Definition:

".pns" files are used by Print 'n Stitch to keep track
of colors used by the image patterns.  The files contain
the name or description of the colors and any custom
symbols defined by the user.  Colors defined in a .pns 
file are included in the color report to help the stitcher
select and differentiate between the different color 
threads.

Description of program:

PNS tool was written to help Print 'n Stitch users create
their own .pns files from color chart images to match
their monitor or printer hardware.

Requirements:

VB5 runtimes, these should already be on your
system if you are able to run Print 'n Stitch.

A video display that can display 16382 colors or more 
with a resolution of at least 1024x768.

You will also need some color chart images.  Some can
be found at:

http://stitchers-paradise.com/Color_Cards/Anchor.jpg

and

http://stitchers-paradise.com/Color_Cards/Dmc.jpg

Installation:

This program can be run directly from WinZip, or you
can extract it to your desktop.

Use:

1) Maximize the form to best see the chart images.  The
   higher the resolution the better.

2) Enter the full path to a chart image in the textbox
   to the right of "File".

3) Left click File to load in the image.

4) Alter the text box that contains the "DMC#" to the
   text you want listed before the thread numbers for 
   all .pns color Name entries.  

5) Use the horizontal scrollbar on the left bottom of
   the form to set it to the lowest Thread number in the
   chart.

6) Click on the color in the image that corresponds to
   the color of the thread number you entered in step
   5.  Use the Vertical scroll bar to get at all portions
   of the chart.

7) Notice that the Thread number increments by one and
   the color box near the bottom center of the form
   changes to the color you selected.

8) Use the horizontal scroll bar to go back or skip ahead 
   to other thread numbers.  Clicking on the arrows of
   the scroll bar increases or decreases the number by one.
   Clicking on the bar between the arrows will increase
   or decrease the thread number by ten.  You can also drag
   the block indicator on the scroll bar to changed its
   value (0-9999).

9) Repeat steps 6-8 until all of the thread values in the
   chart have been assigned to colors.

10)Click the "Make A:\temp.pns" button to create the .pns
   file on a floppy disk (usually less than 60 Kbytes).
   You can then rename and copy the file to a more con-
   venient location.

Notes:

* The program creates .pns files that are optimized for
  both 4096 and 512 Max colors.

* To merge two .pns files, right click on File.  Enter in
  an existing .pns file to load it in.  To merge a second
  .pns file, repeat the process with the second file.
  Click "Make A:\temp.pns" to write the merged file onto
  floppy disk.
  
  Note: If a color slot was already taken by the first
        file, it will not get over-written by the second.

* The pixels around the point that you click to get a
  color value are factored in and averaged to produce
  the final color.  This makes it less critical about
  where you click.

* If you have a scanner, you can scan a printout of the
  color charts and use the scanned image with this tool to
  produce a .pns file whose color entries will accurately
  match your printer colors with "factory" thread colors.

Any problems?

Ernie Negus  enegus@teleport.com




