PARX M&E System and Digital Cameras ----------------------------------- I initially got interested in the PARX software after reading on CIX that it had recently gained a new import (RIM) module for native Casio digital camera (.CAM) files. On accessing their web site, I found a wealth of information on various products including software/hardware to drive the QV series of digital cameras. After registering my interest via their feedback form, I downloaded and installed the PARX system folder, some demo colour printer drivers and Piccolo, a 'lite' version of D2M, a fully featured art program from PARX. I then tried this out on some Casio picture files. Using the CAM.RIM module the program loads them with no problems. However, importing them into Piccolo in a screen resolution of anything less than true-color is slow, due to the amount of remapping that has to be done. In true-color mode import is quite fast and the on-screen images are every bit as clear as on a PC. (See screen shot.) As I mentioned, D2M is an art program. It is suitable for all Atari computers, making the most of each machines features. It supports 2, 16, 256 colors or True-Colour. 50 images can be loaded at the same time (memory permitting), with adjustable sizes. It has a 100% GEM interface to give D2M maximum compatibility with all screen resolutions and graphics cards. (JRI4096, ScreenBlaster, Nova Cards, Matrix, etc.) D2m uses the Atari Clipboard and drag & Drop functions are accessible under multitasking environments and also with TubeGEM. Many drawing tools are provided in 2 and 3D. Effects can be applied directly on blocks and dithering can be done in all resolutions. The paper size is only limited by available memory. D2M is compatible with MultiTOS, MagiC, MagiCMac, MagiCPC, GEMulator, Medusa and Hades Systems. It is also compatible with GDOS, SpeedoGDOS, and NVDI for fonts and printing options. The use of external modules allows for unlimited extensions for driving scanners and loading and saving in many files formats and there is more than 150 modules. Through more external (WIM) modules the programs can also drive many color printers including Epson, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Fargo etc. The product to drive the camera directly is a software/hardware combination using a special cable and costs 490 Francs (??? pounds) currently. Information on their other products can be found on their website. If you register your interest with them via the web site form, they will send you news updates via email. D2M, by the way costs 690 Francs (??? pounds). *** Caption to screen shot *** Piccolo running on a Falcon in True-color mode having loaded a native Casio picture file. The screen shot was converted to greyscale by Imagecopy 4 for reproduction in the magazine. *** end of Caption *** *** boxout *** Parx Web Site The PARX web site can be found at the following URL:- http://www.parx.fr and contains the freeware PARX system folder and demos of many of it's commercial products. *** end of boxout *** Suppliers:- PARX System requirements:- Any Atari computer with 1 Mb or more of memory. email address:- hpiedv@parx.fr Snail mail address:- Herve Piedvache CEO - PARX Paris 54 Rue des Abbesses F-75018 PARIS