For all Macintosh® computers and the chemists, engineers, physicists, architects, 
           designers, artists, cartographers, and programmers who use them.  If you work 
           with numbers on a Mac, you need digiMatic™.  Copyright 1990, 1991, 1992       
           by  FEB Software.  All rights reserved.

 

License Agreement

      You, the purchaser of this software, are granted a non-exclusive license to copy the software on the digiMatic  diskette for use on a single computer.  You are granted a non-exclusive license to make a back-up copy of the files on the digiMatic  diskette in order to protect against accidental loss.  You are authorized to make and distribute copies of the digiMatic  Demo on the digiMatic  diskette.  Anyone making or using unauthorized copies of any other files on the digiMatic  diskette may be prosecuted under federal anti-piracy statutes.
      Neither FEB Software nor its parent company, Huvard Research and Consulting, Inc., assumes any liability for the use of digiMatic  for any purpose.  The purchaser assumes all liability for the interpretation and use of any information obtained through the use of digiMatic .  Liability of FEB Software shall be limited to replacement of the digiMatic  diskette in the event of damage during transit.

Copyright Notice 

                     ©1992 FEB Software, All Rights Reserved

      digiMatic  and the digiMatic  Electronic Manual are copyrighted works.  The copyright laws of the United States and international treaties prohibit unauthorized copying of digiMatic  and the digiMatic  Electronic Manual.
      digiMatic  and the Famous Engineer Brand logos are trademarks of Huvard Reseach and Consulting, Inc., dba Famous Engineer Brand Software Company, aka FEB Software.  Any other brand names and products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.
      This self-standing, double-clickable Electronic Manual was created using DOCMaker v3.9, a shareware program by Mr. Mark Wall, Green Mountain Software,
9404 Valley Lane, Huntsville, Alabama  35803.  DOCMaker can be obtained via CompuServe and Genie on-line servies or by writing to Mr. Wall.

Foreword 
      Computer manuals are supposed to be documents that explain and clarify the operation of computer programs .  To give you, the reader, some guidance in deciding whether our manual performs this function properly, we offer the following regulation recently issued by the Internal Revenue Service to clarify the rules for passive losses (as reported in Chemical and Engineering News, April, 1992).

"(2)  If paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(A) of this section applies to a supplier undertaking, the supplier undertaking shall be treated as similar to undertakings that are similar to undertakings that are similar to the recipient undertaking and shall not otherwise be treated as similar to undertakings to which the supplier undertaking would be similar without regard to paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section."

Thank goodness they cleared that up!  For a while there, we thought everybody might be a little confused by paragraph (f)(4)(iii).  Unfortunately, we have to compete against this model of clarity.

Introduction 

What's New In Version 2.0
      This is Version 2.0 of digiMatic.  If you are presently a digiMatic  user, you will find the same set of trusty point-and-click digitizing tools you used in Version 1.0 (a DA) of the program.  However, we have expanded the capabilities of digiMatic   substantially.  Version 2.0 is an application.  You can digitize up to 5000 data points in a single session with a maximum of 1500 points per curve and up to 100 different curves.  We have further improved the automatic "unrotate" algorithm in the program.  X and Y axis minimums and maximums can now be entered in scientific as well as decimal notation.
      We have added routines and tools to handle automatic screen scanning of scanned-in curves that will be especially useful for reclaiming the underlying values from continuous curves like spectra and chromatograms.  The areas under curves may be automatically calculated using either trapezoidal or Simpson's Rule algorithms.  If the number of data points automatically obtained is larger than you need, we have given you an option to "weed out" some of the points by saving only a subset of that obtained by the AutoScan.  You may save your data as a text file in either Portrait or in Landscape style.  Landscape style is especially useful for files which will be imported into a graphics package or spreadsheet.
      The Electronic Manual has six chapters.  In Getting Acquainted, we will describe the basic controls and features of the program.  The workings of the AutoScan tools and AutoScanning techniques are discussed in Using AutoScan and the operation of the data editor is fully described in the chapter Using the Editor.  Click your mouse on the text Introduction at the bottom left of this window to navigate to different chapters (it's really a button in disguise).  You may also use the Contents menu to bring up the Table of Contents.  Double-clicking any of the topics listed there will take you to that section in the Electronic Manual.
      In Tutorials, we will work through several example problems that will illustrate various data recovery techniques.  In Behind the Scenes, we tell you how and why digiMatic  was created and who created it.  This will only be of interest to someone who would like to know where the name Famous Engineer Brand Software came from and who Dr. Pookie is!
      The list of different uses for digiMatic  described here is certainly not exhaustive.  As you use the program, you will likely discover other uses and other techniques we haven't yet thought of (but since we're really smart guys, we doubt it).  If you do, please drop us a note and tell us about it.  Or, you could keep it a secret and take it to your grave!
      For those of you who are new to digiMatic , you should first understand that digiMatic  is usually used in conjunction with a drawing or painting program.  These are used to display scanned images of graphs or charts on the monitor.  In the absense of a scanner, you may use digiMatic  by simply making an overhead transparency and temporarily taping it over the monitor.  However you do it, all that is required is to have an image on the monitor.  You may use digiMatic's  AutoScan features if you are using scanned images.  If not, digiMatic's  Mouse Mode of digitizing is just as fast and accurate as ever.

Installation and Memory
      Your digiMatic  diskette contains the Version 2.0 application, the Electronic Manual, and several PICT and PAINT images used in the Tutorials.  digiMatic  is compatible with System 6.0.5 - 7.0.1.
      We have supplied digiMatic  with 750K allocated to its MultiFinder partition.  Most users will find this sufficient for most needs.  If you are digitizing a particularly large image with umptiscratch zillions of data points, please feel free to bump the partition up some more.  We have tested digiMatic  on many Mac platforms.   digiMatic  should run on your Mac without any problems.  We have tested digiMatic  while running lots and lots of INITS and System Extensions without problems.  However, we can't possibly test digiMatic  with every INIT known-to-MacDom, so if you call us and say yours won't work, we'll probably tell you it's an INIT conflict (Tech Support Cop-Out #1).

Technical Support Hotline
      If you have tried everything you know to try and digiMatic  still isn't running as it should, call our Technical Support HotLine (throaty laughter) at (804) 222-2215 and we'll try to help you.  We may not know what the problem is either, but we'll be really sympathetic and won't treat you like you're an idiot for calling (unless you tell us you're still using System 4.0.2 and mostly use your Mac to play checkers with yourself ...this tech support call is still my personal favorite).

Please Don't Print Me
      By now you realize that there is no printed manual for digiMatic .  Honestly, if you will read through this Electronic Manual, you will learn how to use this wonderfully simple yet powerful program without a printed manual.  So don't waste paper printing a manual you will never again use.  Help us save the trees and reduce landfill.  Your small contributions here and elsewhere truly are important!

Ways To Use  digiMatic 
            Use a Scanner
      Those of you with a scanner have already figured out how to get a picture of your data on the screen.  Using a scanner to image a graph and then opening the picture on your screen is probably the best way to digitize graphs.  The real advantage is that the screen cursor location is always maintained in an absolute relationship to the screen coordinate system.  If you move the cursor with the mouse, it can be moved directly back to the previous position relative to the picture on the screen.  You'll do an example later using a graph image on the screen.

            Use a Transparency
            Many of you will not have a scanner handy.  Another way to keep the advantages of a scanner is to make an overhead transparency of the graph and temporarily tape it over your monitor screen.  This works well so long as you are able to see the digiMatic  cursor behind the data points.  You must digitize from a transparency while using Mouse Record mode.

          Use a Digitizer Tablet
      The Kurta™ Tablet, Bit Pad Plus™, CalComp™ tablets and the like work very well with digiMatic .  One advantage is that most digitizing tablets have far greater resolution (200-300 dpi or more) than your monitor (72 dpi).  When you click a point on the monitor, you are recording the value at the nearest screen pixel.  This is acceptably accurate (~±0.5%) for almost everything you will want to digitize.  Increasing this to 200 dpi can result in even greater precision because the Mac uses information from the tablet software to "see" the higher resolution. Remember that accuracy will be limited by how close the paper drawing you have is to reality and how well you are able to click on one particular dot on a 200 dpi surface.  digiMatic  can't be more accurate than the drawing itself.  Our guess is that only Superman and Guy Kawasaki can correctly click that one dot every time.
      Digitizing tablets are extremely useful for digitizing graphical data directly from a printed page.  Consult the manufacturer's manual for operation of your digitizer in "absolute" mode.  Please remember to use digiMatic  in Mouse Record mode while working with a tablet.

      Just Use Your Mouse
      We have also had good results by simply using the mouse to digitize graphical data directly from a journal page.  To do this, it helps if the graph is not too large (say 4" x  5") so that the mouse can be rolled around in a reasonable amount of area..  Again, set the mouse control to Tablet speed.  You will need to keep the mouse "lined-up" perpendicular to the data at all times and IT IS IMPERATIVE TO KEEP THE MOUSE DOWN ONCE YOU START TO SET UP THE AXES.  Try this and you will quickly discover the usefulness of the digiMatic  command key equivalents.  You will also start wishing for a scanner...go ahead, try it!
      It is possible to use the "corner" of the mouse as your "bullseye" when lining up on a data point but it is somewhat awkward.  There is a simple device called a Sharp Tracer™ that greatly aids in using the mouse with digiMatic .  It is a clear plastic mouse cover with a magnifying pointer sticking out in front that serves very nicely as a cursor for digitizing.  It is available from International Datawares, Inc., 2278 Trade Blvd., San Jose, California 95131 for about $10.00.  (800) 222-6032.

Where To Go From Here 
      Use the Contents menu at the top of the manual and locate Getting Acquainted to read about the digiMatic  interface, options, and controls.  Once you understand the basic concepts and the names we use for the various control buttons and functions, read the chapters on Using AutoScan and Using the Editor.  Then, go to the Tutorials and work through some of the examples.
      digiMatic  is a deceptively simple program at first glance.  With practice you will discover how wonderfully powerful it can be.  It is quite easy to operate and you will get good results from the outset.  Soon, you will discover ways to mix and match the features of digiMatic  to accurately reclaim whatever type of data you have.