Inside Multimedia 1995 February/IMM0295.ISO/driver/ati/mach32/disk2/acad/dlxpress.lzh/MANUAL.DLX

Text File | 1994-01-26 | 102KB | 2,561 lines

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DL-Xpress/386 User's Manual                              October 22, 1993
=========================================================================


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1   System Requirements

CHAPTER 2: AUTOCAD 386
2.1   Automatic Installation
2.2   Basic Configuration
  2.2.1  AutoCAD Configuration Menu
  2.2.2  Video Board Configuration
            Anti-Aliasing
            Dual Monitor Mode
  2.2.3  Testing the Video Mode
  2.2.4  Exiting DL-Xpress Basic Configuration
  2.2.5  Exiting AutoCAD Basic Configuration
            Aspect Ratio
            Status Line
            Command Prompt
            Screen Menu Area
2.3   Custom Configuration
  2.3.1  Entering Custom Configuration
  2.3.2  Custom Configuration Usage
  2.3.3  Exiting Custom Configuration
  2.3.4  Customizable Parameters
            Button Configuration
            Display List Options
            Dual Screen Options
            Flip Options
            Font Selection
            Rules of Thumb for Fonts
            Default Fonts
            Menu Color Scheme
            Palette Selection
            Screen Layout
            Restore Factory Settings
            Restore Previous Settings
2.4   DL-Xpress Commands
  2.4.1  ZV - Zoom VMAX
  2.4.2  GC - Garbage Collect
  2.4.3  GCALL - Garbage Collect All
  2.4.4  RD - Redraw
  2.4.5  RDALL - Redraw All
  2.4.6  DLXCONFIG
  2.4.7  DLXSTATUS
  2.4.8  DLXHELP
  2.4.9  DLXDL

CHAPTER 3: 3D STUDIO 1.0
3.1   Installation
3.2   Setting Up 3D Studio 1.0
  3.2.1  3DS.SET
            Rendering Driver
            Main Display Driver
            Materials Editor Driver
  3.2.2  3DADI.CFG
3.3   Configuration
  3.3.1  Video Display
            Testing the Video Card Selection
  3.3.2  Font Selection
3.4   Configuration Tips
  3.4.1  Dual Screen Support
  3.4.2  Main Display
  3.4.3  Materials Editor
  3.4.4  Rendering Display
3.5   Bugs in 3D Studio 1.0

CHAPTER 4: 3D STUDIO 2.0
4.1   Installation
4.2   Setting Up 3D Studio 2.0
  4.2.1  3DS.SET
            Rendering Driver
            Main Display Driver
            Materials Editor Driver
  4.2.2  3DADI.CFG
4.3   Configuration
  4.3.1  Video Display
            Testing the Video Card Selection
  4.3.2  Font Selection
4.4   Configuration Tips
  4.4.1  Dual Screen Support
  4.4.2  Main Display
  4.4.3  Materials Editor
  4.4.4  Rendering Display
            RDPADI
            RCPADI
            Rendering Notes

CHAPTER 5: AUTOSHADE
5.1   Installation
5.2   Basic Configuration
  5.2.1  Pointing Device
  5.2.2  Display Driver
            Video Display
            Testing the Video Card Selection
  5.2.3  Entering Custom Configuration
  5.2.4  Selecting a Rendering Driver
  5.2.5  AutoShade Questions
5.3   Custom Configuration
  5.3.1  Custom Configuration Usage
  5.3.2  Font Selection
  5.3.3  Menu Color Scheme
            Alert Boxes
            Background/Cursor
            Command/Status Lines
            Dialog Boxes
            Side Menus
            Pull Down Menus
  5.3.4  Palette Selection
  5.3.5  Restore Factory Settings
  5.3.6  Restore Previous Settings
5.4   Usage With AutoShade

APPENDIX A:   TECHNICAL NOTES
A.1   Display List Technology
A.2   Display List Compression
A.3   TRUE-Erase
A.4   Multiple Viewports
A.5   Anti-Aliasing

APPENDIX B:   VIBCFG ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE
B.1   Setting the Variable
B.2   The Search Parameters

APPENDIX C:   TROUBLE SHOOTING
C.1   Environment Space
C.2   Symptoms & Solutions

APPENDIX D:   TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES


=========================================================================
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
=========================================================================


Congratulations!  You now own the best software display list driver  for
AutoCAD 386 ever, as well as including full support for  Autodesk 3D Studio
1.0 & 2.0 and AutoShade with Autodesk Renderman.  DL-Xpress/386 can, without a
doubt, be called the  fastest software display list driver ever sold.  Not
only does it  accelerate zooms, pans and redraws, but also regens, moves and
erases, which no other display list driver can claim.

DL-Xpress is the first driver to ship with TRUE-Erase real-time garbage
collection technology.  Unlike other drivers, you no  longer have to worry
about garbage being left in the display list from  moves and erases.  With DL-
Xpress and TRUE-Erase there is no  garbage.  This saves memory and allows you
even more speed when  using AutoCAD.

DL-Xpress has been specifically designed with you, the user, in mind.

All in all, DL-Xpress will increase your productivity while reducing  the
interruptions in your train of thought.

As well as being a great display list driver for AutoCAD 386 (R10/11/12), DL-
Xpress also provides high resolution and color depth support  for a number of
other Autodesk applications.  These include:

      Autodesk 3D Studio 1.0
      Autodesk 3D Studio 2.0
      AutoShade
      Autodesk Renderman

The rest of this manual will tell you how to install and configure DL-Xpress
for your hardware and assorted applications, as well as how to  customize DL-
Xpress's various features.


1.1.   SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

To run DL-Xpress/386 your computer system must be capable of running the
intended Autodesk protected-mode application.  When DL-Xpress is being set up
to run AutoCAD 386, we strongly recommend the use of additional memory.
Autodesk recommends running AutoCAD 386 with at least 4 Mb of memory, (though
the  program is able to crawl with only 2 Mb).

We strongly recommend more than 4 Mb  of memory to run at optimal performance
with drawings of 300K to 400K in AutoCAD  (8 Mb is a good all around
configuration).

For drawings over 2 Mb we suggest more than 8 Mb of memory for  best
performance.

The DL-Xpress/386 driver can be used on following ATI products :

        MACH8           Graphics Vantage
                        Graphics Ultra
                        8514 Ultra
                        VGAWONDER GT
                        MACH8 based OEM products

        MACH32          GRAPHICS ULTRA +
                        GRAPHICS ULTRA PRO
                        GRAPHICS WONDER
                        MACH32 based OEM products

Restrictions :

The 1280x1024 16-color mode (4 bits per pixel) is not supported on a
MACH8 based products..


=========================================================================
CHAPTER 2: AUTOCAD 386
=========================================================================


2.1   AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION

The INSTALL.EXE program is used to install device drivers and  utilities, and
to configure the graphics card.

1)    Power up your monitor and then your computer.

2)    Insert disk #1, that came with your graphics card, in the floppy drive.

3)    Change the directory from C: to the appropriate drive and directory.
      For example, if you have inserted disk #1 in drive A, type:

            A:\ (ENTER)
            CD\ (ENTER)

4)    Type install and press (Enter)

5)    The Main Selection Menu is displayed on your screen.
      Select Install ATI Device Drivers and press (Enter)

6)    Your screen now displays the Install Device Drivers Menu.
      Select AutoCAD and press (Enter)

7)    Follow the instructions on the screen to finish installing the AutoCAD
      driver.

8)    After the installation,  you will be given a batch file which sets all
      the environment variables that the driver needs.  These variables have
      to be properly defined prior to loading the driver.  They include:

            DSPADI
            RDPADI
            RCPADI
            VIBCFG

Note:
      If you see the following DOS error:

            Out of Environment Space

      you will need to increase the size of your environment as set up in
      your CONFIG.SYS.  See , Troubleshooting, for more details.


2.2.   BASIC CONFIGURATION

DL-Xpress is easy to configure.  It  asks various questions about how  to set
up your system through a simple and intuitive menu and  windowing system.  Pay
close attention to the various text windows  displayed during configuration
since they display valuable  information to help you customize DL-Xpress/386
for your needs. DL-Xpress replaces any other AutoCAD display drivers that you
may  have installed.  It is possible, though,  that these drivers may conflict
with DL-Xpress.  We recommend removing all other TSR ADI display drivers
before using DL-Xpress.

If you have installed DL-Xpress/386 for multiple applications, such as
AutoCAD and 3D Studio, or you are running multiple DL-Xpress  licenses on a
network and you wish to have different configurations  for each application or
user, see Appendix C about setting the  VIBCFG environment variable, which
allows you to have multiple  configuration files.


2.2.1.   AUTOCAD CONFIGURATION MENU

***   AutoCAD R10 & R11

All DL-Xpress configuration takes place within AutoCAD.  To set up DL-Xpress
as your display driver, enter AutoCAD as usual.

1)    When AutoCAD brings up the Main Menu, select Option 5, Configure
      AutoCAD, to begin the configuration process.

      AutoCAD will display your current configuration and prompt you to press
      (Enter).  After pressing (Enter), AutoCAD will take you to its
      configuration menu.

2)    Select Option 3, Configure Video Display, from AutoCAD's configuration
      menu.  AutoCAD will display your current video mode and ask you to
      select a new one.  Press Y (Enter) and choose number 1, ADI P386 v 4.1,
      from the next menu.

3)    After selecting the correct ADI P386 mode, DL-Xpress's title screen
      appears with bouncing boxes.  If not, make sure  that you have followed
      all the installation instructions correctly.  If the problem persists,
      see Appendix D, Troubleshooting, to correct the problem, or contact our
      Technical Support. Press any key to move to the next screen.

***   AutoCAD R12

1)    To set up AutoCAD for DL-Xpress, enter AutoCAD's configuration  menu by
      typing at the DOS prompt:

            ACAD -R

2)    Once AutoCAD's configuration menu appears, select option 3 to configure
      the video display.  AutoCAD will then present you with a list of all the
      possible video modes. Select the last option on the list which should
      read:

            DL-XPRESS BY VIBRANT GRAPHICS.

      At this point, DL-Xpress's title screen appears with bouncing  boxes.
      If not, make sure that you have followed all the installation
      instructions correctly.  If the problem persists,  see D,
      Troubleshooting, to correct the problem, or contact our Technical
      Support.

3)    Press any key to move to the next screen.


2.2.2.   VIDEO BOARD CONFIGURATION

Default:    ATI 68800
            Anti-Aliasing Off
            Single Screen Operation

The next screen will display your current video mode, anti-aliasing status and
whether you are set up for single or dual  monitor operation.  DL-Xpress asks
if you want to change your current video mode.

To change your video mode, answer (Y).  DL-Xpress will present  a list of
graphics boards.  Using the arrow keys and the (PgUp) and (PgDn) keys,
highlight your video board and press (Enter) to  select.

DL-Xpress displays a list of resolutions available with your  graphics board.
Use the same method to pick the resolution as  you did previously for the
video board.


