About The Software : The purpose of this software is to blend existing images in a very fast and easy way, using a layer mask for transparency. The process is simple ... load a base image, top layer plus mask and they are automatically merged by the program. Ideal for anyone who doesn't want or need to use a full-blown image editor for this task.

Of course you can't create any new textures or masks within Image Inc. at this point, you still need to do those in your chosen image-editing application. But for anyone who already has a collection of stock images to use, then this utility will help speed-up the process of making new variations.

Feature Overview

• Compact, fast and easy to use
• Floating palettes with extra options
• 26 different "blend" modes on top layer
• Opacity slider on the top layer
• Tiled mode on top layer
• Gradient presets on mask layer
• Rotate and Flip options on all layers
• Convert to Grayscale on all layers
• Invert colours on all layers
• Flatten and transfer to Base image
• Copy image to Clipboard
• Save merged image in *.bmp format
• Loading of additional graphics formats
• Zoom presets in main window

License Agreement : This program is FREEWARE. You may install it on as many computers as you want! You may use it without any charge for both personal and commercial work. While every effort has been made to ensure the compatibility and stability of this application, no warranty is given on it's use. Cybia is NOT liable for any damage or loss of data resulting from the use of this software. This agreement does NOT grant you any intellectual property rights.

Distribution : If you wish to host this utility on a website or include it on a CD compilation (i.e. magazine cover CD), then please contact me first for permission. All zip file contents MUST remain intact and unmodified for distribution purposes.

System Requirements : Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP, plus suitable images or texture maps.

Installation : Unzip all the files to a suitable folder on your hard drive, for example C:\Cybia\ImageInc. Create a shortcut to the ImageInc.exe file and run it To uninstall just delete the folder where you installed the program files to. Also delete the ImageInc.ini file that has been automatically created in your Windows folder (this is where your settings are stored, so keep a backup if you want to reuse it at a later time). Finally, remove any shortcuts that you have created manually for the program.

Additional Credits : Image Inc. was programmed using Borland Delphi with additional Graphics32 components by Alex Denissov and GraphicEx library by Mike Lischke. This user guide was created using Namo WebEditor. Screenshots taken with IrfanView and edited in Adobe Photoshop. Zip file created using Enzip. Many thanks also to all my beta testers who helped along the way!

Main Program : This screenshot (right) shows the basic program layout. On the left side you will see thumbnail image previews for the layer palette.

Click on the "Load" buttons to open each file in sequence, starting with the Base, and the full-size composite image will automatically be generated in the main window.

When you are happy with your final output you can either copy the merged picture to Clipboard, ready to past into another app, or you can save the image as a 32 bit Bitmap (*.bmp) file.

Open Dialog : If you click on any of the "Load" buttons then this will display the standard Windows open dialog.

Browse your hard drive and select a suitable image. Compatible with *.jpg, *.psd, *.psp (single layer), *.bmp, *.png, *.tga, *.tif, *.pcx and *.pcd files.

This will delete the Base image but the Overlay and Mask settings will remain and auto-resize.

Base Palette : Click on the "Edit >>" button under the Base preview to display further options. You can Rotate, Flip, Convert To Grayscale and Invert.

Overlay Palette : Click on the "Edit >>" button under the Overlay preview to display further options.

The Layer Blend Mode drop-down menu allows you to choose from 26 different blending modes. Plus you can control the overall Opacity too.

Buttons for Rotate, Flip, Convert To Grayscale and Invert are also available for this layer.

You can also choose between the automatic "Stretch" mode or "Tile" the image (only works if the Overlay image is smaller than the Base).

Mask Palette : Click on the "Edit >>" button under the Mask preview to display further options.

Along with the usual Rotate, Flip, etc buttons, this floating palette also comes with 5 simple built-in gradients to help you get started.

Top Menu Bar : When you are happy with your composite image you can choose to "Transfer To Base" and continue adding further layers, or copy the current image to Clipboard, or save the file.

Browse your hard drive and select a suitable place to save your composite image in *.bmp format.

About Box : Click on the "?" button in the top menu bar to display this dialog which will provide you with some basic program information such as version number, website URL and Copyright data.

Click on the "OK" button to exit the About dialog and return to the main program.

Example 1 : Photo Blending

One possible use for this application would be to mix parts of photographs together. For example, if you wanted to enhance the sky in one picture by fading-in the clouds from another.

Example 2 : Texture Effects

Another handy feature is the ability to add image overlays to certain objects or areas in a photograph, such as distressed textures.

Example 3 : Edge & Frames

You can also quicky apply edge effects using various image masks. The background could be a plain colour or another image/texture.

Example 4 : 3D Texture Maps

The original purpose of this utility is to help 3D users build texture map variations without the need for more complex editing software.

For example, you can smoothly blend different skin textures for your Poser characters using gradient masks, or apply overlays to specific areas only.

More Freebies! : If you have enjoyed using Image Inc. then be sure to visit the Cybia website and download some of the other resources available. Visit online at : www.cybia.co.uk