CompuServe Thread

#toaster paint export?

13 messages in this thread
#69951From: George KunzDec 8, 1993 7:08 PM
Hi, I am working with an individual who uses the Toaster 4000 and we are trying to transfer a file from the paint program in a file format that would be recognized by an IBM PC….eg tiff, tga, bmp, pcx or even iff. I can't seem to find a "save as" or export feature from the Toasters paint program …..any advice. Thanks George Kunz
#69953From: JERRY HATCHETTDec 8, 1993 7:23 PM
George, You'll need an image conversion program, such as AdPro or Imagemaster. Jerry
#69984From: john bennettDec 9, 1993 9:33 AM
In Toaster paint you want to select Picture, Save RGB to save an Amiga IFF24 file. Then you could use the Write PICT util included with the Toaster s/w to convert to PICT format. Not sure how much use PICT get in PC circles? Then you can save the file to a PC formatted disk easily useing the Amiga OS. And run a Sneaker Net. :^) ….John
#69988From: Arnie CachelinDec 9, 1993 11:20 AM
ToasterPaint outputs THE standard amiga image format IFF. There are PC programs (conversion artist, hijaak) which will recognize this format, or you can do the conversion with other amiga software. the IFF format is the same as EA's .lbm format on the PC, but I'm not sure they can handle 24-bits.
#70026From: George Safirowski [NJ]Dec 9, 1993 10:11 PM
George, I just went through this ringer, trying to convert tpaint rgb files to pc. Not much luck. First of all, many of the files saved to rgb are to large for a floppy to handle, unless you have another removable media. I have a strong pc conversion program, it handles amiga, but not iff24. Since my amiga is next to the pc, i'm persuing to send files via serial ports. That might wind up another wild goose chase. I'm told the best way is using AdPro program, which i don't have at this time. I'm running out of drive space anyway. So, what i have done, is safe to rgb, but the frames are in components to make them smaller, and send the disks to a graphic company, On Video in texas. For a few bucks a got the disks transfered. But i'm in need to have more done. sorry could not offer any more, just my problems. There are good people in this forum, i'm sure some one will send you on the right track. I'm listening myself. good luck, george
#70067From: Nathan WahlDec 10, 1993 5:54 PM
A null modem cable between the serial ports works just fine using a terminal program on each end. I just set one up for myself. At 19,200 baud it takes about 3 minutes to transfer a 300K file. I'm looking to get that up to 115Kbaud with some shareware for each of the platforms, depending if the HW can handle it. Let me know if you need more info. You still need to convert the images. Use ADPro, ImageFX or Imagemaster; there may be a Shareware utility to do this in the AmigaUser forum libraries, too. I couldn't find anythng on the PC end that could handle Amiga 24bit IFFs. BTW, make SURE that the cable connects the computers correctly (check the pinouts and use a meter on the cable), and do get a shielded cable.
#70068From: George Safirowski [NJ]Dec 10, 1993 7:41 PM
Thanks Nathan. Once i get it in the pc, from there there's no problem with transferring files. I have couple of alternatives. since the larger capacity floppy, 1.44 meg, I can then send away to get it transferred, or even leave it as iff24, and through compuserve e-mail to someone with capability to do that. Of course I would pay for online charges and for transfer charge, whatever that might be. I'm sure i would not have a problem finding some one with that capability here on cis. since I don't have a frequent need for such transfers, it would be worth it, rather than buying a program such as adpro and larger removable storage to be able to deliver to a printer. So, the serial conection makes most sense at this time. But i'm still not too clear on any commands from the amiga to enable transfer to the serial port. It's prbobly some command at cli, or something like that. BTW, isn't there a floppy drive for the amiga with larger capability, like the pc 1.44? thanks for the help. george
#70109From: Arnie CachelinDec 11, 1993 4:02 PM
To transfer files through r\the serial port you need to run a terminal program (like the one you use to read this!) on both the Amiga and PC sides. Then start a download on one and an upload on the other. Term programs for both machines shouyld be available here as downloads which will fit on floppy.
#70085From: Fred BerneyDec 11, 1993 7:09 AM
George, I just started doing what you want to do. I bought Ad Pro and converted the file to a PCX file. I am surprised that your files don't fit on a floppy. I saved a framestore – single freeze frame from video – and it was just under 1.4 megs. Last week I bought HiJack Pro. Then instead of changing the file on the Amiga, I left it as an IFF and saved that to a floppy. Had HiJack convert the IFF on the PC to a file that PageMaker could handle. The results have been excellent. I don't recall how large Ad Pro is, but it comes on four 720K disks, so it doesn't take up that much room. You should also be able to send files directly between computers via the serial port. We did this with a PC and a MAC. We used MAC/LINK, but I've also sent files using any modem program. I don't know the Amiga that well, but there must me a communications program for it. Buy or make a null modem cable. Radio Shack sales them for under $10.00. Then set both communications programs to the same protocol settings, making one the receiver and the other the sender. At some point you will need a conversion program for the files. I found a shareware program called Paint Shop. However, it does not handle IFF files, so Hi Jack would be a better way to go. Most stores are discounting it for around $85.00 Windows version and $49.00 for DOS.
#70090From: George Safirowski [NJ]Dec 11, 1993 9:29 AM
Thanks Fred for the info. I was goingto do just that, connect both computers via nul cable to the serial ports. Both my ports are taken up, so I was trying to avoid connecting and disconnecting each time. I do have paint shop in windows, but it does not handle iff24. Some of my framestores from toaster are over 1 meg and will not fit on a amiga floppy. My pc handles 1.4 megs on the floppy. Maybe I should just go the simple way out and connect both computers via serial, only when i need to send files from coputer to computer, I don't need to do that often. You see, once i get it to my pc, then i don't care how big the files are. Just e-mail them to somebody with conversion program, and have them send it back to me. I would pay for this service, that's no problem. I'm patrified to learn new programs in amiga, what a pain. Especially when i'm in the middle of a project and can't afford spending time on learning curves. Anyway, you gave me lot's of helpfull infor, i will persue it. thanks, george
#70035From: Wayne ColeDec 10, 1993 2:54 AM
save it as RGB from TPaint (which is essentially IFF24). Then use Hi-Jack on the PC or AdPro, ImageMaster et al on the Amiga to transfer it to GIF or PIC or TIFF or whatever you want. wmc – via Autopilot!
#70096From: George KunzDec 11, 1993 11:06 AM
Wayne, and others. What a great response! I feel much closer to a solution for transfering these files from the Toaster to the PC. I've both HiJack and Adobe Photoshop on the PC side so I am confident that I will find a way. One thing that was puzzeling to me….you would think that the Toaster would output to an .iff file type….or does it but just names it something else. Iff I can handle but I am not sure what kind of file an RGB is. I am going to try renaming the RGB to .iff and see if that makes a difference. PC's are funny about the file names…..no matter what type file it is, if it is not named correctly then it cannot be read. Thanks again for the 5-6 people offering help here….great bunch of Toasterheads. George Kunz
#70110From: Arnie CachelinDec 11, 1993 4:02 PM
With the exception of ".info" extensions are completely ignored by the amiga OS, and by most applications. The files saved from TPaint are either iff (ILBM) format RGB files or framestores (which are composite video dumps). These also happen to be stored in an iff format, although not in a way many other prog.s can understand. It almost sounds like you only need to rename the files to get everything to work. You can save files with any name you like, so add the .iff it you need to!