
ABOUT THIS RELEASE - 03/25/87  CBM
==================================

"IFF" - Interchange File Format

The files contained on this disk are the text and sample code for producing
and using the Interface File Format developed jointly by Electronic Arts and
Commodore-Amiga, Inc.  

We at Commodore-Amiga have adopted this standard for internal use and we
encourage our developers to do so as well.  The standard allows programs
developed independently to easily share data with one another.  

Electronic Arts has placed all of this sample code into the public domain
to encourage others to adopt the standard and to use it.


NOTE:  The document "ea.iff.85" outlines the format of the data
       chunks.  If there is a chunk with a name that is private to a
       particular application, it may be ignored by another application
       trying to read and use the file.  Thus only recognized chunks
       can be loaded and utilized.

       In order to avoid duplication in the naming of private chunks,
       Commodore will act as a clearing house for private chunk names.
       If you wish, you can either register the chunk name alone, or provide
       us with a description of the contents of the chunk along with the
       name.  By this means, we may be able to extend the standard in a
       logical fashion, making it possible for future programs to maintain
       compatibility.   

       A list of new reserved FORM and Chunk names can be found on this
       disk in DOCS/addenda/ReservedNames.  These new FORMs are being
       designed by independent developers and in some cases are being
       developed cooperatively in our amiga.dev/iff conference on BIX.
       When I receive final specs on any of the new forms, I will
       post the specs in amiga.dev/iff, and they will be included
       in the next release of this disk.

       If possible, please discuss any new chunk or form ideas with
       other developers and with us before registering them.
       Our BIX amiga.dev/iff conference has been set up for this
       purpose, but any group discussion will be helpful.
       We want to create new standards, not just new chunks and forms.

       To register a new chunk or form, send a letter with whatever
       detail you wish to release, and your name/address/phone# to:

          Carolyn Scheppner
          Software Tech Support
          CBM
          1200 Wilson Drive
          West Chester, PA.  19380


Here is a list of the files on this disk:

1. Executable EA examples

     EXECUTABLE (dir)
       IFFCheck                         ILBM2Raw
       ILBMDump                         Raw2ILBM
       Read8SVX                         

2. The EA IFF docs, Addenda on new forms, chunks, reserved names

     DOCS (dir)
          addenda (dir)
            WORD                             HEAD
            ACBM                             CCRT.errata
            DPPV                             ReservedNames
            SMUS.SEvents                     
       8svx                             ea.iff.85
       ftxt                             ilbm
       smus                             

3. Batch files (not utilized for native compilation)

     bat.files (dir)
       batch.files.joined               

4. Native linkage information for the EA examples

     lnk.files (dir)
       ilbm2raw.lnk                     ilbmdump.lnk
       other.lnks                       raw2ilbm.lnk
       read8svx.lnk                     README
       showilbm.lnk                     

5. General info about this disk and using the IFF code

     READMES (dir)
       AboutThisRelease                 backgrnd.doc
       CompilingIFF                     readme.doc

6. C source files of IFF modules and EA examples

     SOURCE (dir)
       bmprintc.c                       dunpack.c
       gio.c                            giocall.(sample)
       IFFCheck.c                       iffr.c
       iffw.c                           ILBM2Raw.c
       ILBMDump.c                       ilbmr.c
       ilbmw.c                          packer.c
       putpict.c                        Raw2ILBM.c
       Read8SVX.c                       README
       readpict.c                       remalloc.c
       ShowILBM.c                       unpacker.c

7. The IFF include files (add the iff directory to YOUR include directory)

     INCLUDE (dir)
          iff (dir)
            8SVX.h                           compiler.h
            gio.h                            iff.h
            ilbm.h                           intuall.h
            packer.h                         putpict.h
            readpict.h                       remalloc.h
            SMUS.h                           

8. Zapicon (brush to icon) and other assorted files

     other.files (dir)
       bird3to8.lo3                     dragon.c
       startup.txt                      zapicon

9. Lattice object code IFF modules (compiled with -v on LC2)

     OBJECT (dir)
       bmprintc.o                       dunpack.o
       gio.o                            iffr.o
       iffw.o                           ilbmr.o
       ilbmw.o                          packer.o
       putpict.o                        readpict.o
       remalloc.o                       unpacker.o

10. Other IFF example source/object/executable

     EXAMPLES (dir)
          Display (dir)
            Display.c                        Display.with
            iffmsgs.c                        iffmsgs.o
            myreadpict.c                     myreadpict.h
            myreadpict.o                     
       Astartup.obj                     cycvb.c
       Old2ILBM                         Old2ILBM.c
       Old2ILBM.with                    ScreenSave
       ScreenSave.c                     ScreenSave.with
       Uncycle                          Uncycle.c

11. [root] Viewers (ShowILBM, Display) and ILBMs including doc illustrations

  .info                            8SVX.pic
  8SVX.pic.info                    bird0to2
  bird0to2.info                    Cycles
  Cycles.info                      Disk.info
  Display                          Display.info
  dragon                           dragon.info
  FTXT.pic                         FTXT.pic.info
  ShowILBM                         ShowILBM.info
  SMUS.pic                         SMUS.pic.info



DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES ON THIS DISK:

(In EXECUTABLE directory - C source in SOURCE dir)

       IFFCheck - Prints out the structure of an IFF file
       ILBM2Raw - Converts an ILBM to raw bitmap, colormap
       ILBMDump - Prints out ASCII representation of ILBM file
       Raw2ILBM - Converts raw bitmap file to ILBM
       Read8SVX - Reads an 8SVX sound sample and prints contents                        


(In other.files directory - source not available)

       Zapicon - Converts a DPaint brush to an icon


(In EXAMPLES directory - C source in EXAMPLES directory)

       ScreenSave --- Save front screen as ILBM
                      (works with HAM, creates an icon for ILBM)
       Old2ILBM ----- Convert old IG format files to ILBM
       Uncycle ------ Deactivate cycling chunks of a DPaint ILBM
                      This can also be accomplished by re-saving the
                      pic from DPaint after setting all cycle range
                      speeds to lowest position.
       Astartup.obj - 1.2 Amiga startup code required when linking
                      some of my examples (cas)
       cycvb.c ------ Dan Silva's DPaint cycling interrupt code


(In root directory - C source in SOURCE and EXAMPLES)

       ShowILBM ----- This ILBM viewer from EA displays one or more
                      ILBMs in a ViewPort for 5 seconds each.

                      CLI Usage: Showilbm picfile1 [ picfile2 ...]
                      WB Usage:  Click on ShowILBM, hold shift and
                                 click on pic icons, double-clicking
                                 on last selection

       Display ------ This ILBM viewer displays a single ILBM in a
                      screen/window until the invisible close gadget
                      in the upper left corner is clicked.  

                      An optional time delay (in seconds) can be
                      specified as the 2nd command line argument.
                      This will cause the the display to terminate
                      automatically after the specified time interval.

                      It handles normal and HAM ILBMs, and it
                      automatically cycles any ILBM with active
                      cycling chunks.

                      The TAB key toggles cycling, left mouse click
                      toggles the screen drag bar.  Click in upper
                      left to close when the screen bar is hidden.

                      CLI Usage:  Display picfile [time]
                      WB Usage:   Click on Display, hold shift and
                                  double-click on pic.

                      NOTE: to deactivate the cycling chunks in a
                      DPaint pic, either use the Uncycle utility on
                      this disk, or resave the pic from DPaint after
                      setting the speed for each cycle range to its
                      lowest position.


