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PRINT.ME
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1988-09-25
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|-----------------------------------|
| User's Guide for |
| |
| VIDEO PRO-TITLER |
| |
| Version 2.8 |
|-----------------------------------|
Designed and Programmed by John Allen
User's Guide and some fonts by Bill Wind
(C) 1988 by John F. Allen Jr. and William C. Wind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Your First Look ....................... 2
Overview of Video Pro-Titler .......... 3
Working With Composite Video .......... 4
The Work Screen ....................... 5
Command Summary ....................... 6
Creating Title Sequences ............. 12
Videotaping Title Sequences .......... 14
Advanced Features .................... 15
Custom Color ......................... 20
Fonts, Defaults and Files ............ 21
NOTE TO EGA USERS:
This program was designed specifically for the Color Graphics Adapter
(CGA) with its composite video output. If you run this program with
an Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA), you may find that some features do
not work properly, according to which brand of EGA you are using.
Potential EGA problems are highlighted throughout this User's Guide.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 1
YOUR FIRST LOOK
To load and run VIDEO PRO-TITLER from DOS, type "pt" at the A> prompt
and press RETURN. After a moment, the title screen will appear; when
you are finished with the title screen, press the space bar and the
main program will load. During future sessions from DOS, you can
bypass the title screen by entering "protitle" at the A> prompt. If
you run PRO-TITLER from Big Blue Disk, you will have to view the title
screen each time (but it's a nice title screen, so why not?).
After the main program has loaded, the VIDEO PRO-TITLER Work Screen
will appear. In the upper left corner, you will see a small, white-
bordered window with the words "B/W mode" opposite a flashing pointer.
Press the DOWN ARROW key (on the numeric keypad) once and the words
"Color mode" will now be opposite the flashing pointer. Press RETURN.
Next, press the F3 key, and the words "Enter filename:" will appear
just below the small window. Type "demo" and press RETURN. After the
file has loaded, press F5, and you will be prompted to enter a number
between 0 and 9. Type "3", and at the next prompt, type "n". Now,
you are ready to view your first title sequence. Press the RETURN key
twice, and the title sequence will be displayed in color against a
grey background. The sequence will demonstrate many of the basic
features that are available in VIDEO PRO-TITLER.
NOTE TO EGA USERS: On some EGAs, the "demo" sequence may "hang up"
during the section when text is scrolling upward. If this happens,
press ESC to exit the sequence; then, press F3 and load a special
sequence called "egademo", which has only short scrolling segments.
Display this sequence according to the directions above, and if it
runs all the way through, then you will know that your EGA limits you
to fixed titles and short scrolling segments only. On other EGAs, the
"demo" sequence may run properly, but the colors may be different than
red, green, brown and grey.
After the sequence ends, you will be returned to the Work Screen. If
you would like to view the demo again, press F5 and respond to the
three prompts as you did the first time (or, you can change the
scrolling speed by entering a different number in response to the
first prompt). If you would like to change the background color
before you re-view the demo, hold down the DOWN ARROW key until the
words "Blk background" appear beside the flashing pointer. This
command, and the 15 commands below it, will change the display screen
to one of 16 colors: just place the appropriate command next to the
flashing pointer and press RETURN. At this time, however, you should
avoid using the "Grn", "Red" or "Brn" backgrounds.
When you are finished with the demo sequence, read on to find out
about the many capabilities of VIDEO PRO-TITLER.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 2
OVERVIEW OF VIDEO PRO-TITLER
VIDEO PRO-TITLER gives you the means to create professional-looking
titles for your videotapes, using a variety of typestyles (fonts).
Your titles can be fixed or they can be made to scroll from the bottom
of the screen, or combinations of both types can be created. You may
select from ten scrolling speeds. PRO-TITLER makes full use of the
Color Graphics Adapter (CGA), allowing you to use either the Green-
Red-Brown (GRB) palette or the Cyan-Magenta-White (CMW) palette,
against any one of 16 background colors. You may also choose between
high and low intensity displays.
PRO-TITLER will automatically center your titles, or it will justify
them along the left or right margins. For emphasis, titles can be
displayed at twice the normal height, and they can be underlined.
Each font contains 14 custom characters which can be used to create
lines, boxes, arrows, copyright symbols and more.
In addition, VIDEO PRO-TITLER offers many advanced features for the
experienced computer user, including:
1. Professional transitions between titles.
2. A loop function which allows you to repeat titles or effects.
3. The ability to flash portions of text.
4. The ability to create simple animation.
5. Multiple fonts in the same sequence.
See the ADVANCED FEATURES section of this User's Guide for details.
One of the least-known features of the CGA is its ability to create as
many as fifteen foreground colors on a composite monitor, thus freeing
the user from the three-color limitation of the computer monitor.
This feature is supported by VIDEO PRO-TITLER and is explained in the
CUSTOM COLOR section of this User's Guide.
PRO-TITLER has other uses, besides the creation of video titles.
Because of its ability to scroll text at a variety of speeds, PRO-
TITLER can be used as a simple teleprompter during live video
production. Away from the realm of video production, PRO-TITLER can
also create free-standing displays on the computer monitor, which you
might use to present information (say, in a lobby during an open
house: "Welcome to our company. Today's schedule is as follows...").
Such a display can be made to repeat over and over, using the Auto
Repeat function, and it can be presented in the CGA's high-resolution
graphics mode, using just one color on a black background.
As with any software, VIDEO PRO-TITLER has certain limitations. For
instance, you cannot use PRO-TITLER to superimpose text over live
action video. Also, PRO-TITLER displays only upper case letters and
in only two sizes, and only one background color may be selected for
each title sequence.
Nevertheless, VIDEO PRO-TITLER is an extremely versatile tool for
personal creativity, with many of its functions limited mainly by the
imagination of its user.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 3
WORKING WITH COMPOSITE VIDEO
There are two video outputs on the Color Graphics Adapter. The large
output supplies RGB video to the computer monitor, while the small RCA
jack supplies composite video to a Videocassette Recorder (VCR) or a
composite monitor. The two types of video are different enough so
that images on the computer monitor will not necessarily appear the
same on a VCR or a composite monitor.
