TOPOS - 3D Generator and Viewer.

Copyright 1996-1997 by Light & Magic (Frankiskos Pierros)
e-mail: flm@hol.gr
WWW: http://users.hol.gr/~flm

THIS PROGRAM IS FREEWARE. Additionally, you may register for the WINDOWS 95
(or even WIN 3.1) version, and receive much more.

See "REGISTRATION NOTES" below.

Files included:

F3DVIEW.EXE 	TOPOS_G.EXE 	SAMPLE.PCX      RAW.3DF     	FORK.3DF    	
OCTBALL.3DF 	FORK.3DV        OCTBALL.3DV 	SAMPLE.3DF  	SAMPLE.3DV  	
TLIVESA.COM 	TLIVESA.DOC     TRIVESA.EXE 	VVESA.COM   	VVESA.TXT   	
READ.ME     	TOPOS.TXT

YOU MAY FREELY DISTRIBUTE THIS PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT ALL THE ABOVE FILES ARE
INCLUDED IN THE DISTRIBUTION PACKAGE.

==============================================================================

TOPOS (in Hellenic means "place" or "land") is a compilation of two programs:

1. 3D Generator (TOPOS_G.EXE). Generates 3 Dimension ASCII files out of PCX
   map pictures.
   These 3D ASCII files are either 3DV format (line segment model by Oscar
   Garcia <garciao@mof.govt.nz>), or 3DF format (that's mine), which is
   a facet model that supports shading.

2. 3D Viewer (F3DVIEW.EXE). A 3D viewer for 3DV and 3DF
   file formats.

==============================================================================

                            REGISTRATION NOTES:
                          -----------------------

If you register you will receive:

1. WIN 95 (or WIN 3.1x) versions of the programs, taking advantage of
   your computers total memory. Unlike the DOS version, the graphic format
   used for the maps is BMP.

2. Command line DOS version of F3DVIEW (uses up less memory and allows
   higher resolution scenes).

3. 20 BMP map files like the one included in the freeware package (SAMPLE.PCX)
   with many different landscapes.

4. File format converting tools:

   FROM:
   -----
   ASC -> 3DF (Autodesk 3D Studio etc.)
   PLG -> 3DF and 3DV (Waite Group REND386 and
                       Virtual Reality Basic - VRB object files)
   RAW -> 3DF (POVRay, POVCad, Polyray etc.)

   TO:
   ---
   3DF -> ASC
   3DF -> PLG

   and of course 3DF -> 3DV

5. Many 3DF, 3DV, ASC, RAW and PLG sample files.


                              E-MAIL NOW !
                             -------------- 
                             | flm@hol.gr |
                             --------------

                         Including your personal
                              and Web data

==============================================================================


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
---------------------

IBM-Compatible PC 386 or better, MS-DOS 3.3 (or better), 640K Memory, hard
disk (recommended), color SVGA monitor, mouse, VESA compatible (or better)
video board supporting 640X480 TrueColor mode. If you have only a SVGA video
board, try using one of the VESA drivers included. Alternatively, you may 
download the UNIVBE driver from one of the following sites:

   Internet/FTP    : ftp.scitechsoft.com
   World Wide Web  : http://www.scitechsoft.com
   Compuserve      : GO VESA (file library 12)
   America Online  : Keyword VESA

Math co-processor supported but not required.

Note: If the F3DVIEW image output looks distorted, when running from a
WIN95 DOS Window, try restarting your computer in "Previous DOS version" mode
(if available), and run the program again.


USAGE:
-------

After unzipping in the directory of your choice, you may start by the
3D Generator(TOPOS_G.EXE). Go to the program directory.

1. Start the program (TOPOS_G <ENTER>).

2. Select a PCX file (must be in the program directory). PCX files may be
   produced by scanning, painting or fractalizing. They don't even have to
   be map files at all! (Try some very interesting effects with non-map
   PCX's). The only limitation is that they have to be 4-bit (16 color) images,
   and shouldn't exceed the size of 640X400 (they get cropped if they do).

3. You see the map and several buttons at the bottom. Click on a color on
   the map. Enter the corresponding altitude. If you want to ignore this color
   (because it is a map sign color or a road), you just enter "X" (without the
   quotes). By default, all colors are ignored until you assign them an
   altitude. You can see the altitude set at the button that has the 
   corresponding color (bottom-left). You may alternatively click at the 
   button itself.

4. At the bottom-right of the screen there are several other buttons. DO NOT
   CLICK ON THE BIG GREEN ONE YET (GENERATE). You must first set the
   "world" horizontal and vertical map dimensions ("HD:" and "VD:" buttons)
   and entering the corresponding values. Next set the sampling interval
   ("Interval" button). Be carefull not to set too low a value, or the
   the resulting file will have too many points for the viewer to run.
   For the demo file "SAMPLE.PCX", HD=7680, VD=7680 and an interval of
   200 works just fine (for the DOS version - see REGISTRATION).
   You may also set values for the Sea level (maximum altitude to be 
   "flooded", Green level (vegetation maximum altitude) and Snow level
   (where the snow starts).

   IMPORTANT: All values must be given in the same units. The prompt says
   "meters" but you may use other units as well, as long as you use the
   same units everywhere. For example, you may not set HD and VD in miles
   and set the altitudes in feet.

   You may also change the output file name by clicking on the corresponding
   button or toggle the output format (3DV-3DF).
   When you are done, press the GENERATE button and that's all.
   You may continue generating from the same map with different parameters
   and outputs, or press ESC and select another map.


Next, you should view the 3D file you have created.

1. Start the program (F3DVIEW <ENTER>).

2. Select either a 3DF or a 3DV file to view. If you have problems loading the
   landscape, try running a VESA driver before running the program.

3. You see the wireframe model. If it is a 3DF file, pressing "S" will toggle
   shading. On top there is an information bar with the observer and light
   source elevation (t - lt), azimuth (n - ln) in degrees, the light source
   distance (ldist - in abstract units) and the amount of free memory in bytes. 
   You can toggle this bar on and off by pressing "I".
   With the arrow keys you change the observer elevation and azimuth. With 
   SHIFT+arrow keys you change the corresponding light source values
   (meaningless for 3DV files or shading set to off). Pressing "+" will bring
   the light source closer (minimum = 1) and "-" will set it further.
   SHIFT+5 (numeric pad) will reset the scene. You quit with ESC.

==============================================================================

NOTE: The DOS version of the program is limited by the DOS conventional
      memory. In the WINDOWS version (see REGISTRATION NOTES), there is no
      such limitation. This means that you can set smaller sampling interval
      values, while generating a 3D file, and thus produce higher resolution
      scenes.

==============================================================================
