Season's Greetings & Games Unlimited/UGOLD_cd2.iso/tangram/tangram.doc

Text File | 1994-04-15 | 23KB | 476 lines

                            TANGRAM ver 1.1

                   The Ancient Chinese Jigsaw Puzzle

                  Computer Adaptation by Judah Warshaw
                Copyright (c) 1994, All Rights Reserved

    Program Requirements: TANGRAM requires VGA graphics (capable of
                          640x480 in 16 color mode) and a mouse.
                          It will run on any class PC (from XT's
                          and up).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & FEATURES

 TANGRAM brings the ancient Chinese jigsaw puzzle game to life on
 your PC. Unlike western jigsaw puzzles, Tangram puzzles all use
 the same 7 pieces. These pieces are derived from cutting a square
 into seven geometric shapes. By using just the 7 pieces, hundreds
 of forms can be created. These range from geometric shapes and
 designs to people engaged in all sorts of activities, from houses
 boats and guns to animals and birds, and just about everything in
 between. TANGRAM can be used for logo design, inspiration,
 unlocking your imagination and just plain fun.

 The endless possibilities of TANGRAM puzzles have intrigued people
 for centuries. Try solving a TANGRAM puzzle or two and see why.

 TANGRAM features full 360-degree rotation control over the playing
 pieces, user-selectable colors from the entire 1/4 million colors
 available on VGA systems, is fully mouse driven with a 3D push
 button interface, has a built-in screen saver, full on-line help
 that explains all aspects of the program, and many other
 customizing features. All options are saved and reloaded the
 next time you play.

QUICK START

 Just type TANGRAM to run the program. Almost all the information
 you need is in the on-line help. Just click your mouse on the
 button that says Help, and read through the information available.
 To QUIT, click on the "-" button in the top left corner of the
 screen.

CONTACTING THE AUTHOR

 TANGRAM is being distributed as Shareware. If you use the game
 for more than one month, you are expected to pay for its use. To
 register the game send the registration fee to the author. The
 registration for TANGRAM is $12.00 (US), plus $3 worldwide
 shipping and handling, for a total of $15. The author can accept
 cash and checks in both US dollars and most European, Australian
 and other currencies. When paying in non-US dollar currencies,
 use the standard exchange rate for dollars in your currency, and
 indicate so on your order form. Orders can also be accepted with
 a MasterCard, EuroCard and IsraCard. For your convenience, the
 file ORDER.FRM may be printed to obtain a registration form. The
 author may be contacted at:

 By Mail at:             By Phone at:
 Judah Warshaw            Tel. [phone]
 P.O. Box 27054            From 2:00pm to 9:00pm
 Jerusalem  91270          Israel Standard Time.
 ISRAEL

 By CompuServe EMail at: [100274,205]

 Bug reports, suggestions, and comments are always welcome.

BENEFITS OF REGISTRATIONS

 When you send in your registration fee, you will receive the
 following:

 -> The latest, most up-to-date version of the TANGRAM program.
 -> Removal of all registration reminders.
 -> A new puzzle library with over 250 puzzles.
 -> A new, really neat, built-in screen saver.
 -> Utility programs to let you share your own puzzles with other
   registered users.
 -> Information about upgrades and discounts on future puzzle
   libraries. (Send me your best puzzles for possible inclusion in a
   future puzzle library. Have your name in lights and be famous!)
 -> Copies of other shareware programs by the author to try.

ORDERING FROM Public (Software) Library (PsL)

 CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY -

 You can order with MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover from Public (software)
 Library by calling 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394 or by FAX to
 713-524-6398 or by CIS Email to 71355,470. You can also mail credit
 card orders to PsL at P.O.Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705.

 THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY.

 When ordering from PsL, please mention Tangram, product #11293.

 Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds,
 registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts,
 dealer pricing, site licenses, etc, must be directed to Judah Warshaw,
 at any of the above contact numbers.

 To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us the day of
 your order and we will ship the product directly to you."

ORDERING ON-LINE FROM COMPUSERVE INFORMATION SERVICE

 If you have a CompuServe account, you can order Tangram online from
 the Shareware Registration Service.  Type GO SWREG at any CompuServe
 prompt and follow the directions.  Tangram is product number 2464 in the
 SWREG database.  The registration fee will be charged to your CIS
 account, and CIS will inform the author of your registration.

