Collection of Tools & Utilities

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Collection of Tools & Utilities / Collection of Tools and Utilities.iso / tex / av_scr41.zip / AVSCRIPT.DOC next >

Wrap

Text File | 1992-02-05 | 74KB | 1,577 lines

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + AVScripter (R) + + Version 4.1 + + The Two-Column Script Formatter + + + + Mini-manual + + For non-registered users + + + + (c) Copyright 1992 Tom Schroeppel + + 4705 Bay View Avenue + + Tampa, Florida 33611 + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Before using AVScripter, make a working copy of the + + master disk and read ALL the instructions, please. + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ _____________________________________________________________________ | | | A QUICK INTRODUCTION--HOW AVSCRIPTER WORKS: | | | | | | 1. USING YOUR OWN WORD PROCESSOR AND AVSCRIPTER'S SIMPLE COMMANDS, | | WRITE YOUR SCRIPT LIKE THIS: | | | | .v# This is a video entry. The # sign tells AVScripter that you | | want a scene number for this block of audio and video lines. | | .a This is an audio entry. To start a new audio-video block, you | | would skip a line after this entry. | | | | 2. SAVE YOUR SCRIPT AS AN ASCII OR DOS TEXT FILE. | | | | | | 3. RUN THE ASCII FILE THROUGH AVSCRIPTER AND GET THIS: * | | | | -VIDEO- -AUDIO- | | | | 1 This is a video entry. The # This is an audio entry. To | | sign tells AVScripter that start a new audio-video block| | you want a scene number for you would skip a line after | | this block of audio and video this entry. | | lines. | |_____________________________________________________________________| * Registered users can write their own column headers in place of -VIDEO- and -AUDIO-. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 1 +++++++++++++++++++++++ + TABLE OF CONTENTS + +++++++++++++++++++++++ SHAREWARE / PERMISSION TO COPY / DISCLAIMER............................2 AVSCRIPTER OVERVIEW....................................................3 AVSCRIPTER FILES.......................................................4 AVSCRIPTER REQUIREMENTS: ASCII TEXT FILE (WordPerfect, MicroSoft Word).....................4 DON'T USE GENERIC WORD PROCESSING FORMAT!....................5 RE-EDITING AN ASCII FILE: FUNNY LINES / TIPS.................6 RAM SPACE.........................................................6 DISKSPACE / WORK SPACE TIPS FOR DUAL-FLOPPY SYSTEMS...............7 INSTALLING AVSCRIPTER ON YOUR COMPUTER.................................7 PREPARING A TEXT FILE FOR AVSCRIPTER: CREATING AUDIO AND VIDEO COLUMNS..................................8 CREATING AUDIO-VIDEO BLOCKS.......................................9 NUMBERING SCENES / UNDERLINING...................................10 CREATING STAND-ALONE LINES AND BLANK LINES WITHIN A COLUMN.......11 INDENTING / LONG WORDS...........................................12 CREATING HEADERS AND TITLE LINES.................................13 PROCESSING A TEXT FILE WITH AVSCRIPTER: BEFORE YOU START / BEGINNING.....................................14 THE FILE SELECTION SCREEN........................................15 TWO-COLUMN OUTPUT................................................16 PRINTING TO DISK.................................................17 PRINTING EXISTING FILES / AVSCRIPTER PROGRESS BOX................18 IF AVSCRIPTER OUTPUT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT...............................19 IF THE PROGRAM CRASHES................................................20 MULTI-USER SITE LICENSE INFORMATION...................................21 REGISTRATION FORM.....................................................22 AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 2 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + AVSCRIPTER IS SHAREWARE + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Shareware, or shared software, may be copied and distributed freely, with the understanding that, if a person likes and uses a program, he or she will pay the program's author the suggested user's fee. Distributing a program as shareware reduces the program developer's advertising costs, allows potential users to try programs before they buy, and makes it possible to sell quality software at greatly reduced prices. If you like AVScripter, you can register your use by sending $40.00* per user/terminal to Tom Schroeppel 4705 Bay View Avenue Tampa, Florida 33611 (Florida residents, please add $2.40 state sales tax.) When you register, I'll send you the latest version on disk, com- plete documentation explaining all advanced features, a handy command card, and free updates for six months. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PERMISSION TO COPY + ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Anyone can copy and distribute this program, under the following conditions: 1. AVScripter may not be sold or distributed in any way for monetary or other consideration; however, a reasonable fee may be charged for materials and handling. 2. The AVScripter program files, documentation files, and sample files, listed on page 4, may not be modified in any way and must be distributed together. 3. Distributors must inform recipients that AVScripter is shareware and encourage them to send $40 to the author if they use the program. ++++++++++++++++ + DISCLAIMER + ++++++++++++++++ In no event will the author be liable to any user of this program for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use this program, or for any claim by any other party. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 3 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ + AVSCRIPTER OVERVIEW + +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Working with full-screen ASCII text files created with your word processor, AVScripter performs the following functions: * It sends two-column output to your printer, your screen, or a disk file, automatically syncing audio and video lines. * It automatically numbers and renumbers your scenes and pages. * It looks for the best place to start each new page, then adds the appropriate "CONTINUED"s where necessary. * It automatically centers your title lines. * It prints a header line at the top of each page. * It allows underlining anywhere, even in headers and title lines. * It prints selected pages and multiple copies. * It generates prompter/narrator scripts from the audio column. * It sorts the scenes according to the first video line. ADVANCED FEATURES AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED USERS: * Start AVScripter from the main menu, bypassing the monochrome test screen and the shareware screen. * Print both columns double-spaced, or print the video column single-spaced and the audio column double-spaced. * Print variable-width columns: narrow video/wide audio, wide video/narrow audio, or any setting in between. * Automatically include the current date in your headers. * In place of -VIDEO- and -AUDIO-, write your own column headers, or choose no headers at all. * Switch to margin-to-margin wide lines in the middle of a script. * Change page length,lines per page, starting page number, and starting scene number. * Insert non-printing comment lines--notes to yourself--inside your script. * Set new page breaks wherever you like. * Send commands to your printer each time you output a script. * Expanded explanations of all features, including user tips. * Free updates for six months. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 4 ++++++++++++++++++++++ + AVSCRIPTER FILES + ++++++++++++++++++++++ AVSREAD.ME Instructions for printing this mini-manual. AVSCRIPT.DOC This mini-manual. AVSCRIPT.EXE The program itself. AVSDEMO.ASC A sample source file you can print out with AVScripter. RAMFREE.COM A public domain program--shows RAM available. WS2ASCII.EXE A public domain program that converts WordStar 3.3 Document files to ASCII text files. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + AVSCRIPTER REQUIREMENTS + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ + ASCII TEXT FILE + +++++++++++++++++++++ AVScripter will work with any standard ASCII text file--that is, a file in which each line ends with a hard carriage return or line break. When printing to disk, AVScripter outputs the same kind of file. Many word processors produce ASCII files as their normal output. Most others can create--or export--ASCII files upon request. Check your word processing documentation for details. Once created, an ASCII file should be retrieved--imported--back into your word processor for re-editing as an ASCII file, not as a normal word processing file. If you have a choice between saving a file as "text" or "plain," choose "plain," as that will probably be a standard ASCII file. If you can't save a file directly as an ASCII file, some programs will "print" to a disk file as though they were printing to a printer. These files are usually standard ASCII files, as required by AVS.* WordPerfect calls ASCII files "DOS Text Files" and creates them with the CONTROL-F5 TEXT IN/OUT command. Save your file this way; then when you exit and WordPerfect asks "Save Document? (Y/N)" answer No. (If you answer Yes, your file will be saved a second time in WordPerfect format, overwriting your ASCII file.) Once saved, an ASCII file can be retrieved for re-editing with the WP List Files command 5 - Text In. In early Microsoft Word, select Plain printer/Print file from the Print Options menu.* Or use the Transfer/Save option; when it asks 'Format?" answer No. In Word 5.0, select "Format:Text only with line breaks." I suggest you give your ASCII files the extension .ASC as in MYFILE.ASC. * FIRST SET YOUR PAGE DEFAULTS AS SHOWN ON PAGE 17. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + DON'T USE GENERIC WORD PROCESSING FORMAT! + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Some word processors will tell you they're saving a file as a standard ASCII file, when in fact they're saving it as a slightly different kind of ASCII file, known as "generic word processing format," "generic text file," and other things. These files place a hard return at the end of each paragraph, in- stead of at the end of each line as required by AVScripter. As a con- sequence, if a paragraph in your original script file is longer than 255 characters and spaces--the longest "line" of text AVScripter can handle--the rest of your paragraph will not be included in your two- column script. In a standard 30-character-wide video or audio column, this would mean your text would be cut off after the ninth column line. If generic word processing format is the only kind of ASCII file your word processor will produce--and you can't "print" to a disk file as discussed above--you can sometimes work around the problem: Whenever you have more than three full-width 80-column lines in a paragraph in your original script file, add a hard return--press <ENTER>--every third line. This will end the "line" before the maximum 255 characters and start a new line. If this also creates a blank line where you don't want it, delete the blank line; the hard return will still be there. Or, you can print to the screen, see where you are losing lines, then go back into your original script file and add hard returns where needed, as explained in the preceding paragraph. Also, don't use any formatting commands--embedded word processing codes: tabs, underlining, etc.--as these will cause AVScripter to misalign your audio and video columns. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + TURN ALL FORMATTING COMMANDS OFF. + + + + This includes justification, hyphenation, and other features. + + Don't use any word processing embedded commands for underlining, + + bold face, tabs, etc. Don't use any dot commands (lines beginning + + with a period) other than AVScripter's dot commands. If you disre- + + gard this advice, I can't guarantee that AVScripter will properly + + format your script. + + + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 6 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + TIPS FOR RE-EDITING YOUR ASCII SCRIPT FILE + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RETRIEVING A FILE: your ASCII file should be retrieved--imported-- back into your word processor for re-editing as an ASCII file, not as a normal word processing file. Check your word processing manual for the exact procedure. CHANGES: Normally, when someone suggests a change in a script, he'll say something like, "In Scene 23, change 'bauble' to 'bangle'." Since your original AVScripter file doesn't have scene numbers, but rather # signs, you can't go directly to a particular scene number. What I do is use my word processor to search for a phrase in the scene; in the example above, I'd look for "bauble." If the scene number is a low one, like 7, I simply search for "#" and hit the search key 7 times. IF YOU DECIDE TO DELETE A SCENE, but want to keep the subsequent scene numbers the same as in the earlier version of the script, put .v# (Deleted) in place of the deleted scene. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FUNNY LINES WHEN RE-EDITING AN ASCII FILE + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ When you reload an ASCII full-width file into your word processor and start making changes, word-wrap will create some funny-looking short lines like the ones above. Don't worry about them. AVScripter will gather all lines, regardless of length, and format them correctly into two columns. If the short lines irritate you, save your full-width file twice: once as an ASCII file for AVScripter processing; once as a regular word-processing file for re-editing. Be sure to give the two files different names, such as MYFILE.ASC and MYFILE.DOC. +++++++++++++ + RAM SPACE + +++++++++++++ AVScripter requires approximately 195K of RAM to operate. Since most computers have a minimum of 640K, this should be no problem. To see how much RAM you have available at any time, I've included the public domain program, RAMFREE.COM. Make sure it's on your disk and in the current directory and/or path, then type RAMFREE <ENTER>. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 7 ++++++++++++++ + DISK SPACE + ++++++++++++++ For two-column output, AVScripter requires working space on your logged drive-the drive from which you loaded the program--roughly equal to three times the size of your ASCII source file. Depending on how your system allocates disk space, you may need 2 to 4 K more. In other words, if the file to be processed is 20K, you should have at least 64K free space on your logged disk drive for AVScripter's working files. These working files are deleted at the end of the program. Your source text file can be on any drive. If you direct the two-column output to a disk file, that disk file will occupy roughly twice the space of the original text file, plus maybe 2K more. For example, if your text file is 20K, the two-column file will take up approximately 40 to 42K of space. For sorted scene output, AVScripter will need between five and seven times as much work space as your original full-width ASCII file. So, to sort a 40K ASCII script file, you'll need between 200K and 280K avail- able on your logged disk drive. This space will be freed up again when AVScripter finishes sorting. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Work space tips for dual-floppy systems + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To give AVScripter maximum work space, load the program from a disk in Drive A; then replace that disk with a blank, formatted disk. This way, the entire blank disk will be available for AVScripter's working files. Place the disk containing your ASCII file in drive B. If you're printing to a disk file, direct the output to Drive B. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + INSTALLING AVSCRIPTER ON YOUR COMPUTER + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AVScripter is contained in one single file, AVSCRIPT.EXE. The easiest way to use the program is to copy AVSCRIPT.EXE to the same disk and directory where your word processing files are located. Then, after you create your ASCII file, exit your word processor but stay in the same directory. At the system prompt (A:>, C:>, etc.) type AVSCRIPT and press the <ENTER> key. Alternatively, copy AVSCRIPT.EXE to your root directory or any other directory in your DOS path. Read your DOS manual for details. The most important thing is to always call up AVScripter from the directory where your ASCII files are located. AVScripter's File Selection Screen looks first in the current directory for *.ASC files to be processed. You can always type in another directory, but why add an extra step to your work? AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 8 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PREPARING A TEXT FILE FOR AVSCRIPTER + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + CREATING AUDIO AND VIDEO COLUMNS + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Type .V (upper or lower case) when you want something in the video column. Type .A (upper or lower case) for the audio column. _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.v THIS IS THE FIRST VIDEO LINE. NOTICE THAT BOTH