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GL-SHELL.DOC
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1995-02-06
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***************************************************************************
GL-SHELL version 2.1
SHAREWARE
(c) C.W.Windt '94 - '95
***************************************************************************
THIS DOCUMENT:
--------------
1) Introduction
2) Special features
3) Short description of menu options
4) Installation
5) Limitations
6) Moving Gl-Shell to another directory
7) Uninstalling Gl-Shell
8) Removing the introduction screen
9) About GRASPRT
* Commands while viewing an animation
10) Registering
1) INTRODUCTION
---------------
Gl-Shell is an utility meant to make viewing your GL and .EXE animations a
lot easier and faster. Instead of having to re-type your commands from DOS
over and over again you'll be able to click and watch. A lot of time was
spent to make Gl-Shell as user-friendly as possible. That's why there are two
file-listing options in this version: One that enables searching other
directories and drives, and one that was designed to show you all .GL files
at a glance and enable you to choose several animations at once for viewing.
Also, Gl-Shell will remember the last directory you viewed an animation from
and automatically return there the next time you start Gl-Shell. Only the
first time you start Gl-Shell you'll get the Main-Menu on start-up,
afterwards it will immediately go to the file listing menu you viewed an
animation from the last time.
2) SPECIAL FEATURES:
--------------------
You can start Gl-Shell either by typing GL-SHELL or by typing GLS. There IS
a difference other than that "GLS" is shorter!
MEMORY ECONOMY MODE: Will only be initialised by starting Gl-Shell with the
batch-file 'GLS.BAT'! In this mode Gl-Shell will not use ANY memory at all
while viewing an animation. Also, only in Memory Economy Mode you'll be able
to view .EXE (executable) animations. Freeing all available memory for your
animations is especially important when viewing larger animations. In Memory
Economy Mode you'll be able to view ANY animation you would normally be able
to view from DOS. If you still get error readings you might try loading DOS
high and removing any TSR's from memory to get more conventional memory
available for your movies.
SPEED MODE: Is only named that way because in this mode the transition from
the file-list to viewing an animation is a little bit quicker. Especially on
a fast computer the difference will hardly be noticeable. You'll initialize
Speed Mode when you start Gl-Shell by typing "Gl-Shell"(.EXE) instead of
"GLS"(.BAT). Don't worry, you'll notice: there's a warning screen at startup
notifying you that you've entered Speed Mode. In this mode Gl-Shell will
work, but especially when viewing large animations errors may occur. In
Speed Mode Gl-Shell does not unload itself from memory, leaving less memory
available for your animation. Another disadvantage is that you cannot view
.EXE animations in Speed Mode.
3) SHORT DESCRIPTION OF MENU OPTIONS:
-------------------------------------
Main menu:
----------
Select an item by pressing Enter or Double-clicking.
List and View with Directories:
-------------------------------
List all .GL (and .EXE in Memory Economy Mode) animations, change directory
and/or drive. Once you've viewed a GL from another directory this will become
the new default directory. View an animation by pressing Enter or double-
clicking. Change field by pressing Tab or use your mouse. Esc returns you to
the main menu.
List, Tag and View:
-------------------
List all .GL (and .EXE in Memory Economy Mode) animations in the default
directory, looks like dir /w. Tag files by pressing space or Single-clicking,
view all tagged animations by pressing Enter or Double-Clicking. Esc returns
you to the main menu.
Delete a file:
--------------
Deleting a file is now possible by choosing the option from the main menu
and selecting the file(s) to delete. No need to leave the program anymore.
Tagging: Press space or click; Confirm your choice by pressing Enter or
double clicking, or press Esc to abort.
Configuration:
--------------
You can reconfigure Gl-Shell by choosing this item. In most cases you'll
never need this option, except for entering your registration code. Gl-Shell
will normally automatically set the right path to GL-Shell. You can manually
enter the path to your GL animations here, or Gl-Shell will automatically
default to the home-directory or the last directory and drive you viewed an
animation from using the first file-listing option. Confirm your choices by
pressing F10 or press Esc to abort. Change field by pressing Tab or use your
mouse ("Enter" is not used). Important: Do not end pathnames with "\" !
If anything is the matter with the configuration you'll be prompted
to correct it using this option. In most cases you'll be notified of the
problem, but will Gl-Shell fix it itself.
Quit:
-----
Does just that: Quit. You do not need to select this item from the main menu,
pressing Esc in the main menu has the same effect.
4) INSTALLATION:
----------------
a) First of all, you might want to keep a copy of the complete Gl-Shell
package as a backup on a diskette. Highly recommended!
b) Create the directory you want to put Gl-Shell in. There's no need to put
it in the same directory as your GL animations, you can configure Gl-Shell
to look for your animations on any drive or in any directory you please.
c) Copy the Gl-Shell archive to this directory
d) Unpack the archive in this directory
e) Type "GLS"(.BAT) to start Gl-Shell.
In most cases Gl-Shell will automatically configure itself. In any case,
go to the configuration menu and make sure that the pathnames are correct.
