Australian Personal Computer 1999 November/APC411-1.ISO/feature/party/poster61.exe/README.TXT

Text File | 1999-07-17 | 19.0 KB | 445 lines

THE POSTER PROGRAM. Version 6.2 for Windows 95/98/NT.  7/15/99.

POSTER has earned the ZD-Net-Sharware 4-star rating, the Rocket-Download 4-smiley
rating, the Softseek Editor's Pick rating, the Quality Shareware 4-Q rating,
and the AOL Desktop Publishing Top Pick rating.

New in 6.2:
    Easily set picture size for digital photos and scanned images.
    Correct colors in TIFF photos. Ability to align graphics.
New in 6.1:
    Copy/paste between multiple copies of POSTER.
    Better handling of metafiles.
    Enhanced quick-start wizard.
    Many usability enhancements.
NEW in 6.0:
    Spell Check.
    Picture smoothing for smooth enlargements.
    Stretch fonts wider or taller.
    Support for tiff files.
    Support for scanners (TWAIN interface).
    Over 30 textures for backgrounds, text, and objects.
    Clip art can be rotated.
    User settable margins.
    Find and replace text.
    Crop pictures easily using the mouse.
    Better support of very large bitmaps (including jpegs).
    Print multiple copies.
    Improved printer troubleshooting.

POSTER 6 USER: Poster 6.2 will install in your existing POSTER 6 directory.
It will replace your current version of Poster 6.  It will not harm any
existing Posters or banners.

POSTER 5 USERS: POSTER6 installs in a different directory from POSTER5.
If you are upgrading from POSTER5, your old posters will still be
in the POSTER5 directory, NOT the POSTER6 directory. See the note below.
(note: POSTER 6 CAN read files from POSTER 5 with no problem).


===============================================================================
CONTENTS:
    Introduction.
    Special Note for Poster 5 Users
    Printer Driver notes.
    Installation.
    What's New.
    Support and Registration.
    Association of Shareware Professionals Statement.
    Deinstallation Instructions.
    Disclaimer.
    Usage.

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INTRODUCTION.

POSTER 6 is the Windows 95/98 32-bit version of the acclaimed Windows shareware
program for making big posters, signs, and banners. Posters can be up to 9 feet
by 9 feet at 300 DPI, even bigger at lower resolutions.Poster combines the best
features of word-processing, graphics, and desktop publishing with features
especially tuned for big posters and banners. This includes complete flexibility
in the placement of graphics, a full set of drawing tools and over 100 special
effects (like 3D, rotate, and arch) for text. All text and graphics are enlarged
and tiled over multiple pages. POSTER supports all True-Type and ATM fonts, and
imports graphics from BMP, GIF, JPG, TIF, and WMF files, scanners (TWAIN),  the
Clipboard, and OLE applications. A spelling checker is included. POSTER supports
full color, and all Windows-compatible printers.  Full support is provided for
non-standard poster and paper sizes, including continuous form banner printing.
POSTER includes exclusives like picture smoothing for smooth enlargements, and
font stretching for all windows fonts, including special effects.

A tutorial, extensive on-line help, and over 100 examples and templates are
included, together with over 30 textures and many fancy borders.


POSTER is great for a wide variety of projects at work, school, home, or
clubs:
1. Creating large posters for presentations, projects, charts, etc.
2. Creating large signs for advertisements, announcements, etc.
3. Creating banners for special events, etc.
4. Enlarging pictures, charts, etc. for display.
See the Poster Examples for ideas.

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NOTE TO ALL USERS of POSTER 5:

POSTER6 installs in a different directory from POSTER5.
If you are upgrading from POSTER5, your old posters will still be
in the POSTER5 directory, NOT the POSTER6 directory.
(note: POSTER 6 CAN read files from POSTER 5 with no problem).

To move your files from Poster 5 to Poster 6 and get rid of Poster 5:
1. Select every .POS file in directory POSTER5 and drag it to POSTER6.
2. Click on the directory POSTER5 and Delete it.

