Copyright: Copyright © Micrografx, Inc., 1994


Micrografx Designer Read Me

You can use this on-line "Read Me" file to give you faster access to important information. To see information about any topic below, click on it.

Because of the time required to print the manuals, they may not contain the most recent information about Designer's features. In the few places where the information in the manuals does not match the information in on-line help, use the more recent information in the on-line help.

Updates for Version 4.1a of Designer Technical Edition

Updates for Version 4.1a of Import/Export Translators

Changes to the Documentation

How do I set new defaults for my symbols?

Computer Based Training

Printing Problems

Printing Embedded or Linked Objects in WordPerfect for Windows 5.2

Creating EPS Files with TIFF Preview

Performing a Search Using a CD Catalog

Cannot Access ClipArt from CD over a Network

Font Mapping

Windows Stroke Fonts

Underlines Disappearing

Updating Embedded Objects in PageMaker 5

Gradient and Hatch Export Problems

Updating Translators

Designer 4.0 3-D Symbols

Contacting Micrografx through CompuServe

Scanner Information


Updates for Version 4.1a of Designer Technical Edition

Dimensions and Coordinates

�	The Coordinates dialog box uses the adjusted ruler origin when moving or resizing.

�	Using the Width/Height Method in the Coordinates dialog box resizes symbols incorrectly.

�	Designer does not allow the tilde character (~) when defining a custom unit.

�	Designer 4.1a can save whether the dimension text is displayed.

�	Resizing the outside arrows on dimension lines works properly.

�	Background color for text on dimension lines can be set through the Text - Fonts dialog box.

Text

�	The default text background color can be set.

�	A rare application error dealing with editing text after copy, paste, save, and open is fixed.

�	Adding two words to a custom dictionary does not give an error.

�	Using Shift+F8 on line length text does not cause a problem.

�	Some container text that was disappearing when going through the Windows Clipboard is handled properly.

�	The text cursor does not get behind if text is typed quickly after entering freeform (label) text mode, which previously caused characters to be out of order.

�	Certain problems when blending text (converted to curves) are fixed.

�	Undoing while in shape text mode does not cause a problem because Hide and Lock are not available in this mode.

�	Custom dictionaries appear correctly in the Spell Check dialog box.

�	Highlighting text using Shift plus the arrow keys works correctly.

�	Container text with a rounded rectangle is saved correctly.

�	Pasting aligned text works correctly.

Printing

�	Page labels print in the margins.

�	Crop marks print correctly to HPPCL5E.

�	Crop and registration marks print correctly with margins less than 0.20 inches.

�	Printing TrueType fonts to a PostScript device does not cause a Stack Underflow Error.

Other

�	Designer connects the closest endpoints when using the Connect Open and Connect Closed commands.

�	The default, Flip Horizontal, in the Transform - Flip dialog box works correctly.

�	The mesh density of 3-D objects in a Designer 4.0 file appears correctly in 4.1a.

�	Certain bitmaps in Windows metafiles that were causing problems are handled correctly.

�	Deleting multiple layers behaves correctly.

�	Closing and saving two new documents does not cause a problem.

�	An [Import] section has been added to the list displayed in the Preferences - .INI Settings dialog box.

�	The ClipArt Manager updates to reflect subject renaming and subject removal.

�	If the Country Setting in the Windows Control Panel is something other than the United States, setting a custom unit does not cause Designer to freeze.

�	Perpendicular lines do not cause an error when the line begins and ends at the same point.

�	Undoing a duplication of lines that show length does not cause a problem.

Related Topics

Updates for Version 4.1a of Import/Export Translators


Updates for Version 4.1a of Import/Export Translators

Bitmaps

�	Performance for exporting bitmaps as monochrome has improved.

CDR

�	Corel files with paragraph text import correctly.

�	The Corel 3.0 translator does not import blank page or enlarge object size.

DRW

�	Exporting to DRW wideline caps is correct.

