Night Owl 6/Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso/021a/mcad11.zip/MICROCAD.DOC

Text File | 1992-01-01 | 46KB | 1,510 lines

                    PROGRAM LICENSE
                    ---------------


 MicroCAD 1.1 is owned and (c)Copyright 1991 by David R. Allaway.
 All Rights Reserved.

 This program is provided on an 'as is' basis, with no warranty as to
 defects or performance in accordance with the accompanying materials.
 Although this program has been thoroughly tested, proper performance
 cannot be guaranteed on all hardware and software configurations.

 This program is not in the public domain, but may be used and freely
 distributed (not for resale) only if accompanied by this documentation,
 and provided that the user's Name, Address, and a $35 Registration Fee
 have been sent to:


                    MICROCAD 1.1
                    P.O. BOX 145
                    READINGTON, NJ 08870


 Registered users are entitled, in addition to continued program use, to
 the following for a minimum period of one year from date of
 registration:

      - Technical assistance at the above address or 1-908-369-8688.

      - Correction of program errors.

      - Updates to the program and documentation, as available.

 License is granted for trial use up to 30 days prior to registration.
 During the trial use period, technical assistance will be provided on a
 limited basis.



 Contents
 --------

 1.0     INTRODUCTION
 1.1       Logo Screen
 1.2       Diagram Screen

 2.0     OBJECT CREATION
 2.1       Draw Line
 2.2       Draw Horizontal or Vertical Line
 2.3       Draw Rectangle or Square
 2.4       Draw Circle or Ellipse
 2.5       Draw Cube
 2.6       Create Text

 3.0     OBJECT MODIFICATION
 3.1       Find Object (Sequential)
 3.2       Grab Object (On Screen)
 3.3       Move Object
 3.4       Re-Size Object
 3.5       Clone Object
 3.6       Solid Fill
 3.7       Pattern Fill
 3.8       Pattern Gallery
 3.9       Pattern Outline
 3.10      Dotted Line
 3.11      Arrow Head
 3.12      Semi-Circles and Semi-Ellipses
 3.13      Tilt Object
 3.14      Roll Object
 3.15      Spin Object
 3.16      Restore Object Rotations
 3.17      Recolor Object
 3.18      Text Font
 3.19      Erase Object
 3.20      Find Erased Object
 3.21      Group-Ungroup
 3.22      Object Dimensions



 4.0     DIAGRAM MODIFICATION
 4.1       Redefine Color
 4.2       Reset Colors
 4.3       Color Overlay Mode vs. Color Mix Mode
 4.4       Axis Lines
 4.5       Overlay Grid
 4.6       Zoom-In and Zoom-Out
 4.7       Tilt Diagram
 4.8       Roll Diagram
 4.9       Spin Diagram
 4.10      Restore Diagram View
 4.11      Move Diagram
 4.12      Decrease Perspective
 4.13      Orthographic & Isometric Projections
 4.14      Axis Windows
 4.15      Erase Diagram
 4.16      Clone Diagram
 4.17      Fill Pattern Editor

 5.0     DIAGRAM RETRIEVAL AND PRINTING
 5.1       Retrieve Latest Diagram
 5.2       Review Portfolio
 5.3       Diagram Gallery
 5.4       Printer Setup
 5.5       Print Diagram

 6.0     MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
 6.1       Return to DOS
 6.2       Cursor Speed
 6.3       Video Test
 6.4       Product Information
 6.5       File Data

 7.0     ERROR CONDITIONS

 8.0     CATALOG DESCRIPTION
 8.1       Object Parameters
 8.2       User Customizations
 8.3       Diagram Parameters



 1.0                INTRODUCTION
                    ------------

 MicroCAD was created to meet the following objectives:

      1) To provide a diagramming facility, that combines the ease-of-use
         of paint programs, with the object manipulation capabilities of
         CAD programs.

      2) To provide an icon-based interface, that allows the user to
         create complete diagrams without menus or keyboard entry.

      3) To provide for both the creation of two-dimensional diagrams,
         and the creation and manipulation of objects in 3D perspective.

      4) To achieve fast display speeds without the use of graphics or
         math co-processors.

 The program is designed to run on any DOS or OS/2 system with a VGA
 or VGA-compatible video adapter and a mouse driver installed.  The
 program has been designed to run on a 8088/86, 80286, or 80386/486
 processor.  Features only available on 80386/486 processors are noted.

 A high-quality monitor of at least 14" is recommended.

 The distribution consists of the following files:

      MICROCAD.EXE - MicroCAD executable.

      MICROCAD.DOC - These instructions.

      MICROCAD.ICO - Program icon for Windows.

      MICROCAD.OS2 - Program icon for OS/2.

      MICROCAD.CAT - Diagram catalog (if distributed with sample diagrams).

      BULLETIN.ymm - Supplementary instructions and updates.

