Copyright: Copyright 1998 FABSoft, Inc.


Content

Welcome to DOS Reform

Disclaimer of Warranty

What You Can do with DOS Reform

Installation

How it Works

Object Basics

DOS Reform Main Components

Form Editor

Setup Dialog

Menu Commands

Fax Database

Script Setup Dialog

Spooler

Archive Viewer

Using Printer Redirector (FPRNFILE.EXE)

Keyboard Shortcuts

Supports

Glossary

How to Reach Us

Copyright 1998 FABSoft, Inc. All rights reserved


Welcome
Welcome to DOS Reform for Windows 95/NT

Welcome to DOS Reform, the most sophisticated report capturing/reformatting tool available today. DOS Reform for Windows 95/NT is a new concept in printing DOS reports.

•	If you are new to the product, we assure you that you will be able to create professional printouts in a way that is faster and easier than ever before.

•	DOS Reform is a new product that can transform plain text printout produced by your DOS application into a more elegant Windows printout.

•	Taking advantage of graphic capabilities of Windows 95/NT, DOS Reform helps enhancing the look of your existing reports or invoices by adding graphic capabilities, logos or any desire graphics.

•	The User's Guide is designed specifically for our users. To help further our users we have used pictures and detailed tutorials in order to demonstrate procedures that are used again and again. Tutorials contain many conceptual information to help the users understand better the new DOS Reform program.

•	Some of the example reports have been designed to illustrate concepts only, not the actual look of your finished report.

Start Here...

DOS Reform Components


Main Components
DOS Reform Main Components

There are three main components to DOS Reform:

Form Editor

The Form Editor program provides an easy way to create or edit your form layout. The interface is designed to be simple and easy to use. DOS Reform relies on the form to produce the window output. The form holds the graphic objects as well as text objects used to produce the final output. Therefore, it is important that you understand how to create or modify the form.

Spooler

The Spooler program is used to monitor the forms/reports being printed to a text file from your application.  Simply specify the path and the forms to monitor and The Spooler will constantly monitors for these forms.  Any time there is a form printed to file from your application, the Spooler Program takes the file and transforms it into the form that you have designed.

Archive Viewer

Every time DOS Reform processes a form, it saves the content which can be retrieved and re-print (you can turn this feature off if desired See Setup Dialog). Archive Viewer serves as a tool to select and re-print the archive.


Form Editor

Click on the picture below for more information

Form Editor

Overview

DOS Reform Form Editor is the program that allows you to define and customize a form.  Using WYSIWYG approach, you will find the Form Editor easy to get used to. In order for DOS Reform to generate the printout that you need, you must create a form for each of your text file. The form serves as a new layout of your text. It is similar to pre-printed forms where the text is printed on the selected area on the form. Whenever you generate text output from your DOS application, DOS Reform uses the form with the same name to do the process. The form always has an extension FOM.

Status Bar

Status Bar provides information about the file name and the object currently selected. Whenever you highlight an object, the right-hand side of the status bar will show you the type of object currently selected. This is helpful when you have many objects on screen and you want to know what it is you are selecting. The available object types reported by the status bar are:

•	Bitmap	Bitmap Object

•	Shape	Shape Object

•	DL Text	Design Layer Text Object

•	DL Paragraph	Design Layer Paragraph Object

•	TL Text	Text Layer Text Object

•	TL Paragraph	Text Layer Paragraph Object

Each form contains two layers (see figure: Form Editor):

Design Layer

Text Layer

See Also

Object Basics

Menu Commands


Design Layer

Click on the picture below for more information

Design Layer

Design Layer is the layer that holds graphical objects on the form. It works like a design canvas where you can add borders, frames, texts and your bitmap (such as your company logo).  The final output will resemble this layer.

Available Objects

There are 4 basic objects available on Design Layer: Shapes, Bitmap, Static Text and Paragraph.

Shape Object
Use this to create frames, lines, rectangles, squares and circles.

Bitmap Object
Use this to add your bitmaps.

Text Object (DL Text)
Creates one-line text.  Use this to display your company name or a short text.

Paragraph Object (DL Paragraph)
Creates a paragraph text.  Use this to create a multiple-line text.

Others

Delete Object
Deletes the selected objects.  (see Object Basics)

Align to Grid
Align the selected objects to grid.

See Also

Object Basics

Text Layer

File Menu


Object Basics

The Form Editor uses object-oriented approach to the way you design a form. Each element on the form is treated as an object. There are four basic objects you can add onto the form: Shape, Bitmap, Text, and Paragraph Text.

