
   ═  LxProj    : Introduction      ┌     =  Units  : Overview
                : Command Summary   │               : Operation
   ═  Calc      : Overview          │
   ─            : Operation         │     ═  Setup  : Overview
   ─            : Input Values      │     ─         : Colour Options
   ─            : Output Values     │     ─         : Save Option
   ═  Functions : Other Functions   ┘     -         : Command Line Options

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
          Copyright (c) 1991 Helix Software.  All Rights Reserved.

══  LxProj : Introduction  ═════════════════════════════════════════════════

 LxProj is designed to quickly solve projection calculations which require
 a great many unit conversions.  In LxProj, a unit of measurement can be
 assigned to each related value generated by the package or entered by the
 user, ie. all distances can be expressed in feet, all focal lengths in
 centimeters and all slide dimensions in millimeters.  Any required
 conversions are done by the program automatically.  LxProj supports both
 slide or image dimensions and will solve for each value simultaneously.
 You can enter horizontal and vertical projection angles and accurately
 determine the effect and dimensions of the resulting keystoning.

──  Command Summary  ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────

       Function Keys :

          Key         Label      Function
          ---         -----      -------------------------------------
          F1      -    Hlp    -  Help System
          F2      -    Rst    -  Reset System
          F3      -    Len    -  Enter Lens Train values
          F4      -    Prj    -  Select Projector values
          F5      -    Unt    -  Modify current Units
          F6      -    Cnv    -  Toggle Conversion function On or Off
          F7      -    Map    -  Show Angle dimensions in Graphic form
          F8      -    Swp    -  Swap Height and Width Fields
          F9      -    Prn    -  Print Current Data
          F10     -    Exit   -  Exit program or current function

          Alt F9  -           -  Recalculate variables
          Alt F10 -           -  Exit Program without prompt

       Command Keys :

          Escape              -  Same as F10

          Alt B               -  Blank screen display
          Alt R               -  Return contents of current field to
                                 its original value.
          Alt S               -  Enter Setup facility

       Edit & Movement Keys :

          Up Arrow            -  Move to Previous cell
          Down Arrow / Enter  -  Move to Next cell
          Left Arrow          -  Move to Previous digit
          Right Arrow         -  Move to Next digit
          Tab                 -  Move to cell immediately above or
                                 below current cell.
          Spacebar            -  Clear current cell
          Shift Tab           -  Access the Optical Centre field

══  Calc : Overview  ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════

 Calc Mode solves all required projections values.  Like a spreadsheet, you
 can enter known values to automatically calculate the unknowns.  When
 LxProj starts, the screen is divided into two distinct sections, the Input
 Window on the top, and the Output Window on the bottom.

 The top of your display contains a reverse video status line indicating
 the current status of the Conversion function (·· or cv), and any error
 messages.  Along the bottom of your display you will find brief labels for
 the function keys.  The block separating the Input and Output windows is
 used for messages or to display the currently assigned units.

 The Input Window is composed of cells, and one can move from cell to cell
 like in a spreadsheet.  The Up and Down Arrow keys or the Enter key move
 you from cell to cell, the Home key moves you to the first (upper left),
 and the End key moves you to the last (lower right).  The Tab key moves
 the cursor to the cell immediately above or below the present cell.
 Current values are always displayed until you start to enter a new number,
 at which time the cell will clear for entry and editing.  Press either
 Enter or the Up or Down Arrow key to accept the new value and move to the
 next cell.  Press the Spacebar to clear the current cell.

 The Output Window mirrors any entered values and presents as complete a
 solution as possible given your entries in the Input Window.

──  Calc : Operation  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────

 Calc Mode basically works with the relationship of four types of values;
 any three value types solves the fourth. These four value types are:

   Optical Centre                Image     Size (H)     Slide Size (H)
        or           Distance
   Focal Length                  Image     Size (W)     Slide Size (W)

 To start a solution, enter any three of these four value types to solve
 the fourth.  Entered values and any solved variables will be displayed in
 the Output Window.  You can enter values for the second slide or image
 dimension (Width) at the same time.  You do not have to restrict both
 dimensions to the same item; you can mix up Image and Slide entries.  To
 access the Optical Centre field, press the Shift Tab key.  If you enter
 both a Focal Length and an Optical Centre value, an error message will
 appear on the top status line.  Just clear one of them by pressing the
 Spacebar in the appropriate field, to continue.

 The Output Window is divided into three main groups of variables.

 The upper group :    Focal       Dist.       Img.H        Sld.H

                      Opt.C.      Magn.       Img.W        Sld.W

 reflects a solution based on the four main Input variable types just
 discussed above, and assumes that the projector is always placed
 vertically and horizontally perpendicular to the projection surface.

