Copyright: VistaVue 3.0  Copyright 1995 by Faxtastic


VISTAK Order
VistaVue v3.0

Multi-Media Viewer

Copyright © 1995 by FAXTASTICSM    All Rights Reserved

Overview

Introduction

Image Enhancement

Multi-Media Player

Twain Compliant

Thumbnail Viewer

Gallery

Windows Interface

How to Order

Order Form

Registration

Tech Support

Commands

File

Edit

View

Image

Media-Player

TWAIN Image Acquisiton

Options

Window

Licenesing

License Agreement

Shareware

Copyright & Trademark Acknowledgements


Introduction

VistaVue is a Multi-Media Viewer that offers a fast enhanced user definable imaging system, multi-media playback and TWAIN Compliant image acquisition in one complete package.  The program utilizes state of the art imaging technology costing hundreds of dollars, it provides you with the following power at a fraction of the cost:

Image Enhancement: 	Multi window, filters, luminance control, conversion, rotation, editing, etc.

Multi-Media Player: 	Play Multi-Media MCI files (AVI, MPG, MID, RMI, WAV, etc.)

TWAIN Compliant: 	Acquire images from  (i.e. Scanners, Digital Cameras, VCRs, etc.)

Thumbnail Viewer:  	Drag & drop files, clipboard copy & paste

Gallery: 	View multiple files presented as image thumbnails

Windows Interface:	Copy, paste, print & save clipboard images, create automatic wallpaper

VistaVue is Non-Crippled Shareware, requires at least a 486, either Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, and VBRUN300.DLL.

Runs on a 32bit graphic DLL for outstanding performance under Windows 95

E-MAIL FEEDBACK

We would like to encourage all users, registered and non registered to provide us with feedback on our products.  While you must be registered to receive on-going technical support, if you have a problem, concern or suggestion for this program please e-mail us.


Image Enhancement

The VistaVue Imaging Viewer features the following imaging capabilities:

Read 11 Formats : BMP, DCX, JPEG, GIF, PCX, PCD, TIFF, Targa, Sun Raster, Apple® PICT, HALO Cut

Write 10 Formats : BMP, JPEG, GIF, PCX, TIFF, Targa, Sun Raster, Apple® PICT, HALO Cut, EPS

Drag & Drop: Instantly view graphic files dragged from File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer

4 Image Class Conversion : Bilevel B/W, Gray Scale, Palette, 24-bit True Color

File Compression : Provides image compression when saving.

JPEG Quality: Used to set the JPEG quality factor when saving.

20 Enhancement Filters : Emboss, Sculpt, Pixelize, Sharpen, etc.

3 Luminance Controls: Brightness, Contrast, Gamma

Crop: Crop images by drawing a box and pressing Ctrl-D, retains all image attributes

Paste Special : Merge images using copy, And, Or, Nand, Nor functions

Graphic Printing: Sizing, Print Dither, Smoothing

Image Resampling: By pixel resolution, page, percent or custom X - Y control

6 Rotational Functions : Left/Right, Top/Bottom, Transpose, 90 CW, 90 CCW, 180

Image undo Feature: A independent undo buffer for each active window

3 Independent Image editing Windows

User definable background colors


Multi-Media Player

Media-Player

VistaVue includes a built-in MCI Media player.  This player will play MCI files such as AVI, MPG, WAV, RMI, MID.  The player requires that you have the appropriate MCI Drivers loaded and installed in your system.

The Media Player can be activated while in the main viewer and it can also be activated from the thumbnail viewer.

Preview Mode: Play the MCI file direct from the load dialog.

Copy Command: Copy the MCI file to the clipboard.

Drag&Drop: Play one or multiple files by drag & dropping them direct from File Manager or Explorer.

Media Filer: Store and quickly select your 25 favorite MCI files.

Thumbnail Player: Play MCI files while in Thumbnail Mode.

Video Options: Control the View, Volume and Speed of Video files.


Twain Compliant

 TWAIN Image Acquisiton

(Acquisition device (Scanner, Digital Camera, VCR ) must be TWAIN-Compliant)

- Acquire a image from any TWAIN-Compliant device (i.e. Scanners, Digital Cameras, VCRs, etc.)

- Crop, Enhance & Adjust Luminance


Thumbnail Viewer

The thumbnail viewer replaces the Main viewer when activated.  The thumbnail can be activated by minimizing the main viewer and having the option menu (Minimize to Thumbnail) checked or by selecting Thumbnail Viewer from the File menu.

The thumbnail viewer can load files by the file open dialog or can accept drag & drop directly from the windows file manager or windows 95 explorer.  Thumbnail viewer also converts into a thumbnail Gallery and can view a complete directory or multiple selected file direct from the file manager via drag & drop.

Drag & Drop files from File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer

Paste  & Copy Clipboard Images

Always on Top Display is user definable on/off

Remember window size & placement

Graphic Printing

Image Info

Variety of Zoom Options

Open File Dialog : Load image files directly from disk using the Open file command dialog.

