Inside Multimedia 1995 April/IMM0495.ISO/driver/ati/mach64/disk1/acad/dlxpress.lzh/MANUAL.DLX

Text File | 1994-03-31 | 84KB | 1,890 lines

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DL-Xpress User's Guide                          Version 1.0 - March  1994
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Copyright 1994, by:    ATI Technologies Inc.
All rights reserved.
Permission is granted to make hard copies for normal product usage only.

Disclaimer

ATI Technologies Inc. reserves the right to make changes to this document
and the products which it describes without notice. ATI shall not be
liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions made herein; nor
for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.

ATI Technologies Inc. and Vibrant Graphics make no representation that
the interconnection of products in the manner described herein will not
infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions
contained herein imply the granting of license to make, use or sell
equipment constructed in accordance with this description.

Trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the properties of their
respective owners:
ATI, mach64 - ATI Technologies Inc.
AutoCAD, AutoShade, 3D Studio - Autodesk Inc.
DL-Xpress, Soft Engine F/X - Vibrant Graphics


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Table of Contents

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Chapter 1.      Introduction

1.1     Support for ADI-Based Applications
1.2     DL-Xpress Core features
1.3     How to Use This On-Line Manual
1.4     Installation
  1.4.1         System Requirements
1.5     Running the Installation Program
  1.5.1         Basic Driver Configuration
1.6     Configuring AutoCAD
1.7.    Configuring 3D Studio R2
1.8     Configuring AutoShade
1.9     Custom Configuration for AutoCAD
  1.9.1         How to Use Custom Configuration

Chapter 2.      DL-Xpress Features

2.1     Introduction
2.2     Keyboard Commands Overview
2.3     Transparent Commands
2.4     Display Commands
2.5     Feature Commands
2.6     Help Commands
2.7     Display Commands
  2.7.1         Garbage Collect (All)
  2.7.2         Redraw Screen (All)
  2.7.3         REGENMAX
  2.7.4         REGENMIN (R12 only)
  2.7.5         Zoom Vmax
2.8     Feature Commands
  2.8.1         Custom Configuration
  2.8.2         Display List Controls
  2.8.3         Color Palette Customization
  2.8.4         Menu Color Customization
2.9     Help Commands
  2.9.1        DL-Xpress On-Line Help System
  2.9.2        Display List Meter
  2.9.3        DL-Xpress Status Information

Chapter 3.      Technology Overview

3.1     Display List Technology
  3.1.1         Display List Compression
  3.1.2         TRUE-Erase
  3.1.3         TRUE-Drag
  3.1.4         TRUE-Rotate
  3.1.5         Multiple Viewports
3.2     VIBCFG Environment Variable
  3.2.1         Setting the Variable
  3.2.2         The Default Search Path
3.3     Troubleshooting
  3.3.1         Environment Space
  3.3.2         Phar Lap Settings
  3.3.3         Symptoms and Solutions

4.0     Contacting Vibrant Graphics

=========================================================================


Introduction
------------
Congratulations! You now own the premium software display list driver for
AutoCAD, which also fully supports Autodesk 3D Studio R2, AutoShade/386,
and AutoShade with RenderMan.

The display engine in DL-Xpress is the fastest display list driver on
the market. It accelerates not only zooms, pans, and redraws but also
regens, moves, and erases.

DL-Xpress increases your productivity while reducing interruptions in
your train of thought. Moreover, the extensive board support enables you
to use the latest graphics hardware with any of your Autodesk applications.

1.1     Support for ADI-Based Applications
    ----------------------------------
DL-Xpress supports protected-mode ADI 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2 applications.
Already the best display list driver for AutoCAD 386 R10, R11, and R12
for DOS, the Vibrant display engine also provides the full range of high-
resolution and color-depth support for other Autodesk applications - 3D
Studio R2, AutoShade/386, and AutoShade with RenderMan. It supports
AutoShade with RenderMan both as a display driver and as a combination
rendering-and-display driver, allowing you to display your wireframes at
high resolutions and generate photorealistic renderings.

The Vibrant display engine is ideal for use with 3D Studio R2. It lets
you select different graphic modes for all four of 3D Studio's display
modules, while providing a speed gain of at least 30 percent. Although 3D
Studio R3 can use ADI 4.2, Vibrant has arranged with Autodesk to provide
in-line drivers within R3.

1.2     DL-Xpress Core Features
    -----------------------
The core of the display engine, DL-Xpress runs in memory-saving protected
mode and offers Vibrant's unparalleled display list processing to speed
up AutoCAD's zooms and pans by orders of magnitude.

DL-Xpress features Vibrant Graphics' TRUE-Erase real-time garbage
collection technology, which prevents erased entities from being left in
the display list after moves and erases. Combined with 32-bit display list
capability, DL-Xpress yields maximum speed in drawing navigation with no
unwanted regenerations.

An on-screen display-list meter shows the memory usage while you work, and
an on-screen help system with hypertext and printing capabilities makes the
features easy to learn. By enabling AutoCAD users to customize their palettes and menu fonts and to activate anti-aliasing,
DL-Xpress significantly enhances the AutoCAD environment.

1.3     How to Use This On-Line Manual
    ------------------------------
This on-line manual will help you to install and configure the display
engine for your ATI accelerator and to customize its features.

For quick reference to your display engine commands and features, refer
to the command summaries at the start of each section and use the on-
screen help system, DLXHELP.

In this on-line manual, "board" and "card" are used interchangeably. The
on-line manual uses "display engine" to refer to your version of
DL-Xpress, which includes not only the software driver with display list
capabilities but also its set of display-enhancing commands.


1.4     Installation
    ------------

1.4.1   System Requirements
    -------------------
To run the display engine, your system must meet the following criteria:

    -   Your computer system must be able to run your Autodesk software
    in protected mode; if you intend to use AutoCAD R10 or R11, make
    sure that your version is protected mode. Because the display
    engine runs exclusively in protected mode, it doesn't take up any
    of DOS's limited lower 640K of RAM.

    -   Autodesk recommends running AutoCAD R12 with at least 8MB
    of memory (16 MB preferred), but to run at optimal performance
    with drawings of over 1 MB, you need to have at least 12 MB or
    more.

DL-Xpress's default button commands are configured for a 3-button mouse,
but the display driver supports all input devices used with Autodesk
applications. If you're using a digitizer or a mouse with fewer or more
buttons, your installation will be unchanged, but you can customize any
button assignments for your input device.

1.5     Running the Installation Program
    --------------------------------
   1.   Ensure that AutoCAD is properly installed on your system before
    you install the driver.
   2.   Select Drivers Installation from the Main Menu in the INSTALL
    program.
   3.   Select AutoCAD from the Install Enhanced Drivers Menu.
   4.   Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the
    installation of the driver.
   5.   Exit the INSTALL program.

1.5.1   Basic Driver Configuration
    --------------------------
Through a simple menu and windowing system, the configuration program
asks how you want to set up your system. Pay close attention to the text
windows displayed during configuration since they'll enable you to best
customize features for your needs.

Vibrant's display engine replaces all other AutoCAD display drivers that
you may have installed. Moreover, since these drivers could possibly
conflict, we recommend that you remove all other TSR ADI display drivers
before using DL-Xpress.

If you're installing for multiple applications (such as AutoCAD and 3D
Studio R2) or running multiple licenses on a network and want to have
different configurations for each application or user, be sure to set the
VIBCFG environment variable. (See VIBCFG Environment Variable in Chapter
3.) This variable allows you to have multiple configuration files.

Note:   Unless told otherwise, execute your command
    line entries by pressing the <ENTER> or the
    spacebar.


1.6     Configuring AutoCAD
    -------------------
For AutoCAD R12, enter AutoCAD's configuration menu through either the
DOS or AutoCAD command prompt. To enter directly from the DOS prompt, go
to your ACAD directory (e.g. CD\ACAD), run ADIACAD.BAT and then type the
batch file command ACADR12 -R. (If your AutoCAD directory or batch file
name is different, use yours when appropriate.) To enter from the AutoCAD
command prompt, type CONFIG.
   -    AutoCAD presents you with the current configuration; press any
    key to reach the main configuration menu.
   -    Select <3> to configure your video display.
   -    Press <Y> to select a new video mode.
   -    From the next menu, choose DL-Xpress for ATI Technologies Inc.
    v3.x.x by Vibrant Graphics.

For AutoCAD R10 and R11, enter AutoCAD as usual:
   -    At the Main Menu, select <5>, Configure AutoCAD.
   -    AutoCAD displays your current arrangement and prompts you to
    press <ENTER>, which takes you to its configuration menu.
   -    Select <3>, Configure Video Display.
   -    Press <Y> to select a new video driver.
   -    From the next menu, choose ADI P386 v 4.0/4.1.

