WCONVERT
Wildcat! 3.x Display File Conversion Utilities
Distributed as Shareware
Copyright (c) 1991-92
Thomas Gettys
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Overview
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome! You have in your hands an invaluable (and unique!)
tool that dramatically eases the task of generating and
modifying display files for version 3.x of Wildcat. This tool is
comprised of two complimentary programs, SCR2BBS and BBS2SCR.
BBS2SCR will convert any Wildcat 3.x display file into a format
that can be used with any ANSI editor, giving you the power to
SEE what you are doing while you design or modify a screen!
Once you have placed each item exactly where you want it and in
the colors you want, use SCR2BBS to convert your creation back
into the format that Wildcat 3.x understands.
-=(*)=-
Although you may not have paid anything to get this copy of
WCONVERT, it is not free. WCONVERT is distributed as shareware.
Shareware is a form of distribution which gives users a chance to
try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and
continue to use it, you are expected to register it.
You are granted a limited license to use WCONVERT for evaluation
purposes. If you decide to continue using it, you must register
your copy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SCR2BBS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SCR2BBS will convert Wildcat 2.x color display files (those
with the .SCR extension) to the new Wildcat 3.x display file
format.
That is, the version 2.x control character sequences are re-
placed by their equivalent version 3.x @-codes, as well as the
conversion of ANSI escape sequences for colors (and some cursor
positioning).
More importantly, SCR2BBS will also aid the design of new dis-
play files, by allowing you to continue to use an ANSI draw
program (e.g., THEDRAW), and then convert your new creation for
use in the Wildcat environment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BBS2SCR
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The second component is the complement of SCR2BBS, named,
(quite cleverly), BBS2SCR. This program actually performs two
functions.
First, it allows you to view a Wildcat version 3.x display file
as your users would see it (i.e. in color). Very handy for
verifying that it looks the way you intended it to!
Also, by re-directing the output into a file, you can capture
the results for additional editing using your favorite ANSI
draw program.
This function is vital in order to close-the-loop; using only
text mode characters for color screens is nice in one way, but
without a means for designing such screens, viewing the results,
and then modifying them easily later, it becomes a one-way trap
(as you no doubt have found out!).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Invocation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Syntax: SCR2BBS SrcFile [DstFile]
SrcFile is the name of the file to be converted, and DstFile
is the name of the converted file. If DstFile is not provid-
ed, it will have the same name as the source file, but take the
extension BBS.
The default file extension for the source file is SCR, and for
the destination file it is BBS.
For example, the following commands are all equivalent, taking
the file MAIN5.SCR as input, and generating as output the file
MAIN.BBS:
SCR2BBS MAIN5
SCR2BBS MAIN5.SCR
SCR2BBS MAIN5 MAIN5
SCR2BBS MAIN5 MAIN5.BBS
SCR2BBS MAIN5.SCR MAIN5.BBS
Syntax: BBS2SCR SrcFile [>DstFile]
SrcFile is the name of the file to be converted. The default
file extension for the source file is BBS. The output is sent to
the standard output device.
Thus, if you wish to see a Wildcat display file named FILE9.BBS
as the use would see it, just enter the command BBS2SCR FILE9.
If desired, the output can be redirected into a file, using the
standard DOS redirection construct: ">filename.ext". The file
can then be edited, using a program that supports ANSI con-
trol codes (again, such as THEDRAW).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SCR2BBS Processing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SCR2BBS will convert the embedded control character sequences
used by Wildcat 2.xx into the @-delimited strings used by Wildcat
3.xx.
Additionally (and more importantly!), it will translate ANSI
color ESC sequences into @-delimited strings used by Wildcat
3.xx; it will also correctly handle some of the cursor
positioning ESC sequences often found in files generated by
THEDRAW.
If a control or ESC sequence is encountered that is not support-
ed and/or not interpretable in the context in which it is
found, an error message is output to the screen. The offending
codes will simply be skipped over and processing will continue.
SCR2BBS should convert most files properly, but in some cases
the generated file may require a small amount of massaging;
almost always it is a simple matter of joining lines, using your
favorite text editor.
Note, however, that ANSI files that uses animation can NOT
be converted, for the simple reason that there are no Wildcat
3.xx codes for cursor positioning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BBS2SCR Processing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I decided to convert only the Wildcat v3.x "@xx@" color codes
into their equivalent ANSI escape sequences, in order to have the
least impact on your files (i.e., I didn't want to remove any
System nor User Codes that you had embedded, so that they would
remain, following any subsequent editing).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you have PROBLEMS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you use THEDRAW, load the original file and then save it
using the "None" option for "line length". This has cor-
rected all problems known to-date (NOTE: if the source file
contains Wildcat 2.xx control codes, you will have to repair
them (as before!) after handling by THEDRAW).
If you have a file that resists conversion, upload it to
the MicroManiac! BBS @ (303) 673-9470 and I will assist.
Questions, suggestions, requests can be left for me at same, or
on Compu$erve (72730,2013).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Registration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you find WCONVERT useful and you continue to use it, you are
required to make a registration payment of $15. Upon receipt of
your registration you will be sent a disk with the most recent
version which has, of course, no requests for registration in it!
Your feedback is most welcome; if you have any suggestions on how
WCONVERT could be improved to better meet your needs, please be
sure to include a note when you register.
As always, support of a shareware program (by the author)
is determined by the support of the program (by its users); i.e.,
it's a two-way street!
Send to: Thomas Gettys
700 Snowberry Ct.
Lafayette, CO 80026