Gallery display: Can load images from file open dialog or drag & drop.

3 user definable tabs for storing & recalling Thumbnail size, color & options

Accessible directly from the command line on startup

Mini command menu: Accessible by pressing the right mouse button.

Thumbnail window cycling: Each of the 3 user settings can be viewed by double clicking on the window

Multi-Media Player: Play Multi-Media MCI files (AVI, MPG, MID, RMI, WAV, etc.)

TWAIN Compliant: Acquire images from  (i.e. Scanners, Digital Cameras, VCRs, etc.)

Crop: Crop images by drawing a box and selecting Crop from the edit menu, retains all image attributes

Thumbnail Menu

 The viewer has a popup menu that contains a command subset from the main program and when the main program is maximized, the thumbnail is automatically closed.
Click right mouse button to activate the menu.
Click left mouse button on thumbnail viewer to close the menu.

Thumbnail Menu Settings

The thumbnail window is user definable in size and appearance and the settings are stored in 3 user definable tabs:
- The Scroll Bar controls the windows size.
- When [x] Always on top is checked, the thumbnail will always appear on top of all windows.
- BackColor is used to change the thumbnail background color.
- Tab Name is used to enter a 8 character name to identify each tab.
    Saves the configuration to disk

Tech Tips:

- Images can be acquired from TWAIN-Compliant devices such as a (Scanner, Digital Camera, VCR, etc.) by pressing Acquire on the Thumbnail Menu Bar.
- Sound and Video MCI files can be played by pressing Play on the Thumbnail Menu Bar
- Each of the 3 thumbnail user settings can be viewed by double clicking on the thumnail window.
- To load the thumbnail viewer on startup, add the following command line parameter  /T.

Please Note:  Only one command parameter at a time is allowed , do not mix !


Image Gallery
Gallery

The VistaVue Gallery visually displays a directory or multiple file listing as user definable thumbnails  The images can be loaded via the File Open Dialog, Drag & Drop from File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer.

Thumbnails can be :
- Printed graphically by pressing the [image] print button.
- Viewed by clicking on one or multiple images (holding the shift key), then press [image] Full Page Preview Button

- A thumbnail is loaded into the viewer by double clicking on that thumbnail

Drag & Drop files from File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer

Remember window size & placement

Graphic Printing of thumbnail images

3 user definable tabs for storing & recalling Gallery size, appearance, & settings

Load a complete directory from file manager or Windows 95 Explorer

Load Multiple highlighted files from file manager or Windows 95 Explorer

One or more thumbnails can be selected & viewed in full screen

Gallery Size

The gallery size can be adjusted by height, width and cell spacing between thumbnails.  The scroll bars control the minimum and maximum ranges for each control.

When Maintain Aspect Ratio is checked, a change in height or width will produce a proportional change on the other axis.

When a gallery is re-sized, it sometime becomes necessary to refresh the screen.  The image that appeared clear in a small thumbnail can appear fuzzy in a large thumbnail.  You can either refresh the gallery manually by pressing the Refresh button or check the Auto Refresh box, and the gallery will automatically refresh each time a size change occurs.

Gallery Appearance

This menu controls the physical format of each thumbnail within the gallery.  The changes are dynamic taking effect immediately.  To save your changes click on the store/recall tab and click on the diskette icon.

Gallery Store/Recall

Clicking a tab in this menu will recall all previously stored settings and display the gallery with the stored changes in effect.  To make changes, click on either the Size or Appearance Tabs, make changes and then return and press the diskette icon to store those changes.

The tab name in this menu is 20 characters long and user definable, just type in a new name and store it.


Clipboard Editor
Windows Interface

VistaVue is designed to be user friendly and industry compliant.  Most of the menus and appearances follow the Windows standard, however we have also designed in a few extras.

Selection box editing : Selectively edit or enhance areas by using the mouse

Multiple zoom and viewing options

Full screen viewing

Clipboard cut & paste

Creates automatic wallpaper: Automatically creates & activates wallpaper from your active image.

Remember windows size & placement:  Command, Image & Toolbar window placement last positions are stored.

File open & save dialog box automatically stores last directory accessed

5 user definable tabs for storing & recalling file directories

The right mouse button is used extensively throughout to display menus & options

ESC key active (Cancel/Close) : Pressing ESC within a menu, executes the Cancel/Close button.

Enter key active (OK) : Pressing Enter within a menu executes the OK button.

Uninstall utility: Removes VistaVue from your disk.


Order Forrn
Order Form

To become a registered VistaVue user,  check the appropriate item(s) below, fill in the necessary information, and Mail, Fax or E-mail this form and payment (in US Dollars) to:

FAXTASTIC

P.O. Box 242

MARLTON, NJ  08053

U.S.A.

Fax: 609-988-9742

E-Mail:  72210,2040 on CompuServe  or   XFaxtastic@aol.com on America Online

[  ]	I would like to register VistaVue 3.0 Multi-Media Viewer for only $29.00 (U.S.)