When you press <ENTER>, you'll see the display engine's title screen
appear with bouncing message boxes. If not, make sure that you have
followed all the installation and configuration instructions correctly.
If the problem persists, see Troubleshooting in Chapter 3. You can now
configure your display screen by choosing <Y>.

Display Screen Configuration
----------------------------
This screen lets you change your current video mode. On your first
configuration, you'll be warned that no configuration file is found,
so one will be created for you. However, if you have previously
configured a Vibrant driver and it cannot find your file, you must set
your VIBCFG environment variable to use those settings.

Graphics Card
Using the arrow keys and the <PGUP> and <PGDN> keys, highlight your ATI
graphics board and press <ENTER> to select. If yours is not listed,
select a setting based on the "chip set" used on your graphics board;
these settings are at the end of the list. This option defaults to
Generic VGA (ATI Graphics Pro Turbo 640x480 16 colors).

Resolution
You'll see a list of the resolutions available with your graphics board.
Use the same method to pick the resolution as you did for the graphics
board. This option defaults to 640x480, 16 colors.

Testing the Video Mode
----------------------
After you select the new video mode and display options, the display
engine lets you test the video mode. Answer <Y> to test video mode as
well as graphics for test screen. When you answer <Y>, it will display
the following warning: "In very rare cases, testing an incorrect video
mode may crash your system!"

The display engine may warn that you have selected a video mode that does
not work with the board in your system. If so, verify that you have
selected the correct card and that your board is installed correctly. (If
you select the wrong board or an unsupported resolution, you're prompted
to reselect it.) Should your system crash (rare), reboot and select a
different mode. If the problem persists, see Troubleshooting in Chapter
3.

If everything is correctly configured, you'll see a symmetrical test
pattern of colored lines showing your current video resolution and color
depth.

Note:   Some cards may take a few seconds to display the pattern.


If your screen is blank or garbled, there is a problem with your graphics
card or monitor. Be sure that both can support the resolution you're
requesting. If the test screen looks correct, answer <Y>; otherwise,
press <N> and select another mode.

Entering Custom Configuration
-----------------------------
Once you have selected and tested the video mode, you can enter Custom
Configuration, which lets you select numerous options, layouts, and
settings. The options affect such features as your buttons, display list,
monitors set up, flips, fonts, menu colors, palette, and screen layout.
Refer to Custom Configuration for AutoCAD for information about these
options.

DLX Owners:     Many of the features are only active with an upgrade.


R12: Configuring RCPADI Render Screen
-------------------------------------
If you're configuring AutoCAD R12, you're then asked to configure the
RCPADI rendering screen. Be sure to follow the same procedure you used
to configure your main display. You need to select 256 or more colors for
use in rendering.

Important:      You must select a valid color depth and resolution here,
        even if you're going to be rendering to a viewport.


Exiting Basic Configuration
---------------------------
After completing basic configuration, you're taken back to AutoCAD's
video display configuration section. You're asked to verify the following
standard AutoCAD questions before you exit:

Tip:    If you can use the default settings, press <ENTER> in response
    to each to leave them unchanged and exit the area quickly.


Aspect Ratio
The Aspect Ratio determines whether the circles or squares displayed on
your screen are perfectly round or square. If not, you need to adjust the
aspect ratio of your monitor. Most monitors have a control for doing
this, and it's better to adjust the monitor than to change this value.
Press <ENTER>.

Status Line
The Status Line determines if a status line is displayed at the top of
the screen. In Custom Configuration, you can further set whether you want
one or two status lines in the AutoCAD drawing editor, so press <ENTER>.
However, if you want to eliminate the status line totally, you must
answer <N> here.

Command Line
The Command Line determines whether you have a command line at the bottom
of the screen. You can also adjust this in Custom Configuration, which
allows you to increase the number of active command lines on the screen
as well. Answering <N> overrides the display engine's ability to
configure the command line, so most users should opt to change the
command line status within Custom Configuration.

Screen Menu Area
The Screen Menu Area determines whether you have a sidebar menu on the
right side of the screen. You can adjust this in Custom Configuration.
Answering <N> overrides the display engine's sidebar menu option, so most
users should opt to change the sidebar status from within Custom
Configuration. However, you must answer <N> here if you want to eliminate
the screen menu area entirely.

When you exit basic configuration, the display engine creates or updates
a configuration file with your custom settings. This file is created using
the path and filename specified by the VIBCFG environment variable
(see VIBCFG Environment Variable in Chapter 3); if no variable exists,
a file is created in the same directory as ACAD.CFG.

1.7     Configuring 3D Studio R2
    ------------------------

Important:      If you don't set up separate configuration
        files with the VIBCFG environment variable,
        any changes you make for the Vibrant driver
        in one will affect the Vibrant driver settings
        in all your ADI applications.

Note:   Although 3D Studio R3 can use ADI 4.2,
    it ships with in-line drivers supplied
    by Vibrant. Vibrant provides additional
    acceleration for 3D Studio R3 through its
    Liquid Speed product. See Chapter 4.0 for
    further information.


To reconfigure 3D Studio R2, first delete the 3DADI.CFG file in your 3DS
directory. Launch 3D Studio by typing CD\3DS and 3DS. You'll see the
display engine's title screen with boxes bouncing around the screen. If
not, make sure that your environmental variables are set correctly, your
3DS.SET file has been correctly edited, and you've deleted the 3DADI.CFG
file. If the problem persists, see Troubleshooting in Chapter 3.

Next, 3D Studio prompts you to configure its four key parts - the main
display, the materials editor, the RDPADI rendering display, and the
RCPADI rendering display. For each display, you'll specify both the
video resolution and the color depth; the following instructions apply
to all of the displays you'll be configuring.

Tip:    Be sure to read Configuration Suggestions
    on the next page before you configure
    these options.


Selecting and Testing the Video Mode
------------------------------------
The screen displays your current video mode. To change the mode, answer
<Y>. Follow the same procedure described for AutoCAD basic configuration.
If the test screen looks correct, answer <Y>; otherwise, press <N>. If
you've configured the mode incorrectly, simply return through the menus
and reselect your options.

Selecting the Menu Font
-----------------------
In both the main display and materials editor, you're prompted to change
the menu font. The display engine provides many alternative fonts,
covering a broad range of sizes and styles, and it automatically selects
the optimal font for your screen resolution. Refer to the suggestions
below to select the best font for each display. To change a font, use the
<PGUP>, <PGDN>, and arrow keys to select one and press <ENTER>.

Configuration Suggestions
-------------------------
Main Display
The main display defaults to Generic VGA at 640x480 with 16 colors. To
optimize speed by reducing redraw times, select a 16-color mode. (The
Keyframer benefits most from this.) For clarity, select a medium to high
resolution, such as 800x600 or 1024x768.

Note:   The VIBRANT16 font is optimized for
    this display. However, it's small at
    1024x768, so use a larger BLOCK font.


Materials Editor
For a good balance between readability and speed, select 640x480 and 256
colors. The material renderings are quick, yet clear enough to view
effectively. However, whatever resolution you use, select a 256-color
mode for the materials editor; a higher color mode won't make use of the
colors, and it slows performance. Note that higher resolutions require
longer to render a material. The materials editor defaults to Generic VGA
at 320x200 with 256 colors.

Font size is important in the Materials Editor because it controls the
size of the screen. For 640x480, BLOCK12x19 is ideal, causing the
materials editor to fill up the entire screen. By default, the display
engine automatically selects the largest possible font for the resolution
you have selected, so avoid changing the font here.

Caution:        If you choose a font that's too
        large, 3D Studio's configuration
        process will quit.


Rendering Displays
In general, it's best to select a HiColor (15/16-bit) or TrueColor (24-
bit) mode since 3D Studio performs all the rendering calculations in 24-
bit color. If configured for a 256-color device, it has to scale down to
256 colors, which forces it to make a second screen rendering.

Tip:    The higher the resolution you select
    for rendering, the longer it takes.
    A good resolution at which to render
    is 640x480 or 800x600 with 16.7M
    (24-bit) colors; anything higher takes
    much longer for marginally better results.

You have to configure the display engine twice for the rendering display,
once for RDPADI and once for RCPADI (if you set both the RDPADI and
RCPADI environment variable during configuration).

Before configuring for RDPADI, 3D Studio asks: "Will the RDPADI render
on a separate screen? <Y>." The display engine supports having two
simultaneous graphics screens using two different graphics boards in
your system, allowing you to use the display modules on one screen and
to render on the other. If you are using a single monitor only for
editing and rendering, you must answer <N> or you'll experience serious
problems.

Before RCPADI configuration, 3D Studio asks: "Will the RCPADI render on
a separate screen (unlikely)? <N>." Answer this question as you did for
RDPADI; this indicates that both RCPADI and RDPADI are on the same
screen.