 The second group :   Ang.V            °   BmA.V            °
                      ────────────────────────────────────
                      Height               T.Wid.

                      Depth                B.Wid.

 reflects a solution using the same four variable types and the contents of
 the Ang.V (Vertical Angle) field.

 The third group :    Ang.H            °   BmA.H            °
                      ────────────────────────────────────
                      Left                 L.Hgt.

                      Right                R.Hgt.

 reflects a solution using the same four variable types and the contents of
 the Ang.H (Horizontal Angle) field.  Please see the Angle item in the next
 section for more information.

 When you have finished with a solution, you can either press F2 to clear
 both Windows, enter new values on top of the old, or press F10 or Escape
 to exit the program.

──  Calc : Input Values  ───────────────────────────────────────────────────

 Focal Length  :  Focal Length of the projector lens ie. the distance from
                  the Optical Centre of the lens to its point of principal
                  focus.

 Distance      :  Distance from the projector to the projection surface.

 Image Size    :  Size of the projected Image in two dimensions, width and
                  height

 Slide Size    :  Size of the Slide in two dimensions, width and height.

 Optical Cen.  :  Distance from the Optical Centre of a lens to the Slide
                  plane.  The Optical Centre is a point, usually within the
                  glass of the lens, which geometrically determines the
                  beginning of a lens bending effect.

 Vertical      :  Vertical Angle off of perpendicular at which the Angle
                  projector sits relative to the projection surface, the
                  default being perpendicular (90 degrees).  If the
                  projector is tipped down, the Angle is less than 90
                  degrees, if tipped up, the Angle is greater.  If you
                  enter a value greater than 180 degrees, then an Error
                  message will appear along with a short beep.  You must
                  either correct or erase the value before LxProj will
                  allow you to move to another field.

                  Section :        Top    │     +
                                          │
                                         ─┼───────── 90°
                                          │
                                   Bottom │     _

 Horizontal    :  Horizontal Angle off of perpendicular at which Angle
                  projector sits relative to the projection surface, the
                  default being perpendicular (90 degrees).  If the
                  projector is swung to the Right, the Angle is less than
                  90 degrees, if swung to the Left, the Angle is greater.
                  If you enter a value greater than 180 degrees, then an
                  Error message will appear along with a short beep.  You
                  must either correct or erase the value before LxProj will
                  allow you to move to another field.

                  Plan :                    90°
                                             │
                                       +     │     -
                                             │
                              Left ──────────┴────────── Right

 Input values may be entered with up to eight decimal places.  Although the
 Output Window rounds them to two places, they are used internally by the
 program as entered.

──  Calc : Output Values  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

 Magnification :  A Magnification factor is included here for use with any
                  additional calculations you may need to make.  In many
                  publications, particularly those distributed by Kodak,
                  this factor is a key element in their printed formulas,
                  and can help you avoid some extra calculations.

 Beam Angle V. :  Vertical Angle of the projected beam in degrees.

 Height        :  Distance from the centre of the projected image to the
                  top of the image, along the centre axis.

 Depth         :  Distance from the centre of the projected image to the
                  bottom of the image, along the centre axis.  At a 90
                  degree Vertical Angle, the Depth will be the same as the
                  Height.

 Top Width     :  Width of the Image along the top of the projection.

 Bot.Width     :  Width of the Image along the bottom of the projection.
                  At a 90 degree Vertical Angle, the Bot.Width will be the
                  same as the Top Width.

 Beam Angle H. :  Horizontal Angle of the projected beam in degrees.

 Left          :  Distance from the centre of the projected image to the
                  left side of the image, along the centre axis.

 Right         :  Distance from the centre of the projected image to the
                  Right side of the image, along the centre axis.  At a 90
                  degree Horizontal Angle, Left will be the same as Right.

 Left Height   :  Full height of the Image along the Left side.

 Right Height  :  Full height of the Image along the Right side.  At a 90
                  degree Horizontal Angle, the Left Height will be the same
                  as the Right Height.

 The following chart will help illustrate these dimensions :

                                  Top Width
                      ┌───────────────┬───────────────┐
                      │               │               │
                      │             Height            │
             Left     │               │               │   Right
             Height  ─┼──── Left ─────┼──── Right ────┼─  Height
                      │               │               │
                      │             Depth             │
                      │               │               │
                      └───────────────┴───────────────┘
                                 Bottom Width

 Be aware that the Vertical and Horizontal Angles are tightly integrated
 and that changing one will affect values displayed in the other Angle
 group (Left or Right).  The grouping merely keeps the most pertinent
 values affected by a specific Angle change together.