If something is wrong you'll get an error message when exiting the
configuration menu.
In the configuration menu you'll be able to specify a path to your GL
animations. You can do this manually or use 'list and view with
directories' to go to another drive or directory. After you've viewed an
animation from this new directory (using this file-listing option) this
will become the new default directory.
IMPORTANT !
Do not try to change the configuration by editing the file GL-SHELL.CNF.
You will easily crash Gl-Shell (I'm not kidding!). Just use the configuration
menu to change the configuration, that's what it's there for.
IMPORTANT, TOO!
GRASPRT.EXE (included in this archive) MUST be in the same directory as
GL-SHELL.EXE itself.
5) LIMITATIONS:
---------------
System requirements:
- a 286 or better processor
- a VGA monitor and card
Do NOT try to run Gl-Shell from another directory than the directory in wich
it is located. You'll get an error message on startup.
First go to the directory in which Gl-Shell is installed, then start Gl-Shell
by typing GLS. If you try to start Gl-Shell from another directory it will not
be able to find its configuration file and GRASPRT.EXE.
6) MOVING GL-SHELL TO ANOTHER DIRECTORY:
----------------------------------------
Delete the file GL-SHELL.CNF. Then copy all other files to the directory of
choice. A new configuration file will be created in the new directory.
Reconfigure if keep the original configuration file.
7) UNINSTALLING GL-SHELL:
-------------------------
In version 2.1 the configuration file is not hidden any more. You can just
delete all files by typing 'DEL *.*'.
8) REMOVING THE INTRODUCTION SCREEN:
------------------------------------
To keep the introduction screen from popping up each time you start Gl-Shell,
rename GPIC.EXE to GPIC.BKP. This is only useful if you've got a slow PC.
9) ABOUT GRASPRT:
-----------------
GRASPRT.EXE is the run-time version of the GRASP system. What the program says
itself:
"The GRASP interpreter
Graphic Animation System for Professionals
Version 3.20 Beta Version
Copyright (C) Microtex Industries Inc. 1984 - 1988
Paul Mace Software 1987, 1988
This run-time version of the GRASP system (GRASPRT.EXE) may be
distributed in an unlimited fashion without license or royalty."
I would have included more documentation on GRASPRT.EXE if only I would have
been able to FIND any documentation.
Gl-Shell is basically just that: A shelling program. It shells GRASPRT,
providing the user interface that GRASPRT.EXE just doesn't have, enabling you
to view your animations as conveniently as possible. Since Gl-Shell isn't any
good without GRASPRT.EXE I thought it convenient to include GRASPRT.EXE in the
Gl-Shell package, especially since GRASPRT.EXE itself says that it may be
distributed in an unlimited fashion without license or royalty. Maybe this is
a nice way of advertising for the complete GRASP system. I for one hope that
Paul Mace sells lots of 'em...
WARNING: Do not use GRASPRT version 4.0. It has been known to cause
problems with Gl-Shell, and with some VGA cards.
* COMMANDS WHILE VIEWING AN ANIMATION:
- Space : Halt animation
- Enter : Resume animation
- Escape: Quit current animation and go to next (if more selected)
10) REGISTERING:
----------------
Gl-Shell is shareware. In this case that means that you're allowed to use and
test Gl-Shell 30 times. After that period you'll have to register if you want
to continue using Gl-Shell. The registration fee is absolutely minimal, just
enough to cover my costs of mailing. How to register? Simple:
* Outside Europe:
- Send $10,- to the adress below in CASH.
- Or pay with a check but add another $15,- ( That's the handling fee for
the bank. Yeah, that stinks.) Make the check payable to "C.W.Windt". It's
a bit safer than cash I guess, but also a lot more expensive.
* Within Europe:
- Send Dm 15,- (Deutsch Mark) or an equivalent in your own currency to
the address below.
- Or pay with a check but add Dm 20,- handling fee for the bank
- Or use GIRO (if you can) to transfer Dm 15,- (or an equivalent) PLUS
Dm 10,- handling fee for the bank to C.W.Windt, GIRO number 4490602.
Make sure to mention that this is a number in the Netherlands.
* Within the Netherlands:
- Maak F10,- over op:
Banknummer 57.05.61.310 of
Gironummer 4490602
- Zend F10,- cash of als cheque naar het adres onderaan.
Only within the Netherlands does the bank perform it's services for free.
It's a pity.
IMPORTANT: I cannot guarantee that money you send me actually reaches me.
Normally the mail is very reliable, but then again, you never know.
I cannot be responsible for any foul-ups that might occur. By
sending the money you accept this. I'm sorry. You CAN, however, be
sure that I'm of good will. After all, the main objective for me is
to get some feedback from users, not to get rich overnight.
IMPORTANT TOO: Please make sure to mention the version of Gl-Shell that you
have, and any remarks and/or suggestions you might have.
That's all folks.
Have Fun!
C.W.Windt Jr.
Wilhelmina Singel 11
9641 NA Veendam
Netherlands (Europe)
Internet: WINDC@BIOL.RUG.NL
(Internet address valid until 1 sept. '95)