[  ]  I have enclosed payment for the above amount (U.S. Registration Only).

or

[  ]  Please charge my:  [  ] VISA    [  ] Mastercard    [  ] American Express

Card Number:___________________________ 	Expiration Date:______________

Card Holder Name: ______________________	Signature:_________________________

(U.S. Residents): A full mailing address with State must accompany credit card orders.

All of the above fields must be completed (as it appears on card) in order to accept order.

Please send my Authorization Code via :   [  ] Surface mail     [  ] Fax     [  ] E-Mail

Please Note:  NJ Residents are required to add 6% sales tax when ordering directly from Faxtastic, options (1 & 3).

INTERNATIONAL (NON-U.S.) REGISTRATIONS

Our bank charges us $30 for clearing foreign checks, including Canada.  Due to this we cannot accept payment on foreign orders by check.  All Foreign orders must orders must pay via VISA, MasterCard, AMEX or CompuServe SWREG

My name, company and mailing address is:

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Company: _____________________________________________________________

Street/PO Box: __________________________________________________________

City: ____________________  State: _______  Zip Code: ________________________

Phone Number: __________________

Fax Number: ____________________

E-Mail Address: _________________________________


Registration

The unregistered version of VistaVue is 100% functional and Not Crippled in any manner.  There is a 30 day trial period allowed for the evaluation of the program. All unregistered versions include a small registration reminder that will appear on startup and every 12 hours during the 30 day trial period.  After the 30 day trial period, the registration screen will appear every 15 minutes.

Benefits of Registering:

Free upgrades  (if you download them yourself).

Two user license (the right to install VistaVue on 2 Computers that you use) .

Free technical support via e-mail.

A authorization code and user ID that permanetly disables the VistaVue registration reminder.

To Register:

We urge all users to run, test and evaluate this package to its fullest for the 30 day trial period.  If you decide to register this program, then the $29.00 (U.S.) registration fee can be paid three different ways:

1.  If you pay by credit card (AMEX, VISA, MasterCard), please send the card number, expiration date, full name (as it appears on the card) and full address (U.S. Residents must include State) via Fax at 609-988-9742 or Electronic mail to either 72210,2040 on CompuServe or Xfaxtastic@aol.com on  America  Online.  A User ID and Authorization Code will be sent to you by E-mail.

2.  If you have a CompuServe account, you can use the on-line software registration service.  This service will charge your account $29.00, and will automatically send Faxtastic an e-mail message notifying us that you have registered VistaVue.  To use this service, go to the SWREG forum on CompuServe, and use Registration ID 5626.  You will receive a User ID and Authorization Code by E-mail (usually within 24 - 48 hours).

3.  If you prefer to register by surface mail, please print and complete the enclosed order form contained in this help file.

Please Note:  NJ Residents are required to add 6% sales tax when ordering directly from Faxtastic, options (1 & 3).

Please Note:  You will not receive a diskette or a manual in the mail when you register.  You already have the complete VistaVue program.  This method allows Faxtastic to offer VistaVue upgrades at no charge, simply download them at your convience.

INTERNATIONAL (NON-U.S.) REGISTRATIONS

Our bank charges us $30 for clearing a foreign check, including Canada.  Due to this we cannot accept payment on foreign orders by check.  All Foreign orders must orders must pay via VISA, MasterCard, AMEX or CompuServe SWREG


Technical Support

Questions, comments, suggestions, bugs, etc should be sent via electronic mail to :

FAXTASTIC

72210,2040 on CompuServe

XFaxtastic@aol.com on America Online

Be Sure to include program name, version & User ID

Most problems associated with VistaVue concern poor image quality.  If an image appears grainy, it is probally because your video doesnt support enough colors to show the image correctly.

VistaVue can work with 16 colors but a minimum of 256 colors is highly recommended.

To play MCI files, you must have the basic MCI drivers installed on your system.  Many drivers such as Microsoft Video for Windows Runtime can be found on CompuServe and America Online.

E-MAIL FEEDBACK

We would like to encourage all users, registered and non registered to provide us with feedback on our products.  While you must be registered to receive on-going technical support, if you have a problem, concern or suggestion for this program please e-mail us.


File Commands

New

Open

Close

Save

Save As

Save Wallpaper

Thumbnail Viewer

Print

PrintThumbnails

Exit


New command
New command (File Menu)

 New Button

To create a new picture (Paste a Clipboard Image):

1.     Choose New from the File menu.

2.     Choose Paste from the Edit Menu.

Please Note:  Picture files can be instantly loaded from File Manager by using Drag & Drop.


Open command
Open command (File Menu, Ctrl+0)

 Open Button

To load a picture from disk:

1.     Choose Open from the File Menu.

2.     Choose a file type from the List File of Type box.

3.     Choose the Drive and Directory or just click on one of the 5 available quick change directory tabs.

4.     Click a file in the File Name list box.

5.     Click Preview to view a thumbnail representation the picture.

6.     Click OK or Double Click on the file name

Quick Change Directory Tabs

Just click on a tab and the drive and directory quickly change to the setting on the tab.  To store a new directory, select your drive, directory and then just click on the save button below each tab.  All tabs are stored permanently in the VistaVue INI file and are loaded each time the open/save dialog is displayed.

