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AUTOFONT.DOC
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1991-07-04
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19KB
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357 lines
* -- -- -- -- -- *
| |
| The World of |
| |
| AUTOFONT |
| ^^^^^^^^^^ |
* -- -- -- -- -- *
AFSW.EXE is the shareware AUTOFONT program which improves your titles, head-
ings, key words and announcements by converting them instantly to profes-
sional AF fonts. Other "special-font" programs are available, but only AUTO-
FONT uses an easy-to-use ASCII format which permits you to combine our AF fonts
with standard DOS text files.
APPLICATIONS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The uses for AF fonts are limited only by your imagination. Some uses are:
1. Titles of documents
2. Section headings
3. Emphasis (words, phrases)
4. Announcements, Memos
5. Bulletins, Notices
6. Pre-loading into AUTODOC for text-in-graphics
7. On-screen Pageable Presentations
USING AUTOFONT
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The program is virtually self-teaching and very user friendly. No studying of
tedious instructions is needed. Simply type AFSW and press your "Enter" key to
be on your way. Whatever you type is converted automatically and instantly to
eyecatching AF fonts!
You create one line at a time. The largest of our letterstyles is so big that
4 lines would fill your screen. You are able to position each line horizon-
tally for best effect. Often you will want to center a line, and this is very
easily accomplished. If the text, after changed to AF fonts, proves too long to
fit on a line, press "E" for "Edit" and retype. A word may need to be hyphen-
ated, or you may drop the last word, picking it up on the next line. When
satisfied press "S" to "Save" the line then type the next. To check your re-
sults press "V" and your actual file (named AF.TXT) will be displayed exactly
as it was saved.
PREPARING FILES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you will use your AF font text for on-screen display instead of printing, 4
lines of the largest letters will fill a standard screen (5 lines if you use a
text editor for deleting blank spaces at the bottom). If you will be preloading
into our companion program AUTODOC to use Decor-Edge Bord`rs, the available
screen area may be reduced by the size of the Bord`r you select.
Before preparing an entire document for printing or screen display, it is wise
to plan ahead. Decide what you will need for titles and headings and make them
in advance with AUTOFONT. Then load the AF.TXT file into your text editor,
whether it is the AUTODOC AD-EDITOR or another, and simply "type between the
lines of AF fonts" to achieve your desired result. You should begin typing the
text below the main title. The text editor will automatically move the rest of
-2-
the AF font headings "down" as you type. When you come to the place at which
you want your first chapter or section heading, cursor-move past your heading
and type that section. Do the same with the rest of your headings and key
words, etc., and the entire process is quick and easy.
There are several ways to add an AUTOFONT-created title to an existing ASCII
text file. Here is one way: If your title file is named AF.TXT and your text
file is named, say, MYFILE.TXT, type the following DOS command:
COPY AF.TXT + MYFILE.TXT
Then press your "Enter" key. The result will be a new file which has the title
at the beginning, followed by your text. The name of the new file will initi-
ally be AF.TXT, but you may rename this with the DOS "REN" command. (If your
"COPY" sequence includes a new file name at the end, you will not need to re-
name anything. Example: COPY FILE1.TXT + FILE2.TXT + FILE3.TXT NEWFILE.TXT
will add 3 files together and name the combined file "NEWFILE.TXT.")
USING A WORD PROCESSOR
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Most word processing programs use special codes to create the lines, boxes and
other graphics. These codes will usually prevent importing AF fonts into the
word processor, so do a test to determine whether your word processing program
will accept AF fonts. If not, there are other options open to you:
A. Prepare your document with your word processor in the usual way, and
save it in the ASCII format rather than the specially coded format which
is normally used by the word processor. Check your manual to determine
which keys to press for an "ASCII save." Then use the DOS "COPY" command
to combine your AUTOFONT "Title" file with your ASCII file. (It is pos-
sible that your word processor "file-save" instructions may use the term
"DOS Text File" rather than "ASCII." This has the same meaning.)
B. Use the method given in "A" above, but instead of saving your entire
document as one big file, save sections as separate ASCII files. These
might be named TITLE.TXT, PART-A.TXT, PART-B.TXT, etc. Then use AUTOFONT
to make separate headings. As you create these, rename them.
you might name them TITLE.AF, PART-A.AF, PART-B.AF, and so on. Then it
is easy to use the DOS "COPY" command to join them as follows:
COPY TITLE.AF + TITLE.TXT + PART-A.AF + PART-A.TXT (etc.)
As mentioned above, if you add a new file name to the sequence (with no
"plus" sign) you will automatically get a big combined file with every-
thing in order.
C. You can ignore your full-blown word processor completely, and instead
use a text editor (mini word processor) like AD-EDITOR which is included
in the AUTODOC.EXE program. AD-EDITOR accepts AF fonts, and can even
be used for creating your own graphic elements by using the ALT key with
the number keys in the numeric keypad section of your keyboard.
-3-
SCREEN DISPLAY OF YOUR PAGES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Here is a way to quickly make a screen display of your AF enhanced file which
can easily display one page after the other at the touch of a key.
