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[ D A N C A D 3 D V E R S I O N 1 . 3 0 ]
DANCAD3D.COM v1.30-512k, v1.30-640k
3D CAD Program Manual and Tutorial
Daniel H. Hudgins, 466 Diamond St., San Francisco, CA 94114
Rights to trade secrets reserved, some of the code is Borland Int.'s.
Read the notice in this manual before using this program.
[1]
[ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ]
Notice.............................3
Disclaimer.........................3
Files on the disk..................4
How to get support and help........5
How to use DANCAD3D................6
What can DANCAD3D do?..............8
How to draw using DANCAD3D.........9
Lettering and dimensioning........10
Adjusting display perspective.....11
Printing out your drawings........12
Dancad3d file types...............13
What is a DANCAD3D Macro..........14
How to animate your drawings......17
Desktop Publishing................18
DANCAD3D Tutorial.................19
Tutorial Lesson 1: 2D drawing.....20
Tutorial Lesson 2: 3D drawing.....22
Tutorial Lesson 3: Dimensioning...24
Tutorial Lesson 4: Writing macros.26
Tutorial Lesson 5: Animation......29
Appendix A: Drawing commands......32
Appendix B: Macro commands........34
Appendix C: Editing macros........59
Appendix D: Menus and help........62
Appendix E: ASCII file formats....65
Appendix F: Error messages........67
Appendix G: Changes...............68
Index.............................69
[2]
[ N O T I C E ]
Read the disclaimer before using the program.
DISCLAIMER
DANCAD3D disk including programs and documentation is distributed as
is, with no guarantee that it will work correctly in any or all
situations. This manual may contain errors and omissions. In no event
will Daniel H. Hudgins be liable for any damages, including lost
profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages
arising out of the use or inability to use these programs and or
files, even if the Author has been advised of the possibility of such
damages, or for any claim by any other party. The program can and
will crash resulting in loss of data when operated, Daniel H. Hudgins
shall not be held liable or responsible for any such loss. Should the
program prove defective, you (the user) assume the entire cost of all
necessary repair, servicing, or correction. All offers are subject to
change or withdrawal without notice or notification of any kind. The
use of the program constitutes total agreement and acceptance of this
disclaimer.
USER SUPPORTED PROGRAM
Please help distribute DANCAD3D.COM by sharing unmodified copies of
this diskette including all the original files with other people.
Send a S.A.S.E. to receive information on up-dates and library disks.
A fast 8087 version is under development, send a request for
information and include a long S.A.S.E..
Send $10.00 for some support and a postcard good for an up-date. I do
not receive any money from distributors of this program. If you use
this program please let me know which parts are most useful to you and
which parts you would like to see changed (and how they should be
changed). If you find any bugs let me know about them so they can be
taken care of. When you write state which version of DANCAD you use.
If you have line data files in some other format and want me to add a
program that can convert them to a DANCAD 3D file type to a DANCAD 3D
update disk then send me the name of the program that produced the
file, a sample file on disk, a description of the data format (if you
have it), and a print out of what the drawing looks like from the
source program. I can probably convert ASCII form data most easily so
send that if you can (redirect plotter output if that is all you
have). I will see what I can do (no promises). Be sure to let me
know exactly what equipment you have and what version of what
program(s) you are using so I can pass it on to others.
[3]
[ F I L E S O N T H E D I S K ]
DANCAD3D.COM is the main program file.
DANCAD3D.00? are the overlay files used by DANCAD3D.COM.
DANCAD3D.MSG message file for the editor.
DANCAD3D.COL color 80x25 resolution installation.
DANCAD3D.B&W for monochrome from CGA (color graphics) video board.
(rename DANCAD3D.COL for color).
DANCAD3D.P?? plotter installation data files
(may be renamed to swap plotters or change pens).
These and any other files named DANCAD3D.??? must be in the
current (default) DOS directory for the program to run. This means
that if you see the DOS "A>" that you put your working disk (that is
one that has all the files named DANCAD3D.??? on it) in the "A" drive.
DEMO.??? are program files written with DANCAD 3D commands that
you can run and work with (on your work copy) to learn
how to use DANCAD 3D's macro commands.
????????.MAC files are DANCAD 3D macro files called by the demos.
INSTALL.BAT utility to install DANCAD3D. At DOS prompt enter:
INSTALL DANCAD3D to see your installation options.
README.BAT help for your first time running DANCAD3D.
If you are using a hard disk I recommend that you use separate sub-sub
directorys for each data and macro file type in order to avoid program
crashes resulting from confusing the use of different file types.
[4]
[ H O W T O G E T S U P P O R T A N D H E L P ]
I originally wrote DANCAD3D.COM for my own use. I wanted a
program that would produce high quality drawings suitable for
reproduction in technical journals. It also had to be able to work
with the equipment that I had on hand. That was a 2-360k drive 640k
memory PC using the CGA video board and graphics printer.
I thought that other people with this common system configuration
would also like to make high quality drawings. So I released the
program as a user supported product. That means that the only money I
get comes from you, the user of this program.
Since DANCAD3D.COM was released I have received letters from users
across the United States. Their comments about the program and this
manual have been very helpful to me as I make revisions and
improvements. If you have any suggestions as to how DANCAD3D.COM and
its accessory programs can be made more useful to you, please write
me. If I see the same suggestion from many sources I will try to
include that improvement in an up-date. Also if some part of this
manual is incomprehensible after several readings please let me know
so I can rewrite it.
I encourage you to send me the $10.00 registration fee. It pays
for postage and materials so I can keep you informed of improvements
in DANCAD3D.COM and it's bonus disks. You will also get an up-date
and have your letters answered. Please send as much information as
you can about your system and any problem you may be having. Be sure
to tell me which version(s) of my program(s) you have. If none of the
current versions of my programs will resolve your problem I will
return your check. If you wish to speak on the telephone send me a
number where you can be called collect at night. Tell me what week
days and what times I should try to call.
I hope you find my programs useful. If you make any interesting
drawings send me a copy (on disk as a 2D and 3D file?). If you would
like to share your drawing or macro with other DANCAD 3D users say so
in your letter. I may include your work on a library disk. By
sharing our ideas, drawings, elements, and macros we will all benefit.
[5]
[ H O W T O B E G I N U S I N G D A N C A D 3 D ]
The program only works with the CGA (Color Graphics Adapter), or
equivalent, video board. It uses the "hi-res" 640x200 mode. Your
computer must have 640K (512k for the 512k version) DOS system memory.
If you have enough extra memory above the 640K to put all the files
named DANCAD3D.??? in a RAM disk the program will run better.
To make a working DANCAD 3D disk put your original DANCAD3D disk
in your "A" drive, and a blank formatted disk in the "B" drive. Then
Enter: COPY A:DANCAD3D.* B:
To reduce disk swapping you may wish to copy some special files
from your DOS disk to your working disk. Take the original disk out
of your "A" drive and insert your DOS disk. Then
Enter: COPY A:COMMAND.COM B:
then,
Enter: COPY A:GRAPHICS.COM B:
If there is a file named DANCAD3D.B&W in the directory with
DANCAD3D.COM the program will run in black and white otherwise the
text is in color.
Use the file INSTALL.BAT to install DANCAD 3D on your hard disk,
install it as CGA monochrome mode, or reinstall it as CGA color mode.
Enter: INSTALL DANCAD3D
To run DANCAD3D programs automatically from DOS or DOS batch files
Enter: DANCAD3D PATH\FILENAME.EXT
where PATH\FILENAME.EXT is the name of a DANCAD3D command (macro)
file. The program will then start automatically after two second
delay. Press the [Ctrl] and [C] keys at the same time to Break a
running demo or macro and return to DANCAD 3D's main menu. The file
name can also be one of the device "file" names (e.g: CON or AUX). If
you enter CON the program will run and then wait for you to enter
commands line by line (press ^Z [Return] to end). If you enter AUX for
the filename DANCAD 3D will process and display a stream of its macro
commands sent to it from another computer, acting as a graphics
terminal.
In DOS type DANCAD3D DEMO.1 to see the demo No. 1. From DOS enter
README for help in doing this. Other demos are found on the bonus
disks you can order for $7.50. Use the demo files on your working
disk to learn how DANCAD3D works.
A mouse can be used by installing it so that movement simulates
the cursor keys and the buttons are assigned to [0/INS], [./DEL], and
[6]
[ H O W T O B E G I N U S I N G D A N C A D 3 D ]
both buttons assigned to [*]. This will also help in the program
editor. Read the booklet that came with your mouse about installing
it to simulate the cursor keys and installing other keys to the
buttons.
[7]
[ W H A T C A N D A N C A D 3 D D O ? ]
What can you do with DANCAD3D? DANCAD3D was written to let you do
complex tasks like stereoscopic 3D wire frame animation or just draw
simple things like a letter head. DANCAD3D is a program that lets you
draw with lines. These lines can be in a plane, like drawing on a
piece of paper (2D drawing). Or they can go any direction in space
(3D drawing). Three-dimensional drawings made of lines are called
wire frame drawings. You can separate groups of lines into "elements"
that can be: saved, loaded, magnified, rotated, flipped, offset
(moved), and used over and over again, by keeping them as a file on a
disk (give them names like cube, sphere, and cylinder).
You can enter where you want your lines by drawing, from the
numeric menu Enter command, or through a macro (see the section on
macros). Lettering, blocks of text, and dimensioning can be
automatically generated as elements made of lines. Since the elements
are separate they can be moved and displayed repeatedly to simulate
the effects of motion on the objects you have drawn. You can put a
list of elements, their position, and the view point from which they
are to be displayed in a macro (ASCII text file), so DANCAD3D can run
itself without you having to enter the commands manually through the
menus and keyboard.
DANCAD3D prints out very sharp lines and is useful for: line
drawings, mechanical drawing, technical illustration, wire-frame
animation, engineering simulation to verify the fit of three
dimensional shapes, business forms, page layout combining text and
drawings, and automatic computer "slide" shows.
DANCAD 3D can turn a PC into a graphics terminal that you can
drive using its macro commands through the PC's serial port. Just
enter DANCAD3D AUX at the DOS prompt to start it up this way.
Read the disk file README.BAT for information on hardware
requirements.
[8]
[ H O W T O D R A W U S I N G D A N C A D 3 D ]
To draw using DANCAD3D go to the main menu (the second screen you
see when you run the program) then press the [F] key. The [F] means
Front and is shown in the main menu. This allows you to draw facing
the three-dimensional workspace from the front. You can also draw
facing from the side (by pressing ^[S] witch means hold the [Ctrl] key
and press the [S] key) or the top (by pressing [T]). Normally you
would start drawing from the front view. After pressing [F] you will
be asked whether you wish to only display a single element. This is
so you can see them separately. Just press [Return] for now. You
should see a blank drawing screen with the "+" shaped graphics cursor.