Pressing the GALLERY button will display the VistaVue Gallery and load all graphic files matching those specified in the List File of Type box.  These images can be printed as a gallery, viewed full screen with the click of a button or loaded directly into the main viewer by doubling clicking the image.

For more information click here   Gallery

Tech Tips:

- A image can be loaded directly from the command line or via a File ASSOCIATION.
- Images can be instantly loaded from File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer by using Drag & Drop.
- Images can be acquired from TWAIN-Compliant devices such as a (Scanner, Digital Camera, VCR, etc.) by pressing the [image] TWAIN Image Acquisiton on the VistaVue status bar.

Please Note:  Only one command parameter at a time is allowed , do not mix !

* You can have up to 3 images open at the same time


Close command
Close command (File Menu)

 Close Button

Closes the active window.


Save command
Save command (File Menu, Ctrl+S)

 Save Button

Saves the  active window, overwrites the current file.

Please Note:  Some formats do not support an uncompressed file.  The images default file compression is always set on , to remove file compression use (Save As).


Save As
Save As command (File Menu)

To save a picture to disk for the first time or to save an existing picture with a new name:

1.     Choose Save As from the File Menu.

2.     Choose a file type from the List File of Type box.

3.     Choose file compress options is applicable.

4.     Choose the Drive and Directory where you want to save the file.

5.     Type a name for the file in the File Name box.

6.     Click OK

Please Note:  Some image formats do not support an uncompressed file.  If a file error occurs during save, try turning on or off file compression.


Save Wallpaper
Save Wallpaper (File Menu, Ctrl+W)

This selection will automatically convert the active image into a wall paper file.

1.     Choose Save Wallpaper from the File Menu.
2.     Image is automatically scaled to the current video resolution.  i.e. 800 x 600
3.     Enter the new file name to save the wallpaper as, the current file is the default.
4.     To switch to the new wallpaper, check the ( [x] update current wallpaper) box.
5.     To change or disable the automatic color conversion check the appropriate box.
6.     Click OK

Please Note:  The update current wallpaper & color conversion selections are remembered after each use.


Thumbnail Viewer
Thumbnail Viewer (File Menu, Ctrl+T)

Minimizes the main viewer and activates the Thumbnail Viewer.

1.     Choose Thumbnail Viewer from the File Menu.

For more information click here  Thumbnail Viewer


Print command
Print command (File Menu, Ctrl+P)

 Print Button

To print a picture select from the following options & press PRINT:

Position

Top.
Used to specify the top margin on the page.

Left.
Used to specify the left margin on the page.

Size

Width/Height
Used to scale the printed output to a specific width and height.  If the Allow Distortions box is checked each field can be modified independently.  Otherwise the Height and Width fields are linked.

Allow Distortions
This check box allows you to scale the Height and Width fields independently.  If not checked, the Height and Width fields are linked, a change in one automatically generates a proportional change in the other, which maintains the aspect ratio of the image.

Smoothing
This check box is used to enable/disable the bilinear smoothing process.  When Smoothing is enabled, the control interpolates pixels between adjacent lines in the scaled output.  This reduces jaggies that often occur when an image is enlarged significantly.

Fit to Page
Used to automatically scale the image to its largest possible dimensions, give the current printer page size.  If the Allow Distortions option is checked, the image will fit the entire page from margin to margin.  Otherwise, the image will be scaled to its largest possible dimensions without changing its aspect ration.

Actual
This button will return the Height and Width fields to their original, unaltered, values.

Halftone

The type and screen list boxes allow you to select a halftone and screen size.  Halftones are:

Angle Dot Screen

Flat Dot Screen

Angle Line Screen

Horizontal Line Screen

Vertical Line Screen

Error Diffusion

Threshold

Printer Halftone


Print Thumbnails command
Print Thumbnails (File Menu)

Select, Annotate and Print thumbnails (25 per page) in multiple color resolutions direct from disk.

Note: Printer must be setup for PORTRAIT mode only, 8.5 x 11 or greater.

1.     Choose a file type from the List File of Type box.

2.     Choose the Drive and Directory where your files are stored.

3.     Select files to print :

- While Holding the Ctrl key select the files you want to print.

- While Holding the Shift key you can select a block of files.

4.     Select a Color Output option (256 color is the default)

5.     Annotate (Optional) the thumbnails by selecting the image from under the preview box and enter a description.

6.     Click Print

Note: Pages will automatically advance after each set of 25 thumbnails.

Select All Files

This option box when clicked will select all available files in the selected directory.

Color Output

- Original, outputs the thumbnail in its original format.  This setting can produce excellent quality thumbnails especially if the original image is true color.  Warning, this setting also produces very large print files that can reach 1mb. per thumbnail.

- 256 , converts all images to 256 colors.  Produces high quality results and minimal disk usage.

- 16 , converts all images to 16 colors.  Produces fast draft style printing.