 Most of the program features are designed to be self-explanatory.  The
 following instructions provide a detailed reference to the operation of
 each feature.  These instructions correspond to MicroCAD version 1.1.



 1.1      Logo Screen
          -----------

 When starting the program, a logo 'movie' will be displayed.  When the
 full logo and copyright info are displayed, click either mouse button
 to proceed to the diagram screen.

 To skip directly to the full logo during the movie: click either mouse
 button.

 To skip directly to the diagram screen: press either mouse button and
 release it after the full logo appears, or double-click during the
 movie.



 1.2      Diagram Screen
          --------------

 The diagram screen consists of:

      1) The ICON AREA, on the left side of the screen.

         When the cursor is in the icon area, it will appear as an arrow.
         To select a function, move the arrow to an icon and click the
         left or right mouse button, as per the instructions.  When a
         function is selected, the icon will be highlighted.  Some
         functions are temporary, and will return to the previously
         selected icon when complete.

      2) The DIAGRAM AREA, on the remainder of the screen.

         When the cursor is in the diagram area, it will appear as a
         cross-hair (+).  The selected diagramming function is performed
         when the left or right mouse button is pressed, as per the
         instructions.

      3) The ICON HELP MESSAGE, on the top left of the diagram area.

         As the cursor is moved over each icon, the icon help message
         displays the function associated with the icon.  When the cursor
         is in the diagram area, the help message corresponds to the
         currently selected function.

      4) The DATE, TIME and DIAGRAM NUMBER, on the top right of the
         diagram area.

         This indicates the last modification date and time for a
         retrieved diagram.  This area will be blank for new diagrams.

      5) The SIGNATURE, in the lower right corner of the diagram area.

         This will appear on all screens, but will be omitted from
         printed diagrams.



 2.0                OBJECT CREATION
                    ---------------

 2.1      Draw Line
          ---------

 To draw a line:

      a)  Click on the Line icon (/).

      b)  Point to the starting point of the line.

      c)  Press the left button, and move the cursor toward the desired
          end-point.  The line will expand as the cursor is moved.

      d)  When the cursor is at the desired end point, release the
          button.

 The new line becomes the 'current' object.

 To draw additional lines, repeat from step b).



 2.2      Draw Horizontal or Vertical Line
          --------------------------------

 To draw a horizontal or vertical line:

      a)  Click on the Horizontal/Vertical icon (+).

      b)  Point to either end point of the line.

      c)  Press the left button, move the cursor up, down, or sideways.
          The line will expand horizontally or vertically, in the
          predominant direction the cursor is moved.

      d)  When the line is at the desired end point, release the
          button.

 The new line becomes the 'current' object.

 To draw additional horizontal or vertical lines, repeat from step b).



 2.3      Draw Rectangle or Square
          ------------------------

 To draw a rectangle:

      a)  Click on the Rectangle icon.

      b)  Point to any corner of the rectangle.

      c)  Press the left button, move the cursor toward the opposite
          corner.  The rectangle will expand as the cursor is moved.

      d)  When the cursor is at the desired opposite corner, release the
          button.

 The new rectangle becomes the 'current' object.

 To draw a square, use the RIGHT button instead.



 2.4      Draw Circle or Ellipse
          ----------------------

 To draw a circle:

      a)  Click on the Circle icon.

      b)  Point to the center of the circle.

      c)  Press the left button, move the cursor in any direction.  The
          circle will expand as the cursor is moved.  A temporary
          outline box will also be drawn around the circle.

      d)  When the circle reaches the desired size, release the button.
          The temporary outline box will be erased.

 The new circle becomes the 'current' object.

 To draw an ellipse, use the RIGHT button, and start at either side of
 the ellipse.



 2.5      Draw Cube
          ---------

 To draw a 3D cube or box:

      a)  Click on the 3D Cube icon.

      b)  Point to any corner of the box.

      c)  Press the left button, move the cursor to the opposite corner,
          and release.

 The new box becomes the 'current' object.



 2.6      Create Text
          -----------

 To create a line of text:

      a)  Click on the Text icon (abc).

      b)  Click on the desired starting location (bottom-left margin).

      c)  Enter the text on the keyboard.  During entry, the Backspace
          key may be used to correct errors.

      d)  Press the Enter key, or click either mouse button, when done.

 The new text becomes the 'current' object.

 To enter additional text, repeat from step b)

 A temporary box shows where the text will appear on the diagram.  The
 size of the box is adjusted according to the text font, and shows the
 space the text will occupy under normal zoom.  If the box does not
 appear in the desired location, click again to remove, and repeat from
 step b).  Alternatively, the text may be entered anywhere, and then
 moved to the desired exact location (see Move Object).



 3.0                OBJECT MODIFICATION
                    -------------------


 3.1      Find Object (Sequential)
          ------------------------

 To find an object and make it the 'current' object, click on the
 Find (?) icon.

