═══ 1. Introduction (Page 1) ═══ This file will demonstrate building a simple INF or HLP file. The source for this file is available as BASIC.IPF. This type of file can be created simply and easily by inserting pages, paragraphs, lines and lists, one after the other using BookMaker. Click forward to see the next page which contains additional enhancements to simple paragraphs. This page was created by selecting File/New, typing in a Title and then clicking on page. At the Insert Heading dialog, I typed in Introduction and hit return. I then selected Paragraph and typed in each paragraph seperately. Because Options/Autosave is checked, the file is saved after every dialog is presented. ═══ 2. Page 2 ═══ The second page was created the same way as the first. Notice that the res (resource id) number automatically jumped one. Within the same session, the res number is automatically increased with every new page. Click forward to see the next page. ═══ 3. Page 3 ═══ Surprise The preceeding word was enhanced. This was done by creating the word with a paragraph tag and then selecting the word in the main BookMaker window. I then clicked font and at the Font Dialog selected Helv 48x28. The new font was added to the begining of the selected word and the defaults were placed at the end of the word. In the following paragraph the same is done only this time an entire paragraph is selected. The words in this paragraph are enhanced in two ways. First they are selected and the Font is changed. They are selected once again and the color is changed. (It's OK to select the font tags with the text. Just be sure to get the whole thing.) You can select almost anything and apply tags to your selection. The exceptions are artwork, tables, lists, and autotags. ═══ 4. Page 4 (Primary) ═══ This page is listed as primary. The box preceeding the heading in the TOC indicates that there is a sub-heading. Press forward to see the next page. ═══ 4.1. Page 4 Level 2 ═══ When this Heading was created I selected Heading 2. This made the window a sub-heading of Page 4 ═══ 5. Page 5 Lines ═══ In this page we'll use lines of text. Using this tag you won't have to add a paragraph for each line. This is the first line. This is the second. This is the third. These lines are left justified. This is a single line that is centered This is a single line that is right justified. Notice that we changed the font and color. ═══ 6. Page 7 Lists ═══ This page demonstrates lists. This is a caption (optional): 1. Item 1 a. This list is placed within another 2. Item 2 3. Item 3 4. Remember this is an ordered (numbered) list This is an unordered list: o Item 1 o Item 2 o Item 3 This is a simple list: Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Notice that this list is compact In the last list I changed the font. ═══ 7. Page 8 Example Text ═══ This page contains the example tag. Notice that the font is automatically changed. This is used mostly for code examples. #define INCL_DOS #include #include #include #include #include int main( int argc, char * argv[] ); void childcode( void * arg ); typedef struct /* the thread information structure */ { /* */ unsigned count; /* the number of times to display the text */ HEV hev ; /* the individual thread's event semaphore */ } THREAD_INFO ; /* handle */ ═══ 8. Page 9 (Highlighted Text) ═══ Within this paragraph are selected words with various highlight characteristics. This was done by selecting certain words within the paragraph and selecting Highlight. ═══ 9. Page 10 (Graphics) ═══ Graphics are one of the main enhancements to any INF file. This and the following page include Three graphics examples. ┌────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ This is a Character │ │ Graphics example. │ │ Its a simple way to │ │ to create boxes┌────┐ │ │ │ │ │ │ └────┘ │ │ and the like. │ ├────────────────────────────┤ │ It takes some practice! │ └────────────────────────────┘ This is a left aligned bitmap. Click forward to see the same bitmap as a full page graphic. ═══ 9.1. Full Page Graphic ═══ In this example fit to page was selected. The picture is stretched so it appears strange. You can manipulate pages to fix this. See Windows.INF for details on this. ═══ 10. Table ═══ ┌──────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────┐ │Computer │ Monitor │ CD-ROM │ Modem │ ├──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤ │Pentium │ NEC │ NEC │ Hays │ ├──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤ │486 │ STAR │ Creative │ Practical│ ├──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤ │386 │ IBM │ Philips │ ZOOM │ └──────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────┘ This table was created by selecting the table option and inserting text into each listbox. The width of each column was changed to ten. Keep in mind that you must fill all spaces in the first column for the other rows you wish to show. For example if the first column contains 4 items and one of the others contains five, you must insert a blank space into the first column to make up the difference. ═══ 11. A final word... ═══ Keep in mind that all rules for your IPF compiler still apply. You can get a better idea of what's really possible and not possible by going through ipfc20.inf(included with your IPF compiler) first. My old bosses always got mad at me because I always made them read the manual! If you're new to IPF creation, play with the basics first. When you're ready, read the Linking.INF file.