IMAGE-3D Version 2.0 Shareware Release User Manual Copyright (c) 1987, THE QUEST COMPANY INTRODUCTION ------------ Image-3D is a three-dimensional wire-frame modeling program that enables you to create, view, and edit three-dimensional objects. Using a menu-driven interface, commands can be quickly choosen to perform a large variety of design and viewing tasks. And with Image-3D you can move, scale, rotate, and tip your image anyway you choose, making the program suited for a variety of creative design and illustration applications. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- Introduction ..................................... 1 Table Of Contents ................................ 2 Disk Contents .................................... 2 System Requirements .............................. 3 Setting Up IMAGE-3D Version 2.0 .................. 4 Using The Menus .................................. 6 Version Compatibility ............................ 6 Drawing In 3D .................................... 7 Keyboard Reference ............................... 8 Sample Files ..................................... 9 Command Reference ................................ 10 Registered User .................................. 61 Error Messages ................................... 63 Index ............................................ 66 DISK CONTENTS ------------- IMAGE.EXE The Image-3D program (Version 2.0) IMAGE-3D.SET Configuration file used by IMAGE.EXE SETUP.TMP Template file for starting a new drawing README.TXT Instructions for printing the manual MANUAL1.TXT Part One of the User Manual MANUAL2.TXT Part Two of the User Manual Sample Files: TEMPLE.3DM PYRAMIDS.3DM PLATFORM.3DM DRAW-XYZ.3DM CORNER.3DM SCALE.3DM WINE-4-2.3DM 2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------- Image-3D Version 2.0 requires the following: o An IBM PC, XT, AT or Compatible o MS-DOS (PC-DOS) Version 2.0 or later o Two Floppy Disk Drives or Hard Disk o 512K Memory o CGA Version - A Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) and compatible CGA monitor o EGA Version - An Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) and compatible EGA monitor. The Enhanced Graphics Adapter must also have 256K Video Memory (check your EGA card documentation). Optional: o For printing your images on a dot-matrix printer you will need a Memory-Resident Screen Printing Program. There are a large number of these programs available commercially and on the public domain and shareware program libraries. Of the programs tested with Image-3D, by far the best has been PIZAZZ Version 2.0 by Application Techniques, Inc. Plotter support is available only on the Registered Users Version. 3 SETTING UP IMAGE-3D Version 2.0 ------------------------------- FLOPPY DISK SYSTEM Format two blank disks. Insert your DOS disk into drive A and one of the formatted disks in drive B. Issue the DOS command: COPY A:COMMAND.COM B: Remove the DOS disk from drive A and insert the Image-3D Disk. Issue the following DOS commands: COPY A:IMAGE.EXE B: COPY A:IMAGE-3D.SET B: COPY A:SETUP.TMP B: Your working program disk in Drive B is now complete and should contain the following files: IMAGE.EXE SETUP.TMP IMAGE-3D.SET COMMAND.COM Next, remove your new working copy from Drive B and insert the other newly formatted diskette into Drive B. Issue the DOS Command: COPY A:*.3DM B: When all of the sample files have been copied to the disk in Drive B, remove the Image-3D program disk from Drive A and store it in a safe place. The program is now setup. To begin the program, insert your working copy of the program into Drive A, and the "drawing files" diskette into Drive B. The disks should have the following files: Drive A Drive B IMAGE.EXE IMAGE-3D.SET TEMPLE.3DM SCALE.3DM SETUP.TMP COMMAND.COM CORNER.3DM WINE-4-2.3DM PLATFORM.3DM PYRAMIDS.3DM DRAW-XYZ.3DM To start the program from Drive A, type: IMAGE Note: For information on setting your disk drive specification, see the commands: DRAWINGS and SAVE CONFIG. continued 4 HARD DISK SYSTEM From your root directory on your Hard Disk create a subdirectory for Image-3D. Issue the DOS command: MD IMAGE Next, go to this new subdirectory by entering: CD IMAGE Insert the Image-3D program disk into Drive A and issue the DOS commands: COPY A:IMAGE.EXE C: COPY A:IMAGE-3D.SET C: COPY A:SETUP.TMP C: Next, while you're still in the subdirectory that now contains the three Image-3D program files, create another directory for your Drawing files. For example, MD DRAWINGS Go to this new subdirectory by entering: CD DRAWINGS You now need to copy all of the sample files to this new subdirectory. Issue the DOS command: COPY A:*.3DM C: The Hard Disk setup is now complete, you can now store the Image-3D program diskette in a safe place. Note: Image-3D is initially configured for a Two Floppy Disk System. From the Main Menu of the program, the DRAWINGS and SAVE CONFIG commands will allow you to configure