- Grayscale, converts all images to 8-bit gray scale.

Preview Image

When this option box is checked, a thumbnail representation of the file will be generated when it is selected either in the file dialog box to the left or the pull down menu box under the image.

Annotation

Thumbnails can be manually annotated by clicking and selecting the thumbnail using the pull down menu box on the right side of the screen under the image preview box.  When the image is selected, you can type in a 20 character description.  This description will print on the top of each thumbnail.  Descriptions are optional and not required to print.

Tech Tip:  Annotation should be done when all images are selected, just prior to printing.  If you start annotating and then decide to reselect a file all annotations will be erased.

Note: Printing can be canceled by Pressing ESC.

Note: Images containing less colors then selected will remain at their original color state.


Exit command
Exit Command (File Menu)

Ends a VistaVue session.


Edit Commands

Cut

Copy

Crop

Paste

Paste Special

Clear

Select All

Undo


Cut command
Cut command (Edit Menu)

 Cut Button

To cut a defined area to the clipboard:

1.     Click the left mouse button once in the active area

2.     By holding down the left mouse button, define a rectangular area you choose to cut.

3.     Choose Cut from the Edit menu, the image is moved to the clipboard and erased.


Copy command
Copy command (Edit Menu, Ctrl+C)

 Copy Button

To copy a defined area to the clipboard:

1.     Click the left mouse button once in the active area

2.     By holding down the left mouse button, define a rectangular area you choose to cut.

3.     Choose Copy from the Edit menu, the image is copied to the clipboard.


Crop command
Crop command (Edit Menu, Ctrl+D)

A image can be cropped by first clicking the left mouse button at one corner of the selected area and then click the left mouse button again and hold it down while moving the mouse.  While the mouse is moving you will see a box appear.  Draw the box around the image area that you want to capture, then press Crop or Ctrl-D.  The selected image will now replace the original image with all image attributes intact.


Paste command
Paste command (Edit Menu, Ctrl-V)

 Paste Button

Pastes the clipboard image into the active window.


Paste Special
Paste Special command (Edit Menu)

To paste a cutout from the clipboard:

1.     Choose Paste Special from the Edit Menu.

2.     Choose one of the following Paste options:

Copy	Pasted image overwrites active image.
AND	Only bit values that are on in both images are on in the result.
OR 	Only bit values that are on in either image are on in the result.
NAND	Bit values that are off in either or both images are on in the result.
NOR	Bit values that are off in both images are on in the result.

3.     Position the rectangular box (contains image) on the active image and click the left mouse button.


Clear command
Clear command (Edit Menu, Del)

To erase a defined area of the active image:

1.     Click the left mouse button once in the active area

2.     By holding down the left mouse button, define a rectangular area you choose to erase.

3.     Choose Clear from the Edit Menu or press the Del. key.


Select All command
Select All command (Edit Menu, Ctrl+A)

Selects entire active image, shown by a outlined box.


Undo command
Undo Command (Edit Menu, Ctrl+Z)

 Undo Button

Reverse changes that you made to a picture.  Each window has its own undo buffer.


View Commands

Full Screen Preview

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Zoom to Fit

100% (No Zoom)

Page Up / Down


Full Screen  Preview command
Full Screen Preview command (View Menu)

 Full Page Preview Button

Display picture in full screen, click left mouse to exit full screen.

Tech Tip:  To Print an image click the right mouse button, the print dialog will appear.


Zoom-In command
Zoom-In command (View Menu)

 Zoom In Button

Magnifies the viewing area by increments of 25%.


Zoom-Out command
Zoom-Out command (View Menu)

 Zoom Out Button

Reduces the viewing area by increments of 25%.


Zoom Page Width command
Zoom Page Width command (View Menu)

 Zoom Page Width Button

Scales the editing view to the width of the page.


100% (No-Zoom) command
100% (No Zoom) command (View Menu)

 Zoom 100% Button

Scales the editing view to 100% in normal view.


Page Up/Down command
Page Up / Down (View Menu)

 Page Up / Down Buttons

Use to select a specific image in a multi image file (DCX Image Format).

Please Note: If changes are made to a page, they must be saved before changing pages or the modifications will be lost.


Image Commands

Luminance Control

Filtering

Convert

Resample

Rotation

Run Command

Reload


Luminance command
Luminance command (Image Menu)

Three Luminance properties are available, Brightness, Contrast and Gamma.  Each property contains 4 channels which depending on the image class are active or inactive :

L = Luminance Channel	True Color, Palette, Gray Scale, B/W
R = Red Channel	True Color, Palette
G = Green Channel	True Color, Palette
B = Blue Channel	True Color, Palette

[X] Dynamic Refresh	Automatically refreshes the image as the channel values are changed.

The luminance of an image is altered by increasing or decreasing the value of each channel.  If you have a 486 or 586 PC, we recommend you use the Dynamic Refresh feature.  If Dynamic Refresh is turned off, you can view the changes by pressing the Apply button.

