Best of Shareware/Best of PC Windows Shareware 1.0 - Wayzata Technology (7111) (1993).iso/mac/DOS/CAD_CAM/GSMAP8/README

Text File | 1992-03-05 | 38KB | 687 lines

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

SYSTEM 8.  GSMAP, GSMEDIT, GSMUTIL, GSPOST, GSDIG AND OTHER
PROGRAMS VERSION 8,  FOR THE IBM PC AND COMPATIBLE
MICROCOMPUTERS, TO ASSIST WORKERS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES

by
Gary I. Selner and Richard B. Taylor

Open-File Report
92-217

DISCLAIMER

Although program tests have been made, no guarantee (expressed or
implied) is made by the authors or the U.S. Geological Survey
regarding program correctness, accuracy, or proper execution on
all computer systems.  Any use of trade names is for descriptive
purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
Geological Survey.  This report has not been reviewed for
conformity with the U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards.
                           Denver, Colorado
                            February, 1992

AVAILABILITY:

Open File Reports can be purchased at the address given below:
Books and Open File Reports Section
U.S. Geological Survey
P.O. Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225,
(303)-236-7476

README FILE

     This  file  is  NOT  intended as a replacement  for  the  program
documentation.   The  documentation consists of 220 pages of  detailed
instructions with over 40 illustrations.   It is virtually  impossible
to  learn  these programs without access to  the  documentation.   See
Availability above for where to purchase the documentation.



TABLE OF CONTENT FOR THIS FILE
SECTION 1 - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 2 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS
SECTION 3 - CONTENTS OF RELEASE DISK
SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE
SECTION 5 - HARDWARE ISSUES UPON INSTALLATION
SECTION 6 - UPGRADING ISSUES
SECTION 7 - ADVICE FOR NEW USERS

SECTION 1 - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

     GSMAP  and  accompanying  programs  in  this  release  have  been
designed for use on IBM compatible personal computers.   Many of these
programs require a digitizer and plotter.  A complete system includes:

HARDWARE

Microcomputer
     The  microcomputer must use the DOS operating system Version  2.0
or higher,  at least 512K available RAM,  two floppy disk  drives,  or
one and a hard disk; at least one serial port, better two (one for the
digitizer,  the  other  for the plotter);  one parallel port (for  the
printer);  math co-processor chip to match the system;  graphics card,
IBM compatible CGA,  EGA,  VGA,  Hercules monochrome; monitor suitable
for use with the graphics card.   Although CGA graphics will work they
are not adequate to exploit the graphic capabilities of this  version.
EGA  or  VGA color graphics will display different kinds of  lines  in
different colors.   EGA and VGA color graphics adapter cards must have
at least 256K memory to plot color on screen in EGA/VGA modes.  A hard
disk  or  other  fast-access storage device is  strongly  recommended.
These  programs have been successfully operated on  Compaq,  Columbia,
Hewlett Packard, Sperry, IBM, GRID, Tandon, Zenith, Northgate, Leading
Edge,  Gateway,  and other computers,  and should operate on any fully
compatible computer.   We have run the programs on computers that  use
the  8088 chip and 8087 co-processor at 4.77 Mhertz to others that run
the 80486 at 33 Mhertz.

Printer
     The  printer must communicate with the computer through  parallel
port #1 (LPT1:), there are no special requirements for the printer.

Digitizer
     A  16-button cursor is strongly advised (but not required  except
for  GSSECT).   GSMAP and GSDIG have been designed and tested using  a
GTCO  DIGI-PAD  digitizer with a 16 button cursor  and  a  Summasketch
Professional  digitizer  with  a  4 button  cursor.   They  have  been
successfully  operated  with Calcomp,   Numonics (some  in  menu  mode
only),  Summagraphics  Microgrid  II,  and  other  digitizers  to  our
knowledge,  and  probably  can be used with any digitizer  that  sends
ASCII  character strings and communicates with the PC through an RS232
serial port.

