home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Best of Shareware
/
Best of PC Windows Shareware 1.0 - Wayzata Technology (7111) (1993).iso
/
mac
/
ZIPPED
/
DOS
/
CAD_CAM
/
PRCAD109.ZIP
/
README.DOC
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-06-27
|
14KB
|
349 lines
* PrintCADD 3-D *
Copyright 1991,1992 Birdseye Enterprises
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
PrintCADD 3-D is a three dimensional computer aided drafting,
design and modelling software. It requires approximately 540K of
free RAM memory as well as an EGA or VGA video card. It also
requires at least 300K of free disk space after installation. There
are other versions that require less free RAM.
The software comes in 4 files, 3 of which are self extracting
archive files. The other file is this file, README.DOC. The
archive filenames and the files that extract from them are listed
below.
PRCAD1.EXE - This file contains the program file as well as
several support files that allow the user to run a
minimally configured system. However, the online
help and tutor system will not operate unless the
files located in PRCHELP.EXE are also extracted.
This file is the generally available "Shareware"
version of the product.
Extracts to:
PRCAD1.EXE - This is the main executable program file. It is
approximately 475,000 bytes long, once extracted.
*.FNT - There are four pre-made fonts available in PrintCADD
3-D. All fonts use the extension, ".FNT".
*.PRD - These files are printer drivers. Read the manual or
help system to decide which ones will work with your
printer. Each of these files is 86 bytes long.
*.PLD - These files are plotter drivers. Each one of these
files is 73 bytes long.
HELP.EXE - This self extracting archive file contains all the
files associated with PrintCADD 3-D's help and tutor
systems. These files are required for the tutor and
help systems to operate. This file also contains
the manual for PrintCADD 3-D.
Extracts to:
PRCAD.TUT - This file contains the lesson material associated
with the tutor system. It is 209,739 bytes long
once extracted.
TUTOR*.GVF - These files contain the PrintCADD 3-D drawing files
that are used in the lessons. They total to
approximately 64,000 bytes in length.
TUTOR*.LYR - These files contain layer information associated
with the tutor drawing files. They total to about
600 bytes in length.
PRCAD.MAN - This ASCII text file contains a manual that explains
all of the menus and functions in PrintCADD 3-D. It
is 241,922 bytes in length. This amounts to
approximately 110 pages of 8.5 x 11" paper.
PRCAD.HLP - This file contains information used by the help
system. It is 209,739 bytes long once extracted.
SAMPLE.EXE - This self extarcting file contains sample drawing files,
These files, while not necessary, demonstrate several
important aspects of PrintCADD 3-D.
Extracts to:
*.GVF - These files are sample drawing files. Some of these
files contain pictures that are referred to in the
manual file. They total approximately 242,000 bytes
in length.
*.LYR - These files contain layer information associated
with the previous drawing files. These files total
approximately 800 bytes in length.
*.SRF - These files are part files. They total approximately
7300 bytes.
* Other Versions *
BirdsEye Enterprises automatically includes 8 different versions
of PrintCADD 3-D in the package sent to registered users. Each
version is optimized to perform better with certain types of computer
hardware and/or software. Each of these versions includes the files
found in PRCAD1.EXE. Shareware versions of these files may also be
obtained directly from Birdseye Enterprises for a fee of $12.50 U.S..
The name of the extraction file and it's optimization(s) are listed
below:
PRCNONE.EXE - This version of PrintCADD 3-D contains no
optimizations other than the removal of the
registration reminder screen.
PRCEX.EXE - This version of PrintCADD 3-D has been optimised to
run on computers that use L.I.M. 4.0 expanded
memory. The main advantage to using expanded memory
is that PrintCADD 3-D can move part of it's
executable code into this memory. This in turn
allows more standard memory to be available for TSRs
and operational environments such as Windows 3.0
etc. One other advantage is that {Grup} commands
will be able to use much larger selections sets
because there will be more available memory.
PRC87.EXE - This version of PrintCADD 3-D has been optimised to
take advantage of a math co-processor. Many
operations will run quicker and more accurately.
(This may actually make the program run slower on
some 286 and above systems because their math executes
much faster than older 8088-86 systems). It will
also use less main memory.
PRCEX87.EXE - This version of PrintCADD 3-D is optimised to take
advantage of a math coprocessor and expanded memory.
PRC286.EXE - This version takes advantage of the instruction sets
found on 80286, 80386 and 80486 computers to
increase the speed of certain operations as well as
to use slightly less main memory (approximately
17K).
PRC286EX.EXE - This version takes advantage of the 80286-80486
instruction sets as well as expanded memory.
PRC28687.EXE - This version takes advantage of the 80286-80486
instruction sets as well as math co-processor.
PRCALL.EXE - This version takes advantage of 80286-80486
instruction sets, math co-processor and expanded
memory.
To perform the installation:
1) Make a directory to contain the PrintCADD 3-D files.
eg. MD prcad "Enter"
2) Copy the Help.exe, Sample.exe and one of the aforementioned
versions of PrintCADD 3-D into the directory.
eg. Copy a:help.exe c:\prcad\
Copy a:sample.exe c:\prcad\
Copy a:prcad1.exe c:\prcad\
3) Make the directory that was created the current directory.
eg. CD c:\prcad "Enter"
4) Type the name of each extraction file (without the .EXE).
eg. prcad1 "Enter"
help "Enter"
sample "Enter"
5) Delete the original extraction files.
eg. del prcad1.exe "Enter"
del help.exe "Enter"
del sample.exe "Enter"
The files contained in the extraction file will be unpacked
into the directory. If files, with the same names, from previous
versions already exist in the directory, the software will prompt
the user as to whether they wish to overwrite the old files. In
most cases the user should respond with "Y" for yes, however, if
the user has modified a sample drawing, plot driver, print driver
or similar file, they may wish to save the old file and should
respond "N" for no.
