Introduction to AIM Tools Pro

AIM Tools Pro is a time-saving desktop enhancement, automation and scripting tool for Windows 95 and Windows NT. AIM Tools Pro includes AimBasic 2.25, a powerful VBA compatible scripting language that lets you control Windows applications, fully integrate them and pass data between them.

AIM Tools Pro  allows you to control both 16 and 32 bit apps in Windows 95 & NT. It features a macro recorder that automatically converts recorded keystrokes to application specific scripts.


Setting up AIM Tools Pro

Setting up AIM Tools Pro is simple. Click on the AIM Tools Pro icon after installing and it will be loaded on your desktop as an AppBar. From here you can customize it to fit your own unique needs.

The AIM Tools Pro AppBar can be located on the left, right, top or bottom of your screen or can float and anchor anywhere on your screen. To change the location of the toolbar simply drag and drop it to your preferred location or click on Dock from the Main menu. Many prefer the AppBar at the bottom and the Windows 95 Start Menu on the left side with both set in Auto-Hide mode.

Create a tab and drag and drop all your favorite applications and documents from Wndows Explorer or your Desktop to the AppBar. They now can be accessed with a single click of your mouse.


Action Tab

The Action Tab allows you to set an action for an event.

•	Script - This is the script that is to be executed when the event is run.

•	Browse - Allows you to browse current scripts.

•	Message Box - Allows you to write a message that will be placed in a Windows Message Box and displayed on the screen when the event is run.

•	Log - Allows you to view a log of events that have been run.


Button Menu : Edit Face

Brings up the Pixel Editor dialog box that allows you to edit the button face or select a new one from icons in .exe, .dll and .ico files.


Button Menu : Edit Script

Brings up a dialog box that allows you to edit and debug the script corresponding to the button. While in the script editor you may press F1 on any AimBasic keyword to get help for that keyword.


Button Menu : Properties

Brings up the Properties dialog box with the Button Tab active.


Button Menu : Setup Shortcut

Brings up a dialog box that allows you to choose an application to launch from the button. You may also select the directory to start in and any program arguments.


Button Tab

The Button Tab allows you to alter features of buttons in the AppBar.

•	Navigation arrows - Allows you to select the next or previous button from the AppBar

•	Navigation arrows - Allows you to select the next or previous button from the AppBar

•	Tool Tip - Allows you to enter text that will show as the buttons tool tip.

•	Activation - Allows you to select whether the button is activated by a single or double click.

•	Shortcut - Allows you to select a keyboard shortcut for the button.


Calendar Tab

The Calendar Tab provides a quick and efficient way to set the date on the Event tab.

•	Set Event Date - Sets the date shown in the calendar as the date on the event tab.

Note: Future versions of AIM Tools Pro will have enhanced event processing and scheduling features associated with the calendar tab.


Event Tab

The Event Tab allows you to schedule events such as running scripts or bringing up message boxes at certain times. To schedule an event set the date and time you wish the event to run. Select the interval. Select the action desired by choosing it from the Action Tab.

•	List Box - Contains the list of events.

•	Action - This is the action that takes place when the event runs. Set this field from the Action Tab.

•	New Event - Brings up a dialog box where you can enter the name of a new event.

•	Set Event - This saves the event information you have entered. The information is also saved if you change tabs or press OK to leave the property sheet.

•	Delete Event- Allows you to delete an event

•	Disable - Allows you to disable an event from running without deleting it.

•	Current Time - Sets the time of the event to the current time and date. For testing purposes you can set the time ahead one minute by holding down the control key while clicking on this button.

•	Start Date - Allows you to select the starting date for the event.

•	Start Time - Allows you to select the starting time for the event.

•	Frequency - Allows you to select at what interval the event is run. You may select Once, Hourly, Daily, Weekdays, Weekends, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly and Every x minutes.

•	Run Until & Indefinitely - Here you may set a specific time and date for your events to end or for them to run indefinitely.


Main Menu

Right click on any portion of the toolbar and the Main Menu appears:

•	About AIM Tools - Brings up the AIM Tools copyright notice, version, user information and registration number.

•	Create Tab - Accesses a dialog box that allows you to name and create a new tab. Drag your most-used applications and documents from the Windows 95 desktop or Explorer to place them in a Tab. You may also drag buttons or groups of buttons from other tabs. The Tab feature gives you complete flexibility and easier access to your most frequently run programs or scripts.

•	Delete Button - The cursor changes indicating you are in Delete Mode. Click the left mouse button to delete a button in AIM Tools.  Click the right button to cancel  the operation.

•	Drag Button - The cursor changes indicating you are in Drag Button Mode. Select a button by holding down the left mouse button on a AIM Tools button. Drag it to the desired location, or onto a tab to move the button to a different tab, and release the mouse button. Click the right button to cancel the operation.