FIRST: prepare your text in separate files, one file for each page. Each file
may be from 1 to 23 lines in length. This refers to standard computer lines,
not lines of AF fonts. To do this you will use a text editor such as the AD-
EDITOR which is part of REXXCOM's program AUTODOC. Give each file a name which
will remind you of the order of pages, such as MYTEXT.01, MYTEXT.O2, etc.
SECOND: Add blank lines beneath the text of each page-file, if needed, to make
the file exactly 24 lines long (line 24 should always be left blank).
THIRD: prepare a batch file program exactly as shown below using the names you
gave to your individual page-files. This batch file should be typed and saved
as a separate file. Use the same text editor used in preparing the page files.
ECHO OFF
CLS
TYPE MYTEXT.01
PAUSE
CLS
TYPE MYTEXT.02
PAUSE
CLS
TYPE MYTEXT.03
PAUSE
CLS
Your batch file program should look exactly as above, using your file names in
place of the ones used in this illustration. Add as many page-files as really
exist, making sure to have PAUSE and CLS on separate lines beneath each name.
You should name your batch file something like GO.BAT or README.BAT. Whatever
name you use must have the extension "BAT" after the period. That's all there
is to it! Then, so long as you have all the page-files on the disk along with
the batch file your reader need only type GO or README or whatever name you've
given, and your text will appear screen-by-screen!
We have enclosed a sample set of 3 page-files plus a batch file program so you
can try it right away to see the effect. Our sample files are named SAMPLE.1,
SAMPLE.2 and SAMPLE.3. The batch file is named SAMPLE.BAT, and all you need do
to see it in action is type the word SAMPLE and press your Enter key.
-4-
PRINTING OUT YOUR FILE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you use a dot matrix or laser jet printer, you should be able to print your
AF documents with little or no trouble. A laser printer should be set at 6O
lines per page. Because of hardware differences you may have to experiment to
discover which method will work for you. First try to print using the com-
mand: COPY MYFILE.TXT PRN and press "Enter." Be sure your printer is "on" and
properly connected. If that does not produce a satisfactory result, try your
DOS "GRAPHICS" command before issuing the command for printing. Depending on
your type of printer, you might have to use the "MODE" command. Please refer
to your DOS User's Guide for more details on these and related commands. (In
the above example "MYFILE.TXT" should be replaced with the actual name of your
file.)
If you are unable to obtain satisfactory printing results you may have to use a
special program like PC-FONT2.EXE which is available as Shareware from numer-
ous sources. It is included at no charge with the Professional Edition of AUTO-
FONT.EXE.
UPLOADING TO BULLETIN BOARDS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Many computer users are members of private bulletin board services. It is fun
to upload messages composed of AF fonts made with AFSW.EXE! First, you must
make certain that your BBS supports the IBM extended character set. This is
easy to determine; computer bulletin boards which support the IBM extended
characters will usually ask new members if their computer supports these. If
you reply in the affirmative your BBS settings will be set up to permit you to
send and receive (upload and download) AF fonts. With most BBSes this also
includes the graphics produced with the function keys (F1, etc.).
Once you are sure of the above, go ahead and prepare your AF file. When you are
ready to upload it as a "message" to another member do it your "usual" way.
Since it is a totally ASCII document you may use the plain ASCII upload. You
may also upload it "with a protocol" such as XMODEM or SEA-LINK, etc.
Remember, other BBS members with computers or terminal emulators which support
the extended characters are the ONLY people who will be able to see your AF
fonts properly. Other users will not see the AF fonts. For this reason it is a
good idea to confine your uploads to the "IBM" section of the BBS.
By the way, after you have enjoyed uploading AF messages for awhile you will
want to amaze your computer friends with AF messages you create in full color,
even with flashing letters! To learn how to prepare these fascinating mes-
sages, get the programs which comprise The Magic Font Machine (see chart).
-5-
FonTastik MODE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Try the program in its normal mode before you try FonTastik. If you are using
a monochrome or CGA monitor, FontasTik mode will not operate.
Load AUTOFONT by typing AFSW. At the title screen press "F." For a brief
moment the color movement in the letters of the name AUTOFONT will stop. Then
the graphics of the whole title screen will be magically transformed. When the
letters in AUTOFONT are again changing color the program is ready to be used in
the usual manner; press "R." Preview the fonts and you will be astonished at
the changes. Load, input and save (etc.) as before.
Note that FonTastik mode is included as a demonstration in the shareware edi-
tion of this program. You will be able to work with the enhanced fonts within
the program, but once saved they will revert to normal style. The professional
edition of the program will permit the FonTastik enhanced fonts to be used in
your saved files. You will be able to include them in regular ASCII files,
batch files, etc., for onscreen display at any time. Amazingly, the profes-
sional edition contains not just one, but seven different FonTastic modes!
Each one changes each of the font styles. There are more than 3O different
font styles in the pro edition. Multipy by 7 FonTastic modes and you will have
over 21O styles of lettering at your disposal!