In the high-resolution graphics mode, a single user-selected color is
displayed against a black background on the computer monitor.
However, when this same image is recorded onto a VCR or is displayed
on a composite monitor, it will appear as a shade of grey against a
black background.
In the medium-resolution graphics mode, a three-color palette is
displayed against a user-selected background on the computer monitor.
On a VCR or a composite monitor, this image will look about the same,
but it is possible to display up to twelve additional colors on a VCR
or composite monitor, using the special technique that is described in
the CUSTOM COLOR section of this User's Guide.
In the 80-column text mode (the mode used to display the Work Screen),
the colored text on the computer monitor will appear as distorted
white characters on a VCR or a composite monitor.
Because of these differences, it is important for you to connect a VCR
or a composite monitor to your CGA before you start to use VIDEO PRO-
TITLER. This will allow you to see the composite output as it will be
recorded onto your VCR. Any of the following hookups will do the job.
Cables and adapters can be purchased at your local electronics supply
store.
1. MONITOR ONLY: Connect the composite output on the Color Graphics
Adapter to the "Video In" or "Video Line In" or "Composite Video
In" jack on the monitor. If you are using a combination TV-
monitor, be sure to select the monitor function.
2. VCR+MONITOR: Connect the composite video output on the CGA to the
"Video In" jack on the VCR. Then, connect the "Video Out" jack on
the VCR to the "Video In" or "Video Line In" or "Composite Video
In" jack on the monitor. If you have a TV-monitor, use the monitor
function.
3. VCR+TV: Connect the composite video output on the CGA to the
"Video In" jack on the VCR. Connect the "Antenna Out" or "RF Out"
connector on the VCR to the "Antenna" or "VHF" connector on the TV
(this connection may already be made).
NOTE TO EGA USERS: Most EGAs do not support composite output. If your
EGA does not have a composite output, then you will not be able to
videotape your titles. If your EGA does have a composite output,
review your owner's manual before making the hookups described above.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 4
THE WORK SCREEN
The Work Screen is where you will be creating your title sequences, so
let's take a quick tour of it. In the upper left corner is the small
window which was mentioned earlier. This is called the Command
Window, and it contains the 48 commands which you will use to create
and display your title sequences. A command is invoked by scrolling
it into position on the Active Line (the line with the flashing
pointer) and then pressing RETURN. When invoked, some commands are
entered into the Sequence Window and some commands change the Status
Area. Certain commands require additional user input: when such input
is required, a prompt will appear on the Prompt Line. Commands are
scrolled up and down within the Command Window by using the cursor
keys on the numeric keypad.
The larger window in the lower left corner of the screen is called the
Sequence Window, and it is here that you will build a sequence of
commands for your titles. As your sequence grows, it will become too
large for the window, but it can be scrolled up and down in the same
way as the command list is scrolled within the Command Window. Only
one window is active at a time, and the cursor keys work only with the
active window. A window is activated by pressing the F1 key, which
toggles back and forth between the two windows. Press the F1 key now.
The border of the Command Window turns from white to green and the
border of the Sequence Window turns from blue to white. The white
border identifies the currently active window. If the demo sequence
is still in the Sequence Window, use the cursor keys to scroll through
it and examine the commands. When you are finished, press F1 again to
activate the Command Window.
The Prompt Line is located in the space between the two windows. When
you ran the demo, you saw how the Prompt Line works. At present, the
only thing visible on the Prompt Line is a blinking cursor.
The red text in the upper right corner of the screen is a list of the
Action Keys and their functions. You already know how some of these
keys work, but further descriptions of the keys are given in the next
section, COMMAND SUMMARY.
The two lines of brown text below the Action Keys comprise the Status
Area. The following information is displayed in the Status Area:
1. Bytes of unused memory that are available for the current
sequence (up to 26753 bytes).
2. The current default font.
3. The current screen display mode ("B/W" or "Col").
4. The current intensity setting ("Low" or "High").
5. The currently selected palette ("GRB" or "CMW").
6. The currently selected background color.
The yellow text in the lower right corner of the screen is a list of
Custom Characters that are available in most fonts, and the keys that
invoke the Custom Characters. The last six characters on the list are
normally used to make boxes.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 5
COMMAND SUMMARY
This section contains descriptions of the 48 commands that can be
accessed through the Command Window. 22 of these commands are Status
Commands which control the over-all characteristics of the display
screen; Status Commands are invoked before a sequence is displayed.
Another 23 commands are Sequence Commands which tell the computer what
characters to display and how to display them; Sequence Commands are
invoked from within a title sequence. The other 3 commands are used
to edit title sequences.
This section also includes descriptions of the commands that are
accessed from the keyboard.
Before looking at the individual commands and keys, it is important to
understand how a title sequence is created and displayed by VIDEO PRO-
TITLER. A title sequence is nothing more than a list of commands
which are entered, one by one, into the Sequence Window (in much the
same way as a Basic language program is written). When a command is
first entered, it will appear just above the Active Line (the line
with the flashing pointer) in the Sequence Window, and it will cause
the rest of the command list to scroll up one line.
Later, when you edit your sequence, you will scroll Sequence Commands
onto the Active Line in order to change or delete them. A command can
only be edited while it is on the Active Line; once it moves off the
Active Line, it must be scrolled back onto the Active Line before it
can be modified. You will learn more about the editing procedure in
the next section, CREATING TITLE SEQUENCES.
Of the 23 Sequence Commands, only five are actually used to put titles
onto the screen; the other 18 commands tell the computer how to
display the titles. The display screen (not including the border
area) consists of 25 display lines which are numbered 0 to 24, from
top to bottom. As you enter text lines, blank lines or underlining,
an internal Line Pointer begins at Line 0 and moves down the display
screen, reserving enough space for each command. For each blank line
or underline, the Line Pointer counts down one line for normal height
or two lines for tall height. For each text line, the Line Pointer
counts down two lines for normal height or four lines for tall height.
