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read_me2.txt
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1992-02-02
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------------------------------
MEGAPAINT MODULE DOCUMENTATION
A Second Collection of Modules
© 1991 CodeHead Software
All Rights Reserved.
------------------------------
-- The Modules --
To install external modules for MegaPaint Professional, create a
folder called MODUL inside the folder where you keep MEGA.PRG. Then
place all the .MOD and .PRG files inside the MODUL folder. That's all
there is to it; when you run MegaPaint it will automatically find the
modules and put their names in the "External Modules" submenu.
(NOTE: The order of the modules' titles in the MegaPaint menu has
nothing to do with their numbered filenames; it depends on their
physical order in the disk directory, similar to the way programs run
from an AUTO folder.)
There are two modules in this second collection; each module consists
of two files, a .PRG file and a .MOD file. Here's what they do:
-- MEGA_06.PRG/MOD -- Import Calamus File
This module lets you load Calamus vector graphics files (CVG) or
Calamus fonts (CFN) into MegaPaint. When the file selector appears,
simply select either a CVG or CFN file.
CVG Files:
If you select a CVG, it will be loaded as a vector graphic (to see it
you'll have to switch to the "Vector part" if you're in raster mode).
If any vector objects are currently in memory, you'll be given the
chance to replace them or append to them (the equivalent of "Merge
Objects"). If there is not enough room for the selected graphic, you'll
have to use "Change Settings" (in the raster part) to enlarge
"Objects:".
In Calamus vector objects, filled areas are defined with intensity
levels (0-100%). MegaPaint vector objects use one of the 32 fill
patterns available. To handle this discrepancy, we've created a set of
fill patterns which approximate the various intensity levels (they are
the same fill patterns used by our Avant Vector program and are much
better than the GREYSCAL.PAT patterns included with MegaPaint). If you
do not have these fill patterns loaded, the module will inform you and
ask if you'd like to load them (they are imbedded in the module). Once
you've loaded them, you can save them as a MegaPaint pattern file (PAT).
If you'd like these patterns to be your default set so that they are
loaded every time you run MegaPaint, "Save Patterns" as MEGA.PAT in the
same directory as MEGA.PRG.
The CVG fill patterns are arranged in what may seem to be an illogical
order. The first eight patterns take you from 0-100% in coarse steps.
The remaining 24 patterns are more gradual gradations which are
intermediate steps between the first eight. They are arranged in this
fashion in order to emulate the CVG output of MegaPaint. When MegaPaint
saves a CVG file, it assigns a fill intensity (percentage) based upon
this scheme. Using this method allows you to use the CVG fill patterns
and still correctly view the VEK files included with MegaPaint and the
CVG output it creates, which use fill pattern 8 as a solid fill and
respective fill intensities in between.
CFN Files:
Before you select a font file (CFN), you'll have to be in vector mode
(or you'll get an alert box telling you so). A dialog box will appear
allowing you to select one of the 8 vector symbol library slots (or
Cancel). Your selected CFN file will replace any library occupying the
slot you select. If there is not enough room for the selected font,
you'll have to use "Change Settings" (in the raster part) to enlarge
"Symbols:".
Once you've loaded a Calamus font, you can use "Insert Symbol" to
place a character on the screen, or "Line Editor" to insert an entire
string of text. The font characters will be placed on the MegaPaint
screen as vector objects. You can then use the vector tools to
manipulate them in any manner you like.
Some Calamus fonts contain overlapping objects. When MegaPaint
displays this type of vector graphic, the overlapping areas are inverted
(black becomes white). This is a problem that you will have to solve
yourself (since we have no control over the internal workings of
MegaPaint) by either choosing a different font or editing the characters
in MegaPaint or with our Genus font editor. If you have older Cherry
Font packs with this type of overlapping characters, contact us about
obtaining an update. The current Cherry Font collection does not have
this problem.
If you want to use a Calamus font in MegaPaint on a regular basis, you
should save it as a MegaPaint vector library (VBL). Otherwise, you may
get an error message stating that the CFN file is faulty. This will
happen if you switch to the raster part, Change Settings, and return to
the vector part, or if you save your vector settings while a Calamus
font is loaded and run MegaPaint again. The reason for this is that
these actions will cause MegaPaint to save the name of the CFN file,
thinking that it is a MegaPaint VBL file. When it attempts to load it,
it is unrecognizable to MegaPaint. That's why you should save it as a
MegaPaint VBL file.
-- MEGA_07.PRG/MOD -- Calamus Page Image
This module allows you to load a Calamus PAGE.IMG file into the
MegaPaint raster screen. Calamus has a printer driver called TODISK.CPD
which creates a file that is an image of a complete page of laser
printer output.
To use this feature, run Calamus, load or create a page, and select
"Print Document". Load the TODISK.CPD driver. Make sure that you are
using a US letter sized page (8-1/2" x 11") and print the page. After
creating the page file, you can use this module to load it right into
your MegaPaint screen and view/edit the 300 DPI image directly. This
gives you a method of saving Calamus output as an IMG file, or to edit
the page and print it to the laser printer directly from MegaPaint.
Unfortunately, you must have an SLM 804 or SLM 605 hooked up to
Calamus to use the TODISK.CPD driver. We are looking into ways of
providing a similar driver which will not have this requirement and may
provide one if we can obtain permission from DMC/ISD.
NOTE: A Calamus PAGE.IMG file is not a standard GEM IMG file and
cannot be loaded as such. That is the reason for this module.
-- Determining the function of modules --
Since the filenames of external modules are not very descriptive, we've
built in a way to discover what each module does without constantly
referring to this document; simply run the .PRG file, and an alert box
will show you the function of the module.
-- Changing Module Titles and Memory Requirements --
To modify the values in the modules, use the MODTWEAK.PRG program
found in the first collection of MegaPaint modules, MEGAMODS.ARC.
NOTE: MegaPaint modules do not work with the MegaPaint Demo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have fun with this second batch of MegaPaint modules!
- John Eidsvoog
Sunday, February 2, 1992