 If the Input values are insufficient to solve a particular equation, then
 the affected Output field will remain blank, as will any other equations
 that use that solved value.  LxProj will do its best to reconcile the
 missing values and present as complete a solution as possible, but it
 can't read your mind!

 Negative Distance or Dimension values usually indicate that either the
 Angles of the projector are too severe to be relevant, or the Unit
 assigned to Distance values bears no relation to the entered value, for
 example an entry of 20 feet with an assigned Unit of millimeters. If this
 happens, the lower groups of variables (Angles) may be blank, because the
 program does not solve with negative input or solved values.  If the
 entered Angles are too severe, a beep will sound and the message "Range"
 will appear in the upper right corner of the status line to indicate a
 "Range Error".  Modifying the appropriate Angle will remove the message.

 Output values are solved internally with an accuracy of eight digits.  If
 a solved variable exceeds the numeric format of LxProj (five digits to the
 left and two decimal places), it will be displayed in exponential format.

══  Functions  ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

──  Func : Reset (F2)  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

 The Reset command clears all entered and solved variables and allows you
 to start with a clean slate.  Both the Input and Output Windows are also
 cleared.  Even though you are prompted to confirm the Reset, please be
 careful with this command.

──  Func : Lens Train (F3)  ────────────────────────────────────────────────

 If you cannot obtain a lens of the desired Focal Length, and you have to
 make one up by combining two other lenses, the Lens Train function will
 tell you how far apart these lens have to be in order to achieve the
 desired Focal Length.  When you press F3, the cursor will hop to the Foc.A
 field in the top block of the display.  Enter the focal length of the
 first lens and then press Enter to move to the next field.  Enter the
 second focal length and press Enter or the Down Arrow key to move out of
 the Foc.B field.  The distance required between the two lenses will appear
 in the 'Len D' block in the upper right corner.

 In order for this function to work, a Focal Length must be either entered
 or solved by LxProj.  Also, the Lens Train function requires that entries
 be in Focal Length Units, should the Conversion feature be switched on.
 The generated 'Len D' value will also be in the same Units.  To return to
 the Input Window, press the F10 or Escape key.

──  Func : Projectors (F4)  ────────────────────────────────────────────────

 For convenience, LxProj can set itself up for a particular type of slide
 projector.  The principal elements affected when loading a projector type
 are the specific dimensions of the Slide and the Focal Length and Slide
 Size Units.  To load a projector, just press the F4 key.

 The centre block presents a list of choices, each containing a highlighted
 letter.  Press the letter key of the appropriate choice, and LxProj will
 automatically load both Slide dimensions and set the Focal Length and
 Slide Units to their appropriate values.  The Conversion function will be
 switched On if currently Off, and the new Units will be displayed in the
 centre block.  The Distance Unit is never modified.  LxProj will then
 recalculate all variables to reflect the changes made.  To cancel the
 command just press the Spacebar.

 Once loaded, you can continue to enter new variables etc.  Be careful with
 the Reset function, as it will erase the new Slide values.  It is usually
 better to just enter new values where needed, and erase old ones by
 pressing the Spacebar.  If you wish to use LxProj with the same projector
 setup every time, set the Save Input Data switch On, as this will preserve
 the Slide values from session to session.  The new Units are automatically
 saved regardless of this switch.

 Most of the choices in the projector list should be quite clear, with one
 possible exception.  The Reiche & Vogel projectors use two different slide
 sizes, 13 and 18 centimeters.  The 13 cm. choice uses the R letter key and
 the 18 cm. the V key.  These two choices are not for projectors made by
 different manufacturers.

──  Func : Map Angle Dimensions (F7)  ──────────────────────────────────────

 For those of you to whom a picture is worth a thousand words (or numbers),
 you can display the associated Vertical and Horizontal Angle dimensions in
 a more graphic form.  When you press the F7 key, the Output Window clears
 and presents a screen resembling this one below.

                                             11.56
    Ang.V  75.00 °             ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                               │               │               │
    BmA.V  36.80 °             │              9.67             │
                               │               │               │
    ────────────         25.00 │───  7.27 ─────■────  8.58 ────│ 27.00
                               │               │               │
    Ang.H  85.00 °             │             11.78             │
                               │               │               │
    BmA.H  29.56 °             └───────────────────────────────┘
                                             15.39

 I am sure you can recognize it a visual representation of the values from
 the lower Left and Right Angle groups.  The variables are mapped out for
 you as in a previous illustration.  This display is Not a graphic
 representation of the specific shape created at varying Vertical and
 Horizontal Angles, but a simple picture to more clearly show the meaning
 of the solved numbers.