When the desired effect is obtained, press the Close button and exit the Luminance screen.  The luminance of a picture can be Reset or modified at any time and does not become permanent until saved.

Brightness

Used to adjust the brightness of an image.  In color images (True Color or Palette) the brightness can be applied to the entire image or to a selected color channel (Red, Green, Blue)

Brightness values range from 0 to 100, where 50 represents no change to the image brightness.  Values less than 50 reduce brightness (darken) and values greater than 50 increase brightness (lighten).

Contrast

Used to adjust the difference between the lightest and darkest values in an image.  it can be used to exaggerate differences in an image that is made of very similar tones, or reduce the harshness of an image containing strong dark and light transitions.

Contrast values range from 0 to 90, where 45 represents no change to the image contrast.  Values less than 45 reduce contrast and values greater than 45 increase contrast.

Gamma

Used to increase the contrast in the image midtones without affecting its highlight (white) and shadow (black) points.  it can be used to optimize contrast in very dark or very light regions of an image.

Gamma Values range from 0 to 40, representing an index into a table of predefined, logarithmic gamma scales.   A gamma value of 20 represents no change in the image.  Values less than 20 will increase contrast in lighter regions and darken the overall image.  Values greater than 20 will increase the contrast in the darker regions, and brighten the image overall


Filtering command
Filtering command (Image Menu)

Enhancement Filters can be used to enhance an image or produce unusual visual effects:

Tech Tip:  Some filters require that the image be a 24-Bit True color class.  To utilize the filter, convert the image to True Color, apply the filter and then convert back to the original image format.

Edge Detection
  Thin 	Produces thin edges.
  Thick	Produces thick edges.
  Horiz	Traces horizontal edges.
  Vert 	Traces Vertical edges.

Sculpt.
  Above  	Produces a sculpted look, lit from above.
  Left	Produces a sculpted look, lit from left.
  Diag	Produces a sculpted look, lit from the upper - left corner.
  Metallic	Produces a shiny, metallic look.

Emboss
  Above 	Produces an embossed look, lit from above.
  Left 	Produces an embossed look, lit from the left.
  Diag 	Produces an embossed look, lit from the upper - left corner.

Line Detection
  Horz	Accentuates horizontal edges and de-emphasizes everything else.
  Vert	Accentuates vertical edges and de-emphasizes everything else.
  Horz/Vert	Accentuates vertical and horizontal edges and de-emphasizes everything else.

Blur

Softens or blurs the image.  Strength specifies a value from 0 to 100. 100 applies the filter at full strength.

Despeckle

Removes noise from the image.  Noise is defined as any pixel exceeding the median kernel value of 3 by more than the specified sensitivity. Sensitivity is defined by Strength and is expressed as en percentage from (0 to 100).

Invert

Inverts the image values (produces a negative)

Pixelize

Pixelizes the image by averaging the contents of Strength and selected area.

Posterize

Reduces the number of levels in an image by eliminating (setting to zero) the least significant bits in each pixel.  Strength specifies the number of most significant bits to retain.

Sharpen

Sharpens the image.  Strength specifies a value from 0 to 100, (100 applies the filter at full strength)

Please Note:  All or a portion of an image may be filtered !


Convert command
Convert command (Image Menu)

Convert is used to convert an image from one class to another.  i.e. you can use it to convert 24-bit True Color to a Palette or even to a Gray Scale.  When an image is converted to Bilevel (Black & White), you can select from a number of halftone methods.

There are 4 image classes Bilevel, GrayScale, Palette and True Color.  There are 7 conversion methods available and you may choose them in any order.

Bilevel (B/W):

Each pixel is stored as a bit.  A bit value of 0 is black, and a bit value of 1 is white.

Gray Scale:

Each pixel is stored as a byte (8-bits) representing a level of grayness from black (0) to white (255).  There is no palette associate with the image.

Palette:

Each pixel is stored as a byte (8 bits).  There is a color palette associated with this kind of image.  Each pixel value is an index to the R,G,B palette.

True Color:

Each pixel is stored as an RGB triple.  i.e. 24 bits, where the first 8 bits specifies Red, the second 8 bits is Green and the last 8 bits is Blue.  There is no padding between pixels.

Bilevel-Threshold

Uses the threshold method.

Bilevel-Halftone

Angle-Dot

Uses the Angle-Dot halftone screen at the coarseness level specified by the screen level.

Flat-Dot

Uses the Flat-Dot halftone screen at the coarseness level specified by the screen level.

Horizontal-Line

Uses the Horizontal-Line halftone screen at the coarseness level specified by the screen level.

Vertical-Line

Uses the Vertical-Line halftone screen at the coarseness level specified by the screen level.

Error-Diffusion

4 Weights (Floyd Steinberg).

12 Weights (Stucki).

Fuzzy (Floyd Steinberg).

Random White Noise.

Threshold

Uses the threshold method.

Gray Scale

Used to convert an image to 8-bit gray scale.

Mcolor Palette

Used to convert an image to Palette-class using Mcolor method.

