#ImageMaster 9.5.1
43 messages in this thread
Ben,
I recieved and installed IM 9.5.1 fix two days ago. Thank you. I deleted
9.5 including all files related to IM and installed 9.5.1 from scratch. I
am running IM on a A3000/25 with 16Mb of RAM and WB2.1.
I still cannot create FLI anims and now cannot create a complete IFF
anims. This is the procedure I am going through to create an FLI anim:
1)Boot up IM from WB and go into the Multi-frame sequence and select the
files I want to use.
2)I go into "Set Scripts" and select "FLIck Writer" and click done.
3)I then set Dither Type, Render Size 640×480 , Choose Other Render Modes
and select GIF 256
4)I go into "Run List" and select "Render Results" then "Execute".
5) A requestor comes up and I select the default path of RAM: and and
leave the default name.
IM goes through the whole process and the end result is "nothing". I go
into RAM: and nothing is there. During the process some kind of config
file appears, but in the end, it is deleted. I've tried other paths and
names, with the same results. I've also tried running FLI through the
Morph process, resulting in nothing.
When creating an IFF anim, all the files I select are not written into the
anim.
If you go into the "Set-up" panel and "Save Defaults", then "Load
Defaults", the display panel "flies" to the top of the screen and
continues to do so unless the config file is deleted and a new one
created.
If I select a "Render Path" and "Show Coords" then save as default
settings, and reboot, the "Render Path" is blank and "Show Coords" is
deselected.
What is the max resolution of a file that IM can load?
I've re-installed twice, took out all commodities, cold boot, ran from
cli, with and without film strip, with and without Primary Buffer full,
with and without second script, with and without paths in the "Run List".
Having an FLI loader and saver was a great idea. I look forward on getting
this to work. Thanks in advance.
-Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
Louis:
If it's any consolation, I have had similar bad luck creating both ANIMs &
FLIs. I haven't had much time to test it, so I thought it was just
something I was doing. :^)
I'll be following the answer to this thread closely.
Thanks,
Erik Flom
It's get Strange, I have both the Anim writer and Fli writing scripts
working but can';t get DCTV images output thru IM.
Please explain how you are getting all the files you select in the anims
and flc's in IM9.5.1 How many frames are you working with?
==Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
I use the Multiframe Loader in Imagemaster. I've done a couple of 30 Frame
FLC's and a few 10 frame "WIPES"
Are you putting the Script names in the proper place in the Multiloader
area using Setup Scripts?
Animwr1.rexx,animwr3.rexx and Animwr4.rexx go in their. The Top Right
Script box should be left blank in MOST cases.
Peter,
Where else could the scripts go?…. There is a full explaination of how
to use the Anim writer in the documentation file, which I have read.
I have also been in touch with tech support to verify the exact procedure
of creating anims and flcs.
Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
Weird, I tried the FLick write the other night and it functioned fine
I'll have time next week to give it a shot.
The current scene I'm rendering barely leaves me enough free RAM to run
AutoPilot, much less IM. I'll have to wait until I've finished this
current project before I can get into to writing FLIcks.
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Wow. That must be some scene.
2 hours per frame. 400 frames. . . .:^)
The entire scene directory (w/ bitmaps) is around 10-12MB.
OUCH, yer a busy little bee. I've been VERY UNPRODUCTIVE the last few
days.
The flick writer wants render in Amiga 256 color IFF mode; not GIF. Should
work fine as soon as you feed it a 256-color IFF.
IM can load 32k on an axis, given that you have the memory to handle
same.
Regarding the flip panel to the top, we've heard about this but have not
(yet) been able to reproduce it. Got any PD software running? Or perhaps
some CBM utilities, commodities? Wht is your WB rez, and overscan
settings.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
We found the panel issue (sticking up high). Fixed for 9.52
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben –
Does this include the time where, if you're running a laced screen
and laced panel, you go to the "compose" panel, select "done", and
the main panel goes up to mid-screen? Probably does 8^) but I thought
I'd post the other scenario anyway. BTW, thanks for the prompt 9.51
update! Though I _was_ a bit confused when "zoom" replaced "exact
image" … 8^)
Harry
Yep, that's part of it. Just tried it under 9.53 to make sure, under your
stated conditions, and it went fine.
Zoom doesn't replace exact image – exact image is just a fossil now. :^)
Zoom is just… zoom!
The only thing you need to do is get a grip on the new aspect tools, and
you'll have it licked in no time… and things will look and work a LOT
better than they used to. Plus it's faster. :^)
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
So where are the docs for the 'aspect tools'?