SHAREWARE and the ASP OMBUDSMAN

 This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
 Professionals (ASP).RATIONS

 When you send in your registration fee, you will receive the
 following:

 -> The latest, most up-to-date version of the TANGRAM program.
 -> Removal of all registration reminders.
 -> A new puzzle library with over 250 puzzles.
 -> A new, really neat, built-in screen saver.
 -> Utility programs to let you share your own puzzles with other
   registered users.
 -> Information about upgrades and discounts on future puzzle
   libraries. (Send me your best puzzles for possible inclusion in a
   future puzzle library. Have your name in lights and be famous!)
 -> Copies of other shareware programs by the author to try.

ORDERING FROM Public (Software) Library (PsL)

 CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY -

 You can order with MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover from Public (software)
 Library by calling 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394 or by FAX to
 713-524-6398 or by CIS Email to 71355,470. You can also mail credit
 card orders to PsL at P.O.Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705.

 THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE Fmmercial software,
 and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
 exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
 programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of
 comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and
 bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution.
 The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute
 the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group.
 For example, some authors require written permission before a
 commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

 Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
 should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether
 it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting
 your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And
 because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has
 the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product,
 you don't pay for it.


DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

 Users of TANGRAM must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "TANGRAM
 is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed
 or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
 merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author
 assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which
 may result from the use of TANGRAM."

 TANGRAM is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to
 the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends,
 but please do not give it away altered or as part of another
 system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide
 personal computer users with quality software without high prices,
 and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to
 develop new products. If you find this program useful and find
 that you are using TANGRAM and continue to use TANGRAM after a
 reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of
 $12 to Judah Warshaw. The $12 registration fee will license one
 copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat
 this software just like a book. An example is that this software
 may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from
 one computer location to another, so long as there is no
 possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used
 at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different
 persons at the same time.

 Commercial users of TANGRAM must register and pay for their copies
 of TANGRAM within 30 days of first use or their license is
 withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting
 Judah Warshaw.

 Anyone distributing TANGRAM for any kind of renumeration must
 first see the included VENDOR.DOC file for instructions.

 You are encouraged to pass a copy of TANGRAM along to your friends
 for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if
 they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive
 a copy of the latest version of TANGRAM.

SUPPORT

 Support for TANGRAM is available via    phone, mail, and Compuserve
 email for no less than one year from purchase of the product, and
 will be available for as long as the program is still being sold.
 See the first page of this document for phone number, mail
 address, and Compuserve email address. Updates are available at
 any time to registered users for a nominal fee to cover costs of
 labor, materials, shipping, and handling. Contact the author to
 check if your version is up to date and for update costs. Bug
 fixes for major bugs (if any ever occur) will be shipped free to
 registered users for a period of three months after the date of
 registration.

GAME OVERVIEW

 TANGRAM is an age old jigsaw puzzle with its roots in China. In
 its traditional form, all puzzles are solved using the same seven
 pieces. These pieces are derived from taking a square and cutting
 it up into the 7 basic shapes. Once the square is cut up, it is
 quite hard to reform it. Try solving puzzle #1 to see how TANGRAM
 pieces are formed.

 The rules of solving TANGRAM puzzles are basic.

 (1) All seven piece must be used. In almost all cases, the pieces
 are touching on another. Only very few puzzles will have pieces
 not touching, such puzzles are usually when forming 2 identical
 shapes. See puzzle #27 for an example of this.

 (2) No piece may overlap another. Nothing is gained by standing a
 piece on its side, or laying it on top of another piece. TANGRAM
 is a flat 2-dimensional puzzle.

 Aside from these 2 limitations, you have a free hand in doing what
 you wish with TANGRAM puzzles. You may solve the puzzles anywhere
 on the screen, in any order you wish. Some older TANGRAM puzzle
 books gave names to the puzzles. We have not done so. Since
 different people see different things in the puzzles, we have left
 the naming of them to the user. No one can say whether a puzzle
 is truly solved either. If you are satisfied that you have
 recreated the image or shape, then consider it done.

MOVING & ROTATING THE PIECES

 To MOVE a piece: Each TANGRAM piece has a small circle in its
 center. This is used for moving and rotating the pieces. Point
 your mouse to the circle and click with the LEFT button (or button
 #1 if you have switched the buttons). Continue to hold down the
 mouse button. The mouse cursor will disappear, and the piece will
 only be outlined. You can now move the piece to wherever you
 would like on the playing field. You can not move the piece on
 top of the button bar, into the solution box, or onto the status
 bar on the bottom. The piece will move with you as you move the
 mouse around. Let go of the button when you have moved the piece
to the desired location. The mouse cursor will reappear, and the
 piece will be redraw in its new location.

