This is an archive of CompuServe forum messages from 1985 to 1995, as saved in transcripts by John Foust.
Search Results (54 messages)
HiJaak (DOS and Windows) can convert a number of PC image formats into an Amiga IFF. I don't know that it supports Powerpoint directly, but if Powerpoint can output to different PC file formats, I expect you'll find a combination that works. A bug in HiJaack's IFF filter prevents a…
The Director II
Message #182571
Eddy, Director 2 was an excellent script-based program for displaying images, displaying animations, playing sound — with interactive capabilities. Because it was essentially a programming language, it was very flexible though it came with a steep learning curve. Unfortunately, it's no longer available and was never updated to run on…
Always nice to be quoted. I think you own Ron a lifetime of free upgrades. Could you tell me who stocks Scalia (LA area or mail order)? Thanks.
Thanks for steering me in the right direction.
Thank you for those excellent leads.
>> Hope this helps It does immensely. Thank you for such a clear description. >> absolutely consistent about where an image is placed I add dissolves between related anims (same background) in post production. If the images don't match up exactly, it's expensive to fix in post ($600/hour) and there's…
Thanks, Jim.
Thanks, Ron.
Thanks, Andrew. I don't need anything fancy. Just want to dump animated graphics to video. Mainly concerned with ability to load in background without affecting currently-playing animation, being able to play a reasonable combination of non-looping anims, looping amins, and still frames without transition glitches — and, especially important, being…
>> But where are you going to get [AmigaVision]? As of April, it was available from SMG 610 363-4005 for $150+5 shipping; no price break for upgrades. I was hoping it supported AGA and didn't rely on library files from older versions of DOS. Thanks for the description, and also…
#Latest Amiga DOS ?
Message #41405
Is there a DOS newer that 3.0 (Workbench 39.29)?
#AmigaVision Pro ?
Message #41892
Could anyone give me a brief rundown on the major differences between AmigaVision (1.2) and AmigaVision Pro. I just installed 1.2 on a 4000. Looking for something to replace Director, which doesn't seem to like DOS 3.0. TIA.
>> Is your 102 one of the newer style ones, or an older style one? I dunno. Just got it a week ago from a dealer, but it looks more like your description of an older one. The only switch I see is an A/X (for AT / XT) slide…
Thanks, Mike. I'm also using a 102 and a Plus, both with the F-keys "where they belong." My Plus is a 1989 prototype with an odd key layout (backspace on second row — not recommended), and two Macintosh connectors. It has a 5-position DIP switch, but docs don't show any…
Need New Amiga Keyboard
Message #146864
Do all Northgate Ultras come with config switch, adapter, keycaps, or whatever is required to work with an Amiga, or do you have to specify Amiga when ordering? Wondering if those sold by PC discounters would be Amiga-compatible. I've used other models of Northgates for years on PCs, side by…
Director (Rt Answers) ?
Message #40622
Need to dump a series of animations and still frames, seamlessly, to video. Director 2 would work fine, except it doesn't seem to like DOS 3. Publisher (Right Answers) seems to have disappeared. Would appreciate any information about availability of (a) DOS3-compatible version of Director or (b) another program with…
Director Still Around ?
Message #138869
My version of Director 2 doesn't seem to like Ami DOS 3 — and the publisher, Right Answers, has disappeared. Anybody know if updates are still available and from whom? In the event it's history, I'd appreciate any recommendations for programs with comparable capabilities. I need to dump a series…
Thanks.
#Impulse Phone # ?
Message #57120
I'd appreciate it if anyone could tell me the current phone number (or geographic location) of Impulse. TIA.
Well, DPaint offers 736 on 2 menu choices: max overscan and video overscan, so it's not a custom size I came up with. Just another of many indications of their rigorous beta testing, I guess.
I know how you feel. Bought my 2000 the day the 1-Meg Agnuses came in and said, sure, go ahead and put one in, whatever it is. Next day they were free with purchase of computer, thru some Commodore program. Never pays to be the first one on the block…
'scuse me for jumping in here, but the problem you describe sounds exactly like one I had a couple of weeks ago attempting to run 736x482x256 anims from DPAINT on a 4000 — computer would lock up. Work around was to pull DPAINT window down so that menu bar is…
Ah. Most of what I do is live action; use the Amiga for occasional supplementary graphics. So, your needs are no doubt a lot more heavy-duty than mine.