***   Anti-Aliasing

If you picked a 256 color resolution, DL-Xpress will ask if  you want anti-
aliasing.  This is DL-Xpress's smooth line mode which eliminates the "jaggies"
from your lines.  Answer (Y) or (N) as appropriate.  Bear in mind that anti-
aliasing only works with a 256 color mode and will limit you to only 16
colors.  For an in depth discussion of DL-Xpress's anti-aliasing feature, see
Appendix A.7, Technical  Notes: Anti-Aliasing.


***   Dual Monitor Mode

DL-Xpress then asks if you want to operate in single or dual  monitor mode
((S) or (D)).  If you have two monitors and two supported video boards in your
system you may use dual monitor mode to display text on one monitor and
graphics on the other.  Please note that only monochrome or VGA type boards
may be used for the second monitor.


2.2.3.   TESTING THE VIDEO MODE

After selecting the new video mode and display options, DL-Xpress gives you
the opportunity to test the video mode.  When  DL-Xpress asks if you wish to
test the video mode, answer (Y)  or (N) as appropriate.  If you answered (Y),
DL-Xpress will display the following:

            IF YOU HAVE SELECTED AN INCORRECT VIDEO MODE, TESTING THE VIDEO
            MODE MAY CRASH YOUR SYSTEM.
Should your system crash, simply reboot and select a different  video mode.
DL-Xpress may also warn that you have selected a  video mode that does not
work with the board in your system.  If  this is the case, verify that you
selected the correct card and that  your board is installed correctly.  If the
problem persists, see D,  Troubleshooting.

If everything is correct, you should see the Vibrant test pattern  showing
your current video mode and resolution.  If your screen  is blank or garbled
there is a problem with your video card or  your monitor.  Be sure that your
video card and your monitor can support the desired resolution.

You may wait 10 seconds or press any key to exit the video test.   DL-Xpress
then asks whether the test screen looked correct.  If  so, answer (Y),
otherwise press (N) and select another video  mode.


2.2.4.   EXITING DL-XPRESS BASIC CONFIGURATION

Once you have finished selecting and testing the video mode,  DL-Xpress asks
whether you want to enter custom configuration.   Custom Configuration allows
you to set the buttons on your  pointing device, select different menu fonts,
customize your  screen colors, control some display list options, etc.

If you wish to enter Custom Configuration, answer (Y).  DL-Xpress will bring
you to the Custom Configuration menu.  The  options available include:

      Button Configuration
      Display List Options
      Dual Screen Options
      Flip Options
      Font Selection
      Menu Color Scheme
      Palette Selection
      Screen Layout

Refer to the next section for detailed information about each of  these Custom
Configuration options.  Some options are only  active with your Soft
Engine/386 upgrade.  For more information, call Vibrant Graphics at
1-800-937-1711 (TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]) (TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]).

If you don't wish to enter Custom Configuration at this time,  press (N).
This will end Basic Configuration.  At this point, DL-Xpress will save your
configuration file with whatever changes you have made.  It will create a new
configuration file with your custom settings if one did not previously exist.
This file is created according to the VIBCFG  environment variable or, if no
variable exists, it will be created in the same directory that ACAD.CFG
exists.  If you wish to install DL-Xpress/386 for different applications or
need to set the VIBCFG environment variable.  See the discussion in Appendix
C.


2.2.5.   EXITING AUTOCAD BASIC CONFIGURATION

After completing DL-Xpress's Basic Configuration, you are taken back to
AutoCAD's ADI P386 configuration section.  You  will be asked several
questions about the following:

      Aspect Ratio
      Status Line
      Command Prompt
      Screen Menu Area

To leave each option unchanged, simply press (Enter) as the response to each
question.


***   Aspect Ratio

In simple terms, this determines whether the circles or squares displayed on
your screen are perfectly round or square.  If not, you may need to adjust the
aspect ratio of  your monitor.  Most monitors have a control on them for doing
this.  In general, it is better to adjust the monitor than to try changing
this value.

***   Status Line

This determines if a status line is displayed at the top of the  screen.   In
DL-Xpress's custom configuration you can further set whether you want one or
two status lines in the  AutoCAD drawing editor.  Answering (N) to this option
prevents DL-Xpress from displaying any status lines.

***   Command Prompt

This determines whether you have a command line at the bottom of the screen.
This can also be set in DL-Xpress's  custom configuration which allows you to
set the number of  active command lines on the screen as well.  Answering (N)
to this option overrides DL-Xpress's command line option, so it is probably
best to leave this alone and change the command line status from within DL-
Xpress.

***   Screen Menu Area

This determines whether you have a sidebar menu on the right side of the
screen.  This can be set in DL-Xpress's Custom Configuration.  DL-Xpress
additionally lets you control the width of your sidebar.  Answering (N) to
this option overrides DL-Xpress's sidebar  menu option, so it is probably best
to leave this alone and  change the sidebar status from within DL-Xpress.


2.3.   CUSTOM CONFIGURATION

DL-Xpress/386 allows you to customize a variety of options for  AutoCAD.  DL-
Xpress's Custom Configuration, unlike many drivers',  is available to the user
from within the drawing editor of AutoCAD.   You can customize DL-Xpress and
your display as you edit your  drawing.

The following parameters may be changed with DL-Xpress's Custom  Configuration
as needed:
      Button Configuration
      Driver Save State
      Dual Screen Options
      Flip Options
      Font Selection
      Menu Color Scheme
      Palette Selection
      Screen Layout

Some options and features are only active with your Vibrant's Retail Soft
Engine/386 upgrade.  For more information, call Vibrant Graphics at
1-800-937-1711 (TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone])..

Additionally, DL-Xpress provides:

      Restore Factory Settings
      Restore Previous Settings

It is important to remember that unless the environment variable  VIBCFG is
used to control different configuration files, all changes to  Custom
Configuration affect DL-Xpress operation under AutoCAD,  AutoShade and
Autodesk 3D Studio simultaneously.  For more  information on the VIBCFG
environment variable, see C.


2.3.1.   ENTERING CUSTOM CONFIGURATION

There are two main methods for activating DL-Xpress's Custom  Configuration
process (commonly called Advanced Config or DLXCONFIG).  First, you can enter
it through Basic Configuration.  After you have finished configuring for your
video board, you will be asked if you would like to enter Custom
Configuration.  Press (Y) or (N) as appropriate.  Alternately,  you can enter
it from the drawing editor command prompt by  typing:

            DLXCONFIG (Enter)

Once you have entered DL-Xpress's Custom Configuration, the  main menu will
appear.


2.3.2.   CUSTOM CONFIGURATION USAGE

It's easy to use DLXCONFIG.  Simply use the arrow keys on your keyboard to
highlight the appropriate entry and then press  (Enter) to select.  In many
cases you will be asked to enter a value in  response to a question.  The
first letter is sufficient to enter the  option most of the time.  To leave an
option unchanged, simply  press (Enter) to skip over it.  You can exit a menu
at any time by  pressing (Esc).


2.3.3.   EXITING CUSTOM CONFIGURATION

After you have finished making the necessary changes, simply  return to
DLXCONFIG's main menu and then press (Esc) or select Exit from the bottom on
the menu.

DL-Xpress asks if you want to save your changes.  Simply respond (Y) or (N).
If you answer (N), DL-Xpress will discard  all the changes you just made while
in DLXCONFIG.

If you entered Custom Configuration from Basic Configuration  you will
automatically proceed to the next stage of configuration. If you entered
DLXCONFIG from the AutoCAD drawing editor, you will return to the drawing
editor. All changes will appear  immediately except the new font and any
changes you made to  the size of your command line, status bar and sidebar.
AutoCAD  must be reinitialized to make these changes.  To reinitialize
AutoCAD, exit the drawing editor using the Quit or End commands.  When you are
at the AutoCAD main menu, reenter your drawing for your changes to take
effect.

When changing the width of the sidebar menu, you must recompile  your ACAD.MNU
file for the change to take effect.  See Width of  Sidebar Menu under Custom
Configuration for more information.

If the display list is disabled, all DL-Xpress's commands are disabled.   To
reenable the display list, enter Custom Configuration through  Basic
Configuration and select display list options.


2.3.4.   CUSTOMIZABLE PARAMETERS

DLXCONFIG provides the following customizable parameters:

      Button Configuration
      Display List Options
      Dual Screen Options
      Flip Options
      Font Selection
      Menu Color Scheme
      Palette Selection
      Screen Layout


***   Button Configuration

This option is only available with your Soft Engine/386 upgrade Vibrant
Graphics, Inc. It controls Soft Engine's button command interface. For more
information, or to order your upgrade, call Vibrant Graphics at (800) 937-
1711.

***   Display List Options

DL-Xpress has four options which can be used to control the  operation of its
display list.  For a detailed discussion about  Display List Technology see
Appendix , Technical Notes.  DL-Xpress's five display list options are:

      World Space Partitioning
      TRUE-Erase
      Display List
      R12 Display List Size

World Space Partitioning:-

World Space Partitioning is a method by which DL-Xpress orders the display
list so that it can be transferred to the screen as fast as possible during a
redraw.  This feature partitions your drawing into blocks which can then be
drawn very quickly.  World Space partitioning is only active in Soft
Engine/386.  For information regarding upgrading to Soft Engine/386, call
Vibrant Graphics at [phone].

TRUE-Erase:-

This option will allow you to toggle DL-Xpress's TRUE-Erase real-time garbage
collection feature on and off.  When TRUE-Erase is active and you perform any
erase-type command (erase, move, rotate, etc.), DL-Xpress will automatically
remove all garbage data from the display list in real-time with virtually no
speed penalty!  If you wish DL-Xpress/386 to operate like other drivers , you
can turn off TRUE-Erase and simply use the built-in GC command to do manual
garbage cleanup.  To turn off TRUE-Erase answer (N) in the space provided.
Unless instructed to do so by a 3rd party AutoCAD utility software vendor,
there is no reason to turn TRUE-Erase off.

CAD Overlay users will want to turn TRUE-Erase off.  CAD Overlay  requires
black vectors for some functions.

You may also toggle TRUE-Erase on and off by using the GC or GCALL commands
from the command line.  You may do this by typing:

            GC=Y (Enable)
or

            GC=N (Disable)

For complete information on the GC command, see section 2.4.2. later in this
manual.

Display List:-

The Display List option allows you to disable the display list acceleration
provided by DL-Xpress.  The net effect is to remove all acceleration.  There
are three  possible ways to set the display-list: On, Off, and Fake.

To enable the display-list, enter (E) in the space provided.
To disable the display list, enter (D) in the space provided.

DL-Xpress also allows you to fool AutoCAD into thinking you are running with
an active display list by using its "fake" mode by entering (F) in the space
provided.  We advise you not to use DL-Xpress's fake mode under AutoCAD R10
and 11 386 since it is prohibitively slow.

R12 Display List Size:-

DL-Xpress allows you to define the size of your display list under AutoCAD
R12.  You can choose from either a 16-bit or 32-bit display list.  A 32-bit
display list takes  up a little more memory but allows true regenless zooms
and pans, as opposed to a 16-bit display list which has a definite zoom
boundary at about 40 times magnification.  With a 32-bit display list, you
could zoom a drawing of the entire solar system drawn to scale down to read 3
inch letters.

To activate the 32-bit display list, move the cursor to highlight the R12
Display List Size option and type (3) in the space provided.