 Each time the Find icon is clicked, a different object will blink and
 become the current object.

 If the button is held, the object will flash continuously.  This may be
 helpful to spot smaller objects.

 If this function encounters a group, the group will blink once as a
 single object.

 Objects may also be selected using the On Screen Find function.



 3.2      Grab Object (On Screen)
          -----------------------

 To select an object directly on the screen, click on the Find (?) icon
 and then click directly on the object.  The object will blink to signal
 that it has been selected.  If there are many objects in the diagram, it
 may be necessary to hold the button for a second until the object starts
 blinking.  It may be necessary to position the center of the cross-hairs
 exactly on the object.

 The on screen grab includes a move function.  If the button is held
 while the object is blinking, the object may be moved to a new
 location.  Simply slide the cursor while keeping the button held.

 It is also possible to press the button, and then slide the cursor
 across an object.  The cursor will grab the object as it goes by.

 To move an object in the Z-axis, press the left then also the RIGHT
 button.  Pushing the mouse away will push the object 'into' the screen
 (away from the viewer).  Pulling the mouse closer will pull the object
 'out of' the screen (toward the viewer).

 An object may also be moved using the Move function.



 3.3      Move Object
          -----------

 To relocate the current object within the diagram:

      a)  Click on the Move icon.

      b)  Position the cursor anywhere on the screen and press the left
          button.

      c)  Move the cursor, and the current object will 'follow'.

      d)  When the object is in the desired location, release the button.

 This may be repeated, from step b)

 If a group member is selected, all members of the group will be moved.

 To move an object in the Z-axis, press the left and then also the RIGHT
 button.  Pushing the mouse away will push the object 'into' the screen
 (away from the viewer).  Pulling the mouse closer will pull the object
 'out of' the screen (toward the viewer).

 An object may also be moved using the On Screen Find function.



 3.4      Re-Size Object
          --------------

 To adjust the shape or size of the current object:

      a)  Click on the Move icon.

      b)  Position the cursor anywhere on the screen and press the RIGHT
          button.

      c)  Move the cursor, and the end-point for the object will change.

      d)  When the object is adjusted as desired, release the button.

 This may be repeated, from step b)

 If a group member is selected, all members of the group will be adjusted.



 3.5      Clone Object
          ------------

 To create an exact copy of the current object:

      a)  Click on the Clone icon.

      b)  Position the cursor anywhere on the screen, press and hold the
          left button.  The current object will temporarily disappear.

      c)  Move the cursor.  The copy will follow, and the original will
          reappear.

      d)  When the new object is in the desired location, release the
          button.

 The new copy will become the current object.

 To create additional copies, repeat from step b).

 If a group member is selected, all members of the group will be copied.

 To clone an object in the Z-axis, press the left then also the RIGHT
 button.  Pushing the mouse away will push the object 'into' the screen
 (away from the viewer).  Pulling the mouse closer will pull the object
 'out of' the screen (toward the viewer).

 An object can be 'cloned in place' by clicking on the Clone icon, and
 then clicking on the screen without moving the cursor.  Such a double
 object will not appear, because it will cancel itself out.  If the new
 object is then recolored additional object color combinations can be
 created.  This technique requires that the program be in Color Mix Mode.



 3.6      Solid Fill
          ----------

 To fill the current rectangle, square or circle* with solid color, click
 on the Fill-Unfill icon.

 To remove the solid fill, click again.

 If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the
 group will be solid filled or un-filled.

 The solid fill will not be displayed on rotated objects.

 The solid fill will reverse the pattern on any pattern-filled object.

 * Solid-filled circles are only available on 80386 processors.



 3.7      Pattern Fill
          ------------

 To fill the current rectangle, square or circle* with a special pattern,
 click on the Pattern Fill icon.

 To change to the next pattern, click again.

 If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the
 group will be pattern filled.

 The pattern fill will not be displayed on rotated objects.

 To reverse the pattern, click on the Fill-Unfill icon.

 * Pattern-filled circles are only available on 80386 processors.



 3.8      Pattern Gallery
          ---------------

 To display all of the available fill patterns, including reversed
 versions, click on the Pattern Fill icon with the RIGHT button.  The
 cursor will point to the current object pattern.

 To select one of the displayed patterns, point to it and click on the
 RIGHT button.  The current object, if applicable, will be filled with
 the selected pattern.

 If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the
 group will be pattern filled.

 Customized fill patterns may also be created.  See Fill Pattern Editor.



 3.9      Pattern Outline
          ---------------

 To outline the perimeter of a pattern-filled rectangle, click on the
 Fill-Unfill icon with the RIGHT button.

 To remove the perimeter outline, click again.

 If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the
 group will be outlined.

 The outline will also prevent reverse-filled patterns from running all
 the way to the edge of the rectangle.

 The outline will only be used in the primary window.