•	Drag Group - The cursor changes indicating you are in Drag Group Mode. Select a group (2 or more buttons connected) by holding down the left mouse button on one of the buttons in a group. Drag the group to the desired location, or onto a tab to move the group to a different tab, and release the mouse button. Click the right button to cancel the operation.

•	Exit - Exits the AIM Tools application. You will be prompted to save any changes. It is advisable however to save often.

•	AimBasic Console - Accesses the application  which is  the development environment for custom scripts. It consists of a Script Editor, Dialog Editor and Compiler.

•	Hide/Show Tabs - Allows you to toggle between showing or hiding the tabs to conserve screen space.

•	Save - Saves the current state of AIM Tools to disk.

•	Insert Button - The cursor changes indicating you are in Insert Mode. Click the left mouse button to insert buttons in AIM Tools.  Click the right button to cancel the operation.

•	Properties - Brings up the AIM Tools Properties Sheet. From the Properties sheet you may access all the functions of the program.


Main Menu : About AIM Tools

Brings up the AIM Tools Copyright notice, Version and registration number.


Main Menu : Create Tab

Accesses a dialog box that allows you to name and create a new tab. Drag your most-used applications and documents from the Windows 95 desktop or Explorer to place them in a Tab. You may also drag buttons or groups of buttons from other tabs. The Tab feature gives you complete flexibility and easier access to your most frequently run programs or scripts.


Main Menu : Delete Button

The cursor changes indicating you are in Delete Mode. Click the left mouse button to delete a button in AIM Tools Pro.  Click the right button to cancel  the operation.


Main Menu : Drag Button

The cursor changes indicating you are in Drag Button Mode. Select a button by holding down the left mouse button on a AIM Tools Pro button. Drag it to the desired location, or onto a tab to move the button to a different tab, and release the mouse button. Click the right button to cancel the operation.


Main Menu : Drag Group

The cursor changes indicating you are in Drag Group Mode. Select a group (2 or more buttons connected) by holding down the left mouse button on one of the buttons in a group. Drag the group to the desired location, or onto a tab to move the group to a different tab, and release the mouse button. Click the right button to cancel the operation.


Main Menu : Exit

Exits the AIM Tools Pro application. You will be prompted to save any changes. It is advisable however to save often.


Main Menu : Hide/Show Tabs

Allows you to toggle between showing or hiding the tabs to conserve screen space.


Main Menu : Insert Button

The cursor changes indicating you are in Insert Mode. Click the left mouse button to insert buttons in AIM Tools Pro.  Click the right button to cancel the operation.


Main Menu : Properties

Brings up the AIM Tools Pro Properties Sheet. From the Properties sheet you may access all the functions of the program.


Main Menu : Save

Saves the current state of AIM Tools Pro to disk.


Pixel Editor
Pixel Editor Basics

You may select an icon or edit or change and existing  button image with this versatile utility. Access the Pixel Editor by right clicking on the button you would like to edit and choose “Edit Face”.

The Pixel Editor contains the following elements:

•	Bitmap  Displays a bitmap of the Button face. This is the editing area

•	Color Palette  Allows one of 16 colors to be used to draw or fill pixels. Click with the Left or Right mouse button to select the desired color.

•	Extract Icon  Opens up a Windows .EXE, .DLL or .ICO file, which may contain icons. If the file you select contains icons, the icons will be shown in a window. Click on an icon to have it entered into the pixel editor. If the file contains more than one icon, you can click in the background of the window to go to the next page The icons will be automatically sized to the size of the button in the pixel editor.

•	Button  The current Button’s face as it normally appears.

•	Reload Erases any editing changes and restores the original Button face.

•	Draw/Fill  Specifies whether a mouse clidk Draws a single pixel or fills a field of pixels

•	L/R  Determines the colors that are drawn or filled by the left and right mouse buttons.

•	Size (x)  Displays a rectangle the size of the source bitmap.

•	Arrows  Scrolls the bitmap in the respective direction.

•	Flip-horizontally  Flips the image along the vertical line.

•	Rotate  Rotates the image counter-clockwise

•	Flip Vertically  Flips the image along the horizontal axis

•	Lift  Displays a rectangle the size of the source bitmap. You can use this element to capture buttons displayed on your screen.

•	Make  Allows you to create a variable-sized rectangle to capture any part of the screen.

•	Undo  Erases the previous action.


Script Tab

The Script Tab allows you to create scripts that can be accessed by name.

•	List Box - Contains the list of scripts and global scripts.

•	New - Brings up a dialog box where you can enter the name of a new script.

•	Edit - Brings up the Script Editor dialog box that allows you to edit and debug a script. While in the script editor you may press F1 on an AimBasic keyword to access further help for that keyword.

•	Delete - Allows you to delete a script.

•	Shortcut - Allows you to select a keyboard shortcut for the script.