I'm getting a grip, but it would be easier if the wheel weren't covered in
grease. :^)
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Point taken. new manuals are 3-60 days out; they should fix this problem
and give you a whole new steering wheel. :^)
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ah, that'll be great. Though I have to admit using IM without docs is kind
of fun, careening along, out of control, with no direction, wondering
whether I can navigate that next turn . . .:^)
Your excellent (and prompt) online support has at least gotten me back on
the road . .:^)
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Ben –
9.53?? OK, don't bother to send me 9.52, just wait until 9.53 is ready
8^). Or 9.54, or 9.55, or whatever it'll be when you decide it's time to
release an update …
Harry
9.52 – did I say 53? Typo, sorry. 53's not even started yet; we're doing
52.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben,
I tried rendering Amiga IFF with 256 colors as you suggested, with no results.
These were my settings in "Amiga Render Mode":
Mode=Register, Resolution=Hi-res, Bit Dept=8 BP 256 Col, Palette Depth=24 Bits,
16.8m Colors
My workbench screen size is NTSC:Hi-res Interlaced with no overscan.
As I mentioned before, I have tried this without any PD software or CBM
utilities running at all. I've also tried this on other A3000's and A2000's
with the same results. All machines have WB2.1 and plenty of memory without PD
software or CBM utilities running. Just bare-bones WB2.1 (with no
commodities). I've even launched Imagemaster straight from the start-up
sequence upon booting-up. The results are all the same. I get a file in RAM:
called IP_FLICKWR.CFG that contains this information: 0 ram:BUFNAME.flc 2
>>typo- 0 and 2 should be reversed so to read 2, ram:BUFNAME.flc, 0 <<
After IM stops processing, this file is deleted and nothing else happens. I've
done file searches on my system in Directory Opus for anything thing with the
extension ".flc" or "BUFNAME.flc". Nothing.
Questions about Imagemaster's FLIck Writer:
Does it take care of changing the pixel aspect ratio? What is the maximum and
minimum resolution it supports? MVGA? VGA? SVGA? Does it create a locked
palette?
About the selection panel "flying" up. Your tech support has also
re-created this scenario in Imagemaster 9.5.1. If you go into the
"Set up" panel and select "Save Defaults", then select "Load
Defaults", the panel "flies" to the top of the screen next time the
asl file requestor is accessed. This continues to happen unless the
Default.iicfg file is deleted and replaced with a new one. Again,
this has been the case on other machines as well.
What about the "Show Coords" function in the "Display Panel?". I
can't get it to display anything.
If select the "Show Coords" gadget in the "Display Panel", define a
render path in the "Set-up Panel" and then save my defaults, the next
time I launch IM there is no longer a render path in the "Set Panel"
and the "Show Coords" gadget is de-selected.
Is Imagemaster designed to multi-task? The reason I ask is because I
have a hell of a time keeping my pointer or screen in any
application, while IM is processing. If I run another application
while IM is processing, IM will "steal" my pointer and bring it's
panel to the forefront. This happens even while I'm typing. It's
very difficult to get any work done when IM is processing.
Please advise…
–Louis
Ben,
My apologies on the FLIck writer. I finally got it to work! Yah!!
Would still like a reply on the other issues….
By the way, that was a nice touch putting those new gadgets as script
writers. Thanks
-Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
Oh, good! I was really getting worried, there – what was the missing
"thing", if I can bug you? I didn't see it in your last message?
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
So, Louis, what was it? I still have as yet to get anything except a
file that is big enough to be ONE frame of the animation, but not the
whole thing. :^(
Tips?
Thanks,
Erik Flom
Erik,
I'm getting the same results as you. All is not o.k at the Circle K
corral… stay tuned…
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
Just waiting to find out what type of entrails I need to smear on my
keyboard to get the FLIck writer to work . . .
Erik Flom
Go to the Multi frame sequence Button on the I/O screen of Imagemaster use
the Set Scripts button and place the script names in 3 of the 4 boxes
provided. Well thru the magic of Autopilot I just checked and those Clever
folks at Black Belt Systems put in 2 buttons that automatically set up the
Scripting correctly. VERY NICE.
I'll try the Flick and Anim writers tonight but they've worked fine for me
in the past.
I've read the instructions, and I've tried it with 9.23, 9.50, & 9.51.
No Joy in all instances. The best I get is a file in RAM that's about the
right size for a single frame of the animation.
