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1990-12-01
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Text-Draw, Version 1.00, Copyright (c) 1990 SoftCircuits
Redistributed by permission
Program Documentation
12/01/90
Introduction:
------------
Since Text-Draw contains thorough on-line help and is
designed to be easy to use, this documentation just briefly
explains how to access commands and the on-line help system
without describing any of the Text-Draw commands
specifically.
Text-Draw allows you to create pictures using any of the 256
text characters available on IBM compatible computers, using
any of the 256 available color attributes. Many features are
provided to create, edit and save pictures. Text-Draw makes
limited use of a mouse (if you have one) to make the job a
little easier.
In addition, Text-Draw can create ANSI files from your text
pictures which can then be viewed using the DOS "TYPE"
command (this requires that DOS's ANSI.SYS driver is
loaded). Text-Draw can also produces straight text files
from your pictures, which may be viewed from within most
text editors.
Starting Text-Draw:
------------------
To begin a Text-Draw session, type TD and press <Enter>.
TD.EXE must be in the current directory or in the current
PATH.
In addition, Text-Draw accepts a number of command line
switches which are described below:
/? This switch, or any invalid switch, instructs Text-
Draw to list all valid command line switches.
/b Black white mode. If your video card supports color
but you display does not (such as composite
displays), use this switch and Text-Draw will
display in black and white mode. Note that this
switch has no effect on how Text-Draw pictures are
displayed.
/q Quick video. If you have a CGA card and your display
doesn't snow (flicker white spots randomly), use
this option and Text-Draw will write to your display
quicker. This switch has no effect on non-CGA
displays.
/m Use current video mode. If Text-Draw finds your
display in a non-standard mode, it will reset the
display to a known state. If your display provides
non-standard display modes (132 column text modes
for example), use this switch and Text-Draw will use
whatever display mode is active.
/43 43 line mode. Text-Draw will start up in 43 line
mode. Note that you can only load Text-Draw pictures
that were created using the current line mode. This
option works only on EGA and VGA compatible
displays.
/50 50 line mode. Text-Draw will start up in 50 line
mode. This option works only on VGA compatible
displays.
If you know which picture file you want to work with, you
can type the name of the file on the command line. If no
extension is given, Text-Draw assumes the default (.TD)
extension. If you want to load a file with no extension, end
the filename with a period.
The following example starts Text-Draw with the quick video
option (CGA only) and tells Text-Draw to load the file
"MYPIC.TD":
TD /q mypic
Text-Draw Commands:
------------------
Text-Draw commands can be accessed via the main menu. Press
<Escape> to open the main menu. You can then use the arrow
keys to move the hilight bar to the desired menu selection.
Press <Enter> to select that item or press <Escape> to close
the menu.
In addition, each command has a "fastkey" or a keystroke
that will activate the command without first opening the
main menu. This means that users new to Text-Draw can scan
the menus and help screens (described in the next section)
to find the commands they want, while experienced users will
be able to quickly access commands via fastkeys.
Getting Help:
------------
As stated earlier, one of Text-Draw strengths is its on-line
help. You can get help at any time by pressing <Shift+F1>
(Press the <F1> key once white holding down the <Shift>
key). Note that when the current operation does not make use
of the <F1> key, pressing <F1> by itself will also activate
help. When in doubt, <Shift+F1> will always work.
Help is context-sensitive which means that help always
displays information about the current Text-Draw operation.
While in a menu, help will display information about the
currently hilighted menu selection.
Help screens usually contain several hilighted words
embedded within the help text. You can use the arrow keys to
move the hilight bar to any of the hilighted words. Press
<Enter> to view help on the item covered by the hilight bar.
Press <Backspace> to return to the previous help item. Press
<Escape> to close help.
Release Notes:
-------------
Text-Draw may be used and distributed freely on the
condition that it is distributed in full and unchanged, and
that no fee is charged for such use and distribution with
the exception of reasonable disk, shipping and handling
charges.
Text-Draw was distributed as is. SoftCircuits makes no
guarantees as to the fitness of this product for a
particular purpose. Under no circumstances will SoftCircuits
be held responsible for damages caused by the use of this
product.
SoftCircuits welcomes your written comments or questions.
You may send them to:
SoftCircuits Programming
P.O. Box 16262
Irvine, CA 92713