Acorn User: China/Acorn User China CD-ROM (UK) (Disc B)/Acorn User China CD-ROM (UK) (Disc B).bin/WEBSITES/AW_MODULES/QCOPY.ZIP/!QuickCopy_!Help

Text File | 1998-02-10 | 11.1 KB | 262 lines

QuickCopy 1.03b (10-Feb-98)

Purpose:  ArtWorks module for copying objects quickly and comfortably
Author:   Martin Würthner
Requires: RISC OS 3.1 or higher, ArtWorks 1.138 or higher
Status:   ShareWare (see [5] and [6] below for details)

Copying objects has never been as easy as with the QuickCopy tool! The
QuickCopy tool allows you to create multiple copies of an object in a very
quick and comfortable way. It also allows you to position them in a more
exact way as using the standard ArtWorks facilities.

See [3] below for installation instructions.

Do not miss my other ArtWorks modules. Check this list:
* Polygon: ShareWare, registration includes a licence to Intersect & PathUtils
* Translate, ShowXY, MadnessT: all FreeWare
* AutoSave, ZoomPlus: you should have received these with QuickCopy

Commercial modules available from me:
* Hatch: dynamic pattern fills for objects, adds 5 new fill styles to ArtWorks
* AlignPlus, MRotate, MScale: improved alignment options on text lines and
                              multiple object rotation/scaling
* Filter: select/deselect objects according to their object type/attributes
* Replicate: dynamic replication of objects in 6 different patterns

For further information, have a look at http://www.flipside.co.uk/awtools

1) The QuickCopy tool
---------------------
1.1) What it does

The QuickCopy module displays an additional tool, the QuickCopy tool, in the
ArtWorks tool box. It looks like three intertwined circles.

Using the QuickCopy tool, you can make multiple copies of the selection in a
very quick and comfortable way. In order to use it, select the object(s) you
want to copy and then select the QuickCopy tool.

Selecting the QuickCopy tool only makes sense if there is at least one object
selected. Once the QuickCopy tool is selected, it displays a crosshair in the
middle of the selection similarly to the Rotate or Scale tool.

You can simply copy the selected objects by clicking anywhere in the document.
If you hold down the mouse button rather than release it immediately, you can
drag the copies to the desired destination position. Note that there is no need
to click on the original object and drag from there, you can start the drag
wherever you want. Once you release the mouse button, the copy is positioned in
such a way that the position that is marked by the crosshair in the original
selection ends up under the mouse pointer.

1.2.) Setting the crosshair position

You can change the position of the crosshair using the 3 by 3 matrix in the
info bar. So, if the crosshair is in the bottom-left corner of the original
selection, then the bottom-left corner of the copy will end up exactly under
the mouse pointer at the end of the click or drag. This feature is most useful
with a grid. While you drag, the pointer position is locked to the grid
(provided the grid is switched on). So, if you position the crosshair in the
bottom left corner of the original selection, then the bottom-left corner of
the copy will coincide with a grid point.

You can also position the crosshair using the Adjust mouse button (similar to
the Rotate/Scale tools).

In contrast to all the other ArtWorks tools, the QuickCopy 3 by 3 grid has
been extended by two additional buttons. These can be used only when there is
exactly one text object selected. Then, the buttons correspond to the beginning
and end of the text's base line. So, if you are using a grid and you move the
crosshair to one of the two base line positions, you can force the base line of
the copied text line to be aligned with the grid. Note that this feature works
even if the text is rotated!

1.3.) Extended locking options

The info bar shows some extended locking options. First of all, there are two
option buttons labelled "X" and "Y". By selecting either (or both) you can
lock the corresponding (or both) coordinate(s). So, if you select "X", then the
X-coordinate of all copies will be the same as that of the original.

The bottom line of options is controlled by the option button "Lock distance".
This option allows you to lock the X and Y distances of the copy to multiples
of a given value. If the icon is selected, you can access the other options in
this line. You can either enter a value into the input field (press Return to
confirm the value) or select "Grid" which takes the grid size instead.

Note that selecting the QuickCopy "Grid" option only makes sense if the main
ArtWorks grid is actually switched on.

The "Lock distances" feature does not lock the overall distance between the
copy and the original but only the X- and Y-distances on their own.

So what is the difference between using the grid with "Lock distance" off and
"Lock distance" on? Supposing your grid size is 10mm. With "Lock distance" off
(which is the default), the *pointer position* will be locked to the grid. So,
if the crosshair is in the bottom-left corner this will force the bottom-left
corner of the copy to coincide with a grid point. If you select "Lock
distance", then it is not the pointer position but the *distances* (in both X
and Y directions) that are locked to the grid. So, this will force the distance
between the original and the copy in each direction (X and Y) to be a multiple
of the grid size (if the QuickCopy "Grid" option is switched on) or the value
entered in the input field (if "Grid" is switched off).

Note that if you use the angle constraint by holding down Ctrl while dragging,
then the extended locking options are disabled as it is not possible to lock
both the angle and the distances.

1.4.) Credits

The QuickCopy feature was inspired by a similar (but less powerful) feature of
CorelXara (trademark of Xara Ltd. and Corel Corp.).