your new Disk Drive and Path specification. See the instructions for these two commands in the reference section. To start the program from your "IMAGE" subdirectory, enter: IMAGE 5 USING THE MENUS --------------- Both display Versions of Image-3D use the same method of menu selection. A small pointer moves along the side of the menu to indicate the current position. You control the menu selector by using the UP and DOWN cursor keys. If you are at the top of the menu and you press the UP key, you will "wrap-around" to the bottom of the menu. The "wrap-around" also works when you're at the bottom of the menu and press the DOWN key - which quickly puts the menu selector back at the top of the menu. When you have the menu selector positioned at the desired command, just press RETURN. Depending upon the command, the program will either perform the desired task or one of the submenus will appear. From time to time messages may appear in the top row of the display. They may be questions for you to answer with a menu selection, or it might be a message informing you of what is taking place with your drawing. Whenever you wish to cancel a routine that has prompted you to input a filename or unit specification, simply press ESCAPE and you will return to the menu again. VERSION COMPATIBILITY --------------------- Version 2.0 files are completely upwardly compatible to Version 4.0, (the registered users version) and will not require any modification. Additionally, files created on systems using the Enhanced Graphics Adapter can be used by systems configured for the Color Graphics Adapter and vice versa. The particular display version you are using only determines your own drawing and display options. 6 DRAWING IN 3D ------------- To create true three-dimensional images requires the ability to select points in 3D space. To identify these points (the end points for lines) a coordinate system is used that represents the point's location. The coordinate system must specify how far to the side, how high or low, and how close or far back the point is. A coordinate format of x,y,z will identify this location. The "x" represents the location from side to side (the X-Axis). The "y" represents the location's length (the Y-Axis). And the "z" represents the height or depth of the point (the Z-Axis). Together these 3 Axes create the 3 separate drawing planes that you can draw on and through when creating images. The planes are often referred to as the X-Y Plane, the Y-Z Plane, and the X-Z plane. To make it easier and more understandable, Image-3D identifies these drawing planes using names that correspond to the sides of an image. They are the Left-Right Plane (the Y-Z Plane), the Front-Back Plane (the X-Z Plane), and the Top-Bottom Plane (the X-Y Plane). When you are creating a 3D image, you will be able to choose which of the planes you want the graphics cursor to move or draw on. The selection of these drawing planes and the control of the cursor are chosen using the DRAW command. You will control the graphics cursor in 3D space using the LEFT, RIGHT, UP, and DOWN Cursor keys. Your line will be drawn on your chosen drawing plane in the direction of the cursor key you press. And pressing the cursor key again draws the line further by a specified increment that you select using the F9 KEY while the Drawing Mode or Pen Movement Mode is Active. You can also draw your image from many different viewpoints, since the program draws lines on your chosen drawing plane in relation to your viewpoint. After you have tried out the DRAW command for the various drawing planes from a couple of different viewpoints, you will quickly discover how to orient Image-3D's graphics cursor. It is suggested however that before you begin drawing an Image for the first time, read the following commands in the reference section. DRAW, MOVE PEN, LEFT-RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM, XYZ VP, SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<, SAVE IMAGE, F1-F10 KEYS 7 KEYBOARD REFERENCE ------------------ This is a brief reference to the keys used for the operation of Image-3D. For more specific information about the Function Keys, see the Command Reference Section. FUNCTION KEYS F1 Left View F2 Right View F3 Front View F4 Back View F5 Top View F6 Bottom View F7 (Reserved) F8 Axes Grid F9 Units/Degress F10 Redraw CURSOR KEYS HOME - Drawing Plane. Draw or Move Pen Commands Only. UP, DOWN KEYS - During Menu selection, moves the pointer to the previous menu item or the next. During the Draw or Move Pen commands, moves the Graphics Cursor in releation to your viewpoint. During the XYZ VP command, moves your viewpoint Up or Down, tipping the axes. LEFT, RIGHT KEYS - During the Draw or Move Pen commands, moves the Graphics Cursor in relation to your viewpoint. During the XYZ VP command, moves your viewpoint Left or Right, rotating the axes. During the Color-Fore command, cycles