The numbers after the x,y,& z at the top of the screen tell you where
you are. Use the cursor keys to move to where you want a line to
start. Press the [./Del] key to mark that point. Use the cursor keys
to move to where you want the line to end. Press the [0/Ins] key to
draw the line, and record it, so it can be saved. To draw to a scale
of units (eg. mm, in, ft.) press ^[W] (set-up World) from the main
menu.
The drawing modes have a command menu you can get by pressing the
[/] key. They also have there own help screens to list the drawing
commands available. Press the [Ctrl] and the [^] key at the same time
to get the help screens.
To draw triangles and circles (etc.) press ^[P] (for polygon) from
the main menu. Use [M], [R] and [O] (mag., rotation, and offset) from
the main menu to position and change their shape.
If you have a resident keyboard enhancement program you can put it
in its keystroke record mode while you are drawing an element. Make
your element dawn relative to the graphics cursor's starting position.
Then whenever and wherever you need that element all you have to do is
move the cursor to the spot you want it and press the assigned key!
The 512k version will give you more memory to record keystrokes if you
have 640k. Since DANCAD 3D clears the keyboard buffer between prompts
you may need to add a delay (read you keyboard program manual) after
certain keystrokes to have them read properly.
You can abort or speed-up (2x,4x,10x) the drawing or redrawing of
the graphics screen by pressing any key while it is up-dating the
screen. You can shift back to the normal redrawing in the same way.
This is useful when working with text or drawings with many lines to
get a quick look as to where and what to zoom in on.
Please do not judge the quality of this program by the poor
resolution of the CGA video display (640x200). The zoom range in
drawing (F, ^S, or T from the main menu) has a range over a trillion
to one, so zoom in to pixel size to join lines when the location is
uncertain.
You can draw using DANCAD 3D's macro commands in the immediate
mode by using the file name CON. Then press ^Z [Return] to end
console input.
[9]
[ L E T T E R I N G A N D D I M E N S I O N I N G ]
While you are drawing ([F], ^[S], or [T] from the main menu) you
can put lettering in your drawings. Just press [L] (for lettering).
The size of the lettering can be changed. Its default value is based
on the value used for the world scale. The world scale is set by
pressing ^[W] (for world) from the main menu. It can be set so that
the x,y,z values and/or the print-out correspond to inches, mm, or any
other units.
You can also have dimensions lettered and arrows drawn
automatically by pressing [A] for Automatic Dimensioning. It has
options for drawing the entered text, the automatically measured
dimension, and both or neither. The dimension can also be between the
arrows pointing outward (inside dimension) or to one "side" of the
arrows pointing inward (outside dimension).
Large blocks of text can be read in by use of the block text
command. It is called by pressing [B] while you see the main menu or
from a running macro. The text file read should be a formatted ASCII
text file (no more than one page at a time). You can write it by
pressing [W] (for write) from the main menu. To save it while you are
in write press ^K^W. To return to the main menu press ^K^X (for
eXit). The writing editor has its own help screens that list its
commands and the syntax of the DANCAD3D macro commands. Press the
[Ctrl] and [^] keys at the same time to see its help screens.
[10]
[ A D J U S T I N G D I S P L A Y P E R S P E C T I V E ]
After you draw a three dimensional object you can display it from
any vantage point by pressing [P] (for perspective) from the main
menu. The default or last entered values will be listed for you. You
can change them.
There are three rotations. The z rotation turns the drawing
around a line coming out of the screen at you. The y rotation turns
the drawing around a line going from top to bottom. The x rotation
turns the drawing around a line going from side to side.
The "zvp" or vanishing point is the point where parallel lines
come together. It is always negative. It must be farther away (more
-z) than the most distant point in the drawing. The closer it is to
the lines you drew the more exaggerated the perspective will be. You
can find out what your maximum -z value is by looking at a top view
(press [T] from the main menu).
Scale lets you zoom in and out without changing the actual point
values.
Mode changes the way lines project out of the screen. Mode 1 is
normal in that as the vanishing point is made less negative lines with
+z get longer. In Mode 0 lines more distant (less +z) than the most
+z point get shorter.
The x and y shift values are provided to allow you to move the
vanishing point off center. This simulates a view camera's "rising
front". It is also useful in adjusting stereoscopic convergence
between right and left eye views. Changing the shift can also be a
useful to animate panning across a view.
The data is stored internally as a set of primitive elements made
of lines. When you display your drawing it does not affect the x, y,
and z values of the line data. This keeps relationship of the
elements to the axes the same as you set it using mag., rotate, and
offset. Each element has its own center and can be rotated,
magnified, flipped, or offset in relation to its center or the center
of the "whole world".
[11]
[ P R I N T I N G O U T Y O U R D R A W I N G S ]
There are three ways DANCAD 3D can print out your drawings. All
three types of hard copy can be done from the keyboard or a macro
file.
1. If you have a dot matrix printer that is IBM Graphics Printer
(IBM is a trade mark of International Business Machines Corporation,
Boca Raton, Florida 33432) compatible with [Esc] Z 1920 dot (240 dots
to the inch) you can print out very nice drawings. Some of the newer
Epson printers such as the Epson LX-80 (Epson is a registered
trademark of Epson Corporation) are compatible with the IBM 1920 dot
mode. Just press [H] (hard copy) [D] (dot printer) from the main
menu. There is a preview feature to allow you to see how your drawing
will fit on the length of paper selected. This print out takes place
in 9/10 inch strips. 12 of these will fit on a 8 1/2 x 11 in. sheet of
paper, and contain a total of 4,478,976 pixels (dots). You can rotate
a drawing 90 degrees in the z axis to turn it sideways. This will
allow you to do 8 by 18 inch format for wide screen motion pictures
(20 strips, 8,294,400 pixels). Using the DANCAD 3D command
Dot_printer will be 30 to 60 times as sharp, (more pixels), as a
simple screen dump (photocopy or photostat the printout at 0.5x and
you get 207,360 dots per square inch).
If your drawing is wider than it is high you can get sharper print
out by turning the drawing 90 degrees around the world z axis, and
scale it to fill the 8 1/2" width of the paper. You can then make a
reduction photostat for the actual size you require. If your drawing
has very fine detail use a slightly dry ribbon.
2. If your printer does not have this high resolution mode you
can use a graphics screen dump. Load DOS GRAPHICS.COM before running
DANCAD 3D. Press [Shift] and [PrtSc] after viewing with [P]
(perspective) from the main menu, or use the macro command DUMP after
the macro command DISPLAY (see the appendix on macro commands).
3. If you have a plotter you can install its command protocol for
DANCAD 3D's use by pressing [H] (hard copy) from the main menu then
press [I] (install plotter) from the hard copy menu. After your
plotter is installed you can press [H] from the main menu and [P]
(plotter) from the hard copy menu. To preview use [P] (perspective)
from the main menu. You can get different colors by rotating through
a DOS batch file to rename the plotter installation files (to change
pens) and automatically call DANCAD3D and your macros that load the
line files with the lines to be drawn in the installed color.
[12]
[ D A N C A D 3 D F I L E T Y P E S ]
DANCAD 3D has different file types for different purposes.
3D-real is the file type you should use to save elements and
finished whole drawings. It preserves the image detail so you can
enlarge what you saved after you reload it.
2D-real allows you to "flatten" a three dimensional object into a
two dimensional perspective drawing of it. This is useful for
shadows, and other special effects, as well as putting several views
in the same drawing (you can write a macro to do this for you) or page
"paste up".
ASCII puts the x, y, and z values into a text file. You can then
use a text editor, [W] (for write) from the main menu, to manipulate
the data with block copy, delete, etc. You can get a print out of the
line data by saving with the filename PRN. (or AUX.). The ASCII file
format is the easiest way of putting line data into a macro. Just
save the element you drew as an ASCII file then go into the editor by
pressing [W] (for write) from the main menu and then press ^K^R (read
file as a block). Change the top line of text to the word ENTER and
when the macro is run the lines will be entered just as you drew them.
The ASCII format also simplifies interchange of line data with other
programs. You can write simple BASIC programs to translate your line
data files (see the appendix on file formats in the manual).
Elements as a set, saves all the elements (3D-real type) with
there element number being used as the file extension. Filename.SET
holds the old centers.
Pixels saves video screen as you see it. For "slide show" type
display. This file type is used by DANMOVIE.COM to animate your wire
frame or "blue-print" views so you can see how moving parts will fit.
You can get the latest version of DANMOVIE.COM if you order the bonus
disks ($7.50).
[13]
[ W H A T I S A D A N C A D 3 D M A C R O ]
A DANCAD 3D macro is an ASCII text file containing a list of
commands and their parameters. The commands available can be found in
an appendix in the file MANUAL.DOC. They also are listed for quick
reference in the text editor's ([W] for Write from the main menu) help
screens.
Writing a macro to produce complex shapes, especially those with
curves, saves disk space. For example the command POLYGON 6000 6000
300 replaces a 3D-real file of over 200 thousand bytes.
Writing a macro also saves time in the long run. If you make a
mistake while entering a long series of commands from the menus you
have to start over from scratch. But if you write a macro all you
have to do is go back into the text editor and make some changes to
the macro file on your disk. Also after a while you can build up a
library of macros that can automatically be called from a new macro
simply by writing "RUN MACRO.MY" (where MACRO.MY is the filename of
your macro).
To run your macro program press ^[R] (that is press the [Ctrl] and
[R] keys at the same time) (for Run) from the main menu. Or from the
DOS prompt enter DANCAD3D MACRO.MY to have the program start up with
that macro (for setup).
If your macro has a bug in it or doesn't do what you were trying
to get it to do, you can trace it by pressing [T] (for Trace) while it
is running. The speed of the trace can be changed while it is running
by pressing [D] (for trace Delay). You can also turn the trace on and
off and change the trace delay by using the macro command TRACE.
Loops are provided to allow you to save/load large sets of files. The
effects of Rotate, Offset, and Magnification are cumulative so the
loops can also animate the elements individually using these commands.
; example of how to loop
NAME 1 = c:myfile i ; assign path/filename starting with i= -99to999
; as .ext
:label ; put a label at the top of the loop
Run NAME 1 HERE ; use automatic name substitution
NAME 1 + 3 ; use automatic name advance
Goto :label 15 ; loop up to label 15 times (16 passes)
Loops run faster if they are in separate files. For example,
put in a ASCII text disk file named "MAIN":
[14]
[ W H A T I S A D A N C A D 3 D M A C R O ]
;-----------------
; START file MAIN
Run loop.1
Run loop.2 ; it should print 10 times after 25 beeps
; END file MAIN
;----------------
put in a ASCII text disk file named "LOOP.1":
;-------------------
; START file LOOP.1
:label_A
echo This should proceed 5 beeps.
:label_B
beep
goto :label_B 4
; 5 passes
goto :label_A 4
; 5 sets of 5 = 25
; END file LOOP.1
;-----------------
put in a ASCII text disk file named "LOOP.2":
;-------------------
; START file LOOP.2
Text_mode ; clear the screen
:label_C
Echo There should be 10 of these.
goto :label_C 9
echo Press [Return].
wait_for_return ; pause
; END file LOOP.2
;-----------------
Automatic generation of filename .ext allows looping to save or load
1099 files from brief code in a program file. DO NOT use the NAME
command with Save or Load a Set Of Elements, since it adds its
own .ext to the filename.
