|
What is icon and what is AZ Icon Editor?
An icon is a small image, displayed
on the screen to serve as visual mnemonics of an object and to allow the user to
trigger certain computer actions without having to remember and type out commands.
While Windows imposes no restrictions on icon sizes (except there is a size limit to be shown on the
desktop), common ones are of 32x32 and 16x16 pixels, though 48x48 icons are also getting popular
nowadays. An icon can be of a 2-color, 16-color or 256-color palette, there can also be color depths
beyond 8 BPP level, the so called "True Color" icons can be 24 BPP or 32 BPP. What types of icon
to use will depen on your OS, Windows settings chosen and hardware.
Comparing with images of other formats, often icons do not appear to be rectangular.
This is because parts of the icon image are transparent - the underlying colors beneath the icon
can show through the transparent parts of the icon.
AZ Icon Editor is a program developed by Herman Compute for creating and editing
Windows icons and cursors (static or animated); being a professional product, it has
a comprehensive coverage and an efficient arrangement.
If Explorer shows the image of an ICO file, it
must be a proper ICO file?
Not necessarily. Explorer displays the image per its bitmap data rather than its icon header data.
You may do a little test with XP or below: create a bitmap file of 32x32 pixels in size, then rename
its file extension to ".ico", the Explorer would display it as if it is an ICO file.
What is Animated GIF?
Animated GIF is a GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) consisting of a series of individual image frames.
The animation effect is brought about when frames are shown in turn at certain time intervals.
GIF is one of the few graphic formats accepted by web browsers. GIF image is a paletted one,
i.e. not exceeding 256 colors, and it uses the LZW compression algorithm, patented by Unisys Corp.
As of 1995, Unisys decided that commercial vendors using GIF LZW compression must license its use
from Unisys. As a result, more and more people are using static JPG images on the web in recent years
and a new format called PNG (Portable Network Graphics) has come into existence as an alternative. Unlike
GIF, PNG supports both paletted and true-color storage, albeit PNG does not support a multiple image data
stream (MNG, a branchout of PNG, is on the way. However, we have reason to doubt whether it will actually
take off ground in the foreseeable future).
What are the aims and
characteristics of AZ Paint (& AZ Paint Pro)?
(1) To provide a highly compact and easy-to-use program with a proper coverage and quality; (2) In addition to tools for the basic and advanced
graphics manipulation, to avail functions which are useful but lacking in ordinary paint programs; (3) To
minimize, if not eliminate, the learning curve. Many people do not use a paint program on a daily basis,
as such cannot afford to be unduly burdened with complicated procedural requirements; (4) To cater to a variety of needs; and (5) All programs should run just well on all Windows platorms, viz.
Win 95/98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 Server and Vista.
How does the program compare to others?
Each product has its own characteristics and features. We believe it would be ethically proper
for us to leave the judgement to the users. After all, the essence of trialware is "try before
you buy" and we have full confidence in our products.
How do people test for the quality of a shareware/trialware in
specific aspects?
To test a trialware program, generally people would run through the various features and functions,
to see whether they meet the current and future requirements for which the program is to be aquired,
and whether ovall the program suits their personal taste (e.g. practical and easy to use).
Some may also want to ascertain whether the program provides Supplements to cover special needs,
at no extra cost.
Many experienced users would test the quality in certain aspects; the following are but a
few examples applicable to any Paint program: (i) when the program claims it can save in
native GIF format, what about the quality of the saved images? (ii) how is the image quality
resulting from Resize function? (iii) whether the Line tool would draw a line at any odd
angle and the line appears to be smooth still (i.e. antialiased line)? (iv) capable of
writing out a text at any angle? (v) when an image is saved to BMP file, at what color depth?
(Remarks: It is fallacious for a program to ask the user and then forcibly save it as such. The
program should automatically detect and save it appropriately - if 256 or less colors, to a suitably
paletted file, else to a true color file. The less-than-quality programs would indiscrimately save
it to a true color file).
My friend cannot run it, what advice should I give?
First of all, please note that the products are very prudent ones that (i) they do not change anything
to your original Windows registry and (ii) they avoid using any ActiveX control.
Since their launch in 2000, the programs
do not have any outstanding issue of bug or problem. If your friend cannot run the program after
installation, chances are that he forgot to close all other running applications/utililies,
including the anti-virus program, before the installation despite repeated
reminders (see Why I have to close applications & utilities before
install?).
The programs run well on Win 95/98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 Server and Vista. Due to a bug
in Win 2000 itself, if you have "SP 1", please update to a later SP of Microsoft first.
Another relevant point is: Do not place the installation file of the program in a folder where
there is already a "Setup.exe" belonging to another software (Otherwise the installation process
may be mixed up with that "Setup.exe").
Which countries have the registered users?
We are gratified that since their launch, the programs have been well-received, and they are
now being used by many professionals and hobbyists alike. Many prestigious organizations have
also adopted the use of them. For AZ Icon Editor which has a longer history, our customers include
those from Canada, USA, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, Brazil, Switzerland, Nethelands, Sweden,
Finland, Norway, Demark, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Austria,
Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa, Singapore, India, Pakistan,
Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Iceland and Latvia, etc. Over 30 countries currently.
Why I have to close applications &
utilities before install?
Most software would ask you to close other applications and utilities (including
antivirus) before you start installing it. There is a definite reason behind it.
The Windows centrally manages application installation configuration (as well as application
uninstall). Among other things, it manages the reference counting and version checking of
components which are to be shared by different applications, thus avoiding component conflicts.
If the version of a component is older than the existing one in your machine, your
confirmation will be sought (normally you should keep the newer version).
If you don't close the running applications and utilities, then the Windows may not perform
its management job effectively. The running applications/utilities include those "residing"
in your system tray.
During installation, another program name popped up.
Why? You have a "setup.exe" file belonging to another
program in the same folder where you store the installation file. Delete that
"setup.exe" or move the installation file to another folder. (Remarks: In fact,
this is not a question asked frequeently; it occurred rarely, but included here because it
has a reference value.)
Why do you provide free upgrades?
The rationale is simple: If there are 1% customers who do not upgrade because of a
small charge, then there would be 1% copies of the program somewhere not being
as good as we want them to be. Since product quality is of utmost importance to us,
it must be free of charge for users to upgrade to later versions of the same product.
How often do you upgrade?
We upgrade a product typically when (i) the circumstances neccesitate it, e.g. to add
functions to deal with the new Windows XP 32 BPP True Color icons; and (ii) a very useful
feature has been developed and we wish our customers to make use of it. However, more
importantly, it is our intention to avoid avoidable upgrades. We do not rush out a
product leaving behind some useful features in anticipation of future upgrades, as we
believe that free of charge as it will be, the upgrading process still takes up the
users' time.
After trial, what do I do if I like the program?
Simple. Place a purchase order through our secured site. Upon completion of
your oder, you will receive the License Number in return. After receiving the License Number,
you click the Enter License Number submenu of Help main menu and enter the License Number.
That is all.
Note that for security reasons we have not appointed any other agent to process the
purchase order. Place your purchase order only through the sites listed in the page when
you click Place Purchase Order.
While you are in the above-said secured site, you will notice that there are various payment
methods available. You select the one which suits you.
How do I obtain supplementary program(s)?
Supplementary programs are available to registered customers, free
of charge. You will be given a list of download addresses when we furnish you the license No.,
you may fetch any or all of them immediately or at a later date.
Can I do a backup of program after my purchase?
Yes you can. In fact, you are urged to. Please read the
"Backup, User Name and License Number" section of the Help text in the program.
|
