REPOSITIONING MENUS
-------------------

You can position your menus anywhere on the screen, and 3DMENU will 
save those positions to use each time your menu system is run.

To reposition the active menu, press Shift to make its border flash.

Continue to hold down the Shift key while you use the cursor keys 
(or mouse) to move the menu to a new position.

To reposition an inactive menu, press Shift+ESC until the border 
flashes on the menu you want to reposition.

Continue to hold down the Shift key while you use the cursor keys 
(or mouse) to move the menu to a new position.

NOTE:  If you make a change to the active menu using the Edit Menu 
       (F10) command from the Control Menu, the menu will return to 
       the center of the screen (default position), and may then need 
       to be repositioned.


STARTING 3DMENU - FROM THE DOS PROMPT
-------------------------------------

To start 3DMENU from the DOS prompt type:

     MENU

and press ENTER.

(If, during installation, you chose a command other than the default, 
"MENU", substitute that command for "MENU").


STARTING 3DMENU - AUTOMATICALLY ON REBOOT
-----------------------------------------

During installation, if you answered Yes to the prompt "Do you want 
3DMENU to appear after a re-boot?", 3DMENU will start automatically 
every time you turn on (or reboot) your computer.

If you answered No to the above prompt during installation, and later 
change your mind, edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and add the command 
"MENU" as the last line.  (If, during installation, you chose a 
command other than the default, "MENU", substitute that command for 
"MENU").


SELECTING A MENU OPTION
-----------------------

A menu's options can only be selected when that menu is "active".  A 
menu is active while it is in the foreground, with a double line 
border.

If a sub-menu is currently active and the option you want to select 
is on a previous menu, press ESC (or right mouse button), to back up 
one menu level at a time.

To select a menu option:
------------------------
Press the number key that matches the number of the option you want, 
OR:
Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight the option you 
want, then press ENTER (or left mouse button).

NOTE:  3DMENU takes up no memory when your menu options are running.  
       All available memory can be used by your software programs.


SELECTING A CONTROL MENU COMMAND
--------------------------------

The Control Menu consists of a pop-up window containing the commands 
used by 3DMENU.

The Control Menu is activated by the system control key.  You can 
choose the system control key you want to use to activate the 
Control Menu.  If you have chosen a system control key other than the 
default, CTRL, substitute that key wherever CTRL is referred to
below.

To select a Control Menu command:
---------------------------------
Press the command's shortcut key (if applicable), 
OR:
Press CTRL to activate the Control Menu.
Select a command by pressing the letter key that matches the 
command's highlighted letter.


CREATING/EDITING MENU OPTIONS
-----------------------------

Shortcut key:  F10

Use this command to enter the edit screen for the menu that is 
currently "active".  A menu is active while it is in the foreground, 
with a double line border, and its options available for selection.

NOTE:  If you make a change to the active menu using the Edit Menu 
       (F10) command from the Control Menu, the menu will return to 
       the center of the screen (default position), and may then need 
       to be repositioned.  Refer to "REPOSITIONING MENUS" section.

From the edit screen, you may add, edit, move, or delete the active 
menu's options.


ADDING A NEW MENU OPTION
------------------------

To add a new menu option, follow these steps while in the edit 
screen:

1.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight a blank 
    option.  Press ENTER (or left mouse button).

2.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to select the type of 
    option you want to create.  A "Sub-Menu" option will call up a 
    sub-menu containing more options to choose from, whereas a 
    "Command" option will launch a command or program.  Menus on the 
    8th and last level can only contain Command options.

3.  Enter a title for the option.  The title can be up to 50 
    characters in length.  3DMENU automatically adjusts the width of 
    the menu to accommodate the option with the longest title.

4.  If you have created a Sub-Menu option, you cannot add options to
    it from this edit screen.  You must first make the sub-menu the 
    "active" menu, and then press F10 to go to its edit screen.

    If you have created a Command option, you must select the drive, 
    directory, and name of the command or program file the option 
    will launch.  Use PgUp and PgDn keys to scroll, or press a 
    letter key to display selections that start with that letter.
    Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight selection, 
    then press ENTER (or left mouse button) to insert selection.

    NOTE:  If you have nested sub-directories, select <OK> when the 
           required path is complete.  Use the backspace key to remove an 
           inserted selection and back up to the "parent" or previous 
           directory.

5.  3DMENU uses the information you provide to create a Command file 
    (DOS batch file) which is sufficient to run the option.  
    3DMENU 's text editor will display the new Command file, and you 
    can either press ESC to accept it as created, or edit it further.