Plotter
     Plotters  must support the HPGL plot language at a level  of  the
HP7475 or above, and the cable connecting the computer and the plotter
must  be  correctly configured.   Our tests have been conducted  on  a
Hewlett Packard 7585B and HP-7550A plotters.   The HPGL files that are
generated   by  these  programs  can  be  used  by Laser  printers;   the
illustrations  in  the documentation of this release were  printed  in
this way.

Mouse
     A  Microsoft-compatible  mouse can be used as a  pointing  device
with  the GSMEDIT,  GSMPBS,  and GSPOST programs.   Use of a mouse  is
convenient and speeds certain operations, but these three programs can
be fully operated without a mouse using the arrow keys on the keyboard
to move cursors on the screen.

SOFTWARE

     The  minimum software requirements for utilizing  these  programs
include  PC/DOS  2.0  or  higher or equivalent  MS  DOS,  the  release
diskettes,  and  a word processing program capable of producing  ASCII
files.  Although a RAM-resident program such as SIDEKICK is useful, it
can  play  havoc  at  unexpected times  due  to  memory  conflicts  if
installed  in base memory.   We recommend running systems without  TSR
(terminate and stay resident) or RAM resident programs.

SECTION 2 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS

SYSTEM 8
     This  release  of  GSMAP  SYSTEM 8 brings together  a  series  of
programs for IBM PC (and compatible) microcomputers with familial ties
to GSMAP .   All have been revised from previously published  versions
or   are  new  to  this  release.    All  use  Version  8  (CONFIG8.*)
configuration  files.   All use the same hardware system.   The  links
between these programs are more apparent when grouped together than as
previously released as a series of separate reports.

     The basic set of geologic symbols and fonts are also used by  the
other programs in this release.   Symbols definitions are contained in
an  ASCII  file  that can be extended or modified by  the  user,  line
patterns also can be modified, within the scope of the Hewlett Packard
pattern set.  The documentation contains instructions on how to design
new symbols.

     All output can be drawn on a plotter,  on the screen or sent to a
disk  file  using  HPGL  (the  Hewlett  Packard  Graphics   Language),
including  text and symbology.   The on-screen graphics can be used to
assist digitizing, editing, and design of output.  All of the programs
in  this  set can use  either Cartesian data  (X,  Y  coordinates)  or
geodetic  data  (latitude,  longitude  coordinates).   The  choice  of
coordinate system is made by the user.  Cartesian coordinates are most
useful   for   illustrations,   cross   sections,   and   maps   where
latitude, longitude  coordinates  are unavailable,  where the use of  a
geodetic system adds unneeded complexity, or where it lacks sufficient
precision  (e.g.  a map at a scale of 1 inch equals  1  foot).    When
working  with geodetic coordinates,  these programs support  Mercator,
Universal Transverse Mercator,  Transverse Mercator, Oblique Mercator,
Lambert  Conformal Conic,  Albers Equal Area,  Equidistant Conic,  and
Polyconic  map projections.   Design goals required an  "office-scale"
hardware system with an affordable price.  All of the programs operate
from menu screens.   On-screen messages prompt the user at appropriate
times.   Responses from the keyboard are entered by typing appropriate
answers to the prompts,  and then screen.  These programs are oriented
for  use  by  geologists  and  other  scientists,   not  for  computer
specialists.  Programming skills are not required.


GSMAP
     GSMAP and related support programs  including  GSMEDIT,  GSMUTIL,
GSMPBLD  and  GSMPBS  have  been developed to  assist  geologists  and
illustrators in compilation and publication drafting of geologic  maps
and illustrations.   These programs attempt to facilitate geologic map
compilation  and  drafting  in the way that  digital  word  processing
facilitates  composition and editing of text.   As a set of  practical
graphics  programs,  they  enable  digital  compilation  of  graphical
elements,  ease  the  process  of modification in response  to  second
thoughts, editorial comments, and scale changes, and lead from initial
compilation to publication without redigitizing or redrafting.   GSMAP
uses a high precision digitizer and plotter for entry and plotting  of
digital data.  Program capabilities include modification of data bases
by deletion of unwanted entries or additions at any time.  Part or all
of  the  data in a data base can be plotted.   Words and  alphanumeric
characters  are  entered into an ASCII file using  a  word  processing
program,  and their locations are entered by digitizing.   Entries are
numbered  by  the  program  and can be edited or  deleted  using  this
number.   Although the primary output is to the plotter,  plots of all
data can be drawn on the screen.   Plots can be made in two modes; the
"draft"  mode  provides entry numbers,  the "publication"  mode  draws
plots  without  entry  numbers.   GSMAP  data  bases  using  the  same
coordinate system can be merged.   GSMAP supports lines of 14  pattern
types,  symbols, patterning of polygonal  areas, text (with leaders if
needed),  multi-line text entries,  and text that flows along features
such as rivers, fault lines, etc.

