I need expert critique or constructive abuse

[MrTVideo]

Well I have started to make available a collection of GUI's I have used to help me with my home video editing. I use Studio 8 as the final output but as it lacks a lot of features I, like a lot of you
have turned to AVIsynth/Virtualdubmod for the solution. This prompted me to create some skeltal tools to make the task of script trialing and use as easy as possible. As these tools work for me, I thought they will be helpfull to those do not have your skills and just want to have a feature that is as painless as possible. So I would appreciate some critique from those of you who's comments have given me the tools I need for my use. I would accept any input: ridicule, constructive, comical, even abusive. I must say that reading the comments on this forum is most enlightening and at times entertaining and whether anyone responds or not, I would like to say I have gained much from your collective genius.

Here I am http://mrtvideo.com

I do have a reason. I am retired and I would like to update my P3 800meg and you do not get anything for nothing.

I intend to use a lot of "Free" material that I test and supply in a way that is easy to understand for the casual user and bundle each feature with its own winhelp file. I do intend to advertise the authors who create this material. If I am successfull I shall try to contact some of you to help me create those effects that home video enthusiasts are asking for. This help I would anticipate paying for.

Thanks to you who have waded through this. I hope I have not affended anyone. That is not my intention.
Regards to all.
Terry

[ChronoCross]

would help if the website wasn't full of broken links..... just letting you know.

[MrTVideo]

Thanks heaps I think I have corrected it. The page must have been getting content off my hard drive. I will move all to a cdr and check again. I really appreciate your comment
Terry

[hartford]

I don't use Studio 8, but I thank you for providing tools for those persons that do use it.

[MrTVideo]

hartford
I must be truthfull I am doing this to try and upgrade my system. I am retired and find that hobbies cost. So if these proposed tools do help others I shall think I have accomplished satisfaction if nothing else. Thanks for your comment but I believe you are being kind, now is your chance to be tough.
Thanks anyway
Terry

[Wilbert]

2. Purchase the script plus help file to get up and running straight away or.
What does this mean? Do you have to pay for generated scripts?

@ObiKenobi,

Afaics he's not selling AviSynth/VDubMod itself. Just his gui which generates scripts.

[ObiKenobi]

Originally posted by Wilbert
@ObiKenobi,

Afaics he's not selling AviSynth/VDubMod itself. Just his gui which generates scripts. [/B]

Ahh okay, well nm then.

[MrTVideo]

I wouldn't think of selling something I did not create. I have too much respect for the great minds that have created them. In my case I spent many hours working out how it all worked, when I did I found that it made it easy for me to have AVIsynth and Virtualdubmod on my computer and GUI's on a separate CDrom. As this helped me to use those occasional effects without having to read up on how they work each time I needed them. I thought that others might like the same convenience. Try to put yourselves in the position of someone new to AVIsynth and read the information. Its all there, but not in step by step procedures with screen shots and real examples. The scripts will be there to download in a usable fashion without any encumbrance and there will be a choice if a Win help file describing how to use that script is desirable. What I intend to offer for sale is what I create
and then at a small price. I do appreciate your comments, and the reason for me starting this thread is to get your feedback. I have huge respect for the members of this forum and spend a lot of time absorbing what you have to say. A lot of those like me have not heard of AVIsynth so if I achieve nothing else but to introduce these people to your community I will have least accomplished something. I have a motive as I said before, I am retired and wish to update my system. My P3 800meg is a bit dated and I haven't got a DVD burner yet. Actually I am expecting a real roasting you are all too kind, how about a bit of curry

[trolltuning]

When I went to your site I had to download and install a program to see the demo (which I think is a turn off for most people. We want to see more before we trust someone enough to download their program. When I did downlod it I got a message that it couldn't start as it was corrupted.

[MrTVideo]

ChronoCross
You were right the images were on my hard drive and I had the wrong location to them

trolltuning

Thanks for that I am using win98 maybe it doesent like XP. I will check it out.

You are right the program was corrupted. I downloaded it and tried it.
It must of not uploaded to the server correctly as the copy I have works fine. Again thanks I never thought to download and try the file myself. Learning curve.

much appreciated both of you
Terry

PS I have removed my email as I am about to offer the program for sale however a comment on this thread will get my attention and I will still send a copy of the software to each of you

[sh0dan]

Please respect the GPL:

Can I release a modified version of a GPL-covered program in binary form only? (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCModifiedJustBinary).
Can I put the binaries on my Internet server and put the source on a different Internet site? (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCSourceAndBinaryOnDifferentSites).


So basicly, you need to give download access to the sourcecode from the same webpage!

