual GIF graphic information needed for a conversion with the GIF Convert program on your Apple IIgs. Save the file with the same name as a text file only. For best color conversion results, I suggest you keep all of your imported GIF files used - as Mac 256 color GIF's only. Most all of the Mac Import and Export graphic conversion programs have the option to save a GIF as a Mac 256 color GIF file in the CompuServe GIF 89a and/or 87a file format. You will find both GIF file types mentioned above on this disk in the folder: EASTER.GIF.ART along with the SHR converted graphic file for each. All the GIF files are either copyright graphics that are allowed for your own non-commercial and personal use only or they are public domain graphic files with no restrictions. If you wonder why Hermes can't see a file that's an unknown file type, it's because you first need to click on the load file option box: Load file(s) as raw data. Again, make sure you load the file as data only. The text file save - with Hermes - will allow the GIF Convert program to recognize the GIF file (you saved as text) and load it properly. The GIF Convert program is actually: GIF to 3200 v0.20. Of all the IIgs GIF conversion programs I've reviewed and used for the IIgs, I like both the user friendly interface, ease of use and all of the conversion abilities of this program the best. The 'GIF.Convert.txt' text file, is an exact extract of the text from the programs on-board help file. Review it to understand all of the options the GIF Convert program offers you. This disk, all conversions and text files were done by me on my Mac PPC using the IIgs emulator -> Gus version 1.0d4 - for my own easy of use, to save time and take advantage of the speed offered with the Gus IIgs emulator. There is no know reason that you can't use this disk and it's programs, graphics and text files on a REAL IIgs (ROM 01 or 03) or any of the other Apple IIgs emulators you have to use. Note: You should be made aware that all of the Apple IIgs emulators are unable to deal properly with display and/or conversions of 3200 graphics. With the contents of this disk to use and guide you - you should be able - (with a bit of trial and error) - to learn with ease - how to FREELY convert virtually any GIF you find on the Internet - over to a standard ($C1 and/or 3200) IIgs SHR graphic file. IMHO, doing a conversion of your Mac 256 - 8 bit - color GIF to an Apple IIgs 3200 graphic file format - will result in the same virtual color quality as the original GIF presented. It will give you the same results as you would obtain with the commercial Brutal Deluxe - 3200 Convert - IIgs program. The only difference between the program on this disk and the commercial converter program - mentioned above is that of conversion speed. The commercial program converts very fast - while the shareware program takes up to 20 minutes per conversion. I think that about covers everything concerning this disk and it's contents. I've also made another Easter GIF Art Data Disk (EGAD1.SDK) which contains a collection of Easter GIF files only for your own conversion efforts on your Apple IIgs. The GIF files on the EGADD1.SDK disk archive are all still in their native Mac (256 color - 8 bit - unknown file) format. Follow the instructions above to load, convert and save them as text files only for use with the Convert GIF program. Cheers, Enjoy and Happy Easter, Tom ----------------------------- Charles T. 'Dr. Tom' Turley, Ph.D. 115 Santa Clara St. Brisbane, CA 94005-1736 USA Email: cturley@grin.net Voice: 415-468-1609 -----------------------------