Color Reduction

Used to convert an image to Palette-class using the Color Reduction method.  The new number of colors in the image may be from 16 to 256.

True Color

Used to convert an image to 24-bit True Color.

Palette 16 Colors

Used used to convert an image to 16-color, Palette-class using the VGA palette.


Resample command
Resample command (Image Menu)

Resample is used to change the size (scale) of an image.  To produce the highest quality result, you can apply bilinear smoothing.  This feature eliminates the jaggies, which often occur when an image is significantly enlarged.

Please Note:  All or a portion of an image may be resampled !

Resample by Size

Indivdual X and Y dimensions can be entered to alter the images shape.

Resample by Page

Several pre-defined page sizes are available:  4 x 5, 5 x 7, 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, 8.5 x 10,  8.5 13

Resample by Percent

Click on one of the 6 pre-defined percent buttons or use the spinner to increase or decrease the image scale.  This command is active only if Maintain Aspect Ratio is selected.

Resample by Resolution

Click on one of the 5 video resolution modes.  The image will automatically be scaled proportionalty in both height & width.  Available resolutions are :  640 x 480,  800 x 600,  1024 x 768,  1200 x 1024,  1600 x 1200

Maintain Aspect Ratio

When selected, a change in X or Y will produce a proportional change on the other axis.


Rotation command
Rotation command (Image Menu)

Used to rotate or reorient an image.

Flip Left/Right

Flips the image from left to right.

Flip Top/Bottom

Flips the image from top to bottom.

Transpose

Transposes the image, such that the upper-right corner becomes the lower-left corner.

Rotate 90 CW

Rotates the image clockwise 90 degrees (counterclockwise 270 degrees).

Rotate 90 CCW

Rotates the image counterclockwise 90 degrees (clockwise 270 degrees).

Rotate 180

Rotates the image by 180 degrees.


Run Command
Run command (File Menu)

 Run Button

This button executes a windows SHELL command and attaches the file name of the active window.

i.e.  C:\COREL40\PROGRAMS\CORELPNT.EXE  C:\MYIMAGE.BMP

The Program you run must be able to accept a file name directly on the command line, most do.  The file name is automatically inserted based on the active window.  When run the application specified will execute and the focus will be transferred to that application.

To assign an application to the Run command, refer to Configure Run Command.

Tech Tip:  Use the Reload command  [image]  to replace the active window with the new version of the image stored on disk.


Media Player

 VistaVue includes a built-in MCI Media player.  This player will play MCI files such as AVI, MPG, WAV, RMI, MID.  The player requires that you have the appropriate MCI Drivers loaded and installed in your system.

The Media Player can be activated while in the main viewer and it can also be activated from the thumbnail viewer.

This Window can moved and placed anywhere on the screen and when closed the position will be remembered for future use.  To CLOSE the window just click on the [image] control box at the upper left of the window.

SOUND

Files are loaded into the Media Player by pressing the [image] Menu Button.  From this menu, select open and the following dialog will appear.

ie. The above depicts  the Media Player File Open Dialog.

File extensions are automatically retrieved from your [MCI Extensions] in the WIN.INI

1.    Select a file using the file dialog boxes.

2.    Click Once to Preview or Double Click to load the file.

3.    Press the [image] Play button to start playing the file.

Please Note:  Sound Files will play directly from the Status Bar, Video Files open to a autosizing window.

VIDEO

MCI Video files such as AVI and MPG will display in a autosizing window as shown in the examples below.

ie. The above depicts a video image that has been selected for preview with one click of the mouse.

ie. The above depicts the video image after being loaded.

This Window can moved and placed anywhere on the screen and when closed the position will be remembered for future use.  To CLOSE the window just click on the [image] control box at the upper left of the window.

The Media Player offers the following option menu by pressing the [image] button:

Tech Tip:  To capture a Video image, 1- pause the video, 2- select Copy from the Player options menu, 3-Select New from the main viewer menu, 4- Press the Paste button.

 Media Filer

Pressing the [image] Filer button opens the Media Filer dialog box.

This Dialog can store up to 25 selections of your favorite MCI files.

Play:

Highlight an entry from the list and press Play to activate the player.

Update:

Stores all entries in the list.  New entries are automatically added to the list when opened, but they are not automatically stored until update is pressed  The status bar will display the current storage capacity of the filer.

Delete:

Deletes the highlighted entry from the list.

Clear All:

Erases the complete list.

Close:

Closes the dialog and returns to the active player.

Please Note:  The Media Filer contains a preview box, this box becomes active each time a selection is highlighted.


TWAIN Image Acquisition

 Image Acquisition Button

(Acquisition device (Scanner, Digital Camera, VCR ) must be TWAIN-Compliant)

When the Image acquisition button is pressed the following menu will appear.  From this menu press the Select Device button, this will display a menu listing all TWAIN-Compliant devices.

After selecting the TWAIN device press the Acquire button, this will activate the devices acquisition program.  The VistaVue image acquisition device is setup to receive one image.  When the image acquisition is complete, the data will be stored directly into VistaVue.