Available Objects

Delete and Align-to-Grid buttons

Each object has its own properties, for instance, color, line width, and text alignment. You can access its properties by selecting it then press the right mouse button. You will see a pop-up menu that allows you to change the appearances of the object.

Right-click brings up the properties of the selected object

The objects can be moved or sized by using the mouse.  In order to move or size an object, you must select it first by clicking on the object with the left mouse button.  A crop mark will appear around the object indicating that this object is selected and ready to be moved or sized.

Adding an Object

To add an object, select one of the object-creation buttons (see figure: Available Objects). A newly created object will appear at the top left of the editing area.

Deleting an Object

To delete an object, select the object you want to delete. Then, from the menu, select Edit|Delete or press Delete key.

Moving an Object

Simply place the mouse toward its center then drag it to the selected location.

Moving an object

Note

you can also use the combination of Shift and the Arrow keys to move the selected objects one pixel at a time. This can be useful in fine tuning the placement of the objects.

Sizing an Object

To size an object, move the mouse toward the corners of the object until the cursor changes to a diagonal arrow shape. Finally, drag its corner to the desired size.

Sizing an object

Note

you can also use the combination of Ctrl and the Arrow keys to size the selected objects one pixel at a time.


Text Layer

Click on the picture below for more information

Text Layer

Text Layer contains the content of the text file to be mapped over.  This is the layer where you will load a sample of your text printout file. You can load the text file by selecting “File|Open text file…” (see File Menu)
Any text on this layer can be cropped and displayed on the Design Layer by using cropping text objects shown below.

Available Objects

Cropping Text (TL Text)
Creates a rectangular region on the Text Layer which then displays it through its corresponding text object on the Design Layer.

Cropping Paragraph (TL Paragraph)
Creates a rectangular region that can crop over a paragraph or a large text area.  Its content will be displayed through its corresponding paragraph object on then Design Layer.

These objects are different from the text objects on the Design Layer even though they share the same icon representations.  Whenever you create a Cropping Text or Cropping Paragraph Text, DOS Reform creates a corresponding Text Object on the Design Layer.  The contents of these objects change as the text under the cropping region changes.  You can think of the rectangular region as a “hold” being cut out on a piece of paper.  Any text that falls within the “hold” will show through to the corresponding objects on the Design Layer.  On Design Layer side, you can manipulate this object just like any other objects except that you cannot change its content because the cropping object on the Text Layer maintains the content.

See Also

Design Layer

File Menu


File Menu

Click on the picture below for more information

File Menu  (Click on a menu selection for more information)

See Also

Setup...

Page Setup...


Setup Dialog General
Setup... (General)

Click on the picture below for more information

Setup Dialog (General)

Spooling Directory

This is where you specify the drive and path in which the Spooler will be monitoring.  The Spooler will only check for *.OUT files in this path.  To change the spooling directory,  please refer to Spooling Setup Section.

Form Directory

This is where you store your forms for The Spooler to monitor.  Every time The Spooler starts, it gathers all the available forms from this location and adds them onto the list.  Thus, any forms saved in this directory are considered as the Active forms.  Whenever there is a file with an extension .OUT that matches one of the names in the list, The Spooler then opens a corresponding form (.FOM).  Then, it processes the file and deletes the *.OUT file upon completion.

Output File Backup Directory

This is where The Spooler backups the lasted processed output file.  This backup output files are useful for designing the forms. To change the Backup Directory, simply click on the button beside the control and select the appropriate directory.

File Name to Monitor

The Spooler also monitors the text files by comparing the text file name against the File Name to Monitor.

File Extension to Monitor

By default the Spooler looks for a text file with an extension (*.OUT), however, you can change it to anything you like.  You can also use a wildcard (*) if you want the Spooler to pickup the text file with any extension.  However, the Spooler will ignore *.FOM and *.FTM files.

Queue Interval (MSec.)

This is where you can specify how often you want Spooler to check for the files.  Click the up/down arrow to adjust number of milliseconds.  The default value is 10000 milliseconds, (which is 1 second).  If the system that The Spooler is running on is constantly busy or has many activities, you may want to increase the queue interval.  This will improve the system's response time.

Spool Interval (MSec.)  (Network Version Only)

In the network environment there can be many systems that will print to DOS Reform Spooling Directory at the same time.  It is undesirable to have the Spooler prints every time there is a file.  Therefore, with the network version, Spooler effectively queues the files and later prints them at the specified interval when the system is idle.  However, if the system is not idle at specified interval.  Spooler will postpone the printing until the next spooling interval.

