Pict2ppat™ allows one to create desktop patterns (aka 'ppat') from any PICT file for use with a desktop pattern applying program. The user can zoom-in/select all/ zoom-out/scroll any portion of a picture and create a ppat from it in either grayscale (when applicable), or colors. Pict2ppat™ is great for viewing PICT/PICT2 files also.
Have you ever wanted to plaster a picture of your girlfriend or boyfriend or kids on your desktop? Well, if you have the image saved in PICT or PICT2 format (which can be done from almost any paint program), and a desktop pattern applying program that allows you to import ppats, you can. Simply open the picture with Pict2ppat™, select/zoom any portion of it, sample it to see what it will look like on the desktop, then create the ppat(s). You're done! Now import the ppat(s) from the newly created ppat file with your favorite desktop pattern applying program. The ppat file will be created in the same folder that Pict2ppat™ resides in, and can hold more than 2000 patterns! There are currently 3 supported pattern sizes, those that I thought were the most popular: 32 x 32, 64 x 64, and 128 x 128. You may select these sizes on-the-fly before creating your ppat. See the online help provided in Pict2ppat™ for details.
1. Any version of System 7 and a 68020 CPU or better.
(and about 1800k of free RAM to run it in Thousands or > of colors.)
2. I highly recommend the QuickTime™ extension (init) version 1.5 or later.
This extension is available from Apple, for free, however they do have some rules governing its use, which I won't get into. You may download the latest version of QuickTime™ from America On-line in the “Operating Systems Forum.” I'm sure it's also available at other FTP sites across the Internet.
Why do I need QuickTime™? Well, if you download a bunch of GIF, JPEG, PICT/PICT2 images from the internet or wherever, you will find that some images have been saved in PICT format by a photo-JPEG viewing/creating application. How will you know? If you don't have QuickTime™ version 1.5 or later, you won't see much in the image when you open it with Pict2ppat™. More than likely, you'll see nothing but white, instead of the image. This has been my experience with QuickTime™ version 1.0 installed. If QuickTime™ is NOT installed, you can still use Pict2ppat™ with all of the features running, however, if you do bump into a photo-JPEG image saved as a PICT file, you should see either:
A. The QuickTime™ logo as the PICT itself in black and white.
B. An appropriate message indicating that QuickTime™ is required to view the image.
All other images will display normally.
How will I know if QuickTime™ is installed on my system?
Pict2ppat™ will tell you immediately after you launch it if QuickTime™ is NOT installed.
You can also look inside the “Extensions Folder,” which is inside your “System Folder”.
The default memory requirement for Pict2ppat™ is 1800k, set for a monitor displaying Thousands of colors, albeit most of us only have the capability to display 256 colors.
The memory setting really depends on 2 things:
1. The size of the image you are trying to view.
2. The current Monitor Control Panel setting (# of colors that you are displaying when you boot your Mac).
I highly recommend that you don't decrease the memory requirements for Pict2ppat™ unless you absolutely have to. 1800k is the bare minimum for a monitor that is displaying Thousands of colors. If your running your monitor at 256 colors, then you should be okay with 1000k to 1200k, again this depends on the size of the images you are trying to view.
° Pict2ppat™ is shareware. This means that if you use it, please pay for it. I am asking $10.00 per copy. It was extremely difficult to write; in all honesty from start to finish it took me close to a year. Please register your copy through the “Other” menu, and support shareware.
° If you need help using the controls, please locate the help dialog inside Pict2ppat™ under the “Other” menu. You will also find general help, tips and hints for using Pict2ppat™ most effeciently, under the same menu.
° Pict2ppat™ does not apply its patterns to the desktop. You will need a program that does this. My favorite control panel that allows this is : UnderWare™ from Bit Jugglers Inc. UnderWare™ is also a screen saver with some pretty cool modules, more desktop patterns, and best of all, it's desktop animation! All that I have to do is drag my new “ppat File ” into UnderWare's “Patterns Folder” and it imports all of them at once. It makes life real easy.
Other shareware programs I currently support and upload directly to America On-line and Compuserve:
All programs below require system 6.0.4 or better.
AreaCodeFinder™ 3.1 - a database filled with over 2400 cities and area codes, with a capacity of 43000 cities that you may add/delete. Virgin Islands and Canada supported, along with a map that shows where the area code is located, and the current time in that area code. It has also been included on Micro WareHouse's “Power User's Tool Kit™” version 22.0, which is compiled by Mac guru, Steven Bobker.
FastNotes!™ 1.1 - A simple DA-type application designed to drop into your Apple Menu (system 7.x users) for quick jotting/copying/pasting of to-do type information. All notes are kept in the mini-database by topic in a list format. Simply click on the topic in the list, and the note that you previously saved is displayed.
FoneMate™ 1.8 - An application also designed for your Apple Menu(system 7.x users) to store phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Holds up to 1000 entries. Great for frequently used phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
