Documentation for PCXSHADE.EXE

PCXSHADE is used to convert a 256-color PCX graphic file (zsoft format) to a 2-color (Black and White) PCX graphic file.

PCXSHADE.EXE is a FORTRAN program which runs under DOS (PC). The program was written by J.E. O'Reilly, NOAA, Narragansett RI 02882-1199 (oreilly@fish1.gso.uri.edu)

In the process of conversion, dither patterns are substituted for each color in the 256-color file.

Program Input/Output

• The program prompts for the pcx file name, the name of the input parameter file which defines the substitution list of patterns for each color, and whether you want an output list of the patterns used by the program. (If you answer yes to this last prompt the program generates a file : pcxshade.txt which contains instructions and examples of input code used to make shade patterns.
• The output 2-color PCX file: The program makes a file with the same name as the input PCX file but substitutes a ".2" for the file extension. Therefore the original file is preserved.
• The input parameter file: Pcxshade program ignores all input lines which do not begin with the commands: patt or colr These two commands must begin in column 1 and the parameters must begin at or after column 5 and must always be followed by commas.

Examples of appropriate input colr commands:

• colr 12,12,40, this would transform any pixels with color# 12 into shade pattern# 40
• color 12,16,42, this would transform any pixels with colors from 12 through 16 into shade pattern# 42

Files included with the program:

• PCXSHADE.EXE ---- PROGRAM
• PCXSHADE.TXT ---- Documentation (This file).
• DITHER.PCX ------ PCX graphics file showing pattern numbers used by PCXSHADE.EXE
• PATTERNS.TXT ---- Instructions and examples of input code used to make shade patterns.

Example Files ------- Dither Patterns Used

• NYBMAP.PCX ---------- 4, 10, 23, 37, 44, 77, 59, 73, 67, 70, 0,
• AL8403.PCX ---------- 2, 4, 10, 23, 37, 44, 77, 59, 73, 67,
• CHLSHELF.PCX -------- 2, 4, 10, 23, 37, 44, 77, 59, 73, 67,
• CFIN.PCX ------------ 2, 4, 8, 21, 40, 49, 64, 69,
• CLOSTRID.PCX -------- 2, 8, 21, 40, 49, 64,

Advice:

• Photofinish 3.0 (ZSOFT) is used to read GIF files (another common graphic format) and output PCX format files.
• After running PCXSHADE.EXE open the output file *.2 using Photofinish by choosing pcx from the available list of input file types, and enter *.2
• Best printing results with the dither patterns in PCXSHADE are obtained by printing to a 600 dpi laser but configuring the laser as a 300dpi. using the Control Panel, Printer Icons (Windows 3.1).