Note

Spool Interval is normally set to be at least twice as long as the Queue Interval.

Archive Output Files

Check this selection if you want the Spooler to archive the text file and the form information for later retrieval and reprint.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.

Prompt for Printer

Check this selection if you want the Spooler to show Print Setup Dialog before each print.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.

Load Spooler on Startup

Check this selection if you want the Spooler to automatically start every time you turn on your system.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.

See Also

Setup Databases


Setup Dialog Databases
Setup... (Databases)

Click on the picture below for more information

Setup Dialog

This is where you can specify the location of the databases.  On the network environment, it might be more desirable to centralize the data on the server.  When you made the change and press ok, DOS Reform closes the databases then opens the databases from the selected directory.

Fax Directory

Specify the new location to your Fax databases (see Fax Database )

What happens when you made changes to the directories...

When you made the changes to the directory settings and press Ok to confirm:

1 	DOS Reform closes the databases.

2 	DOS Reform tries to open the databases at the specified locations.

3 	If the databases are not there, the new ones will be created.


Page Setup Dialog
Page Setup

Click on the picture below for more information

Page Setup Dialog


Menu Commands

Click on the picture below for more information


Spooler

Click on the picture below for more information

Spooler

Overview

The Spooler program is used to monitor the forms/reports being printed from your application.  Simply specify the path and the filenames to monitor and The Spooler will constantly look out for these files.  Anytime there is a file being printed from your DOS application, the Spooler Program will take the file and transform it into the form that you have designed.

The Spooler looks for the text files in two ways:

1 	Any text file with a qualified extension and its name matches the left most portion of the Queue Name.  If the text file is found, the Spooler opens the text file and retrieves the "Form Name Lookup Field" cropped content.  It then compares the cropped content to the name of the forms in the list.

2 	Any text file with a qualified extension and its name matches one of the form names.

If there is a match, the form is then processed and the text file will be backed up and deleted upon completion.  To better understand the concept, consider the following example:

Assumes the given conditions:

Spooling Directory:	C:\Reform\Spooler\
Forms Directory:  	C:\Reform\Forms\

If you print your report to a file called ORDER.OUT into C:\Reform\Spooler\ directory, the Spooler looks for a corresponding ORDER.FOM file in C:\Dosrform\Forms\ directory.  When found, it will open ORDER.OUT and ORDER.FOM for processing.  Once completed, The Spooler backs up and then deletes the ORDER.OUT file.  Finally, the Spooler resumes the monitoring activity.

See Also

Setup Dialog


Archive Viewer

Click on the picture below for more information

Archive Viewer

Archive Viewer is used to select and re-print the archive of the printout.

Archive Database

Archive Database stores the form information and the content of the text file that were processed by the Spooler (see Spooler).

Reprint

Reprint is used to reprint the selected archive using the form specified in Form Name field.

Form Name Filter

Form Name Filter is used to limit the scope of the form names down to the specified one.

Find Value

Find Value is used to quickly jump to the closest match value in the field specified by the Sort Order.

Sort Order

Use this pop down list to change the sort order.

See Also

Spooler


Disclaimer of Warranty

Although this software and documentation have been thoroughly tested and reviewed, both are provided solely "as is" and without warranty of any kind. FABSoft, Inc. specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to defects in the diskette(s), documentation and software.

Copyright 1998 FABSoft, Inc. All rights reserved.


What You Can Do
What You Can do with DOS Reform

•	Create instant letterhead for your company documents that are generated by your DOS application

•	Create pre-printed forms without having to purchase expensive forms

•	Customize the existing invoices, purchase orders, order form, and etc.
(adding graphics, color, different type of fonts)

•	Automate your faxing process

•	Make seemless links to fax systems without ever having to leave your
desk.

•	Reprint any forms from archive database.


Installation

Installation Requirements

•	Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 or higher

•	8MB of RAM (16 or more is recommended)

•	Minimum hard drive space required: 5 MB

Installing DOS Reform

1 	Choose Run from the Start Menu

2 	When the Run dialog box appears, type
x:\setup
where x represents the appropriate drive letter.
Example:  a:\setup

3 	Click OK or press Enter to activate the DOS Reform installation program.

4 	Follow the directions on the screen to set up DOS Reform

Installing on a Network Environment

Server

1 	Choose Run from the Start Menu

2 	When the Run dialog box appears, type
x:\setup
where x represents the appropriate drive letter.
Example:  a:\setup

3 	Click OK or press Enter to activate the DOS Reform installation program.

4 	Follow the directions on the screen to set up DOS Reform

Workstation

Workstations do not require a full installation of DOS Reform and they do not need to be in the Windows environment.  The only program you need is the printer redirector (FPRNFILE.EXE).  This is a TSR program that will redirect all printouts from your application to a text file for Spooler to process.

