CompuPic README.TXT file - 11/07/96 1.50 Build 157

Welcome to CompuPic!  Award winning Windows image utilities.

* For more "how-to" information, see the bottom of this file.

Published by:

     Photodex Corporation       (512) 406-3020 - Voice
     1106 Clayton Lane 200W     (512) 452-6825 - FAX
     Austin, TX  78723
     www.photodex.com

     Internet E-Mail: support@photodex.com
     America Online: Keyword Photodex (Screen Name: Photodex)
     CompuServe: GO CPIC (74774,3570)
     FTP: ftp.photodex.com (anonymous ok)



Questions and Answers
=====================

Q: How do I get support for CompuPic?
-------------------------------------
A: Write an e-mail message using one of the e-mail services
   listed above.  Photodex checks and responds to e-mail and
   forum messages daily.  You may also call or fax.


Q: What file formats does CompuPic support?
-------------------------------------------
A: CompuPic supports most common image and multimedia formats:
   AVI - BMP - DIB - FLI - FLC - FLX - GIF - HLP - JPEG - MIDI
   MOV - MMM - MPEG - PCC - PCD - PhotoCD - PiNG - PCX - RLE
   QuickTime - RMI - TGA - TEXT - TIFF - Video - Wallpaper
   WAV - WMF - PJPEG


Q: How can I suggest changes to CompuPic?
-----------------------------------------
A: Write an e-mail message using one of the e-mail services
   listed above.  Photodex invites suggestions, and it helps
   keep CompuPic the best you can get.  We really do listen,
   and make software changes based on personal user input.


Q: How can I register CompuPic?
-------------------------------
A: With CompuPic running, Pull down the 'Help' menu and select
   the "Ordering CompuPic" option.  Registration takes just a
   few minutes and is done using a registration password, so
   you will be up and running instantly.


Q: Which version of CompuPic do I have?
---------------------------------------
A: At the top of this file, there is a date, a version number
   and a build number.  The version number is related to
   significant feature enhancements and the build number is
   related to minor problem fixes and enhancements.  This
   information is also at the bottom of the opening window.


Q: How often does Photodex release new versions?
------------------------------------------------
A: New versions of CompuPic are released often.  For the
   latest version, check the Photodex forum(s) on CompuServe,
   America Online and the internet.  Try to keep updated as
   Photodex is always fixing bugs and adding new features.


Q: How do I get the latest version?
-----------------------------------
A: Check CompuServe (GO Photodex), America Online (Keyword
   Photodex), the web (www.photodex.com), or FTP to
   ftp.photodex.com.   The current revision histories and
   builds are always listed.


Q: How may I distribute CompuPic?
---------------------------------
A: The CompuPic software may be distributed freely in the
   original form as downloaded from from any of Photodex's
   authorized distribution outlets.  You are not permitted to
   modify CompuPic from its original (self-extracting) form,
   and you are not permitted to distribute any installed copy.
   Distribution of any Photodex registration passwords is
   a breach of the license agreement, and is punishable by
   law.  Please refer to the licensing agreement in the CPIC
   installation program or in the CPIC help contents for more.
   CD-ROM publication is described in the VENDOR.TXT file.



Known Problems & Application Notes
==================================
* Crash problems involving the DEF.PHD file have been chronic
  on certain systems, and are caused by a variety of system
  configuration problems.  The most common causes for these
  problems have been worked around in build 1.50, which
  should be nearly impossible to corrupt even during heavy
  use.  If you have a problem with the stability of CPIC
  after version 1.50, please contact Photodex immediately for
  assistance.

* There is a known problem with Diamond Speedstar video
  adapters (and some others) which can crash the machine when
  displaying images which are exactly 1024 bytes wide.  This
  is a bug in Diamond's video driver, and cannot be worked
  around without severely handicapping CPIC for all other
  users.  To correct the problem, use the Advanced Image
  Viewer Options and change the Max VBIT Width to 512.

* Most software-only MPEG MCI drivers have many bugs.
  Photodex has not yet found a good enough MPEG decoder to
  recommend it with 100% confidence, but we are actively
  working on a solution which is good enough for everyone.

* The AutoDesk FLI MCI driver is buggy in full screen mode,
  and can crash the machine.  There is no fix.  For more
  information, contact AutoDesk.

* CD-ROM Changers:  Avoid them if possible.  They're cheaper
  than separate CD drives, but very inefficient for software
  accessing multiple CD's at once.  CPIC has been set up to
  minimize the number of disc-changes.  For the best results,
  let CPIC read through all of our CD's in the changer(s)
  before trying to use CPIC.  CPIC will stop indexing the
  discs when it has read enough information, and you should be
  able to use CPIC from then on without much trouble.  Also,
  avoid queuing thumbnail creation on CD's in the same CD
  changer at the same time.

  TO CREATE THUMBNAILS OF THOUSANDS OF FILES SPREAD ACROSS
  MANY CD'S USING A CD-ROM CHANGER:  (1) Let CPIC work until
  it stops changing CD's.  (2) In the File List options, turn
  off the "auto-create" options.  (3) Select a CD's path in
  the path list to the left.  (4) Select Expand Path in the
  Paths menu.  (5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you've expanded
  all of the CD's you want to catalog.  (5) Select the entire
  range of open paths, so you get a display of all of the
  files.  (6) Press Ctrl+A to select all of the entries.
  (7) Click on the thumb button and go to sleep for a few
  hours (or days, depending on how many drives you have!)