[15]
[ W H A T I S A D A N C A D 3 D M A C R O ]
NAME i = path\filename 0 : the = assigns path\filename to name index
i (i=0 to 7 or up to 8 names at a level).
NAME i HERE : HERE uses name to Save or Load a numeric .ext is added.
NAME i NEXT : NEXT adds one to numeric .ext before using in Save or Load.
NAME i INPUT : asks user to enter a filename.
e.g.: Load 3D name 1 input (User entered: c:\MY\GQ.3D) or
name 1 input Load 3D name 1 here (User entered: Pix.24) or
NAME i + 2 : adds 2 to numeric .ext.
NAME i - 1 : subtracts 1 from numeric .ext.
Be sure to leave a space between all commands and parameters (e.g.
# 0 Flip current_center X ). Use the underline where a space is not
allowed (eg. Graph_mode). Look at the demo and macro files that came
on the disk for more examples.
Use the source code text editor's windows to display and edit the
main program and the sub programs or macros it runs. ^O^O opens a new
window. You can save to the file of the window the cursor is in with
^K^S. The syntax of DANCAD3D is in the editor help screen, press
^[^].
Numeric errors in the statement of DANCAD 3D programming commands
are captured and the text fallowing the error is shown to help you in
debuging your macro files. Curly braces { and } may be used to block
off command text for comments or debuging.
You can enter DANCAD 3D's macro commands in the immediate mode by
using the macro file name CON (console, your keyboard and screen).
Press ^Z [Return] to end console input. You can enter commands into a
running macro also (e.g.: RUN CON or RUN AUX). DANCAD 3D will also
except input from the serial ports use the file names "AUX", "COM1",
"COM2", etc. This is useful since you can program another computer
(micro or mainframe) to output DANCAD 3D macro commands and have your
computer work as a 3D graphics terminal!
[16]
[ H O W T O A N I M A T E Y O U R D R A W I N G S ]
The DANCAD 3D macro's commands allow you to do loops. Loops allow
repetitive and cumulative motion to be imparted to elements. Elements
can move and change shape independently. Each element has its own
center of rotation. The display of the line data does not disturb the
absolute relation of the elements to each other. This allows DANCAD
3D to be used for complex three-dimensional wire frame animation. The
high quality of the print out and variety of perspective make the hard
copy suitable for photography on a 35mm animation stand.
The macro command NAME allows files to be saved and loaded by
adding a numeric extension to the filename (eg. FILE.123, FILE.124
, ...). In this way groups of "frames" can be saved to disk. For
instance if you want to do a slow zoom on a moon orbiting a planet you
can save the motion of one orbit to disk, and read it in repeatedly,
as the scale of display is changed. This saves computation time since
the rotations don't need to be repeated. This process can be nested
to simulate a vast complexity of motion.
To do quick "pencil tests" of the motion you have programed, you
can use the pixel file format. Then write a GOTO loop to read them
back rapidly (this works best with a RAM disk). If you order the
bonus disks you will get the latest version of DANMOVIE. It lets you
view a set of pixel files rapidly and smoothly with forward and/or
reverse motion at different speeds.
If you want to have a movie camera photograph your CRT screen, the
macro command SIGNAL can be used to send pulsed square wave signals of
predetermined frequency and duration to a solenoid shutter release
actuator. It allows you to control the exposure, a filter wheel, etc.
SIGNAL (through the audio output) can also trigger a single frame
VCR.
[17]
[ D E S K T O P P U B L I S H I N G ]
Since DANCAD 3D can read formatted ASCII text files, and the 640k
version has adequate line capacity, you can do a 8 1/2 by 11 page of
text and drawings.
Paragraphs and columns can be read in by pressing [B] for block of
text from the main menu or by using the macro command BLOCK_TEXT.
The flexibility of DANCAD 3D's lettering allows you to put
lettering of different sizes anywhere on a page you want it. Since
DANCAD 3D uses real numbers, for the storage of line data, the size of
lettering and blocks of text can be adjusted for an exact fit to any
space on a page.
Drawings, frames, outlines, and boarders can be brought in from
files and moved around, squashed, and stretched or drawn in place
using the front view (press [F] from the main menu). As blocks of
text, lettering, and boarders can all be separate elements they can be
saved to disk separately. This allows you to make changes to part of
a page layout or business form without having to redo the whole thing.
If you use a standard page layout you can write a macro to read in
your formatted text files and convert them to completed page layouts
automatically! Changes in dates and other headings can be done by
editing (press [W] from the main menu) the LETTERING commands in the
macro. The lettering command is able to center a line of text or put
its first or last letter where you indicate.
Multiple fonts are scheduled for an update in the first quarter of
1987.
[18]
[ D A N C A D 3 D T U T O R I A L ]
This tutorial is included to acquaint you with how DANCAD 3D works
so you can gain control of its powerful rendering capabilities.
Please work carefully through all of the lessons in their sequence
since you will create some files that will be used in later lessons.
In the lessons when you see something like:
Press: [R] [C] 0.123 2.2 1 [Return]
it means that you are to press the "R" key on your keyboard, then the
"C" key then, enter the value(s) as shown (that is the numbers
separated by spaces) in response to a screen prompt, and finally to
press the "Return" key.
The cursor keys are written as: [4/Left], [8/Up], [6/Right],
[2/Down]. When you see [4], [8], [6], or [2] it means to press the
top row number keys, or press [NumLock] before using the cursor keys.
Press: ^[W]
Means to hold down the [Ctrl] key and press the [W] key.
For the example macros just use the editor ([W] from main menu)
like any other text editor and type in the macros text as given.
To do these lessons use your working disk in the default drive
(see the previous section on how to make a working disk). That is put
a disk that has all the files named DANCAD3D.??? (??? stands for
anything) in the "A:" drive if you have an "A>" DOS prompt. To run
DANCAD 3D enter at the prompt A>DANCAD3D and press return. The
opening screen will come up. Please read it then press [Return]. The
menu you now see is the Main Menu. When you see "SELECT COMMAND FROM
MENU" at the bottom of the screen you may press a key on your keyboard
to activate one of DANCAD 3D's commands. Do not run any of the demos
before starting to do a lesson without first exiting to DOS and
reentering DANCAD (so that all DANCAD3D's default settings will be in
effect).
Do not press any keys other than the ones you are asked to in the
lesson. Please now read the following lesson 1.
Be sure to allow a few moments for the program to respond between
command keystrokes. Otherwise you may need to press the key a second
time.
[19]
[ L E S S O N 1: 2 D D R A W I N G ]
If you are not looking at DANCAD 3D's main menu, bring it up as
described in the previous section. Look at the commands in the menu
after "drawing:". See the three commands: Front, ^Side, and Top. They
mean you can press the "F", control "S", and the "T" keys to draw
facing the 3D working space from the front, side, or top.
Press: [F] [Return]
Now (if your computer is working correctly) you should see the
drawing screen. At the top of the screen you see some numbers. These
tell you where the graphics cursor is in the three-dimensional
workspace. Scale shows the display's scale. Move shows how far the
graphics cursor will move when you press one of the arrow keys (for
the "x" and "y" axis) or [7/Home] & [3/PgDn] (for the "z" axis).
Press: [M] 300 [Return]
Press: [4/Left] [8/Up] [./Del] [6/Right] [6/Right] [0/Ins] [2/Down]
Press: [2/Down] [0/Ins] [4/Left] [4/Left] [0/Ins] [8/Up] [8/Up] [0/Ins]
You just set the move to 300 units (1/240 inch) and drew a square
with 600 unit sides. The scale of the drawing can be set to any units
with the command ^[W] from the main menu but leave the scale set to
one for now.
Press: ^[^] (that is [Ctrl] and [^] at the same time)
This is screen one of the three drawing help screens. When you
are through with all of the lessons, look at all of the commands and
try them out to see how they work.
Press: [Esc] [Return]
We are now back at the main menu. Lets put a circle in our square.
Press: ^[P] 36 36 300 [Return] [F] [Return]
You should see a "circle" just touching your square at the sides
and top and bottom. Lets put some lettering in the center of our
figure.
Press: [L] [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar] TEST [Return] [Return] [Return]
Press: [Return] 100 [Return] 100 [Return] [Return] [C] [Return]
If everything is going OK you should have TEST lettered for you.
If not press [E] [Y] (erase last element, yes) and try again.
Press: [Return] [S] [3] [Return] Lesson.1 [Return] [Return]
If no errors were reported you just saved your drawing as a 3d
file on your work disk.
Press: ^[I] [Y] [F] [Return]
[20]
[ L E S S O N 1: 2 D D R A W I N G ]
Its not there any more. Lets see if we can bring it back from the
disk.
Press: [Return] [L] [3] Lesson.1 [Return] [Return] [F] [Return]
And there it is (hopefully, if not redo the lesson).
Press: [Return] ^[Q] [Y]
To exit to DOS. Re-start DANCAD3D.COM before starting lesson 2.
[21]
[ L E S S O N 2: 3 D D R A W I N G ]
If you are not looking at DANCAD 3D's main menu, bring it up as
described in the beginning section.
Press: [F] [Return]
Press: [M] 300 [Return]
Press: [4/Left] [8/Up] [./Del] [R] [1]
Look at the numbers at the top of the screen. They should read
x:-300, y:-300, z:0. That is the cursor position relative to the
world center (0 0 0).
Press: [D]
Look at the numbers at the top of the screen. They should read
x:0, y:0, z:0. Now we are measuring from the last point marked by
pressing [./Del].
Press: [6/Right] [6/Right]
Now you should see x:600, y:0, z:0. That is to say that we moved
right 600 from the last marked point.
Press: [0/Ins] [D] [R] [2] [2/Down] [2/Down] [0/Ins] [R] [3]
Press: [4/Left] [4/Left] [0/Ins] [R] [4] [8/Up] [8/Up] [0/Ins]
You should now have a square like the one you made before. We
pressed [R] to record the corner points so we could jump to them
later.
Press: [J] [1] [./Del] [Z] [0/Ins]
Press: [J] [2] [./Del] [Z] [0/Ins]
Press: [J] [3] [./Del] [Z] [0/Ins]
Press: [J] [4] [./Del] [Z] [0/Ins]
Press: [Return] [T] [Return]
Now you are looking at your drawing from the top.
Press: [H] [C] [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar]
Press: [3/PgDn] [3/PgDn] [3/PgDn] [SpaceBar] [Return]
You just pulled the center of your figure out to make a pyramid.
Press: [Return] [P] [Return] [SpaceBar]
Press: 75 [Return] [Return] [Return]
Press: -4000 [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return]
See that's one way to draw 3D. You can use the top and side views
to help you see where in the workspace the cursor is. Or just go by
[22]
[ L E S S O N 2: 3 D D R A W I N G ]
the x y z values and draw from the front view.