the color palette to the previous color or the next. ESCAPE KEY - Where appropriate, cancels a command, exits the Draw or Move Pen commans, or cancels an input prompt. RETURN KEY - When using the menus, selects the menu item. When using the Draw command, enters the line. 8 SAMPLE FILES ------------ Included with the program files are seven sample files that will help illustrate some of the drawings you can create using Image-3D. If you would like to view the sample files before reading all of the commands, the following commands will give you enough information about how to load and view each of the sample files: IMAGE DRAW, DRAWINGS, END, XYZ VP, VIEW, PLAN VIEW, FULL SCREEN, MAIN MENU, F1-F6, F8, F10 KEYS To start Image-3D, at the DOS prompt enter: IMAGE Note: When prompted for a filename, just enter the name of the file, do not include the .3DM extension. File Descriptions: PLATFORM A drawing of a simple offshore oil rig. Cylinders and scaled cubes make up most of its construction. TEMPLE Display of a Greek Temple. An illustration of how a wire frame model clearly shows all of the elements used to construct an image. DRAW-XYZ This file helps illustrate what is meant by drawing planes. Use the XYZ VP command to look at it from several viewpoints, it will help you orient yourself to the various types of drawing planes. (In addition to drawing on just a flat drawing plane you can also draw through a plane and onto another as shown in the next sample file, Pyramids) PYRAMIDS This file contains three pyramids resting on a "floor" of two-dimensional square tiles. Notice that you can draw lines that slope from one point to another. With Image-3D, you can switch your drawing plane as you are drawing lines, so you can slope or angle your line to any point in "3D Space." (The lines drawn on one side of each pyramid help create a "shading" effect) continued 9 SCALE One of the features of this program is the ability to scale an object's height, width, or length independently. This file shows how a cube can be stretched along any of its dimensions. CORNER This "T-Intersection" illustrates how you can not only create three dimensional objects, like the buildings, but you can add extra two-dimensional detail to enhance the overall image, such as the road and crosswalk. To read the signs, you can use the ENLARGE and SMALL commands. WINE-4-2 Table and Two Chairs. This file shows off the Registered Users version of Image-3D (Version 4.0). The only thing in the drawing that was "drawn" is the cord on the hanging lamp. Every other element, including the bottle and glasses were created from the Version 4.0 library files. A chair is created by scaling a number cubes in different ways and then moving them together to form a chair. Next, a Mirror Copy is made of the chair for the opposite side of the table. And the table is made of three cylinders, each scaled differently. COMMAND REFERENCE ----------------- The next section contains a full description of all the commands in Image-3D Version 2.0. The listing is in alphabetical order and has the following format for each command: COMMAND NAME COMMAND NAME Summary: A brief description of the command. Menu(s): From which menu or menus the command can be chosen. Procedure: A detailed explanation of how to use the command and what function(s) it will perform. Note: Any important tips or facts related to the command. See Also: Where appropriate, other commands that may be of interest. 10 ALL SIDES ALL SIDES Summary: A Scale Type option that indicates you want all the sides of your Image scaled at the same time and by the same scale factor. After choosing this command you will enter the Scale Menu. Menu(s): SCALE TYPE Procedure: By selecting SCALE from the Image-3D Menu, the Scale Type Menu will be displayed. You must choose the type of scale operation you want to perform. ALL SIDES means you want to scale all the sides of your image equally by the same factor and at the same time. After you choose ALL SIDES, the Scale Menu will appear. From this menu you perform the scaling operations. See Also: SCALE, SCALE TYPE, HEIGHT, WIDTH, LENGTH SMALLER, LARGER, FACTOR... 11 COLORS COLORS & COLORS MENU (EGA Display Only) & COLORS MENU Summary: Displays the Colors Menu. Menu(s): DRAW, VIEW, EDIT, and IMAGE-3D Procedure: The Colors Menu will display the four color commands used on systems with the EGA: COLOR-BACK allows you to select or change your background color. COLOR-FORE allows you to set each foreground color (line color) to any one of 64 colors. LINE COLOR allows you to choose any one of the 16 foreground colors you want you next line(s) drawn in. EDIT LINE lets you edit the color of a previously drawn line. See Also: COLOR-BACK, COLOR-FORE, DRAW, LINE COLOR EDIT LINE, SELECT >>>, SELECT <<< 12 COLOR-BACK (EGA Display Only) COLOR-BACK Summary: Displays the Background Color Menu. Menu(s): COLORS Procedure: The Background Color Menu