Users of POSTER 5.2:
Poster versions 5.2 through 5.2h erroneously created temporary files
and did not remove them.  This problem is now fixed, but you must
manually remove these old files to free up space on your disk.
You need only do this once.
To do this:
1. Bring up an MS-DOS window.
2. Enter the command:
    erase c:\windows\temp\~df*.tmp
OR
1. Bring up Explorer and go to folder \windows\temp.
2. Manually delete all files of the form ~dfxxxx.tmp.


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INSTALLATION.

Double click on poster61.exe to run the installation program.

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PRINTER NOTES:


BANNER PRINTING ON HP PRINTERS:
Banner (continuous forms) are supported on HP 6xx and 7xx printers that
specifically support continuous forms - banner mode.  HP 8xx printers
do NOT support continuous forms.
IMPORTANT: You MUST set your printer into banner mode:
1. Physically set the lever on the printer to banner mode.
2. Set the driver to banner mode:  File->Printer Setup->Properties.
   Click on Continuous Forms (banner).
3. When you print, in the File->Print dialog box, click "Continuous Forms".


BANNER PRINTING ON EPSON COLOR STYLUS PRINTERS.
The epson color stylus printers will print a banner up to 44 inches wide
as a single continuous page.  To do this:
1. Go into Printer Setup for the Epson, and set page size to User Defined,
   and set length to 44".
2. Start POSTER.
3. Select New->Horizontal (or Vertical). DO NOT SELECT BANNER MODE.
4. Create your poster.
5. Print it at 1x.
If you want something longer than 44", you can select BANNER, then create
a 2 page banner.  You will have to tape the 2 44" pages together.

HP680C (and 682C):
To print Continuous forms (banner paper) correctly, you MUST have
version 9 of the printer driver.  Version 8 does not properly handle
characters that cross page boundaries in banner mode.
When printing banners:
1. Be sure to set the Paper mode to Banner in  the printer setup properties box.
2. Also, make sure the 'continuous forms'
box is checked in the POSTER Print dialog box.

CONTINUOUS FORMS:
Poster supports continuous forms on dot matrix and the HP680. Be
sure to check the continuous forms box in the POSTER Print dialog box.
You may use continuous forms for posters or banners.  Using it for
posters causes your poster to be printed in continuous strips, reducing
the amount you have to paste together.

PROBLEMS WITH PAGE EJECTS WITH CONTINUOUS FORMS:
If your printer page ejects while trying to print continuous forms,
you must adjust the page size.  EACH time you print:
1. Select File->Print.  Then select Continuous Forms.
2. Click on "More"
3. Adjust the field "Override Paper Size, Height" to a smaller value.
4. Select OK.
5. Select OK.
You may have to adjust this field up or down to get Poster to go to the
very edge of the current page, and then begin the next page at the very top of
the next page.

PROBLEMS WITH DROPPED CHARACTERS AT PAGE BOUNDARIES:
If POSTER drops characters at page boundaries, try checking
the box marked "Method A1" in the PRINT dialog box.
If this still doesn't work, try "Method
B" or "Method C".  Also, see the special setup instructions below.


LASERJET III USERS.
If the posters you print are missing characters at page edges, then do
the following:
1. Select "Method A" in the Poster Print Dialog box.  Also, be sure your
   printer is set to 300 dpi.
2. If this doesn't work, or it is too slow for you, install and use the
   Laserjet II driver.

LASERJET 4 USERS.
If you cannot successfully print posters, configure your printer as
follows:
1. Select "Printer Setup":
2. Select "options".
4. Select "Graphics Mode" = "raster", "Graphics Quality"="high", and
     check "print true-type as graphics".
5. If posters still do not print properly, then in the File->Printer Setup box,
check the boxed marked "Method A1". This should always work.

HP LARGE FORMAT (650, 760) USERS:
Poster will support these printers. From printer setup, select the final page size
you want, such as 22 x 44.  Then start Poster and select a horizontal or vertical
poster. Print the poster at 1x.
If you want something longer, start Poster and Select Custom Size.  Then select
the number of pages long that you want (such as 1 page high by 2 pages long).