     The  documentation provides a thirty page tutorial that leads key
stroke  by keystroke through the digitizing and plotting of  a  simple
illustration  that  contains the elements of a geologic  map.   For  a
person  who  understands DOS and a modern word processing program  the
tutorial exercise requires approximately two hours to  complete.   Our
internal training course is heavily oriented to hands-on participation
and  consists  of two eight-hour days of lectures and  exercises  with
approximately two hours dedicated to a discussion of projections.

GSMROSE
     GSMROSE  is  a  program for construction of  rose  diagrams  from
linear   data (lines or polygon boundaries) in GSMAP data bases.   The
user can specify the radius of the diagram, the angular measure of the
sector used for analysis, and output to the screen, to a plotter, to a
disk  file  written  in HPGL,  or to a GSMAP data  base  in  Cartesian
coordinates (new to this version).   After drawing the rose diagram, a
table  can  be printed that provides the numeric information  used  in
constructing  the diagram.   Two methods of analyzing the linear  data
are provided,  one length weighted,  the second, count weighted.  When
using  the  length-weighted option the program reads the  data  for  a
specified  code (lines or polygon margins) in a data base,  calculates
the  bearing  and  length of each interval between  points  along  the
lines,  accumulates these lengths for angular sectors of bearing  0-10
and  so  on  through 175-180),  calculates the total  length  of  line
segments in each sector,  and divides the length in each sector by the
length in the maximum sector.   This ratio is used in the rose diagram
as  the  radius  for the sector.   The radius of the diagram  for  the
sector of maximum length is chosen by the user.   For data bases  that
use  Cartesian  coordinates the Y coordinate of the data base is  used
as the Y coordinate (0 degrees) for the rose diagram.

     When using the count-weighted option,  the program reads the data
for lines (not closed polygons) with a specified code,  calculates the
bearing  of the line connecting the first and last point of the  line,
and  records  the  number of entries for each 5  degree  sector.   The
sector containing the most entries is plotted to the radius specified,
the  others  are scaled to this distance according to  the  number  of
entries.   For  geodetic  coordinates  and  most  of  the  projections
supported by the GSMROSE program the line of longitude used as central
meridian  in the projection parameter file is used as the Y coordinate
(0 degrees) for the diagram.

     GSMROSE  Version  8.0 is a modification of  GSMROSE  Version  1.0
adding  the  ability  to export a GSMAP data base and  providing  full
compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

GSSECT
     Generation  and  plotting of the topographic  profile  for  cross
sections,  and other profiles drawn from contour maps.  Version 8.0 of
this  program  has been revised from Version 2.0 so that it  uses  the
same  configuration  files  as  GSMAP Version  8,  to  interface  with
digitizers and plotters.  It can plot sections to the screen, to files
written in HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language),  drive  plotters,
or generate a GSMAP data base in Cartesian coordinates.    Drawing the
topographic  profile for structure sections is a chore not relished by
most  geologists,  and with conventional drafting techniques is  beset
with  pitfalls and inaccuracies.   The use of a precise digitizer  for
data  input  and of a plotter to draw the section eliminates  most  of
these problems,  and speeds the entire process.   Using GSSECT Version
8.0,  a topographic profile may be drawn along a straight line,  along
connecting straight line segments,  such as a section with a bend,  or
along  a  curve (many short line segments),  such as the course  of  a
stream.   The  gradient  between  points of  known  elevation  can  be
computed, printed, and plotted to assist analysis of a profile.