At any given time, the Line Pointer is at the next available line
following the last command. The two exceptions are when the last
command was either "Goto line __" or "Draw block".
Now, here are the commands in the Command Window:
"B/W mode" is a Status Command which selects the high-resolution
display mode. On the computer monitor, titles will be displayed in a
user-selected color against a black background. The color is selected
with one of the "Background" commands. On a VCR or a composite
monitor, the titles will be displayed in black-and-white. When you
are in this mode, the Status Area will show "B/W" after the word
"Screen". NOTE TO EGA USERS: On some EGAs, this mode will produce
unreadable titles.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 6
"Color mode" is a Status Command which selects the medium-resolution
display mode. In this mode, a three-color palette is displayed
against a user-selected background in either high or low intensity.
The palette is selected with one of the "Palette" commands, the
background is selected with one of the "Background" commands and the
intensity is set with one of the "Intensity" commands. What you see
on the computer monitor is essentially the same as what you will get
on a VCR or a composite monitor -- except when you use the "Custom
color" command to create up to twelve additional colors on the
composite output. When you are in color mode, the Status Area will
show "Col" after the word "Screen".
"GRB palette" and "CMW palette" are Status Commands which select the
three foreground colors to be used when a sequence is displayed.
Within each palette, individual colors are selected with the "Letter
color" commands. GRB means Green-Red-Brown; CMW means Cyan-Magenta-
White. The current palette selection is displayed in the Status Area.
"Low intensity" and "High intensity" are Status commands which control
the brightness of the display, and are largely a matter of personal
taste. The current intensity setting is displayed in the Status Area.
"Fixed mode" is a Sequence Command which takes the computer out of the
scroll mode. In fixed mode, there is no vertical movement of the
titles, but it is possible to manipulate the titles in many other
ways, using such commands as "Clear screen", "Goto line", "Pause",
"Define block", "Draw block" and "Transition".
"Scroll mode" is a Sequence Command which causes any text on the
screen to begin scrolling upward. It also moves the internal Line
Pointer to a phantom Line 25, just off the bottom of the screen, where
it continues to assemble all subsequent text lines, blank lines and
underlining. These lines are then scrolled onto the screen, one by
one. Scrolling can be stopped at any time with the "Fixed mode"
command. Certain commands, such as "Goto line", "Pause", "Draw block"
and "Transition", do not work in scroll mode. A scrolling speed, se-
lected before the sequence is displayed, applies only in scroll mode.
For EGA users, scrolling may be limited to just a few lines of text.
"Clear screen" is a Sequence Command which instantly erases all text
from the screen and moves the internal Line Pointer to Line 0 if you
are in fixed mode, or the phantom Line 25 if you are in scroll mode.
"Goto line __" is one of PRO-TITLER's most powerful Sequence Commands.
Used only in the fixed mode, this command moves the internal Line
Pointer to any of the 25 display lines, allowing you to place text or
blank lines at that location. Whenever you use "Goto line" in this
manner, the new text or blank lines will replace anything that was
originally on the selected line. Normal height text will also replace
the line below the selected line, and tall height text will also
replace the three lines following the selected line. In normal
height, blank lines will replace as many lines as are specified in the
"Blank lines" command; in tall height, the number of blank lines will
be doubled. When you select "Goto line" by pressing RETURN, you are
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 7
prompted to enter a line number. Type the appropriate number (0 to
24) and press RETURN again to enter the command into the sequence.
"__ Blank lines" is a Sequence Command that inserts blank space
between lines of text. When you select this command by pressing
RETURN, you are prompted to enter the number of blank lines that you
wish to insert. Simply type the desired number and press RETURN again
to enter the command into the sequence. When "Tall height" has been
selected, the number of blank lines you enter is doubled on the
display screen.
"Pause for __ seconds" is a Sequence Command that pauses the sequence
for the specified number of seconds. Each command in a sequence is
executed at machine language speed, so it is necessary to pause the
sequence whenever you want a title to be viewed in fixed mode. The
pause can be anywhere from .1 second to 99.9 seconds, depending on
what you are trying to do. The average pause for a fixed title is
between 2 and 6 seconds. The longer pauses are used with free-
standing displays and the shorter pauses can be used to create simple
animation effects (see ADVANCED FEATURES). When this command is
selected, you are prompted to enter a number (between .1 and 99.9);
after you type the number, press RETURN and the command will be
entered into the sequence. This command works only in fixed mode.
"Line of text" is the Sequence Command which is at the very heart of
VIDEO PRO-TITLER. With this command, you enter the words, numbers and
other characters that make up the text of your titles. When you
select this command, you are prompted to enter your text on the Prompt
Line. Type in the text and press RETURN to enter it into the
sequence. Only one line of text is entered each time you use this
command, so it may take several "Line of text" commands to complete a
title. When first entered, all text lines are left-justified.
"Use font __" is a Sequence Command which allows you to change fonts:
you can load up to four fonts before you display a sequence, and then
use this command to change fonts from within the sequence. For more
information about how this command is used, see the description of the
F2 key later in this section, and then refer to the ADVANCED FEATURES
section.
"Define block" is a Sequence Command which is very similar to the
"Line of text" command. When you select this command, you are
prompted to enter a line of text in the same way as the "Line of text"
command. The difference is that the text line entered with "Define
block" will not be displayed, but will be placed into a "buffer" area
of memory for subsequent display by either the "Draw block" or the
"Transition" command. The text line will be entered into the Sequence
Window, but because it does not yet have a location on the display
screen, the internal Line Pointer will not be incremented. This fact
is indicated by a "house" character at the beginning of each text line
that is entered with the "Define block" command. Defining a text
block erases any previously defined block from the buffer. Text lines
that have been created with "Define block" will be displayed in normal
height only.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 8
"Left justify", "Center" and "Right justify" are Sequence Commands
which manipulate lines of text that have been entered with the "Line
of text" or "Define block" commands. When first entered, all text
lines are left-justified (the same as this paragraph). If you want to
center or right-justify a newly entered text line, select the desired
command and enter it immediately after the text line. If you are
editing a sequence and you decide to change the justification of a
previously entered text line, scroll the text line onto the Active
Line in the Sequence Window and then enter the new "Justify" command.
