         ***  Fractal Clouds 3.0 for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95/NT  ***
                               by Delta Computing


    1.1     About Fractal Clouds
    1.2     Contact

    2.1     How to Install
    2.1.1       Installing from the self-extracting program
    2.1.2       Installing from the .zip archive
    2.1.2.1         Automatic Installation in Windows 95/NT
    2.1.2.2         Automatic Installation in Windows 3.1
    2.2     Manual Installation
    2.3     How to uninstall

    3.1.1   Setting up the Screen Saver in Windows 95/NT
    3.1.2   Setting up the Screen Saver in Windows 3.1
    3.2     Screen Saver Setup
    3.3     Changing Color Palettes

    4.1     How to Register
    4.2     How to apply the registration code

    5.1     Disclaimer
    5.2     Terms of Use
    5.3     Troubleshooting
    5.4     Suggestions and Bug Report
    5.5     History of changes




1.1 About Fractal Clouds

Fractal Clouds screen saver generates random clouds on the screen in an endless
variety of forms and colors. You never know what image will be next. This screen
saver doesn't show you the pictures you provide, it creates them. You have the
freedom to choose all the features of your clouds, and have the freedom to let
the computer make this choice for you.
You can change colors, define how "stormy" your clouds should be, and set up
special effects: you can have color-changing clouds with a psychedelic effect,
clouds moving in an endless flow, clouds transforming one into another, and
other extra effects.
Fractal Clouds is FAST. It doesn't take minutes to create an image, it takes
seconds.



1.2 Contact

You may contact Delta Computing:
via the World Wide Web
                        http://www.salrom.com/delta

via E-mail
                        delta.computing@usa.net

All your questions and comments are welcome.



2.1 How to Install

Fractal Clouds is distributed as a self-extracting .exe program and as a .zip
archive. Depending on which of these files you have, the installation procedure
differs.

    2.1.1 Installing from the self-extracting program

    Run the self-extracting program. The installation will proceed
    automatically. No changes will be done to your AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS
    files.

    2.1.2 Installing from the .zip archive

    Unpack the .zip file (if you are reading this file, you already did it!)

    Now you can either manually install the screen saver (see 2.2) or use the
    the installation program (see 2.1.2.1 or 2.1.2.2). The installation program
    will automatically detect your operating system and prompt you for the right
    version to install.

        2.1.2.1 Automatic Installation in Windows 95/NT

        a)  Run the installation program install.exe from the DOS shell by
            typing INSTALL on the command line, or
        b)  From the Start Menu, choose Run and click on the Browse button to
            look for the INSTALL.EXE program into the directory where the
            unpacked files are. Run the INSTALL.EXE program.
        The program will automatically install the screen saver onto your
        Windows directory.
        No changes will be done to your AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS files.


        2.1.2.2 Automatic Installation in Windows 3.1

        Start Windows, or return to Windows if you are in a DOS shell.
        Run the installation program INSTALL.EXE through the Program Manager's
        File/Run menu or through the File Manager. Click on the "Continue"
        button; the program will automatically install the screen saver onto
        your Windows directory.
        No changes will be done to your AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS files.



2.2 Manual Installation

Follow this section only if you have problems using the automatic installation
procedure or if, for any reason, the installation program should fail. In any
other case this section is unnecessary.

If you are running Windows 95 or NT, copy the file FCLOUDS.W32 to your Windows
directory, renaming it to FCLOUDS.SCR (copy fclouds.w32 c:\windows\fclouds.scr)

If you are running Windows 3.x, copy the file FCLOUDS.W16 to your Windows 3.x
directory, renaming it to FCLOUDS.SCR (copy fclouds.w16 c:\windows\fclouds.scr)



2.3 How to uninstall

If you wish to uninstall Fractal Clouds, delete the temporary files that were
created by unzipping the .zip file or by the self-extracting program, then
delete the file "Fractal Clouds.scr" or "fclouds.scr" from the windows folder.



3.1.1 Setting up the screen saver in Windows 95/NT

To enable the screen saver, click on the desktop with the right button of
your mouse, then click on Properties. Otherwise you may click on the Start
button, then activate the Control Panel and click on the Desktop or Screen
program.
Click on the "Screen Saver" section, then click on the down arrow. In the
list that appears, select "Fractal Clouds". In the "Delay" field, enter the
number of minutes of inactivity before the screen saver is executed.
Now click on the "Setup" button, and the Fractal Clouds configuration window
will display.


