			IMAGE MASTER PLUS
			  (SHAREWARE)      
			      by
		      ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE
		  (If it's good, it's ACCIDENTAL)
	      Copyright (C) 1995 all rights reserved 


NOTE: To print a copy of this file from DOS, type "TYPE 
README.TXT > PRN" then push Enter.

This program is SHAREWARE. Distribution of the UNREGISTERED 
version of this program is encouraged as long as it is copied 
in whole and remains unaltered.  No fee may be asked for this 
program itself, but a nominal distribution fee may be charged 
for the diskette used to distribute this software as long as 
the purchaser of said diskette is informed that the fee for 
acquiring the diskette does not constitute payment of the 
REGISTRATION FEE.  Vendors, see the file VENDOR.TXT for 
details.  

Distribution of the REGISTERED version of this software 
without purchasing this program by paying the registration 
fee or without a license granted from ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE 
is illegal.

NOTE: You may have a version of this program without the,  
file "VBRUN300.DLL" provided. If so, only 2 sample pictures
may be provided. This was done to save disk space and download 
time.  VBRUN300.DLL is widely available and in fact may 
already be in your windows directory.  Vbrun300.dll is 
required for this program to function.  It will be necessary 
to obtain a copy of VBRUN300.DLL in order to install and run 
this program.  Registered users receive the complete version 
of this program with vbrun300.dll included.  See How Do I 
register below for details.

  1. IMAGE MASTER + is a screen saver and image viewer for 
     windows that can use your own images and midi files. 
     IMAGE MASTER can play music from a CD-ROM. Music can 
     play as pictures are being displayed.  You can select 
     Password protection if desired.  Messages can be 
     left on the screen.
  
  2. IMAGE MASTER + can be installed as a standard Window's 
     Screen saver from Window's desk top, or can be used from 
     the Program Group that IMAGE MASTER + makes for windows.
     IMAGE MASTER + can be used as both.
  
  3. IMAGE MASTER + can be used as a screen saver and/or an 
     image viewer. If you have installed IMAGE MASTER + as a 
     screen saver, and want to use it from the program manager 
     to leave a message or make your system password protected 
     while you have to be temporarily away, you can do this by 
     double clicking the IMAGE MASTER + Icon.  If IMAGE MASTER +
     is running from the program manager, it will not invoke 
     itself as a screen saver even if the amount of time has 
     passed to call it as a screen saver from the desktop.

  4. IMAGE MASTER + is ideal for corporations that need a screen 
     saver that can use their own pictures or corporate logos.
     It is also ideal for users who want a way to display their
     own images (regardless of format) as a screen saver or 
     as a stand alone program.
			  
How do I install the program?
  
  1. Install IMAGE MASTER + for Windows from a disk.
      
      a. Start Microsoft Windows.
      
      b. Insert the disk in the proper drive. 
      
      c. From the Window's Program Manager, select FILE MENU 
	 and choose RUN.
      
      d. Type B:\SETUP and press Enter.  Substitute your 
	 drive letter for "B:" if your disk is in a 
	 different drive.

  2. Install IMAGE MASTER + for Windows from a modem download.
      
      a. Unzip you Image Master archive.
      
      b. Start Microsoft Windows.
      
      c. From the Window's Program Manager, select FILE MENU 
	 and choose RUN.
      
      d. Select Browse, then find the drive and directory to 
	 which Image Master Plus was downloaded.  Double click
	 on the file "SETUP.EXE" then click on the O.K. command
	 button.

      e. Follow the prompts from the setup program.

In some cases, if you are using a program that is accessing
or using a DLL or other file that IMAGE MASTER + uses and
installs, you may receive a message during installation 
that warns you that a file can not be installed since it 
is already in use by your system.  You can choose Ignore to 
this warning and the program should install correctly.

How do I make IMAGE MASTER + the active screen saver?
   
   1. Select "yes" to the inquiry during installation that
      asks if you want Image Master + to be installed as the 
      current screen saver.  This will place Image Master +
      as the current screen saver on your system with a 
      5 minute time of inactivity to start the program.
      The 5 minute "time out" will not take effect until  
      windows has been exited and reentered after Image 
      Master + installation.
   
Alternative method for making Image Master + the active screen
saver.