After running the program, if you have a VGA system your scanline will be
temporarily set to simulate EGA. You may reset it if you like, by running
VGA.COM which is included. EGA simulation is used because it gives some fonts
a nicer appearance. You may see the difference by viewing your saved files, or
by running SAMPLE.BAT in both modes. Switch to EGA scanline at any time by
running EGA.COM; return to VGA scanline with VGA.COM. (If your monitor is EGA,
CGA or monochrome the information in this paragraph may be ignored.)
REXXCOM SYSTEMS
P.O. BOX 111
SCHOOLEYS MOUNTAIN
NEW JERSEY, USA O787O
DISPLAYWARE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY REXXCOM SYSTEMS
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
OUR DIFFERENT MAIN FEATURES OF THE A FEW OF THE MAIN
PROGRAMS PROFESSIONAL EDITIONS USES FOR EACH PROGRAM
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| AUTODOC | 1. Easy creation of text files | 1. An exceptional program with|
| ^^^^^^^ | framed in customized Decor- | applications in business, |
| with the | edge borders. Unique. | education. communication. |
| | 2. Text and borders are easily | 2. Excellent new medium for |
| "AD-EDITOR" | colorized for impact. | creating incredibly unique,|
| and | 3. Files are easily scrolled | eyecatching announcements, |
| Supporting | by line or page. | advertisements, greetings |
| Materials | 4. Fancy headings made with | and much more. |
| | AUTOFONT are easily added. | 3. Excellent for training pro-|
| Our famous | 5. Clip-art may also be added. | grams. Adds eye-appeal to |
| Text-in- | 6. Professional edition has the| educational and motivation-|
| Graphics | full AD-Editor (text editor)| al terials. |
| file maker | 7. Easy print-out of your text.| 4. Creates immediate attention|
| | 8. Creative and fascinating. | when used for personal mes-|
|Use to CREATE| Work becomes pleasure! | sages. Exciting! |
| EDIT and | 9. Many fantatic Decor-Edge | 5. Useful for teaching the use|
| DISPLAY | SCENES in pro edition! | of computer and text editor|
+------------ +--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| ADVUE | 1. Multiple versions for many | 1. AutoScroll feature amazing!|
| ^^^^^ | uses. Instant display. | 2. LOOP version for continuous|
|Compact viewr| 2. Monochrome or color. | countertop displays! More!|
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| AUTOCOM | 1. Text-in-Graphics converter. | 1. "Latest and Greatest" TIG |
| ^^^^^^^ | Makes custom COM files! | viewer. Nothing like it! |
|Create COMs! | 2. Monochrome and color. | 2. For docs, messages, more! |
+------------ +--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| AUTOFONT | 1. Your text is coverted in- | 1. Use for creating profes- |
| ^^^^^^^^ | stantly to fancy fonts. | sional titles for otherwise|
| "The Auto- | 2. Switch from one SuperFont to| ordinary documents. |
| Matic Font | another with a keypress. | 2. Also useful for headings & |
| Writer" | 3. SuperFonts save in ASCII & | keywords for to be viewed |
| | flash onto the screen with | onscreen or printed out. |
|Over 3O fonts| the DOS "type" command. | 3. Excellent for making head- |
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~| 4. Easy to add to text files. | ings and titles to pre-load|
| Plus: | 5. Professional AUTOFONT has | into the AUTODOC program. |
| FontasTik | more than 3O font styles! | 4. Can be used to make entire |
| HQ MODULES | 6. FonTastik modules increase | documents or one-page an- |
| ^^^^^^^^^^ | font styles to over 2OO! | nouncements in big fonts. |
|(HQ Modules | 7. Load 8 font styles - switch | 5. Uploadable to BBS. |
|make over 2OO| between them instantly! | 6. Pageable screen files easy |
| NEW fonts!) | 8. Color not required. | to make. |
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| THE MAGIC | 1. Typed words convert to bril-| 1. Create incredible displays |
| ^^^^^^^^^ | liant, multicolored displays| to create attraction at |
| FONT MACHINE| instantly! | trade shows, meetings, etc.|
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^| 2. Hundreds of combinations of | 2. Colorful onscreen displays |
| Consists of | fonts/colors/special-effects| have applications for use |
| 3 Programs: | in the professional edition.| in office, library, store, |
| | 3. Flashing multicolored Super-| school, museums, etc. |
| MAGIFONT | Font text is readily com- | 3. Use for custom on-diskette |
| ^^^^^^^^ | bined with graphics. | sales messages for mailing.|
| MAGISHOW | 4. "Slide Shows" easily made. | 4. Unusual new format to use |
| ^^^^^^^^ | 6. HQ mode enhances fonts in a | for greetings, messages, |
| MAGIVUE | truly incredible new way. | announcements, etc. |
| ^^^^^^^ | 5. Individual display screens | 5. Upload to many BBS systems.|
|+ NEW HQ mode| are easily custom-made. | 6. Make titles for videos etc.|
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
TO PRINT AN ORDER BLANK TYPE "ORDER" AND PRESS "ENTER"