To activate the 16-bit display list, move the cursor to highlight the R12
Display List Size option and type (1) in the space provided.

***   Dual Screen Options

DL-Xpress/386 can be configured for dual monitors; one for  your drawing
editor and one for your text screen.  There are  three settings that control
DL-Xpress's dual monitor actions:

      Dual Screen Modes
      Clear Graphics Screen on Exit
      Clear Graphics Screen on Shell
      Non Standard Text Screen


Dual Screen Modes:-
      Default:
      (T)   True dual monitor mode.

DL-Xpress provides two dual screen implementations:

1)    Enhanced Mode and True Mode
      Enhanced mode allows a command line to appear on the graphics screen (if
      you want one) and will run some script files faster.  Enhanced mode does
      not allow you to reprogram the (F1) key.  If you prefer to reprogram the
      (F1) key, you may have to use True Mode.

2)    True mode (T) is the true AutoCAD dual screen mode that allows only a
      single prompt line without a graphics command area.  Reprogramming the
      (F1) key is fully supported.

Clear Graphics Screen on Exit:-

      Default:
      (Y)   Graphics monitor is cleared

When exiting the drawing editor while running DL-Xpress in dual screen mode,
you have the option of leaving the graphics screen with the last graphics
image still displayed.

To leave the graphics screen on when you exit the drawing editor, type (N) in
the space provided.  If you would like DL-Xpress to clear the graphics display
when you exit the drawing editor, type (Y) in the space provided.

Leaving the graphics screen active is  especially handy for referring to the
drawing while running another program on the system such as a word processor.
This selection allows high resolution graphics boards with a VGA daughter card
to enable VGA pass-through mode.

Clear Graphics Screen on Shell:-

      Default:
      (Y)   Graphics monitor is cleared

You also have the option to control the graphics screen while in a DOS shell
within AutoCAD.  It works much the same way as Clear Graphics Screen on Exit,
except that it is controlled independently.  You could have the graphics
screen up while in a shell, clearing it after exiting AutoCAD (or vice versa).
To have the graphics screen cleared during a shell, type (Y) in the space
provided.  To display the graphics screen during a shell type (N) in the space
provided.

This selection allows graphics boards with a VGA daughter card to enable VGA
pass-through mode.

Non Standard Text Screen:-

If you are using a video board which supports a non-standard text screen (i.e.
80 x 43 or 80 x 50 resolutions)  and you want your text screen to remain at
the higher resolution, you will need to activate this feature.  If this
feature is not set, your text screen will default to 80 x 25, and may not be
reset correctly when you exit AutoCAD.

To activate the Non Standard Text Screen, move you cursor to highlight the
appropriate option and enter (Y) in the space provided.

To disable the Non Standard Text Screen, move you cursor to highlight the
appropriate option and enter (N) in the space provided.

Notes About Dual Screen Operation:

      If you use your 68800 board and a monochrome card together, you may
      start AutoCAD from either screen.  DL-Xpress correctly knows to use the
      monochrome for the text display.


***   Flip Options

DL-Xpress provides four different ways to flip the screen between graphics and
text mode in the drawing editor.  These controlled by three settings:

      Flip Type
      Init on Flip
      Init on Shell

Flip Type:-

      Default:    Either (P) Partial Redraw Mode or (I) Independent depending
                  on your current video mode.

There a four methods which DL-Xpress can use to perform a flip: full blit
mode, partial redraw mode, full redraw mode, and independent mode.
Full blit mode ((F)) stores the entire graphics screen as a block during the
flip.  This brings a speed increase to flips and shells for VGA type cards, if
you have enough memory (RAM) to store the entire graphics screen
without causing excessive swapping to disk.

For those customers that don't have enough memory, we have provided several
alternatives.  You can use the partial redraw mode ((P)) which stores the
actual drawing space during a flip (or shell), but redraws the screen menus
each time.  This saves some memory and is still very fast.  In general, the
partial blit option provides almost identical speed at the full blit option,
but saves memory.

Another method, which saves the most memory is full redraw mode ((R)).  This
mode doesn't save any of the screen.  It does an actual redraw each time you
come back from a flip  On smaller drawings, this option may actually be faster
than the full or partial blit options depending on the amount of memory and
the type of video board.

If you are using an 8514/A or TI type card, this is all handled by the
graphics board itself, so you should set your Flip Type to Independent ((I)).
The most notable exception to this rule is the Hercules Graphics Station
which incorrectly restores the screen if your Flip Type is set to Independent.
Init on Flip:-

      Default:    (N)   Do not reinitialize display after text flip

This option is only applicable to graphics boards running the TIGA interface.

Init on Shell:-

      Default:    (Y)   Reinitialize display aftershell

This option is only applicable to graphics boards running the TIGA interface.


***   Font Selection

DL-Xpress provides a wide variety of menu fonts.  They come in all shapes and
sizes, ranging from tiny to large.   When selecting a font keep in mind your
current resolution  and the legibility of the font.

To change the desired font, use the (PgUp), (PgDn), and arrow keys to select
your desired font and press (Enter).

If you entered DLXCONFIG from within the AutoCAD drawing editor, you will have
to exit the drawing editor before the font change will take effect.

Font Name         Approx. Type Style
-------------     ------------------------
VIBRANT14         Bookman-style 8 x 14
VIBRANT16         Bookman-style 8 x 16
VGA16             Generic VGA style 8 x 16
MESSENGER12       Courier-style 8 x 12
MESSENGER14       Courier-style 8 x 14
STICK12           Helvetica-style 8 x 12
FORMAL12          TmsRmn-style 8 x 12
TINY              Modern-style 5 x 7
SMALL             Modern-style 5 x 8
BLOCK6            Modern-style 6 x 8
BLOCK6 (CAPS)     Modern-style 6 x 8
BLOCK8            Modern-style 8 x 8
BLOCK10           Modern-style 8 x 10
BLOCK12           Modern-style 8 x 12
BLOCK14           Modern-style 8 x 14
BLOCK16           Modern-style 10 x 16
BLOCK18           Modern-style 10 x 18
BLOCK21           Modern-style 11 x 21
BLOCK26           Modern-style 12 x 26
BLOCK32           Modern-style 15 x 32
BLOCK12x16        3DS Materials 640x400
BLOCK12x19        3DS Materials 640x480
BLOCK13x21        3DS Materials 720x540
BLOCK15x24        3DS Materials 800x600
BLOCK19x30        3DS Materials 1024x768
BLOCK24x40        3DS Materials 1280x1024

Table 2-1:  Custom Font Name and Type Style


***   Rules of Thumb for Fonts

1)    15 pixels wide x 32 pixels high

      These fonts are recommended for use at 1600 x 1200 and higher
      resolutions. Most Autodesk applications will function with these fonts
      at 1280 x 1024 or higher.

2)    11 x 21 & 12 x 26

      These fonts are recommended for use at 1280 x 1024 resolution. Most
      Autodesk applications will support these fonts at 1024 x 768 or above.

3)    10 x 16 & 10 x 18

      These fonts are recommended for use at 1024 x 768 resolution. Most
      Autodesk applications will support them is 800 x 600 or above.

4)    8 x 12, 8 x 14 & 8 x 16

      These are good, general purpose fonts at all resolutions. They are
      recommended for 800 x 600 and 640 x 480. At higher resolutions they may
      be small for some purposes, but are nevertheless very useful.

5)    5 x 7, 5 x 8, 6 x 8, 8 x 8 & 8 x 10

      These fonts are recommended with low resolutions such as 640 x 350 EGA
      or 320 x 200 VGA. They are useful when a very small font is needed.

***   Default Fonts

Depending upon the resolution selected with your video board, DL-Xpress
selects an appropriate font automatically.

Resolution        Font Name
----------        ---------
1280 x 1024       BLOCK18
1024 x 768        BLOCK16
800 x 600         VGA16
640 x 480         VIBRANT14
640 x 400 or less BLOCK10

Table 2-2:  Default Fonts vs. Resolution


***   Menu Color Scheme

DL-Xpress allows you to change your display colors in the following
categories:

      Alert Boxes
      Background/Cursor
      Command/Status Lines
      Dialog Boxes
      Side Menus
      Pull-down Menus

When you select the Menu Color Scheme option, DL-Xpress presents a submenu of
the above options.  Select the  one you wish to modify and press (Enter).

For each selection, you are presented with a submenu containing the specific
item.  There is a space on the right of each option where you can enter a
color number.  Depending on the palette you are using, you can select a number
from 0 to 15 or 255.  The names of the first 8 colors  are listed on the left
of the screen for reference.  To view all  available colors with the
appropriate numbers, load the AutoCAD drawing COLORWH.DWG.

Alert Boxes
      Foreground
      Background
      Border
Background/Cursor
      Graphics Background
      Cursor
      Grid
      Border Lines
      Rubber Band
Command/Status Lines
      Command Area Foreground
      Command Area Background
      Coordinate Line Foreground
      Coordinate Line Background
      Status Line Foreground
      Status Line Background
      DL-Xpress/386 Logo Foreground
      DL-Xpress/386 Logo Background
Dialog Boxes
      Foreground
      Background
      Border
      Highlighted Foreground
      Highlighted Background
      Disabled Foreground
      Disabled Background
      Highlighted Disabled Foreground
      Highlighted Disabled Background
      Lines
Side Menus
      Foreground
      Background
      Highlighted Foreground
      Highlighted Background
Pull Down Menus
      Foreground
      Background
      Border
      Highlighted Foreground
      Highlighted Background
      Disabled Foreground
      Disabled Background
      Highlighted Disabled Foreground
      Highlighted Disabled Background

***   Palette Selection

DL-Xpress currently provides six color palettes from which  to choose:

      AutoCAD 16
      AutoCAD 256
      256 ADESK
      256 ADI
      256-16-ADI
      256-16-ADESK
      Custom

To change the color palette, use (Up Arrow) and (Down Arrow) keys to highlight
the appropriate palette and press (Enter).  To view the palettes,  load the
CHROMA.DWG drawing in AutoCAD and view it with each palette.

Typically you will only use AutoCAD 16 & AutoCAD 256.  The other palette
options are provided for compatibility with  earlier versions of DL-Xpress.

DL-Xpress's ADIPAL can be used to change the palette values on the fly in the
drawing editor  and save them to the Custom palette.  For more information  on
this command, see later in this chapter.

***   Screen Layout

DL-Xpress allows you to customize your AutoCAD screen.  After you have
selected screen layout from custom configuration, DL-Xpress will present
various options:

      Number of Status Lines
      Width of Sidebar Menu
      Number of Command Lines

Number of Status Lines:-

DL-Xpress allows either one or two status lines across the top of the AutoCAD
drawing editor.  With a single status line the cursor must be moved into the
area for the pull-down menu titles to appear.  With two lines, the pull-down
menu titles continue to show after entering the pull down area.

To change the number of status lines, simply enter the appropriate number into
the space provided.

To eliminate the status line completely, answer (N) when AutoCAD asks about a
status line, immediately after Basic Configuration.

It is normal to have a blank status line (i.e. no menu names) until you  move
the cursor into it for the first time.


Width of Sidebar Menu:-

DL-Xpress allows you to control the width of your sidebar menu.  This will
enable you to change the number of characters in each entry on your sidebar
menu.

