#IM R/T Something missing
32 messages in this thread
A note of information: To be properly sized in ToasterPaint, RGB images
must be 752×480 pixels. If smaller, TPaint places it in the upper right
hand corner. I assume that Montage functions in this manner. If you load
a smaller image into IMR/t, you must scale it up to the above size (either
before or after processing your image), then save it out. You should be
okay then!
There is a printable manula on your IMR/t disks somewhere, and Black Belt
also sells a *great* 3 tape traing series called "ImageMaster Apprentice".
Black Belt also has a forum right here in AmigaVend. Ask for Ben
Williams! :->
BTW, I use ADPro and ImageFX as well as IMR/t. R/t's interface is
different, but stick with it. There is a lot of stuff packed into that
program!
Hope this helps!
Trent/ReAnimators
Thank you for taking the time to try and "Help".. Trent.
I am using an IFF24 "sample pix" from Montage for my trials and tribulations.
At the moment have been inputing this PIX into ImgMastr – then trying to
re-size the damn thing. Without any success. It comes out as a poster, not a
screen filling frame.
QUESTION: Should I set up ImgeMastr for a size… BEFORE… I try and input
the picture? Will it then maintain the adjusted size all the way thru' to a
finished and saved pix?
I printed out everything that seemed to be printable from within the program.
Nowhere is there a step-by-step procedure. Nowhere is there a Tutorial. I
would have thought that some sort of procedure would be included. Perhaps Black
Belt want one to buy their Instructional tapes… after one is completely
frustrated… as I am. If the tapes have the same lack of information as the
computer software… may God help us! Soon it will be that all software is
sold without any manuals…. and selling the tapes will be the main profit
center. After that one will have to buy a "special" VCR on which to play the
tapes… of course from the software vendor.
As we are a pro' post production house, lost time and the usual learning cycle
cost us money. I am wondering if ImageMaster is worth it?
Again, thanks for your concern. Hilary.
Hi, Hilary!
Personally, Imagemaster R/t is well worth it. Although it has a steeper
learning curve to mainly adjust to the GUI, it has too many valuable
features for me to ever consider junking it. I recommend that you purchase
either/or ImageFX and Art Department Pro, and set aside Imagemaster R/t so
you can tinker with it in your spare time. It may not appear simple to
use, but once the light comes on in the head, you'll really appreciate the
capability of the software.
-= Vance =- Image Master
Internet: viking@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Thank you Vance for your well meaning thoughts and message.
In my case the learning curve is not a gentle slope. It is vertical… in fact
leaning inwards… so I fall off easily. I do agree that the program has all
sorts of interesting little "buttons" and type that lights up with green
letters…. and a nice green too. It is the sort of program in which one feels
both frustrated… yet interested. Those cunning Black Belters!
Your suggestion of tinkering with it in my "spare time" I must set aside. I am
now 76 years old… and thus "time" is limited. I prefer to tinker with some
of our video equipment – and on rare occasions, with my wife who does not
always share my tinkering hobbies.
The light in my head is a sore matter. The bulb in my noggin came originally
from the good Mr Edison. It does flicker from time to time. No doubt it will
come on in full brilliance the day I defeat all the traps that the Black Belt
crowd have built in to enrage me. One of my technicians calls the IM R/T the
"Yellow Peril".
All the best, Hilary.
Well, I never would have guessed that you were 76. There seemed to be such
a limited number of computer users in your age group, that I never gave it
much thought.
I suppose you could always get an IM R/t expert to do the work for you.
But then that would take the frustrating fun out of it, wouldn't it? *8^)
-= Vance =- Image Master
Internet: viking@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Re: Your not guessing my ancient fossil status.
Yep. I still fiddle around… mostly with the engineering side of TV and video
production. I backed into computers when I was 62. Before I retired from R&D
at Westinghouse, I had a deadly fear of computers. Gave my young engineers the
job – only looking at "results". Started with the little RadioShack color
computer (so-called). From there to 8086… then 286…386 and presently 486.
I buy the motherboards and then select the cards I wish to stick in…. so my
hardware is rarely finished… just in a state of development… but running.
My Amiga 4000/40 is just used for post production for video. Nothing else.
With the Toaster it is quite a nice toy.
After years of trying to tame computers and a whole set of pro' video
equipment, who am I to quit trying to conquer ImageMaster?
All the best, Hilary.