 3.10     Dotted Line
          -----------

 To change the current line, rectangle, square, or 3D box from solid
 line to dotted line, click on the Dotted Arrow icon.

 To change a dotted object back to solid line, click again on the
 Dotted Arrow.

 If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the
 group will be dotted or un-dotted



 3.11     Arrow Head
          ----------

 To add an arrow head to the end of a vertical or horizontal line,
 click on the Dotted Arrow icon with the RIGHT button.

      To move the arrow head to the other end, click again.

      To add an arrow head to both ends, click again.

      To remove both arrow heads, click again.



 3.12     Semi-Circles and Semi-Ellipses
          ------------------------------

 To change the current circle or ellipse from Full to One-Half or
 One-Quarter, click on the Semi-Circle icon.


      To change from Full to Top half, click once.

      To change from Top half to Bottom half, click again.

      To change from Bottom half to Right half, click again.

      To change from Right half to Left half, click again.

      To change from Left half to Upper-Right quarter, click again.

      To change from Upper-Right to Lower-Right quarter, click again.

      To change from Lower-Right to Lower-Left quarter, click again.

      To change from Lower-Left to Upper-Left quarter, click again.

      To change from Upper-Left to Full, click again.



 3.13     Tilt Object
          -----------

 To Tilt (Pitch) the current object forward, click on the Tilt icon.

 Each click rotates the object by one degree around the center of the
 object.

 If the button is held, the object will tilt continuously
 until released.  If the RIGHT button is pressed while the left
 button is still held, the direction will reverse.

 If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be
 rotated around the group center.



 3.14     Roll Object
          -----------

 To Roll the current object clockwise, click on the Roll icon.

 Each click rotates the object by one degree around the center of the
 object.

 If the button is held, the object will roll continuously
 until released.  If the RIGHT button is pressed while the left
 button is still held, the direction will reverse.

 If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be
 rotated around the group center.



 3.15     Spin Object
          -----------

 To Spin (Yaw) the current object left-to-right, click on the Spin icon.

 Each click rotates the object by one degree around the center of the
 object.

 If the button is held, the object will spin continuously
 until released.  If the RIGHT button is pressed while the left
 button is still held, the direction will reverse.

 If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be
 rotated around the group center.



 3.16     Restore Object Rotations
          ------------------------

 To restore the current object rotations (roll, tilt, spin) to zero
 click on the Normal View icon.



 3.17     Recolor Object
          --------------

 By clicking on any of the four primary color icons, the current object
 color is changed to the indicated color.

 The indicated color also becomes the color for any new objects.

 If the current object is a group member, all objects in the group will
 be recolored.



 3.18     Text Font
          ---------

 The default text font is 5x7, but may be changed to 8x14.

 To change the text font, click on the Text icon (abc) with the RIGHT
 button.  This changes the font on the current object (if it is
 text), and on any new text.  Any other text will remain unchanged.

 To change the font back, click again.

 When changing fonts, the text width and height will change, but the
 left and bottom margins will remain the same.



 3.19     Erase Object
          ------------

 To erase the current object, click on the Erase icon.

 If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be erased.

 To immediately restore the erased object, click again.

 To restore a previously erased object, use the Find Erased function.

 Erased objects will be remembered, even after leaving the program, unless
 the diagram becomes so complex that space must be reclaimed, in which case
 the oldest erased objects will be forgotten first.



 3.20     Find Erased Object
          ------------------

 To find a previously erased object, click on the Find (?) icon with the
 RIGHT button.

 Each time the RIGHT button is clicked or held, a different erased object
 will blink on momentarily, or flash continuously.

 By then clicking on the Erase icon (with the left button), the object
 can be 'unerased'.



 3.21     Group-Ungroup
          -------------

 Multiple objects may be grouped together to behave as a single object.
 They may, for example, be moved, cloned, recolored, rotated, etc. as
 a single object.

 To identify the first group member:

      a)  Click on the Find (?) icon.

      b)  Point to an object on the screen and click or hold the RIGHT
          button.  The object should blink or flash to acknowledge.

 To identify each additional group member:

      c)  Point to an object to be added and click or hold the RIGHT
          button, all of the current group members should blink together.

 Additional group members may be added at any time, by clicking on the
 Find icon, then clicking anywhere on the group with the left button to
 select the group.  Then click on an object which is not already a
 member, with the RIGHT button.

 To ungroup an object, click on it with the RIGHT button.  The object
 should blink individually to signify that it has been disconnected.

 An object may not be added to or removed from a group if either have
 been rotated.  This is because the change in the group center would
 impact the rotations.  Instead, first restore the object and/or group
 to normal view, then add or remove the object, then reapply the
 desired rotations.



