10/08/2005                                           	  Version 0.231
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Title		: GP2TrackColorPreview v0.231 [development version]
Filenames	: GP2TRACKCOLORTOOL.EXE .............. the program file
                  GP2FORM.TXT ........................... this document
		  GRAYSCALES.TCC ................ Set of commands to be 
		                                  loaded in the program
Author		: Oliver Kirsch
Email Address	: oli@unprofessional.info
Homepage	: http://www.gp2.unprofessional.info
Description	: I was playing around with that "change color in GP2-
		  palette Cmd" in the TE. I thought it could be a nice
		  idea to see what you would get in GP2 when making 
		  changes on these cmds. At this time I also thought 
		  it couldn't be so hard to calculate the new colors...
		  That's some days ago and now, a lot of coffee and 
		  frustration later, I know that, as usual, life is 
		  hard - especially in GP2 ;)
		  This version is just a development-version, far from
		  being perfect or something. I made some tests with
		  some original tracks' screenshots and the results are
		  not too bad to me (but perhaps I just downgraded my
		  requirements...;)), this is why I decided to publish
		  this first version...
Other Works	: Some tracks and tools

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* Construction *

Base		: new from scratch 
                  
Editor(s) used	: Visual C#.Net
Known Bugs	: As mentioned, it's a development version. It probably
		  contains more bugs than features ;)
		  The worst thing is, that color calculation is far from
		  being what it should be. You may have thought it's 
		  done linear, saying palette index 1-64 should have 
		  lightness 0-63 and so index 1 has value 0, index 2 has
		  brightness 1 and so on. Hehe, I thought this, too - 
		  until yesterday...
		  I spent the night editing color palettes, taking 
		  screenshots and trying to find out the function that is
		  responsible for the strange results... 
		  In the end I tried another way - instead of spending 
		  time getting my brain overheating I just did some 
		  trial & error with my functions until the results 
		  looked a little as wanted. Probably they're completely 
		  bullshit, so see all results produced as "maybe like 
		  this or maybe something completely different" :)
		  The reason I publish it is that I hope for some 
		  feedback that could help me finding the right way to
		  calculate the new colors and to improve the tool... :)
Build Time	: About 15-20 hours, including more or less unsuccessful 
		  attempts of "reverse engineering"...


* Other *

 Note:

 As this is a development version, you should regulary visit my website
 to see if there is something new avaiable. However, you should visit
 the website regulary anyway, just to make me happy ;)
 

 Usage:
 Make some screenshots in-game (I recommend GP2Lap) and load them by
 pressing F2 in my program. Then either
 - Add command(s) by pressing Ctrl+N or using the (Context-)Menu
 - Import command(s) from a *.tcc File you have saved before
 - Import command(s) from a track (!maybe buggy!)
 You can, of course, edit and remove cmds in the list.
 By pressing Ctrl+E you can export a *.bmp image of the screenshot
 with your used palette.
 
 Future Plans:
 - Getting this f***ing color calculation somehow more "realistic"
 - Adding the "export to track" feature
 - A lot of bugfixing, I fear...
 - [Add whatever you want and send me a mail. I wait for your suggestions]



* Installation *

  Just extract the zip file to any folder and make sure you have installed 
  the Microsoft .Net FrameWork v1.1, avaiable at 
  http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/a/c/aac39226-8825-44ce-90e3-bf8203e74006/dotnetfx.exe, 
  on your PC! You may also need a file named "mscoree.dll" which is 
  avaiable at http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?mscoree.


* Copyright / Permissions *
   2005 Oliver Kirsch (oli@unprofessional.info)
  Of course you can copy this software to all of your friends and 
  enemies but I'd be happy if you'd not put it on your website as long
  as it is still under development. If you really like, put a link to
  my website on yours. :)
  However when I may call it something like "finished" one day you 
  may of course put it on your website :)
  Distributing this software incomplete or modified is not allowed.
  It is also interdicted to put this software on any commercial CD!


* Disclaimer *
  The contained files are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, 
  either expressed or implied. The author will NOT be held responsible 
  for any losses incurred.
  This is NOT a Microprose product!
  Using this software is only allowed in EU-states! 
  (Of course I won't prosecute you if you use it somewhere else, but 
  this is important as I don't want to be prosecuted because I may
  have infringed some software-patent anywhere around the world... I'm
  just a poor student and don't have the money for lawyers and fees!)
  


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Oliver Kirsch