displays 16 colors (0-15). Next to each color number is a color block so you can clearly see which color is currently set to each background color number. Selecting a color will immediately redraw your image with the new background color. You will remain on the Background Color Menu where you can quickly select yet another color. This allows you to easily test which background color you want. When finished, select PREVIOUS to return to the primary menu where you issued the COLORS command, or select COLORS MENU to redisplay the Colors Menu. Note: Even though you have only 16 background colors to choose from, with Image-3D you can still use any one of the 64 colors (0-63) as a background. Let's say you choose color number 13. Your Image is redrawn and it looks awful - this background color just won't do. Select COLORS MENU. When the Colors Menu is displayed, choose COLOR-FORE. Then when the Foreground Color Menu appears move the menu selector down to color number 13 and press RETURN. This will activate the palette selector. Using the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys will instantly change the background color. You can now cycle through all 64 colors and choose the background color that looks best with your Image. When you find it, just press RETURN. Your background color is now set and you can return to the primary menu by selecting PREVIOUS. See Also: COLOR-FORE, COLORS 13 COLOR-FORE (EGA Display Only) COLOR-FORE Summary: Allows you to set each foreground color (line color) to any one of 64 colors. Menu(s): COLORS Procedure: The Foreground Color Menu displays 16 colors (0-15). Next to each color number is a color block so you can clearly see which color is currently set to each color number. Then next to each color block is another number, this number corresponds to one of the EGA's 64 colors (0-63). Image-3D always keeps the color Black assigned to color number 0, and is the only color number you can not change. The other 15 color numbers can be assigned any one of the 64 colors. To change a foreground color assignment, move the menu selector to the color number you want to change and press RETURN. A message is displayed at the top of the screen indicating you to use the RIGHT or LEFT cursor keys to cycle through the palette. Next to the message is a much larger color block and in front of it, the number corresponding to one of the 64 colors (0-63). As you press the cursor key the color block will change color and any line in your drawing using the selected color number (0-15) will also change. When you find a color you like, press RETURN. You can now repeat the procedure for another color number or return to another menu with PREVIOUS or COLORS MENU. Note: Image-3D uses color number 4 for the menus, number 2 for the viewport boarder, number 14 for the menu title, and number 15 for messages and the menu pointer. Feel free to reassign their colors - just be sure you can see the color of the menu options. See Also: COLOR-BACK, COLORS, LINE COLOR 14 DELETE ALL DELETE ALL Summary: Deletes all the line data for your Image. Menu(s): EDIT Procedure: After selecting DELETE ALL, a small menu will appear to confirm your desire to delete all of the line data for your Image. Selecting NO will return you to the Edit Menu and leave your line data untouched. Selecting YES will erase all the line data for your Image. However, all of the settings (i.e. colors, line units, etc.) will not be reset and you can immediately continue working on a new drawing again. Note: DELETE ALL erases only the line data currently in memory. To erase the data you have on disk, issue the SAVE IMAGE command after using the DELETE ALL command or to erase the file completely, use the DOS command ERASE after exiting Image-3D. See Also: SAVE IMAGE 15 DELETE LINE DELETE LINE Summary: Allows you to remove a previously drawn line from your drawing. Menu(s): EDIT Procedure: To use this function you must first select a line using either the SELECT >>> or SELECT <<< commands. If you have selected a line using the SELECT commands, the line will be redrawn using the Editing Line Style as in the SELECT procedure. (if you haven't issued a command that redraws the image, your line will already be drawn in the Editing Line Style). If you are sure you want to erase the selected line from your drawing, press RETURN. Any other key will cancel the Delete Line procedure. After pressing RETURN, the program will sort the data for your image, recalculate, and then display your revised drawing. Your line count will also have been reduced by one. See Also: SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<, DELETE ALL 16 DRAW (From the Draw Menu) DRAW Summary: Activates the Drawing Mode. Menu(s): DRAW Procedure: Once you select DRAW, you can move the graphics cursor using the LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN cursor keys. Each time you press the cursor key a line will be