If your application already has the print-to-file feature then you don't need this program.  All you have to do is to print to a text file at REFORM\SPOOLER directory on the server.

1 	Copy FPRNFILE.EXE from the server, where DOS Reform is installed, to your application directory.

2 	Create or modify the startup batch file for your application and insert the following line at the beginig of the batch file :
FPRNFILE
This will activate the printer redirector every times you start your application.

See Also

How it works...


How it works

Scenario #1:  Printing Using DOS Reform Printer Redirector

Scenario #2:  Printing Directly to a Text File

Scenario #3: Printing from Workstations (Network Version)

See Also

Spooler

Installation


Fax Database

Click on the picture below for more information

Fax Dialog

Fax database is used to store information for the faxing automation.  Whenever you print to a fax machine and attached script is selected, DOS Reform uses these fields to fill in the required information required by your fax application.

Name

Use this field to store the name of the company or the name of a person.  DOS Reform uses this as a lookup field (see Fax Lookup Fields).

Fax Area Code/Fax Number

Store the area code and the number in these fields.

Note #1 and  Note #2

Use these fields to store any extra information you might need.  These fields can be included as a part of the faxing script to fill in the necessary information required by your fax application..

See Also

Fax Lookup Fields


Fax Lookup
Include Fax Lookup Field

If you are planing to use a fax device with this form, you can include this field on to your form.  When you add Fax Lookup Field, you will notice red colored cropping rectangle on the form.  Fax Lookup Field is invisible to DOS Reform, therefore, you can place this field anywhere on the form.  This field is used to look up the name in the Fax Database.  Depending on which layer you add this field to, Fax Lookup Field behaves differently:

If you add it on to the Design Layer, its content must be edited manually.  This is useful if you use this form only to one customer.  Thus, you can directly include the name right onto the form.

Fax Lookup on added onto the Design Layer

If you add it onto the Text Layer, its content is then maintained by the cropping region.  Therefore, you cannot edit the content of this field.  Use this to crop the text area where the customer name you want to fax to is.

Fax Lookup added onto the Text Layer

See Also

Design Layer

Text Layer

Spooler

Fax Database


Script Setup Dialog
Script Setup

Click on the picture below for more information

Script Setup Dialog

Script Setup dialog is used for the faxing devices.  DOS Reform uses macro script to control your fax device, such as Microsoft Fax and WinFax.  Macro script is basically a keystroke definition that will be used to simulate key presses required to complete the faxing process.  By using the macro script approach, DOS Reform is able to control wide varieties of faxing devices.  Simply attach a macro script to your faxing device and DOS Reform will apply the attached macro script every time you print a form to this faxing device.  Note that the attached scripts are independent from the forms you design.  DOS Reform stores this information in its configuration file.  To create or modify a script, select Edit Script… from the Script Setup Dialog


FPRNFILE
FPRNFILE.EXE Printer Redirector

Introduction Screen of FPRNFILE

Introduction

FPRNFILE is a memory resident that can be loaded from the command line or from AUTOEXEC.BAT. The program should be loaded before any other memory resident programs to ensure a proper functionality.  To change any options, simply unload the program and then reload with the new parameters.  Once you load the program into memory, any printing activity will be redirected to the file. When you first load FPRNFILE, it looks for the available forms within <forms directory>, then generates a list of output selection corresponding to those forms. Every time you print, FPRNFILE intercepts the printing and prompt you with a selection of forms to print to. The program always overwrites the file if a new printing activity occurs.  Therefore, make sure that the output file is purged or processed before proceeding with a new print out.

FPRNFILE popup window

Loading Format #1:(Recommended)

FPRNFILE
Example: FPRNFILE

If you load FPRNFILE without any parameters, FPRNFILE automatically completes the required parameters for you with the assumption that the current directory is the parent directory of \FORMS\ and \SPOOLER\ directories (see Loading Format #2 for more information)  It is recommended that you change the directory to C:\REFORM before loading it in this format.  This way FPRNFILE can find the available forms and be saves the output file at the appropriate location.

