home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The World of Computer Software
/
World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso
/
v
/
vpoint.zip
/
READ.ME
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-02-06
|
6KB
|
130 lines
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFO
The program presented with this package is composed of several files,
some of which are unneccessary to users for different reasons. If all
files are copied to the same directory, and the executable program is
run from that directory, all will be well. However, if you wish to
minimize storage uptake, there are several files which may be discarded
without effecting the program itself. The ZIP file containing these
individual files should include the following:
CAD3.C <The source code>
AJGFUN.C <Related functions>
AJGFUNS.H <Prototypes>
CAD3.EXE <The executable program>
*.FON FILES <Font Files required>
README.DOC <This document>
If you are not concerned with C programming, the first three above files
will probably be of little interest to you, and may be erased without any
effect to the overall program. These are included mainly in the hope that
another programmer will find the functions usefull, and give some ideas for
improving on them.
The *.FON files are included because I don't know what fonts are available
on any individual PC. Most can be found in the \DOS or \windows\systems
directories. If the program does not find the files in the directory from
which it is run, it will prompt you for a directory where it can find them.
It's not fancy, but it works. If you don't know and/or don't care where
these files are, leave the included *.FON files on your system in the same
directory as the executable program.
This program requires at least an EGA grahics adapter and color monitor.
It also needs a two-button mouse or joystick. The program is run in high-
resolution mode which clarifies objects but increases memory consumption
in QuickC. If you don't have any of the above, erase this now or give it
to a friend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL IDEA
Vanishing Point is an interactive graphics painting program, originally
intended as a learning exercise while studying C programming. It provides
many of the functions available in commercial paint programs like Windows
Paint and MacPaint, with some notable exceptions: there is no capability
as yet to perform editing functions like copy, paste, undo, etc...
All shapes drawn within the drawing area are in perspective to, or in
aspect to, the Vanishing Point. In other words, the logical coordinates of
the screen pixels is set to wherever the current Vanishing Point is set.
This scheme creates mirror-images of objects in some instances, and can be
visually pleasing. Some experimentation is reccommended to utilize the
full potential of the program.
The improvements on some commercial programs are, I think, substantial.
The functions available include a large array of color palette remapping
options, shapes which are unavailable in other programs, such as arcs,
triangles, and polygons (except for a complicated series of keypresses),
and the concept of drawing in relation to a Vanishing Point is an original
idea which makes for very symmetric and beautiful pictures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL USE
Some of the functions available in the program may be selected by the
mouse pointed on an object and clicked. These include the shapes on the
left of the screen, the colors on the bottom, and the menu items on the top.
There are many functions, however, which require special key-presses to
activate. The following is a list of what each key does:
Function Keys
-------------
F1: Help Menu <Does not describe all possible functions>
F2: Scroll Logo <Cycle colors slowly>
F3: Toggle 1st Color Scrolling <Speed up F2>
F4: Reset Standard Color Palette
F5: Cycle All Colors
F6: Toggle Mirror On/Off
F7: Unused
F8: Toggle Sound On/Off <Random notes as a goof>
F9: Toggle Clearscreen Between Each Write to Screen
ALT + Function Keys
-------------------
ALT-F2 : Pixel Remapping Menu <Alter the color of single pixels>
ALT-F3 : Custom Color Menu <Choose any of the 250,000+ VGA Colors>
ALT-F4 : Toggle Fill Mask <Fill solid areas with patterns>
ALT-F5 : Reset Fill Mask to Solid
ALT-F9 : Cycle Selected Colors
ALT-F10: Brush Shape Menu
CTRL + Function Keys
--------------------
CTRL-F2 : Draw Arc
CTRL-F3 : Draw Pie Wedge
Other Command Keys
------------------
'e' : Ellipse
'E' : Solid Ellipse
'r' : Rectangle
'R' : Solid Rectangle
'l' : Line
'p' : Paint Brush
DEL : Clear Drawing Area
ESC : Quit Program <also 'q' or 'Q'>
-> : Increase linestyle mask
<- : Decrease linestyle mask
'L' : Reset linestyle to solid
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This program is undergoing constant (almost) modification, as is
obvious from the above commands. Any comments or suggestions would be
appreciated. I can be reached at the address below or via Internet at
AJ@BU.EDU. This program comes with no implied warranty and any liability
is the sole responsibility of the user.
Arthur Dunphy Jr.
80 Samoset Ave. #6
Hull, MA 02045
(617) 925-9589 <Telephone/FAX/Modem>