    NOTE:  If you are using DOS version 3.3 or higher, and the 
           command or program file you selected is a DOS batch file 
           (extension .BAT), it will be preceded by the command 
           "CALL" in the Command file.
           If you are using DOS version 2.0 through 3.2, the batch 
           file's contents will be merged into the Command file.

    Since 3DMENU 's Command files can accept any standard DOS 
    commands or DOS parameters, you can edit them and make them as 
    complex as you need them to be.  Refer to "USING THE TEXT 
    EDITOR" section for instructions on using the editor.


EDITING AN EXISTING SUB-MENU OPTION
-----------------------------------

NOTE:  To change an existing Sub-Menu option to a Command option (or 
       vice versa), you must delete the option and then recreate it, 
       selecting the new type.

To edit an existing Sub-Menu option, follow these steps while in the 
edit screen:

1.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to select the Sub-Menu 
    option.  Press ENTER (or left mouse button).

2.  Edit the title for the sub-menu, or press ENTER to accept the 
    existing title.

3.  To edit options on the sub-menu, you must first make the sub-menu 
    the "active" menu, and then press F10 to go to its edit screen.


EDITING AN EXISTING COMMAND OPTION
----------------------------------

NOTE:  To change an existing Command option to a Sub-Menu option (or 
       vice versa), you must delete the option and then recreate it, 
       selecting the new type.

To edit an existing Command option, follow these steps while in the 
edit screen:

1.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to select the Command 
    option.  Press ENTER (or left mouse button).

2.  Edit the title for the option, or press ENTER to accept the 
    existing title.

3.  3DMENU 's text editor will display the option's Command file, 
    and you can either press ESC to accept it "as is", or edit it 
    further.

    Since 3DMENU 's Command files can accept any standard DOS 
    commands or DOS parameters, you can edit them and make them as 
    complex as you need them to be.  Refer to "USING THE TEXT 
    EDITOR" section for instructions on using the editor.


DELETING A MENU OPTION
----------------------

To delete an existing option, follow these steps while in the edit 
screen:

1.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to select the option.

2.  Press the DELETE key twice.

    If the option is a sub-menu, 3DMENU will not allow you to delete 
    it until that sub-menu is empty.  You must first edit the 
    sub-menu and delete all of its options.


EDITING THE MENU SYSTEM BANNER
------------------------------

The banner is the title which appears above all menus in your menu 
system.  It can be up to 50 characters in length.  3DMENU auto-
matically adjusts the width of the banner box to accommodate the 
banner text.

If you do not want a banner to appear above your menus, make it 
blank, and no banner box will be displayed.

To edit the menu system banner, follow these steps while in any 
menu's edit screen:

1.  Press the "B" key to select the banner.

2.  Edit the banner text, or press ENTER to accept the existing text.


CONVERTING AN EXISTING MENU SYSTEM TO 3DMENU
--------------------------------------------

3DMENU creates/uses standard DOS batch files as its Command files.  
Therefore, any existing batch file menu system can be easily 
converted to 3DMENU.

To convert an existing menu system that uses standard DOS batch 
files, follow these steps:

1.  Use the Edit Menu (F10) command from the Control Menu.

2.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight a blank 
    option.  Press ENTER (or left mouse button).

3.  Select the type of option you want to create.

4.  Enter a title for the option.

5.  When prompted to select the drive, directory, and name of file, 
    press ESC to ignore the prompts and enter 3DMENU 's text editor.

6.  Press Shift+F5 to import the applicable batch file from the 
    existing menu system.

7.  Repeat the above steps for each batch file from the existing menu 
    system.

NOTE:  After importing a batch file, make sure it contains the 
       following basic 3DMENU Command file components:

       ECHO OFF        (turns off DOS echo)
       <DRIVE>         (changes to drive specified)
       CD <DIR>        (changes to directory specified)
       <COMMAND>       (runs program specified)
       C:\3DMENU\MENU  (runs 3DMENU)


SPECIFYING RETURN MENU
----------------------

The "return menu" refers to the menu that an option returns to after 
running.  Each option can have a different return menu.

By default, a menu option returns to the same menu that ran the 
option.  3DMENU uses the following as the last line of the option's 
Command file:

     C:\3DMENU\MENU

To specify the "parent" or previous menu as the return menu, the last 
line of the option's Command file must be:

     C:\3DMENU\MENU  P

To specify the main menu level as the return menu, the last line of 
the option's Command file must be:

     C:\3DMENU\MENU  M

If you have installed 3DMENU in a drive and/or directory other than 
the default, C:\3DMENU, substitute the specified drive and/or 
directory for C:\3DMENU above.