Loading Format #2:(Manually Specify Spooler & Form paths.)

FPRNFILE -P<forms directory>,<spooling directory>
Example: FPRNFILE -Pc:\reform\forms\,C:\reform\spooler\

When you first load FPRNFILE, it looks for the available forms within <forms directory>, then generates a list of output selection corresponding to those forms. Everytime you print, FPRNFILE intercepts the
printing and prompt you with a selection of forms to print to. The program always overwrites the file if a new printing activity occurs.  Therefore, make sure that the output file is purged or processed before proceeding with a new print out.

<Forms directory> This is the directory where the forms are saved at.  FPRNFILE generates a selection list of the output files according to the forms saved in this directory.  This directory must match Forms Directory specified in The Spooler.

<Spooling directory> FPRNFILE saves all the redirected output files into this directory.  This directory must match Spooling Directory specified in The Spooler

Loading Format #3:(Create NEW.OUT)

FPRNFILE -N
Example: FPRNFILE -N

This is a simple redirection mode.  FPRNFILE automatically completes the path and the file name for you as follows:
  <current directory>\BACKUPS\NEW.OUT
It is recommended that you change the directory to C:\REFORM before loading it in this format.  This way the text file will be saved at the appropriate location.  This is useful for creating a sample text output for the first time for form designing purpose.  FPRNFILE, will overwriting this file next time the printing redirection occurs.

Loading Format #4:(Fixed File Name)

FPRNFILE -F<file name>
Example #1: FPRNFILE -Fc:\dosrform\invoice.out
Example #2: FPRNFILE -F

This is a simple redirection mode where you can specify your own file name and path.  However, if you do not specify the file name (Example 2), FPRNFILE uses the default file name: <current directory>\spooler\output.out.  FPRNFILE will only redirect the printout to this file name.

Unloading

FPRNFILE /U

Additional Setting Flag (Advanced Usage)

In addition to the parameters described above, you can fine tune FPRNFILE operation by manually specifying these settings:

-W<Clock Ticks>	Flushing Buffer Interval.
-T<ASCII Code>	Flushing Request Character.

-W<Clock Ticks>

Example: FPRNFILE -W36

Tell FPRNFILE to wait for specified number of clock ticks (18 clock ticks / second) before flushing the leftover data from buffer to a text file.

-T<ASCII Code>

Example: FPRNFILE -T117

FPRNFILE uses this ASCII character as a signal for flushing of the buffer to a text file.


Keyboard Shortcuts

F1

Bring up Help

Ctrl+C

Copy currently selected object/text

Ctrl+X

Cut copied content

Ctrl+V

Paste copied content


If You Need More Help

WEBSITE
http://www.fabsoft.com

FAX SUPPORT
Fax Support (973) 334-7020

MAIL-IN SUPPORT
FABSoft, Inc.
85 Washington Ct.
Towaco, N.J. 07082

TELEPHONE SUPPORT
Telephone Number (973) 335-0313
Our supports open from 9:00AM-5:00PM Eastern time.


Glossary

A

Archive Database

Archive Viewer

D

Design Layer

DOS application

DOS text

F

FABSoft

FOM

Form Editor

M

MSec.

S

Spooler

T

Text file

W

WYSIWYG


Company Information

FABSoft, Inc.

85 Washington Ct.
Towaco, N.J. 07082

TELEPHONE SUPPORT
Telephone Number (973) 335-0313
Our supports open from 9:00AM-5:00PM Eastern time.

WEBSITE
http://www.fabsoft.com

E-MAIL
sales@fabsoft.com


About Pop
About...

This will bring up the About Dialog which displays version information and the copyright notice.


Archive Browse Pop
Browser

Use it to scroll through the records and find the one that you want.


Archive Checkout Pop
Check Out

You can check out the current archive into DOS Reform Editor by clicking on to this button.


Archive Close Pop
Close

Close out the Archive Dialog.


Archive Content Pop
Archive Content

This is the content of the current archive record.


Archive Filter Pop
Form Name filter

Form Name Filter is used to limit the scope of the form names down to the specified one.

Activate the filter

Cancel the filter


Archive Find Pop
Find Value

Find Value is used to quickly jump to the closest match value in the field specified by the Sort Order.


Archive Key Pop
Archive Keys

DOS Reform stores the content of these reference keys into the Archive Database.  These keys are useful for identifying the archive when you need to do the reprint later (see Archive Viewer for more information).  For instance, you might want to use these keys to crop over the customer name, invoice number, invoice date, and etc.  When you add these keys, you should notice green-colored cropping rectangles on the Text Layer.

