
FILES
#####

|--------------------|
|file       |size (b)|
|-----------+--------|
|BLANK  .BMP|129078  |
|BMP    .HDR|55      |
|BMP2LEV.EXE|9792    |
|CONVERT.TXT|3045    |
|LEV2BMP.EXE|7920    |
----------------------


BASICS
######

Here is how you make your own personal level:

    Draw a picture. ( dimensions=320x400 colors=256 format=BMP. Suggested
                     to load first blank.bmp that's included in autsconv.zip
                     reason: blank.bmp includes correct dimensions and palette.)
    Copy your picture to the directory you have your converter in.
    Convert it      ( see HOW TO CONVERT )
    Copy the level to the directory you have AUTS in.


Here is what the converter ( BMP2LEV MYLEVEL ) makes:

    loads picture MYLEVEL.BMP (the name can be anything of course)
    converts palette in MYLEVEL.BMP ( if different from AUTS palette )
    saves level as MYLEVEL.LEV


Here is what the other convertter ( LEV2BMP MYLEVEL ) makes

    loads level MYLEVEL.LEV
    saves picture as MYLEVEL.BMP


HOW TO CONVERT
##############

convert bitmap ( BMP ) to level ( LEV )

When you have the picture in the directory you have your converter
(bmp2lev.exe) just write 'BMP2LEV name'. You should get upper half of the
level on screen and then normal dos prompt. If anything else appears
on screen then something is wrong and you should read TROUBLE SHOOTING.


convert level ( LEV ) to bitmap ( BMP )

Write 'LEV2BMP name'. You should get upper half of the level on the screen
and then normal dos prompt. If anything other happens, read TROUBLE SHOOTING.



SPECIAL COLORS
##############

------------------------------
|color       |special feature|
|------------+---------------|
|0           |space          |
|7           |indestructable |
|39          |water          |
|92-95       |docking plate  |
|----------------------------|

note:   If you are not using blank.bmp or AUTS palette, space, water
        or any of those special colors can be green or red or any color.
        So it is suggested you use AUTS palette that is included in
        blank.bmp .

another
note:   Don't mix docking plate colors ( 92-95 ) and those other gray
        colors ( 108-111 ).

    WATER
    #####

    Only seven water surfases are allowed in one level!
    Don't make too long water surfases ( <100 pixels ).
    Water surfase must be more than five pixels away from ceiling
    or touch the ceiling.   =>Waves must not reach ceiling.



TROUBLE SHOOTING
################

If any text appears on your screen after you write BMP2LEV then
something is wrong, e.g.

Runtime error 002 at ????:????. = File not found
Runtime error 003 at ????:????. = Path not found
Runtime error 100 at ????:????. = File read error (= possible corrupted file,
                                  file in wrong format or dimension,etc...)

Other runtime errors mean something else but you won't see them unless
you do something stupid.