Tip:    Set up RDPADI or RCPADI with a low resolution
    (e.g., 640x480 and 16.7M colors) for quick
    draft renderings, and configure the other
    for a higher resolution (800x600 or 1024x768
    with 256 or 16.7M colors) for final renderings.


1.8     Configuring AutoShade
    ---------------------
Important:      If you don't set up separate configuration
        files with the VIBCFG environment variable,
        any changes you make for the Vibrant driver
        in one will affect the Vibrant driver settings
        in all your ADI applications. See VIBCFG
        Environment Variable in Chapter 3.


To reconfigure AutoShade with the Vibrant driver, launch SHADE.EXE from
DOS by typing SHADE -R. AutoShade then prompts you for information on
your devices, drivers, and screen set-ups. Unfortunately, AutoShade does
not allow configuration changes while you're in the program, so you must
return to DOS and start over if you answer any of the configuration
questions incorrectly.

First, select your pointing device from the list and press <ENTER>. Next,
select from the list the display driver; choose <2> PADI 386 and press
<ENTER>. You should see the display engine's title screen with boxes
bouncing around the screen. Press any key to continue.

The next screen displays your current video mode. To change the mode,
answer <Y>. From the list of graphics boards, highlight your graphics
board using the <PGUP>, <PGDN>, and arrow keys, and press <ENTER> to
select it. From the list of resolutions and color depths available with
your graphics board, use the same method to select. The video mode
defaults to Generic VGA at 640x480 with 16 colors.

See the section on Testing the Video Mode under "Configuring AutoCAD" for
details about testing your video mode. Should your system crash during
the test of the mode you chose (rare), reboot your system, restart the
configuration by typing SHADE -R and select a different mode.

Selecting a Rendering Driver
----------------------------
After you have finished configuring the main display driver, AutoShade
asks you to select a rendering driver. Again, select <2>, PADI 386.
You should see the display engine's title screen again, with the bouncing
boxes; press any key. As before, the display engine asks for your
graphics card and resolution. Since the display engine can now recognize
that you're configuring for AutoShade's rendering driver, it won't prompt
you to enter Custom Configuration.

Note:   AutoShade and RenderMan use the same rendering mode;
    if you select a higher resolution, you slow
    RenderMan's renders.


Select a 16.7M (24-bit) color mode for rendering if possible; with the
optional Renderman module, your rendering will be photorealistic.

Setting Screen Options
----------------------
You now configure the interaction of the display and rendering screens.
AutoShade asks: "Do the display and AutoShade rendering devices share
the same screen? <No>." Answer <N> only if you have two graphics boards
and each has a screen; most users can answer <Y>. AutoShade then asks:
"Do the display and Autodesk RenderMan rendering devices share a single
screen? <N>." In general, you should answer this question as you did the
first.

Tip:    If you're in doubt, answer these questions <Y>.


If you answered <Y> above, AutoShade asks: "Does Flip Screen require a
redraw? <N>." If you want to preserve your wireframe while flipping to
the rendering screen, answer <N>.

Note:   To prevent the redraw, the display driver
    saves the wireframe image, which uses more memory.

Shortcut:       While running AutoShade and sharing the
        screens between display and rendering,
        you can use <F1> to toggle between the
        rendering and display screens. (You can
        also use the Save Image option to save
        the current rendering screen, though it
        isn't visible.)


1.9     Custom Configuration for AutoCAD
    --------------------------------
In Custom Configuration, the display engine lets you adjust aspects of
AutoCAD to better fit with the way you work. For your convenience, these
options are also accessible from the drawing editor, so customizing your
AutoCAD work environment is quick and easy.

Custom Configuration controls numerous options - button configuration,
display list options, flip options, font selection, menu color scheme,
palette selection, screen layout, bootup features, and advanced
configuration controls. Moreover, you're always able to undo your changes
by restoring the default version settings or those from your previous
configuration.

DLX Owners:     Many of the features are only active with
        an upgrade.

Important:      If you don't set up separate configuration
        files with the VIBCFG environment variable,
        any changes you make for the Vibrant driver
        in one will affect the Vibrant driver settings
        in all your ADI applications. See VIBCFG
        Environment Variable in Chapter 3.


1.9.1   How to Use Custom Configuration
    -------------------------------
You can access the display engine's custom configuration in two ways,
either through basic configuration or the AutoCAD command line. When
you finish basic configuration for your graphics board, you're prompted
to enter custom configuration. Later, you can enter it anytime from
the drawing editor by typing DLXCONFIG.

Use the arrow keys to highlight entries, and press <ENTER> to select.
In many cases you're asked to enter a value in response to a question;
most of the time the first letter is sufficient to enter the option. To
leave an option unchanged, press <EN-TER>. As you highlight an option,
look at the bottom of the screen for a dialog box that explains its
function and aids you in your selection.

Tip:    Exit any menu at any time by pressing <ESC>.


After you have made your changes, return to Custom Configuration's main
menu and press <ESC>, or select Exit at the bottom of the menu. You're
asked if you want to save your changes. If you answer <N>, the display
engine discards the changes you just made. If you entered Custom
Configuration from Basic Configuration, you're returned to finish that
process. If you entered from the AutoCAD drawing editor, you return
there.

You'll see your custom changes appear immediately except any new font or
color selection or changes to the size of your command line, status bar,
and sidebar, which require AutoCAD to be reinitialized.  To reinitialize
AutoCAD R12, type CONFIG and answer the prompts to reenter the drawing
editor. To reinitialize AutoCAD R10 or R11, exit the drawing editor using
the Quit or End commands and reenter the drawing editor.

Caution:        If you disable the display list, you
        disable all of the display engine's
        commands. To re-enable the display list,
        you must enter Custom Configuration
        through AutoCAD's Basic Configuration.


Display List Options
--------------------
The display engine has three options that control the operation of the
display list - TRUE-Erase, Display List and R12 Display List Size.
See Chapter 3 "Technology Overview" for explanations.

World Space Partitioning
World Space Partitioning increases True-Erase (TM), zoom and pan speeds,
but it changes the order of items in the display list. If the objects in
your drawings must be drawn in a particular order, then disable World
Space Partitioning.  Under R12, using World Space Partitioning will
reduce the size of the display list, thus using less memory.  CAD OVERLAY
users should disable this, and use the GC= command.

TRUE-Erase
This option lets you toggle the driver's TRUE-Erase real-time garbage
collection feature. When TRUE-Erase is active and you perform any erase-
type command (erase, move, rotate, etc.), the display engine
automatically removes all garbage data from the display list in real-time
with no speed penalty! See TRUE-Erase in Chapter 3 for explanations.

TRUE-Erase defaults to Yes. Type <N> to turn it off, which means you'll
have to use Garbage Collect to do manual cleanups. However, unless
instructed to do so by a third-party AutoCAD utility software vendor, you
shouldn't need to turn off TRUE-Erase. As with World Space Partitioning,
you can toggle this feature from the command line using the display
engine's Garbage Collect commands.

Exception:      Turn off TRUE-Erase if you're using CAD
        Overlay, which needs background-colored
        vectors that TRUE-Erase eliminates.


Display List
If you need to free up more memory, this option lets you disable the
display list management provided by the driver. When you disable the
display list and reinitialize the driver, you lose all of the driver
commands, such as Bird's Eye, as well as the accelerated zoom and pan
commands.

There are three settings for the display-list - Enable, Disable, and
Fake. To Enable the display-list, enter <E>; to Disable the display list,
enter <D>. If you're using R12, you can choose Fake <F> instead of
Disable. This AutoCAD version can be fooled into thinking you are using a
display list driver so you can use Soft Engine F/X level features, such
as the Icon Panel. However, don't use the Fake mode under AutoCAD R10 and
R11; it's slower than the disabled mode.

R12 Display List Size
Making full use of AutoCAD R12's 32-bit capability, the display engine
allows you to define the size of your display list as 16- or 32-bit. A
16-bit display list has a definite zoom boundary around 40x
magnification; at 16-bit, R12 has the same zoom depth as R10 and R11. A
32-bit display list uses more memory, but it gives you dramatically
greater zoom depth and farther panning before you would trigger a regen.

To activate the 32-bit display list, highlight the R12 Display List Size
option and type <3>. To activate the 16-bit display list, highlight the
option and type <1>. This option won't affect AutoCAD R10 or R11.

R12 Math Mode
There are two settings for R12 Math Mode:  FAST or STANDARD.  To select
FAST, enter <F>.  This allows you to use an optimized math computation
for scaling, but may cause PIXEL-OFF-BY-ONE errors in some cases.  If you
experience the PIXEL-OFF-BY-ONE, select STANDARD by entering <S>.
STANDARD math uses the full, slower computation.  This option is only for
R12 and has no effect under R10 or R11, and only affects 32-bit display-
list mode.