 3.22     Object Dimensions
          -----------------

 The current object dimensions and related data are displayed, at the
 bottom of the screen, whenever the axis windows are on.  These include:

      - The cursor position (X,Y)
      - The diagram scale
      - The current object position (X,Y,Z)
      - The current object size (Height, Width, Depth),
      - The current line length
      - The current line slope (degrees from horizontal)
      - The current square, rectangle, circle or ellipse area
      - The current object rotations (roll, pitch, yaw)
      - The projection mode (PERSP, ORTHO, ISO)

 The dimensions always reflect the current object, and are updated as the
 cursor is moved, or as an object is moved, rotated or resized.  When
 creating a new object, the dimensions are updated as the object is being
 created.  This may be used to create or resize an object to exact scale.

 The positions are displayed relative to the axis origin at the center of
 the screen (see Axis Lines).  The position of a line corresponds to its
 left end-point.  The position of a square or rectangle corresponds to
 its upper-left corner.  The position of a circle or ellipse corresponds
 to its center.

 The rotations are displayed in degrees clockwise, as viewed from the
 axis windows.  These do not include the diagram rotations, if any.



 4.0                DIAGRAM MODIFICATION
                    --------------------

 4.1      Redefine Color
          --------------

 To redefine any of the four primary colors, or the background color,
 click on the corresponding Color icon with the RIGHT button.

 A gallery of 64 standard colors will be displayed.  The cursor will
 point to the current color.  To select one of the standard colors,
 point to it and click again on the RIGHT button.

 To select from among 4,096 custom colors, point to the closest standard
 color and click on the left button.  A gallery of 64 variations on the
 standard color will be displayed.  To select a custom variation, point to
 to it and click again on the left button.  To cancel without selecting
 one of the custom variations, click on the RIGHT button.



 4.2      Reset Colors
          ------------

 To select one of four standard color schemes, click on the Overlay-Mix
 icon with the RIGHT button.  To select the next color scheme, click
 again.  The four color schemes are:

      1)  Bright colors on black background.

      2)  Bright colors on dark-grey background.

      3)  Dark colors on light-grey background

      4)  Dark colors on white background.

 The four color schemes all use red, green and blue, and are suitable for
 different ambient lighting conditions.

 It may be necessary to select one of these color schemes when using a
 medium-resolution monitor, in order to prevent display distortion.



 4.3      Color Overlay Mode vs. Color Mix Mode
          -------------------------------------

 The four primary colors normally mix with each other to produce
 sixteen different color combinations.  Alternatively, the colors may
 be changed to overlay each other in a particular order.

 To switch from color mixing to color overlay, click on the Overlay-Mix
 (multi-color) icon.

 To restore color mixing, click on the Overlay-Mix icon again.

 The current mix or overlay technique is displayed on the icon itself.



 4.4      Axis Lines
          ----------

 To turn on the X, Y and Z axis lines, click on the Axis icon.  The Z
 line is only visible if the diagram has been rotated, or in orthographic
 or isometric projection.

 To turn the axis lines off, click again.



 4.5      Overlay Grid
          ------------

 To turn the 10-by-10 overlay grid on, click on the Grid icon.  The axis
 lines and windows, if on, will be turned off.

 To turn the grid off, click again.



 4.6      Zoom-In and Zoom-Out
          --------------------

 To increase the display scale by 2X in the main window, click on the Zoom
 icon.  This may be repeated up to 7 times beyond normal (to 128X scale).

 To decrease the display scale by 1/2 in the main window, click on the Zoom
 icon with the RIGHT button.  This may be repeated up to 3 times beyond
 normal (to 1/8th scale).

 To restore the scale to 1:1, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT
 button.

 The zoom function zooms in on the center of the screen.  To zoom in on
 another portion of the diagram, use the Move Diagram function to move
 the desired portion of the diagram to the center of the screen.  The
 axis lines may be used to help center the desired portion of the diagram.

 Zooming-in moves the viewer closer to the center of the diagram, which
 increases the perspective effect.  Zooming-out moves the viewer further
 from the center of the diagram, which decreases the perspective effect.



 4.7      Tilt Diagram
          ------------

 To Tilt (Pitch) the entire diagram forward, click on the Tilt icon
 with the RIGHT button.

 Each click rotates the diagram by one degree around the X axis.

 If the RIGHT button is held, the diagram will tilt continuously
 until released.  If the left button is pressed while the RIGHT
 button is still held, the direction will reverse.

 To restore the diagram to zero tilt, click on the Normal View icon with
 the RIGHT button.



 4.8      Roll Diagram
          ------------

 To Roll the entire diagram clockwise, click on the Roll icon
 with the RIGHT button.

 Each click rotates the diagram by one degree around the Z axis.

 If the RIGHT button is held, the diagram will roll continuously
 until released.  If the left button is pressed while the RIGHT
 button is still held, the direction will reverse.

 To restore the diagram to zero roll, click on the Normal View icon with
 the RIGHT button.