�	Exporting a bitmap in DRW format treats the bitmap as one entity.

CGM

�	Importing certain CGM files does not size text blocks incorrectly.

�	Importing CGM retains the correct line style.

�	Certain CGM files no longer cause a General Protection Fault on import.

DXF

�	Imported DXF symbols retain the correct size in Designer.

�	Importing certain DXF files containing text does not lose the text.

IGES

�	Performance for importing certain IGES files has improved.

PCT

�	Importing a PCT file created in Designer retains correct line styles.

PLT

�	Certain PLT files no longer give floating point errors on import.

�	Edge and fill colors are correct in an HPGL (PLT) import.

�	The line quality in an exported PLT file has improved.

WMF

�	Importing WMF files with certain hatches and fills does not lose fill pattern or color.

�	Exporting certain files to WMF no longer causes a General Protection Fault.

�	Exporting to WMF with the Export Background Rectangle option on does not cause lines to change to white.

Other

�	All translators export winding and alternate fills (Fill Overlaps and Skip Overlaps) correctly.

�	When exporting to AI and EPS, filled symbols do not lose the edge (outline).

�	The problem with colors changing or missing on export has been fixed.

Related Topics

Updates for Version 4.1a of Designer Technical Edition


Changes to the Documentation

There are currently no known changes required to the documentation.


How do I set new defaults for my symbols? For example, what if I want all my fill colors to be red and all my lines to be blue.

To set new defaults, first make sure nothing is selected (click away from all symbols). Then set the defaults you want (fill color, line color, style, and width, and so forth). The new defaults remain in effect until you change them. To change an individual symbol, select it and then set its attributes. Another way is to click the Line Weight button or Symbol Fill button on the status bar using the right mouse button. The setting becomes the new default for that button.


Font Mapping

There are several instances where a font previously used in a document may not be available. Documents may be opened or imported on machines that do not have the fonts used to compose the document, the current printer may be changed and not support the fonts previously used, or operations like warping or changing fill and line styles may cause text to be converted to curves and the font does not support curve manipulation.

Any time a font is not available or cannot be used, Designer substitutes Arial as the default font. The default font can be changed by modifying the following entry in the MGX.INI file with the name of the font to be used as the default.

[MGXGRE]

DefaultFont=Arial

If the FastRender value in the [TextSettings] section of the DS41.INI file is set to one (1), you may notice that some fonts may be remapped on screen, such as when zooming. Fonts may appear to spill out of a text container, but are correct when printed. Also, text redraws quicker in this case. If you want the text to be mapped correctly on screen, you can set the FastRender value to zero (0), which is the default.


Windows Stroke Fonts

Windows supplies three non-TrueType fonts, named Modern, Roman, and Script, that are often referred to as stroke fonts, or plotter fonts. The font characters are drawn using straight lines, or strokes, so that plotters and other devices that do not handle raster (bitmap) fonts or fonts that use curves for output can still process text output.

Depending on what printer is selected in Designer, you may or may not have access to the stroke fonts. If the current printer is a non-PostScript device, such as HPGL, PCL, plotter, etc., then the stroke fonts are available. If the current printer is the Micrografx PostScript Driver, then the stroke fonts are available. If the current printer is the Windows PostScript Driver, then the stroke fonts are not available unless the PostScript Adaptation Layer is disabled in the MGX.INI file.

There are several operations in Designer that will cause documents that use the stroke fonts to be mapped to another font. If a document uses one of the stroke fonts and the current printer is changed to the Windows PostScript Driver, then the stroke font will map to another font. Exporting a document that uses one of the stroke fonts will map the stroke font to another font. Performing any operation that requires converting that text to curves, that warps the text, or that changes the fill or line style so that the fill and line style are not the same, maps the stroke font to another font.