TRUE-Drag and TRUE-Rotate
DL-Xpress includes two unique features that make it much easier to move
and rotate objects: TRUE-Drag and TRUE-Rotate. TRUE-Drag allows you to
see a selection set while you are repositioning it with such commands as
Move and Copy. TRUE-Rotate allows you to see the rotating object
continuously and in full color. See TRUE-Drag and TRUE-Rotate in Chapter
3 for explanations.

If you want TRUE-Rotate to operate fully, check all vectors to prevent
duplicates from overlaying, enter <F> for Full. However, you may find
this setting slow if you are moving large selections. The option defaults
to <P>, Partial, which checks a limited number of previous vectors, so
it's almost as fast as Disabled. In Disabled mode, <D>, duplicate vectors
aren't rejected; choose this mode only if you need the fastest rotation
possible with AutoCAD, regardless of the flickering.

Note:   If a perspective viewport is displayed,
    TRUE-Drag is automatically disabled until
    that viewport is removed.


Flip Options
------------
To accommodate the amount of memory and the type of graphics board you
have, the display engine provides a way to flip the screen between
graphics and text mode in the drawing editor - Flip Type.

Flip Type
You can perform a flip in one of four modes - Full Bit-Block Transfer,
Partial Redraw, Redraw, and Independent. Depending on your video mode,
this option defaults to Redraw <R> or Independent <I>.

    -   Full mode <F> stores the entire graphics screen as a block during
    the flip. This increases speed for VGA type cards if the system
    has enough memory (RAM) to store the entire graphics screen. Too
    little memory causes excessive swapping to disk in this mode.

    -   If you have less memory, use the Partial mode <P>, which stores
    the actual drawing space during a flip but redraws the screen
    menus each time. This saves memory and is still very fast.

    -   To save the most memory, use Redraw mode <R>. Since it doesn't
    save any of the screen, it redraws after each flip. On smaller
    drawings, this option may actually be faster than the Full or
    Partial options, depending on the amount of memory and the type
    of graphics board.

    -   Independant option <I>.  This option is does not apply to the
    mach64 based products.

Total re-init on Flip
The option is does not apply to the mach64 based products.

Total re-init on Shell
The option is does not apply to the mach64 based products.


Font Selection
--------------
Larger menu fonts are available to you to make your screen easier to read
in higher resolutions. The display engine ships with many alternative
fonts, covering a broad range of sizes and styles. To change a font, use
the <PGUP>, <PGDN>, and arrow keys to select one and press <ENTER>.

Reminder:       If you entered Custom Configuration from the
        drawing editor, reinitialize AutoCAD to see
        your font change. In R12, type CONFIG and
        reenter the drawing editor. In R10 and R11,
        type Quit or End and reenter the drawing editor.


Default Fonts
Depending upon the resolution selected with your graphics board, the
display engine selects an appropriate font automatically. It sets BLOCK18
for 1280x1024, BLOCK16 for 1024x768, VGA 16 for 800x600, VIBRANT14 for
640x480, and BLOCK10 for 640x400 or less.

Note:   If you change your graphics board or its
    resolution, the menu fonts revert to the
    defaults.


Available Fonts and Styles
You can choose from over a dozen sizes of standard sans-serif block type
and several other styles; the fonts listed below represent the range of
styles available. The Vibrant fonts in Bookman style are optimized for
legibility at certain resolutions.

Font Name       Style and Size          Font Name       Style and Size
---------       --------------          ---------       --------------
VIBRANT14       Bookman, 8x14           VIBRANT16       Bookman, 8x16
VGA16           Generic VGA, 8x16       MESSENGER12     Courier, 8x12
MESSENGER14     Courier, 8x14           STICK12         Helvetica, 8x12
FORMAL12        Times Rmn, 8x12         TINY            Modern, 5x7
SMALL           Modern, 5x8             BLOCK6          Modern, 6x8
BLOCK6 (CAPS)   MODERN, 6x8             BLOCK8          Modern, 8x8
BLOCK10         Modern, 8x10            BLOCK12         Modern, 8x12
BLOCK14         Modern, 8x14            BLOCK16         Modern, 10x16
BLOCK18         Modern, 10x18           BLOCK21         Modern, 11x21
BLOCK26         Modern, 12x26           BLOCK32         Modern, 16x32
BLOCK12x16      Block, 640x400          BLOCK12x19      Block, 640x480
BLOCK13x21      Block, 720x540          BLOCK15x24      Block, 800x600
BLOCK19x30      Block, 1024x768         CODEPAGEVGA     Code Page VGA 8x16
BLOCK24x40      Block, 1280x1024        CODEPAGEEGA     Code Page EGA 8x14


Recommendations for Fonts
-------------------------
Font Size       Recommended Use
16x32           Most Autodesk applications function with these at
        1280x1024 or higher.

11x21, 12x26    Use at 1280x1024 resolution. Most Autodesk applications
        will support these fonts at 1024x768 or above.

10x16, 10x18    Use at 1024x768 resolution. Most Autodesk applications
        will support these at 800x600 or above.

8x12,8x14,8x16  Good, general-purpose fonts at all resolutions. Use for
        800x600 and 640x480. At higher resolutions they may be
        too small for some purposes, but are still very useful.

5x7,5x8,6x8,    Use with low resolutions, such as 640x350 EGA and 320x200
8x8, 8x10       VGA. Useful when you need a very small font.


Menu Color Scheme
-----------------
The display engine allows you to change the colors of your AutoCAD
environment - alert boxes, background/cursor, command/status lines,
dialog boxes, side menus, pull-down menus, and the fore- and background
colors of numerous driver features.

Depending on the palette you're using, you can select a number from 0 to
15 or 255. (Refer to the numbers for the first 8 colors, listed on the
left of the screen.) To view all available colors with their appropriate
index numbers, load the AutoCAD drawing COLORWH.DWG or CHROMA.DWG.

Example:        You want to change the memory meter to
        yellow. Under Menu Color Scheme, select
        the option Other Colors. Arrow down to the
        item Clock/Meter Background Color. Type <2>,
        which the screen chart (left) shows is yellow.

Warning:        Never change the cursor to color 0, it could
        disappear. The display engine adjusts it
        automatically to give optimal visibility; change
        it later if needed.


Palette Selection
-----------------
The display engine provides you with several color palettes from which to
choose AutoCAD 16, AutoCAD 256, 256 ADESK, 256 ADI, 256-16-ADI,
256-16-ADESK, ACAD41-16, ACAD41-256 ùand lets you define a Custom
selection.

Use the arrow keys to highlight your color palette choice and press
<ENTER>. To view the palettes, load the COLORWH.DWG or CHROMA.DWG drawing
in AutoCAD and view it with each palette. You can also use the driver's
Palette command (DLXPAL) to change the palette values while in the
drawing editor and save them to the custom palette.

Screen Layout
-------------
The display engine lets you customize your AutoCAD screen in several
ways. After you select Screen Layout from Custom Configuration, the
display engine presents options concerning the status lines, sidebar
menu, command lines, coordinate placement, crosshairs size, and logo icon
switch time.

Number of Status Lines
If you like having the pull-down menus always visible at the top of your
screen, leave the number of status lines set at its default, <2>.
However, if you want to increase your working area, change the number to
<1>; at this setting, the pull-down menus only appear when you move the
cursor to the top of the screen. To eliminate the status line completely,
return to Basic Configuration and answer <N> when AutoCAD prompts you
about a status line.

Note:   It's normal to have a blank status line
    (i.e., no menu names) until you move the
    cursor into it for the first time.


Width of Sidebar Menu
To gain more working space on your screen, you can lessen the space taken
by the sidebar menu. You can do this by lowering the number of characters
that appear in the menu entries from its default of <8> (the minimum is
4). However, if you want to have longer entry names in the sidebar, you
can increase the number of characters up to a maximum of 32. To eliminate
the sidebar completely, return to Basic Configuration and answer <N> when
AutoCAD prompts you about a sidebar menu.

If you change the sidebar width, be sure to recompile your standard menu
file (ACAD.MNU) to correct the menu display: type MENU, click on
ACAD.MNU, and click on OK. If your menus aren't corrected, exit AutoCAD
and delete ACAD.-MNX (this forces AutoCAD to update your screen
preferences in ACAD.-MNU).

Number of Command Lines
For convenient reference to your recent commands, you can choose to
display as few as 0 and as many as 25 command lines at the bottom of your
AutoCAD screen. Reducing lines will speed up your scroll rate. The
default is <3>.

Tip:    Consider the character height of the font
    you'll be using to avoid configuring an
    overly large command area.


If you want to display more of your drawing editor or you're using two
monitors, you can eliminate the command line altogether by entering <0>.

