Release Notes

Posted December 15th, 2002 by kevin
in

Version 2.4.4 (11/5/98)

  • Documentation is now available online in HTML form. GIFConverter will display it in your web browser. See Online Documentation in the Help menu. The documentation has been updated to cover most of the 2.4 features.
  • There is a script in the Scripts menu for setting the desktop picture on MacOS 8.5.
  • When using an open box, GIFConverter recognizes files by their extensions and MacOS file types only. Use the GIFConverter AutoTyper (included) to change file types. GIFConverter will try to identify by examination any file that is dropped on it or given to it by an Apple Event.
  • GIFConverter now recognizes its own slide show documents. It also assumed that most other files were GIF files; this has been fixed.
  • GIFConverter is only available electronically; the diskette/manual options have been removed from registration programs and order forms.
  • PICT files sometimes had black backgrounds when read into GIFConverter; this has been fixed.
  • GIFConverter works around some system inconsistencies that caused problems launching other applications.
  • The size property of an image is now the "dimensions". This prevents a conflict with the size of a text character. GIFConverter will work with old AppleScripts, but you may need to change them to use "dimensions" if you recompile them.
  • The installer only requires System 7.0. It mistakenly required System 7.1.2, because it was based on the PPC-only installer (how embarassing!).
  • GIFConverter is no longer tested or supported on machines without Color QuickDraw. It now requires 68020 or newer.
  • I have a new P.O. Box address. Mail from the old box will be picked up for a time, then forwarded, and finally will stop working. I have no idea yet how long the Postal Service will forward for.

Version 2.4.3 (5/25/98)

  • Fixed a bug that could cause crashes when Remove Unused Colors was turned on.
  • Fixed a bug with the Enhance command calculating wrong histograms.
  • "Look inside" settings are now sticky for the remainder of a run.
  • GIFConverter makes every attempt to identify a file opened via an AppleEvent or being dropped on the GIFConverter icon.
  • The Help menu now offers ways to look for new versions or file bug reports via the WWW.

Version 2.4.2 (2/26/98)

  • Filenames without extensions now have the extensions added correctly (without removing the actual name of the file).
  • When a file can't be opened during a slide show, report the filename that can't be opened. Note that a slide show only contains aliases to files, it doesn't actually contain the pictures. If the files are lost, then an error will occur when opening the slide show.

Version 2.4.1 (1/3/98)

  • Fixes to custom installations on PPC (used to install ObjectSupportLib if GIFConverter requested in custom install; if you are running OS 8, remove any ObjectSupportLib from the extensions folder).
  • Eliminates a crash on New Document on 68K.

Version 2.4 (12/28/97)

  • Sped up a number of operations, including JPEG file reads.
  • A number of crashes involving multiple file opens were fixed. Some of GIFConverter's insides were fixed to be more robust. Some internal changes were also made that will support new features.
  • GIFConverter makes better use of memory and will run out of memory less often. It can use more memory that is allocated to it, is smarter about doing so, and will release memory when you change to another program (this may be accompanied by a delay and some disk activity if you do this after opening many images).
  • 24-bit images may be rotated.
  • Many of the image-editing commands (reducing colors, etc.) now work if there is no selection. If no images are selected, then GIFConverter does a Select All automatically.
  • GIFConverter for 68K is now a single-segment program; this means that as on the PowerPC, it loads the entire program at once. This requires a little more memory. It eliminates a number of defects related to segment loading, and an entire class of memory management problems.

Version 2.4d18 (10/14/96)

  • Fixed a bug that caused crashes when opening files, particularly larger JPEG files. This crash was most obvious when using a droplet to convert many files.
  • Fixed a bug that caused crashes after reading a PICT file.
  • Fixed a bug where a file error would occur if compression was turned on for PICT files and the saved file was on the boot disk.
  • Resolution is implemented for PICT files, and is read in and saved out with PICT files. There is now a resolution property on the graphic document so the resolution can be changed from a script. The resolution can now also be set to arbitrary values (within reason) from the menu item.
  • GIFConverter now ships with a glue file for Frontier, and now supports Menu Sharing in Frontier. A few bugs that prevented scripting with Frontier have been fixed.
  • There is an edit preferences Apple Event for bringing up dialog boxes for specifying file preferences.
  • GIFConverter download files are smaller, 68K and PPC-only versions are available, and updaters are available.
  • Internet Config is no longer bundled with the download version; it is available separately.

Version 2.3.7 (1/30/94)

  • Fixed a problem with successive mouse commands. This often manifested itself as improper results when a crop was followed by a drag, for instance.
  • GIFConverter should no longer hang when starting up on a machine with a French keyboard. GIFConverter searches for the '.' key for implementing cancelling with command-period. It now finds such a key even if the '.' is shifted. It will also no longer hang if it can't find a '.' key (I'd be very interested in finding out about keyboards that don't have one).
  • To cancel operations in GIFConverter (when you have the juggler cursor), press the command key, and type a period. If the period ('.') is shifted, you must hold down the shift key.

Version 2.3.6 (1/16/94)

  • GIFConverter can read and write comments in JPEG/JFIF files.
  • File comments for GIF and JPEG use CR/LF at the end of a line. The editing window is now 80 characters wide, uses a fixed width font, and does not wrap lines. With these features, GIFConverter conforms with what appears to be accepted practice for formatting these comments.