Press: [Return] [S] [3] [Return] Lesson.2 [Return] [Return]
Press: [L] [3] Lesson.2 [Return] [Return] ^[F] 2 [Return] [C] [Z]
Press: [P] [Return] [Return]
Now we doubled it back-to-back. Now see what you can do on your
own to make a 3D shape and save and load it back again.
Press: [Return] ^[Q] [Y]
To exit to DOS. Re-start DANCAD3D.COM before starting lesson 3.
[23]
[ L E S S O N 3: D I M E N S I O N I N G ]
DANCAD 3D can be used for mechanical drawing. It will dimension
in all three dimensions. The default rotations given to the lettering
makes it readable when viewed from Front, ^Side, or Top.
Start DANCAD3D.COM from DOS and press [Return] to go to the main
menu.
Press: [F] [Return] [4/Left] [4/Left] [4/Left] [4/Left] [4/Left]
Press: [2/Down] [2/Down] [./Del] [8/Up] [8/Up] [8/Up] [8/Up]
Press: [0/Ins] [6/Right] [6/Right] [0/Ins] [2/Down] [2/Down] [0/Ins]
Press: [M] 500 [Return] [6/Right] [0/Ins] [8/Up] [0/Ins]
Press: [6/Right] [0/Ins] [2/Down] [H] [2/Down] [2/Down] [0/Ins]
Press: [K] [4/Left] [H] [4/Left] [4/Left] [0/Ins]
You should now have a sort of "U" shaped figure. Lets draw some
dimensions for it.
Press: [A] [SpaceBar] [8/Up] [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar] [K] [6/Right]
Press: [H] [6/Right] [6/Right]
Press: [SpaceBar] [X] [0] [D] 100 [Return] 100 [Return]
Press: [Return] [Return] [I]
You just drew an automatic dimension.
Press: [A] [SpaceBar] [8/Up] [8/Up] [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar]
Press: [4/Left] [4/Left] [4/Left] [4/Left] [4/Left]
Press: [SpaceBar] [X] [2] [D] [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return]
Press: [O] [R]
And another.
Press: [A] [SpaceBar] [8/Up] [8/Up] [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar]
Press: [6/Right] [6/Right] [6/Right] [6/Right] [6/Right]
Press: [SpaceBar] [X] [0] [B] :UNITS [Return] 30 [Return] 30 [Return]
Press: [Return] [Return] [O] [L]
And one more. Now let's do one in the "y" axis.
Press: [A] [SpaceBar] [8/Up] [8/Up] [4/Left] [4/Left] [SpaceBar]
Press: [SpaceBar] [K] [2/Down]
Press: [H] [8/Up] [8/Up] [8/Up] [SpaceBar] [Y] [0] [E] TEST [Return]
Press: 80 [Return] 50 [Return] 1.5 [Return] [Return] [I]
The lettering of "UNITS" looks too small to read so lets zoom in
and have a closer look at it.
Press: [M] 500 [Return] [8/Up] [4/Left]
Press: [1/End] [+] [+] [+] [+] [+] [+] [*/PrtSc]
Press: [+] [*/PrtSc] [+] [*/PrtSc]
You can toggle the graphics cursor and scale border on and off by
pressing the [SpaceBar].
[24]
[ L E S S O N 3: D I M E N S I O N I N G ]
Press: [SpaceBar] [SpaceBar]
Normally when you come in to the drawing screens the graphics
cursor is zeroed and the scale set to show you the whole drawing. If
you want to go out to the main menu and reenter the drawing modes and
see the spot you saw when you left just press [I] and [SpaceBar]
before you press [Return] to return to the main menu.
Press: [I] [SpaceBar] [Return]
Now lets turn the "500:UNITS" dimension upside-down.
Press: ^[F] 4 [Return] [C] [Y] [F] [Return]
See we came back to where we were, and the lettering was flipped
in its current place.
Press: [S] 1 [Return] [Z] [*/PrtSc] [SpaceBar]
Its is best to leave the scale boarder turned off when it is not
needed.
Press: [SpaceBar] [1/End]
OK. Good, I hope you find the automatic dimensioning useful.
Press: [Return] ^[Q] [Y]
To exit to DOS. Re-start DANCAD3D.COM before starting lesson 4.
[25]
[ L E S S O N 4: W R I T I N G M A C R O S ]
Run DANCAD3D from DOS. Press [Return]. Look at Write command in
the main menu.
Press: [W] [Y]
Type:
; SQR_IT.MAC
TRACE ON 250 ; turn on trace display, 1/4 sec.
; delay to slow for reading
INIT ; clear the memory
:A ; label for GoTo to loop to
Load 3D Lesson.1 ; load the file we saved in lesson 1
GoTo :A 5 ; 6 passes to load 6 sides
# 1 Offset zero 0 0 -300 ; back
# 2 Offset zero 0 0 300 ; front
# 3 Rotate zero 90 0 0 Offset zero 0 -300 0 ; top
# 4 Rotate zero 90 0 0 Offset zero 0 300 0 ; bottom
# 5 Rotate zero 0 90 0 Offset zero -300 0 0 ; left side
# 6 Rotate zero 0 90 0 Offset zero 300 0 0 ; right side
TRACE OFF 250
Graph_mode ; set display mode
# 0 Display -20 -20 0 -5000 2 1 0 0 ; lets look at it
echo Press [Return]
wait ; pause so it can be seen
; end SQR_IT.MAC
Press: ^[K] ^[W] SQR_IT.MAC [Return]
You saved it, now lets run it.
Press: ^[K] ^[X] [Y] ^[R] SQR_IT.MAC [Return]
Now lets modify SQR_IT.MAC to let us input the name of something
we want to make into a square.
Press: [Return] [W] [Y] ^[K] ^[R] SQR_IT.MAC [Return]
[26]
[ L E S S O N 4: W R I T I N G M A C R O S ]
Edit what is on the screen to look like: (press ^[^] for commands)
; SQR_ASK.MAC
Text_mode ; clear screen
Echo Use a filename with a decimal extension e.g. ABC.123, Lesson.1, ...
Name 1 Input ; assign filename to name var #1
TRACE ON 0 ; turn on trace display, no delay
INIT ; clear the memory
:A ; label for GoTo to loop to
Load 3D Name 1 Here ; load the file entered to name 1
GoTo :A 5 ; 6 passes to load 6 sides
# 1 Flip zero Z Offset zero 0 0 -300 ; back
# 2 Offset zero 0 0 300 ; front
# 3 Rotate zero 90 0 0 Offset zero 0 -300 0 ; top
# 4 Rotate zero -90 0 0 Offset zero 0 300 0 ; bottom
# 5 Rotate zero 0 -90 0 Offset zero -300 0 0 ; left side
# 6 Rotate zero 0 90 0 Offset zero 300 0 0 ; right side
TRACE OFF 250
Graph_mode ; set display mode
# 0 Display -20 -20 0 -5000 1.5 1 0 0 ; lets look at it
echo Press [Return]
wait ; pause so it can be seen
; end SQR_ASK.MAC
Press: ^[K] ^[W] SQR_ASK.MAC [Return]
You saved it, now lets run it.
Press: ^[K] ^[X] [Y] ^[R] SQR_ASK.MAC [Return]
Now we are asked for a filename.
Press: Lesson.1 [Return]
it should produce a figure like the one SQR_IT.MAC did.
Press: [Return] ^[R] SQR_ASK.MAC [Return]
[27]
[ L E S S O N 4: W R I T I N G M A C R O S ]
This time lets use the figure we made in lesson No.2.
Press: Lesson.2 [Return]
You can look at this figure from another point of view.
Press: [Return] [P] [Return] [SpaceBar] 10 [Return] 10 [Return]
Press: 45 [Return]
Press: [Return] 1.5 [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return]
Press [Return] and try some other rotations. Keep the vanishing
point more negative than -2000.
Go to the main menu (by pressing [Return]) and
Press: [M] [Return] [Z] 1 1 3 [Return]
Then look to see what we did,
Press: [Return] [P] [Return] [SpaceBar]
Press: 20 [Return] 20 [Return] 20 [Return] -5000 [Return]
Press: 0.75 [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return] [Return]
You can use SQR_ASK.MAC as an example of how to write a general
purpose macro that can make a compound figure from simple ones.
Press: [Return] ^[Q] [Y]
To exit to DOS. Re-start DANCAD3D.COM before starting lesson 5.
[28]
[ L E S S O N 5: A N I M A T I O N ]
Since each element has its own center you can rotate elements
around them. You can also rotate the elements around the world's
center (x=0, y=0, z=0). By saving sets of elements in rotation and
concatenating them (that is save several elements as element 0 to make
them one element with one center) compound motion of any complexity is
possible.
In this lesson we will animate a rotation of the cube like object
we made in lesson 4. To do this we will write a macro file. We start
at the main menu.
Press: [W] [Y]
Type:
[29]
[ L E S S O N 5: A N I M A T I O N ]
; Turn.Mac
INIT ; clear memory
Run SQR_IT.MAC ; run the macro from lesson 4
# 0 Save 3d temp.1 ; concat to group
Init ; clear
Load 3d temp.1 ; elements 1 to 6 now # 1
# 1 Rotate Current_center 0 -22.5 0 ; start with it turned
Lettering
DANCAD 3D
0 525 300 20 0 0 50 75 2 C ; element # 2
Echo Put a blank formatted disk in drive B:
Echo Then press [Return].
{
You can change the path used in this macro if you like
(e.g.: c:\my_pix\ )
}
Wait ; wait for [Return] to be pressed
Name 1 = B:FRAME 0 ; set name 1 to filename B:FRAME.0
:LABEL_A ; label for GOTO to loop to
GRAPH_MODE ; clear screen for graphics
# 0 DISPLAY -20 0 0 -5000 1.8 1 0 -100 ; display for pixel save
SAVE PIXEL NAME 1 NEXT ; use automatic name command
# 1 ROTATE Current_center 0 4.5 0 ; 90 degrees / 20 frames = 4.5 d/f
GOTO :LABEL_A 19 ; loop for 20 passes
RUN SHOW_20.MAC ; run a loop to show the frames
; end Turn.Mac
Press: ^[K] ^[W] TURN.MAC [Return]
Press: ^[O] ^[O] 16 [Return] 1 [Return] ^[O] ^[X]
Now we have opened a window to write a sub-macro,
Type:
; SHOW_20.MAC
GRAPH
[30]
[ L E S S O N 5: A N I M A T I O N ]
:OUTER
Name 1 = B:FRAME 0
:INNER_A
Load Pixel Name 1 NEXT
GOTO :INNER_A 19
:INNER_B
Name 1 - 1
Load Pixel Name 1 HERE
GOTO :INNER_B 17
GOTO :OUTER 4
; end SHOW_20.MAC
Press: ^[K] ^[W] SHOW_20.MAC [Return]
Now lets see what all this does.
