File Conversion
18 messages in this thread
Can anyone HELP!
I am a PC user, although i am also an Amiga lover too, and I need
to find a conversion utility to convert Amiga format files (ie. HAM, IFF,
JPG, ect..) to GIF, TIF, TGA ect. Where can I find a good conversion
utility for the PC.
Also, what format are LHA files?
Nate
Nate:
LHA files are compressed archives. They can be uncompresses on the Amiga
with LHA138.RUN in lib 16 of AmigaUser, where all of our
crunchers/decrunchers are kept. There are also versions available for
msdos machines, but I can't point you toward one.
To find a graphic file converter to work on a pc, you'll do better asking
where people actually use PC's. 🙂 I remember seeing a description of a
pc shareware program called Image Alchemy. I found it using the IBM File
Finder (GO IBMFF).
Other than that, all of the programs I use run on the Amiga to convert
IFF's to GIF, PCX, TIF, etc.
Hey, Michael — I've been trying to dig up a copy of Image Alchemy for
awhile now. Can you tell me exactly where it is? I spent some time with
IBMFF and still couldn't find it. Thanks!
=Tom=
Tom:
I'll poke around for it on CIS tomorrow…but I did notice that there is
now a commercial version of it out (saw an ad listing it in computer
shopper)… so maybe the shareware version has been pulled?
I'll let you know if I find anything.
Image Alchemy can be found in the Format conversion library of Graphics
Support. Its a hefty download and the demo is limited to a 640X480 viewing
size, otherwise it is fully functional. It has a command line interface
which I like and it'll convert just about anything. It is not a great
viewer program. I couldn't get that part to work because I was just
borrowing a VGA PC to try it out. The Jpeg conversion works just fine but I
don't think it can handle an Amiga file format past Ham unless it is
Jpegged first.
Margaret, I finally did find Alchemy. Thanks for the assist, though!
=Tom=
You're welcome. I got a review copy of Image Alchemy for a newsletter that
I publish. I got to try it on a VGA PC with lots of different file formats.
Aside from problems viewing files, it made the conversions just fine. I
could then "back port" them to the Amiga and look at them there. So I was
pretty impressed with its ability to handle different types of files. The
PC world has so many weird and ancient file formats. A program like IA is
very useful for people trying to graphics on a PC.
You're right, Alchemy seems very versatile. It seems to have a minor
disagreement with some Amiga software on what correct aspect ratio is, but
it also explains how to deal with it. The only reports I'm seeing about
real problems is that its JFIF (JPEG) format doesn't seem to be readable by
any current Amiga software, even though both sides claim to follow the
(currently evolving) industry standard. *sigh*
=Tom=
I talked to the Handmade software people about that. I'm not sure that the
demo on CIS has it right – although I believe they do update the demo with
their new releases. At the office, they know about the Amiga's aspect ratio
– the stuff in the manual and the online docs isn't right. I don't know if
I tested IA with Jpeg going from IA to the Amiga but I do know it works
from Amiga Jpeg to IA. I've tried Image Master and Art Dept created Jpegs.
> At the office, they know about the Amiga's aspect ratio
> – the stuff in the manual and the online docs isn't right.
Okay — that's not so bad, then. But they're spreading wrong info about
Amiga developers to the IBM community, then. Nothing new, I know, but it
tends to make us look bad. *sigh*
Anyway, thanks for the follow-up. IA seems to be one of the best
conversion packages in general use in the MS-DOS world, and I'd like to see
it supported from both sides of the fence. <grin>
=Tom=
Frankly, I think they have it wrong in the online docs. Too bad. However, I
am a registered user – they know. I think I'll look at my manual. I believe
they worked with ASDG to get the standard right. I think it is a better
deal than Hijaak.
Please let me know what you find out from your manual. If they worked
with ASDG then they're in good hands. 🙂
=Tom=
I'm not sure about a conversion software for the PC. There are programs
like ImageMaster and AdPro that can handle image conversion for the
Amiga.
LHA files are compressed with the utility LhA. It's an offshoot of the
LHARC compression format.
Steve
There should be .LHA and .LHZ utilities on the PC which are compatible with
Amiga versions.
Nathan, there are some Amiga freely distributable utilities in library 14
that will change the formats. It can also be done with several Amiga
commercial packages such as ADPRO and ImageMaster, or with such MS-DOS
programs as HIJAAK. (I'm sure there are others.)
LHA files are compressed with LHARC. This compression method is available
to MS-DOS machines as well as to AMigas – and most others. I'm sure you
could find the MSDOS version on one of the IMB forums.
—Betty
Look for a commercial program called "Hijack" . I belive it is available
through advertisers in Byte. It converts those formats, I believe.
wmc – via Autopilot!
…I don't think JPG is necessarily an Amiga format – just a compression of
GIF (or 24-bit,etc.). Anyway, I've used GIF2JP.ZIP in Graphics Support+
Forum (works both ways) on my PC.
Also, the Image Alchemy mentioned is also in Graphics Support+ Forum,
IMGALC.ZIP
Let me know if this is helpful…
Rick
Try VPic. It converts from anything to just about anything. I use it to
convert from GIF to IFF. It has a whole list of combinations to choose
from.
– via Whap!