To change the width of your sidebar, simply enter the appropriate number of
screen characters in the space provided.  The sidebar must be a minimum of 4
characters wide and a maximum of 32.

To eliminate the sidebar completely, answer (N) when AutoCAD asks about a
sidebar menu, immediately after Basic Configuration.

You will need to recompile your ACAD.MNU file when changing  the sidebar
width, otherwise your sidebar menu will not be displayed  correctly.

Number of Command Lines:-

You may also choose from 0 to 25 command lines at the bottom of your AutoCAD
screen.  The fewer the lines the faster the scroll rate.  By entering 0 you
will eliminate the command line altogether.  This is really only appropriate
with dual monitors.

To change the number of command lines, enter the appropriate number into the
space provided.

***   Restore Factory Settings

This function resets all of the Custom Configuration parameters to the
original defaults.  It will only affect those  parameters set in this section
and has no affect on those that  are part of Basic Configuration.

To restore the original settings, highlight the Restore Factory  Settings
option on your Custom Configuration main menu and press (Enter).  DL-Xpress
then asks if you are sure you want to do this.  Answer appropriately with (Y)
or (N) and  again press (Enter).

***   Restore Previous Settings

This function resets Custom Configuration parameters to the  settings prior to
entering DLXCONFIG.  Again, this function only affects the Custom
Configuration parameters and not those set in Basic Configuration.

To restore the previous settings, simply highlight Restore  Previous Settings
on your Custom Configuration main menu and press (Enter).  DL-Xpress will ask
if you are sure you want  to do this.  Answer (Y) or (N) as appropriate.

2.4.   DL-XPRESS COMMANDS

Many of DL-Xpress's special features can be accessed through simple  commands
which are entered on the command line in the AutoCAD  drawing editor.

Zoom and Pan Commands
      ZV
      GC
      GCALL
      RD
      RDALL
Configuration Commands
      DLXCONFIG
Help Commands
      DLXHELP
      DLXSTATUS


2.4.1.   ZV - ZOOM VMAX

After entering ZV at the command prompt, DL-Xpress will perform a fast Zoom
VMAX, showing your entire drawing (based on the last regen), just as you would
see with AutoCAD's  R11's Zoom VMAX command.

ZV is fully regen protected.  It will display the largest possible  view
without doing a regen.  It is impossible to cause a regen  using the ZV
command.  If you need to do a regen (i.e. you need  to zoom out further), you
will need to either use the AutoCAD  Zoom All command or type REGEN at the
command prompt and then do another ZV.  You could also use DL-Xpress's
REGENMAX command.

ZV is transparent so it can be used in the middle of many commands.  All you
need do is add an apostrophe to the beginning ('ZV).

ZV gives AutoCAD R10 the same function as AutoCAD R11's Zoom VMAX command.
This command is equivalent to the older DL-Xpress ZA command. The ZA command
is still present for backwards compatibility.


2.4.2.   GC - GARBAGE COLLECT

GC is DL-Xpress's Garbage Collection command for a single viewport.  You will
rarely have to use this command if you have  DL-Xpress's TRUE-Erase activated.
In rare cases, it is possible for TRUE-Erase to make a mistake  and erase the
wrong vector.  For example, if you have multiple  vectors occupying the same
space and you erase one by selecting  it and using the AutoCAD Erase command.
Both AutoCAD and TRUE-Erase assume you are removing the top vector and
everything is all right.  But, if you make a copy of the group of  contiguous
vectors, AutoCAD reverses the order they are drawn  and so the top vector for
AutoCAD is the bottom vector in DL-Xpress's display list.  When you erase the
top one, AutoCAD  removes the correct one, but DL-Xpress removes the other one
from its display list.  It is difficult for DL-Xpress to distinguish  between
vectors that are in the same place.

After lengthy edit sessions, it is possible for the display to  become
partially fragmented.  Using the GC command will reduce the memory usage of
the driver by replacing the display  list with a new one.

The GC command, on the other hand, requests a whole new display list from
AutoCAD.  If you do this after the suspect  Erase, both DL-Xpress's display-
list and AutoCAD's database  will be in sync.

The GC command is also used to enable or disable the TRUE-Erase feature.  You
may do this by typing:

      GC=Y (Enable)
or
      GC=N (Disable)

You may wish to disable the TRUE-Erase feature when using add-on products such
as Cad-Overlay.

Display list garbage collection commands used by other drivers are  also
supported as synonyms: DLDCLEAN, CLEAN, and NPURGE.


2.4.3.   GCALL - GARBAGE COLLECT ALL

This is identical to the GC command described above except that  it effects
all viewports, as opposed to only the active one.  The  GCALL command may also
be used to enable or disable the TRUE-ERASE and World Space Partitioning
features as described  by the GC command above.


2.4.4.   RD - REDRAW

This is DL-Xpress's shorthand for the AutoCAD Redraw command.  It is identical
in every way to Redraw.  It simply  gives you a quick command to redraw the
screen to remove any  garbage there.  RD applies to the active viewport only.

Remember that DL-Xpress speeds up regular AutoCAD commands as well as its own
shorthand commands.


2.4.5.   RDALL - REDRAW ALL

RDALL (or RDA) is the same as DL-Xpress's RD command, except that it applies
to all viewports, not just the active one.


2.4.6.   DLXCONFIG

The DLXCONFIG command is used from the drawing editor to enter DL-Xpress's
Custom Configuration program.  For more information on Custom Configuration,
see earlier in this chapter. To access Custom Configuration, type at the
command prompt:

      DLXCONFIG

2.4.7.   DLXSTATUS

The DLXSTATUS command displays the current status of DL-Xpress. It shows the
name, version number and serial number of  the driver, and also shows the size
in kilobytes of the display list. To get this information, simply type at the
command prompt:

      DLXSTATUS


2.4.8.   DLXHELP

The DLXHELP command accesses DL-Xpress's online help system. Type at the
AutoCAD command prompt:

      DLXHELP

Once DL-Xpress's help screen appears, you can flip through the  different
pages by using the (PgUp) and (PgDn) keys. To exit help and return to your
drawing, press the (Esc) key.


2.4.9.   DLXDL

DLXDL is DL-Xpress's display list control command. It allow  you to toggle the
display list and TRUE Erase on and off. To use  the DLXDL command, type at the
command line:

      DLXDL={DISPLAYLIST},{TRUEERASE}

DLXDL has two options. The first allows you to turn DL-Xpress's display list
on and off. Set DLXDL equal to (Y) or (N)  as appropriate. Disabling the
display list using this command put  DL-Xpress into a special "fake" mode
which frees up the memory associated with the display list while fooling
AutoCAD  into thinking that the display list is still active, so that the rest
of  DL-Xpress's commands will be recognized by AutoCAD. To permanently turn
off the display list, use Display List Options in  DL-Xpress's Custom
Configuration. Remember, disabling the  display list in Custom Configuration
also disables all DL-Xpress  commands and features (including the DLXDL
command).

The next option toggles DL-Xpress's TRUE Erase real time display list garbage
collection feature on and off. Again, set  DLXDL equal to (Y) or (N) as
appropriate. Turning TRUE Erase off is unnecessary, except for CAD Overlay
users since  CAD Overlay uses the black vector garbage stored in the display
list.

If you need to change only certain DLXDL options, place commas with nothing
between them to step past options which  need not be changed. As an example,
to turn TRUE Erase off  while leaving the display list with the previous
setting, type at the  command line:

      DLXDL=,N

=========================================================================
CHAPTER 3: 3D-STUDIO 1.0
=========================================================================

This chapter discusses the use of DL-Xpress with 3D Studio version  1.0.  If
you are using DL-Xpress with 3D Studio version 2.0, please  refer to chapter
4.  DL-Xpress is ideal for use with Autodesk 3D  Studio 1.0.

DL-Xpress is unique in that it allows you to select different video  modes for
each of 3D Studio's displays: Main Display, Materials  Editor and Rendering
Display.  For example, you could edit your  drawing at 1024 x 768 in the Main
Display, select and view materials  at 640 x 480, and render your drawing at
800 x 600.

Note that DL-Xpress requires an Intel math coprocessor. If a Weitek  math
coprocessor is additionally present, DL-Xpress ignores it. If you  are using
3D Studio with only a Weitek coprocessor in your 386 or  486SX machine,
contact Vibrant Graphics for a copy of our Weitek  specific ProRes/386
product.


3.1.   INSTALLATION

Follow the instruction in section 2.1 AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION,  except steps 6
and 7.  Instead of selecting AutoCAD,  select 3D Studio.


3.2.   SETTING UP 3D STUDIO 1.0


3.2.1.   3DS.SET

After installing DL-Xpress, you will need to modify the 3DS.SET file located
in your 3D Studio directory.  These changes tell 3D Studio that you are using
DL-Xpress as the  RCPADI driver.  Once these changes are made they will not
need to be done again.

Use your favorite word processor (remember to save in text  mode only!) to
make the changes described below. Please be  aware that the line numbers given
are approximate, though they should indicate the general vicinity of the
parameter.


***   Rendering Driver

It is necessary to modify the Rendering Driver section of the 3DS.SET file to
set DL-Xpress as the default rendering  driver. To do this change line 123 as
outlined below:

      Old line 123 (approx.):
            DEFAULT-DISPLAY = "VGA300X200"

      New line 123 (approx.):
            DEFAULT-DISPLAY = "RCPADI"
Should you need to use a different rendering driver than DL-Xpress, you can
select a new one from within 3D Studio by selecting Render, Setup...,
Configure from the main menu and choosing a different display driver.


***   Main Display Driver

Next, set DL-Xpress to be the Main Display driver. To do this, change line 139
by removing the semicolon, as outlined  below:

      Old line 139 (approx.):
            ;MAIN-DISPLAY = RCPADI

      New line 139 (approx.):
            MAIN-DISPLAY = RCPADI


***   Materials Editor Driver

Finally, set DL-Xpress to be the Materials Editor driver by  removing the
semicolon in line 146:

      Old line 146 (approx.):
            ;MATERIAL-DISPLAY = RCPADI

      New line 146 (approx.):
            MATERIAL-DISPLAY = RCPADI


3.2.2.   3DADI.CFG

Each time you need to reconfigure DL-Xpress/386, you will need  to delete the
3DADI.CFG file, located in your 3D Studio directory (\3DS).  To do this at the
DOS prompt type:

            CD \3DS
            DEL 3DADI.CFG

If your system crashes while testing a video card selection during  DL-Xpress
configuration, you will need to delete this file before  being able to
reconfigure DL-Xpress.


3.3.   CONFIGURATION

You can now enter 3D Studio itself and begin the configuration  process.  You
can do this any way, or at the DOS prompt type:

      CD \3DS
      3DS

DL-Xpress's title screen should appear with various boxes bouncing around the
screen.  If not, make sure that your environment variables are set correctly,
that you have correctly  edited your 3DS.SET file and that you have deleted
the 3DADI.CFG file.  If the problem persists, see Appendix D, Troubleshooting,
or contact our Technical Support.

You can press any key to continue to the next screen or simply  wait about 10
seconds for it to happen automatically.

