==========================================================================

                    GoDot - C64 Image Processing System

==========================================================================

                          Demonstration Version
                        (c) Magna Media Verlag AG
                             Munich,Germany

==========================================================================

                            NO WARRANTY

1. BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.  EXCEPT WHEN
OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES
PROVIDE THE PROGRAM "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  THE ENTIRE RISK AS
TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU.  SHOULD THE
PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING,
REPAIR OR CORRECTION.

2. IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR
REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,
INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER
PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.


  This archive contains a full working copy of the program, but lacks the
ability to export your work. The complete version will be distributed on
on the Magna Media C64 CD ROM in 1995. If you can`t wait to get hold of a
full working version, contact

                            ERDEM Development
                            Postfach 1823
                            D-84471 Waldkraiburg
                            Germany

                            Tel.: 08638-967070
                            Fax : 08638-967055

                 order      "64`er Sonderdiskette `93"
                            Bestell-Nr. 11401

                            Price: ca. 20,- DM + P&P

 Programmers ask for an optional package containing all sources and a
 printed reference guide.

 The documentation and tutorials for GoDot have been published in the
 german magazine "64er".

 Please read the `Savers` section for information about export modules.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 How to install the GoDot Demo Package
 -------------------------------------

The files in the archive are selfextracting programs. You need to transfer
them to a 15xx disk, then load them as a basic program. Be shure to have a
blank, formatted disk before running them.

 System requirements
 -------------------

GoDot needs at least a C64 and a 15xx or compatible floppy drive (incl.
any type of CMD drive). It will also work with a C128(D) in C64 mode
and can take advantage of the VDC ram (16 or 64k). Additional drives are
recognized and supported, as is any type of CBM ram expansion units. The
Pagefox module ram is the only third party ram type currently supported,
there are special modules to launch the Pagefox software from the GoDot
program without loosing your work. Additional ram may be used as a data
backup buffer (not VDC16k), as alternative visual output (VDC only) and/
or as silicon disk for the program`s modules (CBM REUs only).Some modules
to support third party in/output hardware such as scanners, video digiti-
zers and printers (9-24pin, color and b/w) are available as part of the
GoDot package, others as public domain or shareware. GoDot can be used by
mouse, joystick or keyboard.

Pagefox is (c) Scanntronik

 The GoDot GUI
 -------------

If you know ART DEPARTMENT PROFESSIONAL (c) by Elastic Reality, it will
be easy for you to use GoDot because it uses a similar GUI layout. If
you don`t, go and buy it, it is a wonderful peace ;-) of software with
many functions not found in many so called high end software packages.


  +--------------------------------+--------------+---------------+
  |               install loader   | redisplay    | program info  |
  +-----------------------------------------------+---------------+
  |               install saver    | load picture | save picture  |
  +--------------------------------+              +---------------+
  |                                |              | end program   |
  |         +----------------------+------------------------------+
  |         |  change dither type  |                              |
  +--------------------------------+                              |
  |    activate balancing window   |              +---------------+
  +--------------------------------+              |               |
  |    activate palette window     |              |   picture     |
  +--------------------------------+              |   preview     |
  | toggle  display mode           |              |               |
  +--------------------------------+--------------+---------------+
  |                | colors used   |                              |
  |                +---------------+------------------------------+
  |                | clip on/off   |          install module      |
  +----------------+---------------+------------------------------+
  |     render new display         |   execute module             |
  +--------------------------------+------------------------------+



 Understanding GoDot
 -------------------

The software consists of different types of files, all being handled by
a main program routine.

- godot            : launches the system, the launch drive (8-11) will be
                     set as SYStem drive, unless a REU was recognized
- god.ini          : editable preferences
- god.main         : yep!
- god.set          : program data
- god.upmem        : the render routines
- dev.REU          : the ram disk device handler
- ini.blah         : optional preferences file 
                     may be used by `LOAD"GODOT",8:"BLAH"
                     ...yes it works, and it would have worked in 1983 !

 Loaders
 -------

To import pictures, GoDot needs at least one loader module (LDR.BLAH).
There are loaders for C64 type pictures such as Koala, Doodle and other
commercial paint packages, but also for several file types generated by
some editors using enhanced display routines (FLI/IFLI).
GoDot has access to foreign file types as well, currently supported are
Amiga ILBM (2-4096 colors), PCX (2-256 colors) and Atari Degas (2 colors)
Once data has been stored in the GoDot 4BIT format, it can be reimported
via the 4BIT loaders while being merged, overlayed or mixed with existing
pictures.

 Savers
 ------

To export pictures, GoDot needs at least one saver module (SVR.BLAH).
The demonstration version contains only the saver for the internal GoDot
4BIT file format, the full package will provide savers for

           - CBM hires and multicolor bitmaps
           - Koala
           - Doodle
           - Geos
           - Plus4 multicolor
           - Amiga ILBM
           - PCX
           - various (I)FLI types
           - and many others ...

 Modules
 -------

The whole picture data is stored in a 32000 byte buffer, containing a
320 x 200 16 color image. Actually GoDot is using 16 shades of gray, but
as every c64 color is assigned to a gray level, colors may also be
processed by special modules. If the saturation level of your monitor
or TV set is turned down to a minimum, only 9 different levels of gray
can be identified, a fact some software developers should have thought of.
The image data can now be processed by different modules (MOD.BLAH).
There are some modules providing functions as seen on high level image
processing systems (look at the mighty convolve module), but also C64
specific modules for enhancing visual output.

 Well...
 -------

For additional information see the c64 format readme module. From now on,
you are on your own. Feel free to fiddle around with all supplied modules,
try to create beautyful pictures never seen on your C64. If you like it
and you do want more, buy the whole package. The development has not been
stopped, and there are a bunch of third party programmers who have already
produced some amazing add-ons such as a direct Amiga-C64 transfer module
and a SIRDS generator. If you have any suggestions, don`t hesitate to
contact us (see the GoDot readme module).


 BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!
 --------------------

As you might have noticed, some modules are marked with a point. These are
SYStem modules, because they do not change any image data, but the system
parameters.

           - .PatternEd        will modify the dither pattern
           - .NewPointer       will install a new mouse pointer
           - .FirstDrive       will change the system path
           - .FileType         will try to identify a chosen file

and...     - .FileCopy         is a two (any type) drive filecopy program





THIS DOCUMENT IS A ONE PASS WORK. AS I AM NOT A NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER,
THERE MAY BE SOME PARTS WHICH NEED CORRECTIONS. DO IT IF YOU THINK YOU
HAVE TO, BUT DON`T TELL ME !




             Have Fun With GoDot!


                                        Wolfgang Kling & Arndt Dettke