These three commands will affect either the text that is on the Active
Line, or if there is no text on the Active Line, they will affect the
line directly above the Active Line. When you press RETURN to enter
the "Justify" command, the affected text line will shift to the right
or the left, according to the type of justification that was chosen.
The type of justification is also indicated by a distinctive symbol
that appears at the beginning of each justified text line (except
lines that were entered with the "Define block" command).
"Underline" is a Sequence Command which automatically underlines all
characters (excluding spaces) on a text line. "Underline" is entered
into the sequence immediately after the text line that is to be
affected -- but also after any "Justify" commands that affect that
text line. Each text line must be underlined separately, because the
underlining takes up its own display line(s). Wneh entered in this
manner, underlining will automatically adopt the justification of the
text line above it. However, if you are editing a sequence and you
change an underlined text line, you must then re-enter the "Underline"
command for that line, so that the underlining will conform to the
changed text.
"Draw block" and "Transition" are advanced Sequence Commands which are
used with "Define block" to create special effects. The use of these
commands is explained in the ADVANCED FEATURES section.
"Normal height" and "Tall height" are Sequence Commands which change
the height of subsequent text lines. Normal height characters are two
display lines in height, while tall height characters are elongated
versions which take up four display lines. The height of blank lines
and underlining is also doubled in tall height mode. The "Tall
height" command does not affect text lines that are entered with the
"Define block" command.
"Counter = __" and "Loop" are advanced Sequence Commands which work
the same as "For" and "Next" in Basic. They allow a portion of your
sequence to repeat itself for the number of times specified in the
"Counter" command. "Counter" is placed at the beginning of the
section to be repeated, and "Loop" is placed at the end of the section
to be repeated. When "Counter" is selected, you are prompted to enter
the number of desired repetitions. Type in the number and press
RETURN to enter the command into the sequence. Specific uses for
these commands are given in the ADVANCED FEATURES section.
"Stop sequence" is an Editing Command that can be temporarily placed
in a sequence to end it at that point and return to the Work Screen.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 9
"Find label" and "Label ____" are Editing Commands which are used to
jump to specific parts of a sequence. "Label" creates a 6-character
label and inserts it into the sequence. "Find label" is used during
editing to jump to a specified label, instead of scrolling there with
the cursor keys. When you display a sequence, all labels are ignored.
When you select either of these commands, you are prompted to enter a
six-character label name (letters or numbers or both). Type in the
name and press RETURN to enter the command into the sequence.
The sixteen "Background" commands are Status Commands which change the
display screen to the selected color in color mode, or change the text
to the selected color in B/W mode. Only one background color can be
active at a time. In color mode, do not use a background that is the
same color as your text; in B/W mode, do not use "Blk background".
The currently selected background color is shown in the Status Area.
The three "Letter color" commands are Sequence Commands which are used
to select the display colors for your text lines when you are in color
mode. These commands have no effect in B/W mode. Selection of a
"Letter color" command causes subsequent text lines to be displayed in
one of the two indicated colors, depending on the palette that is
active. "Letter color G/C" produces green or cyan letters; "Letter
color R/M" produces red or magenta letters; "Letter color B/W" pro-
duces brown or white letters. Normally, you cannot mix colors within
a line of text, but see ADVANCED FEATURES for a way around this. On
some EGAs, colors may be different than those described above.
"Custom color ___" is a Sequence Command which allows you to create up
to twelve additional colors on a composite monitor. On the computer
monitor, custom colors will appear as thin stripes. See the CUSTOM
COLOR section for complete information about this command.
The following additional commands are accessed from the keyboard:
The F1 key activates one of the windows, allowing the commands in that
window to be scrolled with the cursor keys. The active window is
identified by a white border.
The F2 key loads a font from the program disk. Up to four fonts can
be loaded at a time for use in a sequence. When you press the F2 key,
you are prompted to enter a font number. Type a number between 1 and
4 and press RETURN. Then, you are prompted to enter the filename of
the font. Type the filename, press RETURN, and the font will be
loaded. Only one font can be loaded into each number at a time:
loading a new font into a given number will replace the previously
loaded font. The most recently loaded font becomes the default font
and its name and number are displayed in the Status Area beside the
word "Font". The default font can be changed with the 1, 2, 3 and 4
keys (see below). Also see the ADVANCED FEATURES section.
The F3 key loads a previously saved sequence into memory, clearing any
sequence that is currently in memory. You are prompted to enter the
filename of the sequence to be loaded: type the filename (preceded by
the drive designator and a colon, if needed) and press RETURN.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 10
The F4 key saves the sequence that is currently in memory to disk.
You are prompted to enter an 8-character filename: type the filename
(preceded by the drive designator, if needed) and press RETURN.
The F5 key displays the sequence that is currently in memory. You are
prompted to enter a scrolling speed for the scrolling portion of the
sequence: type a number between 1 and 10 (no need to press RETURN).
Next, you are prompted to enter "y" or "n" for Auto Repeat. Type the
appropriate letter. Finally, you are prompted to press RETURN twice,
after which the sequence will begin. To break out of a sequence
before it is completed, press ESC.
The F6 key clears the current sequence from memory. You are given a
chance to back out of this command, in case you selected it by
mistake. If you respond by pressing the Y key, the memory is cleared
and the memory indicator in the Status Area reads "26753".
The F7 key exits the program. You are given a chance to back out of
this command, in case you selected it by mistake. If you press the Y
key, the program ends and any sequence currently in memory is lost.
The F8 key displays a directory of all fonts and sequences that are on
the disk which you designate at the prompt.
