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                             P r i v a t e E y e

        Image viewer for Sprites, DrawFiles, JPEGs, ArtWorks and GIFs

                           Written by David Thomas
                      for Sliced Software,  1999-2000

                         version 1.60 (25 Jan 2000)
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Introduction

PrivateEye is a viewer for Sprites, DrawFiles, JPEGs, ArtWorks and GIF
images.

PrivateEye requires AWViewer to view ArtWorks images.

PrivateEye is free software.


Features

  Sprites, DrawFiles, JPEGs, ArtWorks and GIF images are supported

  Any number of images may be loaded simultaneously

  Can save the display image - i.e. convert GIFs to Sprites

  Full control over display quality is provided

  Interactive help (use it)


Supported Formats

  Sprites    All sprites handled by the OS will be loaded and displayed. 
             Multiple sprite files will only show the first sprite in the
             file.

  DrawFiles  Uses the DrawFile module to display DrawFiles.  Adds a border
             of 16 OS units around the edge when displaying.

  JPEGs      Uses SpriteExtend 0.99 or later to display JPEGs.  Progressive
             (interlaced) JPEGs are not supported.

  ArtWorks   Uses the ArtWorks rendering modules to display ArtWorks.
             AWViewer must have been seen by the Filer.  Note that ArtWorks
             itself won't do - it must be AWViewer.  This shouldn't be a
             problem, seeing that all Risc PCs have been shipped with
             AWViewer on the hard disc.

  GIF        Loads and decompresses the GIF into a Sprite, which you can
             save.  Animated GIFs will only show the first frame of the
             image.


Compatibility

 RISC OS 3.5
 
PrivateEye requires two modules which are only present on RISC OS 3.6 or
later. To use PrivateEye on RISC OS 3.5, you should obtain the files
drawfile.arc and spriteextend.arc from:

                  http://www.acorn.com/ftp/riscos/releases/

and install them appropriately into your !Boot sequence.

The SpriteExtend module is supplied ready to be merged into your !Boot
sequence.

The DrawFile module should be placed in !System, in the directory
!System.350.Modules if you have it or !System.Modules otherwise.


Versions

1.60 (25 Jan 2000)
  First release version.


Notes

  GIF support is not perfect.


Future versions

  Display gamma correction and brightness control.
  PNGs, BMPs and other TLAs.
  Animated GIFs.
  Multiple-sprite spritefiles.
  Slideshow.
  Free beer, world peace and an end to hunger and pain.


Credits

  ArtWorks support based on ArtToSpr with thanks to Tony Houghton.
  GIF LZW decoding is based on code by Steven A. Bennett.


Copyright

This software (PrivateEye) is copyrighted work of David Thomas, it is
supplied to you, the user, as is; you use this application entirely at your
own risk.  The author makes no warranty as to the fitness of this software
for any purpose.  In no circumstances will the author be liable for any loss
arising from the use or inability to use this software.


Contacting the Author

If you have any comments, bug reports or suggestions for future versions then
you can contact me via:

          Post: Mr D.P. Thomas
                20 Rosebery Avenue
                Waterloo
                Liverpool
                L22 2BH

          Mail: privateeye@sliced.demon.co.uk
            or  dpt@tristone.co.uk

           Web: http://www.sliced.demon.co.uk/software/privateeye/
            or  http://www.tristone.co.uk/davespace/

If you have a question, then please check it has not already been answered in
this documentation before mailing.
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