Press: ^[K] ^[X] [Y]
Press: ^[R] TURN.MAC [Return]
When SQR_IT.MAC has run press [Return] as asked and put the blank
formatted disk (to hold the frame files) in the indicated drive.
Press [Return]. Now the frames will be drawn and saved as bit maps of
the video screen in pixel files.
After the pixel files are saved you should see them replayed for
you by the macro, SHOW_24.MAC, that you typed and saved on your
working disk. Let the animation go through a few cycles then press
the [T] key on your keyboard to turn the trace on and study how the
commands you saved in the macro file, SHOW_24.MAC, operate.
If you have DANMOVIE.COM you can use it to display the frame files
with rapid and smooth motion. (you get the latest version of DANMOVIE
when you order the bonus disks for $7.50 (outside the 48 states add
postage)).
The macro DEMO.1 on the DANCAD3D.COM disk uses these principles to
show two gears turning so that the meshing of the teeth can be
verified. Look at it and read its source code as an example of how to
animate moving parts.
Now you should have some idea how DANCAD3D works. DANCAD 3D has a
way to make just about any sort of object(s) you may want to make and
animate them. If you write any interesting macros send me a copy, I
would like to see what you are doing with DANCAD 3D.
The appendixes that follow this tutorial contain detailed
information on all DANCAD 3D's commands.
[31]
[ A P P E N D I X A: D R A W I N G C O M M A N D S ]
To draw 2D (flat) drawings with DANCAD 3D press the [F] key when
you are looking at the Main Menu (the second screen you see when you
run the program). To draw 3D shapes press [T] (top view), [F] (front
view), or ^[S] (side view). See lessons 1 and 2 in the tutorial
section.
To draw a line go into one of the drawing modes (F,^S,or T) use
the cursor keys to move to the starting point and press the [./Del]
key. Use the cursor keys to move to the lines end point and press the
[0/Ins] key to draw and record your line. Please read the description
for each drawing command given below.
[.] or [DEL] = Mark new start of line otherwise the line starts with
last point marked with [0]/[INS].
[0] or [INS] = Marks end point, draws and records a line.
[?] = Test appearance of line before keeping it (faster than Undo).
[U] = Undo, removes lines in reverse order, (latest element only,
you can rearrange elements. Undo also works on text).
[4] or [LEFT] = x - move, move "left".
[6] or [RIGHT] = x + move, move "right".
[8] or [UP] = y - move, move "up".
[2] or [DOWN] = y + move, move "down".
[7] or [HOME] = z - move, move "in".
[3] or [PgDn] = z + move, move "out".
[Z] = zero x y z.
[O] = Sets move to 1.
[T] = Sets move to 10.
[H] = Sets move to 100.
[K] = Sets move to 1000.
[M] = Set move to any number, see also G goto x y z.
[R] = Record cursor x y z with an index 0..9 to jump to later.
[J] = Jump to recorded cursor x y z,
works when going from Top to ^Side to Front.
[G] = Goto, entered x y z.
[1] or [END] = Toggle scale border on/off.
[*] = Displays area within scale border. [Any-Key] pressed after *
lets you abort the screen up-date or speed it up (1x,2x,4x,10x).
[+] = Zoom in, makes scale border smaller. Press * to see up-date.
[-] = Zoom out, makes scale border bigger. Press * to see up-date.
[S] = Set scale manually, zoom in or out. Press * to see up-date.
[=] = Search for (first match) array number of a displayed line.
Use this information for main menu Alter and ^Delete.
[P] = Pixel, save the drawing you see to disk, type filename at beep.
[32]
[ A P P E N D I X A: D R A W I N G C O M M A N D S ]
[D] = Delta, toggle writing of x y z cursor position on top line in
delta form from the last point marked with [0/INS] or [./DEL].
[I] = Initialize draw, toggle the automatic resetting of scale and
zeroing of x y z on and off so you can go to the menu and return
to where you were. You can then zoom in once and go from Front
to ^Side to Top without having to relocate each time.
[N] = Number of digits to the right of the decimal point drawn in
automatic dimensioning (default setting).
[SpaceBar] = Toggle display graphics cursor on and off.
[Return] = Return to main menu.
[L] = Lettering at graphics cursor with centering options.
[A] = Automatic dimensioning, inside and outside with options.
[E] = Erase the elements in reverse order.
[C] = Change, find and move a point where connecting lines,
meet use it to "pull" points around and make corrections.
^[C] = Change center, move the rotation center of an element.
[B] = Begin drawing a new element.
^[^] = Drawing help screens.
[/] = Menu of above commands.
When you draw using F or ^S or T the lines are appended to the
element shown on the main menu's status line. If no elements have
been loaded element No. 1 will be created when the first line is drawn
and subsequent lines will belong to element No. 1. If you wish to
draw lines as a separate element when elements are present press [B]
to begin drawing a new element.
The graphics cursor has a "clear" pixel at its center to help you
align it with points on lines in the drawing.
Try to draw simple shapes that you can save and load later to
combine to build bigger shapes. The R(ecord x y z) / J(ump to
recorded x y z) combined with C(hange point x y z) are useful when
drawing 3D shapes since they can be drawn 2D then "pull" points in z
axis with C while viewing in ^S(ide) or T(op).
To save time write macros for complex shapes so you can edit the
macro rather than re-enter commands manually.
[33]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
This appendix contains information on the DANCAD 3D macro
(programming) commands available for your use in writing automatic CAD
programs. DANCAD 3D will read a file of these commands and act on
them just as if you were entering them from the menus. Moreover
macros can call macros that can call macros until you run out of free
memory. They can also do loops.
One of the biggest advantages of writing a macro over pressing
menu keys is the ability to edit and rerun the macro if you make a
mistake. They save time in the long run (the short run too).
On the fallowing pages the word between the [ and ] is the command
name.
PURPOSE: Tells you what the command does.
MENU: Tells you what keys to press to get the equivalent
command from the main menu.
PROGRAM: Tells you what combinations of letters will trigger
automatic recognition of the command. Only the first
three letters of most commands are required so some
abbreviations are given. e.g. WAI or Wait_for_[Return]
do the same thing. Commands can be typed in upper and/or
lower case. All commands start with the first letter
after a space.
PARAMETERS: Gives a list of how many and what kind of parameters MUST
follow the command name in your macro. All parameters
must be stated and separated by a space!
EXAMPLE: These show how you would type the command and its
parameters in your macro file.
NA means that it doesn't apply in that case.
The ^ in front of a menu letter tells you to hold down [CTRL] key
like you would the shift key and press the letter key shown.
You must leave a space between all commands and parameters !!!!!!!
You must state all of the parameters that go with a command in a
program. Press ^C to Break a Running DANCAD 3D file and return to
main menu.
Only the first three letters of most of the program commands are
used. So you can use the abbreviations shown after PROGRAM: below.
Using the abbreviations, omitting comments and putting loops in
separate files will speed-up program execution.
A label used in a program must be a continuous bunch of letters
without spaces. To avoid a label being mistaken for a command it
should start with an colon symbol : (e.g. :My_Loop or :L1). The label
[34]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
must appear the same in both places, and be used in only one goto loop
pair in a file.
If you get an "Too Many Files Open" error when nesting the Run
command add files=20 to your DOS config.sys file.
[35]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ A L T E R ]
PURPOSE: To change a x or y or z value by line number.
Use = inside of F or ^S of T to find line number.
You can also use C (change) while drawing manually.
MENU: N A
PROGRAM: NA
PARAMETERS: NA
EXAMPLE: NA
[ B E E P ]
PURPOSE: For computer to make an audio beep.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: Beep beep BEE
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: Beep ; alert operator
Echo PUT DATA DISK No. 6 IN DRIVE B:
Wait ; stop for action
[36]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ B L O C K ]
PURPOSE: To read a ASCII text file in and draw it with upper left
at 0 0 0 with normal size and spacing.
MENU: B
PROGRAM: Block_of_text block BLO
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: BLO c:\TEXT\corner.jx2 ; lines will be
; generated until the work space is full
; e.g.: 10920 for the 640k version
[ C E N T E R ]
PURPOSE: To change an elements center point.
MENU: F ^C or ^S ^C or T ^C
PROGRAM: Center_of_element Center CEN
PARAMETERS: x_value y_value z_value
EXAMPLE: # 7 CEN -1.234567E-10 0.001 666
{
set center of element No. 7 to given x y z values
}
# 128 center_at -400 200 0 | re-center No. 128 also
[37]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ C L E A N ]
PURPOSE: To remove fractional part of x y z point values.
MENU: N C
PROGRAM: Clean clean CLE
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: # 0 CLE ; round all points
[ D E L A Y ]
PURPOSE: Delay progress of program for 1 to 32766 milliseconds.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: Delay delay DEL
PARAMETERS: delay_of_milliseconds_as_an_integer
EXAMPLE: DEL 1000 ; a one second delay
[38]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ D E L E T E ]
PURPOSE: To delete a line in an element.
MENU: N D
PROGRAM: NA
PARAMETERS: NA
EXAMPLE: NA
[ D I S P L A Y ]
PURPOSE: To display the lines on the video screen.
MENU: P or F or ^S or T (see also Load Pixel)
PROGRAM: Display display DIS
PARAMETERS: xdeg ydeg zdeg zvp scale mode x_shift y_shift
EXAMPLE: # 0 DIS 0 0 0 -1e6 240 1 0 0 ; video display
SAV PIX b:frame.36 ; and save it
; x_shift and y_shift move the vanishing point off center
[39]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ D O T ]
PURPOSE: To print out at 51840 dots per square inch on 5152 type
graphics printer select number of strips for drawing
height (paper feed) 12 strips = 10.8 inches of drawing
on 11 inch paper enter number of horizontal strips (9/10
inch high ea.).
MENU: H D
PROGRAM: Dot_printer Dot DOT
PARAMETERS: strips xdeg ydeg zdeg zvp scale mode x_shift y_shift
EXAMPLE: # 0 DOT 12 0 0 0 -1e6 240 1 0 0 ; very sharp hard copy
; x_shift and y_shift move the vanishing point off center
[ D U M P ]
PURPOSE: To print out screen dump using DOS graphics.com.
MENU: [Shift][PrtSc]
PROGRAM: Dump dump DUM
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: # 0 DIS 0 0 0 -1e20 1 0 0 0 ; put it in video screen
DUM ; use DOS print out
; use DOT command instead if you can
[40]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ E C H O ]
PURPOSE: To display a message on the screen.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: ECHO Echo ech
PARAMETERS: text
EXAMPLE: Echo the text goes to the end of the line
[ E N T E R ]
PURPOSE: To manually enter line data by value of end-points.
MENU: E
PROGRAM: Enter enter ENT
PARAMETERS: (new line) x1 y1 z1 z2 y2 z2
(new line) x1 y1 z1 z2 y2 z2 (and so on)
(new line) 0 0 0 0 0 0
EXAMPLE: ; do not put comments inside enter
ENT
100.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 86.60 0.00
-50.00 86.60 0.00 -100.00 0.00 0.00
-100.00 0.00 0.00 -50.00 -86.60 0.00
49.99 -86.60 0.00 100.00 -0.00 0.00
0 0 0 0 0 0
; 0 0 0 0 0 0 ends list of points
[41]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ F L I P ]
PURPOSE: To flip (invert) the points across an axis.