To exit to DOS instead of returning to any menu, NONE of the above 
commands should be included in the option's Command file.


PARAMETER PASSING
-----------------

Parameter passing provides versatility to your menu options, allowing 
them to accept different variables each time they are run.

The standard DOS parameter passing symbols, %1 through %9, can be 
included in the Command file of any option.  3DMENU will recognize 
these symbols, as long as the Command file containing them was 
created by 3DMENU.

EXAMPLE:

An option that launches the program Microsoft Word can prompt for a 
file name to load.  Edit the option's Command file, and replace the 
command:

WORD

with the command:

WORD  %1

Each time the option is run, 3DMENU will prompt for the parameter(s) 
required.
The option's customized help message (if created) will also appear 
automatically whenever the option is selected.


MOVING AN EXISTING MENU OPTION - WITHIN THE SAME MENU
-----------------------------------------------------

You can move an existing option, without having to delete it and 
recreate it.  If the option is a sub-menu, all of the Menu files and 
Command files below it will move to the new location automatically.

To move an option within the same menu, follow these steps:

1.  Use the Edit Menu (F10) command from the Control Menu.

2.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight the option 
    you want to move.

3.  Hold down the Shift key while you use up and down cursor keys to 
    move the option to a new position.


MOVING AN EXISTING MENU OPTION - TO ANOTHER MENU
------------------------------------------------

You can move an existing option, without having to delete it and 
recreate it.  If the option is a sub-menu, all of the Menu files and 
Command files below it will move to the new location automatically.

To move an option to another menu, follow these steps:

1.  Use the Edit Menu (F10) command from the Control Menu.

2.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight the option 
    you want to move, then press Shift+Delete to place the option in 
    the Transfer Area.

3.  Press ESC to exit the edit screen.

4.  Make the target menu the active menu, and use the Edit Menu (F10) 
    command again.

5.  Use up and down cursor keys (or mouse) to highlight the option's 
    new position, then press Shift+Insert to insert the option from 
    the Transfer Area.


HELP FOR MENU OPTIONS
---------------------

Shortcut key:  Shift+F10

Use this command to create or edit the customized help message for 
the currently highlighted menu option.

3DMENU 's text editor will display the option's Menu Option Help 
file, and you can either press ESC to accept it "as is", or edit it.  
Refer to "USING THE TEXT EDITOR" section for instructions on using 
the editor.

To delete an existing Menu Option Help file, make it blank.

Press F1 while a menu option is highlighted to display the 
customized help message for that option (if created).  If the option 
requires parameters, its customized help message will appear auto-
matically whenever the option is selected.


COLOR SETTINGS
--------------

Shortcut key:  F5

Use this command to customize the colors of your menu system.  The 
following colors can be customized:

     Desktop:        refers to all screen areas not covered up by 
                     menus.

     Active Menu:    refers to any menu while it is in the 
                     foreground, with a double line border, and its 
                     options available for selection.

     Inactive Menu:  refers to any menu while it is in the 
                     background, with a single line border, and its 
                     options UNavailable for selection.

     Help:           refers to the help system.

     Time:           refers to the date and system time displayed on 
                     the menu.

     Border:         refers to the border line around the edges of 
                     the screen.

Use cursor keys (or mouse) to select a color combination.  Changes 
are displayed instantly.  When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse 
button) to save, or press ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard 
changes and restore previous selection.


TIME DISPLAY
------------

Use the Preferences (F3) command to select preferences for time 
display.  The following choices are available:

     No time:        does not show the date or system time on the 
                     menu.

     12 hour clock:  shows the date and system time on the menu, with 
                     the time in 12 hour format (ie. 13:00 shows as 
                     1:00).

     24 hour clock:  shows the date and system time on the menu, with 
                     the time in 24 hour format (ie. 1:00 PM shows as 
                     13:00).

When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse button) to save, or press 
ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard changes and restore previous 
selection.


SCREEN DISPLAY
--------------

Use the Preferences (F3) command to select preferences for screen 
display.  The following choices are available:

Border:
-------
     No border display:  hides the border line around the edges of 
                         the screen.

     Display a border:   shows the border line around the edges of 
                         the screen.

When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse button) to save, or press 
ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard changes and restore previous 
selection.

Control key msg:
----------------
     No display:       hides the Control key message ("Press CTRL key 
                       for control menu") at the bottom of the screen.

     Display message:  shows the Control key message at the bottom of 
                       the screen.

When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse button) to save, or press 
ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard changes and restore previous 
selection.