     GSSECT  Version  8.0   is a  modification of GSSECT  Version  2.0
providing full compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

GSDIG
     GSDIG  is  a  program  used  to  determine  geodetic   (latitude,
longitude)  coordinates or Cartesian (X,  Y) coordinates from maps  or
drawings  and create ASCII character files containing site identifiers
and  geodetic coordinates (degrees,  minutes,  seconds)  or  Cartesian
coordinates  in  units  from the drawing or digitizer  units  (usually
inches).   Geodetic  coordinates for points can be digitized from  any
map  that has latitude/longitude coordinates for four points  and  has
been drawn using one of the supported map projections.

     The  output format for ASCII files can be chosen to provide  easy
input  of data to spreadsheet,  data base management programs,  or  to
geodetic  or Cartesian data bases in GSMAP format.   Alphanumeric site
identifiers  are in part entered from the computer keyboard  computer,
in part entered from the digitizer keypad.   An option in the  utility
program,  GSMUTIL,  is  included so that digitized geodetic (latitude,
longitude) or Cartesian (X,Y) data in GSPOST format or can be directly
entered  into a GSMAP data base.    Data from a series of maps can  be
digitized  and  the data stored in a single output file  in  a  single
digitizing session without leaving the program.   Alternatively,  data
can  be  added to an existing file permitting use of a single file  in
several digitizing sessions.   Use of a "mask" composed of prefix  and
suffix  entered from the keyboard permits alphanumeric identifiers for
sites  to be entered from the numeric keypad of the  digitizer  during
digitizing.   The prefix, maximum number of digits, and the suffix can
be changed during digitizing without reentering the coordinates of the
corners of the map.

     GSDIG  Version  8.0  is a  modification of GSDIG Version 3.03  to
provide compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

GSPOST
     GSPOST  is  a program that takes data from a  properly  formatted
ASCII file and plots on the screen,  on a plotter, or writes to a disk
file  in  HPGL  (Hewlett  Packard  Graphics  Language)  to  make  maps
displaying  information  associated with geographic sites  by  drawing
symbols and/or posting numerical data.  GSPOST operates with data sets
that  use  latitude  and  longitude  (geodetic)  coordinates  or   X,Y
(Cartesian) coordinates.   The sites might be sample localities, drill
holes,  or  mine portals,  but characterized by location in  latitude,
longitude  or  X,Y coordinates and a site identifier,  and usually  by
numeric values for attributes of the site,  such as chemical data from
a sample site, or flow rates from a well.

     The user must supply an ASCII data file that contains a series of
rows and columns.  Each row contains a series of attributes that apply
to one data point.   Each column contains one kind of attribute.   The
first  columns of each row are "control" columns providing the  site's
identifier,  the  coordinates of the site and the position  and  angle
posting  numerical values.   Additional columns to a total of 50,  are
data  columns.  Geodetic coordinates can be in either decimal degrees,
or in degrees, minutes, and seconds.  Both formats cannot be used in a
single file.  X,Y coordinates are specified in a system appropriate to
the map;  these cannot be mixed with latitude,longitude coordinates in
a single data file.

     GSPOST allows the user to specify the column from which data will
be selected,  values or ranges in values (class intervals), and choose
different symbols (and/or different symbol sizes for each class,  with
or  without  posting  of numerical values,  or  the  posting  of  site
identifiers.

     The  position  of posting of numerical data at each site  can  be
adjusted  to reduce over-printing of numbers by changing the  position
and/or  the angle of the posting.   These adjustments are made by  on-
screen editing.  For any given map the X and Y scales are independent;
the  area  is specified using the coordinates of corner points in  the
coordinate system chosen for locating data points  (latitude,longitude
or X,Y).

     GSPOST   Version  8.0  is a  modification of GSPOST Version  3.0,
adding  the  ability to register a plot to a specific  position  on  a
sheet  in  a  plotter,  allowing annotation of one line  of  the  plot
control  file  to  assist in keeping track of the purpose  of  a  plot
control  file,  and  the  ability  to  print that  line  as  a  title,
supporting the use of a mouse as a pointing device, and providing full
compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

SECTION 3 - CONTENTS OF RELEASE DISK

The  release diskette contains a self-extracting archive SYS8.EXE  and
this README file.

SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE

1.  Create a directory called GS on your hard disk (DOS MKDIR
command).
2.  CD \GS
3.  Insert the release diskette in the appropriate drive, e.g. A:

    Type A:SYS8 and depress the ENTER key

    The  files  on  the release diskette will be added  to  your  hard
disk in extracted  form ready for use.    About 1.6 Mbytes     will be
required.

4.  Edit  your  AUTOEXEC.BAT  and  add  directory  C:\GS  to  the
current search list.
5.  Add a new line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT that reads as follows:
    SET GSFILES=C:\GS

Many of the files on the release disk are used in the tutorial or  are
provided as examples.   After you are familiar with the programs,  you
can remove all files except for the following:

     Files with extension of EXE
     Files with extension of FNT
     Files with filename of CONFIG8

Normally  you  will  operate  the programs from a  directory  that  is
created  and  used  for  a specific  project  or  unit  of  work.   By
organizing  your hard disk as suggested above,  your working directory
will  contain  only  data files that can be removed  (or  archived  to
floppy disk) upon completion of the project.

SECTION 5 - HARDWARE ISSUES UPON INSTALLATION

     The  files  CONFIG8.SCR,  CONFIG8.DIG,  and CONFIG8.PLT  must  be
configured to match your hardware system.  Details are provided in the
section  "Hardware installation and configuration files" beginning  on
p. 154 of the documentation.

     Refer  to  the section starting on page 15  for  installation  of
hardware.   Use the worksheet p.  156 to record the parameters of your
system.   Pay  special  attention  to  the  details  on   CONFIG8.SCR,
CONFIG8.DIG,  and  CONFIG8.PLT  to  match the physical setup  of  your
system.   These  modifications  can  be made  using  a  standard  word
processing program.   Check p.  19  about the use of the menu template
for  digitizers with less than 16 keys,  and even for use with 16  key
digitizer keypads if different ASCII codes aren't sent by each key, or
if  different numbers of characters are sent by different  keys.   See
also   p.   167  for  special   requirements  for  Hercules   graphics
(monochrome).

SECTION 6 - UPGRADING ISSUES

     Important changes from GSMAP Version 7.0 are:

1.  An  environmental  variable  can be used to  specify  a  directory
CONFIG8.PLT,  CONFIG8.SYM,  and  CONFIG8.SCR),  and font files (*.FNT)
and the addition of a statement of location e.g.  SET GSFILES=C:GS  to
the  AUTOEXEC.BAT  file allows these files to be kept in   a  separate
area  from the executable program files and data files,  and allows  a
single  copy to be maintained on disk for all of the level 8  programs
of the GS series.

2. An additional capability added to the plotter option makes indexing
to hard copy in the plotter both feasible and accurate.   For example,
geologic  information  can  be plotted directly on a  topographic  map
base.

3.  Polygons can be outlined with a different line type than that used
for  the fill.   Codes 400-499 and codes 800-899 have been defined  as
polygon  codes to increase the total possible number of polygon  codes
from 100 to 200.

4.  Font  0  (0.FNT) has been expanded so that most  of  the  extended
character  set corresponds to the character set viewed on the  screen,
with geologic extensions in place of little used characters.

5.  Codes  100-199  used  for  data to be  plotted  from  tables  have
previously been restricted to one-point entries.   In this version two
points  can  be  digitized,  the first controls the  location  of  the
symbol, the second locates the posting position.

6. Application programs and utility programs published separately have
been combined with this release.

7.  The  utility  program GSMUTIL supports added options  that  enable
listing of codes and number of entries in a data base.

8.  GSMAP  option  8  (PLOT) GSMEDIT,  and GSPOST  now  contain  error
checking  for plot control files.   The plot file is rapidly  scrolled
across the screen,  but stops when an error is detected,  and requests
modification of the plot control file,  greatly assisting the location
(and hence fixing) of errors.

9.  GSMEDIT,  GSMPBS,  and GSPOST now support the use of a mouse as  a
pointing device for moving around the graphics screens.