Actually, I didn't know Director bombs under 3.0 until I was told so by RA last week. Hadn't tried it on the 4000 since I knew it wouldn't support Hi Res 256-colors. I got the impression they were planning an upgrade to work with the new resolutions, chip set, operating…
Everything I do goes to video. I'm using 1084s plus a couple of NTSC monitors, so no way to use mode promotion. Haven't tried Ham-8, or anything other than Hi Res 256. Have had the 4000 less than 2 weeks and been under deadline pressure until today. Just d/l'd the…
No, playing anims isn't all I need. What I need is ability to write a script that will let me dump a series of multi-part anims to videotape, with exact repeatability. So once I log SMPTE TC on the A roll, I can find matching segments on B roll by…
Thanks, Peter.
Thanks, don't have it. Need it now. Found VT is the libs and it looks like it will fulfill immediate need.
#AGA Anim Player ?
Message #27519
Would appreciate any advice about commercial or shareware anim player that can reliably play 256-color Hi-res maximum overscan animations. DPaint 4.5 is a bug farm and I need something readily available that will actually work NOW until Director is updated. TIA.
Okay, let me rephrase it. The Impulse manual is not written for the reader. It's written from the perspective of the developer: here's what we want you to know. Is that kinder and gentler enough for you? What I find really annoying is the manual's harping: if only you fools…
Just a note to thank you for posting info about Worley's book. I ordered it and agree it's a must-have, well worth the price. I just installed 2.0 and started through the Impulse book. At first, I thought it a frustrating agglomeration of ambiguities so badly written and designed it…
Already is real competitive out there, and the fact that desktop computers are beginning to emulate our million-dollar toys makes it more so. My comment about pros sometimes being less familiar with computers has to do with the fact they generally use dedicated hardware/software packages: a paint box, an editing…
I didn't say hobbyists aren't willing to settle for less than the best. I said pros are more tolerant of bad software and will pay through the nose for it. You don't have to look any farther than the editing or digital efx software used by any major post production…
First, the only difference between a pro user and a "hobbyist" is a pro depends on it to earn a living. If anybody implied that one is more sophisticated than the other, I don't buy it. If anything, it's the pro who is more tolerant of poor software and high…
I'm using an Omni-Gen, which is a pretty good unit. The problem with low-end encoders is not so much how they look on a monitor, but how the signal holds up on tape, particularly as you go down multiple generations. Monitors, except for the 6-thousand dollar ones, are more tolerant…
Pete mentioned timing on FC24 was separate from Amiga overlay. Am I correct in assuming you can do what you describe (overlaying Amiga anim on FC24 background) thru a single external encoder and they will stay in synch?
Interesting discussion. I hope you misunderstood, because the hobbyists certainly aren't the problem and don't deserve any less than the pros. As a pro user (which I'd define strictly as somebody who uses it to earn a living), I'm very grateful for the "hobbyist" because the prices would be out…
Have genlock, but obviously don't know anything about Firecracker, such as that it'll work with an external genlock. Thanks for the info.
Bet that took only 2 or 3 minutes to work out. Sounds pretty clever, and flexible. I use a post production house; no video equipment (or engineering expertise) here. I do have an Omni-Gen external genlock and a few S-VHS VCRs for client approvals and off-line editing — mostly live…
#33440-
Imagine 2.0 Blues
Message #33539
Pete, Mind if I stray from the subject a bit to ask a couple of techie questions about the project you described? Your applications sound somewhat similar to mine and I'm wondering if you're always outputting to Firecracker and, if so, how you get from there to NTSC or R-Y…
John, I think you're absolutely right. I'd even take it a step further. The docs need to be pretty far along before the program is finally locked down. It's very difficult for a programmer to see logical inconsistencies in the way features are implemented until you go through the exercise…
Steve, I think you've put your finger on why this is so frustrating. Impulse software is great, but you can't really take advantage of it without an enormous investment of time. I'd rather pay a couple of hundred dollars more for comprehensive documentation. And I'm talking about nothing more than…
#27373-
#Imagine Docs Help
Message #27809
George, There's an interesting letter in Sept 91 AV/Video (a trade publication) from Impulse CEO/programmer Michael Halvorson that starts out "… we are very supportive of your efforts to increase and inform what is an otherwise ignorant mass of computer users." Then it takes the mag to task for errors…
It was version 3.15.
B.A.D. trashed my hard disk, and I got no response to requests for help, both phone and written. QB Tools hasn't misbehaved; I've had no reason to test their tech support.
Publishers exist to serve their advertisers, not their readers. I'd suspect their contract isn't nearly as important a consideration as the ad revenue they'd lose.
Thanks. I noticed the same results with double buffering in Elan Performer.
I was hoping that would be the case. Would you say the increase is anywhere near 4x ?
I do not have an 030; hence my questions.
I'm using Elan Performer, and don't know whether or how much it's using the blitter. For worst case anims, top speed appears to be about 4 fps and I need 15. I suspect it is swapping between chip & fast because it doesn't access disk once its going, and anim…
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