Placement of Coordinates
This option changes how AutoCAD places the coordinates on the status
line. The default, <0>, centers the coordinates on the screen, shifting
left to adjust for any widening of the sidebar menu. To center the
coordinates, shifting left to adjust for the sidebar menu, enter <1>. To
always center the coordinates, enter <2>.

To always align the coordinates to the right but left of the driver name,
enter <3>. To align them all the way to the right, over the driver name
and the sidebar menu, enter <4>. If you want the coordinates to start at
a particular text column, enter a value from 5 to 255.

Size of Crosshairs
With this option, you can change the appearance of the crosshairs. It
defaults to <0>, in which the crosshairs always extend to the edges of the
viewport. Enter a value from 1 to 2048 to limit the pixel size of the
crosshairs; for example, entering <16> will create crosshairs that have
a total height and width of 16 pixels.

Logo Icon Switch Time
This option deals with the logo icon that appears on the lower right of
the drawing editor screen. By default, the logo icon swaps with the
dealer's icon after a 2-second delay. You can increase that value up to
10 to lengthen the delay, or you can enter <1> to display only the main
driver logo. You can enter <0> to eliminate the logo entirely.


Bootup Features
---------------

On-Screen Memory Meter
This option controls the on-screen display-list memory meter.  Yes
activates the meter on bootup. No leaves meter off on bootup.  This can
be altered at any time during a session.

Save Window Locations
This bootup feature lets the display engine remember where you located your
windows at the end of your last session and restores them to those sizes and
places. Keep the default of <N> if you want the windows to revert to their
default locations at bootup; enter <Y> to activate this feature.

Unload AVE at Initialization
Unfortunately, AutoCAD R12's AVE Render package has problems if it's loaded
at the time you're configuring the display driver. To avoid system crashes,
you need to load and unload AVE Render during these configurations. This
option automatically unloads AVE Render for you before the driver
initializes, and AVE Render reloads when you ask for a rendering. To be
safe, keep the <Y> default: enter <N> only if you're not using the AVE
Render package.

Note:   Entering <N> may trigger a minor side effect.
    To restore the command prompt after a shell or
    flip, you may have to press <CTRL> + <C>.


Load Configuration Presets
--------------------------
This function resets most of the Custom Configuration parameters to the
original defaults or to defaults that cause your screen to resemble
traditional AutoCAD. This option only changes options controlled in the
Custom Configuration; it has no effect on options you set in Basic
Configuration, such as your graphics board and resolution.

To restore either of these settings, select the option in the Custom
Configuration main menu. Verify the option with <Y> or <N>.

Restore Previous Settings
-------------------------
This function resets Custom Configuration parameters to the settings you
had before you began your current configuration session. Again, this
function only affects the Custom Configuration parameters, not the Basic
Configuration.

To restore the previous settings, select the option in the Custom
Configuration main menu. Verify the option with <Y> or <N>.


Chapter 2 - DL-Xpress Features
==============================


2.1     Introduction
    ------------
The core of the display engine, DL-Xpress runs in memory-saving protected
mode and offers optimized display list processing to speed up AutoCAD's
zooms and pans by orders of magnitude. DL-Xpress features Vibrant Graphics'
TRUE-Erase real-time garbage collection technology, which prevents erased
entities from being left in the display list after moves and erases. Combined
with 32-bit display list capability, DL-Xpress yields maximum speed in
drawing navigation with no unwanted regenerations. An on-screen display list
meter shows the memory usage while you work, and an on-screen help system
with hypertext and printing capabilities makes the features easy to learn.
By enabling AutoCAD users to customize their palettes and menu fonts and to
activate anti-aliasing, DL-Xpress significantly enhances the AutoCAD
environment.

2.2     Keyboard Commands Overview
    --------------------------
DL-Xpress uses keyboard commands that let you control many display options.
These commands are additions to AutoCAD's standard set, and they take
precedence over AutoLISP commands. To use these commands to their full
extent, you should understand how to set the parameters from the command
line and how to execute them transparently.

Note:   Execute your command line entries by pressing
    the <ENTER> key or spacebar.


Setting Parameters
------------------
Unlike using Custom Configuration, the settings you change from the command
line are temporary: they're only in effect during the current drawing
session. Your changes are saved only if the option lets you execute a save
to your configuration. Several options allow you to write a script file,
which let you transfer and restore your custom settings.

If a keyboard command lets you set parameters or options, you introduce them
with an equal sign (=). You can enable most commands by typing XXX=Y and
disable them with XXX=N. Typing the command itself, XXX, is often enough to
toggle it on and off, or else it starts an interactive mode for you to pick
your preference(s).

When you're specifying multiple parameters, separate them with commas, such
as XXX=1,A,0. Many parameters are optional, so you can skip over them:
XXX=,,0. However, you don't have to use these stringed formats to change
parameters; these are only shortcuts for changes you make frequently.

Tip:    You can always get parameter explanations by
    typing DLXHELP, which brings up the on-line
    help reference.


2.3     Transparent Commands
    --------------------
All the display engine commands can be executed transparently, which means
that they can carry out their tasks even if AutoCAD is prompting you for
input within one of its own commands. Just as in AutoCAD, you make a command
transparent by prefacing it with a single quote: 'XXX. When checking for a
valid command, AutoCAD ignores any leading underscores or periods before and
after this quote mark.

Several commands are synonyms or shortened names of AutoCAD commands, which
exist to let you perform the same actions with fewer keystrokes. Detailed
descriptions of each command follow the command summary below.

2.4     Display Commands
    ----------------
GC      Garbage Collect (active viewport)
    Requests new display list from AutoCAD.

GCA     Garbage Collect (all viewports)
    Requests new display lists from AutoCAD for all viewports.

RD      Redraw Screen (active viewport)
    Shorthand for AutoCAD's Redraw command to refresh the screen.

RDA     Redraw Screen (all viewports)
    Shorthand command to refresh the screen in all viewports.

RGX     Regen Max(imum)
    Performs a regen to define drawing's maximum zoom size to enable
    the greatest number of regen-protected zoom-ins.

REGENMIN        Regen Min(imum)
        Performs a regen to define drawing's minimum zoom size to
        enable the greatest number of regen-protected zoom-outs.

ZV      Zoom Vmax
    Performs a regen-protected ZOOM Extents, filling the viewport with
    the full extents of the drawing.


2.5     Feature Commands
    ----------------
DLXCFG  DL-Xpress Custom Configuration (main menu)
    Lets you enter Custom Configuration from the drawing editor.

DLXDL   Display List Controls (for current session)
    Toggles display list and TRUE-Erase.

DLXPAL  Color Palette Customization
    Lets you edit individual palette colors and save to a script file.

DLXCOL  Menu Color Customization
    Lets you write your menu color scheme to a script file.


2.6     Help Commands
    -------------
DLXHELP         DL-Xpress On-Line Help System
        Calls up the on-line help system within the drawing editor.

DLXMTR          Display List Meter (on-screen)
        Enables a floating window that reports the memory usage by
        the display list.

DLXSTAT         DL-Xpress Status Information
        Reports software version, serial number, and display list
        size.


2.7     Display Commands
    ----------------

2.7.1   Garbage Collect (All)
    ---------------------
Garbage Collect (GC) requests a fresh display list for your active viewport,
and Garbage Collect All (GCA) requests display lists for all of your
viewports. Long, complicated edit sessions can partially fragment your
display list's memory, making it less efficient. Using the GC command
replaces the display list, and this restores any efficiency you may have
lost.

You'll seldom use this command if you have TRUE-Erase activated, which keeps
the display list garbage free. However, in rare cases TRUE-Erase erases the
wrong vector (it can't always distinguish between vectors that are exactly
in the same place). If you suspect an erase to be wrong, use GC to replace
the display list and ensure that AutoCAD's database and the display list are
in sync.

The command also lets you toggle its related feature, TRUE-Erase, for the
duration of your drawing session. TRUE-Erase is Vibrant Graphics' display
list technology that removes erased items from the display list in real time.


Type            Result
----            ------
GC              Requests a new display list for the viewport from AutoCAD.
'GC

GCA             Requests new display lists for all viewports.
'GCA
GCALL

GC=             Initiates interactive questions for turning on/off
GCA=            TRUE-Erase. DLXDL also configures this.

GC=Y (or N)     Enables (or disables) TRUE-Erase.
GCA=Y (or N)


2.7.2   Redraw Screen (All)
    -------------------
RD is a short form for the AutoCAD REDRAW command. This quick command
lets you redraw the screen to remove any garbage in the active viewport.
Remember that the display engine speeds up regular AutoCAD commands as
well as its own shorthand commands. Redraw All (RDA) is the same as the
RD command, except that it applies to all viewports, not just the active one.