 To ROTATE a piece: Click and hold with the RIGHT mouse button. The
 piece will start to rotate clockwise in either 1 or 5 degree
 increments (see THE DEGREE BUTTON later in this document or in the
 on-line help). To rotate counter-clockwise, you may either hold
 down BOTH buttons, click and hold with the middle button if your
 mouse driver supports it, or hold down the SHIFT, ALT or CONTROL
 keys while holding with the right mouse button. NOTE: You can
 move and rotate the pieces at the same time.

CHOOSING A PUZZLE TO SOLVE

 The TANGRAM puzzle comes with 50 puzzles for you to solve. (The
 registered version comes with over 250!). A scaled down version of
 the puzzle you are working on is shown in the Solution Box on the
 right hand side of the screen. Under this box are 2 buttons, one
 marked Solve and the other Puzzle. Click on the puzzle button to
 enter the Puzzle Selection Screen. From here you can view a full
 screen version of the puzzle you are working on, or choose a new
 puzzle to solve. If you just wish to see the puzzle you are doing,
 just click anywhere on the screen to return to your game. If you
 would like to choose a new puzzle to solve, use the controls on top of
 the screen to work your way through the puzzle library until you find
 a puzzle that interests you. You can move forward or backward through
 the library in units of 1, 10, or 100. This makes it easy to quickly
 find the puzzle you would like. When choosing a new puzzle, you must
 click on the OK button to return to the game. The new puzzle will be
 scaled into the Solution Box, ready for solving.

 If you are having trouble with a puzzle, and would like to see the
 solution, click on the Solve button. The program will
 automatically move and rotate the pieces into position (as they
 appear on the Puzzle Selection Screen).

THE BUTTON BAR

 On top of the playing field are a series of buttons, commonly
 referred to as a button bar. This section will give information
 about each of the buttons available what they do.

 THE ABOUT BUTTON will give you information about the Tangram
 program, including version number and the author's name. If you
 are using an unregistered version of the program, you will also
 see a list of various benefits of registering the program. Click
 your mouse or hit any key to see a second screen of information
 telling you how to order your registered copy. This information
 is also shown when you first run the program. Click your mouse or
 hit a key to pass this screen and begin to play. On the bottom of
 the ordering info screen is a button to print out an order form.
 Make sure your printer is on-line and plugged into LPT1 (Printer
 Port number 1, the most usual setup). You can print an order form
 this way, or just copy it to your printer from DOS (use the
 command COPY ORDER.FRM PRN). PLEASE NOTE: None of this
 information is shown in the registered version.

 THE FLIP BUTTON allows you to flip the quadrangle piece over. All
 the other pieces are the same whether or not they are flipped
 over, except the quadrangle. Certain puzzles need it one way,
 while to solve others you will have to flip it over. If you can't
 seem to solve a puzzle, this is one of the things to try.

 THE COLORS BUTTON: TANGRAM allows you to make use of the over 1/4
 million colors available on your VGA system. There are 4 items in the
 program that you can change th colors of: the background of the
 playing field, the outline of the pieces, the fill color of the
 pieces, and the center circle of the pieces. Use the buttons to
 choose the item to change, and the amount of color you wish to use.
 VGA colors are formed by combinations of Red, Green, and Blue
 intensity, ranging from 0 (no color) to 63 (highest intensity).
 Choose a combination of Red, Green, and Blue that suits your fancy,
 and a color combination to your liking. Click on the OK button to
 return to play.

 A note on color combinations: Some color combinations will not
 work well together, and some not at all. If the fill color of the
 pieces is the same as the background, then you will not see the
 puzzles in the puzzle selection screen, nor will you see them
 while rotating and moving the pieces. Experiment around to see
 what works best for you.

 THE SAVE BUTTON: You can save any screen layout you wish to the
 puzzle file. Just click on the SAVE button. You will be asked to
 confirm you choice. The puzzle file can hold up to 99,999
 puzzles. Registered users can exchange their saved puzzles with
 each other. The registered version comes with utilities to help
 users exchange puzzle libraries. There is also a special utility
 that will load your saved puzzles from the shareware library to
 the registered version library, so all your work will not be lost.

 THE HELP BUTTON: TANGRAM includes complete on-line help for all
 the features of the program. When you click on HELP, the help
 windows will open up, and the mouse cursor will change to a
 question mark. You can then click on any item on the screen to
 get help about it. Or just click on NEXT PAGE to work your way
 through the help item by item. Click on OK to return to your
 game.

THE MOUSE STATUS BAR

 At the end of the Button Bar is the Mouse Status Bar. This gives
 you the constant location of the mouse cursor on the screen,
 giving first the horizontal coordinate (the 'X') and then the
 vertical ('Y'). Use this along with the status bar on the button
 to help orientate the pieces exactly as you wish.