The INS key opens up a space in the Sequence Window so you can insert
a new command. The space is opened up just prior to the command that
is currently on the Active Line.
The DEL key deletes the command that is currently on the Active Line
in the Sequence Window. Use this command carefully, because a deleted
command cannot be recovered: it can only be re-entered.
The UP ARROW and the DOWN ARROW keys (on the numeric keypad) scroll
the commands in the Command Window or the Sequence Window (only one
window can be active at a time).
The HOME and the END keys (on the numeric keypad) scroll instantly to
the beginning or the end of the command list in either the Command
Window or the Sequence Window.
The ESC key is used to break out of a sequence that is running, either
in normal or Auto Repeat mode. It may take a moment for the sequence
to abort, depending on what the computer is doing when you press the
key. When the sequence aborts, you are returned to the Work Screen,
with the next unexecuted command on the Active Line in the Sequence
Window.
The 1,2,3 and 4 number keys (the regular number keys, not the numeric
keypad) are used to change the default font. Press the key corres-
ponding to the font that you want to select. The number and name of
the default font appear in the Status Area. This is also a quick way
to see which fonts are currently loaded into which numbers.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 11
CREATING TITLE SEQUENCES
The first step is to write out a list of the commands that you will be
using in your sequence. For a scrolling sequence, the first command
is always "Scroll mode", followed by a series of color commands, text
lines and blank lines, and ending with about 25 blank lines so that
the last title scrolls completely off the top of the screen.
For a fixed sequence, the first text line for each title is placed at
the proper display line with the "Goto line" command. This is
followed by the remaining blank lines and text lines for that title.
Each title is separated from the next title by a "Pause" command and a
"Clear screen" command (unless an advanced transition is being used).
In a combination sequence, the |------------------------------------|
commands for fixed and scroll- | Clear screen |
ing sequences are combined, and | Tall height |
the "Scroll mode" and "Fixed | Letter color B/W |
mode" commands are used to | Goto line 8 |
change from one mode to the | Line of text: RAMBO XXIV: |
other. The commands in the box | Center justify |
to the right constitute a short | Pause for 2 seconds |
combination sequence which you | 1 Blank line |
can enter to become familiar | Line of text: TERROR IN SUN CITY |
with the creation process. | Center justify |
| Pause for 4 seconds |
Clear any sequence that is | Clear screen |
currently in memory and then | Normal height |
select the Command Window. | Scroll mode |
Enter the commands, one after | Letter color R/M |
another, by scrolling the | Line of text: STARRING |
appropriate command onto the | Underline |
Active Line in the Command | Line of text: SYLVESTER STONE |
Window and then pressing | Right justify |
RETURN. If additional input | 5 Blank lines |
is required for that command, | Letter color G/C |
type it in and press RETURN | Line of text: WITH |
again. Down in the Sequence | Underline |
Window, you will see the | Line of text: RICHARD CRUMMA |
sequence being assembled a | Right justify |
command at a time. | 25 Blank lines |
| Fixed mode |
When all of the commands have | Goto line 10 |
been entered, double-check that | Letter color B/W |
they are correct, and then | Line of text: DIRECTED BY |
display the sequence with a | Center justify |
scrolling speed of 3. Notice | 1 Blank line |
the effect of each command as | Line of text: STANLEY POOBRICK |
the sequence is displayed. | Center justify |
View it again, if necessary, | Pause for 4 seconds |
until you understand the rela- | Clear screen |
tionship between the commands | Pause for 5 seconds |
and the screen display. |------------------------------------|
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 12
After you view a new sequence, you may decide that it needs a little
editing to make it look more professional. To make a change to an
existing command, select the Sequence Window and scroll the command
you want to change onto the Active Line. Then, select the Command
Window, scroll the new command onto the Active Line and enter the new
command in the usual way. Once entered, the new command will replace
the old command in the Sequence Window. Even if the new command is
the same as the old command (for example, if you want to replace
"Pause for 4 seconds" with "Pause for 3 seconds"), you must re-enter
the new command, using the procedure just described. If you re-enter
a text line, you must also re-enter any "Justify" or "Underline"
commands that are associated with that text line.
If you want to delete a command altogether, scroll the unwanted
command onto the Active Line in the Sequence Window and press the DEL
key. If you want to insert a new command between two existing
commands, use the INS key. Pressing the INS key once will open up a
blank space on the Active Line and move all subsequent commands down
one space; pressing the INS key more than once will open up additional
blank spaces. New commands can then be entered into the spaces.
If you are editing a long sequence, use the "Label" and "Find label"
commands to move around more quickly within the list of commands. Use
the "Stop sequence" command or the ESC key to avoid viewing the entire
sequence when you only want to check out one portion of it. If you
want to move quickly to the beginning or the end of the command list
(in either window), use the HOME and END keys.
To get familiar with the editing process, make some changes to the
"Rambo" sequence that you just created: make the pauses longer or
shorter; change or delete some blank lines; add some new titles (if
you are using an EGA, you may need to shorten the scrolling portion of
the sequence). To get more practice in creating and editing titles,
re-load the "demo" sequence, display it a few times, and then tinker
with it. Once you are comfortable with the process, you are then
ready to create your own title sequences from scratch.
If you want to have a permanent copy of any of your masterpieces, use
the F4 key to save it to disk. VIDEO PRO-TITLER uses standard
filename rules: filenames may contain up to 8 characters (an extension
of .SEQ is automatically added); you cannot save two files to the same
disk with the same filename (the new file will always overwrite the
old file); if you want to save to or load from a disk drive other than
the default drive, precede the filename with the drive designator and
a colon (for example, b:rambo).