The following table shows the files that are required:
PRCAD.EXE - Program file * required
PRCAD.HLP - Help file * required for help
PRCAD.TUT - Tutor file * required for tutor
TUTOR*.GVF - Tutor graphics files * required for tutor
At least one of the following font files is required for text and
dimensioning or the user must create their own:
STANDARD.FNT - Font file
FAST.FNT - Font file
PICA.FNT - Font file
BOLD.FNT - Font file
The software will also contain the following files:
PRCAD.MAN - PrintCADD 3-D manual in ASCII format
*.SRF - Surface part files
*.PRD - Printer driver files * required for printing
*.PLD - Plotter driver files * required for plotting
The system also generates several other types of files while
running.
*.GVF - Drawing files
*.PFL - Printfiles
*.HPG - Plotfiles
PRCAD.DEF - User default file
PAG*.2DF - System redraw files * You may delete these
4) Make the installation directory the current directory and
delete the "PRCAD.DEF" file if it exists. This file holds
configuration data that may not be usable by the newer version
of PrintCADD 3-D. In most instances the software will report an
error #5 or #7 if this file is invalid.
5) Type "prcad". The software will then prompt the user to select
the appropriate video driver and install the program.
After the software is installed, the user should invoke the "tutor"
or examine the "help" system in order to get a feel for the system
before using it. Even users that have used other three dimensional
drafting systems should examine the section on creating files. The
help may be invoked at any time by pressing the "F1" key, the tutor
by pressing "F2".
Version 1.05 of PrintCADD contains a new hidden line feature as
well as a more streamlined interface. This feature is selected
through the {QuikHide} and {Hideline} commands as documented in the
manual and help systems but another intermediate menu will appear
that allows the user to select one of <CenterSort>, <DepthSort>,
<TrueSort> and <FindCenter>.
The <CenterSort> option is the same as the previous versions and
sorts the surfaces by the distance to the centers of the surfaces.
The <DepthSort> option sorts the surfaces by their greatest depths.
The <TrueSort> option uses a considerably better although much
slower sort for sorting the surfaces. This sort works very well
for parallel projections. In perspective projections the user must
make sure that the vanishing point is on the sides of the objects
that are exposed by the angle of the view. That is, if the user
can see the front and left of the building, then the vanishing
point should be to the left and in front of the building before the
proper view will be shown. In either case, intersecting surfaces
will not be shown properly and neither will three or more surfaces
that are interlocked alternately behind one surface and in front of
another surface to form a triangle, rectangle , circle etc. Such
arrangements require that one of the surfaces must be broken into
two separate surfaces before rendering properly.
The <FindCenter> = (Yes|No) option sets the system so that it will
attempt to find a new center point for all portions of a surface
whose center point has been clipped from view. Care must be taken,
with concave surfaces, that no portion of a straight line, drawn
from the center point of a surface to any point on the edge, will
fall outside the surface or this option will not work correctly. If
necessary, move the center point or break the concave surface into
two or more surfaces.
The previous options also appear when the user selects <Continuous>
from the {PrintFile} <Create> menus. They allow the user to create
unattended hidden line print plots (PrintFiles).
Many of the regeneration prompts have been eliminated and the
regenerations work the same in both the perspective and parallel
projection modes.
The {AbsRelDbas} and {Aperture} commands have been added to the
[Draw] menu to allow more flexibility while selecting points.
These commands are identical to the commands documented in the
{Vars} menu section of the help system and manual.
A {CursorSize} command has been added to the {Vars} menu, allowing
users to control the size of the cursor independently of the size
of the aperture distance.
Version 1.06 incorporates the following changes:
The {Directry} command has been modified to allow more control over
where files are stored by PrintCADD 3-D.
The [System]{Colors} command has been modified to allow more
control of menu colors.
Version 1.07 incorporates the following changes:
A {ucstoSurf} command has been incorporated into the {Ucs} menu to
allow additional flexibility when setting up user coordinate
systems. The user may now select a line segment that will act as
the X axis. The UCS will then aline itself so that it falls on the
surface that the line segment belongs to.
The [Draw]{ucsAline} and {Cad/cam}{Vars}{auToaline} commands now
feature an option that automatically realines the cursor with the
UCS spacing grid at the beginning of each point selection.
The {Cad/cam}{Vars}{Groupsize} command allows the user to control
the maximum size of groups used by the {Grup} and {Aim} commands.
Version 1.08 incorporates the following changes:
The F3 and F4 keys are used to record and play back macros. The F3
key also allows the user to introduce timing sequences into the play
back of macros. Macros can be recorded or played back at any time.
Better error trapping for parts, dimensioning and text commands.
Version 1.09 incorporates the following changes:
Documentation was changed to reflect ASP membership.
Better hidden line elimination on cutaway views.
Better cursor centering in perspective viewing modes - the cursor
will be placed at a point in front of the view point if it was
behind the view point previously.
Eliminated a problem with hidden line viewing and snaps on drawings
that exceeded approximately 13000 elements.
Better centering on {Zoom}{Out zoom} command.
The {Dims}{Alined} command with no witness lines alines properly to
current UCS.
More convenient memory allocation and deallocation for {Vars}
{Grupsize} and {Rdrw}{Quickhide} routines.
On disk manual now includes page numbers and index.
Note!:
Due to new features incorporated in this release, previously
created, perspective viewing windows may have to be readjusted so
that drawings do not appear as cutaway views or dissapear altogether.
Simply change the window to parallel viewing mode and then set up the
perspective view again.