The just acquired image can now be Cropped, Enhanced or Adjusted for Luminance (brightness, contrast and gamma).  To transfer the image to VistaVue press the OK button.  To cancel the image acquisition and return to VistaVue press Cancel.

ie. The above depicts a cropped, enhanced & brightness adjusted image from a scanned 8.5 x 11 sheet shown previously.

Crop

A image can be cropped by first clicking the left mouse button at one corner of the selected area and then click the left mouse button again and hold it down while moving the mouse.  While the mouse is moving you will see a box appear.  Draw the box around the image area that you want to capture, then press Crop.  The selected image will now replace the original image with all image attributes intact.

Enhance

This button will be active if the image is a True Color or Grayscale.  Pressing this button will automatically sharpen the image.

Luminance Control

Three Luminance properties are available, Brightness, Contrast and Gamma.  Each property contains 4 channels which depending on the image class are active or inactive :

L = Luminance Channel	True Color, Palette, Gray Scale, B/W
R = Red Channel	True Color, Palette
G = Green Channel	True Color, Palette
B = Blue Channel	True Color, Palette


Reload command
Reload command (File Menu)

 Reload Button

Automatically reloads the picture in the Active Window from disk.


Options command
Options

Icon Always on Top

 When checked, the VistaVue Icon will always appear on top of all windows.

Thumbnail Viewer

When checked, the thumbnail viewer will activate when the main viewer is minimized.

For more information click here  Thumbnail Viewer

Background Color

Activates the color dialog box enabling you to change the active windows background color.

View Fixed Palette

When checked, the 8-bit fixed palette optimization is active, this prevents color distortion

If you are viewing multiple images and require the best display, check [x] View Fixed Palette.  If you are not displaying multiple images or if the exactness of the active image is more important than background-image appearance, than do not check  [  ] View Fixed Palette.

Tech Tip:  If your system is equipped with a 16 or 24-bit video card, you will not need to use this option.

Note:  All of the above options are remembered after each use.


Run Command Configuration
Options

Configure Run Command

From the open dialog box, select the application that you want to be assigned to the [image] Run Button.  A file can be selected by either highlighting the file name and pressing OK or double clicking the file name.

Note:

- The Program you select must be able to accept a file name directly on the command line
- The above option is remembered after each use.


Window command
Window

 Cascade Button

 Tile Horizontal Button

 Rearranges the image windows in one of 3 formats:  Cascade, Horizontal, Vertical

Used to select and display titles of open image windows.


License

LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

THIS SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS (INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE) ARE PROVIDES "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. FURTHER, FAXTASTIC DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE, OR THE RESULTS OF USE, OF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU.  IF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS ARE DEFECTIVE YOU, AND NOT FAXTASTIC OR ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES, ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION.

THE ABOVE IS THE ONLY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT IS MADE BY FAXTASTIC, ON THIS FAXTASTIC PRODUCT.  NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY FAXTASTIC, ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY AND YOU MAY NOT RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

NEITHER FAXTASTIC NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PRODUCT EVEN IF FAXTASTIC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

This Limited Warranty shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

BY USING THE SHAREWARE VERSION OF VistaVue YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS. YOU ALSO AGREE THAT THE LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL PROPOSALS OR PRIOR AGREEMENTS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE LIMITED WARRANTY.

Use of this software is permitted only to the extent reasonably required to determine whether to purchase the software.

After payment is made, use of this software is limited to use on two personal computer workstations which are not used as a server.  An additional payment is required for each use on another two personal computers or workstations.

Only a single copy may be made of this software solely for backup or archival purposes.  Any use of this software in violation of the above is not licensed.


Shareware Definition
DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware  distribution  gives  users  a  chance  to try software before buying it.  If  you  try  a Shareware program and continue using it, you are  expected  to  register.  Individual  programs differ  on  details  --  some  request  registration while others require  it,  some   specify   a   maximum  trial  period.   With registration, you get anything from the simple right to  continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright  laws  apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains  all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below.  Shareware authors  are  accomplished programmers,  just  like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality.  (In  both  cases, there are good programs and  bad  ones!)  The  main  difference  is  in  the  method   of distribution.   The  author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software,  either  to  all  and sundry or to a specific  group.   For  example,  some  authors  require  written permission  before  a  commercial  disk  vendor  may  copy  their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.   You should  find  software  that  suits  your  needs  and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware.  The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier,  because  you  can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also.   Shareware has  the  ultimate  money-back  guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.


COPYRIGHT NOTICE

VistaVue Copyright  ©  1995 by FAXTASTIC  All Rights Reserved

Portions Copyright  ©  1994-1995 by Media Cybernetics, L.P.

Portions Copyright  ©  1994 by Sheridan Software Systems

The Tiff(tm) and/or GIF compression/decompression capability included in this software is licensed under U.S. Patent No. 4,558,302 and foreign counterparts.

TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FAXTASTIC is a Registered Service Mark of FAXTASTIC

All other trademarks in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.