Description
PictConv is a tool that can be used to convert pictures created with a standard PC paint program (PaintShopPro, PhotoShop, ...), in a format displayable on the Oric.
Utilisation
To convert a picture:
%OSDK%\bin\PictConv [switches] source_picture destination_file
Switches
The -f switch control the type of picture conversion that will be performed:
-f0 => output a MONOCHROME picture -f1 => output a COLORED picture -f2 => output a RGB picture -f3 => output a RB picture
The -d switch controls the dithering operation:
-d0 => No dithering (0/1) -d1 => Alternate dithering (0/0.5/1) -d2 => Ordered dithering (4x4 matrix, 8 levels) -d3 => Riemersma dithering (based on hilbert curves)
The -o switch defines the final file format:
-o0 => Tape format, including a BASIC loader -o1 => Tape format, simply the picture -o2 => RAW format. No header. -o3 => C source code -o4 => S source code -o5 => Output a PC picture format -o6 => 2 bytes (dx,dy) size followed by RAW picture
The -t switch enable the testing mode:
-t0 => Testing disabled -t1 => Testing enabled
Some picture samples
Here are some conversion samples, with the parameters used.
-f0 | -f2 | |
---|---|---|
-d0 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d1 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d2 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d3 | ![]() |
![]() |
-f0 | -f2 | |
---|---|---|
-d0 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d1 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d2 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d3 | ![]() |
![]() |
-f0 | -f2 | |
---|---|---|
-d0 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d1 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d2 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d3 | ![]() |
![]() |
-f0 | -f2 | |
---|---|---|
-d0 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d1 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d2 | ![]() |
![]() |
-d3 | ![]() |
![]() |
Frequently Asked Questions
In colored mode, free size pictures are not accepted. Why ???
Try to imagine how you could scroll horizontaly a picture containing attributes changes without having huge color changes. This is not possible. Free vertical size is allowed anyway, but it's buggy right now :))
In colored mode, the converted picture contains some lines that are black and white.
These scanlines cannot be converted. A colored pictures should use Oric constraints, be in at most 8 colors, no more than 2 colors per 6 pixel bloc, and so on...
In colored mode, PictConv decided to use strange paper and ink changes.
Actually PictConv simply tries all the possible combinations of paper, ink, video inverse changes that could work to convert the picture. When it find one working combination, it moves to the next scanline.
Historic
Here is the list of all releases with a short description of things that changed:
Version 0.009
- New option for generating 'masks' in bits 6 and 7 based on what is presents in bits 0/1/2 and 3/4/5.Version 0.008
- Added "test" mode that's usefull to debug a picture in colored modeVersion 0.007
- Removed the timer check in the colored conversion mode. It was producing bad conversion on slow computers. Anyway, if you are unlucky, a conversion could now take hours to perform if the tool has to perform ALL possible combinations.Version 0.006
- A message is given if the picture is not found or invalid.Version 0.005
- Debugged the -o6 format.Version 0.004
- Allow free size pictures (bigger than screen size except for colored mode)Version 0.003
- Riemersman dithering implementedVersion 0.002
- New version with basic ditheringVersion 0.001
- First beta release