3.1.2 Setting up the screen saver in Windows 3.1

To enable the screen saver, execute the Control Panel application, usually
in the Main group. When Control Panel opens, double-click on the Desktop
icon. In the "Screen Saver" section, click on the arrow near the "Name"
field. In the list that appears, select "Fractal Clouds". In the
"Delay" field, enter the number of minutes of inactivity before the screen
saver is executed.
Now click on the "Setup" button, and the Fractal Clouds configuration window
will display.




3.2 Screen Saver Setup

Setting the options in this screen saver is fairly easy to do and does
not require much help. Here is a brief description of each section
and option.

Registration - This section reminds you that this program is NOT free,
and that if you want to use it, you must register your copy. The registration
fee is very low, and this should encourage you. In this section the
button "How to register" opens a window in which you can read all informations
you need to get registered and how to contact the author. The same informations
you can read in this file. The button "Terms of use" opens a window in which you
can read a shorter description of the terms of use contained in this file.



General section
Fixed granularity value - this value is taken as the fixed value to establish
the granularity of the picture, when it is generated. The lowest value is 0;
the highest is 999, but in the latter case instead of clouds you see the frame
of a tissue, and you risk to be hypnotized if you set the Psychedelic option.
The value in this field is valid only when the "Random granularity" check
box is unchecked. For display devices with less than 256 colors, the lowest
value is 1.

Random granularity - if you want the screen saver to change the granularity
at each picture, enable this option. If this option is enabled, the value in
the "Fixed granularity value" field is ignored. The values chosen vary from
0 to 100, with a higher weight on 1; this means that the most likely value
is 1, while the least is 100, and all the intermediate values have
intermediate probabilities.

Exclude rainbow - enable this check box if you want to exclude clouds with a
granularity value of 0 (rainbows). When the "Random granularity" option is not
set, this option is ignored.

Do not clear the screen - enable this check box if you don't want to clear the
screen between two images. If yours is a palette-based display device (256
colors) and you are not using a fixed palette (see the Colors section),
the old image changes its colors according to the new palette before a new
image is generated. This option is relevant only if no special effect is
selected or between a special effect and another. It is ignored when generating
images belonging to the same special effect.



Special effects section
If you are not a registered user of Fractal Clouds, these options are available
only for the first 3 minutes within the first 30 days of usage. After 3 minutes
the screensaver automatically switches to the effect "None". After the first
30 days of usage, these options become unavailable.

Note: images generated within the same special effect have same features:
      colors and granularity. Colors and granularity may change only if no
      special effect is selected or between a special effect and another.

None - the program will use none of the special effects available: moving
clouds, transforming clouds and psychedelic colors. This button is selected by
default, and is not changeable, after the first 30 days of unregistered usage.

Change effect every - If you select more than one special effect, they are
displayed in turn, and this value defines the number of seconds an effect should
be active before another one starts. This value is ignored if only one effect
is active.

Seconds on screen - this value is valid for both the effects "None" and
"Psychedelic colors". Enter in this field the number of seconds an image should
remain on the screen before a new image be generated. This period of time is
much more meaningful when the "Psychedelic colors" effect is enabled. Please
notice that this is the leading value between itself and "Change effect every",
therefore if you select more than one special effect and this value is higher
than "Change effect every", the latter is ignored.

Infinite - enable this check box if you want the current image to remain on
screen forever. When this option is set, it overrides the "Seconds on screen",
and of course also "Change effect every".

Psychedelic colors (256 and more color displays only) - while the image is
on the screen, before it disappears, its colors rapidly spin, giving the
psychedelic effect. If you like this effect, increase the amount of time
the image remains on the screen. Be very careful using this option, especially
with high granularity values: you may be hypnotized! This option works much
faster with palette-based display devices (256 colors). Please notice that this
is the leading value between itself and "Change effect every", therefore if you
select more than one special effect and this value is higher than "Change effect
every", the latter is ignored.