NOTE TO EGA USERS: By now, you should know which features of VIDEO
PRO-TITLER will work with your EGA and which will not. Take a few
minutes to analyze your limitations and determine how to optimize your
use of PRO-TITLER. For example, although you may not be able to
videotape your titles, and you may be limited to fixed titles, you can
still use this program for free-standing displays on your computer
monitor. Also, you will probably discover that most of PRO-TITLER's
Advanced Features (See Page 15) work just fine on your EGA.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 13
VIDEOTAPING TITLE SEQUENCES
In the section titled WORKING WITH COMPOSITE VIDEO, you learned about
the difference between what you see on your computer monitor and what
is recorded onto a VCR. Also, two types of computer-to-VCR hookups
were described.
Most VCRs now have a feature which allows you to re-record a new
section of video on top of a previously recorded section. This
feature is usually called "Video Dub" or "Insert", and it is the mode
that you want to use when you add PRO-TITLER's title sequences to your
videotapes. Different VCRs will have different instructions for using
"Video Dub", so refer to your owner's manual to set up for this type
of recording.
When everything is hooked up and set up properly, press the F5 key.
Answer the two prompts according to what you want to do, and then
press RETURN once. The screen will change to the background color
that you selected. Put your VCR into the "Video Dub" or "Insert"
mode, and when it starts to record, press RETURN to start the title
sequence. As the end of the sequence approaches, be ready to take
your VCR out of "Video Dub", so that you don't record the video
disruption that occurs when the computer returns to the Work Screen.
You should have provided a few extra seconds at the end of the title
sequence for this purpose.
The above procedure is recommended when titles are to be added to
existing video. If you are recording titles onto a blank video-
cassette (or, if you do not have a "Video Dub" mode on your VCR), use
the normal record mode as follows:
Press F5, answer the first two prompts and press RETURN. The selected
background color will appear. Put the VCR into "Record", wait about
5-20 seconds and then press RETURN to start the title sequence. When
the title sequence ends, take the VCR out of "Record" before the
computer returns to the Work Screen. If you are recording an Auto
Repeat sequence and you want to fill the videocassette with
repetitions, you can leave the VCR unattended; it will exit "Record"
when the tape runs out, and then it will rewind the tape.
NOTE: Most VCRs have a 1-2 second delay between the time that you
press the button to start recording or dubbing and the time that
recording or dubbing actually begins. Always take this delay into
consideration when you prepare to videotape your titles.
NOTE TO EGA USERS: If your EGA does not have a composite output, then
you will be unable to videotape your titles as described above. Even
if your EGA does support composite output, you may find that the
output differs from that of a CGA.
If you have read all of these last 14 pages, then you should know how
to use all of VIDEO PRO-TITLER's basic functions. The next section is
devoted to PRO-TITLER'S Advanced Features.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 14
ADVANCED FEATURES
Before you begin this section, you should view another demo sequence
that is on the disk with VIDEO PRO-TITLER. Press the F3 key and
answer the prompt by entering "advdemo". In order to view the
sequence properly, you must also load a special font which contains
some custom graphics characters. Press the F2 key and enter "1",
followed by the filename "advdemo" again (this is also the name of the
special font). Then, load the following three fonts:
2 - "nofrills"
3 - "mvice"
4 - "western"
Now, display the sequence, and you will see many of the fancier
effects that you can create with PRO-TITLER's advanced commands. Near
the end of the demo, you will see some custom color effects which will
only display properly on a composite monitor or a TV. If you are
using an EGA, the sequence may "hang up" during the final scrolling
segment. If this happens, press ESC to exit the sequence.
The success of most advanced features depends on your ability to place
characters onto the display screen with absolute precision. In order
to achieve such precision, you must first know exactly how much space
is taken up by each character, and then you must know how to plot the
position of each character on the display screen.
In other sections of this User's Guide, you learned that the PRO-
TITLER display screen consists of 25 horizontal lines, numbered 0 to
24. You also learned that a line of text occupies two of these lines
in normal height and four lines in tall height. In addition, each
blank line or underline occupies one display line in normal height and
two display lines in tall height. With this information, it is
possible to place a line of text exactly where you want it on the
display screen. However, in order to place individual characters with
such precision, you need more information about the display screen.
In addition to 25 horizontal lines, the display screen is divided into
40 vertical columns, numbered 1 to 40 from left to right. When these
lines and columns are plotted on a piece of paper, the resulting grid
consists of 1000 individual units. By knowing the number of units
occupied by each character, you can use the grid to plot the exact
location of any character on the display screen.
If you intend to use PRO-TITLER's advanced commands, you should
prepare a 25x40 plotting grid with the line numbers and column numbers
marked along the edges. Then, make copies of the grid and use the
copies whenever you are preparing an advanced command.
Nearly all of PRO-TITLER's characters are two lines high by two
columns wide (2x2). The following characters, which are 2x1, are the
only exceptions:
I 1 . , : ; " ! ( ) and space.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 15
When tall height has been selected, the height of all characters is
doubled (to 4x2 and 4x1), but the width remains the same.
With this information, you can use the 25x40 grid to plot the exact
position of any text line, as well as any character within that line.
If the line is left-justified, count the columns from the left; if the
text is right-justified, count from the right side of the grid. It is
also possible to determine the location of characters that have been
center-justified, but you will probably find it easier to center the
text yourself by entering blank spaces at the beginning of the text
line.
Now that you understand how to plot the location of text lines and
characters, you are ready to learn about the various commands and
techniques that you can use to create professional-looking advanced
effects within your titles. The following descriptions will make
frequent reference to the commands in the "advdemo" sequence, so be
sure you have that sequence in the Sequence Window before you read on.
The sequence contains over 550 commands, so make frequent use of the
"Find label" command to move among the sequence commands.
ANIMATION. The first two titles in "advdemo" are animated titles.
Animation is created by drawing, erasing and then re-drawing text
lines, allowing little or no pause time between the changes. Examine
the commands for the first line of the first title (Label 001 to Label
002), and you will see that precise plotting was essential for this
part of the title to work. The final position of the centered text
line was plotted on the 25x40 grid and the column location of each
letter was noted, along with the number of spaces between each letter
and the left edge of the grid. Then, as the text lines were entered
which would cause the letters to drop into place, the correct number
of spaces was inserted prior to each letter. Each text line was
erased by a "2 Blank lines" command before the next one was drawn.