I think it's best if I don't comment of the quality of your software, but $10 seems like a lot of money for that.

[MrTVideo]

sh0dan First thanks for reply. Now if I understand what you are saying then you are saying that I should make the software code available for download for these GUI's. I do not have any problem with that, but would like some clarification on that.
Secondly as the GUI's are constructed with freeware tools I will have to give the code or input objects for each programing device. The selection code is easy it is in compiled basic. The graphics is done in Mediator, Software free on a cover disk. So the best I can do is give an explanation how I juggled all these tools together to create the GUI's
and then anyone can with the same available tools modify or recreate other forms. Does this sort of cover it.

As I said before I do respect the creators of this work and I am trying to as I said before, Update my system and make some of the effects available to those with single line editors. That is what brought me to the forum in the first place.

Thanks again for the comment, the offer of the scripting tool is there to take up. Promise it dosent bite.

Terry


Ps: I just started to wade through the GPL. I read through about 10 chapters and one seems to contradict the other. I realize that ignorance is not an excuse so I am afraid I will need some kind soul to explain in laymans terms what I should do to comply. I seem to have opened pandoras box.

[MrTVideo]

I have been giving the whole programing thing another once over. I used to be reasonably good at programing in C, pure linear. And the language Quick C doesent like Win98 so not wanting to spend the time to use C++ to make "Plugins". I cannot afford the program anyway, maybe later .It occured to me that a plugin is just a linked libarary with a front end that accepts arguments. So my approach is to create a graphic screen which receives inputed arguments and then automatically open Virtualdub with the correct script loaded with those auguments. The only difference is, as the script can be displayed and altered it is both automatic and with flexability of modification that a fixed coded dll can never achieve without a host of settings. My hobby is video editing not fiddeling with AVIsynth scripts and I have a host of simple GUI's each to do a simple task. I base thenm on cd and when I need a particular function I pop in the cd and use that effect.

I had to edit this I tend to be a bit flippant and it gets up peoples noses. I will try to be more reserved.

sh0dan I have gone through some of your postings and offerings and I am impressed. I will try and satisfy both our points of view and still offer a service for people like me who could not hope to understand it and need a real laymens approach just to use this technique.

[Fizick]

My question is (to who knows):
What is copyright for some complex Avisynth script,
for example LimitedSharpen() http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84196

Is it free, or GPL?

[MrTVideo]

Fizick My interpretation is: Avisynth/Virtualdubmod is copyright and is the interlectual property of the creators. The fact that it is offered free is not the point. Like Visual C or Visual Basic The program is one thing, The creation of a clever script is actually the intelectual property of its creator and like some of the very intelegent forum contributors their work should be copyright also. So in my case I have taken advantage of the works of others I must admit but!. What I am offering is a presentation of idea's into a product that laymen can not only understand but easily use. I feel I should enlighten the members with a bit of my background. I was a Production Engineer for over 30 years and principly my task was to get the very best out of peoples ability both ordinary and genius. maybe you all would be correct in labeling me a sponger but genius untapped is a shocking waste. Do I care what people think?. Of course, it is what people think that can really create great things. Many minds are better than one. Being retired and 62,to some of you I am just a silly old codger but believe me I could make any of you better than you are now.

Sorry about the edit but I cannot spell for toffee

[Wilbert]

@MrTVideo,
sh0dan First thanks for reply. Now if I understand what you are saying then you are saying that I should make the software code available for download for these GUI's. I do not have any problem with that, but would like some clarification on that.

Have a look at the GPL http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html under point 2:

These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. If identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program, and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those sections when you distribute them as separate works.

It's not really 'independent and separate works' is it?

Btw, you are allowed to ask a donation for it (like you do now).

Secondly as the GUI's are constructed with freeware tools I will have to give the code or input objects for each programing device. The selection code is easy it is in compiled basic. The graphics is done in Mediator, Software free on a cover disk. So the best I can do is give an explanation how I juggled all these tools together to create the GUI's
and then anyone can with the same available tools modify or recreate other forms. Does this sort of cover it.
That would be very nice! Did you already prepare it?

[MrTVideo]

This is the first preamble
2. You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion of it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and distribute such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1 above, provided that you also meet all of these conditions.
Actually there is no modification made to either Avisynth or Virtualdubmod. Each is as downloaded in their own directory complete with all documentation unmodified.

The GUI acts like a user of these programs only with a little automated help.

GUI <------ Select clip and choices
|
|
GUI writes script based on choices
|
|
Open Virtualdubmod or Notepad with the script as an augument
|
|
Close Virtualdubmod to return to the GUI for modification of script

This is the approach I made to interface between the two programs using them as they exist without change. The GUI is a seperate entity that acts as a go between

Edited to show how I interface between Avisynth and Virtualdubmod
I cannot be more open than that.