There are three sections of 3D Studio 1.0 for which DL-Xpress  will need to be
configured:

      Main Display
      Materials Editor
      Rendering Display

You will configure DL-Xpress for each display in turn.  Configuration for each
is very similar, so simply follow the  procedure outlined below for each
display.  Read over the configuration instructions below and review the tips
for each 3D  Studio display located after the configuration section before
continuing DL-Xpress configuration.

Please note that if you haven't set up separate VIBRANT.CFG  files with the
VIBCFG environment variable, any changes you  make here for 3D Studio 1.0 will
be in effect for AutoCAD,  AutoShade and 3D Studio 2.0 as well.  For more
information on  how the set the VIBCFG environment variable, see Appendix C.


3.3.1.   VIDEO DISPLAY

      Default
            Main Display:  Generic VGA 640 x 480 x 16
            Materials Ed.:  Generic VGA 320 x 200 x 256

The next screen displays the section of 3D Studio your are  editing along with
your current video mode.  DL-Xpress will  then ask you whether you want to
change the video mode.

To change your video mode, answer (Y).  DL-Xpress displays a  list of graphics
boards.  Using the arrow keys and the (PgUp)  and (PgDn) keys, highlight your
video board and press (Enter) to  select.

DL-Xpress then displays a list of resolutions available with your  graphics
board.  Use the same method to choose the resolution.


***   Testing the Video Card Selection

After selecting the new video mode and display options, DL-Xpress will give
you the opportunity to test the mode to  make sure that it is correct.  When
DL-Xpress asks whether  you wish to test the video mode, answer (Y) or (N) as
appropriate.

If you answered (Y), DL-Xpress prints a warning:

      IF YOU HAVE SELECTED AN INCORRECT VIDEO MODE, TESTING THE VIDEO MODE MAY
      CRASH YOUR SYSTEM.
Should your system crash, simply reboot and select a different video mode
(Don't forget to delete the 3DADI.CFG  file first, otherwise 3D Studio won't
let you configure DL-Xpress).  DL-Xpress may also warn that you have selected
a  video mode that does not work with the board in your system.  In this case
verify that you selected the correct card  and that your board is installed
properly.  If the problem  persists, see Appendix D for Troubleshooting.

If everything goes correctly, you should see the test pattern showing your
current video mode and resolution.  If  your screen is blank or garbled, there
is a problem with your  video card or your monitor.  Be sure that your video
card and your monitor can support the selected resolution.

Wait 10 seconds or press any key to exit the video test.  DL-Xpress asks
whether the test screen looked correct.  If so,  answer (Y) otherwise, press
(N) and select another video mode.


3.3.2.   FONT SELECTION

      Default
            Main Display : VGA16
            Materials Editor : Largest for Resolution
            Rendering Display : N/A

After selecting and testing the video mode, DL-Xpress will ask if  you want to
change the current menu font.  There will also be a  brief message which will
help you in selecting the correct font.   Remember, there is no font selection
for the rendering configuration.  If you wish to change your current font,
answer  (Y).  DL-Xpress displays a list of fonts from which to select.   Using
the same method as selecting a video mode, choose one  font from the list,  as
described previously in Table 2-1.  Also refer to the section Rules of Thumb
for Fonts that follows Table 2-1.


***   3D Studio Material Editor Fonts

These fonts have been specifically created to maximize 3D Studio's Materials
Editor.  The size of the Materials Editor on the screen is determined by the
font size.  DL-Xpress will automatically select the appropriate Materials
Editor fonts depending on your resolution.


3.4.   CONFIGURATION TIPS

There are many issues to consider when configuring DL-Xpress for  3D Studio's
Main, Materials, and Rendering displays.  This section is  designed to help
you configure DL-Xpress to get the most out of 3D  Studio.


3.4.1.   DUAL SCREEN SUPPORT

3D Studio 1.0 does not support simultaneous use of two separate  monitors.
Soft Engine/386 from Vibrant Graphics supports a  wide variety of graphics
board, allowing you to use multiple  graphics displays with 3D-Studio 1.0.
Contact Vibrant Graphics  at [phone] for more information.


3.4.2.   MAIN DISPLAY

Speed is of the essence when using 3D Studio's Main display  editor.  You will
want to have the highest clarity with the most  speed.

To get the most speed, you will want to select a 16 color mode.   This will
cut down on the redraw times.  The Keyframer will  benefit most from this.
It is a good idea to select a medium to high resolution for the  Main display
since this will give you the most clarity.  A good  resolution to pick is 800
x 600 or 1024 x 768 with 16 colors. The VIBRANT16 font has been expressly
designed for the 3D Studio Main display.  It simulates a Bookman style font
which  we have found to be clear and easy to read.  At 1024 x 768, you  may
find it a little small.  In that case, you may want to select  one of the
larger BLOCK fonts.


3.4.3.   MATERIALS EDITOR

It is a good idea to select 640 x 480 x 256 colors as the resolution  for the
Materials Editor.  This gives a good balance between  readability and speed.
The material renderings are fairly fast  while being clear enough to view
effectively.

Whatever resolution you use, you should select a 256 color mode  for the
materials editor.  While you may select a mode with more  than 256 colors,
only 256 colors will be used and performance  will be slower.

The size of the Materials editor is controlled by the font size, so  choosing
the correct font is important here.  For 640 x 480,  BLOCK12x19 is ideal.  It
causes the Materials editor to be at its  largest; it fills up the entire
screen.  DL-Xpress will automatically  select the largest possible font for
the resolution you have  selected to use as the default.  Unless you really
need to, there is  no need to change the font here.

Higher resolutions will require longer to render a material.


3.4.4.   RENDERING DISPLAY

Once you have finished configuring the Materials Editor, your  3D Studio Main
display will appear.  You will not be asked to  configure the Rendering
Display until you actually render something.  We suggest that you load a
sample drawing and render it now to save time and trouble later.

After you have loaded a sample drawing, go through the process  of rendering
it.  You must select RCPADI as your rendering  driver.  Under 3D Studio 1.0,
DL-Xpress cannot be configured as  an RDPADI device.  Before rendering, your
DL-Xpress title screen will appear for a third time.  Follow the same
procedure as  before.

It is important to note that the higher the resolution selected for a
rendering, the longer your drawing will take to render.  A good  resolution at
which to render is 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 with 16.7  million (24-bit) colors.
Anything higher takes a long time for  only slightly better results.
You should select a HiColor (15/16-bit) or TrueColor (24-bit)  mode if
possible.  3D Studio performs all the rendering calculations in 24-bit color
and, if configured for a 256 color  device (limitiation of MACH 8 based products)
has to scale them down to 256 colors.  This requires 3D  Studio to make a
second pass of the rendering screen.  This is  avoided if you select a
HiColor or TrueColor mode.

Please note that if you haven't set up separate VIBRANT.CFG files  with the
VIBCFG environment variable, the rendering mode selection  you make here will
be for both AutoShade and 3D Studio (1.0 or 2.0).


3.5.   BUGS IN 3D STUDIO 1.0

3D Studio (version 1.0) has some bugs which affect the use of DL-Xpress/386.
These have mostly been fixed in 3D Studio 2.0.

***   If you use the command sequence Render, Setup..., Configure to select a
      different rendering display device, you  may not select RDPADI (When DL-
      Xpress is configured as a RDPADI device, 3D Studio crashes during
      rendering). This bug  affects all drivers including Autodesk's supplied
      sample driver  RCPVGA41.EXP.

***   After doing a number of renderings, you may unexpectedly  crash. This is
      because each time you render 3D Studio loads  another copy of DL-Xpress
      and allocates memory for the Phar-Lap DOS extender. This memory is never
      returned to the DOS  extender so eventually it runs out of Local
      Descriptor Table (LDT) sectors. The only solution is to quit and then
      reenter 3D  Studio after every eight or nine renderings.  Note that
      having 3D  Studio render a sequence of frame automatically counts as
      only  one rendering.

***   Another symptom of the problem described above is that after  just a few
      renderings you may run out of physical RAM and the  system will
      dramatically slow down as it pages frequently to the  hard disk. Again,
      there is no other solution than to exit and restart  3D Studio.


=========================================================================
CHAPTER 4: 3D-STUDIO 2.0
=========================================================================


DL-Xpress is also fully compatible with 3D Studio 2.0.

DL-Xpress is unique in that it allows you to select different video  modes for
each of 3D Studio's displays: Main Display, Materials  Editor and Rendering
Display (both RDPADI & RCPADI).  For example, you could edit your drawing at
1024 x 768 in the Main  Display, select and view materials at 640 x 480, and
render your  drawing at 800 x 600.

It is important to note that DL-Xpress requires an Intel math  coprocessor. If
a Weitek math coprocessor is additionally present,  DL-Xpress ignores it. If
you are using 3D Studio with only a Weitek  coprocessor present in your 386 or
486SX machine, contact Vibrant  Graphics for a copy of our Weitek specific
ProRes/386 product.


4.1.   INSTALLATION

Follow the instruction in section 2.1 AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION,  except steps 6
and 7.  Instead of selecting AutoCAD,  select 3D Studio.


4.2.   SETTING UP 3D STUDIO 2.0


4.2.1.   3DS.SET

After installing DL-Xpress, you will need to modify the 3DS.SET file located
in your 3D Studio directory.  These changes tell 3D Studio that you are using
DL-Xpress as the  RCPADI or RDPADI driver.  Once these changes are made they
will not need to be done again.

Use your favorite word processor (remember to save in text  mode only!) to
make the changes described below. Please be  aware that the line numbers given
are approximate, though they should indicate the general vicinity of the
parameter.


***   Rendering Driver

It is necessary to modify the Rendering Driver section of the  3DS.SET file to
set DL-Xpress up to be the default rendering driver. To do this change line
231 as outlined below:

      Old line 231 (approx.):
            RENDER-DISPLAY = VGA300X200

      New line 231 (approx.):
            RENDER-DISPLAY = RCPADI

This will allow you to render using the RCPADI and RDPADI selections within 3D
Studio 2.0 by selecting Render, Setup..., Configure from the main menu and
choosing the appropriate display driver.


***   Main Display Driver

Next, set DL-Xpress to be the Main Display driver. To do this, change line 254
as outlined below:

      Old line 254 (approx.):
            ;MAIN-DISPLAY = RCPADI

      New line 254 (approx.):
            MAIN-DISPLAY = RCPADI


***   Materials Editor Driver

Finally, set DL-Xpress to be the Materials Editor driver by  removing the
semicolon in line 264:

      Old line 264 (approx.):
            ;MATERIAL-DISPLAY = RCPADI

      New line 264 (approx.):
            MATERIAL-DISPLAY = RCPADI


4.2.2.   3DADI.CFG

Each time you need to reconfigure DL-Xpress/386, you will need  to delete the
3DADI.CFG file, located in your 3D Studio directory (/3DS).  To do this, type
at the DOS prompt:

      CD \3DS
      DEL 3DADI.CFG

If you crash the system while testing a video card selection  during DL-Xpress
configuration, you will need to delete this file  before being able to
reconfigure DL-Xpress.


