
MainActor - A video sequencer and modular animation package 
                     for Windows 95/98/NT
======================================================
------------------
What is MainActor:
------------------

MainActor is a modular multimedia processing package that includes a
powerful timeline-based video sequencer, MainActor Sequencer, and an
animation processor, MainActor Video Editor (MainActor VE). With MainActor
Sequencer you can easily create and edit video sequences with complex
effects and transitions. With MainActor VE you can load / edit / play and 
save / convert all  major animation and and the most common picture 
formats. MainActor  supports more animation formats for loading / saving 
than any other program on any platform!

The unregistered version of MainActor always prints a "MainActor!" text
inside the video.

MainActor Sequencer
-------------------

MainActor Sequencer is a timeline based video sequencer. With a 
drag and drop interface, MainActor Sequencer makes video creating/editing 
very easy. With its 99 video and 99 audio tracks, extensive transitions,
video effects including 3D paths, and 2D / 3D text tools, MainActor Sequencer
is a powerful tool that is very easy to use. Objects on the timeline can be
moved and resized with the mouse and each object's properties can be
accessed with a mouse click. In addition to the normal MainActor modules 
used by MainActor VE, MainActor Sequencer supports other import/ export 
mechanisms as well, like Video for Windows, DirectShow, RealVideo and
a new Tracker module.


MainActor VE
------------

MainActor VE is the Video Editor portion of the MainActor product. With
MainActor VE, you can create/edit/view animations in a wide variety of
formats. (See the complete list below.)

The MPEG support supplied by MainActor VE allows easy conversion of your
animations / picture lists to MPEG-I/II, complete with audio. 

This release of MainActor supports both English and German, you can change
the language during runtime in the "Settings" menu.

-------------
Installation:
-------------

-Simply execute the self-extracting .exe file.

Windows 95/NT Notes
-------------------

MainActor requires DirectX for its playback capabilities. If you do not
have DirectX installed, MainActor / MainView will not start up!

The DirectX runtime can be downloaded from Microsoft's homepage at
http://www.microsoft.com. However its pretty hidden on the Microsoft site.

You can also download it from http://www.softseek.com or 
http://www.download.com and simply search for "DirectX".

-------
Modules
-------

Currently MainActor ships with the following modules:

Loader modules:
---------------

8SVX (Sound)
AIFF (Sound)
AU (Sound)
AVI (Animation)
BMP (Picture)
DL (Animation)
FLC (Animation)
FLI (Animation)
GIF (Picture)
GIF-Anim (Animation)
IFF (Picture)
IFF-Anim3/5/7/8/J (Animation)
JPEG (Picture)
MPEG-I/II (Animation)
MPEG-Audio Layer I/II (Sound)
PCX (Picture)
PNG (Picture)
PPM/PGM/PBM (Picture)
TGA (Picture)
TIFF (Picture)
Quicktime (Animation)
WAV (Sound)

Saver modules:
--------------

AVI (Animation)
BMP (Picture)
FLC (Animation)
FLI (Animation)
GIF (Picture)
GIF-Anim (Animation)
JPEG (Picture)
MNG (Animation)
MPEG-I/II (Animation)
MPEG-Audio Layer II (Sound)
Quicktime (Animation)
MacPICT (Picture)
PNG (Picture)
PPM/PGM/PBM (Picture)
TGA (Picture)
TIFF (Picture)
WAV (Sound)

---

The files in this archive are copyrighted by MainConcept GmbH i.G.
and may not be reproduced  for any use without the written agreement
of MainConcept GmbH i.G.

Otherwise you are permitted and encouraged to distribute this (the trial)
version of MainActor. There are no restrictions with regards 
to copying,transferring or otherwise distributing MainActor in its 
complete and original form.

---

Suggestions are always welcome.

For information or registration contact :

MainConcept GmbH
Vaalser Straße 142
52074 Aachen
Deutschland

Tel: 49-(0)241-40108-0
FAX: 49-(0)241-40108-5

EMail: info@mainconcept.de
http://www.mainconcept.de  (Europe)
http://www.mainconcept.com (USA)