Glad to hear it Hilary. Anyone who can stick with Windows, can stick with
anything! You deserve a medal. Then again, so does any Amiga user who is
still using it in spite of the CBM liquidation soap opera. *8^)
-= Vance =- Image Master
Internet: viking@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Thanks Vance.
I am fairly certyain that my PC and the Amiga secretly communicate without
wires.
When I have not got their innards out on the table, they get together and
decide who will give Hilary the next pain in the arse. It's about even so far.
All the best, Hilary.
Hilary,
We do NOT sell instructional tapes. We did for a while, but most of our
customers complained that they were too basic, so we dropped them.
Second, to rescale, use Process/clipping/stretch clip. If you need to, which
somehow I think not… but I am guessing.
Third, if you load a 24 bit IFF image, and then save the same image using 24
bit IFF, the size does not change. So something else is going on.
Fourth, you don't need to set a size in IM before you load; loading the image
sets the size to that of the image. If you need to rescale, process clipping
stretch clip will set the size of the new clip.
Finally, there are quite a few tutorials in the docs. There is not a tutorial
for everything you can do, or even everything basic that you can do, because if
there were IM would literally come on several hundred disks. IM has _hundreds_
of different operations built in, and they ways they can be combined are
effectively infinite.
You know, the best thing you can do is state here _exactly_ what it is you want
to accomplish. Then I – or one of these lightning-fast owners of R/t – can give
you a detailed step-by-step method for acomplishing it. If I do so, I'll
explain each step. The explanations you've gotten thus far seem to be pretty
good also, some more thoughtful than how I might have done it.
One word of encouragement: As others have already told you, IM is very
powerful. It is also, despite your current impression, very simple to use.
There are a few basic concepts to "swallow" and once you get them down, you'll
be able to do almost anything the program has to offer. I'll be here to help
you along, but again the best thing you can do here is clearly state _exactly_
what it is you want to accomplish, in your own words. If I need to get a
clarification, I'll ask – otherwise, I'll explain as required.
I hope we can get you going so!
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Hi again, Ben!
Speaking of something missing, I have Imagemaster R/t 1.50c. I heard tell
of a major update coming. If it is true, do you have any tentative release
dates, and how much the update will cost?
I also wanted to mention, that unlike so many others who are using the
software for video, I've also been using it to help design the graphics
for a shareware Amiga game called WARSTAR. I'm going to be uploading a
little promo JPEG in the AmigaArts forum. The layout is very simple, but I
think you'll like the look of the title itself. The other software used to
help produce the image was Imagine 3.0.
-= Vance =- Image Master
Internet: viking@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Vance,
The update to IM R/t will be to 1.60.
There will be several interesting (and very cool) new effects.
it's in beta now (which is to say, it's already done but may need fixing) so
it's not too far off. Official line is 60-90 days, but I'm hoping for less than
that.
Thanks for the pointer to your work!
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Sounds great to me!
I'm sure I'll see a splashy announcement here when it becomes available.
The Amiga shareware game I'm doing the graphics for will be uploaded to
the AmigaArts Forum when it's finished shortly. You might like it. *8^)
The only downside to the game is that it doesn't multitask, at this time.
I just wish this darned Amiga liquidation would finish up, so I won't lose
anymore hair! *8^D
One thing's for sure. When someone does succeed in buying up the rights to
the Amiga, they're going to be starting up from scratch as far as
marketting goes. They have a lot of users to lure back. I only hope
they'll do right by such a great computer concept.
-= Vance =- Image Master
Internet: viking@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
> I just wish this darned Amiga liquidation would finish up, so I won't
> lose anymore hair! *8^D
Vance "Jean Luc" Schowalter, the Image Master?
jsaklad@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
Jim:
> I just wish this darned Amiga liquidation would finish up, so I won't
> lose anymore hair! *8^D
Vance "Jean Luc" Schowalter, the Image Master?
Vance:
Cute. (8^>
No. More like a Klingon. Almost bald, and always with beard.
//
{B^[>
\\
Actually, my hair is thinning on top, but still thick enough to fool the
Federation. *8^)
-= Vance =- Image Master
Internet: viking@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
>>We do NOT sell instructional tapes<<
Whoops! Sorry Ben. I thought you were still selling 'em. FWIW, the
apprentice tapes saved me quite a few hours of poking around…
Trent/ReAnimators
Yeah… those tapes aren't useless, but they don't meet the needs of the vast
majority of our customers. We took a LOT of heat for them, and all we wanted to
do was help the beginner to intermedate people by endorsing a basic approach.