Type            Result
----            ------
RD              Causes a screen refresh in current viewport.
'RD

RDA             Causes a screen refreshes in all of your viewports.
'RDA
RDALL


2.7.3   REGENMAX
    --------
REGENMAX (RGX) lets you set a "zoom ceiling," making your current view become
the world view (the view displayed by AutoCAD's ZOOM Vmax). The command is
useful in R12 to control the maximum zoom size of a drawing, which is often
much smaller than the entire available drawing area. After executing RGX, you
have access to the greatest possible number of zoom-ins from this view
without regenerating the drawing. Since you've set this view as your
maximum, you can't zoom out from this point without regenerating the drawing.

Important:      Don't cancel RGX with <CTRL>+<C>; it could
        leave your limits and viewports in an
        indeterminate state.

Type            Result
----            ------
RGX             Sets the current view to be the maximum zoom level, allowing
'RGX            the greatest number of zoom-ins without regenerating the
REGENMAX        drawing.


Differences between Releases
----------------------------
How this command operates depends on the version of the AutoCAD you're
running, but you won't see any difference in function. Under R12, this
command is supported directly by the display engine and AutoCAD, and it
has no side effects.

Under R11, this command is performed by a complex script and LISP routine
that freezes and thaws layers, creates an empty layer called ___ZZ_EMPTY,
and modifies limits. Due to a complex interaction between the VPOINT location
and the 3-D limits, this command may not always regen exactly at the current
zoom level under R11.

Note:   The original limits and layers are restored at the
    end. Depending on your drawing size and number of
    layers, this may take a while, so don't cancel it!


Under R10, a simple script routine executes.

2.7.4   REGENMIN (R12 only)
    -------------------
REGENMIN is the reverse of REGENMAX. It regens the current view such that
you cannot zoom in any farther without regenerating the drawing, but you
will be able to zoom out extensively without triggering a regen. REGENMIN
is only supported under R12.

Type            Result
----            ------
REGENMIN        R12: Sets the current view to be the minimum zoom level,
'REGENMIN       allowing the greatest number of regen-less zoom-outs.
        R11 and R10: No effect.


2.7.5   Zoom Vmax
    ---------
The display engine's Zoom Vmax (ZV) gives an alternative to AutoCAD's Zoom
Vmax command, which takes you out to the farthest possible drawing view
without a regen - which, under R12's 32-bit display list, is often too far.
The display engine's ZV command takes the view out to the drawing's extents.

Under R12's 32-bit display list, this command performs a zoom to the current
extents of the drawing, which you can reset using RGX. In this case, it
operates like a regen-protected ZOOM Extents.

Type    Result
----    ------
ZV      R12 with 32-bit display list: Zooms out to the extents of the
'ZV     drawing (regen-protected).
ZA      R11: Performs a fast ZOOM Vmax out to the extents of the drawing,
    based on the last regen.
    R10: Performs a fast zoom out to the drawing's extents, based on
    the last regen.


2.8     Feature Commands
    ----------------

2.8.1   Custom Configuration
    --------------------
DLXCFG is the driver custom configuration system, which lets you set and
save your preferences. You can change all of the display engine's options
while you're within AutoCAD and most options while you're within the drawing
editor. Custom Configuration lets you change the following parameters as
needed - Display List Options, Flip Options, Font Selection, Menu Color
Scheme, Palette Selection, Screen Layout, and Bootup Features. In addition,
it always lets you Load Configuration Presets and Restore Previous Settings.
Custom Configuration does not change any of the Basic Configuration features,
such as your graphics card or video mode.

AutoCAD can't show the effect of certain configuration changes (such as the
menu font or the number of status lines) until it's reinitialized. In R12,
type CONFIG and reenter the drawing editor. In R10 and R11, reinitialize
AutoCAD by typing Quit or End and relaunching it.

Type            Result
----            ------
DLXCFG          Enters Custom Configuration menu from drawing editor.
'DLXCFG
DLXCONFIG

(arrow keys)    Moves between options in the menus.

[ESC]           Exits the current submenu and returns you to the
        Configuration Menu.
        From the Configuration Menu, exits to the drawing editor.


2.8.2   Display List Controls
    ---------------------
The Display List command (DLXDL) controls the display list options for your
current drawing session. It toggles the display list on/off and enables or
disables TRUE-Erase. Use this command when you want to toggle these features
temporarily, leaving your configuration unchanged. To completely disable
these options, enter Custom Configuration and select Display List Options
from the menu.

With a low-memory system, you may want to conserve memory by turning off
the display list feature of the driver. This uses less system memory, but
you lose accelerated operation and disable many of the advanced engine
features. TRUE-Erase is a display list feature that removes erased items
from the display list in real time. If you're using software that relies
on erased items remaining in the display list, you'll have to disable
TRUE-Erase to get the desired graphic image.

In R12, using this command to disable the display list actually enters a
fake display list mode, necessary for AutoCAD to work with the driver.
If you disable the display list in Custom Configuration, the dialog box will
give you the option of choosing Fake. With R10 and R11, remember that
disabling the display list in Custom Configuration also disables all display
engine's commands and features, including the DL command. Only Basic
Configuration (CONFIG) can restore them at that point.


Type            Result
----            ------
DLXDL           Enters interactive mode, prompting you to turn each option
'DLXDL          on or off.

DLXDL=N         In R12, automatically enters Fake mode, enabling several
        R12-specific engine functions to remain active.
        In R10 and R11, no effect.

DLXDL=Y,N       Enables Display List and disables TRUE-Erase. (Toggle Y/N.)
DLX=,N          Example: Just disables TRUE-Erase.


2.8.3   Color Palette Customization
    ---------------------------
In 16- or 256-color mode (the highest used by the drawing editor), Color
Palette Customization (DLXPAL) lets you alter and save your palette colors.
Palette colors are configured with indexes (pointers) to colors in the
current palette and separate values for the intensities of red, green, and
blue (RGB) that constitute the color.

Tip:    To create shades of gray, set all the values to the
    same number. As you raise these numbers, the gray
    pales to white.

Reminder:       To change the background color, use the Menu
        Color Scheme in Custom Configuration. This
        preserves your palette shades. Do not change
        color 0.


Interactive Changes
-------------------
Typing DLXPAL enters the interactive palette customization, which shows your
adjustments in real time. This mode shows color changes dynamically. As you
increase the intensity value for a color's red component, for example, the
screen will display the shade change each time you strike an arrow key. This
makes fine adjustments very easy to perform and evaluate.

Whether or not you choose to view the color reference table, you'll use the
same keys to make your color changes:
    -   Use <TAB> to move the highlight brackets < > between the variables
    (the color Index number and the Red, Green, and Blue values). You
    can also type <R>, <G>, and <B> to move to the color index you want
    to edit.

    -   Use the arrow keys to move around the palette table and change the
    index.

    -   Use plus and minus keys to raise or lower the values by increments
    of 1, <PGUP>/<PGDN> for increments of 16, and <HOME>/<END> to enter
    0 and 256.

Go to the color value (red, green, or blue) you want to change. Raise or
lower the values, which you can see change on the color reference table.
Return to the color index column to make additional palette changes, if you
desire.

Press <ENTER> to accept the changes for all of the colors you altered. To
cancel your changes, press <ESC>. Press <Y> to save the new palette to the
Custom palette option in Custom Configuration. You'll see your changes after
you select your custom palette in Palette Selection.

Manual (unassisted) Changes
---------------------------
To change palette entries manually, enter your preferences in this order:
    DLXPAL = Color#, Red, Green, Blue

Color# is the color's index number, either 0 to 15 or 0 to 255. Each
Red/Green/Blue value ranges from 0 (black) to 255 (full intensity); these
combine to produce all other colors. For example, white (which in most
palettes is color number 7) is represented as DLXPAL=7,255,255,255.

Saving to Script Files
----------------------
To give yourself the most flexibility, write out your colors to an AutoCAD
script (.SCR) file. When you've created a script file for your colors, you
can give it to another user, put it on other computers, or use it to restore
your configuration if it's been changed. The AutoCAD SCRIPT command lets you
load alternate palettes without entering Custom Configuration.

Type            Result
----            ------
DLXPAL          For 16 or 256 colors, enters an interactive mode to
'DLXPAL         dynamically change the palette. (Use arrow keys and
DLXPALETTE      <PGUP>/<PGDN> to move through the configuration.)

DLXPAL=I,R,G,B   Enters the color variables in this order: Index number,
DLXPAL=23,4,17,9 Red value, Green value, Blue value.

DLXPAL=S        Saves the current palette into the Custom palette.

DLXPAL=W,       Writes an AutoCAD .SCR file listing the DLXPAL= commands
filename.SCR    that define the displayed palette.

