
3/18/95

This text file is essentially the same information included in the 
help system built into 3D Fun & Magic, but without the pictures.
It is provided so you can make a hard copy.

You may also want to refer to the file VENDINFO.DIZ for more info
regarding the license and distribution policies, packing list,
etc.


About 3D Fun & Magic

3D Fun & Magic, Copyright 1995 by Barney P. Johnson

Do you like those 3D image books? You know, the ones with hidden 
pictures within pictures that are the craze today. If you do, and
of course you have the ability to actually see the images, you
are going to love this program.

3D Fun & Magic lets you use your imagination to create your own 
stereograms and display them on your screen. Not only that, but 
you can cycle the colors to animate your picture!

This program requires DOS 3.1 or above and VGA graphics. A mouse 
is strongly recommended. A hard drive is handy but not required.







Registration

This version of 3D Fun & Magic not shareware. 

If you are not using a registered copy of 3D Fun & Magic,
the use of this software is in violation of U.S. and international
copyright laws. Please register the program now. 




Getting Help

Help may be obtained anytime by hitting the F1 key or when it's 
displayed, selecting the help icon with the mouse.

Any word that is green is a 'hot word'. Placing the cursor on one

of these and clicking will take you directly to the article about
that subject.

INDEX is used to find an article, and SEARCH lists all articles 
and hot words. Again, simply click on a green word.

Use the PREV and NEXT buttons to go through the help file page by
page. The program keeps track of your last 16 moves, so you can 
retrace your steps with GO BACK.

EXIT takes you out of the help system and returns you to the 
program right where you left off.

For additional help or technical information regarding 3D Fun & Magic
please contact B.Johnson Software directly by:

Online service:

            CompuServe      71573,212 or GO PIKAPRO
           
            Internet        71573.212@CompuServe.COM




The numbers above are for technical support and program support. 
Ordering is handled by Pik A Program, Inc. See Registration 



Tips on Running 3D Fun & Magic

3D Fun and Magic is a DOS program, so is normally run from a DOS prompt. 
However, there is a big advantage from running it under Windows: you will
have access to the Windows Clipboard, and will be able to export and print
your images.

We have provided a program icon and PIF file in case you want to install
3D Fun and Magic as a program item in the Windows Program Manager. In that
case, you simply select the icon to start the program. However, some users
have reported a small problem when they start the program this way. When 
color cycling (animation) is active, the experience interference with the 
image, black lines running up the screen. If this bothers you, there is
another method that gives you the advantage of access to Windows Clipboard
but without any problems.

From the Program Manager, select the DOS icon. Now start 3D Fun & Magic by
changing to it's directory and running the program.



Displaying Pictures

From the Control Panel for Images place the mouse cursor on the button
labeled OK, and click.

The picture will then begin to be displayed. After it is all done, 
it will begin to cycle the colors, if that was selected, or just 
remain on the screen until any key on the keyboard is hit. Then any 
other key, or a mouse click will return you to the control panel.

As the image is building, and you may decide you don't like it. You 
can then stop it before completion by hitting the Esc key. 


Exporting to Other Programs and Printing

3D Fun and Magic does not have any built in tools to export an image to
another program nor does it have any built in printing ability. But don't
despair, there are easy ways to do both!

You can run 3D Fun and Magic as a DOS application under Microsoft Windows.
(We have even included an icon and PIF so you can install it with Program
Manager). Running from Windows gives you access to Windows' Clipboard, 
which can contain images. So, while you are in 3D Fun and Magic and have 
an image on the screen you like, hit "ALT" and "PRINT SCRN" at the same
time, and the image will be copied to the clipboard. From there, you can 
paste it into Paint, which comes with Windows, or almost any other Windows
program, and there, you can print it!

If you don't have Windows, you can load a screen capture program prior to
running 3D Fun and Magic, and then use it's 'Hot Key' to capture the screen.
If you have any painting or drawing program, it is highly likely you also
have a screen capture program as well. Most of them package this utility
with their programs. For instance, Deluxe Paint II, which I use, has a 
screen capture program called 'Camera' and it's Hot Key is "ALT"+"C".

If you don't have either of these options, take a look at shareware
collections on bulletin boards, CDs, or in magazines. You can find one if you
look hard enough.



How to See the 3D Effect

The images designed with 3D Fun & Magic are designed to pop out 
of the screen at you if, of course, you have the ability to
adjust 
your eyes to see them. This is easier for some than for others.

There are several types of stereograms. The most popular are 
'random dot' pictures that contain a hidden image. The images 
produced by this program are not that type, but are like 'wall
paper' 
designs. The 3D effect is produced by varying the distances
between 
images. The closer together they are, the more they will appear
to 
come out of the screen.

You see the effect by 'over lapping' images. To do this, place a 
picture on the screen, put your face close to the screen and look

straight ahead. Then, back away from the screen slowly while
still 
looking straight ahead, like you are looking at something in the 
distance. As you back away, the images will overlap, and the
effect 
will take place. After you view a few, you probably won't even
have 
to get close to the screen, you can simply 'look past' the
images.

Here is a test. Look at these two  dots. Now "look past" them and

they will begin to overlap, till you see three dots. If you can
see 
three dots, you will have no problem seeing the images you
create. 
If you can't see three dots you need to keep trying.


                    ****          ****
                    ****          ****  


If you have a lot of ability, you might even try a double or 
triple overlap to get an even different effect. Please note: 
"Crossing" your eyes is a different technique. You will still 
see a 3D effect, but it will be opposite from the effect
described 
here. Images that are intended to come out of the screen will seem 
to recede.

Some images are easier to see than others. If you are having 
trouble, adjust the settings, especially number of images 
horizontally or retrieve another file and try it again. Also, 
there are many fine books on the market with similar pictures, 
some with sections such as "For those who are having trouble seeing 
the 3D effect." One of these might be helpful.




Control Panel, Image

The Control Panel for Images is where you interact with the 
program to use your imagination and talent to produce stereograms. 
The panel is divided into several sections.

At the top of the window is the name of the current file.

There are several 'slider bars' on the left of the screen. 
Beside them are the names of the items and numerical values that 
correspond to them. You may change a value by adjusting the slide

bar, or you may place the mouse on a numerical value and click. 
Then, you can type in the desired number and hit Enter. 


On the right side of the screen, there are several check boxes. 
Simply place the cursor on the desired box and click to check the item.

There are several buttons on the screen as well.

OK draws the picture using the settings you have selected.
Save takes you a panel where you can save your settings.
Retrieve takes you to a panel where you can retrieve or delete settings.
Quit exits the program.
Help puts you into the help system.
Colors takes you to a panel where the palette can be adjusted.


A mouse is the easiest way to get around, but you can also use the 
arrow keys as well as the TAB and SHIFT-TAB along with the ENTER 
key to make selections.





Images, Horizontal 

This number determines how many images will be presented across 
the screen. The actual number of images you see will usually be 
less than this number because some of them are "off the screen". 

As you adjust this number, you may also need to adjust other
factors 
such as horizontal convergence and horizontal adjustment. 
Generally, as the number of images goes up, the horizontal convergence 
should be lowered.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Images, Vertical 

This number determines how many images will be presented vertically.
The actual number of images you see will usually be less than this 
number because some of them are "off the screen". 

As you adjust this number, you may also need to adjust other factors 
such as vertical convergence and vertical adjustment. Generally, as 
the number of images goes up, the vertical convergence should be 
lowered.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Repeats 

This number represents the number of layers in the image.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Convergence, X 

This factor determines the 'depth' of the images as well as whether 
they will appear to come out of the screen or recede into it. A 
value of zero produces a flat 2D image. Positive numbers make the 
image come toward you (if you are using the parallel technique to 
view the picture), and the larger the number, the greater the effect. 
The converse is true for negative numbers.

Using a negative number is tricky, and may not always produce the 
effect you are seeking. That is because new images are being placed 
on top of old ones. But, there are other ways to produce receding 
images. One example is DEEP CONES, one of the files provided that 
you can retrieve and view.


As you adjust this number, you may also need to adjust other factors
 
such as number of images horizontally and horizontal adjustment. Generally, 
as the number of images goes up, the horizontal convergence  should be lowered.
 
As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.



Convergence, Y 

Like vertical adjustment, this factor affects how the images will 
'lean' in the vertical dimension. It is different because this 
factor has to do with how they lean in relation to each other.

A positive value will cause he images to spread apart, and a 
negative number cause them to point more to the middle.


As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Image Growth 

This factor affects how the image will change with each repeat. 
For straight patterns this is directly related, in pixels, to the

size of the ellipse or box. In other types, the effect may not be 
direct, but in all cases a large number, in absolute terms, will 
change the size of the image faster than a small value.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.



Horizontal Adjust 

This factor relates to how the images 'lean'. A positive value 
will cause the images to point more to the right. A negative value 
causes them to point more to the left.

 
As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Vertical Adjust 

This factor relates to how the images 'lean'. A positive value 
will cause the images to point more to the bottom of the screen. 
A negative value causes them to point more to the top of the screen.

As you adjust this number, you may also need to adjust other factors 
such as vertical convergence and number of images vertically. 
 
As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Image Aspect 

This number is the ratio of the height of the ellipse or box to the width.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.


Effects Adjustment

This factor is only in effect when a Special Effect or Twist 
(only available in the non-shareware version )is in use. It tells
the program how many times the special effect will cycle while 
drawing a picture.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.

Snail Adjustment

This factor is only in effect when the Snail checkbox is checked.


As a snail like image is produced, it twists and turns. This factor 
determines how fast and often these take place. The equation depends 
on the size of the image and the number of repeats. 

For best results the snail factor times the image size should equal a 
multiple of 360.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.

Offset and Twist

These two factors, one for X (horizontal) and the other for Y 
(vertical), control the curvature of a snail or twist. The default 
values are 3 and 3.

As with all the other factors on the image control panel, you may use 
the scroll bar, or select the field and enter the desired value.

Control Panel, Colors

This panel allows you to adjust the palette to use for your picture.

Each color has a button, a numerical value and a check box.

You can click on a button to change a color, or you can click on
a  number, and type in a value from 0 to 63. The color of the screen 
will change as you modify the palette, but don't worry, everything 
is OK.

The check box for each color designates the background. Usually you 
will want to check the first color, since it is not used in color cycling.



There are also check boxes providing a choice to use the custom 
palette or simply use random colors, and others for color cycling.

Click on OK when you are finished, or Cancel if you want to start over.


Retrieving Images

The images are stored in a file called PATTERNS.CRD. This file 
must be located in the same directory as the main program.

To retrieve an image, highlight the item by clicking on it with 
the mouse, and then clicking the Retrieve button. The program will 
then give you a choice to confirm or cancel your selection.

To delete an image, highlight the item by clicking on it with the
mouse, and then clicking the Delete button. The program will then
give you a choice to confirm or cancel your selection.

Retrieving a Palette

The palettes are stored in a file called COLORS.CRD. This file 
must be located in the same directory as the main program.

To retrieve a palette, highlight the item by clicking on it with the 
mouse, and then clicking the Retrieve button. The program will then 
give you a choice to confirm or cancel your selection.

Don't be frightened when your screen changes colors. It will change 
back to normal as soon as you exit the color control panel. 

To delete a palette, highlight the item by clicking on it with 
the mouse, and then clicking the Delete button. The program will 
then give you a choice to confirm or cancel your selection.

Saving Images

Your files can be saved so you can show everybody what an artist 
you are. Simply name the file with up to 30 characters, and 
confirm your choice.

This feature is only available with the non-shareware version.

Saving Palettes

Palettes you make can be saved so you can show use them later.
Simply name the file with up to 30 characters, and confirm your
choice.

This feature is only available with the non-shareware version.

Credits

I cannot give enough thanks to God, my wife, and children for the 
strength and support they provide. 

3D Fun & Magic was developed by Barney P. Johnson using LAYOUT 3.03 
for DOS, POWERTOOLS for LAYOUT, and SPECIAL EFFECTS for LAYOUT.