Sometimes it's hard to pick the right course, I guess.
If we were to make tapes for IM R/t ourselves, they'd be a lot less well
produced and contain a lot more useful information. And probably some sick
humor. 🙂
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
>>And probably some sick humor. :-)<<
Now I'd buy *that* for a dollar! :->
Trent/ReAnimators
Thank you for your explicit and encouraging reply and effort to help. In reply
to my earlier wailings about IM. some kindly soul told me that you sold
instructional tapes… hence my comment.
Now: WHAT WE WANT TO DO.. and WHY.
In our post production video work, many of our clients demand that the
background for titles be their product… their plant… a process etc. not
just a plain title background. Thus, we take quite a lot of the video…
freeze frame, and save for title backgrounds (As Toaster Framestores). We
then use the Innovision "Montage" to compose the titles… with the framestores
as backgrounds.
There have been client complaints that the Framestore background was too
bright… and other such moanings. That the eye strayed to the background…
and not the words. In some cases, they wished a small object in the background
to be "blanked out". Sometimes over saturated colors to be reduced or altered.
We do not like Toaster Paint… thus had high hopes for Imagemaster, which
could be used without the Toaster running. We have the T-Rexx program which
can convert Framestores to IFF24 and visa versa.
What we want to do … is to take a Toaster framestore (as is) into IM. Make
the requested corrections… then output the modified version, for addition of
the titling by "Montage". Just a modified copy of the original, but same size.
Then hopefully listen to the client telling us how clever we were! <g>.
FIRST… we want to know how to correctly insert the Framestore (or IFF24)
into IM. SECOND… how to SAVE the resultant image from IM in exactly the same
size and format as it was inserted. When we have overcome those mysteries, we
can then fiddle with all the little buttons, green lights etc., and hopefully
(?) see what each does to the image.
Preferably we like terse instructions… like "Press X… Press Z…. " and so
on. Our eyes should tell us what happens.
Hope this explanation helps you… in helping us.
With regards, Hilary.
Hilary,
Yes, I think I can direct you "tersely". 🙂 I'll give it a try.
First, either framestores or 24 bit IFF images should load directly into IM R/t
without any further work on your part using File I/o "Load Image File".
Now, make your required corrections – I can help you more if you're specific
here, of course. IM can do almost anything of the "remove object" or "darken"
class of things.
When you're done, here's what to do…
..IF the image was in IFF24 when you loaded it, go to the File I/o panel and
see if "save type" is set to 24 bit IFF/ILBM. If it is not, press "Set Save
Type" and select "24-bit IFF/ILBM" from the lest then press done. If the format
is already 24-bit IFF/ILBM, then contine… Press "Save Image File" and enter
the file name in the requester that comes up, and you should be done.
..IF the image was in Framestore format when you loaded it, go to the File I/o
panel and see if "save types" is set to "Framestore (Toaster) format…". if it
isn't, press "Set Save Type" and select "Framestore (Toaster)…" from the list
then press done. If the format is already Framestore, then continue… Press
Set Save Size and press "Match Image Size". Press Done. Now press "Save Image
File" and enter the file name in the requester that comes up, and you should be
done.
If you have any difficulty with these instructions, let me know. Or if you want
suggestions with a particular effect or filter – I can help there as well.
Good luck – I'm sure it can work for you. 🙂
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben,
I can't believe you discontinued those tapes. I have them & they are
great. Sure they have some basic stuff but if you can sit thru the stuff you
already know there are lots of unknown features which are introduced. Also the
tapes got me exploring the rest of the program. I had more or less given up on
the program until I got the tapes and now I am a regular user. I was hoping
for another series of tapes, in fact. 8-(
———————————————-Don- via Amiga 3000
Don,
If we do tapes, they'll be more advanced. You should see some of the
vitriol-filled letters we got because we sold them…
I'm truly glad you got use out of them, I am. It makes me feel a little better.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
'Course you could feel even better by simply giving every IMR/t owner who
bought the tapes a free upgrade! ;->
Trent/ReAnimators
DG> I can't believe you discontinued those tapes. I have them & they are DG>
great. Sure they have some basic stuff but if you can sit thru the__ DG> stuff
you already know there are lots of unknown features which are__ DG> introduced.