Delay - this scrollbar allows you to set up the delay time between two color
changes, in milliseconds.

Continuous color changing - if you enable this option, color palettes change
continuously while an image remains on the screen, and new colors flow into your
cloud. Use this option with a high value for "Seconds on screen", otherwise you
won't appreciate its beauty. This option is not valid if the "Use random
palettes" option is not set.

Moving clouds - with this option, when an image is on the screen, another is
created in the background, then the second is attached to the first and
gradually substitutes it, giving the sensation of clouds in movement. Try and
use this option with palette #3 (sky-like effect). In Windows 3.x while the new
image is created, the screen is "frozen", while in Windows 95/NT the movement
doesn't stop.

Speed - this value indicates the speed of movement. Low values result in a
smoother change between images, while values too high won't let you appreciate
this feature.

Transforming clouds - the current image gradually transforms into another
having the same color and granularity values. This results in a smooth change
of a static image into another. No Psychedelic effects, no color changing, just
a smooth transformation. Try this with palette #3 and you will find yourself
observing a realistic sky in springtime. In Windows 3.x while the new image is
being created, the screen is "frozen", while in Windows 95/NT the transformation
doesn't stop.

Steps - this is the number of steps necessary to transform an image into
another. Higher values will result in a smoother, slower transformation and
viceversa. Choose the best value according to your computer's speed.



Extra section
The options you can set in this section apply to every image that is generated,
regardless of any other setting.

Additional special effect - you can select None (gives no additional effect),
Pepper , Confetti, and Terrible (this one is a screen destroyer, not a screen
saver!).

Symmetry - you can select None (no symmetry), Quarter (images have both
horizontal and vertical symmetry), Vertical, Horizontal.



Colors section
Use random palettes - if you enable this option, when a new image is to be
generated, the program can create and use a new random palette, and if the
"Use predefined palettes" option is NOT set, a new random palette is created
for every new image, with exception for images within the same special effect.
In fact, when the "Moving clouds" or the "Transforming clouds" option is set, a
random palette is chosen only for the first image, while the subsequent ones,
within the same special effect, use the same colors as the first one. You can
use this option in conjunction with the "Use predefined palettes", not with the
"Used fixed palette".

Use predefined palettes - this screen saver contains 7 predefined palettes,
chosen with some criteria. If you enable this option, the predefined palettes
are included in the choice of a new palette, and if the "Use random palettes"
option is NOT set, the new palettes are always chosen from the predefined 7.
When the "Moving clouds" or the "Transforming clouds" option is set, this option
is used only for the first image, while the subsequent ones, within the same
special effect, use the same colors as the first one. You can use this option in
conjunction with the "Use random palettes", not with the "Used fixed palette".

Use fixed palette - this option can be set when you want all the images be
generated with the same palette, choosing one among the predefined 7. Enter the
number of the palette, 1 to 7, in the "Choose fixed palette" field. You cannot
use this option in conjunction with the "Use random palettes" or the "Use
predefined palettes".

If NONE of these options is set, the program uses random palettes.


Password section (Windows 3.1 only)
It works just like all other screen savers: it allows you to set a password
to "lock" your computer while you are away and the screen saver is running.
The password is necessary to stop the screen saver, so don't forget it.



3.3 Changing Color Palettes

The Fractal Clouds screen saver contains 7 pre-defined palettes. When the
screen saver is executed or configured, all the configuration parameters are
written to the "control.ini" file, into your Windows directory. All the times
subsequent to the first, the configuration parameters are read from this file.
The palettes are treated as all other parameters, so they also are written
to the file.
Every palette is generated by mixing together from 2 to 8 out of 8 main colors,
and these main colors are those you can find on the configuration file.
If you want to change one of these palettes, simply edit the file and change
the colors in the "Palette" entries in the [ScreenSaver.FractalClouds] section.
You can change, add and delete colors from a palette, but you cannot
insert new color names, or specify less than 2 or more than 8 colors for each
palette. Neither you can increase or decrease the number of palettes.
To restore the original palettes, delete all the "Palette" entries from the
configuration file, and then enter the Setup again and exit with "OK".