Tab Menu

Access the Tab Menu by right clicking on any tab label.

Menu choices:

•	Rename Tab -  Change or edit the tab name.

•	Delete Tab - Allows you to delete a tab. You must move all buttons to a different tab before deleting the tab

•	Shift Tab Left - Shifts the selected tab one position to the left.

•	Shift Tab Right - Shifts the selected Tab one position to the right.

•	Window - By placing an application’s caption here the tab gains the focus when the app is accessed or when choosing the tab, if the application is running, it gains the focus.


Tab Menu : Delete Tab

Allows you to delete a tab. You must move all buttons to a different tab before deleting the tab.


Tab Menu : Rename Tab

Allows you to rename a tab.


Tab Menu : Shift Tab Left

Shifts the selected tab one position to the left.


Shift Tab Right
Tab Menu : Shift Tab Right

Shifts the selected Tab one position to the right.


Toolbar Tab

The Toolbar Tab allows you to alter general features of the AIM Tools Pro Toolbar

•	Placement - Select which side of your screen you want the AppBar to be anchored.

•	Borders - Place a border on one or more sides of the AppBar

•	Button Size - Allows varying the button size from 8 x 8 to 48 x 48. The button faces will automatically be resized. Note that making current buttons smaller may cause distortion in the button faces

•	Tool Tip Time - Varies the time before a tool tip appears.

•	Save - Saves the current state of the AppBar to disk.

•	Auto-Hide - Allows toggling of the Auto-Hide feature. When the AppBar is in auto-hide state it will be removed from the screen. Placing the mouse cursor at the edge of the screen  where the AppBar resides will cause it to be shown again.


Button Menu : Record Macro

The Record Macro feature allows you to record keystrokes and convert them into a script. When recording a macro activate the application by clicking in it before beginning to record keystrokes. A script will be created that will capture the name of the application title and insert it into the AppActivate command.

Remember that Windows 95 applications alter the caption in some title bars. If the title changes after recording you could generate a runtime error. AimBasic’s AppActivate command will accept partial title bar matches. Edit the AppActivate “{app title}” to reflect only the first three or four words of the caption, such as:  Appactivate “Microsoft Word” when the caption reads “Microsoft Word - AIM Tools.doc”


AimBasic, Cross-Applcation Macro Language
AimBasic, Cross-Application Macro Language

AimBasic is a powerful, complete VBA compatible macro language. See aimbasic.hlp.


License Agreement

LICENSE AGREEMENT

Title to the licensed software is not transferred to the customer. Customer is granted an exclusive license to use the licensed software on a SINGLE computer or workstation.  EACH computer or computer workstation must have its own licensed copy.

COPYING RESTRICTIONS

Customer may make backup copies of the software for archival purposes only.  No more than one (1) copy may be in existence at any one time. Each copy shall include in readable format any and all confidential, proprietary and copyright notices or markings contained on the original provided by Aimsoft Development Corporation (ADC).

PATENT AND COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

The licensed software is protected by the copyright laws of the United States, the State of Nevada, and other proprietary rights of ADC.

LIMITED WARRANTY

ADC hereby warrants that, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of delivery to the customer, the licensed software shall materially conform to the performance defined in the pertinent documentation relating thereto (manual, guides, and computer-aided instructions). ADC does not warrant that the operation of the licensed software will be uninterrupted or error-free. Customers sole and exclusive remedy for failure of the licensed software to materially conform to the performance defined in the pertinent documentation is for customer to return the licensed software to ADC and notify ADC in writing of such non-conformity within thirty (30) days of delivery to customer. ADC's sole obligation shall be, at their option, upon inspection of the licensed software, to within a reasonable time, determine whether the licensed software has been tampered with in a manner which would have violated the software license agreement. In such a case, ADC will terminate the software agreement and notify customer of such in writing within (60) days. If the licensed software is defective, ADC will provide the customer with another copy of the licensed software, and the warranty period will begin upon delivery of the replaced licensed software to the customer.

DISCLAIMER OF OTHER WARRANTIES

The express limited warranty set forth above is in lieu of any other express warranties.  The implied warranty of merchantability is limited to the duration of the express limited warranty .  ADC disclaims any implied warranty, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and, for periods after expiration of the express limited warranty, of merchantability.  ADC further disclaims and all warranties and representations made by persons other than ADC including, but not limited to, distributors of any ADC software.

Aimsoft Development Corporation

2533 Carson St., Ste. 2980,

Carson City, NV 89706


Registering Online

In order to receive discounted upgrades and technical support, all AIM Tools users must register.  You may easily register this product online in our Support Center. After submitting your information you will receive via e-mail your registration name and password.

Register in the Support Center now at http://www.aimtools/support.htm.