Also the tapes got me exploring the rest of the program. I DG> had more or
less given up on the program until I got the tapes and now I DG> am a regular
user. I was hoping for another series of tapes, in fact.
I must agree w/ all Don said here, Ben.
BBS> If we do tapes, they'll be more advanced. You should see some of the
BBS> vitriol-filled letters we got because we sold them…
BBS> I'm truly glad you got use out of them, I am. It makes me feel a little
BBS> better.
Geeese! I sure hope you do get your mind-set turned around on putting out
more tapes. It seems altogether possible that the folks who sent you those
vitriolic letters were of the advanced ilk. Probably, those of us who really
used the tapes for "a hand up" in beginning IM R/T were so busy being amazed at
what the program will do that we were glazed over for months.
In the event you do decide to put out more tapes, don't worry too much about
the "Hollywood" aspect. Meat is what we need. Meat, and an occasional potato.
Thanks for listening, Ben. There are some software houses that could benefit
greatly by just listening to their customers.
Pardon the interjection Dick.
Sooner or later I will be making a tape of my past, present and future
struggles with the computer game called "Operation ImageMaster". I am afraid
that it will be "XXX" rated, as it contains various curses and bad words. Most
of these have never been heard in the USA before, as they come from the Middle
Ages and met with much success when wielding a large Battle Axe and mounted on
a horse. There is a bloody scene where I approach the computer with a chain
saw. There are also some mystical incantations used by the Druids at
Stonehenge. The audio is in Dolby Surround Sound, so the computer cannot
escape when ImageMaster is inserted. So far, the program is snarling back at
me… but I will persist.
Hilary.
HS> program is snarling back at me… but I will persist.
Good for you! My resolve has wavered – but if Ben causes more tapes to become
available – then to the tree tops, my matees…
Look for a CMail.
Have had lots of trouble with training tapes.
As I am partly in the "business" of making instructional video myself, I have
problems in watching video made to train me. I tend to look at the way the
tape is made, how the editing was done, the titles and graphics plus the sound
quality. I then completely miss the message the tape is trying to give me.
I alo have difficulty in manipulating a VCR with one hand…. and fiddling with
the computer with the other. Sometimes thet get out of sybc'.
I prefer to ponder the written word. Like to take the book-of-words to bed
with me. Ponder upon the grammar used in the manual, and how I wish the
Americans would learn… first to write and secondly how to write terse and
concise English. Most instruction books read rather like TV commercials. I
then can dream the rest of the night about success, sitting there at the
computer keyboard, discovering things the programmers never even dreamed about.
Unfortunately, I usually wake up to reality!
Hilary.
>>first to write and secondly how to write terse and concise English. <<
Who'd wanna read what we wrote, then? 🙂
HS> how I wish the Americans would learn… first to write and secondly how HS>
to write terse and concise English.
Amen!
48 Minutes had a good segment last evening on college and university
professors using teaching assistants. The professors rarely show up in the
classroom because (so they say) they have to publish, publish, publish. After
years of this, the education system has arrived in the sorry state it is in
today. There won't be any quick fix. The horrific grammar and english usage we
see today WILL get worse before it gets better.
Smile. Dickoux
Yes… I saw the "60 Minutes" bit on the college professors. Made me spit out
some good chicken salad which I was eating.
Years ago, on occasion I was asked to lecture at Penn State U. I met many of
their faculty, and I do confirm that their greatest concern was for themselves,
their tenure and income… not the students.
Am afraid that I tend to blame the situation on the present idea that "money"
is the ultimate reward. The word "need" is now replaced by the more modern
"GREED". Rather like Rome in the days before the "Decline and Fall" (Gibbons).
Is there a warning there? Unless one studies history… and learns from it,
you are condemned to repeat its mistakes.
You've got me lecturing again ! Hilary.
Since when are colleges and universities responsible for teaching "to write and
secondly how to write terse and concise English"? I had thought this to be the
responsibility of grammar schools.
Training tapes are too linear to be of much help, in my experience. This would
be an ideal task, however, for an interactive CD-ROM that could skip right to
particular operation. Having a video image in the help system wouldn't even be
that necessary; just show the screen operations with an auto-mouse type demo.
IM's included ApAssist help is halfway there; an active demo using recorded
key-mouse macros (quite achievable on Amigas) would solve the problem, in my
view. Ben: Are you listening?
I am indeed listening.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot