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                         Propagrams
          The Ultimate in 3D Stereogram Generation
                              
                              
                              
                   Another fine Product by
                     Cedar Lake Software
                              
                              
                              
                              
       Written, Produced, Designed, and Engineered by
                       Matt Witzman &
                         Wayne Pafko
                              
                              
                              
                 c 1994  Cedar Lake Software


                              
                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS                                          1
OVERVIEW                                                   2
WARRANTY                                                   2
REGISTRATION                                               2
GRAPHICS                                                   2
CREATING A PROPAGRAM                                       2
USER INTERFACE                                             3
 MENU SCREEN                                              3
  File Formats                                            3
  Fields and functions                                    4
 PROPAGRAM DISPLAY                                        5
REGISTRATION INFORMATION                                   5





OVERVIEW
This software converts an ordinary picture (PCX or RAW
format) into a 3D optical illusion called a PROPAGRAM
(Propagating Random Dot Stereogram).   To view a PROPAGRAM
you must focus on a point slightly behind your screen.  This
is accomplished by staying at least 2-3 feet away, and
staring at a reflection in the screen.  If at first you
cannot see anything, have faith and patience, the image is
really there!  If you are having trouble, try relaxing your
eyes, and remember to focus on a point behind the screen.
Many people have to try several times, each effort
consisting of several minutes, before they are successful.
However, the results are definitely worth the effort, and
once your first PROPAGRAM has been successfully viewed, they
become quite easy to see!

WARRANTY
CEDAR LAKE SOFTWARE hereby disclaims all warranties relating
to this software, whether express or implied, including
without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose.  CEDAR LAKE SOFTWARE
will not be liable for any special, incidental,
consequential, indirect, or similar damages due to loss of
data or any other reason, even if CEDAR LAKE SOFTWARE has
been advised of the possibility of such damages.  CEDAR LAKE
SOFTWARE's liability for any damages shall never exceed the
price paid for the license to use this software, regardless
of the form of the claim.  The person using this software
bears all risk as to the quality and performance of this
software.

REGISTRATION
Unregistered copies of PROPAGRAMS are shareware.  You may
freely distribute unregistered copies as long as all the
original files remain intact without modifications.
Unregistered copies do not have the capability to display
PROPAGRAMS in super VGA modes.  The sample images included
in this program were created with a registered version of
PROPAGRAMS.  For information on how to register PROPAGRAMS
see the file called `REGISTER.FRM'.


GRAPHICS
PROPAGRAMS requires a VGA card capable of displaying a
resolution of 320 by 200 in 256 colors.  Registered versions
are also capable of displaying super VGA resolutions.
Current modes supported by the registered version are
640x480x256, 800x600x256, and 1024x768x256.  These extended
modes require a VGA card that complies with the VESA VGA
v1.2 standard.  If this standard is not built into your
card, you must obtain a driver from the manufacturer of your
VGA card.

CREATING A PROPAGRAM
To create the Source file, used to generate a PROPAGRAM, you
need a paint program capable of saving files in a 256 color
PCX or RAW file format.  In the Source file the number of
the color from the palette represents the height the pixel
will assume in the generated PROPAGRAM.  Color zero (0)
represents the lowest possible level in the PROPAGRAM.  As
such, it is recommended that you begin your Source file with
a background color of color zero (0), and work your way up
using higher colors.  It is important to note that the
actual RGB values of the color have no effect on the height,
only the colors location within the palette is of
importance.  Actual colors in the final PROPAGRAM will be
read from the Palette file, not the Source file.

NOTE: The maximum height supported by the PROPAGRAM is equal
to half the Bandwidth.  Also, all data within Bandwidth
pixels from the right edge of your image data will be lost
in the resulting PROPAGRAM.  Therefore, it is important to
choose your bandwidth to be large enough to accommodate
enough depth levels for your image, yet small enough to
avoid losing too much of your image.  The increased  super
VGA resolutions supported in the registered version will
allow more depths while minimizing image loss.

EXAMPLE: The following screen segment will demonstrate how
to create a pyramid emerging from the background.
                0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0
                0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0
                0  0 1  1 1  1 1  1 0  0
                0  0 1  2 2  2 2  1 0  0
                0  0 1  2 3  3 2  1 0  0
                0  0 1  2 3  3 2  1 0  0
                0  0 1  2 2  2 2  1 0  0
                0  0 1  1 1  1 1  1 0  0
                0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0
                0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0

USER INTERFACE

MENU SCREEN
Screen Layout:  The left half of the screen contains file
entry fields, and program functions.  They right half
contains all the PCX, RAW, and PAL files in the current
directory.  Simply use the arrow keys, in conjunction with
carriage returns, to select and execute all program options.
To select a file from the current directory press <Right
Arrow> when at the end of a file name within a file name
entry field (Source file, Palette/Pattern, or Save As).
Once you have moved to the right half of the screen the
<Right Arrow> and <Left Arrow> keys will switch between
columns, and bring you back to the file name entry field.
Pressing <Return> will select the current file for the field
in question.  The <ESC> key will return from the current
directory or file entry field, and replace the field with
the last valid file name used there.
                              