   1. Once IMAGE MASTER + is successfully installed, it may be 
      selected as the current screen saver from windows.  
      
      a. From the Windows Program Manager, select MAIN.
      
      b. From MAIN  select CONTROL PANEL.
      
      c. From CONTROL PANEL select DESK TOP.
      
      d. From DESK TOP select the arrow key next to SCREEN 
	 SAVER.
      
      e. From the menu, select IMAGE MASTER +.
   
   2. The above steps will select IMAGE MASTER + as the 
      current screen saver.  Use the SET UP button to select 
      the features of the program you want.  It is possible to 
      select and preview pictures, MIDI files, and CD-ROM 
      songs.  Do this for pictures by double clicking on the
      picture you want to preview in the list of Bit Maps To 
      Show.  For Midis double click on the mid you want to 
      hear in the list of Mide Songs to Play.
   
   3. Push the TEST button to run the screen saver program 
      as a test.
   
   4. Select the desired inactive time for the screen saver 
      program to implement itself.

How do I use the program from the Windows Program Manager?

   1. If the Image Master + program group is not open, double 
      click on the IMAGE MASTER + program group.

   2. To run Image Master +, double click on its Icon.

   3. The program will start in the Set Up Mode.  Select the 
      options you want, then push the Screen Saver button to 
      start the program.

   4. Touch Start:  Double click the Touch Start Icon to 
      activate the touch start hot corners.  A green line
      appears at the bottom left of your screen to indicate
      where to place your mouse to start Image Master +. 
      Touch Start activation can be terminated by moving the
      mouse pointer to the bottom right (red line) of the 
      screen.  Copy the Touch Start Icon to the program 
      manager's Start Up program group to have Touch Start 
      activate each time windows is started.  If the Touch 
      Start check box is activated (Picture Attributes, Utility 
      portion of Image Master + set up), Touch Start will
      reactivate itself after the screen saver portion of
      Image Master + has terminated.

What are the program features?
  
  1. Registered users can add up to 500 Bit Map files 
     (500 images) in each of the 10 Slide Shows provided.
     These images can be located in any directory on your 
     hard drive or floppy drives.  You can even us your CD-ROM
     as a source of pictures.  If you have Kodak's Access 
     software, you can use Image master to show you photo CDs.   
  
  2. Registered users can add up to 100 Midi selections for 
     each Slide Show to be played by your midi software as 
     the program displays your pictures. 
  
  3. Set the length of time for the picture to remain on the 
     display before the next one replaces it. This time 
     ranges from 10 seconds to 1 minute.
  
  4. Any image can be used as long as it a PCX or BMP file,
     (UNREGISTERED VERSION).  The REGISTERED VERSION of 
     Image Master will access the following additional file 
     formats.  .DIB, .TGA, WMF, .EPS, .TIF, .JPG, CMP, .CAL, 
     .IMG, .MAC, .MSP, .PCD, PCT, RAS, WPG.  NOTE: Photo CD 
     images (.PCD) require Kodak's Access Software.
  
  5. You need not copy any picture or midi file to any other 
     directory to use it.  IMAGE MASTER + can find and use 
     your files from any valid hard drive, floppy or CD-ROM
     drive and directory on your computer. 
  
  6. You can add or delete picture and midi files and set 
     the picture delay through the standard setup button 
     provided by windows for screen savers or by starting 
     IMAGE MASTER + from the program manager by double clicking 
     on its Icon.
  
  7. You can use scanned images as long as the image is 
     saved in a format that is compatible with IMAGE MASTER 
     (see 4. above for details.) 
  
  8. Pictures can be displayed as 1. Full Screen, 2. 75% of
     screen, or 3. 50% of screen.  In this case screen 
     refers to screen height.  Pictures will retain the 
     correct aspect ratio regarless of Screen mode or screen
     size selected.  You can elect to have your picture 
     displayed with a frame around it or without frame.

  9. You can randomize the order in which your images are 
     displayed. Click on the Randomize Picture Order check
     box to choose this option.

 10. The speed that Image Master uses to put your images
     to the screen can be adjusted.  Select Picture Attributes, 
     then slide the selector bar to the slower or faster end of 
     the adjuster bar to vary this speed.
  