MENU: ^F C or ^F Z
PROGRAM: Flip Zero flip current FLI Z fli c
PARAMETERS: center_to_use letter_of_axis
(center to use = C, elements current or Z, zero)
(letter of axis = X or Y or Z)
EXAMPLE: # 1 Flip c Z ; flip z on # 1's center
# 2 Flip c X ; flip x on # 2's center
# 3 Flip c Y ; flip y on # 3's center
# 1 Flip z Z ; z = -z in element 1
# 2 Flip z X ; x = -x in element 2
# 3 Flip z Y ; y = -y in element 3
[ G O T O ]
PURPOSE: To loop in a DANCAD3D program file.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: GOTO goto (only spelled out in full)
PARAMETERS: :Label times
EXAMPLE: :L1 ; declare a label.
Beep ; dummy anything.
GOTO :L1 11 ; loop up to :L1 11 times for
; 12 passes through the loop.
; the first character of a label
; should be a colon
[42]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ G R A P H__M O D E ]
PURPOSE: To clear and set graphics screen before calling Display.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: Graph_mode Graph graph GRA
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: GRA ; clear screen for Display
[ H A L T ]
PURPOSE: To stop program and return error level to DOS.
MENU: ^Q
PROGRAM: Halt HAL
PARAMETERS: error_level
EXAMPLE: Halt 0 ; go back to DOS and report no error (0)
; useful in DOS batch files
; start program with DANCAD3D P\FN.E
[43]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ I N I T I A L I Z E ]
PURPOSE: To destroy all data in memory, reset elements and lines
to 0.
MENU: ^I Y
PROGRAM: Init initialize INI
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: INI ; make work-space like new
[ I N S E R T ]
PURPOSE: To insert a line in an element.
MENU: N I
PROGRAM: NA
PARAMETERS: NA
EXAMPLE: NA
[44]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ L E T T E R I N G ]
PURPOSE: To put lettering in the drawing (see also Block).
MENU: ^L
PROGRAM: Lettering lettering LET
Center or c, First or f, Last or l ...
PARAMETERS: text ( on its own line )
xoff yoff zoff xrot yrot zrot height length spacing center
(center = C, centering or F, first_letter, L, last_letter)
EXAMPLE: LETTERING_on_next_line
This is some text to end of line
-800 0 0 0 0 90 50 50 1 C ; parameters on line after text
; normal spacing is 1.0
; see also drawing commands:
; [L] lettering at cursor and [A] automatic dimensioning
LET
Message.
0 0 0 0 0 7 5 3 First ; puts first letter at 0 0 0
[ L O A D 2 D ]
PURPOSE: To load an element from a 2D real disk file with the
same perspective it had when saved. Can be used for
shadows, multiple views, and special effects.
MENU: L 2
PROGRAM: Load 2D load 2 LOA 2
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: LOA 2 c:\2D\flat.1 E ; load from sub dir 2D
Load 2D a:MyFile.2D ; load from a: drive
Load 2D Name 5 Here ; use automatic name
[45]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ L O A D 3 D ]
PURPOSE: To load an element from a 3D real disk file
this can also load elements saved with Save Elements.
MENU: L 3
PROGRAM: Load 3D load 3 LOA 3
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: LOA 3 c:\3D\deep.1 ; load from sub dir 3D
Load 3D a:MyFile.3D ; load from a: drive
Load 3D Name 5 Here ; use automatic name
[ L O A D A S C I I ]
PURPOSE: To load ASCII disk file as an element (see also Enter).
MENU: L A
PROGRAM: Load ASCII load a LOA A
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: LOA A c:\ASCII\text.1 ; load from sub dir ASCII
Load ASCII a:MyFile.ASC ; load from a: drive
Load ASCII Name 5 Here ; use automatic name
[46]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ L O A D E L E M E N T S ]
PURPOSE: To reload a set of elements from 3D-real disk files
by numbered .ext.
MENU: L E
PROGRAM: Load Elements load e LOA E
PARAMETERS: path\filename (only, no .ext)
EXAMPLE: LOA E c:\WORK\job-1 ; load all elements as they were
; DO NOT use with NAME command
; if saved as a set a file
; filename.SET will be read to
; restore the element centers
[ L O A D P I X E L ]
PURPOSE: To load the video screen from disk, can be used for
display or backgrounds for drawing over or building up
unlimited lines.
MENU: L P
PROGRAM: Load Pixel load p LOA P
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: LOA P c:\PIXEL\frame.1 ; load video display only
Load Pixel a:MyFile.PIX ; load from a: drive
Load Pixel Name 5 Here ; use automatic name
; see command NAME
[47]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ M A G N I F I C A T I O N ]
PURPOSE: To make elements big and small or both.
MENU: M C or M Z
PROGRAM: Magnify Current Mag Zero MAG C mag z
PARAMETERS: center x_mag_real y_mag_real z_mag_real
EXAMPLE: # 2 MAG C 0.1 1 10 ; note that if you want an axis to
; stay the same you use mag 1 not 0.
# 5 mag zero 2 2 2 ; grows away from x y z = 0 0 0
# 0 mag zero 2 2 2 ; scale everything
[48]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ N A M E ]
PURPOSE: To substitute for path\filename.ext and automatically
generate numbered files for looping.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: NAME name (only spelled out in full)
PARAMETERS: index = path\filename ext_starting_value
index HERE or index here
index NEXT or index next
index INPUT or index input
index + value
index - value
(index = 0..7, ext_starting_value = -99..999, value = 1..1098)
EXAMPLE: NAME 1 = c:\sub\myfile 0 ; assign name 1 c:\sub\myfile.0
LOAD 3D NAME 7 HERE ; use name No. 7 to load a 3D file
LOAD 3D NAME 7 NEXT ; advance .ext before using
NAME 3 + 10 ; add 10 to name 3's .ext
NAME 4 - 25 ; subtract 25 from name 4's .ext
NAME 5 INPUT ; asks user to enter a filename.
Use this form for name i input:
Load 3D name 1 input (User entered:c:\MY\GQ.3D)
when the .EXT is not numeric, and
name 1 input Load 3D name 1 here (User entered: Pix.24)
when you want to be able to reuse the input filename that uses a
numeric extension and modify its numeric extension. You cannot reuse
input filenames that do not use a numeric extension.
[49]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ N U M E R I C ]
PURPOSE: To get a listing of the point values and element centers.
MENU: N N (reads in exponential notation, will not echo to prn)
PROGRAM: Save ASCII
PARAMETERS: PRN. or AUX.
EXAMPLE: SAV A PRN ; print a listing of the lines
[ O F F S E T ]
PURPOSE: To move the main image of an element,
x = x+xoff, y = y+yoff, z = z+zoff.
MENU: O C or O Z or O R
PROGRAM: Offset Current offset zero OFF C off z off recorded
PARAMETERS: center_to_use x_offset_real y_offset_real z_offset_real
(center to use = C, elements current or
Z, absolute from x y z equal to zero or
R, x y z recorded in Front, ^Side or Top.)
EXAMPLE: # 5 OFF C 97.3 0 1.0E-5 ; move element No. 5
; relative to present position
; x=x+97.3
; z=z+1.0E-5
# 1 off R 0 0 0 ; the 0 0 0 is a necessary
; dummy argument for offset to a recorded x y z
[50]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ P L O T T E R ]
PURPOSE: To print out on an installed plotter
(use menu H I to install).
MENU: H P
PROGRAM: Plotter plot PLO
PARAMETERS: xdeg ydeg zdeg zvp scale mode x_shift y_shift
EXAMPLE: # 0 PLO 0 0 0 -1e6 240 1 0 0 ; super sharp hard copy
; x_shift and y_shift move the vanishing point off center
[ P O L Y G O N ]
PURPOSE: To draw all or part of a regular polygon as an element.
MENU: ^P
PROGRAM: Polygon polygon POL
PARAMETERS: total_sides_integer sides_drawn_integer radius_real
EXAMPLE: POL 36 18 0.1 ; draw half a small "circle"
[51]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ R E M A R K ]
PURPOSE: Remark, the remainder of the line is skipped.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: ; or | or Rem or { }
PARAMETERS: text
EXAMPLE: ; this is a reminder
| so is this
REM and this, so no commands go here
{
Curly braces can be used to block out command text.
Leave a space in front of "}"!
They must pair { { { } } }.
}
[ R O T A T E ]
PURPOSE: To turn the main image of an element around a center.
MENU: R C or R Z
PROGRAM: Rotate Current rotate zero ROT C rot z
PARAMETERS: center x_degrees_real y_degrees_real z_degrees_real
EXAMPLE: # 4 ROT Z 22.5 45 90 ; turn element 4 on all 3 axis
# 7 ROT Z 0 0 120 ; turn element 7 on z axis only
# 1 ROT C 0 0 22.5 ; turn element 1 on its center
[52]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ R U N ]
PURPOSE: To run a file of DANCAD3D commands, they can be nested.
MENU: ^R
PROGRAM: Run run RUN
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: RUN c:\programs\frame-it.001
RUN NAME 3 HERE ; see NAME
RUN NAME 2 NEXT ; see NAME
(Also you can enter DANCAD3D PATH\FILENAME.EXT from DOS or batch file).
[ S A V E 2 D ]
PURPOSE: To save one or all element(s) to an 2D integer disk file
with perspective. Can be used for shadows, multiple
views, or saving disk space by preserving a perspective
view in 2D. Point x y z values can range from -32767 to
32767.
MENU: S 2
PROGRAM: Save 2D save 2 SAV 2
PARAMETERS: xdeg ydeg zdeg zvp scale mode x_shift y_shift p\fn.ext
EXAMPLE: SAV 2 0 0 0 -1e18 1 0 0 0 c:\2D\flat.1 ; save in
; sub dir 2D
[53]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ S A V E 3 D ]
PURPOSE: To save one or all element(s) to an 3D real disk file
point x y z values can range from 1.0E-18 to 1.0E+18.
MENU: S 3
PROGRAM: Save 3D save 3 SAV 3
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: SAV 3 c:\3D\round.1 ; save in sub dir 3D
[ S A V E A S C I I ]
PURPOSE: To save one or all element(s) to an ASCII disk file
and/or, make a print-out of point x y z values.
MENU: S A
PROGRAM: Save ASCII save a SAV A
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: SAV A c:\ASCII\text.1 ; save in sub dir ASCII
SAV A prn. ; send to parallel printer
SAV A aux. ; send to serial printer
[54]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ S A V E E L E M E N T S ]
PURPOSE: To save all elements to a 3D-real disk file
by numbered .ext for reloading as a set.