 4.9      Spin Diagram
          ------------

 To Spin (Yaw) the entire diagram left-to-right, click on the Spin icon
 with the RIGHT button.

 Each click rotates the diagram by one degree around the Y axis.

 If the RIGHT button is held, the diagram will spin continuously
 until released.  If the left button is pressed while the RIGHT
 button is still held, the direction will reverse.

 To restore the diagram to zero spin, click on the Normal View icon with
 the RIGHT button.



 4.10     Restore Diagram View
          --------------------

 To restore the diagram rotations (roll, tilt, spin) to zero, and restore
 to normal zoom, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button.



 4.11     Move Diagram
          ------------

 To relocate the entire diagram within the display window:

      a)  Click on the Move icon with the RIGHT button.

      b)  Position the cursor anywhere on the screen and press either
          button.

      c)  Move the cursor, and the entire diagram will follow.

      d)  When the diagram is in the desired location, release the button.

 This may be repeated, from step b)



 4.12     Decrease Perspective
          --------------------

 The diagram is normally displayed at maximum perspective.

 To decrease the perspective, click on the Perspective icon.

 Decreasing the perspective is the same as increasing the viewing
 distance, and zooming in to maintain the same scale.  Decreased
 perspective flattens the image like a telephoto lens.

 To return to maximum perspective, click again.



 4.13     Orthographic & Isometric Projections
          ------------------------------------

 The diagram is normally displayed in perspective projection.

 To switch from perspective projection to orthographic projection, click
 on the Axis icon with the RIGHT button.

 To switch from orthographic to isometric projection, click again on the
 Axis icon with the RIGHT button.

 To switch from isometric to perspective projection, click again on the
 Axis icon with the RIGHT button.

 In orthographic and isometric modes, the diagram rotation and perspective
 functions are ignored.  The diagram move, zoom and object rotation
 functions remain in effect.



 4.14     Axis Windows
          ------------

 Click on the Windows icon to divide the screen into four parts:
 3D perspective view, front view (XY), side view (YZ) and top view (ZX).

 Click again on the Windows icon to restore to 3D perspective view only.

 The axis windows are displayed at 1/4 scale, in 3D, but without
 perspective.  Text is not displayed in the axis windows.

 When the axis windows are on, the cursor position and current object
 dimensions are also displayed (see Object Dimensions).



 4.15     Erase Diagram
          -------------

 To erase the currently displayed diagram from the screen, and reset the
 display parameters, click on the Erase icon with the RIGHT button.

 The displayed diagram will be saved, including any changes.



 4.16     Clone Diagram
          -------------

 To create a new diagram from an existing diagram, retrieve the existing
 diagram (see Review Portfolio), then click on the Clone icon with the
 RIGHT button.

 The existing diagram will be saved, including any changes.  The date,
 time and diagram number will be erased from the display.  Any subsequent
 changes will be saved as a new diagram.

 This feature may also be used to save interim versions of a diagram, as
 it is being created or modified.  Simply click on the Clone icon with
 the RIGHT button before proceeding with a change or group of changes.
 This will allow the version before the changes to be retrieved at a
 later time, if desired.



 4.17     Fill Pattern Editor
          -------------------

 The fill patterns supplied with the program may be edited to create
 customized fill patterns.

 To edit a fill pattern, click on the Pattern Fill icon with the RIGHT
 button to display the pattern gallery.  Point to the pattern to be
 edited and click on the left button.  This may be a pattern which is
 similar to the desired pattern, or any pattern which is not needed.
 The blank or solid fill pattern may not be edited.

 The dot matrix for the selected pattern will be displayed, along with
 the resultant fill pattern in normal and reverse formats.

 To edit the pattern, point to a cell in the matrix and click on the
 left button.  The cell will be toggled on or off, and the resultant
 fill pattern will be updated.

 When the editing is complete, click on the RIGHT button to return to
 the pattern gallery, and again on the RIGHT button to return to the
 diagram screen.



 5.0                DIAGRAM RETRIEVAL AND PRINTING
                    ------------------------------


 5.1      Retrieve Latest Diagram
          -----------------------

 To retrieve the last diagram created (before beginning new diagram)
 click once on the Review Portfolio icon.

 A retrieved diagram will display the date and time of last modification
 and the diagram number.



 5.2      Review Portfolio
          ----------------

 Each click on the Review Portfolio icon will retrieve the next diagram
 in the sequence created.

 After the last diagram, a blank diagram will be displayed (for
 beginning a new diagram).  After that, the oldest diagram will be
 displayed, followed by the next oldest, etc.

 To fast-forward through the diagram portfolio, press both buttons
 simultaneously.

 To view the entire portfolio 64 diagrams at a time, use the Gallery
 Select feature.

 Any new or modified diagram in progress will be automatically saved
 when the Review Portfolio function is used.



 5.3      Diagram Gallery
          ---------------

 To view the entire portfolio, click on the Review Portfolio icon with
 the RIGHT button.