10. At many points in the programs, prompts indicate choices that have
default values (hit the ENTER key).   Default choices are indicated in
Upper  case  letters;  lower  case letters designate the  other  valid
choices.

11. Because of the introduction of the mouse pointing device in several
of the programs (and the subsequent use of the right hand to hold the
device), a different system of choosing options has been introduced.
Previously you chose an option by typing a letter or number and then
depressed the ENTER key.  The new procedure (identified on screen) is
to chose the option by typing the letter or number only.  The programs
will react as soon as a "hot key" is typed.  "Hot Keys" are displayed
in an alternate color and a message on the lower right of the screen
will indicate that the selection uses the "hot key" method.  When the
word ENTER appears on the prompt, then the requested information should
be typed and then the ENTER key depressed to relay the information to
the program.

     Before  starting  a new project using Version 8.0 or  resuming  a
Version 6/7 project using Version 8.0,  prepare,  or check and  modify
the following files.

     Projection  parameter  file.   Use  the extension  .PRJ  to  take
advantage of on-screen file listings.   Projection files have not been
changed from Version 6/7.

     Text file(s), as needed.  No change from Version 6/7.

     Data file(s), as needed.  No change from Version 6/7.

     Plot  control file(s) Changed from Version 7 only for codes  400-
499.   As with Version 7, you will need at least one plot control file
to operate these programs.   Use the extension .PLT so that it will be
listed  at  appropriate times.   You must have a plot control file  to
plot to the screen, on the plotter, or to a disk file, and to digitize
data  to  take  advantage of the screen display  capabilities  new  to
Version 7,  continued to Version 8,  and to use the new version of the
screen edit program GSMEDIT.

     Look  in  the documentation for changes in requirements  of  plot
control files from Version 6.   Check decorated lines codes 1-99, 600-
699,  polygon  fills codes 400-499,  to specify the width and size  of
characters codes 100-199,  and for the new capabilities of these  code
groups.   Take  out  the line in the Version 6 plot  files  specifying
width and height of characters.

     In  versions of GSMAP prior to Version 7.0,  unused (extra) codes
in a plot file required the system to rummage all the way through  the
data base when plotting, find that no entries were present, then do it
all over again.  Version 7 and 8 operate differently.  Unused codes in
the plot file have almost no effect on the time of plotting.   Entry 1
in  the  data  base  is plotted  first,  then  succeeding  entries  in
sequence.   The effects are mostly good,  and for some plots, plotting
time  is cut in half.   Optimizing the data file itself is  desirable.
The  loading of fonts on a slow system or from floppy disks takes lots
of time.   Don't digitize a few entries that use font #1,  then a  few
more  that use other fonts.   Optimizing a data base using the utility
program GSMUTIL takes thought but only a few minutes to order  entries
to minimize font switching and pen swapping.

     If moving from Version 6.0 level programs,  print the first lines
of each of your Version 6 configuration files;  change the first lines
of the Version 8 configuration files with the same name to match those
of the Version 6 file.   You will notice that CONFIG8.SCR is the same;
the keypad version of CONFIG8.DIG needs one additional line to  define
the  F  key;   CONFIG8.PLT  now  contains a  the  first  line  setting
communication  parameters,  a second that sets parameters for the size
of  label characters and circles for beginnings and ends of  lines  in
draft  mode,  and  18 lines establishing patterns and spacings for  18
line  types,  but not the symbol definitions.   The  file  CONFIG8.SYM
contains  symbol definitions formerly in CONFIG.PLT.   After  changing
the  first  lines  of  these files to  match  your  system,  copy  the
executable  files  (extension  .EXE into your  Level  8  subdirectory.
Level   8  programs  will  work  with  either  Cartesian  or  geodetic
coordinates, just decide which you want and be consistent.

     Remember  to include the entire file name for text and data files
with extension in its proper place in the plot file,  and include  the
drive  designation  if you are operating with the program in one  area
and  text or data files in another.   Use of font #0 until  the  final
stages  of  preparation  of  hard copy will minimize  the  time  spent
loading fonts.   Yes,  fonts are now loaded during digitizing so  that
you  can  read the text on the screen.   Digitizing and editing  using
GSMAP  and  GSMEDIT may benefit from draftmode plot control  files  so
that  you can use the circles that mark the first and last  points  of
lines on the screen.

