Copyright: Copyright ® 1996-1999 Michael Caracena.


AVI Constructor Help

Table of Contents

What is AVI Constructor?

Adding Images

Inserting Audio

Compressing an AVI.

Editing the frame-file list

Making an AVI

The Make AVI Menu

Pausing a specific frame

Requirements

Setting the speed for the AVI

Selecting Multiple List Items

Copyright


What is AVI Constructor?

AVI Constructor quickly creates AVI files from a series of still frames or image files already located on disk.

AVI Constructor features include the ability to:

* Make AVI files from bitmap (*.BMP), JPEG (*.JPG), and TARGA (*.TGA) files.

* Create 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32 bit AVI files.

* Insert audio into the AVI.

* Extract images from any AVI.

* AutoPaste an image when a new image is place in the clipboard.

* Capture images from any window or control.

* Quickly build an AVI from a file list

  (A file list is a text file that list the location

   of each image file on disk.)

* Accept command-line parameters.

* ETC.


Adding Images

Adding Image to AVI Constructor

There are several ways to add images to AVI Constructor.

Add a Image Files from disk

To add an image file from a disk drive, click on the "Project" menu, select "Add Images ...", and use the Add Images Window.

Drop the Image Files onto AVI Constructor's Window

Drag a file from the Explorer (a folder ) or the Program Manager and drop it on to AVI Constructor main window.

Get the Images from an AVI file

To extract the images from an AVI file, click on the "Project" menu and use "Get Images from an AVI ..."

Paste the Images from the Clipboard

To (cut, copy, or) paste an image from the clipboard use the "Image" menu.

AutoPaste new images from the Clipboard

To automatically paste a new image each time you copy an image from another application, click on the options menu and select AutoPaste new images from clipboard.

Capture the images from any window

Use the capture window by selecting "capture" from the "tools" menu.

( If you need help using the capture window.  Turn on the hints by clicking on

  options-> Display -> hints on AVI constructor main window.)


Inserting Audio

Inserting Audio into an AVI

There are two ways to insert an audio file.

How to make AVI Constructor ask for the Audio File each time you create an AVI file

1) Select the "Options" menu.

2) Select "Audio Options".

3) Click on "Ask for Audio file."

How to automatically insert a specific audio file into every AVI you create

1) Select the "Options" menu.

2) Select "Audio Options".

3) Click on "Always insert audio file ..."


Compressing an AVI.

Making a Compressed AVI

To make a compressed AVI file.

1) Select the "Make AVI" menu.

2) Select "AVI Options".

3) Click on " Always ask for compression."

Now AVI Constructor will automatically give you a compression dialog

each time you create an 8, 16, 24, or 32 bit AVI.

Please note:

AVI Constructor will not give

a compression dialog for 2 or 16 color AVIs.


Editing the frame-file list

Editing the Frame List

To edit the frame list use the "Edit list" menu.

AVI Constructor allows you to edit multiple list items.

For example, if you wish cut, copy, or paste multiple items or change several "frame durations" at one time.

See Also

Selecting Multiple List Items


Making an AVI

Once you have added images to AVI Constructor, can now create the AVI File.

To create an AVI use the make menu and choose the kind of AVI you want to create.


The Make AVI Menu

"Assume all images are similar"

Makes an AVI assuming that all images are the

same size and colors ( as the first image ).

"2 Colors"

Makes a 2 color AVI.

"16 Colors"

Makes a 16 color AVI (uses windows system palette).

"256 colors"

Makes a 256 color AVI (Uses windows system palette).

(not very usable in high or true color mode)

( The following are best for quality but can be slower in 256 color mode. )

"High Color"

Makes a high color (16 bit) AVI.

"True Color"

Makes a true color AVI.

"32 bit True Color"

Makes a 32 bit true color AVI.


Pausing a Specific Frame

Pausing a specific frame means delaying it in the AVI for a certain period of time.

You can set the frame(s) to be paused by changing the 'Frame Duration' value.

You can also alter the duration of several frames at one time by selecting multiple frames and changing the 'Frame Durations value.

Example:

Suppose you want to pause the first frame for 2 seconds when the FPS is set to 30 (frames per second).

First, click on the button that represents the first frame.

Then, since 2 seconds at the rate of 30 FPS equals 60, set the frame duration to 60.

Finally, create the AVI file.  Now, the first frame will be displayed for 2 seconds.


Requirements

Windows 95, 98, or NT Requirements

For Windows 95, 98, or NT AVI Constructor requires the "Multimedia Extensions" to be installed.

If you can play an AVI file, you do not need to install the "Multimedia Extensions".

You can install the "Multimedia Extensions" for Windows 95, 98, or NT off the windows CD-ROM.

To install the "Multimedia Extensions":

     Click on My Computer

            "    Control Panel

            "    Add/Remove Programs

            "    Windows Setup

            "    Click on Multimedia

            "    Press Apply

Once you have the "Multimedia Extensions" installed,  you should now be able to run AVI Constructor.


Setting the speed for the AVI

Setting the Speed of the AVI

The speed of the AVI file depends on the AVI FPS value.  FPS stands for frames per second.

For example, if the AVI FPS is set at 24, any AVI file you create will be set at the rate of 24 frames per second.

Please note:

When you set the FPS value that does not mean

windows will be able to handle 24 frames per second.

If you are running on a slow computer,

windows may slow down the AVI or skip some frames.

Tech. note:

Basic smooth animation is 15 frames per second.

TV programs use 30 or 24 frames per second.


Selecting Multiple List Items

Selecting Mutiple List Items

There are two ways to select multiple list items.

Selecting sequentially (1,2,3,4, etc.)

Click on X and hold down the mouse button

while you move the cursor to Y.

Or select X and hold down the SHIFT key and press on Y.

Selecting randomly (1,5,6,13,19).

Click on an item and  hold down the CTRL key while

you click on each individual item.


Copyright

Copyright 1996-99 Michael Caracena

All Rights Reserved.

E-mail:        	caracena@henge.com

Homepages:	http://www.NetSavant.com/caracena

http://www.henge.com/~caracena

Postal Address:

     	Michael Caracena

     	4412 Pali Way

     	Boulder, Colorado

     	80301-3828

USA