SCRIPT          AutoCAD command loads a custom color palette.
filename.SCR


2.8.4   Menu Color Customization
    ------------------------
Menu Color Customization (DLXCOL) lets you save your screen color scheme to
an AutoCAD script file. When you've created a script file for your scheme,
you can give it to another user, put it on other computers or across a
network, or use it to restore your configuration if it has been changed.
When you're happy with the menu color changes you've made in Custom
Configuration, use DLXCOL to write them to a file. Use SCRIPT to load the
file.

Type            Result
----            ------

DLXCOL=W,       Creates an AutoCAD .SCR file containing your custom
filename.SCR    menu color scheme.

SCRIPT          AutoCAD command loads a custom menu color scheme.
filename.SCR


2.9     Help Commands
    -------------

2.9.1   On-Line Help System
    -------------------
The DL-Xpress on-line help system (DLXHELP) provides brief descriptions of
each display engine command. Each description includes an explanation of the
command's function and its expected parameters. The underlined terms are
hypertext entries; click on them to go to those topics in the help system.

Navigating through the help system is simplified by the row of buttons under
the titlebar - Contents, Back, Index, Print, and 1/4^ and +^. Press the
pushpin if you want to leave the help system active on your screen while
you work. Click Contents to see the titles of the help screens that follow,
and click any item in the list to go to its screen. Click the Index button
to see an alphabetical listing of help screen items; again, click any item
to go to its screen. Click the Back button to scroll back through the screens
you viewed previously, and click Print to send the help system text to your
printer. Use the up and down buttons to move through the help system screen
by screen.

From the keyboard, you can press the arrow keys to scroll through the
screens or <PGUP> and <PGDN> to scroll through several screens at a time.
Press the close button or <ESC> to return to your drawing.

Type            Result
----            ------
DLXHELP         Enters the on-line help system. Hit [ESC] to exit.

DLXHELP=Y       Opens (or closes) the on-line help system.
(or N)

DLXHELP=P       Prints the help system contents to the device specified as
        PRN.

DLXHELP=W,      Writes the help system contents to a text file.
filename


2.9.2   Display List Meter
    ------------------
The keyboard command DLXMTR lets you control the on-screen memory meter,
which shows you the exact amount of display-list memory your current drawing
is taking up.

Like the other advanced features, the memory meter is housed in a floating
window that's fully repositionable. Since it's quite small, you can leave
it up permanently without sacrificing space on your drawing screen.

Type            Result
----            ------
DLXMTR          Toggles the meter on/off.
'DLXMTR
DLXMETER

DLXMTR=Y (or N) Enables (or disables) the meter.

DLXMTR=D        Returns the meter to its default location at the
        lower-right of the screen.


2.9.3   Status Information
    ------------------
The DL-Xpress status window (DLXSTAT) shows you the driver name, its version
number, your serial number, and the amount of memory currently being used by
the display list. Technical support and other information about the product
is available here by pressing the <F1> key. Close the status window by
pressing <ESC>.

Type            Result
----            ------
DLXSTAT         Gives information about the driver software and the display
'DLXSTAT        list's memory usage.
DLXSTATUS


Tip:    Get access to your software and support information
    quickly by clicking on the driver name icon at the upper
    right corner of your AutoCAD screen.


Chapter 3        Technology Overview
===============================


Below are explanations of the core technologies that the display engine uses
to speed up AutoCAD and transform your display. If you're new to display
list drivers, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these
technologies. Knowing these concepts will help you to understand the software
and configure your display to suit your needs.

3.1     Display List Technology
    -----------------------
The display list records your drawing with only the data needed to draw it
on the screen, which it derives from AutoCAD's main database. AutoCAD has
limited display list capabilities built in. However, by using Vibrant
Graphics' display list technology, you can improve the speed of the display
many times over.

AutoCAD keeps the drawing in a very precise database called world space,
which has 16-digit floating decimal point accuracy. Since it doesn't need
most of that information to represent your drawing on the screen, AutoCAD
creates a refresh list of screen coordinates for the drawing entities,
called virtual space. It uses only whole numbers, so calculations to reset
the screen are quite fast. If you request a view that is outside the current
virtual space, AutoCAD extracts a new virtual space from the world space by
performing a complete regeneration, also referred to as a regen. When you
zoom and pan within the current virtual space, AutoCAD maps the new view to
the device coordinates performing a redraw.

When the Vibrant display engine is installed, it takes over this coordinate
mapping of the world space. Using proprietary display optimization
algorithms, it's able to accelerate all of your zooms, pans, and redraws.

3.1.1   Display List Compression
------------------------
The Vibrant display engine has a function called display list compression
that conserves memory on very large drawings that are text or polyline
intensive. What most affects the size of the display list is the number of
vectors in each figure. Figures with numerous vectors include text, circles,
and other polylines. A circle, for instance, takes at least 8 and as many as
200 or more for high resolution; a lowercase "e" in a simple font can take
17. When AutoCAD sends a polyline to the screen, it breaks it up into
separate segments: 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4. This segmentation makes the
display list grow large very quickly, which wastes memory.

Fortunately, the objects that generate the most vectors happen to be
connected. Data compression recognizes when vectors are connected and stores
them appropriately. Vibrant's display list creates a polyline seamlessly,
as end point to intermediate point, to intermediate point, to end point
(1 to 2 to 3 to 4). Without data compression, your display list would start
bigger and grow very quickly, wasting your RAM.

3.1.2   TRUE-Erase
    ----------
TRUE-Erase gives you real-time removal of display list garbage. Without this
technology, display list garbage proves to be a serious problem, resulting
in memory over-usage, speed loss, and erasing problems.

When AutoCAD receives a vector-erasing command (erase, move, rotate, etc.),
it hides the entities behind the background-colored vectors instead of
removing them from the display list. The display list not only keeps the
unwanted entities but also adds the background-colored vectors, so that it
grows continuously until you stop working and perform a garbage collection.
As the display list grows, it wastes valuable memory. Redraws take longer
since there are more vectors. Often, the screen flickers as the original
entities are drawn and then overdrawn with the background color to re-erase
them. Problems arise when two or more vectors are drawn on top of each other.
When one is erased, all are hidden beneath the background color. This can
only be fixed by regenerating the drawing.

TRUE-Erase correctly detects the background-colored vectors before they are
added to the display list. By using optimized algorithms, it removes the
entities with no speed penalty. Moreover, TRUE-Erase recovers erased space
from the display list, so it's always optimizing your memory use.

3.1.3   TRUE-Drag
    ---------
Repositioning a block of figures in a drawing is easier with TRUE-Drag.
This feature works with AutoCAD's move or copy commands, allowing you to
move a block without the objects disappearing as you position them.

After you select the objects to move and choose the base point, DL-Xpress
creates a special drag list for these objects. This can take several
seconds, depending on the size of the entity. When the entities fully
reappear on the screen, the drag list is complete and won't have to be
recreated while you're positioning them. The result is a smooth
representation of your selection in full color, moving with the cursor.
TRUE-Drag also helps to make 3-D objects visible using the same
technology as described next in TRUE-Rotate.

3.1.4   TRUE-Rotate
    -----------
Usually when rotating many 3-D entities with AutoCAD, you lose sight of
those entities during the rotation. This makes it very difficult to
preview the final position and orientation. When numerous side-by-side
faces are redrawn during a rotate, they are XORed with other objects that
they overlay. The XOR (pronounced Ex-Or) technique mixes the background
and foreground color and creates a third color to act as a highlight.
This is the method that causes text to highlight in a word processor and
colored pixels to appear where your AutoCAD lines cross others. When two
pixels of the same color are XORed, the result is color zero, the
background color (usually black). With numerous matching faces, all the
edges of which are overlapping, the XOR algorithm ends up turning most of
your drawing to black as it rotates. TRUE-Rotate correctly detects
duplicate overlapping vectors and only draws one, allowing you to see and
rotate the entity in its original color.

3.1.5   Multiple Viewports
    ------------------
AutoCAD's multiple viewport function divides the screen into multiple
views of the same drawing. Vibrant's display engine fully supports
multiple viewports. However, under the non-zoomable conditions of
AutoCAD's paperspace, not all the commands and speed benefits are
available.

3.2     VIBCFG Environment Variable
    ---------------------------
Vibrant's display engine saves all configuration data to a file. By
default, it places it in the same directory as ACAD.CFG. If you are
planning to use the same display mode (including the resolution and
number of colors) for all Autodesk applications on your system, you don't
have to worry about setting the VIBCFG variable in anything other than
the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

However, if you have different configurations for one or more Autodesk
applications on the same system, each application must know which driver
configuration to use. Setting the VIBCFG environment variable in an
invoking batch file keeps this clear. Placing the driver configuration
file properly is critical in several situations:

    -   Running different Autodesk applications in different resolutions
    and color modes on the same system.

    -   Having several users on the same system, each requiring different
    configurations of fonts, command lines, menu colors, etc.