Thanks to Nobilangelo Ceramalus for suggesting the "X", "Y" and "Lock distance"
features.

1.5.) Known limitations

None.


2) History
----------
Version 1.03b (10-Feb-98)
- adjusted !Help file
Version 1.03 (13-Jan-98)
- some marker redraw problems fixed
Version 1.02 (07-Jan-98)
- incorporated some new outline redraw code to fix outline redraw problems with
  moulds and with sprites and text lines in groups
Version 1.01 (05-Dec-97)
- added extended locking options
- added setting the crosshair position by Adjust clicking
Version 1.00 (28-Nov-97)
- first release


3) Installation
---------------
Copy the !QuickCopy application inside the !ArtWorks.Auto directory. This will
cause ArtWorks to load the module automatically next time it is started.

If you are not using the 'Quick start' feature of ArtWorks, then this is it
already. Otherwise (this is recognized by the fact the ArtWorks only displays
one icon 'Quick start' when starting up) you have to go on:

If the 'Quick start' option is selected in the ArtWorks choices window you have
to perform the following steps in order for ArtWorks to recognize the new
module:

* Load ArtWorks
* Open the ArtWorks choices window (icon bar menu 'Choices...', then click on
  the ArtWorks icon in the ArtWorks global choices window)
* Deselect 'Quick start' and click on 'Save'
* Quit ArtWorks
* Reload ArtWorks - while loading ArtWorks shows every module it loads
* Open the ArtWorks choices window
* Select 'Quick start' and click on 'Save'

If you ever should want to deinstall the module, remove the !QuickCopy
directory from the !ArtWorks.Auto directory. Then, if you are using the 'Quick
start' option, you must repeat the same steps above.


4) Contacting me:
-----------------
I have just completed my studies and I am now working for a Software
Engineering research institute in Kaiserslautern. My new address is:

Martin Wuerthner
Mannheimer Str. 18
67655 Kaiserslautern
Germany

Phone: [phone]

However, letters to my previous (my parents') address will also be forwarded
to me. So, if the above address fails, the following address is guaranteed to
work:

Martin Wuerthner
Jahnstrasse 18
71116 Gaertringen
Germany

Fax:   [phone] (faxes sent to this address will have to be forwarded
                           to me by my parents, so do not expect a quick reply)

e-mail: [e-mail]
        (valid through the whole of 1998)

5) Copyright:
-------------
The QuickCopy ArtWorks module including all related files is Copyright 1998,
by Martin Würthner and is ShareWare.

This means that you may copy it freely provided that
(a) all files of this ArtWorks module are distributed together without
    modification
(b) this application is not sold for profit without my explicit written
    permission - you also have to apply for permission to distribute this
    program on a CD if it is sold for profit or to distribute it together
    with other commercial software.
I retain the copyright on all files.

6) ShareWare registration
-------------------------
You may use this software free of charge for a trial period of two weeks.
If you find it useful and decide to go on using the module, you have to
register.

Registration of QuickCopy includes registration for AutoSave and ZoomPlus.

6.1) How do I register?

Registration costs only 10 Pounds inc VAT for private users (15 Pounds ex VAT
for commercial or educational users; 30 Pounds ex VAT for an educational/
commercial site licence).

This price applies irrespective of whether you find only one of QuickCopy,
AutoSave or ZoomPlus useful or all of them. You have to register if you would
like to go on using at least one of the modules after the two week trial period.

In order to register, send 10 Pounds (or 15 or 30, see above) to me. I accept
bank notes in any currency, cheques drawn from British or German banks,
Eurocheques (in Pounds if drawn from a British bank, else in DM) and
international postal orders.

Commercial/Educational users only: Please quote your EU VAT ID or add 15% VAT
                                   (16% VAT if you are ordering on or after
                                    April 1st 1998).

If you have got an e-mail address, please quote it when registering. I will
then put you on my e-mail list for automatic upgrades.

Orders from outside the EU can be ex VAT (divide inc VAT prices by 1.15, or by
1.16 when ordering on or after April 1st 1998), but add 2 Pounds for postage
if you want snail-mail delivery.

And finally: Before registering, have a look at the ArtWorks tools WWW site at
http://www.flipside.co.uk/awtools because you might want to order some other
modules at the same time.

6.2) What do I get?

Do not be surprised if you do not get a reply from me.

QuickCopy, AutoSave and ZoomPlus are my second attempt at real ShareWare, i.e.
if you find the modules useful, then you have to register. There is nothing
extra you will get when registering apart from the permission to actually use
the modules.

Having started with my job I do not have too much time any more, so I would
rather concentrate on writing software instead of posting discs. Therefore,
any future ArtWorks modules I write will probably be ShareWare. However, this
is only likely to happen if the ShareWare concept works, so if you find
QuickCopy, AutoSave and ZoomPlus useful, please register.

Later, registered users can request updates of these three modules (and any
others you might have bought from me) by sending me a blank, Acorn formatted
disc, a self-addressed envelope (235mm by 125mm max.) and 1 Pound for postage
(cash or in stamps; German users: send 2,20 in stamps).