lifeconv - convert old life patterns to 2.0 format

lifeconv [-PARp]

is a format-conversiontool for xlife(6) pattern files. For information on the pattern file format, see its manual page.

A leading -[RAPp] argument forces the conversion format. Otherwise it uses the following rules:

1) If the image won't fit in a 1000x876 screen, leave it alone (thus, very large patterns like the breeder are left in #A format).

2) Otherwise, convert it to whichever of `P' or `R' format takes up less disk space. Offsets are generated in the header so that the hot spot is at the center of the bounding rectangle.

Option `p' converts from old P format to new P format. In old P format, the y offset at which a line was to be loaded was its absolute line number. In the new format, it's the line number relative to the #P control line (if the #P is the first line in the save file the two coincide).

All #-constructs other than #A, #R and #I are passed through without change.

With no file arguments, lifeconv acts as a filter. If given file arguments, the files will be converted to the new format in place.

None.

Eric S. Raymond <esr@snark.thyrsus.com>

xlife(6)