     Preparation  or review of these files will require that you  plan
codes,  text,  and  data,  and  that  you  DO  your  homework  on  map
projections  if using geodetic coordinates.   If a code is left out of
the plot control file,  entries with that code won't be plotted to the
screen or on the hard copy (Option 8), but will be shown on the screen
when  digitizing  Option 3 GSMAP,   but as   decorated  or  patterned,
symbols  and text entries will show as points (no text,  no  symbols).
On EGA or VGA color screens these lines will be seen in bright yellow.

Mouse
     A  mouse  can  be  used as a pointing device  with  the  graphics
screens of GSMEDIT,  GSMPBS,  and GSPOST.   Microsoft-compatible mouse
driver   software  must  be  installed  (see  instructions  in   mouse
documentation),  and loaded,  generally a function of instructions  in
the  CONFIG.SYS  file before opening one of these programs  in  mouse-
mode.   With these programs the Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used
to move about the graphics screen and locate points, not for choice of
option.

     In  general,  select  options using hot keys on the keyboard  (no
ENTER keystroke required),  use the mouse to move the cursor about the
screen instead of using the arrow keys on the keyboard (as used in the
keyboard  mode  of operation),  and use the left key on the  mouse  to
select  a  location.   If for example,  you want to set  a  window  to
enlarge  a portion of the screen,  hit B on the keyboard to select the
"set  window option",  use the mouse to move the cursor to  the  lower
left  corner of the window to be selected,  press the left  key,  then
move  the  mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the  window,  and
press the left key to establish the second corner of the window.

     In the input mode,  GSMEDIT, the "arrow key" digitizing procedure
requires the use of the 0, 1, 2, and 3 keys to specify function.  With
the  mouse,  click the left key instead of the 0 key on the  keyboard,
click the right key to return operation to the keyboard,  then hit the
the  1,  2,  or 3 key on the keyboard to specify the function  of  the
right-key stroke.  This resembles the procedure required for operation
of GSMAP with a one-key digitizer, where a return to the menu template
is   required  to  specify  the  function  of  the  last   key-stroke.
Digitizing a closed rectangular polygon in mouse-modewould require,  L
click,  L  click,  L click,  R click,  hit 2 key on the keyboard.   In
mouse-mode, the keyboard instruction tells GSMEDIT the function of the
final right click from the mouse.

Plot Register

     A word of caution about the PR plot register option introduced in
Version 8 of GSMAP and GSPOST so that a plotter can be used to make  a
plot registered to corners drawn on the sheet,  i.e.,  here's a way to
draw  a geologic map on a paper copy of the topographic  base.    This
process  uses a temporary HPGL file (created then deleted).   Although
you won't ever see this file,  space must be available on the  working
drive  so that the computer can create and use it.   For this  reason,
use  a directory with plenty of space on your fastest drive.   Some of
these  HPGL files can be large,  very much larger than the  data  base
files.   One  of  ours for a complete and patterned 15' quadrangle  is
over one Megabyte in size.  This PR process isn't practical when using
floppy disks, except for small projects.

SECTION 7 - ADVICE FOR NEW USERS

     Don't fight hardware and new software at the same time.   If  you
are setting up a new system,  use the sample BASICA  programs provided
in  the  documentation  to help establish communication  between  your
computer,  digitizer,  and plotter.   Read the section on installation
and configuration files starting p.  155 before blindly attempting  to
run the Tutorial.   You will need to customize the configuration files
named CONFIG8.SCR, CONFIG8.PLT, and CONFIG8.DIG to match your system's
hardware.   If  you  do not install as per instructions in Section  2,
make  sure that your PATH contains the directory where the  executable
programs  were  loaded.   If  you chose not  to  use  the  environment
variable GSFILES,  then the files named CONFIG8.*, *.FNT, and possibly
the   executable  files  (extension  .EXE)  must  be  in  the  default
directory.