4.3.   CONFIGURATION

You can now enter 3D Studio itself and begin the configuration  process.  You
can do this any way you  want or type at the DOS  prompt:

      CD \3DS
      3DS

DL-Xpress's title screen should appear with various boxes bouncing around the
screen.  If not, make sure that your environment variables are set correctly,
that you have correctly  edited your 3DS.SET file and that you have deleted
the 3DADI.CFG file.  If the problem persists, see Appendix D Troubleshooting,
or contact our Technical Support.

You can press any key to continue to the next screen or simply  wait about 10
seconds for it to happen automatically.

There are four sections of 3D Studio that DL-Xpress will need to  be
configured for:

      Main Display
      Materials Editor
      Rendering Display (RDPADI)
      Rendering Display (RCPADI)

You will be configuring DL-Xpress for each display in turn.   Configuration
for each is very similar, so simply follow the  procedure outlined below for
each display.  Read over the configuration instructions below and review the
tips for each 3D  Studio display located after the configuration section
before  continuing DL-Xpress configuration.

Please note that if you haven't set up separate VIBRANT.CFG  files with the
VIBCFG environment variable, any changes you  make here for 3D Studio 1.0 will
be in effect for AutoCAD,  AutoShade and 3D Studio 2.0 as well.  For more
information on  how the set the VIBCFG environment variable, see Appendix C.


4.3.1.   VIDEO DISPLAY

      Default
            Main Display: Generic VGA 640 x 480 x 16
            Materials Ed.: Generic VGA 320 x 200 x 256

The next screen will display which section of 3D Studio you are  configuring
and what your current video mode is.  DL-Xpress  will then ask you whether you
want to change your current video  mode.

To change your video mode, answer (Y).  DL-Xpress will present  you will a
list of graphics boards.  Using the arrow keys and the  (PgUp) and (PgDn)
keys, highlight your video board and press (Enter) to select.

DL-Xpress will then give you a list of resolutions available with  your
graphics board.  Use the same method to pick the resolution  as you did
previously for the video board.


***   Testing the Video Card Selection

After selecting the new video mode and display options, DL-Xpress will give
you the opportunity to test the video and make sure that it is correct.  When
DL-Xpress asks whether you wish to test the video mode, answer (Y) or (N)  as
appropriate.

If you answered (Y), DL-Xpress will first print a warning:

      If you have selected an incorrect video mode, testing the video mode may
      crash your system.

Should your system crash, simply reboot and select a different video mode
(Don't forget to delete the 3DADI.CFG  file first).  DL-Xpress may also give
you a warning that you  have selected a video mode that does not work with the
board in your system.  If this is the case, verify that you  selected the
correct selection from the card list and that your  board is installed
correctly.  If the problem persists, see  Appendix D for Troubleshooting.

If everything goes well, you should see the test pattern  showing your current
video mode and resolution.  If your screen is blank or garbled there is a
problem with your video  card or your monitor.  Be sure that your video card
and your  monitor can support the desired resolution.

You may wait 10 seconds or press any key to exit the video  test.  DL-Xpress
will then ask you whether the test screen  appeared correctly.  If so, answer
(Y) otherwise, press (N)  and select another video mode.


4.3.2.   FONT SELECTION

      Default
            Main Display : VIBRANT16
            Materials Editor : Largest for Resolution
            Rendering Display (RDPADI) : N/A
            Rendering Display (RCPADI) : N/A

Once you have finished selecting and testing the video mode,  DL-Xpress will
ask you whether you want to change the current  menu font.  If you wish to
change your current font answer (Y).   DL-Xpress will give you a list of fonts
to select from.  Using the  same method as selecting your video mode, choose
your desired  font from the list,  as described previously in Table 2-1.  Also
refer to the section Rules of Thumb for Fonts that follows Table 2-1.

***   3D Studio Material Editor Fonts

These fonts have been specifically created to maximize 3D Studio's Materials
Editor.  The size of the Materials Editor on the screen is determined by the
font size.  DL-Xpress will automatically select the appropriate Materials
Editor fonts depending on your resolution.


4.4.   CONFIGURATION TIPS

There are many issues to take into consideration when it comes to
configuration DL-Xpress for 3D Studio's Main, Materials, and  Rendering
displays.  This section is designed to help you make the  most informed
decision about configuring DL-Xpress and how to get  the most out of 3D
Studio.


4.4.1.   DUAL SCREEN SUPPORT

3D Studio 2.0 fully supports simultaneous use of two separate  monitors.  Soft
Engine from Vibrant Graphics will allow you to  use two (or even three)
separate video boards to display to the  same of different screens. Contact
Vibrant Graphics at [phone] for more information.


4.4.2.   MAIN DISPLAY

Speed is of the essence when using 3D Studios Main display  editor.  You will
want to have the highest clarity with the most  speed.

To get the most speed, you will want to select a 16 color mode.   This will
cut down on the redraw times.  The Keyframer will  benefit most from this.  It
is a good idea to select a medium to high resolution for the  Main display
since this will give you the most clarity.  A good  resolution to pick is 800
x 600 or 1024 x 768 with 16 colors.

The VIBRANT16 font has been expressly designed for the 3D Studio Main display.
It simulates a Bookman style font which  we have found to be clear and easy to
read.  At 1024 x 768, you  may find it a little small.  In that case, you may
want to select  one of the larger BLOCK fonts.


4.4.3.   MATERIALS EDITOR

It is a good idea to select 640 x 480 x 256 colors as the resolution  for the
Materials Editor.  This gives a good balance between  readability and speed.
The material renderings are fairly fast  while being clear enough to view
effectively.

Whatever resolution you use, you should select a 256 color mode  for the
materials editor.  While you may select a mode with more  than 256 colors,
only 256 colors will be used and performance  will be slower.

The size of the Materials editor is controlled by the font size, so  choosing
the correct font is important here.  For 640 x 480,  BLOCK12X19 has been found
to be ideal.  It causes the Materials editor to be at its largest; it fills up
the entire screen.   DL-Xpress automatically selects the largest possible
font,  depending on the resolution you have selected previously, to use  as a
default.


4.4.4.   RENDERING DISPLAY

You will configure DL-Xpress twice for the rendering display;  once for RDPADI
and once for RCPADI if you set both the RCPADI and RDPADI environment variable
during configuration.


***   RDPADI

Before configuring DL-Xpress for RDPADI, 3D Studio will present you with this
prompt:

      Will the RDPADI render on a separate screen? <Y>

DL-Xpress with 3D Studio 2.0 supports simultaneous dual graphics screens using
two different graphics boards in your  system, allowing you to use the display
modules on one screen, and to render on another.  If you are using a single
monitor only for editing and rendering, you must answer (N) to this question.
After answering this question, you will return to normal DL-Xpress
configuration.


***   RCPADI

Before RCPADI DL-Xpress configuration, 3D Studio will present you with this
prompt:

      Will the RCPADI render on a separate screen (unlikely)?  <N>

3D Studio 2.0 supports simultaneous dual graphics screens using two different
graphics boards in your system, allowing  you to use the display modules on
one screen and to render  on another.  If you are using a single monitor only
for editing and rendering, you must answer (N) to this question.   This is
completely separate from the RDPADI setting described above.  Typically, you
will want to answer this question the same way as you answered the one with
RDPADI (answering the same way for both indicates that both RCPADI and RDPADI
are on the same screen).

You will again be returned to DL-Xpress's configuration to  complete the
configuration for 3D Studio.  Once you have completed this, you will be sent
to the Main Display of 3D  Studio 2.0.


***   Rendering Notes

It is useful to note that the higher the resolution you select  for a
rendering, the longer your drawing will take to render.   A good resolution at
which to render is 640 x 480 or 800 x  600 with 16.7 million (24-bit) colors.
Any higher resolution  takes a longer time for only slightly better results.


If you  have a choice, select a 24-bit or 15/16-bit rendering mode.   3D
Studio 2.0 performs all rendering calculations with 24-bit display in mind.
Rendering using a MACH8 based product takes longer, as you can only use 256
color mode requiring 3D Studio to make two passes: one to display and
another to calculate the new colors.

If you have a choice, select a HiColor (15/16-bit) or TrueColor (24-bit)
resolution for the rendering display. 256 color modes require two  passes by
the renderer to display the screen correctly.

Shortcut:-

It might seem redundant that you can use DL-Xpress for either RCPADI or
RDPADI,  but it does provide an interesting shortcut when rendering.  Set up
RCPADI (or RDPADI... it doesn't matter) with a low resolution (say, 640  x 480
x 1.67 million colors).  This gives you a quick "draft"  rendering for
verifying object positioning and light and shadow intensity.  Then, for your
final rendering display,  configure RDPADI (or RCPADI if you selected RDPADI
for your draft mode) for a higher resolution (800 x 600 or  1024 x 768 x 256
or 1.67 millions colors).  This way, you can save time by doing draft
renderings during the design phase and then only spending the time necessary
to do a final rendering after all the work is done.  To toggle between  RCPADI
and RDPADI, choose the appropriate rendering driver in Render, Setup...,
Configure in 3D Studio.

Please note that if you haven't set up separate VIBRANT.CFG files  with the
VIBCFG environment variable, the rendering mode selection you make here will
be for both AutoShade and 3D Studio  (1.0 or 2.0).


=========================================================================
CHAPTER 5: AUTOSHADE 2.0
=========================================================================


DL-Xpress supports AutoShade 2.0 386 as both a display driver and  as a
combination rendering and display driver, allowing you to not  only display
your wireframes at high resolutions, but also to generate  high resolution,
photo-realistic renderings.  This combination of  display and rendering driver
is the preferred method of using DL-Xpress/386 with AutoShade.

Additionally, DL-Xpress also lets you control certain aspects of your  editing
display, allowing you to customize your menu fonts, screen  colors and even
the palette.


5.1.   INSTALLATION

Follow the instruction in section 2.1 AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION,  except steps 6
and 7.  Instead of selecting AutoCAD,  select AutoShade.


5.2.   BASIC CONFIGURATION

Invoke SHADE.EXE from DOS using AutoShade's -R command line  option:

      SHADE -R

After invoking AutoShade, you will be asked a long series of  questions on the
following topics:

      Pointing Device
      Display Driver
      Rendering Driver
      Sharing the Screen with ShadeRender
      Sharing the Screen with Autodesk Renderman
      Hardcopy Rendering Device

Each of these questions and their answers are outlined below and on the
following pages. Should you answer any of the configuration  questions
incorrectly you must return to DOS and start over since  AutoShade does not
allow any changes to the existing configuration.


5.2.1.   POINTING DEVICE

AutoShade presents a list of pointing devices.  Select your  pointing device
from the list.


5.2.2.   DISPLAY DRIVER

Next, AutoShade will ask you to select from the list the display  driver you
wish to use.  Choose 2 (PADI 386) and press (Enter).  At this point, you
should see DL-Xpress's title screen with boxes  bouncing around the screen.
Press any key to continue or wait ten seconds for the screen to change.


***   Video Display

      Default
            ATI 68800

The next screen displays your current video mode.  DL-Xpress asks whether you
want to change the mode.

To change the video mode, answer (Y).  DL-Xpress displays a list of graphics
boards.  Using the (PgUp), (PgDn), and arrow keys, highlight your video board
and press (Enter) to select.