4.1 How to Register

You may register your copy of Fractal Clouds on line for only $10.00
and have it fully functional in minutes.
Payments are acceptet by credit card and can be placed by the following means:
1. Secured online ordering form via the World Wide Web
2. Telephone (toll-free in the U.S.)
3. Fax
4. E-mail

Non credit card orders can be accepted too. Please direct your request to
Delta Computing by sending an e-mail message or through the "comments and
requests" on Delta's web site.

I you want to get registered or just to read more about Fractal Clouds, go to

                        http://www.salrom.com/delta

If you register now, you will have all future upgrades to this program for
FREE


When you register, you will receive your personal registration code and
informations on future upgrades to the program.

The registration code is strictly personal; it cannot be given away or sold.
Requests for "group" or "unlimited" licenses will be accepted and evaluated.
Ask for more details.

By registering, the Author grant you a permanent license to use this
copyrighted computer program, in the current version, on a single computer,
subject to the terms and conditions of this license.

REGISTER NOW.
If you register now, you will have all future upgrades to this version for
FREE, should even the registration fee grow.

It doesn't cost too much to support the shareware concept.



4.2 How to apply the registration code

When you purchase Fractal Clouds, you receive a registration code. This code
must be applied to the program in order to have it fully functional. Open the
screen saver's setup window, then click the button "Register" at the bottom of
the window. Enter your code in the entry field that appears, then exit both
windows with OK. The code must be typed as is, without leading or trailing
blanks. When you successful enter your code, the button "Register" will become
disabled.



5.1 Disclaimer

THE PROGRAM AND ALL THE RELATED FILES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS".
THE AUTHOR DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE PROGRAM OR ITS PERFORMANCE
OR QUALITY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN
NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS OR LOST
DATA, RESULTING FROM THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE
PROGRAM.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND IT,
AND THAT BY USING THIS SOFTWARE YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

IF THESE TERMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, THEN PLEASE
DELETE THE PROGRAM AND ALL RELATED FILES FROM YOUR DISKS
IMMEDIATELY.



5.2 Terms of Use

If you try Fractal Clouds and decide to use it, you must register your copy.
If you do not register your copy, you are not authorized to use the
program beyond an initial evaluation period of thirty (30) days.

Fractal Clouds is distributed as a shareware program. It is NOT a public
domain program. However, you are encouraged to copy it for trial
purposes.  The program and all associated files can be freely copied and
shared to allow others to try it. You may upload this program and
all associated files to any bulletin board system (BBS) or on-line computer
service. The program and all its related files must be distributed in
unmodified form. You may not remove any files from the distribution archives
or diskettes. You may not add any files unless the added files are clearly
marked as being an addition to the original archives or diskettes.
If this program and its related files are included in a collection of
shareware and/or public domain programs, it must be clear to the purchaser of
the collection that no license to use this program is granted by the purchase
of the collection.
This program and all its related files may not be given away with commercial
products without an explicit authorization from the Author.
You agree not to:
a) modify, disassemble, reverse engineer or decompile the program,
b) use this program on more than one terminal of a network, on a multi-
user computer, on a time-sharing system, on a service bureau, on any
system on which the program could be used (other than for trial
purposes) by more than one person at a time.




5.3 Troubleshooting

Q-  "I have just purchased Fractal Clouds, but the extended features are still
    unavailable"
A-  When you purchased Fractal Clouds, you received a code. You must enter this
    code in the program's registration window in order to have your copy fully
    functional. Open the screen saver's setup window, then click the button
    "Register" at the bottom of the window. Enter your code in the entry field
    that appears then exit both windows with OK.

Q-  "I installed the new version on Windows 95, but when I click on the "setup"
    button of the Control Panel, I still see the old program's setup".
A-  In Windows 95 and NT, the installation program installs the "Fractal clouds"
    file, instead of the "fclouds", as it was before. You should activate the
    new screen saver and remove the old one. See section 3.1.1.

Q-  "I have not registered my copy of Fractal Clouds yet, and I have noticed
    that colors spin only for some time, and even if I increase the
    Seconds on screen, the psychedelic effect stops after a certain time".
A-  Non registered users don't have full access to all the features of the
    program. The special effects are available to non registered users only
    for the first 3 minutes within the first 30 days of usage.