                              
                        File Formats
The following graphics formats are supported for loading and
saving images.

PCX   This graphics format includes both image and palette
      information and is supported by most graphic
      manipulation software.  When viewing a PCX (View)
      both the image and palette information are taken from
      the PCX in the Source File field.  However, when
      generating a PROPAGRAM only image information is read
      from the PCX in the Source File field, while palette
      data is read from the file in the Palette field.  PCX
      files may also be used in the Save As field.
RAW   A RAW file contains uncompressed raw data and no
      palette information.  For a 256 color image each
      color will be represented as one byte so the size of
      this file should be the product of the X and Y
      resolutions (64000, 307200, 480000, or 786432 bytes).
      A RAW file can only be used in the Source File and
      Save As fields.
PAL   This file should be a 768 byte file that contains 256
      sets of three bytes, where each of these three bytes
      corresponds to a red, green, and blue color value.
      PAL files may only be used in the Palette field.
                              
                              
                    Fields and functions

Source file:  Contains the file to be converted to a
PROPAGRAM (Make Propagram), or viewed directly (View).  This
file must be either a PCX or RAW format (including
appropriate extension).  If a file is larger than the
current graphics mode, only the upper left-hand portion of
the picture will be displayed and translated into a
PROPAGRAM (what you see is what you get)!

Palette: Contains the file used to generate the palette for
the PROPAGRAM (Make Propagram).  This file must be either a
PCX or PAL format (including appropriate extension).

Pattern: Contains the PCX file containing the pattern used
in PROPAGRAM generation.  Patterns should always appear on
the left hand side of the PCX data file.  The pattern taken
from the PCX must be at least as wide as the current
Bandwidth selection, as it will be cropped at this location.
The pattern must also be contained on every horizontal row
in the PCX as it will automatically be "wrapped" around
during PROPAGRAM generation.  Finally, do not use colors 0
or 255 in the pattern as these will lead to conflicts in
PROPAGRAM generation.

Note: Whether the Palette or Pattern field is active depends
upon the status of the <Load_Pattern / Random_Dot > toggle
button!

Save As: Contains the destination file name to save a
generated PROPAGRAM.  A PROPAGRAM can be saved by pressing
the <S> key while viewing the PROPAGRAM.  The format of the
saved file is determined by the file name extension given
(PCX or RAW).

Bandwidth:  The bandwidth determines the distance you must
shift the image to be able to see depth.  Typically this
should correspond to between one and two inches on the
screen.  The bandwidth also determines the maximum number of
distinct depths that can be resolved.  Any depth values over
half the bandwidth will appear at the same depth.  If the
bandwidth is increased to accommodate more depth levels the
PROPAGRAM may be more difficult to see and more of the image
may be lost at the borders.  If the bandwidth is to small
double shifting may occur.

Color Begin & Color End: These are the beginning and end
colors from the palette used in the PROPAGRAM.  These colors
must be between 1 and 254 inclusive.

Make Propagram:  This option switches to the PROPAGRAM
DISPLAY mode, and creates a PROPAGRAM using the currently
selected files and options.

View:  This option will take you to the PROPAGRAM DISPLAY
mode, and view the file in the Source File field in the
current graphics mode.  No PROPAGRAM will be generated.

Exit: This option will exit the program.  The <ESC> key will
also exit the program.

Graphics Mode: The current graphics mode can be changed by
using the <Left Arrow> and the <Right Arrow> keys or by
pressing the function key (<F1> through <F4>) corresponding
to the desired mode.  If you have a VESA compatible VGA card
and do not see super VGA modes listed make sure your VESA
driver is loaded.  If a video mode is printed in red it
means you must register to use that mode.
                              

PROPAGRAM DISPLAY
While the PROPAGRAM is being created the <ESC> key will
abort generation.  The <S> key will save the PROPAGRAM to
the file name found in the SAVE AS field.  The <C> key will
cycle colors.  Cycling speed can then be adjusted using the
number keys (<1> through <9>).  Any other key will exit the
PROPAGRAM DISPLAY mode and bring you back to the MAIN MENU.
For methods of viewing a PROPAGRAM please see the OVERVIEW.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

This program may be registered by sending a check or money
order for $25.00 to:
     Cedar Lake Software
     PO BOX 201103
     Bloomington, MN,  55420-1103
