Libris Britannia 4/science library(b).zip/science library(b)/GRAPHICS/GRAPHUTL/0878.ZIP/PCRGB.ARC/UNDOC3.DOC

Text File | 1987-03-28 | 7.3 KB | 153 lines

                     PC Rockland Graphics Base

                         Un-Documentation

                              Part 3

    The PC Rockland Graphics Base is an undocumented page setup
    program which is available through the PC-Rockland BBS (914)
    353-2176. The program is placed on the BBS for the exclusive
    free use of the users of PC Rockland. It may not be sold or
    included in libraries or collections of software which are
    sold. The program may be distributed by users of PC Rockland
    and uploaded to other BBS's as long as no one charges any
    fee associated with the distribution of the program. I,
    Keith P. Graham retain exclusive rights to charge if and
    when I so desire for PCRGB or any derivative program. My
    intention on releasing PCRGB to the public is to receive
    feedback on the product so eventually I will be able to
    figure out how to make money writing programs.

    This is the last release of PCRGB (1.3, March 17, 1987). The
    next release will be a similar product called OPTIKS which
    will have gone through a major face lift. OPTIKS is due out
    May 1, 1987. If you can't wait you can send $10 for the most
    recent version, although I can't guarantee much before May.
    I will be adding several new printers such as Toshiba and
    OKI printers before then. Give me a call at [phone]
    before you send money to find out what it is you will get.
    $10 buys you the latest version plus a couple of disks of
    pictures off of PC Rockland., Be sure to tell me if you
    don't want nudes. Expect to wait 10-15 days, I am a busy
    guy.

    WHAT IS PCRGB?

    PCRGB is a program which allows you to manipulate graphics
    data from various sources much the same way a word processor
    allows you to process letters, words and sentences, or a
    spreadsheet allows you to process numbers and equations. I
    have purposely tried to follow the style of LOTUS 123 and
    other spreadsheets hoping that the familiar user interface
    will help people to use PCRGB.

    PCRGB supports files from: MAC PAINT, Microsoft Paint, PC
    Paint, Basic BLOAD and a half a dozen more formats. I have
    recently added Datacopy Wips files for all of those
    digitizing freaks. The program supports IBM color graphics,
    EGA, Hercules graphics and AT&T. The printers supported are
    IBM proprinter and FX type printers as well as Canon
    Laserbeam and HP LaserJet.

    PCRGB writes out files in PCR format which is a compressed
    file format very similar to ARC files. In fact when a PCR
    file is archived using ARC, it gets bigger. This compression
    allows you to store a million bytes of graphics data on a
    single floppy diskette. Each PCR picture expands in memory
    to as much as four times its compressed size.

    PCRGB provides for a graphics work space of 2048 by 2048
    pixels, although if you have limited memory, the program
    will use whatever you have. It is very easy to move around
    the work area using the cursor control keys. Graphics can be
    merged together and manipulated by shrinking and expanding
    the pictures as well as changing their orientation or
    location.

    A simple series of menus allows you to choose the PCRGB
    options. Each menu item is explained clearly. Menu movement
    can be one step at a time for a novice, but an expert can
    traverse the tree of menu items in minimal keystrokes.
    PCRGB is forgiving. Every menu item can always be backed out
    of with the escape key and Crtl-Break will always bring the
    user back to the beginning screen.

    STARTING PCRGB.

    PCRGB can be started very simply by typing at the DOS
    prompt: PCRGB and pressing carriage return. The PCRGB
    general help screen is displayed immediately along with the
    "root" menu. The cursor is positioned on the word "FILE" and
    PCRGB awaits your command. You can move the cursor on the
    command line to the left and to the right using the arrow
    keys on the numeric keypad. Each menu item can do something,
    but it won't do it until you move the cursor to that item
    and press the enter key. (You experts quickly figure out
    that you don't have to move the cursor, just typing the
    first letter of the menu item will save you time.)

    Each menu item will either bring you to a new menu or
    perform a function. Most menu items bring you to other menu
    items until you finally reach what you want to do.

    LOADING A FILE:

    Suppose there is MACPAINT picture called mellissa.mac that
    you would like to view. You know that you have to get that
    into PCRGB somehow so you look at the menu and choose "FILE"
    knowing that mellissa.mac is a file and you have to get
    PCRGB to "LOAD" the file. You can choose "FILE" by moving
    the cursor until "FILE" is highlighted and then press enter
    or simply press the "F" key. This will bring you to the
    "FILE" sub menu. Your cursor will be on "LOAD" which is
    convenient because that's what you want to do. You can press
    the enter key or the "L" for "LOAD". The load menu has you
    pointing to "READMAC" which is what MAC PAINT pictures are
    called on the PC. Press enter again and you are finally
    asked to type the name of the file you want to see. You type
    MELLISSA.MAC and press enter.
    If you make a mistake or change your mind you can always
    back out, one menu at a time by pressing the ESC key. (When
    doing a menu, the F10 key works the same way only all at
    once.)

    Hey! suppose there is no menu on the screen? Press the "/"
    key and the menu will appear. Press the F9 if you don't like
    the slash key or press Ctrl-Break if you are sadist. They
    will all bring up a menu when there isn't one.

    Other keys you should know about are the F1 key which gives
    you an explanation of what the other keys do. The numeric
    cursor pad will move you around in different ways inside of
    the picture.

    Well, you are dangerous now. You have enough ammunition to
    "hack" the rest of the program. There are older versions of
    the undocumentation around that talk about different
    features. I don't want to write down too much stuff because
    the program is changing so fast. OPTIKS will be out in MAY
    and that will have more complete coverage of its features,
    but for now, this will be on the BBS's and most of you just
    want enough to get started, so thats what you got.

    One last thing - TANSTAAFL - There ain't no such thing as a
    free lunch. Please pass PCRGB around. Tell people about it
    and create interest. Think of me out here on the porch in
    sub zero weather, my fingers freezing and my wife
    threatening divorce. I don't want you to pay, but I want
    eventually to make money off of this. I think I can do it if
    I can fill the need for a graphics and desk top publishing
    "home base". I am working on significant add ons for PCRGB
    and for these I will charge a fee, but the base unit, the
    picture viewer and printer, I promise will always be free
    and available in new and improved formats.

    I can be reached by mail at:

    Keith P. Graham
    238 Germonds Road
    West Nyack, New York 10994