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PC-KEY-DRAW A KEYBOARD TO SCREEN GRAPHICS PROGRAM FOR THE IBM PC and COMPATIBLES Version 3.0 (C)Copyright OED, 1984 Edward H. Kidera IV OEDWARE P.O. Box 595 Columbia, MD 21045-0595 Portions copyright International Business Machines Portions copyright Microsoft, Inc. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION........................................ 1 HISTORY............................................. 2 OPERATION THEORY.................................... 4 COMMAND SUMMARY..................................... 7 Cursor Mode..................................... 7 F1 Drawing Modifications....................... 9 F2 Boxes and Figures........................... 10 F3 Curves...................................... 11 F4 Spraypainting & Shading..................... 12 F5 Paint....................................... 13 F6 Draw & Text................................. 14 F7 Copy, Erase, & Move......................... 15 F8 Files....................................... 16 Zoom printing............................... 17 F9 Speed....................................... 18 F10 Color....................................... 18 Drawing Techniques.................................. 19 Directives, Functions, & WTD........................ 21 Appendix............................................ 34 I: User Supported Software........................ 34 Invoice........................................ 36 II: Start Up....................................... 37 III: Program Files.................................. 39 IV: Improvements & Additions of Version 3.0........ 40 V: Creating 35mm Slides From Your Graphics........ 44 VI: Dateit......................................... 48 PC-KEY-DRAW INTRODUCTION Welcome to PC-KEY-DRAW! You are about to encounter one of the most powerful graphics programs available for the IBM PC and compatibles. PC-KEY-DRAW is a graphics package that can be used by anyone and everyone. It includes many features designed specifically for a mechanical engineer, such as calculate and measure. It also includes many features designed specifically for artists, such as pattern fill and area smear. Its ability to create symbol libraries is ideal for the electrical engineer or the architect. Those into needle craft will find that the drawing capabilities combined with the zoom printer feature allow interesting patterns to be designed on the computer and readily transferred in a form suitable of sowing from. Graphic game designers can use the drawing abilities along with the ability to save an image as a BASICA subroutine to create graphics ideal for animation. Teachers will find the geometry aspects of the program useful in the math and science class room. Business people can create eye catching slides for presentations using such features as slide and text fonts. This manual is a greatly shorten version of the actual manual. The complete manual is available only by registering the program. OPERATION THEORY PC-KEY-DRAW is a very comprehensive graphics system. Its large number of commands may tend to intimidate the initial user if he/she does not fully understand the basic program philosopy. The first thing to remember is that in creating anyone particular drawing only a handful of the programs commands will be used. Don't feel that you have to learn everything from the start. Begin with the basics and build from there. As you become more proficient at creating graphics you may realize the need for an automated way of performing a particular task. Chances are PC-KEY-DRAW already has the feature just waiting to be used. For instance, creating presentation slides for a business meeting may involve placing significant portions of text on the screen so that it is centered. Manually moving the text into place is slow so an automatic centering feature is included. The program is designed to be run from the keyboard. Version 3.0 also allows a mouse mode of operation with click to select on pull down menus. Contrary to what you might think the keyboard method is an excellent way to run a graphics program. The trained user can create all sorts of drawings quickly. You do not have to waste time clicking through a series of menus as with most other graphics programs, unless you want to. Keyboard input also means you don't have to have extra equipment cluttering up your desk. When running PC-KEY-DRAW from the keyboard the left hand is used to select the various function keys and make other selections. The right hand is used to operate the cursor keys and the <ENTER>/<RETURN> key and to help in selecting commands. A variety of commands are available from the cursor mode. These are commands that control general program operation and features that are common to all of the main drawing functions. The function keys are used to select the area of drawing to use next. The function keys are used to combine commands that are similar to each other. F1 is for modification, in that its commands are used to modify objects or the screen. F2 is for creating boxes and other straight line figures, such as polygons. F3 is for generating a variety of curved lines. F4 is for shading and spraypaint. F5 paints areas and modifies existing colors. It also controls the palette and background. F6 draws lines and adds text to the screen. F7 allows portions of the screen to be