GIFUTIL V1.0 - by Tim Boustead.


Intro -

Gifutil was created out of necessity. The more files I accumulated, the more
difficult it became to keep track of them. This is by no means the perfect
way to catalog Gif files. But if you're like me and have a directory full of
files like ZUFPL9.GIF or equally similar cryptic names, I think you'll find
it useful.


What It Does -

Originally, it was only to convert GIF87a format to GIF89a format so that I
could add comments to the images. ( After a month, I tend to forget what it is
I'm looking at. )  After adding comments to the files, I had trouble finding
which GIF had the subject I was looking for, so I added comment searching and
display.  Now it will also extract comments to a text file and list file info
such as type (89a or 87a), resolution, colors, interlaced or noninterlaced, 
and whether it has comments.

NOTE:     Although the examples below give specific file names. Wildcards such as
     *.GIF or *.* are usually allowed. A little experimentation will tell you
     what's valid and what's not.




Examples of How to Use - 


To Add or Remove Comments :

Lets assume you have an 87a gif file called OLDPIC.GIF in C:\ and you want
to add some comments.

1.   Create a Comments text file using any generic ascii text editor 
     you like. (The comments will be truncated if over 4000 characters.)
     Call it whatever you like. In this case we'll use C:\OLDPIC.TXT
     ( C:\*.TXT would also work )

2.   Pick a new file name or directory for the 89a version of PICTURE.GIF
     Do not attempt to overwrite the original, GIFUTIL won't let you.
     Lets use NEWPIC.GIF for the new filename.

3.   The command looks like this: 

          GIFUTIL C:\OLDPIC.GIF C:\NEWPIC.GIF C:\PICTURE.TXT

     The following will give the same result, extensions are added if not
     given.
          GIFUTIL/C C:\OLDPIC C:\NEWPIC PICTURE
          GIFUTIL/C C:\OLDPIC C:\NEWPIC *

To remove any comments from a GIF file, use the same procedure as above, except
supply no text file name.

          GIFUTIL C:\OLDPIC C:\NEWPIC



To Add New Comments or Replace Comments in an 89a GIF:

     Follow the same procedure as adding comments to an 87a file. 
     Any comments that were in the original will be not appear in the new
     file unless they are in the text file you are adding.


To Extract Comments from an 89a GIF:
          GIFUTIL/E C:\PICTURE.GIF to create picture.txt
     or   GIFUTIL/E C:\PICTURE.GIF C:\FILE.TXT to create file.txt


To Edit Comments in an 89a GIF:

     First you must extract the comments to a text file as above:
     Assuming file name is C:\PICTURE.GIF...

          GIFUTIL/E C:\PICTURE.GIF C:\PICTURE.TXT

     If you do not include the PICTURE.TXT filename, it will create a text
     file with the same name as your picture file but with a .TXT extension.
     The text file will be truncate if larger than 4000 characters. 

     Edit the text file using any ascii text editor you like. Then use the
     same procedure as adding comments to an 87a file.


To Search GIFs Comments for Specific Text:

     Lets assume that somewhere, you have a GIF file of Cindy Crawford, but
     you don't remember what its called.  You can search all gif file
     comments for Cindy and list any files that match as follows:

     GIFUTIL/F c:\pictures\*.gif cindy

     or if you want to be more specific...

     GIFUTIL/F c:\picture\*.gif "cindy crawford"

     Remember to include the quotation marks if searching for more than 1
     word. Also, the search is case insensitive so you don't need to 
     capitalize names. It will also ignore carriage returns, linefeeds, or
     large groups of spaces.


To Display GIF Comments:

     Assuming you found C:\CRAWFORD.GIF, you can display any comments in the
     file as follows:

     GIFUTIL/D C:\CRAWFORD.GIF

     The display will pause if the comments will scroll off the screen.
     Press a key to continue viewing more text. The display will truncate
     file comments over 4000 characters.


To List Files Information:

     To display file info for all GIF files in C:\ :

     GIFUTIL/I C:\*.GIF

     To display file info for GIF files in C:\ with a resolution of
     640 X 480 :

     GIFUTIL/I C:\*.GIF "640X480"


Your Comments:

     If you have any problems or suggestions for improving this program
     please let me know via either CIS mail or regular mail. Type GO DIRECTORY  
to find my current email address.


Your Money:

     If you find GIFUTIL useful, but only use it occasionally, great. Keep it
     it's yours. If however, you use it often, or would like a personalized
     version (your name instead of 'register me'), Please send $15 plus your
     name and address to the address below. I will email you a registered
     version.

               Tim Boustead
               639 Hillview Rd.
               Cambridge, Ont.
               Canada N3H 5C3