DL-Xpress presents a list of resolutions available with your  graphics board.
Use the same method to pick the resolution. To run AutoShade in dual screen
mode, select this mode later when AutoShade asks you if the Display and
Rendering screens share the same screen.  Dual screen cannot be configured
here.

Please note that if you haven't set up separate VIBRANT.CFG files with the
VIBCFG environment variable, any changes made here for AutoShade will affect
AutoCAD and 3D Studio as well.  For more information on how to use the VIBCFG
environment variable, see Appendix C.


***   Testing the Video Card Selection

After selecting the new video mode and display options, DL-Xpress gives you
the opportunity to test the video mode  to make sure that it is correct.  When
DL-Xpress asks if you  wish to test the video mode, answer (Y) or (N) as
appropriate.

If you answered (Y), DL-Xpress will first print a warning:

      If you have selected an incorrect video mode, testing the video mode may
      crash your system.

Should your system crash, simply reboot and select a different video mode (You
will have to restart configuration  again with SHADE -R).  DL-Xpress may also
warn that you have selected a video mode that does not work with the board in
your system.  In this case, verify that you selected  the correct selection
from the card list and that your board is  installed correctly.  If the
problem persists, see Appendix D  for Troubleshooting.

If everything goes well, you should see the test pattern  showing your current
video mode and resolution.  If your screen is blank or garbled there is a
problem with your video  card or monitor.  Be sure that your video card and
monitor  can support the selected resolution.

Wait 10 seconds or press any key to exit the video test.  DL-Xpress asks you
if the test screen looked correct.  If so,  answer (Y) otherwise, press (N)
and select another video mode.


5.2.3.ENTERING CUSTOM CONFIGURATION

After configuring for your video display, DL-Xpress asks if you  would like to
enter custom configuration.  Answer (Y) or (N) as  appropriate.  If you answer
(Y), DL-Xpress will enter Custom  Configuration menu.  For detailed
information on Custom Configuration, see later in this chapter.  If you answer
(N), DL-Xpress continues with rendering configuration.


5.2.4.   SELECTING A RENDERING DRIVER

After you have finished configuring the main display driver,  AutoShade asks
you to select a rendering driver.  Again, select  number 2 (PADI 386).
You should see DL-Xpress's title screen again, with the bouncing  boxes. Press
any key or wait ten seconds for the next screen.   DL-Xpress then asks for
your video card and resolution just as  before.  Since DL-Xpress can now
recognize that you are configuring for AutoShade's rendering driver, you will
not  prompted to enter Custom Configuration.

Both AutoShade and Autodesk RenderMan use the same rendering  mode.  Bear this
in mind when selecting your resolution.  Selecting a  higher resolution will
result in Autodesk RenderMan taking longer to  render.

You should select a 16.7 million (24-bit) color mode for rendering (MACH32 based
products only).  Rendering, especially with AutoShade's  optional Autodesk
Renderman module, becomes more photorealistic.

Please note that if you haven't set up separate VIBRANT.CFG  files with the
VIBCFG environment variable, the rendering mode  selection you make here will
be for both AutoShade and 3D Studio (both 1.0 and 2.0).  For more information
on how to set  the VIBCFG environment variable, see Appendix C.


5.2.5.   AUTOSHADE QUESTIONS

AutoShade will now ask several questions relating to the interaction of the
display and rendering screens.

      Do the display and AutoShade rendering devices share the same screen?
      (default = No):

Answer (N) only if you have two separate graphics boards that  each have their
own screen.  Most users will want to answer (Y)  here.

      Do the display and Autodesk Renderman rendering devices share a single
      screen? (default = No):

Answer this question the same as the previous one.  Most users  will answer
(Y) to this question.

It is imperative that you answer these questions correctly for DL-Xpress to
work as your rendering driver.  When in doubt, you can  always answer these
questions (Y).

You will get the next question only if you have answered the  above questions
with a (Y).

      Does Flip Screen require a redraw? (default = No):

If you want your wire frame to be preserved while flipping to the  rendering
screen, answer (N) here.

To prevent the redraw, the driver will save the wireframe image.   Note that
this requires the driver to use more memory.


5.3.   CUSTOM CONFIGURATION

DL-Xpress's Custom Configuration lets you customize various  aspects of your
AutoShade display.  You can customize your menu  fonts, screen colors and
select from a number of palettes.

Beware of changing any options that are not applicable to AutoShade.   If you
do not have a separate VIBCFG environment variable set, all  configuration
changes set here will also affect 3D Studio and  AutoCAD.  For more
information on the VIBCFG environment variable, see Appendix C.

Once you have entered DL-Xpress's Custom Configuration, the main will menu
appear.

The Custom Configuration menu that DL-Xpress displays has more  options than
are necessary for AutoShade.  Unfortunately, AutoShade  does not sufficiently
communicate itself to DL-Xpress so DL-Xpress cannot detect the difference
between AutoShade and AutoCAD.   From the menu presented only Font Selection,
Menu Color Scheme,  and Palette Selection are applicable to AutoShade.  None
of the other  options will have an effect.


5.3.1.   CUSTOM CONFIGURATION USAGE

It's easy to use Custom Configuration.  Simply use the arrow  keys on your
keyboard to highlight the appropriate entry and then  press (Enter) to select.
In many cases you are asked to enter a  response to a question.  The first
letter of the response is  sufficient to enter the appropriate value most of
the time.  To  leave an option unchanged, simply press (enter) to skip over
it.  You  can exit a menu at any time by pressing (Esc).


5.3.2.   FONT SELECTION

DL-Xpress provides a wide variety of menu fonts.  They come in  all shapes and
sizes.  When selecting a font keep in mind your  current resolution and the
legibility of the font.

To change the desired font, use the (PgUp), (PgDn), and arrow keys to select
the desired font and press (Enter).  Choose your desired  font from the list,
as described previously in table 2-1.  Also refer to the sections Rules of
Thumb for Fonts and Default fonts that follow Table 2-1.


5.3.3.   MENU COLOR SCHEME

DL-Xpress allows you to change your display colors in the following
categories:

      Alert Boxes
      Background/Cursor
      Command/Status Lines
      Dialog Boxes
      Side Menus
      Pull-down Menus

When you select the Menu Color Scheme option, DL-Xpress presents a submenu of
the above options.  Select the one you  wish to modify.

For each selection, you are presented with a submenu containing  the specific
item to change.  There is a space to the right of each  option where you can
enter a color number.  Depending on the  palette you are using, you can select
a number from 0 to 15 or  255.  The name of the first 16 colors are listed to
the left of the  screen for quick reference.  To view all available colors and
the  appropriate numbers, load the AutoCAD drawing COLORWH.DWG.


Alert Boxes
      Foreground
      Background
      Border
Background/Cursor
      Graphics Background
      Cursor
      Grid
      Border Lines
      Rubber Band
Command/Status Lines
      Command Area Foreground
      Command Area Background
      Coordinate Line Foreground
      Coordinate Line Background
      Status Line Foreground
      Status Line Background
      DL-Xpress/386 Logo Foreground
      DL-Xpress/386 Logo Background
Dialog Boxes
      Foreground
      Background
      Border
      Highlighted Foreground
      Highlighted Background
      Disabled Foreground
      Disabled Background
      Highlighted Disabled Foreground
      Highlighted Disabled Background
      Lines

Side Menus
      Foreground
      Background
      Highlighted Foreground
      Highlighted Background
Pull Down Menus
      Foreground
      Background
      Border
      Highlighted Foreground
      Highlighted Background
      Disabled Foreground
      Disabled Background
      Highlighted Disabled Foreground
      Highlighted Disabled Background


5.3.4.   PALETTE SELECTION

DL-Xpress currently provides seven color palettes to choose  from:

      AutoCAD 16
      AutoCAD 256
      256 ADESK
      256 ADI
      256-16-ADI
      256-16-ADESK
      Custom

To change the color palette, use (Up Arrow) and (Down Arrow) to highlight the
appropriate palette and press (Enter).  Experimentation is the only  way to
really test the palette.

Typically you will only use AutoCAD 16 & AutoCAD 256.  The  other palette
options are provided for compatibility with earlier  versions of DL-Xpress.


5.3.5.   RESTORE FACTORY SETTINGS

This function resets all of the Custom Configuration parameters  to the
original defaults.  It will only affect those parameters set in  this section
and has no affect on those that are part of Basic  Configuration.

To restore the original settings, highlight the Restore Factory  Settings
option on your Custom Configuration main menu and  press (Enter).  DL-Xpress
asks if you are sure you want to do this.   Answer appropriately with (Y) or
(N) and again press (Enter).


5.3.6.   RESTORE PREVIOUS SETTINGS

This function resets the parameters to the settings prior to  entering Custom
Configuration this time.  Again, this function  only affects the Custom
Configuration parameters and not those  set in Basic Configuration.

To restore the previous settings, simply highlight Restore  Previous Settings
on you Custom Configuration main menu and  press (Enter).  DL-Xpress asks if
you are sure you want to do this.   Answer (Y) or (N) as appropriate.


5.4.   USAGE WITH AUTOSHADE

While running AutoShade and sharing the screens between display and rendering,
you can use (F1) to toggle between the  rendering and display screens.  You
may, of course, use the Save Image option to save what  is currently on the
rendering screen, even though the rendering  screen is not visible.


=========================================================================
APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL NOTES
=========================================================================

A.1   DISPLAY LIST TECHNOLOGY

The display list is a copy of the drawing with only the data needed to  draw
it on the screen. All other unnecessary information is removed.  AutoCAD has
limited display list capabilities built in, but by using a  specialized
display list driver, like DL-Xpress, the speed of the  display can be improved
by as much as 1000%.

AutoCAD keeps the drawing in a very precise database with 16 digit  floating
decimal point accuracy. This is called world space. Because  all of that
information is unnecessary to see any portion of the  drawing on the screen,
AutoCAD creates a display list of XY  coordinates that are integers from 0 to
32,000. This is called virtual  space.

Every time a new virtual space is extracted from the world space a  complete
regen must be done. AutoCAD then allows zooms and pans  within this virtual
space by mapping the appropriate view within the  virtual space to the device
coordinates. This is called a redraw. When DL-Xpress is installed, it takes
over the device coordinate  mapping and accelerates zooms, pans and redraws
using proprietary  display optimization algorithms.


A.2   DISPLAY LIST COMPRESSION

DL-Xpress has a function called display list compression that helps  conserve
memory on very large drawings that are text or polyline  intensive.


A.3   TRUE-ERASE

DL-Xpress/386 now includes TRUE-Erase.  TRUE-Erase eliminates  garbage
building up in your display list.

In the past (and currently with all other display list drivers) whenever  a
vector-erasing command was executed, AutoCAD erased the object  and used a
vector to obscure the original on the screen.  The display  list driver would
automatically assume that this was a new vector and  added it to the display
list (keeping the original one as well).  The net  result was that the display
list grew, regardless of your drawing's size,  using valuable memory.  Redraws
took longer, since there are more  vectors.  Often the screen flickered as the
original vector(s) was  drawn and then overdrawn with its black companion.
Problems arose  with two (or more) vectors drawn on top of each other.  When
one  was erased, they were all hidden beneath the black vector.  This could
only be fixed by a regen.