copied, saved, erased or moved. F8 handles files. F9 sets the speed of the cursor. F10 sets the color to be used by the majority of functions. Basics: Items enclosed with < and > are commands that are entered via the keyboard using the appropriate letter/key. Items enclosed with [ and ] are commands that will be taken as the default if <ENTER> is selected. Prompts that start with "Enter" require user input followed by a <ENTER>. Other prompts need only a single key to initiate. When a function is selected a list of possible commands are provided on the prompt line. More information is available by using the cursor keys. Functions can be selected by entering the appropriate letter and Shft, Ctrl, or Alt as needed. Or the <ENTER> key can be hit to select the displayed command. Note that the commands are case sensitive. A lowercase "m" is different from an uppercase "M" in its effect, but they both have the same basic meaning. Consider F7 which allows 4 different ways to move an object to the screen. All of them are a type of move so that "m" is appropriate, but to differentiate between the different moves a "m" is used either alone or with the Shift, Ctrl, or Alt keys. Not every command has four levels to it. Those commands that have more then one level are designated on the prompt line by the letter followed by a ".". There are two basic types of function commands, those that act on an object and those that act on the entire screen. For commands that act on the entire screen the action is started by selecting the appropriate command and following any prompts. When the action is complete the program will ask if the result was correct before saving it to the drawing you are working on. Commands that work on an object require that you first define the object by enclosing it in a box, then selecting <ENTER>. Some object functions can be color specific, ie only the color set by <F10> will be acted on. If a function does not appear to work, it maybe that the color was improperly set. It is somewhat easier to learn PC-KEY-DRAW by working in the high resolution mode. This is because the prompt line allows 80 columns as compared to 40 in the medium/color mode. The 80 columns allow additional information to be displayed. Virtually all functions available in color are available in high resolution and vice versa. Pull down menus have also been added to aid learning the program as they display extra information. APPENDIX I: USER-SUPPORTED SOFTWARE This software is being distributed under the User-Supported Concept. Individuals, clubs and other non-profit organizations are encouraged to copy this software and distribute it to members and friends, provided no price other than the cost of a diskette is charged, the receiver is informed of the User-Supported Software concept and encouraged to participate, and the program and documentation are not modified in any way. The printed documentation should not be copied! or distributed. If an individual finds the program of use, he is trusted to send in a $100 payment to: Edward H. Kidera IV OEDWARE P.O. Box 595 Columbia, MD 21045-0595 If the software is not of use to you, you should discontinue its use, but please pass it along to friends for their evaluation. What constitutes "use" of a program is a good question. Trying the program to see what it does is not using the program. Creating drawings or other graphics is using the program. Even if you only use the program on weekends, or evenings, you are still using it and should register. Some people seem to think that they must use PC-KEY-DRAW every day to constitute "use", but this is not fair to me. If you create any screens that you feel will be a particular use to others, please send in a copy for evaluation. A swap list of screen libraries will be created and sent to registered users on a periodic basis. Registered owners will receive periodic updates for a minimal charge and will receive a phone number for fast response to questions. I have many future improvements and companion programs planned. Please support my effort by registering. Updates to registered users will never be more than $10.00, no matter how substaintial the change is. Many more people have a copy of the program then are registered. I tend to get inquiries from people for help that have not registered. Initially I tended to provide any and all information to those inquiring, but soon found that it was taking up my time with NO return. Most of the questions are simple and straight forward, while others can be long and extensive. If you have a simple question question, like does the program work with an XYZ computer, I will be glad to let unregistered users know what I know. If your question is significant like how do I integrate drawings into a BASICA program, then unless you are a registered user do not expect much of an answer. If you make use of PC-KEY-DRAW, please register. User Supported Software should be very popular with most PC users. It means that the software is not copyprotected making backup easy and use with a hard disk or RAM disk a snap. It also allows you to try before you buy to see if the program actually does what it says it does. User Supported Software will only continue if you the user does support it. Another advantage to User Supported Software is price. PC-KEY-DRAW is well worth the registration price. Many of its features can not