DIET_AVB ver 0.2 - http://members.xoom.com/zapter/history/

This is an extraction utility for extracting the images out of the Microsoft Chat version 2.1 character .AVB files. 
(Sorry, it does not work on the version 2.5 characters nor the original Microsoft default characters).

- 2.1 was the first Microsoft Chat version that supported color characters.
- These character files were larger in size and cumbersome to trade to other chatters in the room since they
  didn't 'auto-download' in the chat rooms.
- When 2.5 was released, the program supported a different 'compressed' format and the characters also had a
  DCC send ability that allowed them to auto download in the room.

To use this program:

1. Create a folder on your hard drive and name it DIET_AVB.
2. Then extract or cut and paste the DIET_AVB.EXE into it.
3. Next place the character .AVB file you wish to digest into the DIET_AVB folder.
4. DIET_AVB runs in DOS so it will not work if you just click on it. To use it, you have to go to
   your windows 'Start' button on the lower left corner of your screen, then go to the 'Run' selection.
5. From 'Run' type in the command: DIET_AVB 0 filename
   (note: that's a number zero after the name DIETAVB and 'filename' is the name of the character file
    that you are digesting).
6. OK! You are finished! Look inside the folder and you will see all the character images that were in
   the avb file. There is a file called 'mask' alongside each image. Since the page this program came from is
   in Japanese, I couldn't figure out what the 'mask' images were for. Delete them if you wish and concentrate
   on the usuable images that are there in your DIET_AVB folder.

~ Unfortunatly most people deleted all of their old 2.1 color characters to opt for the 'smaller 2.5' version
  counterparts. So there aren't a whole lot of them available. At one time, there were around 200 of them.

March 15, 2023 update: Check out http://www.phoenix-online-nexus.com/Nexus_21/index.htm for more 2.1 version .AVB files

~ Mermaid_Elizabeth - mermeliz@yahoo.com 



 