Installation
How To Install P5CADv4
Note : Ensure the all P5CADv4 files replace older versions of the files
1) Copy the files from the zip file to the ROOT of Drive C: of your Psion Series 5.
2) Click on the 'Install.opo' file to start installation. Select the installation drive at the prompt and the program will be automatically installed.
3) Finally delete the 'Install.opo' file from the root of C: of your Psion Series 5
4) Use the 'Extras' bar to launch P5CADv4
Starting P5CADv4
Click on ‘P5CADv4’ on the ‘Extras’ bar to start the program.
Important Note
Due to improvements in P5CADv4 over previous versions, a file format change was necessary. This means that ALL version 3 and earlier files MUST be converted to the new version 4 format before being used. This can be done at the entry screen using the ‘Convert v3 File’ button. The new file will have ‘v4’ added to the file name and it is advised that the old version 3 file is deleted after conversion (e.g. ‘testfile’ will be converted to ‘testfilev4’). Loading a version 3 file may result in a fatal error and is not recommended. During conversion, any text elements will automatically be assigned to layer 5 (see ‘layers’ later in the manual).
Loading And Creating A File
A typical Load Drawing dialogue box looks like this (above). To load a drawing file, select the file required and press the ‘Load File’ button. The loaded file will then appear. To create a new empty file, press the ‘Create New’ button then enter the name of the new file. The new file name will then appear in the Load Drawing dialogue box. Converted files will have ‘v4’ added to the file name.
NOTE: All drawings should be placed within the 'P5CAD\Drawings' subdirectory.
The Main Screen
A typical loaded file is shown below.
Use the 'Menu' key to activate the menu system.
Use either the arrow keys or the pen to move the cursor. Holding the ‘Fn’ key down while pressing the arrow keys will move the cursor 10 pixels.
The virtual page works as follows :-
The square buttons on the right of the screen have the following functions :-
Activate Place Element Menu
Activate Modify Menu
Move Existing Element
Copy Existing Element
Delete Existing Element
Program Options
File Selection And Quit
Saving The Screen For Use In Other Programs
From the menu, select 'Save Drawing As EPOC Picture'. This will allow the screen to be saved as an EPOC picture file which can be used in Sketch.
Printing The Screen
Select ‘Print’ from the drop down menu and then the option required. Ensure that the printer is connected and switched on before commencing printing or a fatal error may occur. From within ‘Print’ the page and printer can be setup.
Placing An Element
The screenshot below shows the range of elements available :-
Use the top right icon to activate the Place New Element tool bar.
Placing A Circle
After selecting the centre of the Circle, drag out the radius of the Circle and press 'Enter' to place the element.
Placing A Box
After selecting the start position of the Box, drag out the other Box corner and press 'Enter' to place the element.
Placing A Line
After selecting the start position of the Line, drag out the other end of the Line and press 'Enter' to place the element. A line can be place by cursor or by dialogue box at a given angle.
Placing A Ellipse
After selecting the centre of the Ellipse, drag out the height and width of the Ellipse and press 'Enter' to place the element.
Placing Text
After selecting the bottom left point of the Text, enter the text string, select the font type and then the text attributes.
Placing Dimensions
There are 3 different types of dimensions which can be placed :- Straight Type, Radius, Arrow Type, Diameter Type or Bullet. All types work in a very similar way. Select the start position of the dimension, select the type and then move to the end of the dimension position. Press 'Enter' to place.
Placing A Line String
After selecting the start position of the line, drag out the other end of the line and press 'Enter' to place the element. Continue in this manner until all lines required are placed. Press 'Esc' to finish placing Line String.
Placing An Arc
After selecting the centre of the Arc and element weight, enter the Arc radius, the start angle and then the end angle. The angles are measured in degrees with 0 degrees is at the 3 o'clock position with the angles working clockwise from that point.
Setting The Weight And Layer Of The Element
Layers enable the user to place all one type of element or one part of the drawing onto a separate sheet for example the ground floor of a plan could be on layer 1 and the second floor on layer 2 with the plumbing on layer 3. P5CADv4 has 5 layers. The layers may be switched off and on. Before placing an element, the weight and the layer should be set. This is done by either using the drop down menu or using the 2nd icon in at the bottom left of the screen. The current weight and layer is displayed at the bottom of the screen as part of the command line message (e.g. Wt:2 Lyr:1). Layers can be switched off and on by using the keys 1 through to 5 and via the drop down menu. The active layers are displayed in the form of small lights towards the bottom right of the screen. The default weight is 2 and the default layer is 1. If an element is placed whilst the current layer is off then the layer will be switched on automatically.
Editing An Existing Element
Use the 2nd icon down on the right hand side to enter edit/modify mode. This means that any of the editable points (see below) may be selected for stretching (rubber banding), weight change (thickness) or layer change.
Move the cursor over the point and select it with ‘Enter’ or by using the ‘Enter’ icon and drag it to its new position (see below). Press ‘Enter’ or use the ‘Enter’ icon to select the new position.
Moving An Existing Element
Use the 3rd icon down on the right hand side to enter move mode. This means that any of the editable points may be selected for moving. Enter the distance to be moved in the dialogue boxes.
Copy An Existing Element
Use the 4th icon down on the right hand side to enter copy mode. This means that any of the editable points may be selected for copying. Enter the distances and number of copies in the dialogue boxes.
Radial Copying An Existing Element
Select radial copy from the right hand menu under the modify icon or by pressing 'R' and then select the element to be copied. Fill in the dialogue box with the values required. The example below shows the centre circles as the element which has been radial copied.
Deleting An Existing Element
Use the 5th icon down on the right hand side to enter delete mode. This means that any of the editable points may be selected for deleting.
Mirroring An Existing Element
Use the 2nd icon down on the right hand side to enter edit/modify mode then use the mirror mode required. Select the editable point then the mirror point. To mirror the original element without copying use the menu shown below in the same way as for copy.
Undo
This allows the user to 'step back' one 'change type' command i.e. delete, move, copy, radial copy or edit. Use with care - there is no Redo !! It does not undo 'Place' commands as this can be done with 'delete'.
Program Options
Pressing the ‘O’ button will show the current P5CADv4 program options (see below).
Most options are self explanatory. Editable Point Size allows the editable box to be larger than previously allowed so making element selection easier. It is not recommended that this setting is below 3 - 5 is recommended. Grid Line Intensity has 4 choices from no grid up to a dark grid. Only untick ‘Enable Mode Confirmations’ if you are very familiar with the program.
Other Information
v1.1 Updates : Undo added - Menu system added - Save to bitmap added - Easier element selection added - Improved arrows - Loading box bug fixed - Other minor fixes - Install program added
v2.0 Updates : 'Virtual' page, scrollable larger than screen - Radial copy around a centre point - Improved dialogue boxes - New 'bullet' element - Place line at given angle and length - Iconed buttons - Elements have different colours to aid identification - Faster redraw
v3.0 Updates : Addition of mirror command - vertical and horizontal mirroring of elements producing either a mirrored copy of the element or a mirror image of the original - Grid line options - Install to D: drive that works and now P5CADv3 can run off D: drive (again) - New icon which acts as a ‘Return/Enter’ key - Disable on screen confirmations for the experts amongst you - Improved error trapping and error fault details - Options file now named ‘options’ not ‘cadoptions’
v4.0 Updates : File format changed therefore conversion program added - 5 switchable layers added - print setup, preview and print screen added - P5CADv4 now runs from the ‘extras’ bar - scroll out icon bars for place element and modify element - method of element placement improved - help document added
New features will be added in the future. Please register the program to ensure development continues. The registration fee is 15 Pounds Sterling or 25 U.S. Dollars. Email the author at andrew@duffy.force9.net for details.
The current version expires on 31st December 1998.
I know some people will try to ‘reverse engineer’ this program. Please don’t bother - just register !
Last Updated 30/9/98
(1998 A J Duffield
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
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