drawn, stretching from its starting point to the current location of the graphics cursor. The graphics cursor appears as a small square on the EGA monitor and a small diamond on the CGA monitor. The graphics cursor moves along a drawing plane that can be selected by the HOME key. Any movement of the graphics cursor will be in relation to this plane and your viewpoint. As the graphics cursor moves, the x,y,z coordinates will be displayed in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. When you have drawn a line to the position you want, press RETURN. The line number displayed with the x,y,z coordinates will advance by one, and will always indicate the line you are currently working on. Your actual line count will be one less. You may have a maximum total of 3000 lines per drawing. After selecting RETURN, you remain in the drawing mode and can continue drawing more lines. To stop drawing, press ESCAPE. Cursor key control will now be back on the menu. If you ESCAPE before selecting your line with RETURN, the unselected line will be erased and the cursor will move back to the last starting point and you will return to the menu. Note: Use the F9 KEY to set the increment the graphics cursor will move each time you press a cursor key. Note: The center of Image-3D's "3D drawing space" is at the x,y,z coordinate: 0,0,0 and the drawing space extends 7,000 units in each direction. However you should keep your image boundaries between -3000 to +3000 since this is the size of the normal viewport. (the extra space is for contingencies and future program features) See Also: "Drawing In 3D" Section, MOVE PEN, F9 KEY, LEFT-RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM, F10 KEY 17 DRAW (From the Image-3D Menu) DRAW Summary: Displays the Draw Menu, one of the primary menus used in Image-3D. Menu(s): IMAGE-3D, and also from the EDIT Menu Procedure: The Draw Menu displays one of the primary menus where all of the commands used to draw the lines of your image can be selected. The Draw Menu is also the only menu where the graphics cursor is active. When moving to another menu, the graphics cursor can be removed from the display by issuing a "Redraw" with the F10 Key. See Also: IMAGE DRAW, DRAW (from the Draw Menu) 18 DRAWINGS DRAWINGS Summary: Allows you to set or change the Disk Drive and/or Path specification for the Drawing file directory. Menu(s): MAIN MENU Procedure: When retrieving or saving drawing files, Image-3D needs to know which Disk Drive and/or Path the files are located. Using the command DRAWINGS, you configure the Drive specification Image-3D will use to locate and save your drawing files. The DRAWINGS command will prompt you to enter the Disk Drive and Path specification you would like to use. You are allowed to have a specification up to a maximum of 40 characters. To cancel the command, press ESCAPE. To enter, type in the specification and press RETURN. If you are setting a Disk Drive Only specification then you must use the following syntax: enter the Disk Drive Letter and a colon. Do Not enter a backslash or any other character. An example to use Disk Drive B is simply: B: If you are also using a Path specification then use the following syntax: enter the Disk Drive Letter followed by a colon, then enter the backslash (i.e. \) followed by the name of the directory. Do not include a backslash at the end of the directory. For example, let's say you have Image-3D in a directory called "Image" on your Hard Disk and you have a separate directory for your Drawing files located below the "Image" directory. For this example the directory name for your Drawing files will be appropriately named "Drawings" The entry for DRAWINGS would be: C:\IMAGE\DRAWINGS Note: Use SAVE CONFIG command to save your configuration. 19 EDIT EDIT Summary: Displays the Edit Menu, one of the primary menus used in Image-3D. Menu(s): IMAGE-3D, DRAW Procedure: The Edit Menu displays one of the primary menus where all of the commands relating to the Editing of your image can be selected. See Also: IMAGE-3D, DRAW (from the Image-3D Menu), VIEW 20 EDIT LINE (EGA Display Only) EDIT LINE Summary: Allows you to edit the color of a previously drawn line. Menu(s): COLORS Procedure: To use this function you must first select a line using either the SELECT >>> or SELECT <<< commands. If you have selected a line using the SELECT commands, the Edit Line Menu will be displayed. Like the Line Color Menu, this menu displays all the 16 colors with a color bar next to each color number. Choose the color you would like the selected line to be changed to. When you do, the line will immediately be drawn in the new color. You will remain in the Edit Line Menu so you can run down the list of colors choosing a color that is just right for your image. When finished, choose either COLORS MENU or PREVIOUS to return to another menu. Your line will now remain in the color you have just selected. See Also: SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<, LINE COLOR, COLOR-FORE 21 END END Summary: To end a graphics session and return to the Main Menu. Menu(s): IMAGE-3D Procedure: After selecting END, you will be prompted to confirm your selection. CANCEL will return you to the Image-3D Menu. YES-QUIT will take you to the Main Menu. Be sure to save your file first. 