 Up to 64 diagrams will be displayed at 1/8th scale, and default colors.

 Click on any diagram to retrieve it, or click anywhere with the RIGHT
 button to display the next 64 diagrams.

 A retrieved diagram will display the diagram number and the date and
 time of last modification.

 Any new or modified diagram in progress will be automatically saved
 when the Review Portfolio function is used.



 5.4      Printer Setup
          -------------

 To step through the available printer types, click on the Print icon with
 the RIGHT button.  The available printer types are:

      - IBM/Epson, 8-pin mode, landscape, 60 dpi.

      - Epson LQ, 24-pin mode, landscape, 120 dpi.

      - HP LaserJet, portrait, 75 dpi.

      - HP PaintJet, portrait, 16-color mode, run-length encoded, 90 dpi.

 These selections may also work for other printer models with similar
 specifications.  The program cannot tell if the selected type matches
 the printer.  If it does not, incorrect output will result.

 Click again with the left button to print the diagram.

 Some printers may be able to accommodate multiple type selections.  When
 printing to a file, do not mix type selections unless the printer to be
 used can accommodate all of the selected types.



 5.5      Print Diagram
          -------------

 To print the diagram, on the printer type shown, click on the Print icon.

 Use Printer Setup to change the printer type.

 Printed output is directed to the default printer (LPT1).  The diagram
 will be automatically saved before printing.  The program will normally
 wait if the printer is not ready, or reject the print function if the
 printer is inaccessible.

 An alternate device name, or file name (up to 33 characters), for printed
 output may be specified on the command line, for example:

      /LPT2

 If a file name is specified (for example: /DIAGRAMS.PRT), and it does
 not exist, it will be created.  The file will be added-to each time the
 Print function is used.  The file may be deleted or renamed after
 printing it.



 6.0                MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
                    -----------------------


 6.1      Return to DOS
          -------------

 To exit the program, click on the DOS icon (C:>).  Any diagram changes
 will be saved.

 The program license and registration information may be displayed.
 Click again to return to DOS.



 6.2      Cursor Speed
          ------------

 Click on the Windows icon with the RIGHT button to slow the cursor
 speed by half (with respect to the mouse movement).

 Click on the Windows icon again with the RIGHT button to double the
 cursor speed (vs. normal).

 Click on the Windows icon a third time with the RIGHT button to
 restore normal cursor speed.



 6.3      Video Test
          ----------

 Click on the Grid icon with the RIGHT button for a black & white
 video-resolution test pattern.

 Click again for a 16-by-16 color-saturation test pattern.

 Click again for a grey-scale and color-hue test pattern.

 Click again to return to the displayed diagram.



 6.4      Product Information
          -------------------

 To display this document while running the program, click on the
 Perspective icon with the RIGHT button.



 6.5      File Data
          ---------

 To view the current diagram object catalog and display parameters,
 press on the DOS icon (C:>) with the RIGHT button.  Release to remove.

 See CATALOG DESCRIPTION for details.



 7.0                ERROR CONDITIONS
                    ----------------

 The program will return immediately to DOS, with an error message, under
 the following conditions:

      Message
      -------

      'VGA Required.'

           The program must be run on a PC equipped with a VGA or
           fully VGA-compatible video adapter.


      'Download incomplete.'

           A complete copy of the documentation (MICROCAD.DOC)
           corresponding to this program release must be present.


      'Mouse driver not installed.'

           A mouse driver must be installed.  Install and restart.


      'Can't access or create catalog.'

           Unable to write to disk.  The program cannot be run from a
           write-protected disk.  MICROCAD.CAT cannot be in use by
           another program.

 If a diagram overflow condition is detected, the program will return to
 DOS, after saving the diagram.  Restart the program, click on Review
 Portfolio to retrieve the diagram.  In order to add additional new
 objects, one or more existing objects must be erased.

 Miscellaneous error conditions which do not prevent the program from
 continuing are signaled by an audible beep, and are recorded in the
 ADDR and CODE parameters.



 8.0                CATALOG DESCRIPTION
                    -------------------

 The following is a description of the catalog format for each diagram.
 Each diagram comprises 2,048 16-bit words (4K).  Note: all words are
 stored with the low-order byte first.  Also, the upper 2K (words 1025
 to 2048) are written first on the disk, followed by the lower 2K (words
 1 to 1024).