Related Topics

Font Mapping


Creating TIFF Files

When you export a file to the EPS format with TIFF preview chosen, the TIFF header is created with the current settings in the TIFF Export Setup dialog box. You can significantly decrease the file size (of the TIFF header and the EPS file) by choosing Monochrome or Grayscale.


Updating Embedded Objects in PageMaker 5

If you add fill colors or resize an embedded Designer object in PageMaker 5, and then choose Update or Exit and Return, only the fill color is updated in PageMaker 5. This is only a problem with PageMaker 5.


Printing Embedded or Linked Objects in WordPerfect for Windows 5.2

You may experience printing problems in WordPerfect for Windows 5.2 if you are

·	Using the WordPerfect printer driver, and

·	Printing an embedded or linked Designer 4.x object with a solid color other than black, and

·	Using a 256-color video driver

You may be able to print the object using a standard VGA driver such as the Windows 3.1 VGA driver.


Performing a Search Using a CD Catalog

If you are performing a search using a CD Catalog, be sure Thumbnails are turned off before you start the search.

Related Topics

Cannot Access ClipArt from CD over a Network


Scanner Information

Click the name of the scanner that you are using for information about using it with PhotoMagic.

Epson Scanner

Microtek Scanner

Mustek Handheld Scanner

Mustek Sheetfed Scanner

Mustek Flatbed Scanner

Niscan Handheld Scanner

Niscan Spectra Scanner

Sharp Flatbed Scanner


Epson Scanner

Before you can use your Epson scanner with PhotoMagic, you must install the interface card that was included with your scanner.

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Microtec Scanner
 Microtek Scanner

Before you can use your Microtek scanner with PhotoMagic, you must manually add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your computer.

DEVICE=[path]\MSCAN.SYS

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded this device driver and installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Mustek Handheld Scanner

Before you can use your Mustek handheld scanner with PhotoMagic, you must manually add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your computer.

DEVICE=[path]\M1904.SYS [W] [X] [Y] [Z]

where

[W] = DMA channel

[X] = Scanner Type

[Y] = I/O address

[Z] = Expanded memory location

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded this device driver and installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Mustek Sheetfed Scanner

Before you can use your Mustek sheetfed scanner with PhotoMagic, you must manually add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your computer.

DEVICE=[path]\SCANDEVC.SYS /H[Y] /I[Z]

where

[Y] = I/O address

[Z] = Hardware Interrupt

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded this device driver and installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Mustek Flatbed Scanner

Before you can use your Mustek flatbed scanner with PhotoMagic, you must manually add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your computer.

DEVICE=[path]\MSCAN.SYS

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded this device driver and installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Niscan Handheld Scanner

Before you can use your Niscan handheld scanner with PhotoMagic, you must manually add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your computer.

DEVICE=[path]\NISCANGS.SYS /[W] /[X] /[Y] /[Z]

where

[W] = I/O address

[X] = Hardware Interrupt

[Y] = DMA channel

[Z] = Time-out

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded this device driver and installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Niscan Spectra Scanner

Before you can use your Niscan Spectra scanner with PhotoMagic, you must manually add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your computer.

DEVICE=[path]\SPECTRA.SYS /P=[X] /B=[Y]

where

[X] = Communication Port number

[Y] = Baud Rate (0=9600 1=19200 2=37800 3=38400 4=57600)

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded this device driver for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Sharp Flatbed Scanner

Before you can use your Sharp flatbed scanner with PhotoMagic, you must install the National Instruments GPIB interface card and run the National Instruments GPIB installation program for Windows that was included with your scanner.

Please consult your scanner documentation for more information. If you have already loaded these device drivers and installed the interface card for your scanner, you may disregard this message.


Printing Problems

Problem: Text is placed incorrectly on the HP LaserJet 4 printer in raster mode at 600 dpi.

Solution: Select the Print TrueType as Graphics option in the Options dialog box of the Print Setup dialog box.

Problem: Text shows through opaque objects when printing to the HP LaserJet Series III PCL printer.