22 ENLARGE ENLARGE Summary: Displays the Enlarge Scr(een) Menu. Used to Zoom or enlarge portions of the drawing viewport. Menu(s): VIEW Procedure: Selecting the ENLARGE command will display a menu with the following options: SMALL, LARGE, NORMAL, PREVIOUS. SMALL will enter you into the Small View Menu where you can choose one of nine areas to enlarge. LARGE is similar to the operation of SMALL, except you have only five slightly larger areas to choose from. NORMAL will redraw the display in its normal setting. And PREVIOUS will return you to the View Menu. See Also: SMALL, LARGE, NORMAL 23 F1-F6 KEYS F1-F6 KEYS Summary: Selects an Orthographic View. Menu(s): Any menu Procedure: The viewport is cleared and your image is redrawn using one of the Six Orthographic Views. The views are assigned to a separate function key as follows: F1 LEFT VIEW F2 RIGHT VIEW F3 FRONT VIEW F4 BACK VIEW F5 TOP VIEW F6 BOTTOM VIEW You can use this command even while you're in Draw or Pen Movement Mode. If Draw Mode is active, you can use this command to assist you in positioning your lines more quickly, since you can jump from one view to another - even if you are in the middle of drawing a line. Note: The F7 KEY is not used in Version 2.0, it is a Version 4.0 feature for turning the Perspective Mode On and Off. See Also: XYZ VP 24 F8 KEY F8 KEY Summary: Toggles the display of an Axes Grid On and Off. Menu(s): Any menu Procedure: If Axes Grid is Off, it is now turned On and your Image is redrawn with the Axes Grid. If Axes Grid is On, it is now turned Off and your Image is redrawn without the Axes Grid. Image-3D creates the Axes Grid by drawing a line along each Axes (X-Axis, Y-Axis, and Z-Axis) and is useful in aligning your image to the center of Image-3D's rotation point located at (0,0,0), or just viewing your image in relation to the X,Y,Z Axes. Note: PLAN VIEW temporarily turns the Axes Grid off when drawing its four views. See Also: MOVE 25 F9 KEY F9 KEY Summary: Allows the selection or change in Draw Units or Axes Units during the command that uses these units. Menu(s): NONE - Only active during the corresponding command operation. Procedure: DURING THE DRAW OR MOVE PEN COMMANDS: Used to select or change the distance the graphics cursor will move each time you press a cursor key when using the DRAW or MOVE PEN commands. The F9 KEY is used to cycle through a number of different Draw Units while you are still using the DRAW or MOVE PEN command. The Line Units are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 The Draw Menu displays your Drawing Units down in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Pressing F9 will suspend the Draw or Move Pen command and allow you to use the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys to cycle the Draw Units. As you press the cursor key, the Units display will change. When you want to select the displayed unit, press RETURN. You will now resume with the DRAW or MOVE PEN command. DURING THE XYZ VP COMMAND: While rotating the XYZ VP Axes, you may find that you would like to change the degree of rotation the Axes moves each time. The F9 KEY can be used to cycle through the a number of different degree increments. Your choices are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45. The currently set Axes Unit is displayed on the right-hand side of the screen. Pressing F9 will suspend the XYZ VP command and allow you to use the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys to cycle through the Axes Units. As you press the cursor key, the Axes Unit will change. When you want to select the displayed unit, press RETURN. You will now resume in the XYZ VP command and each movement of the XYZ VP Axes will be by the displayed Axes Unit. Note: You can use the ESCAPE KEY to cancel the F9 selection process and retore the previous value. See Also: DRAW, MOVE PEN, XYZ VP 26 F10 KEY F10 KEY Summary: "Redraw" clears the viewport and redraws your image. Menu(s): Any menu Procedure: The viewport is cleared and your image is redrawn. The command will also clean up lines that may have been partially erased by the graphics cursor moving across previously drawn lines. Redraw does not perform any rotation or tip calculations and will redraw your screen much faster than it does after using XYZ VP. Note: You can use this command even while you are in Draw or Pen Movement Mode. Note: The graphics cursor is only active on the Draw Menu. Using the F10 KEY from any other menu allows you to remove it from view. The graphics cursor will then reappear when you