 If a complete solution is not displayed in the Output Window when you
 press F7, then a message "Insufficient Data to Map!" will be briefly
 displayed in the centre block, cancelling the Map function.  Pressing any
 key will restore the previous display immediately, rather than timing out.

 If the Vertical and Horizontal Angles are not equal to 90 degrees, the Map
 displays additional information in the form of two specific angles (a) and
 (b) that are required in order to draft an Image.  The placement of these
 angles is shown within the Map block, and their values are displayed to
 the left.  For more information please consult the documentation.

 To restore the previous display, just press any key.  Please be careful if
 you use the Spacebar to exit the Map function.  If you accidentally tap it
 twice, you can erase the contents of the Focal Length field.

──  Func : Swap (F8)  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────

 The Swap function swaps the contents of the Slide and Image Height cells
 with those for Width.  In LxProj, the Image and Slide Height fields take
 precedence over the Width cells.  Focal Length and Distance calculations
 can be solved using the Width fields if and only if both Height cells are
 blank.  If you then enter a Height value, LxProj will attempt to find a
 solution.  To solve based on the Width fields regardless of the Height
 values, just press the F8 key.

 This function is also very handy when using the Projector function, should
 you need to rotate the slide from its default orientation.

──  Func : Print Current Data (F9)  ────────────────────────────────────────

 The print function prints out all Input and Output values, along with a 
 mock up of the current Map display.  You are given a choice between 
 printing on Normal (8.5 x 11) size paper or Condensed (5.5 x 8.5) notebook 
 size.  Make sure your printer is conected and on-line before selecting the 
 page format.  LxProj will then print the report and return you to the main 
 display.

 If you wish to cancel the print command before selecting the page size, 
 just press F10 or Escape.  If your printer is not ready, a message to that 
 effect will appear in the centre block.  Just remedy the situation and 
 press any key to continue, or F10 and Escape to cancel entirely.

──  Func : Solve (Alt F9)  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────

 If for some reason you are unsure of the solution displayed in the Output
 Window, you can force LxProj to recalculate by pressing Alt F9.  Because
 the program recalculates automatically, this function should be seldom if
 ever needed.

──  Func : Fast Exit (Alt F10)  ────────────────────────────────────────────

 The normal way to exit LxProj is to press either the F10 or Escape key.
 The centre block presents a prompt asking you to confirm the exit to DOS
 by hitting 'Y'.  If you wish to bypass this prompt entirely, use the Alt
 F10 key combination, which will write your data to disk if the Save Input
 Data switch is on, and exit directly to DOS.

──  Func : Screen Blanking (Alt B)  ────────────────────────────────────────

 In addition to the commands discussed above, LxProj contains a function to
 blank the screen from within the program.  This can be most useful if you
 wish to leave the program running while you do other things, and not have
 the image burn into your monitor.  To blank the display, just press the
 Alt B key combination.  Press any key to restore the previous display.

──  Func : Restore Last Value (Alt R)  ─────────────────────────────────────

 Should you enter a new value in any field and then change your mind, you
 can easily recover the original by pressing the Alt R key combination.
 This function will automatically advance you to the next field, and will
 only work while you are in the current field.  As soon as you move to the
 next field after making changes, the original value is lost.

══  Units : Overview  ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════

 A unit of measurement can be assigned to each related value generated by
 the package or entered by the user.  Any conversions that are required for
 a solution are done by the program automatically.

 The Conversion function can be toggled On or Off.  If Off, all inputs are
 expected to be in the Same units of measurement, if On, the entered Units
 take effect in all calculations.  If you toggle the Conversion function
 when a complete solution is displayed, LxProj will solve again to reflect
 the new status of the variables.

 All assigned Units are automatically saved to disk on exit and reloaded on
 entry to LxProj.  The status of the conversion function is also retained
 by the program.

──  Units : Set Units (F5)  ────────────────────────────────────────────────

 Units apply to three main groups of data, Focal Lengths, Distances or
 Dimensions, and Slide Sizes.  To assign Units to any of these three
 groups, just press the F5 key.  The centre block will display each group
 name and the unit currently assigned.  The first Unit (Focal Lengths) will
 be displayed in reverse video.  To change the Unit, just press the Up or
 Down Arrow key to move through the available options.  These options are
 Inches (in), Millimeters (mm), Centimeters (cm), Feet (ft), or Meters
 (m.).  When the desired Unit is displayed, either press F10 to exit the
 function, or the Left or Right Arrow key to move to the next group.

