Complete Bookshop/CompleteWorkshop.iso/lists/reviewb/magician.txt

Text File | 1989-08-28 | 4KB | 58 lines

   The Magician (Version 3.2) - Integrated Business and Presentation Graphics
                       Copyright 1989 David W. Batterson


     The Magician is another software product from Australia.  It was acquired
by IMSI, Inc. (publisher of IMSI Publisher, Dr. Halo III, Graphics Transformer,
and similar products) from DR Graphic Research Pty. Ltd. of Newcastle, in "the
land down under."
     I earlier reviewed the Aussie-created "Tracker", and liked it a lot.
There is a refreshing difference about their software, I guess because they
don't use the copy-cat, "me too" approach with menus and commands.  [Just like
the marvelous "Road Warrior" films were unlike the action flicks Hollywood
cranks out.]
     The Magician offers business graphics/data analysis (various types of
charts and graphs), slide shows, font editing, a paint program, and a vector
graphics programming language called "Obey."
     In addition to supporting all mice, you can use Summagraphics Digitizers
and Tablets (input devices I have been unable to review thus far).  Using the
keyboard (numeric keypad) is an option, and it offers better precision in
certain detail-drawing.
     A major difference in the installation program over usual graphics
software is that you don't select a printer.  Once you are ready to print a
graphics file, then you are presented with a menu of printer/plotter choices.
In this way, you don't have to re-configure every time you change output
devices, as with some programs.
     In the event you need to change the control codes for your printer,
there's a useful printer-driver editor program included (PDE.EXE), complete
with help screens.  Most likely you won't have to use it, though.
     The Magician supports VGA monitors (either color or monochrome), allowing
640 x 480 resolution, and 16 color choices from a palette of 64.  There are
also b&w gray scales and patterns for "Fill" purposes.
     You can set mouse sensitivity (from 1-16); this will vary according to the
mouse you're using.  My Logitech C7 worked fine at setting number 3.
     There are a fair number of fonts included.  However, keep in mind that
these are not Bitstream fonts, or high resolution laser fonts.
     Several commands are different--not necessarily faulty but just not what
you'd expect.  For instance, I was confused initially by the "Grid" command, as
I expected to see the grid onscreen.  Usually in graphics programs you can
toggle this command on or off, and see it/not see it.  With The Magician, the
grid is invisible and serves only to move the cursor in steps (1, 4, 8 or 16
pixels at a time).
     "Clr" allows you to clear the screen with two mouse clicks, or one click
selects the erase cursor.  "Draw" doesn't mean freehand drawing; it starts a
macro while using "Obey" or draws a business chart.
     In the "Graf" mode, you can enter data directly, or import files from
Lotus 1-2-3, dBASE III, and similar programs.  You must remember to save these
as screen images if you want to manipulate the colors and text.  The Magician
saves graphic screens in the Microsoft Paint (.MSP) format.
     One curiosity: Epson and compatible printers are referred to as "8-pin"
printers; they are 9-pin devices.  While HP LaserJet models are supported,
PostScript page printers are not listed.  They will be added in an updated
version, according to IMSI.
     The Magician has a suggested list of $99.95 (but will be discounted for
less.)  For more information, contact: IMSI, Inc., 1299 Fourth St., San Rafael,
CA  94901; 415-454-7101; 800-222-4723; 800-562-4723 (CA); fax: [phone].
                                       #
     David Batterson writes on various PC applications.  Write to him via MCI
Mail: 273-7218.