 11. Any mouse button press and most keyboard keys will 
     terminate Image Master and return you to the 
     application you were using before Image Master 
     started.  The following keys have special meaning.

	1.  If MIDI is selected, pushing the "M" key
	on the keyboard will toggle the MIDI selections
	playing to mute and back on again.

	2. If you have CD-Audio selected, pushing  the 
	"space" bar will bring up an audio selector 
	panel.  You can select Previous, Next, Play, 
	Pause, and Stop with this selector bar.
 
	3. The "P" key will pause Image Master on the present 
	image.  Pushing "P" again will toggle pause off.

 12.  You can use a Password to protect access to your 
      computer when Image Master is running.

 13.  You can leave a message for any visitors you may 
      have while you are away from your computer, or 
      messages you may want to display to the public.
 
 14.  You can use Photo CD as a source for your pictures 
      (REGISTERED VERSION ONLY).  You can also choose 
      one of several options available for displaying 
      your pictures such as gray scale and flipping your 
      image.
 
 15.  CD-ROM audio is available in both the registered 
      and unregistered versions.  If your CD-ROM is capable 
      of playing CD-AUDIO, you can select it as the source 
      of music for Image Master.

 16.  Touch Start is available.  The touch start Icon will
      will set a "HOT" corner that will allow Image Master +
      to be started by moving your mouse to the GREEN HOT 
      CORNER of your screen.  Touch Start can be terminated
      by moving your mouse to the RED CORNER of your screen.
      You can place the touch start icon in your windows 
      start up program group to have it run automatically
      each time windows is started.  Activate the Touch
      Start check box (in Ultilities of Picture Attributes)
      to have Touch Start reinstate itself after Image Master +
      has run.

Additional Services from Accidental Software:    

  1. Site licenses are available.  Contact Accidental Software 
     for details.
  
  2. Accidental Software can modify this program to provide
     a unique application for Company or other large groups 
     of users.  Custom applications can be developed to include
     the incorporation of AVI or QuickTime video, and support 
     of fractal image files.  Contact Accidental Software for
     details.
  
Contact: 

		ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE
		13245 SKIOMAH RD.
		APPLE VALLEY, CA. 92308
		  
		1-619-247-2804 -- VOICE  
		1-619-247-6819 -- FAX

Common Questions!
  
  Q. When I double click on the Image Master Icon the program 
     will not start.  What is happening? 
     
  A. Multiple instances of Image Master cannot be started.  If
     the program was started by double clicking on its Icon
     and a subsequent click outside the form hides the 
     application, it is still running in the background.  
     You need to bring up the Windows Task Manager to 
     switch back to Image Master + or minimize the program 
     manager to reveal Image Master +.  It is always best 
     to end Image Master by clicking on the EXIT button 
     in the Set Up form if you are not going to run the 
     screen saver portion of the program immediately.
     
  Q. Can I use this program to display pictures of my 
     business or family?
  
  A. Yes, you need to use a scanner to scan your image into 
     a paint program.  Once an image is scanned and retouched 
     as necessary, save it as any file format compatible
     with this program.  Select the User Bit Maps option 
     button in Image Master.  Find the file by clicking 
     to the correct drive and directory.  Highlight this file 
     or as many files as you want to add to the list of Bit Maps 
     to show.  Once the file or files are highlighted, click 
     the Add Files button to place them in the Bit Maps to Show
     list box.  You can preview this or any file by double
     clicking on its entry in the Bit Maps To Show window.  
  
     If your personal pictures are on a Photo CD, Image 
     Master is the ideal tool for displaying them.
  
  Q. I want to use several of my own MIDI songs to be played 
     by the program when my pictures are being displayed.  
     How can I do this?   
  
  A. You can select any valid MIDI file ".mid" that is 
     available on your hard disk.  It can be placed in a 
     List of Songs to Play (up to 100) that will be played 
     in order. Once the last file is played, the tunes will 
     start over in a continuous loop. Choose the drive and 
     directory that your MIDI files are on.  Highlight this 
     file or as many files as you want to add to the list of 
     Midi Files to Play.  Once the file or files are highlighted, 
     click the Add Files button to place them in the list of
     Midi Files to Play.  You can listen to any Midi file in 
     the Midi Files To Play window by double clicking on it. 
  