AUDIO AND VIDEO | |LINES AUTOMATICALLY WRAP AROUND INSIDE THEIR RESPECTIVE COLUMNS | |WITHOUT YOU HAVING TO THINK ABOUT IT. | |.a This is the audio that goes with the first video line and ends up | |opposite it. AVScripter automatically shortens audio and video lines| |to 30 characters and spaces so they'll fit in the columns. | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | | THIS IS THE FIRST VIDEO LINE. This is the audio that goes | | NOTICE THAT BOTH AUDIO AND with the first video line and| | VIDEO LINES AUTOMATICALLY WRAP ends up opposite it. | | AROUND INSIDE THEIR RESPECTIVE AVScripter automatically | | COLUMNS WITHOUT YOU HAVING TO shortens audio and video | | THINK ABOUT IT. lines to 30 characters and | | spaces so they'll fit in the | | columns. | |_____________________________________________________________________| [Each column is normally 30 characters wide. However, registered users can vary columns to any width between 20 and 40 characters.] _____________________________________________________________________ | | | WORDSTAR USERS: | | | | When working in WordStar Document mode, to distinguish AVScripter's | | dot commands from WordStar's, put a space in front .a or .v. | | WordStar will then ignore AVScripter's dot commands and give you | | word-wrap from .a or .v onward. | |_____________________________________________________________________| AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 9 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + CREATING AUDIO-VIDEO BLOCKS + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AVScripter works with audio-video blocks. An audio-video block is simply all the audio and video lines, in any order, that you want synced up together. To start a new block, skip a line. _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.v THIS IS THE FIRST VIDEO LINE OF THE FIRST BLOCK. | |.a This is the audio that goes with the first video line and ends up | |opposite it. | | | |.A This is audio beginning the second audio-video block. | |.V THIS VIDEO BEGINS THE SECOND AUDIO-VIDEO BLOCK. ALL THE AUDIO AND| |VIDEO LINES AFTER A BLANK LINE ARE SYNCED UP TOGETHER. | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | | THIS IS THE FIRST VIDEO LINE This is the audio that goes | | OF THE FIRST BLOCK. with the first video line and| | ends up oppposite it. | | | | THIS VIDEO BEGINS THE SECOND This is audio beginning the | | AUDIO-VIDEO BLOCK. ALL THE second audio-video block. | | AUDIO AND VIDEO LINES AFTER A | | BLANK LINE ARE SYNCED UP | | TOGETHER. | |_____________________________________________________________________| A block can consist of a single .v or .a entry. For example, _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.V DISSOLVE TO | | | |.v A SHORT VIDEO DESCRIPTION | |.A This is the first point I want to make. | | | |.a And let me tell you something else. | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | | DISSOLVE TO | | | | A SHORT VIDEO DESCRIPTION This is the first point I | | want to make. | | | | And let me tell you something| | else. | |_____________________________________________________________________| AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 10 ++++++++++++++++++++++ + NUMBERING SCENES + ++++++++++++++++++++++ To get a scene number, follow the first .a or .v in the block with the # sign. When AVScripter formats the file, it will automatically number the scenes in sequence. This makes it very easy to move, delete, insert and rearrange scenes, since no matter what order the scenes end up in, they'll always be numbered correctly. _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.v# THIS IS THE FIRST VIDEO LINE OF THE FIRST SCENE. | |.a This is the audio that goes with the first video line and ends up | |opposite it. | | | |.A# This is audio beginning the second audio-video scene. | |.V THIS VIDEO BEGINS THE SECOND AUDIO-VIDEO SCENE. ALL THE AUDIO AND| |VIDEO LINES AFTER A BLANK LINE ARE SYNCED UP TOGETHER. | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | |1 THIS IS THE FIRST VIDEO LINE This is the audio that goes | | OF THE FIRST SCENE. with the first video line and| | ends up opposite it. | | | |2 THIS VIDEO BEGINS THE SECOND This is audio beginning the | | AUDIO-VIDEO SCENE. ALL THE second audio-video scene. | | AUDIO AND VIDEO LINES AFTER A | | BLANK LINE ARE SYNCED UP | | TOGETHER. | |_____________________________________________________________________| A # sign on any line other than the first one in the block will be ignored. (TIP: To keep the same scene numbers after deleting one or more scenes, put ".V# [DELETED]" in place of the missing scene(s).) +++++++++++++++++ + UNDERLINING + +++++++++++++++++ You can underline anywhere, even in headers and titles. Start and stop underlining with the "_" underline character. In the following example, the phrase, "underlining is easy," would be underlined on the hard copy of the two-column script. Underlining is ignored when printing to the screen or to a disk file. _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.a With AVScripter, _underlining is easy_ to do. | |_____________________________________________________________________| Underlining works independently in each column. If you start underlining in a .v entry, all video lines from then on--but no audio lines--will be underlined, until you stop the underlining with a second "_" underline character in a .v entry. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 11 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + CREATING STAND-ALONE LINES AND BLANK LINES WITHIN A COLUMN + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AVscripter wraps text in the last designated column--audio or video--until it comes across the next .a or .v line. For example, _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.a# NARRATOR: | |Welcome to our program. Today we'll be talking about why you should | |use AVScripter for all your audio-video scripts. | |.v NARRATOR ON CAMERA | |Super title: | |JOE SPOKESPERSON | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | |1 NARRATOR ON CAMERA Super NARRATOR: Welcome to our | | title: JOE SPOKESPERSON program. Today we'll be | | talking about why you should | | use AVScripter for all your | | audio-video scripts. | |_____________________________________________________________________| which is probably not what you want. To create a stand-alone line or a blank line in a single column, start a new .a or .v line: ______________________________________________________________________ | | |.a# NARRATOR: | |.A Welcome to our program. | |.a | |.a Today we'll be talking about why you should use AVScripter for all | |your audio-video scripts. | |.V NARRATOR ON CAMERA | |.v | |.v Super title: | |.v JOE SPOKESPERSON | |______________________________________________________________________| will print out as ______________________________________________________________________ | | |1 NARRATOR ON CAMERA NARRATOR: | | Welcome to our program. | | Super title: | | JOE SPOKESPERSON Today we'll be talking about | | why you should use AVScripter | | for all your audio-video | | scripts. | |______________________________________________________________________| Starting the audio copy "Welcome..." and "Today..." on new .A lines creates new audio lines without starting a new audio-video block. The same technique works for the "Super title:" and "JOE SPOKESPERSON" .v lines in the video column. The blank .v and .a lines show how to create a blank line in one column without starting a new audio-video block. A completely blank line, of course, starts a new block. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 12 +++++++++++++++ + INDENTING + +++++++++++++++ You can indent at the beginning of any .v or .a entry. The first space after the dot command is a separator and does not count; so, if you want to indent 5 spaces, put six spaces between the dot command and the first word following it. _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.v# (Title) | |.v Tom Schroeppel | |.a Hi, there. I'm the guy who wrote AVScripter. | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | |1 (Title) Hi, there. I'm the guy | | Tom Schroeppel who wrote AVScripter. | |_____________________________________________________________________| ++++++++++++++++ + LONG WORDS + ++++++++++++++++ AVScripter's audio and video columns can be between 20 and 40 characters wide. Words longer than the column are arbitrarily divided: _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.v Teacher in classroom | |.a Students, today's subject is antidisestablishmentarianismism. | |_____________________________________________________________________| will print out as _____________________________________________________________________ | | | Teacher in classroom Students, today's subject is | | antidisestablishmentarianism-| | ism. | |_____________________________________________________________________| If you have one or more long words and you're not sure how they'll fit into the columns, first print your output to the screen, to check the two-column layout. Then, if you don't like where AVScripter divided a word, go back into your source file and put a hyphen where you want the word divided. When you reprocess the file, AVScripter will start a new line after your hyphen. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 13 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + CREATING HEADERS AND TITLE LINES + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If you choose, AVScripter will automatically print a header *, up to 65 characters and spaces long, at the top of each page. Type .HE or .he to begin a header line: _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.he AVScripter Revision 4.1 | |_____________________________________________________________________| You can have up to three title lines, each up to 75 characters and spaces long. Enter them as .tl or .TL followed by 1, 2, or 3: _____________________________________________________________________ | | |.tl1 The Wonderful World of AVScripter | |.tl2 By Tom Schroeppel | |.TL3 An AVScripter Production | |_____________________________________________________________________| AVScripter automatically centers each title line. VIDEO and AUDIO identifiers ** are placed above the left and right columns on each page. The top of page one will look like this: _____________________________________________________________________ | | | AVScripter Revision 4.1 | | | | The Wonderful World of AVScripter | | By Tom Schroeppel | | An AVScripter Production | | | | -VIDEO- -AUDIO- | | | |_____________________________________________________________________| If you have only one or two title lines, or no title lines, AVScripter will pull up the rest of the page to fill in the blank space. The tops of pages 2 through the end will look like this: _____________________________________________________________________ | | | AVScripter Revision 4.1 Page 2 | | | | -VIDEO- -AUDIO- | | | |_____________________________________________________________________| * Registered users can automatically include the current date in their headers. ** Registered users can write their own column headers in place of -VIDEO- and -AUDIO-, or choose to print no column headers. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 14 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PROCESSING A TEXT FILE WITH AVSCRIPTER + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + YOUR SOURCE FILE IS ALWAYS SAFE + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ There is no way AVScripter can erase your original text file or alter it in any way. ++++++++++++++++++++++ + BEFORE YOU START + ++++++++++++++++++++++ Be sure your source file is in standard ASCII format, preferably with the extension .ASC, as in MYFILE.ASC If not, reread pages 4-5. If possible, be in the same disk directory where your ASCII files are located. This makes it quicker for AVScripter to find them. Be sure your printer is set for the standard form length of 66 lines (11 inches). Be sure your printer is using a non-proportional font. The audio and video columns line up properly only when printed with a non- proportional, monospace type font. This is a font, such as Courier, in which each letter takes up the same amount of horizontal space. Be sure you have enough working space on your logged disk drive-- the drive from which you load AVScripter. For two-column output, AVScripter needs working space on your logged disk drive roughly equal to 3x the size of your source file. For sorting, the program will need five to seven times as much space as your original ASCII file. If in doubt about this, reread page 7, "DISK SPACE." +++++++++++++ + BEGINNING + +++++++++++++ At the system prompt (A:> C:> etc.) type AVSCRIPT, then press the <ENTER> key. First is a monochrome display test, then the opening screen, followed by the main menu: |---------- AVScripter 4.1 Main Menu -----------| | Two-column output to printer, screen, or disk | | Prompter output to printer, screen, or disk | | Sort scenes according to first video line | | print Existing files with no formatting | | print the AVS mini-manual | | eXit from program - or press <ESC> | |-----------------------------------------------| Use the space bar or the arrow keys to highlight your choice, then press <ENTER>. You can also select by typing the bold letter in each line. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 15 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + THE FILE SELECTION SCREEN + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Once you select a function from the main menu, you have to tell AVScripter the name of the original ASCII file to format. This is done with the file selection screen: Select full-width ASCII file for two-column output: |----- Filename or Directory Mask -----| | C:\WP\SCRIPTS\*.ASC | |--------------------------------------| Press <ENTER> to select, <ESC> to exit. |----------------- C:\WP\SCRIPTS\*.ASC ----------------------| | AVSDEMO.ASC AVS-TEST.ASC DEMING8.ASC CSSR.ASC | | CURR.ASC NJPS.ASC OLD.ASC PAI.ASC | | PDC.ASC SUGG.ASC INT-TA.ASC | |-------To highlight file, press first letter of name.-------| The Filename or Directory Mask box will contain your current path and the default mask for the current function--in this case "*.ASC," so that only files that end in .ASC are displayed. To change the filename or directory mask, type Ctrl-V for insert mode; or backspace over the information and enter another path, mask, or complete filename. If you type in a filename without an extension, .ASC will be added. To name a file with no extension, put a period after it, as MYFILE. When the Filename or Directory Mask information is to your liking, press <ENTER>. If you did not enter a complete filename, the directory box will pop up with the selected files listed alphabetically. To select a file from the file list for processing, highlight it with the arrow keys and press <ENTER>. You can also highlight a file by typing its first letter. In the example above, typing "p" would highlight PAI.ASC. Typing "p" a second time would highlight the next filename to begin with the same letter--PDC.ASC. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 16 +++++++++++++++++++++ + TWO-COLUMN OUTPUT + +++++++++++++++++++++ The two-column output screen looks like this, with the path and filename of the script you are currently processing listed in the upper lefthand corner of the screen: C:\WP\SCRIPTS\AVSDEMO.ASC (Alternatives) |----- To begin printing, press <F1> -----| | A. Print to Printer | (Screen, Disk) | B. Start printing at page First | (1 to 999) | C. Stop printing after page Last | (1 to 999) | D. Number of copies 1 | (1 to 999) | E. Print pause between pages No | (Yes) | F. Printer port LPT1 * | (LPT2, LPT3) | eXit to main menu - or press <ESC> | |- Options: AVScripter Two-Column Output -| If all the options are to your liking, press <F1> (Function Key #1) to start printing. To change any setting, use the space bar or arrow keys to highlight the option you want to modify, then press <ENTER>. Numeric first page is 1. Numeric last page is 999, or any other number equal to or greater than your last page number. Most people like to print to the screen first, to check for errors and page breaks. (Registered users can change where the page breaks fall.) Underlining shows up only when you print to your printer. For information about printing to a disk file, see page 17. When printing to a printer, you can stop printing by pressing any key. This cuts off AVScripter output to your printer. However, if your printer has a buffer--memory that stores incoming text until it can be printed--then printing will continue until either the buffer is empty or you physically turn off the printer. _____________________________________________________________________ | | | IF AVSCRIPTER DOESN'T PRINT CORRECTLY ON YOUR PRINTER, READ PAGE 19.| |_____________________________________________________________________| * LPT1 is the first parallel printer port. LPT2 and LPT3 are the second and third parallel ports. To print directly to a 9600 baud serial printer, see Appendix A in the Registered User's Manual. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 17 +++++++++++++++++++++ + PRINTING TO DISK + +++++++++++++++++++++ Any disk file produced by AVScripter will be a pure ASCII text file, which can be edited with any word processor. I suggest you give your two-column disk files the file extension .TWO for quick identification, as MYFILE.TWO. Give your prompter disk files the file extension .PRM, as MYFILE.PRM. And add .SRT to your scene sort disk files, as in MYFILE.SRT. Disk files are useful if you want to give a copy of a formatted two-column script, prompter script, or sorted scene list to someone else via diskette or modem. A left-column-position prompter disk file can be used in computerized prompting systems. TO EDIT OR PRINT AN AVS-CREATED DISK FILE WITH YOUR WORD PROCESSOR: Sometimes you need to import a disk file created by AVScripter back into your word processor. (I do it to print out foreign language scripts.) To do this, first import the disk file as an ASCII file, then change your word processor PAGE DEFAULTS to the following: (TIP: put them all in a macro for quick use.) page length = 66 lines (11"), number of lines per page = 66 left margin = column 0 or 1, right margin = column 78 top margin =0, bottom margin =0 turn off hyphenation turn off automatic page numbering Some word processors may use inch measurements for the margins. What you want is to set up to print the entire page, top to bottom, side to side, with zero margins or the minimum margins all around. LASER PRINTERS: With a laser printer, the macro shown above may print out extra blank lines between pages. In WordPerfect it prints out 6. If this happens, add the following search-and-replace-with-no- confirm to the end of your macro: Search for: [HRt] [HRt] [HRt] [HRT] [HRt] [HRt]; Replace with: (nothing--just press F2 again.**) [HRt]--Hard Return--is the <ENTER> key. This will replace the six extra carriage returns (<ENTER>'s) between pages with nothing. Check your page breaks on screen before printing, as this method may in some rare cases delete too many blank lines. You can also print an existing ASCII disk file with AVScripter by selecting "print Existing files with no formatting" from the opening menu. See page 18. _____________________________________________________________________ | | | There is one drawback to the disk files created by AVScripter. | | They don't include underlining. Underlining is possible only when | | you process your original source file and print it out directly to | | your printer. | |_____________________________________________________________________| AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 18 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PRINTING EXISTING FILES + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To print an existing file, select "print Existing files with no formatting" from the main menu. You can then opt to print a full- width ASCII text file (the source file you prepared for AVScripter), an AVScripter-created two-column file, an AVScripter-created prompter file, or an AVScripter-created scene sort file. The only choices you have are how many copies, whether to pause between pages, and which printer port. Your full-width ASCII source file will be printed out, broken into 11-inch pages. Each page will have the file name and the page number at the top. As long as your page/form length is the standard 66 lines, you can print your AVScripter-created two-column, prompter, and scene sort files exactly as you created them. If you are using a non-standard page length, you'll have to print the two-column, prompter, or scene sort file from within your word processor (see page 17). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + AVSCRIPTER PROGRESS BOX + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |-Lines-| | 102 | |-------| I always get a little nervous when a program is grinding away and I'm waiting. I like to be reassured that it's really working and not hung up somewhere. That's why I added this feature. When AVScripter is working, it keeps a running tab of lines processed in a box on the screen. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 19 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + IF AVSCRIPTER OUTPUT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If something doesn't look right, in order of probability it's due to: 1. Your source file is not in standard ASCII format. Re-read pages 4 and 5. 2. You have some embedded word-processing commands or soft hyphens in your source file. Take them out. 3. Your printer is set to the wrong form length. It should be set for the standard form length of 66 lines (11 inches). 4. You're using the wrong printer font. If your printer has se- lectable fonts, you may be using the wrong font. AVScripter works only with non-proportional monospace fonts such as Courier, in which each letter takes up the same amount of horizontal space. 5. You may not be in the default setup. If your printer has a set- up program in memory, you may be working with a setup left over from another program. Reset the printer to restore the default settings. 6. You are using non-standard symbols or foreign language charac- ters. Print to disk, then print the disk file from your word processor. (See page 17.) 7. You've inadvertently given AVScripter a dot command. Check all your lines in which the first character other than a space is a period. The program checks each initial period to see if it's followed by an AVScripter dot command. If so, the dot command is executed; if not, the line is printed as is. 8. You have an incompatible older model printer. On a very few early models of dot matrix and daisy wheel printers, AVScripter 4.1 will not print page breaks correctly. If this is the case, print to disk, then print the disk file from your word processor. (See page 17.) Upon request, I'll send registered users Ver. 3.2, which works with early printers, but not with laser printers. Version 3.2 also does not include the scene sort option. 