POSTSCRIPT PRINTER USERS.
Not all Special Effects characters print properly on Postscript printers.
If you get funny characters printing out, it is probably because you are
using special effects.  Don't use those particular special effects that are
marked in Poster as bad on postscript printers.

If you get postscript errors, or you are loosing characters at page
boundaries:
1. From the control panel, select Printers, then select 'Setup.
2. Select "options", then select "advanced".
3. Select "print true type fonts as" "Bitmap (type 3)".
4. Close the control panel.
5. Start POSTER.
If posters still do not print properly, or print too slow, then in the
PRINT dialog box, check the boxed marked "Method A1". If this fails,
try method "B".



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WHATS NEW.
6.2c 7/17/99. Add join commands. Fix text redraw, background overlapped edges.
6.2 7/11/99. Easily set picture size in inches or DPI.
    Fix colors in TIFF photos. Add align commands.
6.1e 6/15/99.Fix case where cursor didn't change over multiple selections.
6.1d 6/6/99. Enhancement: text attributes can be changed in 1 or multiple
    text boxes by selecting the text box in graphics mode.
6.1c 6/1/99. Fixes problem with pasting metafiles from the clipboard as borders.
6.1b 5/1/99. Fixes problems with temporary registration codes.
6.1a 4/27/99. Poster printer settings will now be local to poster.
    Don't display page size dialog if page size isn't changing.
6.1 4/4/99.  Rollup of all fixes.  Enhanced handling of metafiles.
    Copy to clipboard for other copies of POSTER, and other Window's programs.
    Many usability enhancements.
6.0q 3/22/99.  Fix for rotated text boxes placed at x=0.
6.0p 3/17/99.  Fix for HP Deskjets not always printing text boxes.
6.0m 12/18/98. Fix for A4 paper size printing 6 pages at 2x.
6.0k 12/13/98. New, more powerful Quick Start Wizard.
6.0j 11/25/98. Fix problem with font size 0.3, and acceptance of old registration.
6.0i 11/15/98. Fixes some margin problems and some font picks that didn't work.
    Ensures correct margins for Epson Stylus Color printers (.45, .55 inch).
    Fix left margin for banners, and eliminates white lines at fold.
6.0g 11/1/98.  Fixes problems with setting margins (Page->Margin)
    Fixes problems with rotating clip art (metafiles).
6.0 10/11/98.     Spell Check. Picture smoothing for smooth enlargements.
    Stretch fonts wider or taller.Support for tiff files.
    Support for scanners (TWAIN interface). Texture support.
    Clip art can be rotated. User settable margins.
    Find and replace text.Crop pictures using the mouse.
    Better support of very large bitmaps (including jpegs).
    Print multiple copies.    Improved printer troubleshooting.
5.3d 7/7/98. Fix for save to wmf files.
5.3c 7/1/98. Improved rescale logic for new size and new paper size.
         Comes up maximized. Supports window resize.
         Arrows supported on polyline and freeform curve.
5.3b 6/20/98. Fix for occasional aborts when selecting 'custom size'.
5.3 6/13/98. Fancy templates. Improved Custom Size and Banner Size selection.
    Support for very large bitmaps & jpegs,
    Free rotate. Other refinements.
5.2j 5/3/98.Picture edit of 24-bit color pictures. Specify banner size.
    Many more special effects and smart shapes.
    Free-form curves.
    Bug fix for printing arched text.
5.2i 4/19/98. Additional text special effects.  Additional gradients.
     Gradients on polygons & elipses. Line style dialog enhanced.
     Resize text on stretch of Auto Text Box.
     Fix for temp files not released.
     Fix to allow large jpeg files.
5.2h 3/22/98. Preview on Open. Minor enhancements & fixes.
5.2g 3/7/98. Change text box focus to only appear in text mode.
     Improved HELP file.
5.2f 2/7/98. Adds text box focus. Fixes occasional GPF when
     mixing text boxes and normal text.
5.2  10/20/97. Toolbar,ruler, and many usability enhancements.
5.1  9/20/97.OLE support. Improved startup. Large page support.
    Fancy shapes.  Bug fixes.
5.0c 8/8/97. Improved arrows and graphics selection.
5.0b 7/9/97.  Improved print preview. Fixes for bitmap printing,
     "Cant Print Poster" errors. Shift-arrow now selects text..
5. 5/25/97. 32-bit port of 3.5a. No OLE support.