MENU: S E
PROGRAM: Save Elements save e SAV E
PARAMETERS: path\filename (only, no .ext)
EXAMPLE: SAV E c:\WORK\job-1 ; save all elements as they are
; DO NOT use the NAME command.
; a file filename.SET will
; be created to contain the
; elements centers so that
; Load Elements can restore them
[ S A V E P I X E L ]
PURPOSE: To save the video screen to disk, can be used for later
display or backgrounds for drawing over or building up
unlimited lines.
MENU: F P or ^S P or T P or P P
(type filename after beep)
PROGRAM: Save Pixel save p SAV P
PARAMETERS: path\filename.ext
EXAMPLE: SAV P c:\PIXEL\frame.1 ; save video display only
[55]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ S E L E C T__E L E M E N T ]
PURPOSE: To select an element before a command is to act on it.
MENU: You are given a prompt when needed.
PROGRAM: # 0 # 666
PARAMETERS: number_of_element
EXAMPLE: # 1 MAG 2 1 0.5 ; x=x*2:y=y:z=z*0.5 in element 1
; remember to space between # & num
[ S I G N A L ]
PURPOSE: Electronic signal to trigger camera or other external
device. Output is available from computer audio output
connector.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: Signal signal SIG
PARAMETERS: frequency_integer duration_in_milliseconds_integer
EXAMPLE: SIG 20000 100 ; 20,000 HZ for 0.1 seconds
[56]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ T E X T__M O D E ]
PURPOSE: To clear and set text screen for Echo
(Echo works in graphics as well)
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: Text_mode Text text TEX
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: TEX ; clear screen to text mode
; use this before NAME 0 INPUT so you can get a DIR
[ T R A C E ]
PURPOSE: To turn debuging trace on an off. The trace appears in a
window at the bottom of the screen while the macro runs.
It works in both Graph_mode and Text_mode.
MENU: ^R T
PROGRAM: TRACE ON or TRACE OFF
PARAMETERS: on/off_mode Delay_between_commands_in_milliseconds
EXAMPLE: Trace On 500 ; turn on trace with 1/2 second delay
Trace Off 0 ; turn off trace and delay
[57]
[ A P P E N D I X B: M A C R O C O M M A N D S ]
[ W A I T ]
PURPOSE: Pause until [Return] key is pressed.
MENU: NA
PROGRAM: Wait wait WAI
PARAMETERS: none
EXAMPLE: Echo >>SWAP DATA DISKS<< press [Return] when done...
Wait
[ W O R L D ]
PURPOSE: To set world scale. With a World scale of 1.000: one x
drawing unit = one printer dot. 1920 dots at 1/240" each
= 8" of print out width so a scale of 240 reads in
inches and a scale of 9.449 in mm for the printer. Use
Install_plotter from the Hard menu to adjust scale to
your plotter.
MENU: ^W
PROGRAM: World world WOR
PARAMETERS: scale
EXAMPLE: World 9.449 ; scale will be set on return to menu
[58]
[ A P P E N D I X C: E D I T I N G M A C R O P R O G R A M S ]
Press the [W] key from main menu to read & Write macro program files.
This text editor reads and writes ASCII text files. It has
windows so you can edit several macro files at the same time. This is
useful since structured CAD programming of macros puts subroutines in
separate files. Loops using the GOTO command also run faster in
smaller files.
[ C O N T R O L L L E T T E R K E Y C O M M A N D S ]
^A = left word.
^S = left character.
^E = up line.
^R = up page.
^W = scroll up.
^I = tab.
^D = right character.
^F = right word.
^X = down line.
^C = down page.
^Z = scroll down.
^J = jump to beg/end of line.
^G or [DEL] = delete right char.
^H or [BKSP] = delete char left.
^P = insert character by ASCII into text.
[ESC] = undo last deletion.
^Y = delete line.
^T = delete right word.
^N = insert line.
^M or [RETURN] = new line in text buffer.
^B = reformat paragraph.
^L = repeat last find/replace.
^V = toggle insert mode.
^U = abort.
^\ = disk directory.
^^ = help (editor help, and a quick DANCAD3D command reference).
The keyboard cursor keys as well as [Ins] and [Del] also work.
[59]
[ A P P E N D I X C: E D I T I N G M A C R O P R O G R A M S ]
[ C O N T R O L L Q C O M M A N D S ]
^Q^A = find and replace, option G is for global.
^Q^B = cursor to beg. of block.
^Q^C = bottom of window.
^Q^D = end of current line.
^Q^F = find pattern.
^Q^I = toggle autoindent mode.
^Q^J = jump to marker (prompt).
^Q^K = cursor to end of block.
^Q^R = top of window.
^Q^S = beg. of current line.
^Q^Y = delete text to end of line.
^Q 0 to 9 = jump to numbered marker.
[ C O N T R O L L K C O M M A N D S ]
^K^B = begin block.
^K^K = end block.
^K^C = copy block.
^K^V = move block.
^K^Y = delete block.
^K^H = hide/display toggle block.
^K^R = *READ* macro file, edit a macro or an ASCII data file.
^K^W = *WRITE* macro file, use filename PRN. (AUX.) to print macro out.
^K^S = save file, use after read file (overwrites using name on window).
^K^T = set tab width.
^K^M = set marker (prompt).
^K 0 to 9 = set marker #.
^K^X = *EXIT* and return to main menu.
[60]
[ A P P E N D I X C: E D I T I N G M A C R O P R O G R A M S ]
[ C O N T R O L L O C O M M A N D S ]
^O^C = center text.
^O^E = up window.
^O^G = goto window (prompt).
^O^I = goto column #.
^O^J = link (join) window.
^O^K = change case.
^O^L = set left margin.
^O^N = goto line #.
^O^O = *OPEN* new window. Use additional windows to edit subroutines.
^O^R = set right margin.
^O^S = set undo limit.
^O^W = toggle word wrap mode.
^O^X = *DOWN* window. Move cursor to another window.
^O^Y = destroy window.
^O 0 to 9 = jump to window #.
Use your key board macro program to install the function keys as:
[F1] = ^K^X : Quit and return to main menu.
[F2] = ^Q^R^K^B^Q^C^K^K^K^Y : Clear editor work space.
or ^O^O^M^M^O^Y 1 ^M : Clear everything from window No.1
[F3] = ^K^C : Block copy.
[F4] = ^K^Y : Block delete.
[F5] = ^K^H : Hide/display marked block.
[F6] = ^K^V : Block move.
[F7] = ^K^B : Mark block begin.
[F8] = ^K^K : Mark block end.
[F9] = ^K^R : Read file.
[F10] = ^K^W : Write file.
To save a marked block to disk: open a window (^O^O) move the
marked block into it (^K^B ^K^K ^O^X ^K^C (or ^K^V)) then save it
(^K^W).
[61]
[ A P P E N D I X D: M E N U S A N D H E L P S C R E E N S ]
To bring up the help screens press the [Ctrl] key and the [^] key at
the same time when you see ^^=HELP at the top of the screen. There
are three sets of special help screens available. One set from the
Main Menu, another set from the drawing modes (Front, ^Side, and
Top view), and a third set from the text editor (Write macro).
1. What the Main Menu status line shows.
A. nnnnn:bytes-free, should always be positive for program to run.
B. nnnnn:lines, 0 to 10920 lines may be in memory (640k version).
A plotter or the video screen can build up any number
of drawing lines by reloading the memory and displaying.
C. nnn:elements, 0 to 256 independent groups of lines.
2. Commands that accesses the disk or RAM disk.
A. Write_program_file. ASCII text editor with windows.
1. After pressing [W] from the main menu, press ^^ for help
screens that list editor and DANCAD3D macro commands.
B. ^Run_program_file. Automatic execution of a DANCAD3D ASCII
macro CAD command text file. Macros can run other macros. See
appendix B or the editor help screens for a list of commands.
1. [T] toggle debuging TRACE on and off.
2. [D] set trace delay to slow trace for easier reading.
3. ^[C] brake a running macro and return to main menu.
D. Disk Task Menu. (Press [D] from main menu).
1. Get current directory.
2. Make a sub directory.
3. Copy a file.
4. Rename a file.
5. Erase a file.
6. Size of a file in bytes.
7. Directory of a disk. (you can also enter dir in place of
a filename when asked for one in the main program).
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[ A P P E N D I X D: M E N U S A N D H E L P S C R E E N S ]
E. Save_data Menu, with options. (Press [S] from main menu).
1. 2D-real, flatten 3D objects into 2D drawings of them.
2. 3D-real, your normal choice.
3. ASCII-text, to edit in text editor or interchange of data.
4. Elements_by_number_as_3D, to save and continue later.
5. Pixel, save screen. Use with DANMOVIE.COM (if you order
the two extra disks for $7.50 you get it. It lets you run a
sequence of frames smoothly forward and reverse at different
speeds from memory).
F. Load_data Menu with options. (Press [L] from main menu).
The file type must match the type used to save the data file.
1. 2D-real.
2. 3D-real (can load individual files saved using Elements).
3. ASCII-text.
4. Elements_by_number_as_3D.
5. Pixel-video_display.
G. Block_text, to read in an ASCII text file for lettering.
3. Set up the working environment.
A. ^World_scale, for drawing 1:1 (ft., inch, mm, etc.) on print out.
B. ^Initialize, to reset memory work-space (elements & lines = 0).
C. ^Quit_all, return to DOS environment (exit DANCAD3D).
[63]
[ A P P E N D I X D: M E N U S A N D H E L P S C R E E N S ]
4. Manipulating the main data image.
A. Magnification, make bigger or smaller or both.
1. From x = 0, y = 0, z = 0. Use center Zero.
2. From element's center. Use center Current.
B. Offset, move in 3D or shift in 2D.
1. From x = 0, y = 0, z = 0. Use center Zero.
2. From element's center. Use center Current.
3. To x y z recorded if Front, ^Side or Top.
C. Rotate, turn relative to constant space.
1. Around world x = 0, y = 0, z = 0. Use center Zero.
2. Around element's center. Use center Current.
D. ^Flip, mirror image.
1. Across world axis x = 0, y = 0, z = 0. Use center Zero.
2. Across element's center. Use center Current.
5. Numeric Menu. (Press [N] from main menu).
A. Alter, change a line by data.
B. Clean, round off value to nearest unit.
C. ^Delete, delete a line from an element.
D. Insert, insert a line into an element.
E. Enter, make an element with line point data.
F. Numeric, list line point data and center to console.
[64]
[ A P P E N D I X D: M E N U S A N D H E L P S C R E E N S ]
6. *DRAWING* lines as elements. (Press letter key from main menu).
A. Front, view of 3D work-space with zoom.
1. Draw lines. Use [.] then, arrow keypad, then [0] to draw.
2. Lettering, at cursor.
3. Automatic Dimensioning, automatic with options.
4. ^^ for help screens of drawing commands.
B. ^Side, view of 3D work-space with zoom.
1. Draw lines. Use [.] then, arrow keypad, then [0] to draw.
2. Lettering, at cursor.
3. Dimensioning, automatic with options.
4. ^^ for help screens of drawing commands.