*****************************
Selection part:

$TYPECHECK ON
$APPTYPE GUI
$INCLUDE "RAPIDQ.INC"



Dim s$ as string

DIM File as QFILESTREAM
DIM OpenDialog AS QOpenDialog
OpenDialog.Filter = "AVI Files|*.avi"
OpenDialog.FilterIndex = 2
IF OpenDialog.Execute THEN
END IF
S$= Opendialog.Filename

IF File.Open("C:\My Documents\MrTVideo.txt", fmCreate) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Create file")
END IF

File.Write (s$)
File.Close
************************
File save routine:

$TYPECHECK ON
$APPTYPE GUI
$INCLUDE "RAPIDQ.INC"

Dim b$ as string
Dim s$ as string
dim a$ as string
DIM File as QFILESTREAM
Dim Filein as QFILESTREAM
DIM OpenDialog AS QOpenDialog
DIM SaveDialog AS QSaveDialog

' Read "C:\Windows\System\Change.avs"

IF Filein.Open("C:\Windows\System\Change.avs",fmOpenRead) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Open file")
END IF

a$=filein.ReadStr(2048)' Script in Change.avs

SaveDialog.Filter = "ADD AVS EXT FOR NEW FILES|*.avs"
SaveDialog.FilterIndex = 2

IF SaveDialog.Execute THEN
S$= Savedialog.Filename
END IF
Filein.Close

IF File.Open(s$, fmCreate) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Create file")
end

END IF
File.Write(a$)

File.Close
********************************
Writing the tempory script file "change.avs" this is the augument offered to Virtualdubmod/Notpad

$TYPECHECK ON
$APPTYPE GUI
$INCLUDE "RAPIDQ.INC"

Dim b$ as string
Dim s$ as string
dim a$ as string


Dim Fileout as QFILESTREAM
DIM File as QFILESTREAM
DIM OpenDialog AS QOpenDialog

' Put Chosen AVS File into C:\My Documents\AVS.txt
OpenDialog.Filter = "AVS Files|*.avs"
OpenDialog.FilterIndex = 2
IF OpenDialog.Execute THEN
END IF
S$= Opendialog.Filename

IF File.Open("C:\My Documents\AVS.txt", fmCreate) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Create file")
END IF ' The path info

File.Write (s$)

File.Close 'Write path info to Avs file


' First part finished, next is to transfer the information out
' of AVS File and write to C:\Windows\System\Change.avs

IF File.Open(s$,fmOpenRead) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Open file")
END IF

a$=file.ReadStr(1024)' Chosen avs file information

File.Close


IF Fileout.Open("C:\Windows\System\Change.avs", fmCreate) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Create file")
END IF
Fileout.Write(a$)

Fileout.Close
************************************
The load routine is:

$TYPECHECK ON
$APPTYPE GUI
$INCLUDE "RAPIDQ.INC"



Dim s$ as string

DIM File as QFILESTREAM
DIM OpenDialog AS QOpenDialog
OpenDialog.Filter = "AVI Files|*.avi"
OpenDialog.FilterIndex = 2
IF OpenDialog.Execute THEN
END IF
S$= Opendialog.Filename

IF File.Open("C:\My Documents\MrTVideo.txt", fmCreate) = FALSE THEN
ShowMessage("Could not Create file")
END IF

File.Write (s$)
File.Close
********************************
' This program will write a script based on the contents of the
' file C:\My Documents\AVS.txt for MrTVideo AVS
' ############################################################################
CLS

OPEN "C:\windows\system\Change.avs" FOR OUTPUT AS #2
OPEN "C:\mydocu~1\AVS.txt" FOR INPUT AS #1
LINE INPUT #1, filepath$
CLOSE #1
OPEN filepath$ FOR INPUT AS #1
DO WHILE NOT EOF(1)
LINE INPUT #1, text$
PRINT #2, text$
LOOP
CLOSE #1
CLOSE #2
END




The graphics were created in Mediator but could be coded in C or basic.

Thats how its done a collection of simple executives called from a graphic overlay.

[sh0dan]

What I meant was:

- If you distribute an AviSynth binary installation you MUST also distibute the source for those "at the same place". (The same goes for vdub)

You are allowed to create GUI's that either generate AVS-scripts, interface through AVIFILE or (as a special expection for Avisynth) avisynth.h - WITHOUT distributing the source. So you can keep your GUI source - and even charge money for it.

Sorry for being unclear.