The second line of the first title (Label 002 to Label 003) is much
simpler to create: the same line of text is just redrawn eight times,
with a new letter added each time and 12 spaces always inserted before
the letter P.
In the second title (Label 003 to Label 004), a "trail" is left behind
as each text line moves onto position. Then, the trail is erased by a
series of "Blank line" commands. As you have probably noticed by now,
it takes a lot of commands to create animation on VIDEO PRO-TITLER.
However, for other types of advanced features, there are special
commands which make the job quicker and easier.
TRANSITIONS. VIDEO PRO-TITLER offers seven built-in transitions with
which you can place fixed titles onto the screen or remove them from
the screen. These transitions are invoked with the "Transition"
command and will only affect the block of text that is currently
defined with the "Define block" command (if you've forgotten how
"Define block" works, refer to the COMMAND SUMMARY section). Each
transition can be executed at one of ten speeds:
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 16
1. "Slide in from the left" takes the currently defined text block and
slides it onto the screen from the left edge. Any text that is
already on the selected display line will be erased from the left.
2. "Slide in from the right" works the same as Transition 1, except
that the new text slides in from the right edge of the screen.
3. "Slide out to the right" places the currently defined text block
onto the screen (erasing any text that is currently in that
location) and slides it off the right edge of the screen.
4. "Slide out to the left" works the same as Transition 3, except that
the text slides off the left edge of the screen.
5. "Fade" places the currently defined text block onto the screen
gradually, creating a fade-in effect. Any text already on the
selected display line will be erased the same way, resulting in a
dissolve effect between the old and the new text lines.
6. "Wipe from inside" displays the currently defined text block from
the center outward to the edges (like a curtain opening). Any text
already on the selected line disappears behind the new text.
7. "Wipe from outside" works the same as Transition 6, except that the
new text is displayed from the edges toward the center (like a
curtain closing).
When you select the "Transition" command, you are first prompted to
enter the transition number (1-7) and then the transition speed (0-9,
with 0 being the fastest), before you enter it into the sequence.
Examples of various transitions can be found in the "advdemo"
sequence, between Labels 004 and 005. Note that a fade-out effect is
accomplished by first defining a blank text line (just press RETURN at
the prompt), and then displaying it with Transition 5 on top of the
text line to be faded out. Other examples of transitions are located
between Labels 008-009 and Labels 011-012.
MULTIPLE FONTS. You already know that you can have up to four fonts
in memory at a time, and that the default font is the font that is
displayed in the Status Area. When you display a sequence, the
default font is used, unless a different font is designated from
within the sequence. To change fonts from within a sequence, put a
"Use font __" command at the point where you want the new font to be
displayed. Subsequent text will be displayed in that font until
another "Use font" command is put into the sequence.
When you select "Use font __", you are prompted to enter a number
between 1 and 4. Type a number and then press RETURN to enter the
command into the sequence. Before you display a sequence, make sure
that a font is loaded into each number that is used in the sequence;
otherwise, some titles may display as "garbage" characters. Normally,
only one font can be used on each text line, but it is possible to mix
fonts on a line by using the "Draw block" command (see pages 18-19).
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 17
Examples of multiple fonts are scattered throughout the "advdemo"
sequence, but the best demonstration of this advanced feature is
located between Labels 005 and 006.
CUSTOM GRAPHICS. In the font called "advdemo", most of the custom
characters (as listed in the lower right portion of the Work Screen)
have been redefined to provide special graphics characters that are
unavailable in the other fonts. For example, the backslash, the tilde
and the slash, which are normally parts of a box, have been redefined
as the end, the middle and the front of a drag racer. The other three
box parts- }{| -have been redefined as an airplane towing a banner.
The airplane and its banner can be seen between Labels 003 and 004.
It moves across the screen by first using Transition 1 and then using
Transition 3. The drag racer is near the beginning of the Custom
Graphics display (Labels 006-007) and moves in the same way.
Another custom graphic, the starfield, is created with the three keys
that normally produce a double line: <>=. The < and > each produce a
different cluster of two stars, while the = produces a single star.
In the "advdemo" sequence, the starfield is created by seven text
lines containing the three symbols (mostly the =), separated by
spaces. The additional twinkling stars are created by the "Draw
block" command (see below).
Yet another custom graphic, called the "pulsar", consists of a series
of expanding boxes which are accessed with the square brackets and the
underline: []_. The pulsing effect is an animation created by cycling
through the three shapes. In the "advdemo" sequence, each text line
is drawn three times in a 15-cycle loop. The first and third lines
have the same pattern of change, while the second line is reversed.
One additional custom graphic is a left-pointing arrow (accessed with
the # key) that matches the right-pointing arrow (accessed with the +
key. Both types of arrows can be seen between Labels 010 and 011.
Also, the @ key has been redefined as a 2-column blank space (the
normal space, accessed by the space bar, is only one column wide).
See below for an example of how the 2-column space is used.
THE DRAW BLOCK COMMAND. When invoked, this command immediately
displays the currently defined text block at the current location on
the display screen. However, "Draw block" is unique in the way that
it displays characters. If a character is drawn on top of another
character that is already on the screen, two things will happen.
First, all pixels that are common to both characters will be turned
off; and second, all pixels that are unique to each character will
remain on. Thus, if a block L is drawn on top of a block H, the
resulting character will look a bit like an upsidedown F:
L H H F
L H H F
L HHHHHH FFFFF
L H H F
LLLLLL H H FFFF
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 18
If a character is drawn into a blank space, the character will display
normally, but if it is drawn a second time on top of itself, the
character will disappear. This is how some of the stars in the
starfield were made to twinkle (see Labels 006-007).
