SYMBOL MANIPULATIONS
********************

Symbols are user editable and are stored on files. There can be a 
maximum of 96 symbols on a file. There are no limitations on the number 
of files. Each symbol string is normally limited to 80 symbols and all 
these symbols must refer to the same file. Symbol strings referring to 
different files can be used freely in the drawing. Symbol 96 (DEL) is 
reserved to simulate a carriage return (breaking the string into 
separate lines). From the key-board, a similar result can be achieved 
by typing a double @@ (symbol 33).

The ASCIISYM.SYM file is provided by QikDraw for the normal text
annotations. Users should not normally have to modify this file.

SUPER SYMBOLS are picture files that are displayable but not 
editable. They are produced by the UTILITY *UNPACK command are
should have a .SUP extension. These SUPER SYMBOLS can be manouvered
through the *ADD, *DEL and *MOVE commands.

  SPECI:-  Specifying the height of the symbol string and/or a width 
           scaling factor.
           Symbols can be mirrored by defining a -ve height, or handed
           by defining a -ve width scaling factor.
           Can also specify a slant ratio, padding factor and angle for 
              the string.
           Symbols can also be BOXED; UNDERLINE; JUSTIFY and CENTRED.
              JUSTIFY could be LEFT, RIGHT or CENTRAL.
              CENTRED would position symbol string centred between two 
                      pts. 
              CONST will keep symbols placed by two points at constant 
                 height.
           If the Height selection is made by pressing the left 
           button, height of the symbol will be held constant when
           scales are changed.
  ADD:-    In default mode, symbol strings are added by picking from the 
           graphical menu. In KEY-B mode, symbol strings are typed in 
           from the key-board. If option selected with the LEFT button,
           options are displayed, string may be repeated between two 
           points, or added with the base // or perpendicular to a line
           or circle/arc. Also supports the automatic incrementing of
           numeric values (counter), months of year, and days of the 
           week. SUPER SYMBOLS can only be added via this alternate
           selection.
  DELETE:- Symbol strings are deleted by locating the references.
           If option selected with the LEFT button, the user will be  
           able to delete SUPER SYMBOLS or delete symbols in reverse 
           order of storage.
  MOVE:-   Symbol strings are moved by locating the refrncs. OOPS valid.
           Alternate selection allows for locking onto existing 
           entities as well as rotation and movement of SUPER SYMBOLS. 
           The angle of rotation can be constrained if the tertiary 
           option is selected with the LEFT BUTTON.
           The COPY option allows for copying of symbol strings;
           placement is by symbol reference.
  EDIT:-   To edit a symbol string, the technique of enclosing the 
           target & substitution sub-strings in delimiters is adopted. 
           The delimiter can be any character except ' ' or '!'.
           To edit a symbol file, the appropriate file (does not have to 
           exist) must be LOADed in. The GRID for the symbol file is 
           then defined, together with the default width and default 
           reference. The symbol to be edited is then selected. The new 
           pen-strokes for the symbol are then defined by using the 
           CENTRAL button for pen-down moves and the LEFT button for 
           pen-up. If the RIGHT button is used inside the grid area, 
           it either switchs LINE MODE (between SOLID & DASH) or 
           selects a centre for CIRCLES/ARCS. If the latter, program 
           will prompt for start & end points for the arc. For whole 
           circles these would be the same point . At the end of the 
           symbol edit, move the cursor to outside the displayed grid 
           and press the RIGHT button if default width & reference is to 
           be used. Otherwise, press the CENTRAL button and then define 
           the references & width. Terminate edit session by pressing 
           RIGHT button during symbol selection.
           If picked up individually, symbols with two references 
           defined may be scaled, orientated and placed by 2 pts.
           Symbols may be assigned a name so that their usage can be
           monitored. Named symbols may be defined to be of constant
           height. If this constant height is defined to be negative,
           the symbol will be independent of the drawings scale (except
           when zooming), useful for mapping applications.
           If EDIT is selected in FILE mode, a file with symbol definit-
           ions would be used to define the symbol. This can also be
           achieved without the selection of FILE MODE by selecting
           the SYMBOL EDIT function with the LEFT button.
  CHANG:-  Symbol specifications (pen, height, angle etc.) can be 
           altered by locating the symbol reference.
           Alternate selection allows for the change of PEN NUMBER
           only, or line style and thickness only.
           If the Height selection is made by pressing the left 
           button, height of the symbol will be held constant when
           scales are changed.
           The UNPACK option unpacks symbol strings into points and
           lines/arcs.
           The NEW SYMbol option allows for changing one symbol into
           another.
           The COPY option allows for copying of symbol strings;
           placement is by relative movement. Copying 0 times would
           be equivalent to a move.
           The FLIP option is designed to cater for adjustments
           after mirroring. The default values should turn text
           symbols the usual way for mirroring about a vertical
           or near vertical axis.
           Any changes can be defined in GLOBAL mode, applying to all
           or a specific type of symbols enclosed in the selected
           boundary. This GLOBAL mode is activated by selecting
           GLOBAL before terminating the CHANGE specifications.
           In GLOBAL mode, the user can optionally elect to step
           through all changes with ability to veto the change.
  PEN:-    Specify pen number and line thickness as for lines.
  MERGE:-  Two symbol strings can be merged into one.
  ASSOC:-  Associating symbol strings to a point enable symbols to be 
           subsequently moved as a block. Associating a symbol string to
           2 points defines the width of the symbol as spanning the two
           points. This width would be readjusted if the points are 
           moved. An offset can be specified to make the symbol shorter 
           or longer than the end points. This is very useful in 
           specifying entities like walls (should be specified as 
           constant height symbols). Alternate selection allows for 
           strings to be equal distance from a point, i.e. along an 
           imaginary arc. After such an association, it is possible to 
           draw out lines // to the base line of the symbol as arcs.
  VIEW:-   Allows the user to view symbols for ref. point & width.
  LOAD:-   Load in the appropriate symbol file. Must be performed before 
           other options can be selected.
           If selected with the LEFT button, the selected symbol file
           will become the default symbol file (N.B. dimensions are
           displayed with this default symbol file).