return to the Draw Menu. 27 FACTOR... FACTOR... Summary: Your Image can be scaled using five different factors: .99, .95, .90, .75, and .50. To choose a scale factor select one of these factors from the Scale Menu. Menu(s): SCALE Procedure: The menu option FACTOR... does not perform any task other than provide a heading for the Scale Factors listed below it. While on the Scale Menu, your current Scale Factor is displayed in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. A Scale Factor of .50 will cause the greatest amount of scaling to occur, whereas a Scale Factor of .99 will cause the least. You can change your Scaling Factor as needed, and your current Scale Factor will also be saved with your drawing data on disk. See Also: SCALE, SCALE TYPE, ALL SIDES, HEIGHT, WIDTH, LENGTH, LARGER, SMALLER 28 FRONT-BACK FRONT-BACK Summary: While using the DRAW or MOVE PEN commands, selects the drawing plane that is associated with the Front or Back Side of your image. (the X-Z Plane) Menu(s): NONE - Selected Only in DRAW or MOVE PEN commands. Procedure: While in either the Drawing Mode or the Pen Movement Mode, you can toggle your drawing plane using the HOME cursor key. A message in the upper right-hand corner of the screen indicates your current drawing plane. The Front-Back drawing plane will cause any subsequent movement of the graphics cursor to move in relation to this plane and your viewpoint. The LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys will move the graphics cursor along the width of your image (the X-Axis), while the UP and DOWN cursor keys will move the graphics cursor along the height of your image (the Z-Axis). The current Y coordinate value (the location along your image's length) will be locked in place as you draw on the Front-Back Plane. To move along the length of your image, you can use the LEFT-RIGHT or TOP-BOTTOM drawing plane. See Also: LEFT-RIGHT, TOP-BOTTOM, DRAW, MOVE PEN 29 FULL SCREEN FULL SCREEN Summary: Clears the menu from the display, and temporarily redraws your image using the entire screen. Menu(s): VIEW Procedure: FULL SCREEN redraws your currently selected view without a menu or message area by using the entire screen as the drawing viewport. The program is paused temporarily and pressing any key will reset the viewport and return you back to the View Menu. The FULL SCREEN command is also the best place for you to use any memory resident utility program that allows you to print your display screen. See Also: ENLARGE 30 HEIGHT HEIGHT Summary: A Scale Type option that indicates you want only the height of your image scaled. Menu(s): SCALE TYPE Procedure: By selecting SCALE from the Image-3D Menu, the Scale Type Menu will be displayed. You must choose the type of scale operation you want to perform. HEIGHT means you want only the height (Z-Axis) scaled. After you choose HEIGHT, the Scale Menu will appear and from this menu you perform the scaling operations. See Also: SCALE, SCALE TYPE, ALL SIDES, WIDTH, LENGTH, SMALLER, LARGER, FACTOR... 31 IMAGE DRAW IMAGE DRAW Summary: Starts a 3D graphics design session. Menu(s): MAIN MENU Procedure: To begin a new drawing, edit an existing one, or just to view images, this command will clear the Main Menu from the screen and display all the drawing files you have on disk. You will then be prompted for a filename. If you want to cancel the command and return to the Main Menu, Press ESCAPE. To begin a new drawing, enter a new filename that is not already in use, or is not on the current disk. Do not include the ".3DM" extension. To retrieve an existing drawing that is listed in the directory, just enter its filename without the ".3DM" extension. After entering a filename, the program will enter its graphics mode, display a viewport, and load your drawing (or SETUP.TMP if it's a new drawing). On existing files, the program must calculate your viewpoint position, so you will have to wait a moment as the program calculates and draws each line in your image. When displayed, the Image-3D Menu will appear and you can begin selecting commands from the menu. See Also: DRAWINGS, SAVE CONFIG, SETUP FILE 32 LARGE LARGE Summary: Allows you to select one of five different areas of the viewport to enlarge. Menu(s): ENLARGE Procedure: The viewport will divide into four quadrants and a fifth quadrant will appear in the middle. Choose the menu option that corresponds to the quadrant you want to enlarge. After making a selection, the viewport will be redrawn to display only the area in the selected quadrant. You will then return to the View Menu. If you were already viewing an enlarged quadrant when you selected LARGE, the screen will be redrawn in order to display all 5 areas. You can select a new area or use the PREVIOUS command to make no change to your enlarged viewport. You can also switch from LARGE to SMALL without having to use the NORMAL command. See Also: ENLARGE, SMALL, NORMAL 33