Blank spaces within a text block will cause no change when they are
drawn on top of existing text by "Draw block": the existing text will
still be displayed. This means that you can combine colors on a
single line by defining text blocks of each color and then placing all
of the text blocks on the same line. This effect is demonstrated in
the Multi-Color portion of the "advdemo" sequence (Labels 007-008),
using the special "advdemo" font. Note that the @ key is used to
create the 2-column blank spaces and the normal space is used to
create 1-column blank spaces. Examine the text blocks carefully and
you will see how this effect works. This same technique can be used
to mix fonts on a single line.
OTHER EFFECTS. Between Labels 007-008, a special type of flashing is
created by rapidly redrawing the same line of text in different
colors. Watch the pulsing colors in the lines, "16 Background
Colors", "Two Palettes" and "Two Intensities".
Words and lines are made to flash (Labels 009-010) by repeated use of
the "Draw block" command within a loop. In the same way, the
asterisks around the word "Glitter!" are made to flash while the word
changes color. The color effect in the words "Razzle Dazzle!" is
accomplished with "Wipe from inside" (Transition 6) at Speed 0.
The elaborate sequence between Labels 010 and 011 illustrates the use
of custom graphics with the "Slide in" transitions. Also included is
a variation of the "pulsar" effect. The brief scrolling title between
Labels 011 and 012 is followed by a special way to use the "Custom
color" command (see the next section).
NOTE TO EGA USERS: If your EGA does not support a composite output,
then you will be unable to use the Custom Color option that is
described on the next page. Even if your EGA provides a composite
output, you may find that Custom Color does not produce the exact
results described on the next page.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 19
CUSTOM COLOR
In addition to the four colors that are always present in color mode,
you can create up to 12 additional custom colors which will display on
a composite monitor. Thus, you can have as many as 16 different
colors on the screen at the same time, depending on your selection of
background color, palette and intensity.
Custom colors are created with the "Custom color ____" command. When
you select this command, you are prompted to enter an 8-digit number
in the format XYXYXYXY, where X is a number between 0 and 3 and Y is a
different number between 0 and 3. The numbers represent the current
display colors: 0 is the background color, 1 is the first color in the
selected palette (green or cyan), 2 is the second color in the palette
(red or magenta) and 3 is the third color in the palette (brown or
white). After entering the 8 alternating numbers, press RETURN to
enter the command into the sequence.
"Custom color" works just like the "Letter color" command, causing
subsequent text to be displayed in the selected color. On the
computer monitor, custom colors will appear as patterns of vertical
stripes, but on a composite monitor, the stripes will display as solid
colors that are different from the colors in the stripes. For
example, if you select "Custom color 02020202" and display it against
a black background, using the GRB palette at low intensity, the
alternating black and red stripes will display as a dark blue on the
composite monitor.
The 12 colors in the Custom Color Palette will differ according to the
background color, the intensity and the standard palette (GRB or CMW)
that are currently selected. Using every possible combination, you
can create as many as 64 Custom Color Palettes! The best way to
understand custom color is to see it. On the disk with VIDEO PRO-
TITLER is a sequence called "colorbar" which will display the 12
colors in the current Custom Color Palette (on a composite monitor
only), along with the number codes that produce those colors. By
changing the background, the intensity and the standard palette, you
can review all 64 Custom Color Palettes and decide which ones will
work for you.
You will quickly notice that certain fonts, when displayed in certain
custom colors, will appear slightly distorted. Also, certain color
combinations will produce completely unreadable characters, and within
some Custom Color Palettes, there will be a repetition of colors.
However, most Custom Color Palettes will provide you with 12
individual custom colors that will produce readable text.
There is an additional "fun-type" effect that can be produced with the
"Custom color" command. If you enter the number codes in the format
XXXXYYYY, you will create striped titles on both the composite monitor
and the computer monitor! See the last title in the "advdemo"
sequence for an example of this effect.
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 20
FONTS, DEFAULTS AND FILES
FONTS. VIDEO PRO-TITLER has been supplied with eight resident
typestyles (fonts). The filename for each font is given below, along
with a brief description of each font:
NOFRILLS - a thick block style font.
ROMAN - a standard serif font similar to the words on this page. *
GOTHIC - a sans-serif font like the words on Pepsi cans. *
MVICE - a fancy style like the titles on "Miami Vice".
WESTERN - a decorative font like the titles on "Bonanza".
COMPUTER - a popular "high-tech" style.
PTITLER - the style used on the VIDEO PRO-TITLER title screen.
ADVDEMO - a thin block style with custom graphics characters in
place of the usual custom characters. *
The * designates fonts which display in greater detail in B/W mode.
On the disk with PRO-TITLER is a 30-second sequence called "viewfont".
This sequence will display all of the characters in the current
default font for your examination.
DEFAULTS. When you first load and run VIDEO PRO-TITLER, the following
default commands are in effect:
B/W mode GRB palette
LGy background Letter color G/C
Low intensity Normal height
Fixed mode Left justify
The NOFRILLS font is loaded into 1, but there are no fonts in 2, 3 or
4. There is no sequence loaded; all available memory is free. The
Command Window is the active window.
FILES. The following files are included with VIDEO PRO-TITLER:
PT.BAT -- A batch file which runs TITLE.COM and PROTITLE.COM.
TITLE.COM -- The file which displays the title screen.
PROTITLE.COM -- The main VIDEO PRO-TITLER program.
DEMO.SEQ -- A sequence demonstrating PRO-TITLER's basic features.
ADVDEMO.SEQ -- Demonstrates PRO-TITLER's advanced features.
EGADEMO.SEQ -- A modified demo for EGA users.
COLORBAR.SEQ -- Displays the current Custom Color Palette.
VIEWFONT.SEQ -- Displays the characters in the default font.
PRINT.ME -- The file which printed this User's Guide.
NOFRILLS.FON --|
ROMAN.FON |
GOTHIC.FON |
MVICE.FON |-- Resident fonts.
WESTERN.FON |
COMPUTER.FON |
PTITLER.FON |
ADVDEMO.FON --|
Video Pro-Titler User's Guide Page 21