Solution: Select the Print TrueType as Graphics option in the Options dialog box of the Print Setup dialog box.

Problem: Objects do not crop, TrueType fonts print with a square opaque white background, or lines show through text when printing to an HP PaintJet printer.

Solution: Update to the latest version of the HP PaintJet driver.

Problem: Bitmaps printed to the HP DeskJet printer repeat the image or are rotated incorrectly.

Solution: Update to the latest version of the HP DeskJet driver.

Problem: Bitmaps printed to the HP 550C printer are extremely dark and oversaturated, or do not print correctly.

Solution: Update to the latest version of the HP 550C driver.

Problem: OLE objects from earlier versions of Micrografx products (Designer 3.1 and earlier, Charisma 2.1 and earlier, Draw 3.0 and earlier) do not print to a PostScript printer.

Solution: Export the object from the earlier version of the Micrografx product, then import it into Designer 4.1.

Problem: Printing to a Level 1 PostScript printer, a piece of one corner of a rectangle is missing.

Solution: This happens when you create an EPS file in Designer and put the EPS image into certain programs. To fix it, in the MGX.INI, turn PSAdapt off. Then set the options of the printer driver to EPS. Print. Print to EPS and use the new file.

Problem: Printing to an AutoGrafix device, there is a white line at the top of the 35 mm slide.

Solution: When printing to 35 mm slides, choose a page size of Use Printable rather than 35mm in the Page Setup dialog box. Also, choose Center on Page in the Print Document dialog box.


Underlines Disappearing

Text underlines may disappear if you apply some attributes, such as italic, or convert the text to curves, rotate it, or change the color of an edge.


Cannot Access ClipArt CD from CD over a Network
Cannot Access ClipArt from CD over a Network

When sharing access to a CD over a network, operation may be so slow that it appears to have failed. Copy the ClipArt files you need from the CD to your hard drive and then use those copies.

Related Topics

Performing a Search Using a CD Catalog


Gradient and Hatch Export Problems

There are two translator switches you can use if certain symbols are exported improperly. You can set them in the [Translation] section of the MGX.INI file.

Set SimulateDRWGradient=1 if you experience problems exporting certain gradients to the DRW format. Gradients will be simulated, which will take longer and result in a larger output file, but it will correct the appearance of any gradients that do not export properly.

Set SimulateWMFHatch=1 if you experience problems exporting certain hatches to the WMF format. Hatches will be simulated, which will take longer and result in a larger output file, but it will correct the appearance of any hatches that do not export properly.


Updating Translators

The translators that are included with Designer 4.1 Technical Edition are continually being refined and enhanced. As improvements and additions are made to the translators, they will be made available to Designer customers.


Computer Based Training

Running the Designer 4.1 Technical Edition CBT (Computer-Based Training) and Tutorial located on the CD-ROM requires installation of Video for Windows. There are two ways to install Video for Windows prior to running the CBT.

·	Run SETUP.EXE on the VFW11 directory on the Designer 4.1 CD-ROM

or

·	Run INSTALL.EXE on the root directory of the Designer 4.1 CD-ROM, choose the Custom installation option, and choose the Video for Windows option.


Designer 4.0 3-D Symbols

Designer 4.1 Technical Edition posts a message when you open a Designer 4.0 file that contains one or more 3-D symbols. The 3-D symbols are changed into a 2-D representation that Designer 4.1 can use. The 3-D data is not retained in the Designer 4.1 file, but the appearance of the 3-D symbols is maintained by the representation. The title of the opened document in Designer 4.1 is changed to Untitled to prevent accidental erasure of the original Designer 4.0 file.


Contacting Micrografx through CompuServe

Micrografx maintains a forum on CompuServe for Technical Support inquiries, requests, and new product information and updates. Just type GO MICROGRAFX to access the most helpful Technical Support in the industry. (Not available for the 30-day trial version.)