See Also

Archive Viewer

Text Layer


Archive Output Pop
Archive Output Files

Check this selection if you want the Spooler to archive the text file and the form information for later retrieval and reprint.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.


Archive Reprint Pop
Reprint

Reprint is used to reprint the selected archive using the form specified in Form Name field.


Archive Sort Pop
Sort Order

Use this pop down list to change the sort order.


Archives Menu

Click on the picture below for more information

Archive Menu

Edit/Reprint Archive...

Bring up Archive Windows

Rebuild Indexes

Rebuild and pack the Archive database

See Also

Archive Viewer


Attached Printers Pop
Attached Printers

DOS Reform allows you to attach up to 2 printers per form.  The information in this dialog will be saved along with your form.  If you choose to attach the printer(s) to your form, DOS Reform will use these printers instead of the default printer.  However, if you choose to use the default printer, leave both of the attached printers empty.  This can be done by pressing DELETE key.  You can independently specify the number of copies for each of the attached printers by adjusting the [No. Copies #1] and [No. Copies #2] respectively.  If any one of your printers is a Text-Only printer (such as dot matrix printer), you can check on Text Only selection or if you are sending to pre printed forms.  By checking on Text Only selection, DOS Reform will send the text as is regardless of the form layout to the specified printer.


Backup Directory Pop
Output File Backup Directory

This is where The Spooler backups the lasted processed output file.  This backup output files are useful for designing the forms. To change the Backup Directory, simply click on the button beside the control and select the appropriate directory.


Cropping Region Pop
Cropping Region

Area under the rectangular region where you want the cropped text to show on the Design Layer


Draw pop
Drawing Area

This is the design area where you can add/manipulate the objects (see Object Basic for more information)


Edit Align Pop
Align

Align the selected objects to grid.


Edit Copy Pop
Copy

Make duplications of the selected objects which can later be pasted multiple times.


Edit Cut Pop
Cut

Remove the selected objects which can be pasted back later.


Edit Delete Pop
Delete

Delete the selected objects.


Edit Grid Menu
Grid...

Bring up the grid setup dialog.

Grid Dialog

This dialog allows you to adjust the grid spacing per inch.  Press OK to confirm the changes.


Edit Menu

Click on the picture below for more information

Edit Menu


Edit Paste Pop
Paste

Paste back the previously cut/copy objects.  You can paste multiple times before another cut or copy action to create duplicates of those objects.


Edit Snap Pop
Snap to Grid

Check this if you want objects to snap themselves to the closest grid.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.


Edit Undo Pop
Undo

Undo the last action.


Exit Menu
Exit

Quit out of DOS Reform.


Fax Browse Pop
Data Browser

Use it to scroll through the records and find the one that you want.


Fax Directory Pop
Fax/Archive Directory

Specify the new location to your Fax/Archive databases.


Fax Fields Pop
Fax Database Fields

These are available fax database fields (see this section for more information)


Fax Menu

Click on the picture below for more information

Fax Menu

Add/Edit Fax Database...

Bring up Fax Database Dialog

Rebuild Indexes

Rebuild and pack the fax database

See Also

Fax Database


Fax Nav Pop
Fax Navigation Buttons

First record

Prior record

Next record

Last record

Add a new record

Delete the current record

Edit the current record

Confirm the changes (Activated when in Add or Edit mode)

Cancel the changes (Activated when in Add or Edit mode)

Revert the changes


Fax Search Pop
Quick Search

The database will scroll to the closest matched name as you type.


File Close Text Menu
Close Text File

Close the text file.


File Extension Pop
File Extension to Monitor

By default the Spooler looks for a text file with an extension (*.OUT), however, you can change it to anything you like.  You can also use a wildcard (*) if you want the Spooler to pickup the text file with any extension.  However, the Spooler will ignore *.FOM and *.FTM files.


File Name Pop
File Name to Monitor

The Spooler also monitors the text files by comparing the text file name against the File Name to Monitor.

See Also

Setup Dialog

Form Name Lookup Field


Form Name Lookup

Form Name Lookup Field is used by the Spooler to lookup the form.  When the text file matches the name of the File Name to Monitor (see Spooler), DOS Reform opens up the text file and compares the content that lies under Form Name Lookup Field region to the available forms.  If the content matches one of the form names, the Spooler uses that form to process the text file.  When you add Form Name Lookup Field, you should notice yellow-colored cropping rectangle on the Text Layer.

