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The
FONT GENERATOR
Version 1.0
Users Manual
Sold & Distributed by
Independent Systems / Consultants
P.O. Box 1822
Bucksport, Maine 04416
written by
Keith P. Whitaker
Introduction:
The purpose of the font generator is to interactivly create a
font code from a drawn image for character numbers 32-255. It
is assumed that you already have an understanding of AutoCAD
fonts and text styles. If you don't, please refer to the
AutoCAD Reference Manual. This document will explain the
functions of the Generator as well as take you through a
supplied example.
Please take the time to fill out and return the registration
form included at the end of this document. This will
enable us to keep track of users in order to notify you of
updates and other programs we offer. It also allows us to
continue writing shareware programs.
If you have an idea for a program, contact us. We also provide
custom programs as reasonable rates, even for individuals and
small businesses.
Disclaimer:
We have tested this program and made every effort to insure
this programs accuracy and compatability. However, in no
event will the copyright holder, distributor and/or dealer of
this program be liable for direct, indirect, special,
incidental, or consequential damages (including,
without limitation, damages for loss of business
information, or other pecuniary loss) resulting from
the use of or inability to use this program, even if advised
of the possability of such damages.
Trademark Acknowledgements:
AutoCAD and AutoLISP are registered trademarks of Autodesk,
Inc.
i.
Table of Contents
Item Page
Introduction i
Table of Contents ii
Installation 1
Loading the Program 1
Creating a New Font 1
Appending an Existing Font 4
Editing an Existing Font 4
Examples 4
Appendix A - ASCII Codes 5
Appendix B - Bug Report 6
Appendix C - Registration Form 7
ii.
Installation:
To install the Font Generator copy the following files
to the directory where AutoCAD is run from:
FONTGEN.LSP
FNT1.SLD
You are now ready to run the program from within AutoCAD.
Unless you intend to look at the example provided there is
no reason to copy the other files to the hard drive.
Loading the Program:
Enter the AutoCAD drawing editor as you normally do. You may
start a new drawing or enter an existing drawing.
Once you are in you will first need to load the program into
memory. The Font Generator is a lisp program and will need
to be loaded as follows:
At the Command Prompt type:
(load "fontgen")
and press return.
An initial screen will come up with instructions to press
return to continue. Doing so will redraw the previous
screen.
The program is now loaded and may be run at anytime in the
drawing session. If you leave the drawing editor you will
need to reload the program.
Creating a New Font File:
Before running the program you will need to have your desired
font drawn on the screen. You can scan, digitize, or draw
your font freehand. The program uses a basic font size of
100 units high. In other words, if you create a font
character which is 100 units high, the text drawn on the
screen will be the exact height you specify. I would suggest
drawing construction lines 100 units apart to draw your font
within.
The following are valid entities for use with the Generator:
1.
LINES
ARCS
POLYLINES
Straight Line Segments
Arc Segments
Fit Curves
Once you have the font (or part of the font) drawn on the
screen, you can then run the Font Generator. Provided you
have loaded the program, you can enter the command FONTGEN at
the command prompt.
You will be first asked a name for the font file. Enter a
name without a path or extention. The file will be placed in
the directory from which AutoCAD is run and be given the
extention .SHP.
You will be asked to select each entity which make up each of
the characters individually and enter the following
information (see page three for example):
start point - point where character will be started
or inserted. Similar to insertion point of
blocks.
end point - point where next character will be started
from.
character name - optional - this is only to help document
the font code
character number - the key code number for the character.
Key codes for the keyboard are listed
in apendix A. 32-255 are valid.
When you have finished describing all characters press return
when the program prompts you for the next character.
You will then be asked if you wish to compile the text font.
If you answer "yes" to this question, a script file is
written and run which ends the drawing, compiles the font,
and reenters the drawing.
Note: If you intend to rerun the Font Generator you
will need to reload it if you ended the drawing.
2.
Page 3 Not Included With Shareware Version
Appending an Existing Font:
When a name is entered for a font file which exists, you
will be warned that the font exists and be asked if you wish
to quit, overwrite the file, edit the file, or append the
file.
Selecting Append will cause the program to run the same as
explained in creating a new file. The font file information
will be added the the end of the file specified.
Note: Before appending or editing an existing font it is
suggested that a backup copy of the original file
be made.
Editing an Existing Font:
Selecting the Edit option at the Existing File Warning will
allow you to delete a character definition from a font file.
Once this is done you will be sent to the append section
which will allow you to reenter the character.
Examples:
An example font file and the drawing file it was created from
is included. It is a simple lettering font hand drawn in
AutoCAD. It should give you some practice with the font
generator.
4.
ASCII Key Codes
32 space 56 8 80 P 104 h
33 ! 57 9 81 Q 105 i
34 " 58 : colon 82 R 106 j
35 # 50 ; semicolon 83 S 107 k
36 $ 60 < 84 T 108 l
37 % 61 = 85 U 109 m
38 & 62 > 86 V 110 n
39 ' apost 63 ? 87 W 111 o
40 ( 64 @ 88 X 112 p
41 ) 65 A 89 Y 113 q
42 * 66 B 90 Z 114 r
43 + 67 C 91 [ 115 s
44 , comma 68 D 92 \ 116 t
45 - hyphen 69 E 93 ] 117 u
46 . period 70 F 94 ' caret 118 v
47 / 71 G 95 _ undersc 119 w
48 0 72 H 96 ' rev apos 120 x
49 1 73 I 97 a 121 y
50 2 74 J 98 b 122 z
51 3 75 K 99 c 123 {
52 4 76 L 100 d 124 |
53 5 77 M 101 e 125 }
54 6 78 N 102 f 126 ~
55 7 79 0 103 g
10 lf line feed
5.
Bug Report (or suggestions for future upgrades)
Hopefully this form will not be necessary as a bug report,
but if it is, or you would like to suggest an upgrade,
please fill in all the information requested.
Name:_____________________________________
Company:__________________________________
Address:__________________________________
City:_____________State:______Zip:________
Hardware:
Computer:______________________________
Memory:_________ Hard Drive:________
Monitor:_______________________________
Tablet or Mouse:_______________________
Software:
AutoCAD Version:_______________________
Other Software Used:___________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Description of Problem (or suggestion):
Mail to: Software Development Department
Independent Systems / Consultants
P.O. Box 1822
Bucksport, Maine 04416
6.
Registration Form
Returning this form and registration fee will allow
us to send you a printed manual, a current version
and to notify you of future updates and other
programs offered.
Send the following information along with a $35.00
registration fee.
Name:__________________________________________
Company:_______________________________________
Address:_______________________________________
City:________________State:______Zip:__________
Obtained From:________________________________
Comments:
Please Return To: Customer Records Department
Independent Systems / Consultants
P.O. Box 46
Plymouth, Maine 04969
7.