Q-  "I have enabled both 'Psychedelic' and 'Moving', but only the Psychedelic
    is active"
A-  You must have done one of the following mistakes:
    - the "Change effect every" value is too high
    - the "Seconds on screen" value is too high
    - you have enabled the "Infinite" seconds on screen check box.

Q-  "I have enabled the 'Psychedelic' option, but I can see nothing psychedelic
    happening".
A-  Probably the Delay is too high and/or yours is a non palette-based display
    device. You should either reduce the value for Delay, or set your system's
    color palette to 256 colors.

Q-  "I have enabled the 'Continuous color changing' option, but I cannot see any
    new colors in the current pattern".
A-  This is because the Seconds on screen are too few and there is no time to
    change the current color palette, or probably the colors change too slowly.
    In the first case increase the Seconds on screen, in the second reduce the
    Delay time.

Q-  "I have enabled the 'Continuous color changing' option, but at times colors
    have a 'jump' instead of changing smoothly.
A-  Disable the 'Use predefined palettes' option, to allow the program generate
    new random color palettes as a continuous flow of colors, without jumps.
    Even in this case you may notice a little jump in colors, but in this case
    it is between two different intensities of the same color. The change of the
    color intensities is a feature of the program, not a bug.

Q-  "A cloud pattern transforms into the next too slowly / too rapidly and not
    continuously".
A-  Decrease / increase the number of steps.

Q-  "When viewing moving clouds or transforming clouds, the movement stops for
    a certain time, then starts again. I'm running Windows 3.1".
A-  Fractal clouds moves or transforms a cloud pattern into another, and when
    has finished, has to generate another pattern. During this time any other
    operation has to be interrupted, so that the screen looks like frozen.

Q-  "When viewing moving clouds or transforming clouds, the speed increases
    visibly after one second or so. I'm running Windows 95".
A-  Fractal clouds moves or transforms a cloud pattern into another, and when
    has finished, has to generate another pattern. In Windows 95 and NT new
    patterns are generated in background, so that the main operation has not
    to be interrupted, but the background working takes some of the system's
    resources and slows down the movement or transformations of clouds.

Q-  "When I disable the 'Psychedelic colors', the Seconds on screen field gets
    disabled".
A-  When you disable this option, the Seconds on screen are meaningless,
    therefore they are ignored.

Q-  "When I click on 'Use fixed palette', the 'Continuous color changing' gets
    disabled and the two other color options get unchecked".
A-  If you want a fixed color palette, you cannot have colors changing. To
    enable back the 'Continuous color changing', click on 'Use random palettes'.

Q-  "The 'Terrible' effect is not so terrible".
A-  Set up your system's color palette to 256 colors, then select the
    'Psychedelic effect' and set a low Delay (less than 10).



5.4 Suggestions and Bug Report

If you spot bugs or have comments or suggestions about the program,
please write to the Author.
All your suggestions will be accepted and, if possible, included in the
subsequent release. In any case you will be noticed (e-mail only) on the
acceptance of your suggestion.


5.5 History of changes

May 1998 - version 3.0
*   Multiple selection of special effects
*   Fewer restrictions for non-registered users
*   Added new effects: Symmetric clouds
*   Windows NT version
*   Removed registration key: only registration code is necessary.
*   Fixed bug in the registration dialog window: pressing OK with empty fields
    caused a memory fault.

October 1997 - version 2.4
*   Added "Transforming Clouds" feature.
*   Added "Continuous color changing" parameter.
*   Added "Speed" parameter for Moving Clouds.
*   Changed algorithm for Moving Clouds, to get smoother movement.
*   Made Extra Effects work with non palette-based display devices (more than
    256 colors).
*   Added background working in Windows 95: clouds do not stop moving or
    transforming as in Windows 3.x.
*   3D-like configuration window in Windows 3.x also.
*   Made unique package for 16 and 32 bit versions; improved installation
    program.
*   Fixed bug in Win 95 version: a memory leak caused the program to stop
    after a certain time.
*   Fixed bug that made Psychedelic colors not work on non palette-based display
    devices (more than 256 colors).

May 1997 - version 2.3 (Windows 95 only)
*   Timeout reset to zero at every new version.
*   Fixed bug in timeout management.