If you have not done so already please read the License agreement


Reporting Bugs

If you experience something you think might be a bug, please report it by sending an e-mail message to support@aimtools.com . Place the word “Bug” in the Subject field. Describe what you did, what happened, the version of AIM Tools and  any error messages. The type of computer you have and which operating system you're using would also be helpful along with anything else you think might be relevant.

You will receive an automated response indicating that your bug report has been received and forwarded to the proper person. Unless you request additional information, you will not receive any other response.


Suggestions

We welcome your suggestions on improving our products. Please send them via email to: sales@aimtools.com . You may also send your suggestions to: Aimsoft Development Corporation, Product Development Division, 2533 Carson St., Suite 2980, Carson City, CA  89706.


What's new in AIM Tools Pro?

Information concerning new features of AppBar goes here...

The AIM Tools Professional License Program was designed for Value-Added Resellers, Systems Integrators and IS Consultants to provide their customers with turnkey application interface customization through advanced interface enhancement tools.

By joining the AIM Tools Professional program you agree to the following terms and conditions in addition to the terms and conditions stipulated in the License Agreement:

License Term:

Twelve month period from the purchase date of the product. Renewal notices will be sent to you approximately one month prior to the license expiration date. You must renew the license by the renewal date or cease further distribution of toolbars.

License Conditions:

All toolbars must be distributed in  “locked out”, uneditable mode. Scripts contained in toolbars must be in compiled executable form only. If you choose to extend any editing rights to a customer you must pay an addtional one time royalty of $299.00 to Aimsoft Development Corporation.

This license is application-specific. The application for which you obtained this license must be installed on the computer in which the toolbar is placed.

If you distribute any toolbars to any company other than your own, you must register them in our Support Center, at http://www.aimtools.com. By registering them you ensure that proper credit is given if they choose to purchase any commercial products direct from Aimsoft.

Any violation of the above conditions may result in the termination of your license agreement.


Global Scripts

Global scripts are not run like regular scripts. Global scripts are a collection of statements and functions that you write that can be called by other scripts. This saves time since you don't have to write often used statements and functions more than once. You should keep this in mind when devising implementation strategies. Simply replace Sub Main() with the name of your global script such as:  Sub Stuff(). You may then use the Stuff global script in any subsequent script. An example:

Sub Main()

Stuff

End Sub


Button Menu

By right-clicking on any button the following menu choices appears:

•	Properties - Brings up the Properties dialog box with the Button Tab active

•	Record Macro  - The Record Macro feature allows you to record keystrokes and convert them into a script. When recording a macro activate the application by clicking in it before beginning to record keystrokes. AIM Tools will create a script that will capture the name of the application title and insert it into the AppActivate command.

*Remember that Windows 95 applications alter the caption in some title bars. If the title changes after recording you could generate a runtime error. AimBasic’s AppActivate command will accept partial title bar matches. Edit the AppActivate “{app title}” to reflect only the first three or four words of the caption, such as:  Appactivate “Microsoft Word” when the caption reads “Microsoft Word - AIM Tools.doc”

•	Edit Script - Brings up a dialog box that allows you to edit and debug the script corresponding to the button. While in the script editor you may press F1 on any AimBasic keyword to get help for that keyword.

•	Setup Shortcut  - Brings up a dialog box that allows you to choose an application to launch from the button. You may also select the directory to start in and any program arguments

•	Edit Face - Brings up the Pixel Editor dialog box that allows you to edit the button face or select a new one from icons in .exe, .dll and .ico files.


AimBasic Console

Accessed through the StartBar and the Main Menu, this application  is the development environment for custom scripts. It consists of a Script Editor, Dialog Editor and Compiler.


Order Information

AIM Tools Pro is available for immediate download online at http://www.aimtools.com/. The suggested online price is $149.00. Prices may be discounted during special promotional periods. Network versions are also available. Complete and current pricing is available on our web site.

Order Online Now!

If you wish to have both disk and User’s Guide, the price is $149.00, plus a 9.95 Shipping and Packaging charge. Product is shipped USPS Priority Mail. You may order with Visa, Mastercard, corporate purchase order or personal check in the following ways:

CALL: 1-800-246-6690 (USA) or 1-702-841-3271 (International) - Available 8am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

FAX: 1-702-883-2384 - Available 24 hours.

E-MAIL: sales@aimtools.com

MAIL: Aimsoft Development Corporation, 2533 Carson St., Ste. 2980, Carson City, NV 89706

Make check payable to: Aimsoft Development Corporation

*Please allow up to two weeks for delivery.

Need toolbars and event scheduling to complete your interface enhancement? Check out AIM Tools for Windows 95 and NT at http://www.aimtools.com/ . All products are available for immediate ordering and downloading online.

Need customized company-wide interfaces designed? You’ll find a list of our AIM Tools Authorized Resellers at

http://www.aimtools.com/reseldir.htm.