------------------------------------------------------------------------- README.TXT FOR HOP - FRACTALS IN MOTION Version 2.0 / 1994-99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 1994/99 Michael Peters & Randall Scott. All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOP draws beautiful abstract images and real-time animations, based on "strange attractor" formulas, enhanced by mathematical and graphical special effects. In more than one way, HOP is different from other fractal programs. At least you should read the QUICK START file (quckstrt.txt) to get an idea of what HOP is, how it works, and how to play with it without a steep learning curve. Read the HOP AND WINDOWS file (windows.txt) to find out how to set up HOP (which is not a Windows, but a DOS program) for use in Microsoft Windows, as a Windows screensaver, etc. Read the HOP'S USER INTERFACE text (interfac.txt) if you want to learn HOP in depth. It contains a detailed description of all menus, hotkeys, the palette editor, command line parameters, etc. Visit HOP's website http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MPeters ------------------- If you haven't already done so, be sure to visit HOP's website for the latest updates, more information, online support, and a colorful gallery. If you like HOP, why don't you tell everybody by writing something in HOP's online guestbook! Upgrading from an earlier version --------------------------------- If you have an earlier version of HOP, simply install the new version over the old version. However, if you have created parameter files with the old version, you might consider making a backup copy of the old version (e.g. by renaming the old HOP directory to HOPOLD before installing the new version). The new version isn't entirely compatible with the old version: Parameter files employing the 'Plankton' formula will look somewhat different than they used to, and have to be modified to recreate the old look. If you have registered HOP, enter HOP REGISTER to enter your registration number. If you have lost it, contact one of the authors; we'll be glad to help you. Revision History ---------------- 1.0 8-94 Initial version 1.1 10-94 minor bug fixes (and changed rotation hotkeys) 1.2 11-94 more minor bug fixes (and changed Internet/CIS addresses) 1.3 4-95 even more minor bug fixes, some more new pixel types, new line types and 'ants' 2.0 1-99 this took a long time ... The new version features lots of new formulas and effects, too numerous to mention here. The DOS screensaver module HOPSVR was thrown away because very few people need a screensaver for DOS nowadays - instead, the main HOP.EXE program does the screensaving. Installmax, a very nice installation program for DOS programs, was used to create an easier setup. Hardware Requirements --------------------- A SuperVGA adapter/screen (unfortunately, HOP - being a DOS program - is not compatible with some of the newer video cards). A mathematical coprocessor (that is, you need at least a 486 PC). About 525k of free conventional memory are necessary to run HOP. If you open a DOS window and type MEM or CHKDSK, you will see if you have enough left. If not, HOP won't run and you'll have to find ways to free some more memory. Installation ------------ If you have come this far, you have already installed HOP. HOP should be installed in its own directory (e.g. C:\HOP), and if you use Windows, you should have a new program group and icons to start HOP. When starting for the first time, HOP tries to configure itself for your video hardware. This will take a minute, and you have to press keys, but it is a prerequisite for successful functioning. (This step is similar to the display configuration in Windows.) In case you aborted this step, and need to rerun it, read this: Initial video configuration --------------------------- For each of eight possible resolutions, HOP will try display the message 'Press Enter if you can read this' in graphics mode. If you can read the message (it might take a second until it comes up), press Enter to confirm. If you can't read anything, or the image is distorted, press the Escape key. You are walked through all of the eight resolutions. Press Enter or Escape as described until HOP returns you to your operating system. (You can also use the cursor keys to retry a resolution.) HOP will store the results of the test in its HOP.INI file. You can change the current resolution anytime later by pressing m or M, or by choosing a resolution from a menu. If your hardware situation changes (or if you install a VESA driver), you should rerun the video installation. This can also be done from the menu (see below) or by simply deleting the HOP.INI configuration file. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The authors assume no responsibility for any damage or loss caused by the use of this program. THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISTRIBUTION -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the sole copyright holders of HOP, Michael Peters and Randall Scott reserve all rights to the program. However, the shareware version of HOP may be freely distributed by commercial vendors, user groups, the Internet, or individuals, with the following restrictions: - HOP must be distributed in unmodified form (as a self-extracting and self-installing HOP_20.EXE file) in its entirety. No other programs or files may be included (except additional parameter file collections). - Copies of HOP may only be distributed if they are unregistered (i.e. if HOP's intro screen says "unregistered shareware version"). - HOP may not be included in combination with any other software or hardware product as an enticement or for any other reason, without special permission from the authors. - No fee or payment may be charged or accepted for HOP, other than a small disk distribution fee. - HOP cannot be rented or leased. - HOP may not be packaged or distributed with any of its supporting documentation pre-printed for the end-user. - HOP may not be described in catalogs or promotional material as "public domain" or "free" software. - Any advertising and/or packaging must explain the shareware concept and the obligations associated with continued use of shareware. Commercial vendors who wish to distribute HOP should contact HOP's authors (or visit the HOP website) to ensure that they have the latest version. Contact one of the authors for details on site licenses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOP HOP - FRACTALS IN MOTION HOPSVR Copyright (c) Michael Peters and Randall Scott HOPTSR.EXE (not part of the 2.0 version) and HOPSVR.SCR Copyright (c) Andrew Cramer BLANKER (not part of the 2.0 version) Copyright (c) Peter Wansch GIF The Graphics Interchange Format(c) is the copyright property of CompuServe Incorporated. GIF(sm) is a Service Mark property of CompuServe Incorporated. LHA Copyright (c) Haruyasu Yoshizaki, 1988-91 InstallMax Windows/DOS Installer Copyright (c) Stillpoint Software, Ed Jordan -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barry Martin 'invented' (or rather: discovered) Hopalong fractals. Barry is from Aston University, Birmingham/England. A.K.Dewdney wrote the 'Wallpapers for the Mind' article about Barry's fractals in the 9/1986 issue of Scientific American. * Hop includes software from: Andrew Cramer [70670,3620] [aic@world.std.com] wrote the HOPTSR screensaver shell program for DOS and Windows (for more information read the screensaver section of this manual) Peter Wansch [p.wansch@ieee.org] wrote BLANKER for OS/2 and customized a small version of it for Hop Bob Berry [76555,167] and Rob Crockett [76167,1561] wrote the GIF encoding module Michael Day [70007,4645] wrote the VESA compatible SuperVGA drivers Jordan Hargrave [72510,1143] wrote the SuperVGA drivers that run Hop on VESA incompatible systems Dave Kirsch [zoid@cc.sfu.ca] designed the 'Norton' style mouse cursor D. J. Murdoch [72537,1154] translated Dave Kirsch's C code into Pascal Tim Wegner [71320,675] modified Bret Mulvey's Plasma algorithm Sean Wenzel [71736,1245] wrote the GIF decoding module * Coauthors: Randy Scott [Internet: ras@acca.nmsu.edu][Fidonet: 1:305/102] contributed image save/restore routines, the help system, the palette editor, the registration mechanism ... and countless other parts of the HOP machinery. He also helped to shape the general program architecture. Simon Walker [100026,1137] contributed EGA routines, 3-D geometry, and invaluable moral support in HOP's early days. * Programming help: Thanks to Juan Jimenez, Pat Ritchey, J.W. Rider, K. Barthelmess, John Leier, Neil J. Rubenking, Paul Andre LeBlanc, Steve Schafer, Charlie Calvert, Kim Kokkonen, Scott Bussinger, D.W.Mitchell, and Michael Day (from Compuserve's BPASCAL forum and the TeamB group). * and finally ... thanks to Sabine for love and patience Christiane Eichler, Jon Horner, Ted Hudek for beta testing and manual proofreading Norbert Meder and Lisa Lang for time, money, and hardware Olaf Koch for turning me on to the 'Net' Bradley Beacham for donating color maps --------------------------------------------------------------------------eof