
             (Command & Conquer  Anime-Player)
                           ==
                       Version 1.3
                          ----
            (C) Copyright 1997 by Buffoni Mirko



 In this packet you must have :

   VID.BAT        -  Batch file to run the executable
   C&C_ANIM.COM   -  Executable conversion utility
   C&C_ANIM.TXT   -  This documentation
   Gdi_Anim.DAT   -  GDI database file
   Nod_Anim.DAT   -  NOD database file
   All_Anim.DAT   -  Allied database file
   Sov_Anim.DAT   -  Soviet database file

 This product is distributed as is.  Use it at your own
 risk.  The author is not responsable of any damage caused
 by using this program.  However C&C_ANIM is well tested,
 and should not have problems running on a standard IBM PC
 or 100% compatibles.  You cannot modify or sell this
 program without permission written by the author.



 0. Hacker's notes

    Hi. I am Nyerguds. I did some things to this program to make it
    more user friendly:
    -First of all, I hex edited C&C_ANIM.COM so that it uses .DAT
     files as data files instead of .MIX files.
     I found it really annoying that they were called .MIX, since
     they aren't C&C MIX-file at all.
    -Secondly, I added the batch file VID.BAT. Because of the hex
     editing in C&C_ANIM.COM, it says
          Usage:  C&C_ANIM.COM  [Drive:][path]MAIN.dat
     Of course, this was originally "MAIN.MIX" instead of "MAIN.dat".
     However if ou run the batch file, you will not only get "MIX-file"
     instead of the "MAIN.dat" (it doesn't have to be MAIN.MIX), you
     will also get a help screen that shows the internal hotkeys of
     the program.
    So far for the extra stuff... now read the rest of the file :)
    If you have any questions, my e-mail is <nyerguds@tiscalinet.be>
    I don't think Buffoni's e-mail adress will still work...

 1. What's C&C_ANIM?

    C&C_ANIM is an utility to view animation movies taken from
    Command & Conquer, Command & Conquer: Covert Operations
    and expecially Command & Conquer: Red Alert.
    You can also save the soundtrack into a separated file
    and take screenshots of each frame, and watch the movie
    at different speed (also moviola).

 2. Why should I use C&C_ANIM?

    Well... first of all this program is part of the C&C
    utility pack I did (the others two are for extraction
    of sounds and sprites).  The reasons why I did it are
    various:  I always wanted to figure out how Westwood stored
    tons of good animation in so little space.
    And think that with this program you'll be able to see
    animations even on a 386 computer, without extended memory.
    I was very frustrated when saw that C&C didn't run on my
    old 486 with ISA-VGA card.
    Now with this little utility you'll can see animation
    movies taken from all C&C games without spending time
    playing the game (but I hint you to play it because it's
    Super!!!).

 3. Is this software freeware?

    This program is freeware for non-commercial purposes.  If
    you think it's worth contributing a small amount towards,
    then please do so...  it would be GREATLY appreciated.  I
    will also accept manga (japanese comics), and NewAge CDs.
    I'm also interested in programming emulators.  Now I'm into
    arcade emulation software, so I will accept hints/schematics
    and useful infos about this.  Don't hesitate, please ;)
    Sorry for the interface... I don't have the time to code a
    better one.   Don't do anything that is beyond the
    logic.  Don't expect other releases of this program, at least
    until you don't find something that let me change idea :>

 4. Is this program full tested?

    This program was tested using Command & Conquer .MIX files.
    This version will not substitute MIXMAN, so you can only
    view animation movies or save soundtrack into a
    separated file.  Again one time, I'm not sure this is the
    right decompression method.  Indeed there are 2-3 movies
    in which I have problems.  I'll try to fix those problems
    as soon I will have time to go for it.
    Send any comments to my email address.

 5. How to use it

    I didn't have the time to code also an on-line help, so
    here is how to use my program.  At command line type:

    C&C_ANIM.COM  [Drive:][Path]Main.Mix

    Where drive and path specifies where Red Alert CD Main.MIX
    is located.  Note that the program can handle old C&C .MIX
    files too.  I included database for GDI and NOD too.  You
    can also see the movies from Covert Operation without using
    a database.  The difference is that you will not have the
    descriptions and the loading time will be a little higher.

    Once inside, you can view an animation movie simply pressing
    ENTER key.  While watching you can press ENTER to freeze the
    movie.  In this condition you can press any key to see the
    movie frame by frame, or press ENTER to restart playing it.
    F1 to F10 keys will change replay speed.  Pressing Alt-S will
    save current frame in PCX format to the default output path.

    You can save a soundtrack file simply pressing ALT-S.
    If there isn't a database, default DOSNAME will be
    SOUNDxxx.SND, where xxx is Hex for .MIX minifile index
    number.  By default, target directory will be C:\, but
    you can change it pressing Alt+P.  You can change also
    the DOSNAME pressing Alt+D.  Pressing 'D' key you can
    edit description, but in this version you won't be able to
    save the database.  Any other cursor key will let you scroll
    through the list.  Note that if the selected item isn't an
    animation file, no operation will be done.

           D   :  Edit description
       Alt+D   :  Edit Dosname
       Alt+P   :  Edit destination path
       Alt+S   :  Save soundtrack for current animation
       Enter   :  Play animation

        F1-F10 : Change Replay Speed
         Enter : Toggle moviola mode
         Alt-S : Save current frame in moviola mode

         Esc   :  Guess!!! :>


 ===============================================================
 Command & Conquer, Covert Operations and Red Alert are programs
 by Westwood Studios, a division of Virgin Interactive Games.
 ===============================================================

  Big thanks to Westwood Staff.  Only one word to say them:
  " Try to code better.  I don't believe that a game requires
    tons of virtual memory to run, nor dream hardware.
    Remember that Galaga fits in only 27Kb!! "

  A kiss to Kia Huntzinger (My loved E.V.A. voice).

  And expecially thanks to TFx for helping me in optimizing of
  decompression routine, and for his superb TFEXE executable
  file compressor.

  =============================================================
  Some info about the author:  24 years old student of Computer
  Science at Statal University in Milan.  Actually specialyzing
  Computer Music.  Hobbies :  music (obvious!), playing piano,
  guitar, experimenting synth sounds, cryptography, just began
  emulation world, accanite anime-manga fan.
  Best music artists in alphabetical order:  Enya, Dire-Straits,
  Jean-Michel Jarre, Kevin Moore, Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd,
  Purple Motion, Sakamoto, Vangelis, Yanni.
  =============================================================
  Check out my personal web page at the following URL:

         http://lim.dsi.unimi.it/curr/mix

  You can reach me via e-mail by writing at :

         mix@lim.dsi.unimi.it

  You can send me a postcard or trade manga/comics/cd to my home
  address:

          Buffoni Mirko
          via XXIV Maggio, 5
          Ponte S. Pietro (BG)
          24036 - ITALY