 When the Units are set, pressing the F10 key will return you to the normal
 display.  If the Conversion function is switched On, the new values will
 be displayed in the centre block.  If the Units are changed when the
 Conversion function is active, then all values will be recalculated when
 you exit by pressing F10.  If the Conversion function is Off, then the new
 values will be retained by LxProj for future use.

──  Units : Conversion (F6)  ───────────────────────────────────────────────

 To activate any entered units, just press the F6 key.  The indicator on
 the top line of your display will show the current status of the function.
 When activated, all inputs Must be in the appropriate units, as displayed
 in the centre block.

 ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │ Units :  ── in ──       ─────────── ft ────────────          ── in ──  │
 └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 The F6 key acts as a toggle to turn the Conversion function On or Off.  By
 default, the Conversion function is turned Off.  Whenever the F6 key is
 pressed, all values in the Output Window will be recalculated to reflect
 the current status of the Conversion function.

══  Setup : Overview  ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════

 The Setup section of LxProj allows you to configure display colours to
 your liking and to control the operation of some of the programs
 functions.  Setup is entered with the Alt S key combination.  When called,
 the screen will clear except for the status line and you will be presented
 with a list of changeable values on the left and a box of colour values on
 the right.

 Also, in the upper right corner you will see an indicator showing the
 amount of memory currently available on your system, and along the bottom,
 a display of available command keys.  Each item on the left can be
 accessed by repeatedly pressing the Enter key until you get to the one you
 want.  Pressing the Escape key exits Setup.

──  Setup : Colour Options ─────────────────────────────────────────────────

 In LxProj, each colour value is a single number containing both the
 background and foreground attributes.  Whenever you have selected one of
 the colour choices listed below, the present value will be highlighted in
 the colour box on the right.  Moving about in the colour box with the
 Arrow keys etc. selects the desired colour, which is then assigned when
 you press Enter.

 General Colour     : Normal background and foreground colour combination
                      used by LxProj.

 Highlight Colour   : Colour value assigned to any solved values, or input
                      not currently being edited.

 Edit Colour        : Colour value assigned to any value currently being
                      edited.

 Header Colour      : Colour of the top Status line.  Usually reverse video.

 Command Key Colour : Colour of the Keys displayed on the command line at
                      the bottom of your screen and any on screen prompts.

──  Setup : Save Option ────────────────────────────────────────────────────

 Save Input Data    : When On (Yes), any values currently displayed in the
                      Input Window will be retained on exit and reloaded
                      when you return to LxProj.  If No (Off), the Input
                      Window will be clear except for the Angle value which
                      will be set to the default 90 degrees.  To toggle the
                      status of this switch, just press the Spacebar.

                      Default = No

──  Setup : Printer Port ───────────────────────────────────────────────────

 Lpt Port           : This switch allows you to direct any printouts to the
                      printer port of your choice.  Sucessive presses of
                      the Spacebar will increment the value up to 3 and
                      then back to 1.  Just press Enter when you've hit the
                      port number you require.

                      Default = LPT 1

──  Setup : Command Line Options ───────────────────────────────────────────

 You can, in addition to the Setup Options just discussed, direct some of
 LxProj's actions from the DOS command line.  These choices are entered as
 parameters after the 'PRJ' program name, and are separated by either a
 forward slash (/) or a minus sign (Unix style).  You do not need to enter
 spaces between parameters, but the separator is essential.  Parameters can
 be entered in upper or lower case.

 /b  :  This switch forces LxProj to load its default monochrome colour
        values, regardless of the type of monitor in use.  This can be most
        useful if you are using a two colour monitor with a CGA or EGA card.

 /c  :  Overrides the status of the Save User Data option if on, forcing
        LxProj to come up with blank fields and not load any saved data.  It
        will Not turn the Save User Data option off.

 /s  :  Activates a display of the current status of both the Capslock and
        Numlock keys.  Two indicators will appear in the lower right corner
        of your screen.  Please see warning note in documentation.

 /? /h  Either the /? or /h switch will display a brief list of the command
        line switches and not run LxProj.

══  Getting Help  ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

 Should you have questions about using LxProj that are not covered in this
 Help File, please feel free to call or write.  I am by profession a stage
 lighting designer and could be out of town if you call, but someone here
 will be able to give you a number for me.

 I will only support registered users of this package, and will not accept
 any collect long distance calls.  I would very much appreciate it if you
 could be aware of time zones and not call any earlier than 11:00 am. or
 later than 9:00 pm. Eastern Standard Time.  Many Thanks !

                    Steven Hawkins - Helix Software

     279 Sherbourne Street - Apt.No.5 - Toronto, Ontario - M5A 2R9

                            (416) 929-3807