Display list drivers have tried various methods to combat this  problem, but
all attempts have been horrendously slow, in many cases  incorrect, and a
burden to the user.

Now, with TRUE-Erase there is a solution.  TRUE-Erase  correctly detects a
black vector before it is added to the display list  and, due to DL-Xpress's
blistering speed, removes the correct colored  vector with no speed penalty.
Simply make sure that TRUE-Erase is  turned on in the Display List Options
section of Custom

Configuration and garbage is handled automatically handled  completely
invisibly to you, the user.

CAD-Overlay users may wish to disable TRUE-Erase. The GC= command may be used
to quickly disable TRUE-Erase, or you can  use Custom Configuration.


A.4   MULTIPLE VIEWPORTS

AutoCAD's multiple viewport function divides the screen into  multiple views
of the same drawing. DL-Xpress fully supports  multiple viewports and AutoCAD
R11 paperspace.


A.5   ANTI-ALIASING

Anti-aliasing is the technical term for the process by which graphics  drivers
smooth lines on your screen.  In normal graphics modes most  lines exhibit a
stair-step effect (jaggies) which detracts from the  straightness of the line.
Anti-aliasing blurs those stair-steps to create  the illusion of a straight
line.

Lines in standard graphics are a single pixel (screen element) wide,  with
that pixel being the actual color of the line.  Anti-aliasing draws  most
lines using 2 pixels, with each pixel pair summing to a full  intensity of the
desired color, visually.  In this way, the eye is fooled  into seeing two
pixels as only one, at some position midway between  the two anti-aliased
ones.

Anti-aliasing is accomplished by using the palette entries (colors)  above
color 15 (16-255) to store graded shades of the first 16 colors (0-15).  The
graded shades of these 16 colors are computed and loaded automatically by DL-
Xpress after the initial palette load.  By using this graduated palette
shading technique,  DL-Xpress is  essentially trading the number of available
colors (16 from 256) for  smooth anti-aliased lines.  If operating DL-Xpress
in anti-aliased  mode with a 16 colors, DL-Xpress will ignore the anti-
aliasing and  use the full 16 colors available for that graphics mode.


=========================================================================
APPENDIX B: VIBCFG ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE
=========================================================================


DL-Xpress saves all configuration data to a file. This file has the  default
name of VIBRANT.CFG and by default resides in the same  directory as ACAD.CFG.

If you are planning to use the same display  mode, including the same
resolution and number of colors, for all  Autodesk applications on your
system, then you don't have to worry  about setting the VIBCFG variable in
anything other than the  AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

If, on the other hand, different configurations will ever exist for one or
more Autodesk applications on the same system, it's imperative that  each one
knows which DL-Xpress configuration to use. Setting the VIBCFG environment
variable in an invoking batch file facilitates  this.

Placing the VIBRANT.CFG file properly is important under a  number of
different circumstances. These include:

*     Running different Autodesk applications in different resolutions  and
      color modes on the same system.
*     Having several users on the same system, each requiring a  different
      configuration of fonts, command lines, menu colors,  etc.
*     Running more than one release of AutoCAD, since each requires  a
      different configuration set up.
*     Running in a network environment so that each user has the  appropriate
      configuration of DL-Xpress for their hardware.

To allow each application to have its own configuration, it is  important to
set the environment variable with the directory,  subdirectory and file name.
This way the correct configuration of DL-Xpress is saved with the matching
configuration of the Autodesk  program it supports.

If the variable is not set when the file is first created, it will follow the
search parameters on the next page, looking for ACAD.CFG to place  VIBRANT.CFG
in the same sub directory. If the variable is set but  contains an invalid
path or filename, then the VIBRANT.CFG will  not be created or used and any
configuration changes will be lost.


B.1   SETTING THE VARIABLE

Enter into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

      SET VIBCFG=C:\ACAD\VIBRANT.CFG

It is a good idea to name the configuration file in such a way that  you know
which application or configuration it supports. For  example, if you were
setting up a configuration for AutoShade  you might type:

      SET VIBCFG=D:\SHADE\SHADEADI.CFG

B.2   THE SEARCH PARAMETERS

If the environment variable is not set, when DL-Xpress saves  configuration
changes it searches through the following to find  an appropriate place to put
the configuration data file. To do this  is looks for ACAD.CFG in:

1.    The current directory.
2.    Next, all paths specified in the environment variable  ACADCFG.
3.    Then, all paths specified in the environment variable  ACAD.
4.    Next, all paths specified in the environment variable PATH.
5.    If ACAD.CFG is still not found, the current directory is  used.

Letting DL-Xpress do this search will only have predictable and  valid results
if DL-Xpress is used exclusively with AutoCAD.  Otherwise the VIBCFG
environment variable must be set at least  in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.


=========================================================================
APPENDIX C: TROUBLE SHOOTING
=========================================================================


C.1   ENVIRONMENT SPACE

Environment space is controlled by the SHELL statement in your  CONFIG.SYS
file. For example:

      SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM /P /E:1024

The /E:1024 sets the environment space to a maximum size of  1K (1024 bytes)
in this example.  To change the size of your  environment space, change the
number after /E:.

The DOS SET command may be used to make sure that all your  environment
variables are correctly set. Type at the DOS prompt:

      SET

DOS will display the current environment variables set on your  system.  If
you have insufficient environment space for all your  variables, some may be
incomplete or not displayed at all.  You  should increase the size of your
environment space in your  CONFIG.SYS file and reboot your system.

DOS v3.1 supports the /E flag in different format than later versions.
Instead of specifying the size in bytes of the  environment space, /E
specifies the size in 16 byte blocks.  For  example, to define an environment
space of 1024 bytes, you would  use /E:64.


C.2   SYMPTOMS & SOLUTIONS


Symptoms:
+     No speed increase in zooms or pans.
+     Odd results when using DL-Xpress's keyboard commands.

These symptoms often occur if a system has been previously  run using a lower
level ADI driver such as Lightning Zoom or HighRES 9 or 10, which require the
AutoCAD's Fast Zooms to be disabled.

Solution:
To enable AutoCAD's Fast Zooms, type VIEWRES at the command line.  Answer (Y)
for Fast Zooms.  Pick a good value for Circle Zoom Percent.  We suggest about
4800.  Smaller values will use less memory and will be faster but  arcs and
circles will not appear as smooth.


Symptoms:
+     System crashes unexpectedly.
Solution:
When installing DL-Xpress/386 protected-mode driver it is important to remove
any other real-mode TSR ADI display drivers from your AUTOEXEC.BAT or other
batch files used to invoke AutoCAD. Using our products eliminates the need for
these drivers.

Though it generally is not a problem, some users have experienced unexplained
system lock ups until the other drivers are removed.

Some screen saver TSR programs can also cause your system to crash.  They do
not correctly recognize your current video mode and make incorrect writes to
the screen,  crashing your system.


Symptoms:
+     Materials Editor under 3D Studio appears small and takes up only a
      portion of the screen.

Solution:
When installing DL-Xpress/386 protected-mode driver, select a larger font for
the material editors.  This is not  necessary for any other mode, but the
materials editor screen  size is related to the font size and should be
larger.  An 18-point font at 640 x 480 is ideal.  For higher resolutions,
choose a larger font.


Symptoms:
+     System crashes unexpectedly under 3D Studio 1.0 while rendering.

Solution:
Check to be sure that you are choosing RCPADI (not RDPADI) as your rendering
device under 3D Studio 1.0.  The only time you should select RDPADI under 3D
Studio 1.0 is if you have a graphics board that isn't compatible with  DL-
Xpress and have installed a separate 3D Studio driver for it.


Symptoms:
+     System locks up when configured for dual screens during video card test
      or when entering the drawing editor.

Solution:
Check to see that both graphics cards are in the computer.  More often than
not, one card has been "borrowed" or removed for some reason.  If not, enter
Basic Configuration and select Single Screen.


Symptoms:
+     After a flip screen, plot or shell command, the text screen will not
      appear correctly.

Solution:
Certain versions of ANSI.SYS published by Compaq Computer Corp. have problems
with DL-Xpress.  Replace the Compaq ANSI.SYS with any other version of
ANSI.SYS. If you have difficulty locating a suitable replacement version,
contact us.


Symptoms:
+     Cursor leaves unexplained trash on the screen.

Solution:
DL-Xpress/386 uses a specific high speed drawing mode that some mouse drivers
do not correctly detect.

Replacing the mouse driver with a current version will generally eliminate the
problem, if not please contact us.  Microsoft Mouse drivers versions 5.xx,
6.xx, and 7.xx have  been known to be especially prone to this problem.
Version  8 of the Microsoft Mouse drivers is now available from Microsoft, on
BBSs and from us.


Symptoms:
+     The screen clears very slowly in a 256 color VGA mode when a monochrome
      card is installed as a secondary text monitor for dual screen use.

Solution:
Whenever an 8-bit IBM monochrome text or Hercules monochrome graphics board is
co-resident in a system with a VGA card, the VGA card is forced into 8-bit
accesses instead of 16-bit accesses.

Since there are no 16-bit monochrome text cards being built,  the only low
cost solution to this problem is to use a 16 color  mode. A 16 color mode's
screen clear speed is not affected  as much by 8-bit accesses as a 256 color
mode's.


Symptoms:
+     When configured for a Summagraphics digitizer utilizing the interrupt
      mode selection of the built-in AutoCAD Summasketch driver, the special
      DL-Xpress buttons are inactive.

Solution:
AutoCAD Release 11's interrupt mode is currently incompatible with ADI drivers
that need to see the input device buttons for their own commands.

To correct this problem reset the internal driver to streamed  or polled mode
or use a different digitizer driver.


Symptoms:
+     Excessive Swapping.

Solution:
The solution can take many forms.  Basically, either you have drawings that
create extra large display lists; too many  viewports open at once; an
inappropriate Flip Screen Option mode selected for your memory configuration;
or you just need more RAM for the drawings that you are trying to edit  while
using DL-Xpress.
*     Lower the value used in AutoCAD's VIEWRES. This will make the display
      lists slightly smaller.
*     Don't have as many Viewports open at one time.
*     Enter Custom Configuration and select the appropriate  Full, Partial, or
      Redraw mode for Flip Screen Option.
*     Buy more RAM.


=========================================================================
APPENDIX D: TECHINCAL SUPPORT
=========================================================================


When you report any problems to our Technical Support staff,  please have the
following information ready:

*     DL-Xpress's serial number.
*     DL-Xpress's version number.
*     Where did you purchase DL-Xpress?
*     What application(s) and version(s) are you running? (AutoCAD  R11, 3D-
      Studio v2.0, etc...)
*     What is your computer configuration? (CPU type, speed,  memory size,
      pointing device, etc...)
*     What video board are you using? (Memory and resolution)  What type of
      installation did you perform?
*     Other ADI drivers you have installed on your system.

To better serve you, if your question or problem is urgent, please  send us a
detailed fax of your problem with the above questions answered and also a
printout of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files.  Additionally, if you use
another batch file to enter your application (ACAD.BAT or 3DS.BAT), please
include  a copy of that with your fax.


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