    -   Running in a network environment so that each user has the
    appropriate configuration for their hardware.

    -   Running more than one release of AutoCAD, since each requires a
    different configuration setup.

To allow each application to have its own configuration, set the
environment variable with the directory, subdirectory, and filename. This
precaution matches the correct driver configuration with the Autodesk
program it supports.

3.2.1   Setting the Variable
    --------------------
The installation of the DL-Xpress driver creates a batch file called
ADIACAD.BAT.  This file contains the following environment variables:

SET DSPADI=C:\ACAD\SOFTENGN.EXP
SET RDPADI=C:\ACAD\SOFTENGN.EXP
SET RCPADI=C:\ACAD\SOFTENGN.EXP
SET VIBCFG=C:\ACAD\ADIACAD.CFG

This batch file must be run prior to entering the application.

You can place these "set" commands in any .BAT file and use them to
launch your application. If you're configuring to run on a network, have
each user create his own batch file (e.g., Bob will create BOB.BAT) and
write a corresponding "set" statement to differentiate his settings from
those of the other users.

Caution:        If you've accidentally set the variable with
        an invalid path or filename, then the Vibrant
        configuration file won't be created or used.


3.2.2   The Default Search Path
    -----------------------
If you don't set the environment variable, the driver will search for
ACAD.CFG to find out where to save your configuration data file. First,
it checks the current directory. Next, it checks all the paths specified
in the environment variables ACADCFG, ACAD, and PATH. If it still can't
find ACAD.CFG, it will save your configuration in the current directory.

Important:      Letting the driver place your configuration
        works well only if you're using it alone and
        exclusively with a single Autodesk application.


3.3     Troubleshooting
    ---------------

3.3.1   Environment Space
    -----------------
Environment space is controlled by the SHELL statement in your CONFIG.SYS
file. For example:
        SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM /P /E:1024

In this example, the /E:1024 sets the environment space to a maximum size
of 1KB (1024 bytes). To change the size of your environment space, change
the number after /E:.

You can use the DOS SET command to make sure that all your environment
variables are correctly set. Type at the DOS prompt:
        SET

DOS displays the current environment variables set on your system. If you
have too little environment space for all your variables, some may be
incomplete or not displayed at all. If so, increase the size of your
environment space in your CONFIG.SYS file and reboot your system.

Note:   DOS v3.1 supports the /E flag in a format that's
    different from later versions. Instead of specifying
    the size in bytes of the environment space, /E
    specifies the size in 16-byte blocks (e.g. to
    define an environment space of 1024 bytes, use /E:64).


3.3.2   Phar Lap Settings
    -----------------
Phar Lap is the internal memory manager used in most Autodesk
applications. There are many different Phar Lap flags that can be set to
customize your application. To see which flags have been set, use the
CFIG386.EXE program that is shipped with your application. The proper
operation of this file is the filename plus the name of your
application's executable file:
        CFIG386 ACAD.EXE

You need to set several flags to ensure proper operation. We suggest that
you set the following basic flags:
    -   MINFILESIZE 200000 (If this number is 0, ACAD will load slightly
    faster.)
    -   SWAPDEFDISK
    -   SWAPCHK OFF
    -   INTMAP 8
    -   VSCAN 20000
    -   MINREAL 1500
    -   MAXREAL 1500
    -   DEM
    -   SWAPDIR C:\SWAP (Set to root of drive where application is
    installed.)
    -   SAVEREGS

The following are optional switches that may improve your AutoCAD
performance or prevent unusual swapfile growth:
    -   NOSWFGROW1ST
    -   NUR
    -   FLUSHSWAP (R12 only)

For information on how to configure these switches, refer to your
application's manuals or consult your dealer.

3.3.3   Symptoms and Solutions
    ----------------------
When a video screen is brought up, the application gives an error message
or shuts down.
-       You may not have your hardware lock attached to your printer port.

Error message says that hardware lock isn't installed when it is.
-       Try the following to correct this:
    -       Switch the order of your hardware locks.
    -       Turn on your printer or device connected to the parallel
        port.
    -       Install an A/B switch box and turn to the empty switch.


No speed increase is seen.
-       Does the display engine's name appear in the upper-right corner?
    If not, your display engine isn't loaded; refer to the
    installation and configuration instructions. If it does appear,
    you may be experiencing one of several things that disable the
    functions of display list drivers:
    -  In R12, look for an environment variable called
       IGNORE_BIG_SCREEN; when set, it will disable most display list
       functions.
    -  Make sure from the command line that, under VIEWRES, the option
       FASTZOOMS is set to <Y>.
    -  Ensure that the display list is enabled. This option is found
       in the Custom Configuration under Display List Options.
    -  Check whether you're in either paperspace or a perspective
       view.

System crashes unexpectedly.
-       Remove conflicting drivers.
    When installing this protected-mode driver, be sure to remove all
    other real-mode TSR ADI display drivers from your AUTOEXEC.BAT or
    other batch files used to invoke AutoCAD. You no longer need
    these drivers, and keeping them loaded could cause system
    lock-ups.

-       Remove conflicting screen-savers.
    Some screen-saver TSR programs can also cause your system to
    crash. They incorrectly recognize your current video mode and
    make incorrect writes to the screen, thus crashing your system.

-       Install the newest Phar-Lap DOS Extender version for AutoCAD
    (ver. 2.6 or higher). The new version has a different memory
    allocation methodology. Attach an upgraded DOS Extender to your
    AutoCAD by using the Autodesk NEWDX.EXE program. NEWDX.EXE is
    located on Disk 8 of R11.

Note:   AutoCAD R12 doesn't need the NEWDX patch.


Graphics screen appears garbled or does not come up at all, or screen
doesn't give the resolution and color selected.

-       If your selected resolution or color depth appears garbled or
    doesn't come up at all, you may have too little memory on your
    graphics board. Below is a list of the possible configurations
    (resolutions and color depths) for the mach64 card.

Resolutions and Color Depths supported are:

        256 colors   65000 colors   16.7 million
        8 bpp        16 bpp         24 bpp

 640x480     2/4MB        2/4MB          2/4MB
 800x600     2/4MB        2/4MB          2/4MB
 1024x768    2/4MB        2/4MB          4MB
 1280x1024   2/4MB        4MB            4MB

2/4MB   - Supported on 2 or 4 MB mach64 products
4MB     - Only supported on 4 MB mach64 products


Fonts, colors, screen layout etc., aren't as they were left.
-       You have a configuration file conflict. Check your path and
    directories and you will probably find that you have multiple
    configuration files. Delete one or both of these files and
    reconfigure if necessary.

Materials Editor under 3D Studio appears small and takes up only a
portion of the screen.
-       Select a larger font for the Materials Editor. This isn't
    necessary for any other mode, but the Materials Editor screen
    size is related to the font's size, which must be larger. See
    "Configuration Suggestions for 3D Studio" in Chapter 1.

After a flip screen, plot, or shell command, the text screen doesn't
appear correctly.
-       Certain versions of ANSI.SYS published by Compaq Computer Corp.
    have problems with the display engine. Replace the Compaq
    ANSI.SYS with another version.

Cursor leaves unexplained trash on the screen.
-       The display engine uses a specific high-speed drawing mode that
    some mouse drivers do not correctly detect. Updating your mouse
    driver with a current version should end the problem. Microsoft
    Mouse drivers versions 5.xx, 6.xx, and 7.xx are known to be prone
    to this problem. Version 8 is now available from Microsoft.


Excessive Swapping: the hard disk is active during normal editing and the
system slows down measurably.
-       You may have one of several problems - drawings that create extra
    large display lists, too many viewports open at once, an
    inappropriate Flip Screen Option mode selected for your memory
    configuration, or inadequate RAM for the drawings that you're
    editing. Therefore, try these fixes:
    -  Lower the value used in AutoCAD's VIEWRES to make the display
       lists slightly smaller.
    -  Reduce the number of viewports open at one time.
    -  Enter Custom Configuration and select Redraw mode for Flip
       Screen Option.
    -  Install more RAM in your system.
    -  Install a new version of the Phar Lap DOS Extender (2.6 or
       higher), which may improve your memory situation. Use the
       Autodesk NEWDX.EXE program to attach it to your Autodesk
       application.

Note:   AutoCAD R12 doesn't need the NEWDX patch.

4.0     Contacting Vibrant Graphics
    -----------------
If you are interested in upgrading to Vibrant Graphics retail version, or
adding advanced features found in the Vibrant Graphics Soft Engine F/X, or
Liquid Speed products please contact Vibrant Graphics by
Phone, Fax, or Mail at:

Vibrant Graphics Ltd.
12741 Research Blvd
Austin,  TX    78759

Phone:  [phone]
      1-800-937-1711
Fax:    [phone]