 8.1      Object Parameters
          -----------------

 Word  Name
 ----  ----
    1  TYPE - ggtt  gg = Group number (00 if not a group member)

                    tt = Object type:

                         00 - Empty slot (not displayed)
                         01 - Point
                         02 - Line
                         03 - Ellipse (includes Circle)
                         04 - Rectangle (includes Square)
                         06 - Text
                         08 - 3D Box
                         8x - Erased object
                         FF - End of catalog (not displayed)

    2  Y0   - nnnn  Beginning Y-axis coordinate

    3  X0   - nnnn  Beginning X-axis coordinate

    4  Z0   - nnnn  Beginning Z-axis coordinate

    5  Y1   - nnnn  Ending Y-axis coordinate

    6  X1   - nnnn  Ending X-axis coordinate

    7  Z1   - nnnn  Ending Z-axis coordinate or text offset in pool



    8  MODE - mmxc  mm = Mode:

                         01 - Dotted line or Alternate text font
                         02 - Outlined
                         04 - Solid fill or Reverse pattern
                         x0 - Pattern fill 0-30 (even)
                         x8 - Pattern fill 1-31 (odd)
                         40 - Right arrow
                         80 - Left arrow

                    x  = Circle or ellipse slice:

                         1 - Upper half    5 - Upper-right quadrant
                         2 - Lower half    6 - Lower-right quadrant
                         3 - Right half    7 - Lower-left quadrant
                         4 - Left half     8 - Upper-left quadrant

                    c  = Color plane (0-3)

    9  TILT - nnnn  Object tilt (pitch) in degrees counter-clockwise

   10  ROLL - nnnn  Object roll in degrees counter-clockwise

   11  SPIN - nnnn  Object spin (yaw) in degrees counter-clockwise

   12 through 1815  Additional objects (same as words 1 through 11)

 1816 through 1824  Reserved

 All coordinates correspond to the screen row (Y) and column (X),
 relative to the upper-left corner of the screen at normal zoom.

 The following are not part of the object parameters, but are included
 in the display:

       TEXT - cccccc Text value (first six characters)

 The current object is indicated by an '=' following the object type.



 8.2      User Customizations
          -------------------

 The following object formats are used for user-supplied program
 customizations.


 Word  Name
 ----  ----
    1  TYPE - 001C  User color specification:

    2  DAC  - 00cc  cc = Digital-analog converter number (0-63)

    3  RED  - 00rr  rr = Red component (0-63)

    4  GRN  - 00gg  gg = Green component (0-63)

    5  BLUE - 00bb  bb = Blue component (0-63)

    6  through 11   Reserved


 Word  Name
 ----  ----
    1  TYPE - 001F  User-edited fill pattern:

    2  FILL - 00mm  mm = Pattern number (Same as MODE)

    3  DOT1 - bbaa  1st (aa) and 2nd (bb) dot-matrix row

    4  DOT2 - ddcc  3rd (cc) and 4th (dd) dot-matrix row

    5  DOT3 - ffee  5th (ee) and 6th (ff) dot-matrix row

    6  DOT4 - hhgg  7th (gg) and 8th (hh) dot-matrix row

    7  through 11   Reserved



 8.3      Diagram Parameters
          ------------------

 Word  Name
 ----  ----
 1825  POOL - nnnn  Offset of next available byte in text pool

 1826 through 2026  Text pool (not displayed)

 2027  CURR - nnnn  Current-object offset (not displayed)

 2028  XMOV - nnnn  Diagram shift in X-axis (left)

 2029  YMOV - nnnn  Diagram shift in Y-axis (up)

 2030  ZMOV - nnnn  Diagram shift in Z-axis (not used)

 2031  FLAG - sspp  ss = Diagram status:

                         00 - Active

       ORTH -       pp = Projection mode:

                         00 - Perspective
                         01 - Orthographic
                         02 - Isometric

 2032  YEAR - nnnn  Year modified

 2033  DATE - ddmm  Month (mm) and Day (dd) modified

 2034  TIME - mmhh  Hour (hh) and Minute (mm) modified

 2035  MODE - mmtt  mm = Color overlay/mix mode:

                         00 - Overlay mode
                         01 - Mix mode

       FILE -       tt = Diagram type:

                         00 - Not established
                         02 - MicroCAD 1.0



 2036  TILT - nnnn  Diagram tilt (pitch) in degrees counter-clockwise

 2037  SPIN - nnnn  Diagram spin (yaw) in degrees counter-clockwise

 2038  ROLL - nnnn  Diagram roll in degrees counter-clockwise

 2039  DIST - ddzz  dd = Perspective viewing distance exponent

       ZOOM -       zz = Zoom out (+) or in (-) scaling exponent

 2040  AXIS - aavv  aa = Axis lines status:

                         00 - Axis lines off
                         01 - Axis lines on

       VIEW -       vv = Axis window status:

                         00 - Axis windows off
                         01 - Axis windows on

 2041 through 2048  Palette registers (not displayed)


 The following are not part of the diagram parameters, but are included
 in the display for program support:

       PROC - nnnn  Processor type (8086, 0286, 0386)

       MODS - nnnn  Program modification level

       MOUS - vvrr  Mouse driver version (vv) and release (rr)

       ADDR - xxxx  Program address of last error

       CODE - xxxx  Code(s) associated with last error


                           . . .