  Q. When using JPG or other large 24 bit images with Image 
     Master +, my MIDI music occasionally degrades.  Can this 
     be prevented.

  A. These files have extremely high compression ratios, and 
     as a result monopolize your processor so that there is 
     no time left to play your MIDI file.  The only way to 
     cure the problem is to covert your image file to a 
     format the has less compression.  PCX and BMP 256 
     color files will not interfere with the MIDI as the
     pictures are decompressed.  You could also inactivate 
     the Enable Music check box or Mute (press the "M" key 
     on the keyboard) the MIDI so it will not play.  You
     can listen to CD-Rom audio instead without interference
     from highly compressed 24 bit images. 
  
  Q. When using Photo CDs to show my images with Image Master,
     MIDI music I am using seems to degrade as some pictures  
     are displayed.  How can I cure the problem?

  A. Very large 24 bit images can take a tremendous 
     amount of processing power to decompress and decode.
     These large files combined with the slow access time of
     most CD-ROM drives can use your system resources so that
     the processor time needed to play your MIDI files is no 
     longer available. You could copy your PCD files to a hard
     disk, the faster access time of a hard disk should help;  
     insure you are using the Retain Bit Map Size option, then
     choose a smaller display size for your images. You may 
     have to disable your MIDI with the enable music check 
     box or the "M" key on the keyboard if the problem persists 
     and is bothersome.  
  
Image Master program files installed to your hard disk!

     The following is a list of files IMAGE MASTER PLUS 
     installs to your hard disk or generates as the program 
     runs.  This list can be used for uninstall information 
     if desired.

     Files in your Windows directory....
	SSIMAGEP.SCR
	SSIMAGEP.EXE
	IMASTERP.INI
	IMASTERP.RRG
	IMASTERP.GRP
	LEADDIB.DRV
	EXCLUDED.MSP
	MESSAGE.MSP
	MIDI.MSP
	TRANSIT.MSP
	SLIDES(1 THRU 10).MSP
	SLIDET(1 THRU 10).MSP
     
     Files in your Windows\System directory...
	FXCMP210.VBX
	FXLBL210.VBX
	FXSND210.VBX
	FXTLS210.DLL
	LEAD40.DLL
	LEADDIB.DRV
   *    MCI.VBX
   *    THREED.VBX
   *    VBRUN300.DLL                                                       

    Files in the graphics directory used by this program...
	PP(1 THRU XX).MST
	SI.MID
	README.TXT

*  Delete these files with caution since they may be used by other programs.
     
NOTE: The following files may be deleted from your hard drive 
if you have an earlier version of IMAGE MASTER.  IMAGE MASTER
up to version 3.0 (not the Plus version) used the following 
files.
     
     Files in your Windows directory....
	SSIMAGEM.SCR
	SSIMAGEM.EXE
	IMASTER.INI
	IMASTER.RRG
	IMASTER.GRP
	LEADDIB.DRV
	EXCLUDED.MST
	MESSAGE.MST
	MIDI.MST
	TRANSIT.MST
	SLIDES(1 THRU 10).MST
	SLIDET(1 THRU 10).MST
     
     Files in your Windows\System directory...
	FXCMP210.VBX
	FXLBL210.VBX
	FXSND210.VBX
	FXTLS210.DLL
	LEAD40.DLL
	LEADDIB.DRV
   *    MCI.VBX
   *    THREED.VBX
   *    VBRUN300.DLL                                                       

    Files in the graphics directory used by this program...
	PP(1 THRU XX).BMP
	SI.MID
	README.TXT

The following additional files may be present and can be deleted 
if your Shareware version of Image Master was version 2.7 or 
earlier.

      LEADDLL.DLL
      LEAD.DLL
      LEAD38.DLL

*  Delete these files with caution since they may be used by other programs.

Disclaimer:
  
  This product is distributed "as is".  All warranties, 
  either expressed or implied, as to the software quality, 
  performance, or fitness for any particular reason are 
  disclaimed.  You will bear the entire risk of relating 
  to the quality and performance of this product, and will, 
  in no event hold ACCIDENTAL SOFTWARE liable for any 
  direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damage 
  resulting from the use of this software.
