Graphics Transformer - Revision 1.10B Copyright 1989 David W. Batterson IMSI (International Microcomputer Software, Inc.) has the easy solution to graphics file compatibility hassles with its conversion utility program called Graphics Transformer. Graphics Transformer provides control over the plethora of pix that many of us use. IMSI has updated Graphics Transformer considerably over its predecessor, Reflection. Following is the rundown on formats supported now: Type of File Direction Extension ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ Amiga S/D .IFF CCITT Group III Fax S/D .FAX Complete PC Fax S/D .CPF Compressed TIFF S/D .CTF CompuServe S/D .GIF Dr.HALO S/D .CUT GEM Paint S/D .IMG HP LaserJet S/D .PCL/.HPC HP Plotter * S/D .PGL InSet/Graphics Transformer S/D .PIX Intel Fax S/D .MCX JetFAX/EFax Mgr./Fax Mgr. S/D .XFX JT Fax S/D .JTF Lotus 1-2-3 * S/D .PIC Lotus Freelance S/D .PIC/.PCL/.PGL MacPaint S/D .MAC Microsoft Paint S/D .MSP NewsMaster S/D .SHP PC Paintbrush S/D .PCX PostScript D .EPS/PSC PrintMaster S/D .PM Ricoh Fax S/D .RIC Scanner TIFF S/D .TIF Teli Fax S/D .MH Text S/D .TXT WordPerfect S/D .WPG [ S = source file, D = destination file. NOTE: * indicates that destination files can be created ONLY if source file is .PIC or .PCL. You can convert only TO a PostScript (.EPS or .PSC) file, not FROM, since it is an ASCII file. The extensions used are the DEFAULT name; you can convert a file with a different extension, such as READ.ME for a text file. ] If you don't see your paint or DTP program, don't fret. Look for the file extension your software uses. For example, Ventura Publisher uses .IMG and .PCX files. WordPerfect 5.0 will accept .TIF and .PCX formats. PFS: First Publisher uses .MAC/.PCX, while PageMaker supports .PCX and .TIF. The left side of the menu is for your source file and the right for destination file. You don't even have to enter most types. Just press the spacebar and a list of file formats is displayed below. Scroll through and select your choice. The extension names are entered automatically, or you can change them if necessary. Change path, and options such as resolution, width and invert next. When you're ready, pressing starts the conversion. The text conversion has a useful feature. If you are converting FROM a text file, you have a choice of fonts that will be used for your graphics file. These include ASCII, Computer, Helvetica and Roman. Be careful that your source file contains only ASCII keyboard characters; "high-bit" characters will not convert. You can also convert TO a text file. However, you must first save any text screen by using Graphics Transformer's "Capture" utility. Then the resulting .TXT file can be used in your word processing program or text editor. When converting text to PostScript, the program uses a downloadable high- resolution PostScript outline font. The Capture program captures graphic screens, and saves them to disk in the .PIX format. These can then be converted to your choice of formats. You can also do a printer capture, so that the data normally sent to a LaserJet printer is saved to disk (in .PCL or .PGL format). Another useful feature of Graphics Transformer is the ability to run directly from DOS. This allows you to set up batch files to automate the conversion of multiple files. Several examples of useful batch files are provided; these can be real timesavers. Modify them to suit your own needs. I tested a vector-to-vector graphics conversion, and it worked fine. I printed a DesignCad file to disk in the .PCL format. Then I converted it to PostScript (.EPS), and printed it on a PostScript-compatible printer. Raster-graphics conversions, such as .MSP to .MAC are fast. When converting to PostScript, or to/from HP LaserJet .PCL files, it can take quite a while, as you are dealing with a lot of data. While Graphics Transformer won't save a bad marriage, it will solve "irreconcilable differences" between battling graphics programs! I use it regularly, and can recommend it highly. It now offers support for VGA/MCGA, along with Wyse 700 and Genius graphics cards. Check with your favorite software dealer, or contact IMSI, 1299 Fourth St., San Rafael, CA 94901; (415) 454-7101, (800) 222-4723, (800) 562-4723 (CA), fax: 415-454-8901. # David Batterson writes about various microcomputer applications including graphics and desktop publishing. Contact him via MCI MAIL: DBATTERSON.