be found for under $500 in commercial software and some cannot be touched for under $1500. The final advantage to User Supported Software is my commitment to expanding and improving the program. IBM PC,XT (tm) are trademarks of International Business Machines, EPSON(tm) is a trademark of Epson America, Inc., Plug'N Play(tm) and Okidata(tm) are the trademarks of Okidata, Columbia MPC/VP are the trademarks of Columbia Data Products. INVOICE DATE OF ORDER ORDER NUMBER DATE OF INVOICE DATE OF SHIPMENT TO: __________________________________________________________ : QTY : DESCRIPTION :UNIT :EXTENSION: :______:______________________________:_________:_________: : : : : : : : PC-KEY-DRAW Version 3.0 : $100.00 : : : : : : : : : : : : : 1-2 : 0% Discount : : : : 3-10 : 20% Discount : : : :10-19 : 40% Discount : : : : 20+ : Call for Discount : : : : : : : : : : Extra Manual : 15.00 : : :______:______________________________:_________:_________: SUB TOTAL Maryland Residents add TAX 5% SHIPPING 0.00 TOTAL DUE Send Check or Money Order to: Edward H. Kidera IV, OEDWARE, P.O. Box 595, Columbia, MD 21045-0595 APPENDIX II: START UP Load DOS into your computer. PC-KEY-DRAW requires DOS 2.0 or later. If your system has more than 192K of RAM memory available, set up a ram disk of at least 40K for the program workspace. You may want to add an AUTOEXEC.BAT file to load the ram disk at start up. (RAM disk software is not included) Place a formatted DS/DD diskette in drive B: and the original in drive A:. Copy the original diskette onto B: and store the original in a safe place. While you are at it, make a copy or two for friends. See your DOS manual for information on formating and copying disks. Copys of PC-KEY-DRAW for other than your personal use should not include the BASRUN.EXE file as this is copyrighted by IBM and they are not as liberal as I am in their distribution policy. KD-COPY.BAT is included to produce a copy of the program without the BASRUN module. If printing of the drawings on to a Epson or compatible printer is desired load GRAPHICS.COM (DOS 2.0). Note that GRAPHICS.COM will also work with other versions of DOS. Insert program diskette in drive A: Type KD to load and run. Configuration parameters will be displayed. If these are incorrect select <Ctrl-s> for status and configure the program. The program should be configured to your system and needs including the drive for the workspaces (RAM disk if you have it), update frequency, and drive for storing completed drawings. Generally this configuration needs only to be done once, but it can be done when ever required by system changes. Store the configuration to disk with <Ctrl-s>. A demo program is included to act as a tutorial and demonstration of what the program can do. The demo program is actually a key macro created simply by drawing with the program. To run the demo be sure you are in the high resolution mode and that the program has been configured to match the drives you have available. Select <Alt-k> and <r>un A:SAMPLE. Sit back and watch the action. <Esc> can be used to exit the demo at anytime. APPENDIX III: PROGRAM FILES The following list of files are needed for PC-KEY-DRAW. Check the disk in DOS by using the directory command (DIR) to see that all of the files are included. If you do not have a complete set the program may not operate to its fullest. Anyone distributing this program to friends, please be sure to include all files. KD-READ .ME This is the basic information to get you started with the program. (This file) KD .BAT Batch file to run PC-KEY-DRAW COPYWORK.BAT Batch file for copying only PC-KEY-DRAW files DRAW .EXE Main program for creating graphics KD-DRAW .DFT Program configuration parameters KD-DRAW .TXT Text file for program KD-STAT .DAT Status screen for KD-DRAW KD-DRAW .HLP Help file for use in program KD-PAINT.PIC PIC file containing painting options KD-PTRN .PIC PIC file containing 64 fill patterns. KD-PRNT?.TBL Configuration tables for zoom printing DATEIT .EXE Replaces DOS date function DATEIT .DAT File of last date entered BASRUN .EXE BASICA runtime module needed for program Do not distribute this file!!! APPENDIX IV: IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS OF VERSION 3.0 There are many changes and improvements found in version 3.0 over all earlier versions. Those users that are familiar with earlier versions of PC-KEY-DRAW will find it friendlier and much more powerful. Those using PC-KEY-DRAW for the first time will enjoy its many features and ease of operation. The differences in the versions fall into three categories. The first differences involves changes made to the basic operation. The second area the versions differ is in the number of features available. Many new features have been added. The third area is improvement in user friendliness, without any sacrifice in speed or performance. CHANGES: 1. The zoom printer program has been integrated into the main drawing program for ease of use and thus ZPRINTER.EXE has been eliminated. 2. The main menu and slide show have been eliminated. Significantly more powerful slide shows can be developed using the key macro command of the drawing program than were possible with the old slide show. 3. The configuration portion of the program has likewise been integrated into the main drawing program allowing access at any time. The printer configuration is also part of the program configuration. 