     Read the section on map projections and projection files.  If you
do,  you won't expect the sample projection file MAP.PRJ designed  for
maps  using the UTM projection in Colorado to work correctly for  your
rush project in the Empty Quarter.Start with the glossary,  it has all
the good stuff.   After the system is working, spend a couple of hours
doing the GSMAP tutorial project.  You'll save time in the long run.

     Make   copies  named  CONFIG8.*.   These  will  work.   Read  the
configuration instructions, and make use of the environmental variable
SET GSFILES=  ,  see p. 155 of the documentation to simplify your hard
disk's configuration.

     The   GSMEDIT program is one of the best ways of plotting a  data
base on the screen because you can see details of parts of the data by
using its windowing  capabilities;  a  digitizer isn't  required   for
windowing.  An  early  use  of  the  F9  Q  key sequence  (terminating
the  screen  plot  early) when drawing to the screen  greatly   speeds
operations.  GSMEDIT requires a plot control file.   In addition,  you
can digitize entries using this program.

Interconnection of hardware

     Please refer to the Installation section of the documentation for
such  details  as we can supply and a worksheet  (p.  156)  to  assist
configuration  of  the system.   Manuals supplied  with  the  hardware
furnish   additional   explanations   of   switch   settings,    cable
specifications, and details about interconnection and configuration of
particular pieces of hardware.

Default Values

     At many points in the programs described here ,  prompts indicate
choices that have default values (hit the ENTER key).  Default choices
are indicated in Upper case letters;  lower case letters designate the
other valid choices.

Mouse
     A  mouse  can  be  used as a pointing device  with  the  graphics
screens of GSMEDIT,  GSMPBS,  and GSPOST.   Microsoft-compatible mouse
driver   software  must  be  installed  (see  instructions  in   mouse
documentation),  and loaded,  generally a function of instructions  in
the  CONFIG.SYS  file before opening one of these programs  in  mouse-
mode.   With these programs the Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used
to move about the graphics screen and locate points, not for choice of
option.

     In  general,  select  options using hot keys on the keyboard  (no
ENTER keystroke required),  use the mouse to move the cursor about the
screen instead of using the arrow keys on the keyboard (as used in the
keyboard  mode  of operation),  and use the left key on the  mouse  to
select  a  location.   If for example,  you want to set  a  window  to
enlarge  a portion of the screen,  hit B,on the keyboard to select the
"set  window option",  use the mouse to move the cursor to  the  lower
left  corner of the window to be selected,  press the left  key,  then
move  the  mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the  window,  and
press the left key to establish the second corner of the window.

     In the input mode,  GSMEDIT, the "arrow key" digitizing procedure
requires the use of the 0, 1, 2, and 3 keys to specify function.  With
the  mouse,  click the left key instead of the 0 key on the  keyboard,
click the right key to return operation to the keyboard,  then hit the
the  1,  2,  or 3 key on the keyboard to specify the function  of  the
right-key stroke.  This resembles the procedure required for operation
of GSMAP with a one-key digitizer, where a return to the menu template
is   required  to  specify  the  function  of  the  last   key-stroke.
Digitizing a closed rectangular polygon in mouse-modewould require,  L
click,  L  click,  L click,  R click,  hit 2 key on the keyboard.   In
mouse-mode, the keyboard instruction tells GSMEDIT the function of the
final right click from the mouse.

Plot Register

     A word of caution about the PR plot register option introduced in
Version 8 of GSMAP and GSPOST so that a plotter can be used to make  a
plot registered to corners drawn on the sheet,  i.e.,  here's a way to
draw  a geologic map on a paper copy of the topographic  base.    This
process  uses a temporary HPGL file (created then deleted).   Although
you won't ever see this file,  space must be available on the  working
drive  so that the computer can create and use it.   For this  reason,
use  a directory with plenty of space on your fastest drive.   Some of
these  HPGL files can be large,  very much larger than the  data  base
files.   One  of  ours for a complete and patterned 15' quadrangle  is
over one Megabyte in size.  This PR process isn't practical when using
floppy disks, except for small projects.