Version 2.3.5 (1/13/94)

  • GIFConverter now gives an error message instead of crashing when it runs out of memory trying to open a JPEG file.
  • When GIFConverter runs out of memory while trying to allocate an image buffer (the largest memory usage it performs), it now gives a detailed description of the size of the image, and suggests a memory allocation setting that will accomodate the image.
  • GIFConverter now commits the last action before saving files. For instance, it no longers loses pasted images, or stretches cropped images strangely.
  • If the Preferences file is damaged, GIFConverter deletes it and makes a new one. It tells you when it does this.

Version 2.3.4 (11/7/93)

  • Fixed a bug where GIFConverter crashed on startup on certain Centris and Quadra machines.

Version 2.3.3 (10/23/93)

  • GIFConverter no longer reports zero colors when reading some GIF files. This also caused crashes, or errors saving as GIF.
  • Using command-period to stop the slide show should work on all machines now.
  • It was impossible to stop a slide show if GIFConverter required more time to load a document than the slide show interval. This has been fixed.
  • The Options... button in the Save dialog box didn't work right if a user clicked in the upper left quarter of it. This has been fixed.
  • When the Memory or Progress windows came to the front, GIFConverter would not enable the correct menu commands. Clicking on a window would restore the correct commands. This has been fixed.
  • 24-bit images may now be cropped. They may now also be copied when selected by the marquee.
  • GIFConverter can now open a document even if there isn't a properly installed and selected print driver.
  • The missing preview picture in EPSF files has been fixed.
  • The units controls in the print margins box now work properly.
  • A bug that caused crashes when choosing the Enhance command has been fixed.

Version 2.3.2 (3/7/93)

  • GIFConverter no longer crashes when opening JPEG/JFIF files on the Macintosh Classic, SE, Plus, or other non-color Macintoshes.
  • The images in the slide show are now in the right size and color.
  • GIFConverter now properly saves GIF files that contain only one image, and the one image has just been pasted into an empty document.
  • GIFConverter no longer crashes when the shareware reminder window is up and the user clicks in the menu bar or types a command key.

Version 2.3 (2/25/93)

  • Converted to use MacApp 3.0.1. GIFConverter now requires at least System 6.0.5.
  • GIFConverter can accept the Required suite of AppleEvents. This means that drag-and-drop should be working right.
  • Fixed bug where the wrong message was given if GIFConverter needed QuickTime.
  • Added new bar-type progress window. More file operations show progress now. Note that when using QuickTime for compression (including JFIF files), the progress bar takes longer to show up. This is a restriction of QuickTime.
  • Added compressed TIFF output with prediction. Fixed some bugs with TIFF. Provided workaround for saving TIFF files that Microsoft Word can read.
  • Added support for the Independent JPEG Group code. This code allows GIFConverter to read and write JPEG files without needing QuickTime.
  • Fixed some bugs saving files where the colors weren't properly saved.
  • GIFConverter should recognize more file types. It should also have less problems reading files from ISO 9660 disks.
  • Files can be opened from the desktop even if they are the wrong type.
  • Fixed halftoning and inversion problems in EPSF output.

Version 2.3b2 (9/10/92)

NEW FEATURES

  • 32-bit (millions of colors) pictures can have their color pallettes changed or reduced.

BUGFIXES

  • GIFConverter no longer requires System 7; this was a programming error. System 6 is sufficient.
  • GIFConverter now dithers to one-bit properly in all cases, including 24-bit color pictures.
  • Dithering to one-bit color should now work on systems set to millions of colors.
  • GIFConverter no longer gets an Unimplemented Trap error opening PICT files on Pluses, SEs, and Classics.
  • The key screen now has only one button. You can enter your key and press OK.
  • JPEG graphics should no longer get clipped to the screen size.

Version 2.3b1 (7/31/92)

GIFConverter works best if you have System 7 or 32-bit Color QuickDraw installed. GIFConverter requires QuickTime for PICT compression and JPEG support.

NEW FEATURES

  • GIFConverter can now create and manipulate "Slide Show" files. These files can contain the names of other files to be displayed. Use the Show menu to work with these files. When playing a show, command-period stops the show, and a mouse click or keypress will take you to the next frame.
  • GIFConverter now supports 24-bit reading of the following file types: TIFF, PICT (including PICT files compressed with QuickTime compressors), and JPEG (JFIF).
  • GIFConverter now supports writing JPEG (JFIF) files.
  • GIFConverter can create compressed PICT files if QuickTime is installed.
  • When saving files, GIFConverter automatically reduces the number of colors to the number the file can handle.
  • GIFConverter can now recognize a file by its extensions even without the "look inside file" options: .GIF, .PICT, .RIFF, .TIFF, .TIF, .JPG, .JPEG
  • Options/Settings for files are now available though a File Settings... menu item (Special menu), or from a button in the save file box.

BUGFIXES

  • Fixed bug reading RIFF files that weren't a multiple of 4 in width.
  • Changing printer margins now takes effect without having to do a Page Setup to get the printer to recognize the new values.
  • GIFConverter no longer gets confused when using Save As or Save As Copy to change the file type of the file shown on the screen. Sometimes it would give the file the wrong type, even though it contained the contents you wanted in it.
  • Fix a bug that crashed GIFConverter after saving the 2nd or subsequent PICT file.
  • Fixed problems reading from compact discs, especially ISO 9660 standard discs.

 

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