4. The F8 and F10 function keys have been swapped to improve operation. Heavy users of 2.21 may take sometime to fully adjust to this switch. 5. The file structure of vector saves in F6 has been changed for a significant improvement in power and flexibility. The additional features this provides are discussed in the next section. A BASICA program is provide to aid converting existing symbol librarys that you may have created with version 2.21 to version 3.0 format. Converting from 3.0 to 2.21 is not possible. 6. The manual is no longer included on the disk and is copyrighted and should not be copied or distributed. ADDITIONS: CURSOR MODE: 1. Multiple pages with up to 64 pages on an 8X8 layout or multiple layers (overlays) up to 64. 2. Autocentering of animated objects. 3. Mouse operation for cursor movement and ability to point and choose commands if desired. 4. Show feature to quickly clear screen of everything except the picture you are working on. 5. Grid available as points or lines in a separate layer. 6. Choice of three cursor styles to suite every drawing taste. 7. Width setting for lines, circles, rectangles, etc. 8. Key macro command for remembering and playing back key sequences used to creat a drawing. This feature has many applications including slide show creation, macro creation, drawing saves and more. Several other commands have been added to compliment the key macro. 9. The visual horizon can be set to limit the cursor movement. This is primarily used when animating to allow the animated object to disappear behind an object on the screen. F1 Modifications: 1. Calculation of centers, areas and mass have been moved from zoom printer for easy access. 2. Flip/compress works on objects as well as the screen. 3. A FATBITS mode of zooming is now available allowing work on up to eight screens simultaneously. 4. Sliding of objects and screens. 5. Object zoom allows zooming in steps for great 3-D effects on titles, etc. F2 Boxes: 1. Polygons of any number of sides can be quickly and easily drawn. Polygons are displayed as they are be sized and placed on the screen. 2. Arrows have been moved to F2 from F6. F3 Curves: 1. Arcs are displayed as they are drawn to aid proper placement. 2. Pie shaped pieces can be generated automatically. 3. Circle and ellipse center marks for engineering drawings can be created automatically. 4. Fillets are formed automatically. 5. Rose curves and spirals are available. 6. Sine curves can be quickly drawn and sized dynamically. F4 Shading: 1. A fade function works by color or all colors. F5 Paint: 1. Enclosed areas can be painted with one of 29 colors in medium resolution, or one of 29 shades in high resolution. 2. Any of the 29 screen colors can be modified to another color. 3. Foreground colors can be shifted up by one. 4. Foreground colors can be stripped out. F6 Draw: 1. Line drawing has been greatly expanded. Vector objects can be created and saved using line, parallel lines, spoke lines, and dots with variable color and width. 2. Text can be automatically justified left, right or centered. 3. Text can be automatically imported to animate to aid in placement. 4. Multiple bitmapped text fonts can be used. Text fonts are created with any and all program functions and saved with F7. Two text fonts are supplied with 3.0. F7 Copy & Erase: 1. Circular areas can be erased. 2. Fonts can be saved for retrieval with F6. 3. Horizontal lines can be inserted or deleted. F8 Files: 1. Disk files can be brought in sequentially for viewing. F9 Speed: 1. Speed set is remembered. IMPROVED USER FRIENDLINESS: Many features have been added to make the program easier and faster to use. Many functions now remember the last entry. For example when a file is retrieved from disk its name is remembered allowing a quick save under the same name. When parameters such as screen aspect ratio are set the last entry is kept unless specifically changed. The appearance of brackets ([ ]) enclosing an entry indicate that it is the default taken if an <ENTER> is hit. Two modes of operation are possible with version 3.0. An expert mode allows fast keyboard operation and is equivalent to version 2.21 and earlier. A novice or mouse mode is available that supplies extra information in the form of pull down menus. These menus can be used to learn the program or used with a mouse for click on selecting of functions. Extra information is available on the prompt line to aid the user in completing each step. APPENDIX VI: DATEIT DATEIT is a utility program designed to replace the DOS DATE command for those without an onboard clock calendar. It is not part of PC-KEY-DRAW, but compliments its use. DATEIT remembers the last date entered so that if you reboot or even turn the computer off for a while the date will be correct when the computer is powered back up. The next day you use it the day will be off, but the month and year will be correct, so just enter in the correct day and the correct date will be set for your machine. The first of the month will require the month and day to be entered and of course on January 1 you will have to enter the entire date. It is a good idea to always set the date on your computer since it makes it much easier to determine when a file was created. Feel free to copy DATEIT to other disks. ted. Feel free to copy DATEIT to other disks.