SCREEN SAVER
------------

Use the Preferences (F3) command to select preferences for the screen 
saver.  The following choices are available:

     Activation delay:   Use cursor keys to select the number of 
                         minutes of keyboard/mouse inactivity you 
                         want to elapse before the screensaver is 
                         automatically activated (from NEVER to 120 
                         minutes).

     Select screensave:  Use cursor keys to select one of the 8 
                         available screensave displays.

When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse button) to save, or press 
ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard changes and restore previous 
selection.

NOTE:  If you do not want to use a screensaver, select NEVER as the 
       number of minutes of keyboard/mouse inactivity.

Messages in 3DSCR.MSG:
----------------------
Select this if you want to create your own messages in a file called 
3DSCR.MSG and display them as a screensaver.  The 3DSCR.MSG file must 
reside in the same directory as 3DMENU.


MOUSE SENSITIVITY
-----------------

Use the Preferences (F3) command to select mouse sensitivity:

Use left and right cursor keys to select the level of mouse 
sensitivity you want.

When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse button) to save, or press 
ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard changes and restore previous 
selection.


CONTROL KEY
-----------

Use the Preferences (F3) command to choose the system control key you 
want to use to activate the Control Menu.  The default system control 
key is CTRL.  It is recommended that you use CTRL or ALT unless you 
encounter a key conflict, for example, with a TSR (memory-resident) 
program.  The following choices are available:

     CTRL:  selects CTRL key as system control key.

     ALT:   selects ALT key as system control key.

     F9:    selects F9 key as system control key.

When finished, press ENTER (or left mouse button) to save, or press 
ESC (or right mouse button) to disregard changes and restore previous 
selection.


EXITING 3DMENU
--------------

Shortcut key:  CTRL+X

Use this command to exit 3DMENU.


USING THE TEXT EDITOR
---------------------

3DMENU has a text editor which is used for editing Command files 
and Menu Option Help files.  Some "basics" you need to know about 
using the editor are described below.

The editor has a limitation of 63 lines by 127 columns.  If your 
Command file requires more than this, use another editor (eg. word 
processor).

Selecting a Block of Text:
--------------------------
Many editing functions can be applied to a block of text which has 
been "selected" or highlighted.

Use Shift plus cursor keys to select a block of text.

Deleting a Block of Text:
-------------------------
Press Shift+Delete to delete the currently selected text and put it 
into the scrap area.

The scrap area's contents remain intact until replaced by the 
contents of the next delete.  They can be inserted at any point by 
pressing Shift+Insert.

Inserting a Block of Text:
--------------------------
Press Shift+Insert to insert the contents of the scrap area to the 
point in front of the cursor.

The scrap area's contents can be inserted multiple times, as they 
remain intact until replaced by the contents of the next delete.

Importing a File:
-----------------
Press Shift+F5 to import an existing file into the editor.  The 
imported file will replace the contents of the edit window.

TIP:  You can use the import facility to easily convert an existing 
      menu system that uses standard DOS batch files to 3DMENU.  
      Refer to "CONVERTING AN EXISTING MENU SYSTEM TO 3DMENU" 
      section.



USING 3DGEN
-----------

3DGEN is 3DMENU 's automatic menu generator program, which can be 
used to scan the computer's hard drive(s) for applications and 
generate a complete menu system.

3DGEN can be run during installation, OR as a standalone program from 
the DOS prompt at any time.

An applications database file called 3DGEN.DB is included with 
3DMENU, containing over 500 popular applications to scan for.

Generating a Menu System:
-------------------------
To automatically generate a menu system at any time after 
installation of 3DMENU, from the DOS prompt type:

     3DGEN  /g

and press ENTER.

A complete menu system will be generated based on the data contained 
in the specified applications database file.

If a menu system already exists in the directory 3DGEN is run from, 
you will be prompted to decide whether or not to replace it.

By default, 3DGEN scans drives C:, D:, and E: (if they exist).  To 
specify a different drive or list of drives, include the "/dxxx" 
switch in the above command (where xxx is the drive or list of drives 
you want to scan.

EXAMPLE:

3DGEN  /g  /dCFZ

scans drives C:, F:, and Z:.


READ-ONLY ACCESS
----------------

3DMENU allows you to run your menu system with "read only" access to 
prevent unauthorized modifications.

To limit access to "read only", simply edit your MENU.BAT file and 
replace the command:

3DMENU  %1

with the command:

3DMENURO  %1

This will cause your menu system to run using the 3DMENURO.EXE 
program file instead of 3DMENU.EXE.  No modifications, color changes, 
etc. will be allowed.

TIP:  A quick way to limit access to "read only" is to erase your 
      existing MENU.BAT file, then run the 3DMENURO program, which 
      will create a MENU.BAT file for you.