C. Top, view of 3D work-space with zoom.
1. Draw lines. Use [.] then, arrow keypad, then [0] to draw.
2. Lettering, at cursor.
3. Dimensioning, automatic with options.
4. ^^ for help screens of drawing commands.
D. ^Polygon, use to make whole or partial circles and polygons.
E. ^Lettering, put lettering in your drawing.
F. Block_text, to read in an ASCII text file for lettering.
7. Display of drawing.
A. Perspective, use to see how data will be effected before action.
B. Hard_copy Menu, with options.
1. Dot_print, very hi-res print out (approx. 30x screen dump).
2. Plotter, output to your plotter or disk spooler.
3. Install_plotter, set up for your plotter.
C. Load with Pixel-video_display option.
D. Front, ([F] from main menu) view of 3D work-space with zoom.
E. ^Side, (^[S] from main menu) view of 3D work-space with zoom.
F. Top, ([T] from main menu) view of 3D work-space with zoom.
[65]
[ A P P E N D I X E: A S C I I F I L E F O R M A T S ]
The Save ASCII file looks like:
data as x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2, 0 0 0 0 0 0 ends file: b:ascii.exm
99.9999999 0 0 -49.999973 86.6025554 0
-49.999973 86.6025554 0 -50.000052 -86.60251 0
-50.000052 -86.60251 0 99.9999999 -0.0000907 0
0 0 0 0 -1.230E-10 0
1.4000E-11 -1.230E-10 0 1.4000E-11 -9.400E-11 0
-1900 -500 0 -1300 -100 -900
0 0 0 0 0 0
If the plotter output is sent to the printer or a disk file it will
look like:
P 1
M -200 -200
L -200 -200 200 -200
L 200 -200 200 100
L 200 100 -200 100
L -200 100 -200 -200
M 0 -100
L 0 -100 100 0
L 100 0 -100 0
L -100 0 0 -100
H
The commands can be installed for many plotters. For example the line
command could look like " LINE(-200,-200)-(200,-200); ". If you are
sure your plotter cannot be installed write me explaining the precise
difficulty so I can try to correct the problem.
The data file format used by the DANGRAPH.COM program has the
following form. This utility comes on the extra disks you can order.
It makes nice Log-Log graphs as DANCAD3D 2D-real files you can load in
as an element then move, scale and combine with text and drawings.
b:data
5
1.0000000000E+00 1.0000000000E+00
2.0000000000E+00 2.0000000000E+00
3.0000000000E+00 4.0000000000E+00
4.0000000000E+00 8.0000000000E+00
5.0000000000E+00 1.6000000000E+01
The number on the second line is the number of points.
[66]
[ A P P E N D I X F: E R R O R M E S S A G E S ]
DANCAD 3D has been tested to confirm that the Demo files run properly
demonstrating that the program will work when used properly. When the
program crashes it is most often due to improper input. After a crash
you should see a error number (in hexadecimal) on the screen.
The meaning of the numbers that you are likely to see are given below.
Run-time error messages.
01 Floating point overflow, n>1E18 or n<-1E18.
02 Division by zero, try entering 1E-18 instead of 0.
90 Array index out of range.
92 Integer out of range, n>32767 or n<-32767.
F0 Overlay file not found, all files named DANCAD3D must be in the
same and default dir (or sub directory) for the program to work.
FF Heap/Stack collision, you are not leaving enough of your 640k free
for your macro (or just DANCAD3D) to run. Look at bytes-free in
the main menu it should be positive. Use fewer resident programs.
I/O error messages.
01 No file with the name used or wrong drive named.
10 Error in numeric format. Be extremely careful to state all
parameters for a command when used in a macro. Also put a space
between all groups of characters. Do not use real number form
where an integer is called for. Do not enter letters or symbols
where a number is requested.
99 Unexpected end of file. You got the file types mixed up. Or the
file was not completely saved due to an I/O error (full disk).
F0 Disk write error.
F1 Directory is full, no more room on a disk.
F3 Too many files open, add files=20 to your DOS config.sys file.
FF File disappeared, you took the disk out.
[67]
[ A P P E N D I X G: C H A N G E S ]
Note these changes if you have used an older version of DANCAD3D.
v1.00 Original program.
v1.10 Main menu and macro commands:
old: OFF 0 0 0 new: OFF Z 0 0 0 or OFF C 0 0 0
OFF R 0 0 0
old: MAG 0 0 0 new: MAG Z 0 0 0 or OFF C 0 0 0
old: ROT 0 0 0 new: ROT Z 0 0 0 or ROT C 0 0 0
old: FLIP (AXIS) new: FLIP Z (AXIS) or FLIP C (AXIS)
old: LET, text, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
new: LET, text, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 center
new: LET, text, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 first
new: LET, text, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 last
Drawing commands added:
[A], automatic dimensioning
[L], lettering at cursor
^[C], change element center
[E], erase elements
[I], initialization of drawing display toggle
v1.20 Main menu and macro commands:
some macro file errors reported to and located for you
some of your keyboard entry errors will be captured
disk_menu added to main menu
new: entering dir or DIR calls up a directory at any filename
prompt in the main part of the program,
entering = recalls the last filename used
new: Remark, curly braces { } can also be used
new: CENTER_element_at (x) (y) (z)
Drawing commands added:
[B], begin a new element
[/], menu of drawing commands
v1.30 Trace command for debuging macros added.
Pressing [Any-Key] during screen up-date in drawing modes lets
you set the drawing speed (1x,2x,4x,10x) or abort.
Line capacity increased to 10920 (640k version).
NAME i INPUT command added.
Numeric menu added to main menu.
Loops can nest in a macro file.
Curly braces can nest (for debuging), eg. {{{ }}}.
New help screens added to main menu.
2D integer file format changed to 2D real file format.
If you have integer files load them into your old version
and save them 3D real so v1.30 can read them as 3D real.
[68]
[ I N D E X ]
2D-real file......................13
2D files, load.................20,45
2D files, save.................20,53
3D-real file......................13
3D files, load.................22,46
3D files, save.................22,54
8087 chip..........................3
adjusting display perspective..11,26
alter data in memory..............36
animation......................17,29
Appendix A: Drawing Commands......32
Appendix B: Macro Commands........34
Appendix C: Editing Macros........59
Appendix D: Menus and Help........62
Appendix E: ASCII file formats....66
Appendix F: Error Messages........67
Appendix G: Changes...............68
arcs..............................51
ASCII-real file...................13
ASCII 3d line file, load..........46
ASCII 3d line file, save..........54
ASCII file formats................66
audio beep........................36
audio output...................17,56
B&W................................6
bit-map...........................13
block text........................37
break.............................34
bug reports........................3
bug trace.........................14
bytes free........................62
camera trigger....................56
centers...........................11
CGA video board....................6
change element center.............37
circles...........................51
clear memory......................44
coded data........................41
color..............................6
command alter.....................36
command beep......................36
command block.....................37
command center....................37
command clean.....................38
command delay.....................38
command delete....................39
command display...................39
command dump......................40
command echo......................41
command enter.....................41
command flip......................42
command goto......................42
command graph_mode................43
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[ I N D E X ]
command halt......................43
command initialize................44
command insert....................44
command lettering.................45
command load 2D...................45
command load 3D...................46
command load ASCII................46
command load elements.............47
command load pixel................47
command magnification.............48
command name......................49
command numeric...................50
command offset....................50
command plotter...................51
command polygon...................51
command remark....................52
command rotate....................52
command run.......................53
command save 2D...................53
command save 3D...................54
command save ASCII................54
command save elements.............55
command save pixel................55
command select_element............56
command signal....................56
command text_mode.................57
command trace.....................57
command wait......................58
command world.....................58
CONFIG.SYS........................35
control K commands................60
control O commands................60
control Q commands................60
control letter key commands.......59
ctrl key..........................34
DANCAD3D.B&W.......................4
DANCAD3D.COM.......................4
DANCAD3D.MSG.......................4
DANCAD3D file types............13,65
DANCAD3D tutorial.................19
DANGRAPH.COM......................66
DANMOVIE.COM......................13
data listing......................50
data magnification................48
data structure....................11
debuging trace....................57
delay DANCAD3D macro..............38
delete line data..................39
demo files.........................4
desktop publishing................18
disclaimer.........................3
disk directory....................62
display lines as video............39
DOS error level...................43
[70]
[ I N D E X ]
DOS graphics......................40
dot printer.......................40
drawing from menu........20,22,24,64
drawing lines............20,22,24,32
drawing text files................37
draw lettering.................24,45
editing blocks.................26,60
editing windows................26,60
electronic signal.................56
elements..........................11
elements, center..................33
elements, erase...................33
element drawing...................33
element selection.................56
element set, load.................47
element set, save.................55
execution speed...................34
files on the disk..................4
file conversion....................3
free memory.......................62
function keys.....................61
GRAPHICS.COM...................12,40
graphics printer..................40
graphics terminal.................16
graph data format.................66
hard copy.........................65
how to animate your drawings...17,29
how to draw using DANCAD3D...9,20,22
how to exit editor.............26,60
how to get help screens...........62
how to get support and help........5
how to make a working disk.........6
how to use DANCAD3D................6
immediate command mode............16
insert a line.....................44
INSTALL.BAT........................4
installation.......................6
installing your plotter........65,66
label.............................34
lettering and dimensioning.....10,24
looping example................14,29
looping filename...............29,49
looping with goto..............29,42
mainframe.........................16
memory requirements................6
menu..............................34
message on screen.................41
mirror image......................42
monochrome.........................6
mouse..............................6
name command, in loop.............14
name command, use of..............15
notice.............................3
number of elements................62
[71]
[ I N D E X ]
number of lines...................62
numeric menu......................64
offset elements...................50
parameters........................34
pause program.....................58
pencil tests......................17
pixel file........................13
pixel file, save..................55
pixel files, load.................47
plotter colors....................12
plotter data files.................4
plotter output....................66
plotter printout..................51
polygons..........................51
portting..........................16
printer...........................12
printing out your drawings........12
print screen......................40
programming commands..............34
quit..............................43
ram disk...........................6
readme.bat.........................4
read macro command file...........60
remarks in program................52
rotate data.......................52
round off data....................38
running a macro...................14
running demo files.................6
running from DOS batch files.......6
run file of commands..............53
save macro program................60
scale.............................58
screen dump....................12,40
speed-up screen up-date............9
stopping a program................34
table of contents..................2
trigger, camera...................17
tutorial lesson 1: 2d drawing.....20
tutorial lesson 2: 3d drawing.....22
tutorial lesson 3: dimensioning...24
tutorial lesson 4: writing macros.26
tutorial lesson 5: animation......29
up-dates...........................3
user support.......................3
video graph mode..................43
video text mode...................57
what can DANCAD3D do?..............8
what is a DANCAD3D macro..........14
windows...........................16
writing a macro.......14,26,59,60,62
zoom range.........................9
zoom scale........................32
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