Oh well, too busy this week anyway. :^)
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
I'll retry the Anim and FLICK scripts, I'll do a couple of quickies
with 5 frames or so.
Perhaps yer trying to use too large a size rendered image for the FLicks?
I've gotten it to work after Ben told me about using an AMIGA 256 color
image instead of using a GIF to create the FLI's
Peter,
I'm "feeding it" 24bit 752 x 480's or 768 x 480's and scaling to 640 x 480
(vga) or 320 x 400 (mvga) 256 colors. What are you "feeding it" and
scaling to?
-Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
I've gotten 640*400 to work as well as 320*200
I don't see anything you're doing wrong with the flick stuff; let me
see what tech support has to say. I've printed your message…
perhaps they know something I don't (not too unlikely :^)
Pixel aspect is set by you, when you render – resolution, etc, is set
in the Amiga render panel. There is no max/min resolution, other than
limits of your ocmputer's memory. Ditto for locked palettes – if
you've set the Amiga render mode to use a locked palette, then that's
what you get in the flick.
Show cords runs when you're selecting an area; not otherwise. Is that
how you're using it?
IM is designed to multitask, yes. If you don't want it to autoactivate
the windows, which it does on purpose so you get called back when
things are finished, then there's a button in the display control
panel which you can turn autoactivate off with. it won't reactvate or
reorganize screens then, you have to do it. Works either way.
Ahhh, so that's what 'Auto-activate' does . . . The light dawns. :^)
"Boy, this is a program that could REALLY use 'balloon help'! :^)"
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
It will have context sensitive help at the time the manual comes out…
it's already built in, but the help docs aren't ready yet.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben,
The thing I was doing wrong was not rebooting after my last attempt. 🙁
And yes I did get an .flc file in RAM: but…… I'm afraid that I
spoke too soon on the results. The .flc file that is created doesn't
contain all the frames I put into it using the the frame selector.
I've tried putting 60,90, and 120 frames. The result is a 1 to 3
frame .flc animation. I am using AAPLAY.ZIP to play the the animation
on a 486. AAPLAYW flags me and says that there is the incorrect
number of frames and also tells me how many frames it contains. The
same happens with the regular Amiga anim writer. I give it several
frames(30-120), resulting in an animation consisting of only 1-3
frames. Am I missing something here? Please advise.
Show Coords – No, that was not the way I was using it. But now that I
am, I can see the "Coords" properly. Thanks! 🙂 But…. The gadget
still does not maintain it's status when I save prefs and call up the
pgm again.
Thanks for the info on the pixel aspect ration and locked palette. Can
you suggest a script to lock the palette? I'm not too proficient in
ARexx.
Many thanks for the "autoactivate" advise. I'll give it try. 🙂
–Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
Sounds to me that the FLC writer has a problem. I'll pass this on to TS
Monday; we'll see what they have to say. If it's repeatable (that is, if
WE can't make a FLC) then we'll catch it easily, I'm sure.
A script to lock the palette? Just go in the File I/o panel, select "Set
Render Palette", and "Use Existing Palette" instead of "Generate New
Palette". That'll do it. No need here for ARexx, I think.
btw, that show cords issue for prefs will be addressed; thanks for
pointing it out.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben,
Are you sure it's not the "Multi-Frame Sequence" selector that has the
problem? The exact same thing is happing when I try to make Amiga anims.
Thanks for your help on everything. The "Auto-Activate" did the job. I'll
be in touch Monday.
–Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
I'm not sure what it is at all; that's why I'm passing it along to tech
support. They may already know.
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Try hitting F1 on yer Amiga while in Imagemaster, this will tell ya if you
have the correct # of frames and ask which of these you want to load.
This should at least tell you if the FLI is being written out correctly.
There may be a problem with the Viewer yer using on yer 486 with FLC's
that Imagemaster writes out? I uploaded one to a IBM/Clone BBS and the
sysop couldn't get the FLC to run tho all frames are there when I try the
above F1 FLI load in IM.
Peter,
The first giveaway, was the fact that I had "fed" the FLI writer 60/24bit
752 x 480 frames to scale to 640 x 480. The size of the resulting .FLC was
only about 500K…..
What .FLC player was the sysop using? I was using AAPLAY.ZIP, which was
made to play .FLC files only. Maybe Ben can suggest an "official" .FLC
player.
-Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago…
I really dunno what player Steve Lao tried to use to view the FLC I had
sent entitled 3DBUTT which is a rearview of the BDGIRL walking away from
the Camera with the Camera zoomed in on the Buttocks