How the Spooler Looks for a form using Form Name Lookup Field

See Also

Spooler

Text Layer


File New Menu
New...

New Dialog

When you choose new from the menu, DOS Reform display a dialog prompting you to select from the templates or a blank form.

When you select a template, DOS Reform creates the copy of the template as a new form for you to edit/modify.


File Open Menu
Open...

When you select Open.. from the menu, DOS Reform prompts you to select a file to open.  There are 2 file types available:

Form Files ( *.FOM )

Form files are the normal forms you will normally be working with.

Template Files ( *.FTM )

Template files are the form you can derive a new form from.  These are the forms that will appear under "New..." dialog.

See Also

New...


File Open Text Menu
Open Text File...

Open the text file to be used as the text sample for the form layout.  The content of the text file will appear on the Text Layer and ready to be cropped.


File Print Pop
File Print...

Print the current form.


File Save Menu
Save/Save As...

Save Dialog

When you select Save or Save As... from the menu, DOS Reform prompts you to save the file.  There are 2 file types you can save your form as:

Form Files ( *.FOM )

Form files are the normal forms you will normally be working with.

Note

We recommend that you save all the forms in \REFORM\FORMS directory.

Template Files ( *.FTM )

Template files are the form you can derive a new form from.  These are the forms that will appear under "New..." dialog.

Note

In order for the templates to appear in the "Available Templates" of the New Dialog, you must save the templates in \DOSRFORM\TEMPLATE directory.

See Also

New,,.


Form Directory Pop
Form Directory

This is where you store your forms for The Spooler to monitor.  Every time The Spooler starts, it gathers all the available forms from this location and adds them onto the list.  Thus, any forms saved in this directory are considered as the Active forms.  Whenever there is a file with an extension .OUT that matches one of the names in the list, The Spooler then opens a corresponding form (.FOM).  Then, it processes the file and deletes the *.OUT file upon completion.


Forms Directory Pop
Forms Directory

This is where you store your forms for The Spooler to monitor.  Every time The Spooler starts, it gathers all the available forms from this location and adds them onto the list.  Thus, any forms saved in this directory are considered as the Active forms.  Whenever there is a file with an extension .OUT that matches one of the names in the list, The Spooler then opens a corresponding form (.FOM).  Then, it processes the file and deletes the *.OUT file upon completion.


Forms to Monitor Pop
Forms to Monitor

Every time the Spooler starts, it gathers the available form from the specified directory (see Setup Dialog)

See Also

Setup Dialog


Help Pop
Help Menu

You can Press F1 to get help as well.


Last Processed Pop
Last Processed

Displays the last text-file name processed.


Layer tab pop
Layer Tab Selector

Press either tab to select the layer you want to work with.


Load Startup Pop
Load Spooler on Startup

Check this selection if you want the Spooler to automatically start every time you turn on your system.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.


LPP pop
Line Per Page

Use Line Per Page control to adjust number of lines per page of the text file.  Be sure to adjust lines per page correctly, otherwise, your finally output page will be mis-aligned.


Margin Pop
Margins (Inch)

You can set the margins by adjusting these controls.


Page Pop
Page Selector

Allows you to go forward/backward or change the page number currently displayed on the Text Layer.


Paper Dim Pop
Paper Dimension

You can manually set the size of the paper by using these controls.


Paper Size Pop
Paper Size

Select one of the predefined sizes.


Prompt Printer Pop
Prompt for Printer

Check this selection if you want the Spooler to show Print Setup Dialog before each print.  Otherwise, leave it unchecked.


Queue Interval Pop
Queue Interval (MSec.)

This is where you can specify how often you want Spooler to check for the files.  Click the up/down arrow to adjust number of milliseconds.  The default value is 10000 milliseconds, (which is 1 second).  If the system that The Spooler is running on is constantly busy or has many activities, you may want to increase the queue interval.  This will improve the system's response time.


Rebuild Indexes Pop
Rebuild Indexes

This will rebuild and pack the database.


Script Attached Pop
Attached Script

Press Attach to attach a script file to the selected device.
Press Detach to release the attached script from the selected device.


Script Edit Pop
Editor Area

This is where you enter the script to control your fax device.


Script Editor Dialog

Click on the picture below for more information

Edit Script Dialog

Script Editor environment is similar to that of the Windows Notepad.  It allows you to enter in the macro script necessary to complete the faxing task for a particular faxing device.  To achieve this, you must go through the faxing process for your faxing device and record the keystrokes necessary to complete the task. Then, enter it into the Script Editor.