SCREEN SAVER

 TANGRAM comes with a built-in screen saver, which will engage if
 no mouse movements are detected after a given number of minutes.
 You can engage the screen saver at any time by clicking on the 'S'
 in the top right hand corner of the screen. By clicking with the
 RIGHT mouse button, you can configure the amount of time it will
 take before the screen saver kicks in. This can be set for
 anywhere between 1 and 30 minutes. TANGRAM comes preset at 5
 minutes. You can also set it to 0 minutes, which disables the
 screen saver from engaging. You can still manually start the
 saver by clicking on the 'S' as mentioned above. Note that the
 registered version comes with a completely different graphic
 screen saver as an added bonus.

THE STATUS BAR

 Along the bottom of the screen is the Status Bar. This will tell
 you about the currently selected playing piece. Once you click on
 a piece, the status will show which piece you have chosen, its
 current X and Y location on the screen, and its current rotation
 value. Use these indicators to help you move the pieces into the
 precise position you wish. Note that when you first click on a
 piece, no matter where you click on the center circle, the mouse
 cursor will move to the exact location of the piece. This way you
 can check a piece's location by just clicking on the center circle
 without having it move around.

THE OPTIONS BUTTONS

 On the bottom right of the screen are 3 buttons that let you set
 various options of the program.

 THE DEGREES BUTTON lets you set how many degrees the pieces will
 rotate at a time. This can be set to either 1 or 5 degrees. For
 most puzzles 5 degrees will be fine, but sometimes you may wish to
 fine tune a piece, so then set it to 1 degree.

 THE SPEED BUTTON lets you set the speed at which the pieces will
 rotate. This can be set to Slow, Med or Fast. Find the speed you
 like.

 THE CIRCLE SIZE button lets you set how big the center circle of
 the pieces will be. This number is the radius in pixels from the
 center of the piece. You can set it to between 1 and 5, however
 you wish. If you would like it off altogether, then set the
 Center Color and Fill Color to be the same.

SAVING OF OPTIONS

 When you quit the TANGRAM program, all the current options are
 saved. This includes the selected puzzle, where the pieces are on
 the screen, the selected colors, and all other features of the
 program. The next time you run TANGRAM, all these options will be
 restored, so that the program will be left in exactly the state
 that it was left. You can restore the default options by deleting
 the TANGRAM.CFG file. It will be recreated the next time you quit
 TANGRAM.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 Q: Why doesn't TANGRAM tell me when I solved a puzzle? It sure
 looks solved to me!

 A: This was the most asked question from beta-testers of TANGRAM.
 The reasons are like this: First, a number of the puzzles have
 more than one solution, so it is possible to solve it in a way
 completely different than the way it was entered into the puzzle
 library. Then there is the problem that 2 of the pieces have
 matches. It does not really matter which of the big or small
 triangles you put where, since they are identical. Then comes the
 fact that the quadrangle looks the same whether rotated 0 or 180
 degrees, and the same at 1 or 181 and so on. The square looks the
 same at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees. You can use any of these
 orientations you wish. Plus, because of certain inherent
 limitations of computer graphics, at least in the 640 x 480 mode,
 a number of rotation values will look exactly the same. All these
 things considered make it very difficult to get an exact match.

 On top of it all, many of the puzzles are truly hard to duplicate
 exactly. It would be very frustrating if you know you have the
 puzzle solved, but just that I chose to rotate a piece one degree
 further, and move it one pixel lower on the screen (check out the
 Indian chief for an example of this). It is not a problem of the
 puzzle being in a different location on the screen, the program
 could take that into account and still check if it was solved. It
 is a problem of being one pixel off and not knowing it. You see
 that you have solved the puzzle, so you should consider it solved.
 There is a certain Zen aspect of Tangram puzzles saying that if
 you consider the puzzle solved, then it is. So long as you are
 satisfied with your solution.

 So taking these factors together, it was decided NOT to include a
 feature saying whether or not a puzzle was solved. Since it is
 hard to duplicate what I did so exactly, it was dispensed with.

TECHNICAL NOTES

 For those interested, TANGRAM is written entirely in C, using
 Borland's Turbo C++ 3.0 complier. No outside libraries are used,
 and no assembly is used either. The most difficult part of the
 program was the real-time scaling of puzzles into the solution
 box. Only the center and rotation values are stored for the
 pieces; they are scaled upon loading of the puzzle into the game.
 This is done by reading screen memory directly. Even though this
 is not usually done in 640x480 16 color mode, since this does not
 return a color value, but a byte of values for one of the 4
 planes. By manipulating the palette, the value of the bits was
 enough. Screen memory is read, and the value of each bit is
 compared to a known value for the background. All this allowed
 for very quick gray scaling of the screen into the solution box.