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BlitzAvi.DLL (StudioX64 Blitz Basic DLL for recording AVI files - Latest release: v1.01)
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DOWNLOAD LATEST VERSION (1.1) -> [BlitzAvi.zip] (34K) - Updated 17th Jan 2003
If you require a license, then please click on the logos to the left.
This page details how to use our BlitzAvi.DLL and additional helper library for Blitz Basic. If you have no idea what
Blitz Basic is, then please visit the following website first: http://www.blitzbasic.com.
BlitzAvi.DLL as you probably guessed is a DLL extension for creating AVI / DIVX movie files, directly from Blitz Basic applications.
It works by creating a file then rendering individual bitmap images one at a time, together to make a complete movie. Depending on
what codecs there are installed on your computer, you can also choose different methods of compression.
There are 2 parts to BlitzAvi.DLL. The first is the DLL itself which you must include with your distributed application. The
second is the helper function library, in the form of a Blitz Basic Include file. You must 'Include' the helper function library
in any applications you intend to use the DLL from. You do not need to know how or why the helper library works, just the names of
the functions to call, and parameters they accept.
How To Use BlitzAvi.DLL
In the download package I have included a small demo program
taken from the Blitz Basic forums on http://www.blitzbasic.com.
The credits for which are as follows. I did not write this
application, I only modified it slightly, so I can not take
any credit for it's contents.
; This is the Original Source for many of my Plasma-FX.
; Original QB-Plasma, ported to BB . By CSP 2001.
The original plasma demo was posted by -NORC- and can be found here: http://www.blitzbasic.com/codearcs/codearcs.php?code=253.
The demo included in the download package is a modified version
to demonstrate in a very simple manner the 3 commands which
are available when using the DLL. These are as follows:
ReturnValue = CreateAviFile(MyAppTitle$, "example.avi", 30, "output.bmp", True, False)
ReturnValue = WriteImageToAviFile()
ReturnValue = CloseAviFile()
As you can see the actual calls are not to the DLL file itself
but to the included helper function library. Due to the fact
Blitz has to pass a number of parameters in a very odd way to
DLL's, instead of calling the DLL directly, you call it through
a set of pre-coded helper functions.
Each of the functions return a value "ReturnValue", and this is
either 0=Bad, or 1=Good. When I said it was simple to use, I really
did mean it. Here is a short program to demonstrate:
Please note this short demo is not intended to actually run!
Graphics 320,240,16,2
Include "BlitzAvi.inc" ;include the BlitzAvi helper function library.
MyAppTitle$ = "Blitz Plasma App"
AppTitle MyAppTitle$
ReturnValue = CreateAviFile(MyAppTitle$, "example.avi", 30, "output.bmp", True, False)
;MainLoop
;Do some graphics drawing here
Flip
SaveBuffer(BackBuffer(),"output.bmp")
ReturnValue = WriteImageToAviFile()
;Goto MainLoop
ReturnValue = CloseAviFile()
;End application
See I told you it was simple. The way it works is that first you must
include the helper function library, then set your application title via
a string variable. You then set the AppTitle to your string variable.
This may look stupid but it gives us the ability to pass the AppTitle
to the DLL to identify your applications window handle (to pass messages
to your Blitz program).
The first call to the DLL is to create an avi file and open it. The
CreateAviFile takes the following parameters:
CreateAviFile(Application Title, AVI File Name, Time of Each Frame,
Image File name to Render, Compression Flag, Suppress Messages Flag)
The Application Title is pretty straight forward and should be what
ever your AppTitle is set to. Your application MUST have a title for
the DLL to correctly function.
The AVI File Name is the name of the output AVI file which you are
creating. This can include a full path name.
The Time of Each Frame parameter refers to how long (in millisecs) an
image is displayed for before moving onto the next one. Set it to
33 for TV type 30 frames per second, set it to 1000 for 1 frame per second.
The Image File Name to Render is the name of the bitmap which you will
save to the hard drive prior to calling WriteImageToAviFile(). This
file name refers to the name of the image in the call to SaveBuffer.
The Compression Flag determines whether or not you want to compress the
AVI file. If this flag is set to false then it's possible to use
the DLL in both windowed mode and full screen mode. If it's set to
True then you MUST run in a windowed mode. The compression dialog box
will appear only during your first call to WriteImageToAviFile().
The Suppress Messages Flag will stop the warning from appearing about
overwriting files when an AVI file already exists on the hard drive.
This allows you to run in full screen mode providing you are not
using compression.
After creating the AVI file you now need to render some images to it,
otherwise it's going to look pretty bland! - To do this you must add
a line of code which after each FLIP of the screen saves the current
buffer to your hard disk drive, using the same file name as the one
you called CreateAviFile parameter 4 with (Image File Name to Render).
After saving the buffer you can now safely call WriteImageToAviFile().
This function take no parameters and simply takes the image from
your hard drive and renders it to the AVI file.
Basically you then keep repeating your standard loop, each time updating
the screen, saving the buffer and writing the image to the avi file.
When you are done, you MUST end with a call to CloseAviFile(). Failure
to call this function will result in an unusable AVI file!
In Closing
So there you have it. A short and simple, yet very useful application
if you need to do this sort of thing. You could use it to create
running demos of your games to put on your websites, you can use it
like me to make effects for home movies. Let your imagination run
wild!
The project is on my current development list, and is therefore
ripe for updates every now and then. I welcome any suggestions, and
bug reports. Though I do request you post them on our Forum:
Ideas & Suggestions
http://www.studiox64.com/forum/viewboard.php?BoardID=30
Bug Reports
http://www.studiox64.com/forum/viewboard.php?BoardID=31
Hope you enjoy the DLL and be sure to read the License agreement.
Download:
 -> BlitzAvi.ZIP
Before downloading we would be very grateful if you would click on the advertising banner at the top of this page, it will open in a new window. Thank you.
Technical Specs Minimum:
The minimum specs required by the BlitzAvi.DLL relate to the minimum specs required by Blitz Basic applications, which may vary considerably from program to program.
Technical Specs Recommended:
Pentium III 500mhz
GeForce II graphics adapter @ 16/24 bit colour depth
Sound blaster compatible sound card
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
Credits:
DLL programming by: Paul Kubiszyn
AVI routines provided with much appreciation by: Lucian Wischik
Copyright StudioX64 Software 2003
BlitzAvi.DLL License Agreement
Nice and easy so anyone can understand this. Myself Paul Kubiszyn
and StudioX64 are in no way liable for anything relating to this DLL.
You use this DLL entirely at your own risk, and take all responsibility for
yours and it's actions.
StudioX64 grant the user a license to use this DLL in personal software
for their own use at their own homes at no charge. For use in totally free
applications, including freeware games and demos also free of charge. A Shareware license will
be issued free in most cases, but prior-approval must first be sought after first.
If you intend to use this DLL in a commercial environment, or to
create commercial software, then you must first obtain a commercial
license. The commercial license fee is £20 / €30 per application containing
the DLL, or £50 / €76 for a full unlimited license. The unlimited license allows you
to create as many commercial applications featuring the DLL as you wish. To
purchase either of the licenses please see the Paypal banners at the top of this page.
For further information or enquires, please contact me on the following
email address:
paulk@StudioX64.co.uk
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Multimedia Music & Video Production