There are some special key definitions you need to be familiar with when creating a script:

•	{ENTER}	Enter key

•	{TAB}	TAB key

•	@<key>	ALT key combination.
Example:	@f is equivalent to ALT+F

•	^<key>	CTRL key combination.
Example: 	^f is equivalent to CTRL+F

•	~<key>	SHIFT key combination.
Example:	~f is equivalent to SHIFT+F

•	{UP}	UP arrow

•	{DOWN}	DOWN arrow

•	{LEFT}	LEFT arrow

•	{RIGHT}	RIGHT arrow

•	[<fax fields>]	Special fax data fields (see Fax Database Fields)
Example:	[FAXNAME]

•	[RETRY:<n times>] Number of retries.  There are 2 seconds between each retry.

See Also

Script Fax Fields Menu

Fax Database


Script Fax Fields Menu

Fax Fields Menu

In addition to keystrokes, DOS Reform provides a quick way for you to insert fax data fields. Simply select the field you want from the pull down menu and DOS Reform will insert this field for you.  (see Fax Database)

See Also

Fax Database


Script Printer Pop
Printer/Fax Devices

Select the appropriate Fax Device to attach a script to.


Script Title Pop
Window Title

Window Title is the title of the fist window that appears when you print to your fax device.  For instance, when you choose to print to Microsoft Fax, the first windows that appears has the title of "Compose New Fax".  This is the title you will specify in Window Title.  It is important that you enter in the exact spelling and capitalization.  The Spooler uses the window title to determine that your fax device is ready to accept the macro entries.


Special Fields Menu

Click on the picture below for more information

Special Fields Menu


Spin Logo Pop
Spinning Logo

This logo animates when the Spooler is monitoring for a text file.


Spool Interval Pop
Spool Interval (MSec.)  (Network Version Only)

In the network environment there can be many systems that will print to DOS Reform Spooling Directory at the same time.  It is undesirable to have the Spooler prints every time there is a file.  Therefore, with the network version, Spooler effectively queues the files and later prints them at the specified interval when the system is idle.  However, if the system is not idle at specified interval.  Spooler will postpone the printing until the next spooling interval.

Note

Spool Interval is normally set to be at least twice as long as the Queue Interval.


Spooling Directory Pop
Spooling Directory

This is where you specify the drive and path in which the Spooler will be monitoring.  The Spooler will only check for *.OUT files in this path.  To change the spooling directory,  please refer to Spooling Setup Section.


Start Stop Pop
Start/Stop Button

Press Start if you want the Spooler to begin the monitoring process.  Otherwise, press Stop to end the monitoring process.


Status bar Pop
Status Bar

Status Bar provides information about the file name and the object currently selected. The left-hand side displays the file name.  Whenever you highlight an object, the right-hand side of the status bar will show you the type of object currently selected. This is helpful when you have many objects on screen and you want to know what it is you are selecting.


Text Area Pop
Text Cropping Area

This is the area that displays the content of the text file.  This area provides an easy way for you to add and manipulate the cropping objects.


Toolbar Pop
Toolbar

This is where you can add/remove graphical objects


View Scale pop
View Scale Selector

You can adjust the scaling factor (%) to achieve the optimum design view.


Archive Database

Archive Database stores the form information and the content of the text files that were processed by the Spooler (see Spooler).


Archive Viewer

Archive Viewer is used to select and re-print the archive.


Design Layer

Design Layer is the layer that holds graphical objects on the form.


DOS application

Application that runs under MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System).  These applications are normally text-based applications.


DOS text

(same as Plain-text) Text-based output file that can be generated by most of the accounting applications.


FABSoft

http://www.fabsoft.com


FOM

DOS Reform Form File Extension.


Form Editor

The Form Editor Program provides a way to create or edit your form layout.  The interface is designed to be simple and easy to use.  DOS Reform relies on the form to produce the window output.  The form holds the graphic objects as well as text objects used to produce the final output. Therefore, it is important that you understand how to create or modify the form.


MSec.

Milliseconds (1/1000 Seconds)


Spooler

The Spooler program is used to monitor the forms/reports being printed from your application.  Simply specify the path and the filenames to monitor and The Spooler will constantly look out for these files.  Anytime there is a file being printed from your DOS application, the Spooler Program will take the file and transform it into the form that you have designed.


Text file

Text-based output file that can be generated by most of the accounting applications.


WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get