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SUPPORT.

For the latest on Poster, including the latest version, tips and hints,
etc., see our web page:
  http://www.postersoftware.com

If you have any problems or suggestions, please send me a note.  My
email address is: [e-mail]
Or you may call me at [phone].

REGISTRATION.

POSTER is shareware. If you try this program, find it useful, and
continue to use it, you are expected to register. The cost is only $16
(+$2 shipping, $4 overseas), which is very reasonable for
a program as powerful POSTER.

Unregistered users are limited to printing 12 posters.
When you register,you are entitled to unlimited support, future
versions, and a disk of 100 fancy borders.  You will receive the
registration code immediately via email, which will remove the 12 poster
limit. (Be sure to include your email address). To register:

For INSTANT Registration.
    By the WEB: http://www.postersoftware.com. (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover):
    By Phone: Call Poster Software at 1-888-853-4828, (toll free).
         If you can't reach us, call:
             RegSoft, at 1-877-REGSOFT, toll free. Ask for POSTER, #5077.
             (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover).
    (Do NOT use these numbers for any support questions. Instead, call
       [phone].)

For 24 hour response:
        By FAX: Fax to Poster Software at 253-848-6087.
        Include your credit card number AND expiration date.

    From CIS (Compuserv), type GO SWREG, and register ID 4249.

For 1 week response:
    Send $18 check, money order, or cash to:
    POSTER Software
    11002 48th St. E.
    Edgewood, WA. 98372
    USA

You may print an order form by copying the file ORDER.TXT to your
printer.

When you register, you receive a disk containing the latest version of
POSTER, and 100 fancy borders, by return mail.

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ASP (Association of Shareware Professionals) OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT.

This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem
with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with
an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members'
products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road,
Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX [phone] or send a CompuServe
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536."


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DEINSTALL  (REMOVING POSTER)

To remove POSTER from your system, do the following:

1. Find the directory containing Poster, usually "Poster6".
2. Delete all files, using erase *.*.
   Delete the file 'poster.ini' from your WINDOWS directory.
3. If you want to save the saved poster files, but remove the
   program, then delete the files POSTER.EXE, POSTER.TXT, POSTER.HLP,
   and all the *.POE files.
4. To remove the start icon:
    Win95: Click on 'Start', then 'Settings', then 'Task Bar', then
        'Start Text Menu', then 'Remove'.  Find the Poster entry,
        highlight it, and then click on 'Remove'.

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USING POSTER.

To start using poster, simply double click on the poster icon.  POSTER
will start and ask you for the poster or banner format. After selecting
the format you want, it will present an empty page to you.  Just start
typing to begin making your poster.

The POSTER install program also associates *.POS files with POSTER.
Double clicking on a POS file will
automatically start poster with that file.

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DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT.

Users of POSTER must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"POSTER 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 conse-
quential, which may result from the use of POSTER."

POSTER 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 POSTER and continue to use
POSTER after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg-
istration payment of $18.  The 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 POSTER must register and pay for their copies of
POSTER within 30 days of first use, or after six posters have been
printed,  or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may
be made by contacting the author.

Anyone distributing POSTER for any kind of remuneration should
first contact the author at the address below for authorization.
This authorization will generally be automatically granted.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of POSTER 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 POSTER.

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TECHNICAL TRIVIA.

POSTER is written in C++, and complied using MSVC 5.  It consists of
about 50,000 lines of code.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Bedoll,7/11/99.
Poster Software
11002 48th St. E.,
Edgewood, WA, 98372
email: [e-mail]
[phone].   FAX: [phone].