9. There's a bug in the program that slipped by me. If this is so, please send me as much information as possible, including copies of your original full-width and two-column files. I'll try to figure out what went wrong and send you a corrected copy of the program. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 20 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + IF THE PROGRAM CRASHES + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If your original ASCII text file is prepared properly, with no embedded word processing codes and no soft hyphens, there are only two things that I know of that can cause the program to crash: 1. You don't have enough space on your logged disk drive for AVScripter's working files. Remember, you need space there roughly equal to the size of the file or files being processed. Depending on how your system allocates disk space, you may need 2 or 4 K more. If your source file is 20K, allow for at least 24K working space on the logged drive. If you're sorting, you may need as much as seven times the space occupied by your ASCII source file. The easiest way to correct this problem is to clear more working space on your logged disk drive. Read page 7, "Work space tips for dual-floppy systems." 2. You don't have enough room on your disk for the disk file output. Remember, a two-column script file takes up approximately twice the space of the original text file, plus maybe 2K more. If your source file is 30K, allow at least 62K for the two-column file. If AVScripter crashes, you should see a screen with something like this: CODE = 106 ADDRESS = 0:1554 The CODE and ADDRESS will probably be different. Whatever you see, please write down the information. Then please write me with as many details as possible, as this would mean there's a bug I don't know about in the program. Please send me as much information as you can, includ- ing copies of your original full-width and two-column files. I'll try to figure out what went wrong and send you a corrected copy of the program. ===================================== | Thank you for using AVScripter. | | I hope it serves you well. | ===================================== AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 21 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + MULTIPLE-USER SITE LICENSE INFORMATION + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Like a book, AVScripter is protected by United States copyright law and international treaties. The program--and copies of it--can be used by any number of people on any number of computers, as long as there is no possibility of a single registered AVScripter being used on two different computers or terminals at the same time. If more than one person wants to use the same book at the same time, you must buy a second book. In the same way, if AVScripter is being used by more than one person at the same time, you are morally and legally obligated to purchase additional licenses for the extra users. MULTIPLE-USER SITE LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE FOLLOWING TERMS: Each registration covers one person using one copy of AVScripter at one terminal or computer. I will supply a 5 1/4" or 3 1/2" master disk of the program, as well as one copy of the printed manual. The purchaser can duplicate both the disks and the manual. I will provide a command card for each user. If the purchaser wants, I can provide program disks at $2.00 per disk. I can also supply printed documentation at a cost of $2.00 per copy. Users Cost 1 $40 2 - 3 $40 for the first terminal plus $30 for each additional terminal. (If you already own one copy, that counts toward a site license, so your second copy is only $30.) 4 - 10 $100 for the first 3 terminals plus $20 for each additional terminal up to 10. 11 - 25 $240 for the first 10 terminals plus $10 for each additional terminal up to 25. 26 or more $390 for the first 25 terminals plus $5 for each additional terminal. For more information, contact: Tom Schroeppel 4705 Bay View Avenue Tampa, Florida 33611 AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 22 |--------------------------------------------------------------------| | TO: TOM SCHROEPPEL | | 4705 BAY VIEW AVENUE | | TAMPA, FLORIDA 33611 | | | | | | Please register my use of AVScripter 4.1 and send me the latest | | version on disk, complete printed documentation explaining all | | advanced features, command card, and free updates for six months. | | | | I enclose: [ ] $40 * for one user/terminal. | | [ ] $______* for ______ user/terminals per page 21. | | | | I got my copy of the program from:________________________________ | | | | My computer(s):___________________________________________________ | | | | My disk size (check one): [ ] 5 1/4" [ ] 3 1/2" | | | | My word processor(s):_____________________________________________ | | | | My printer(s):____________________________________________________ | | | | What I like about the program:____________________________________ | | | | __________________________________________________________________ | | | | __________________________________________________________________ | | | | Improvements I'd like to see:_____________________________________ | | | | __________________________________________________________________ | | | | __________________________________________________________________ | | | | | | Name (print) _____________________________________________________ | | | | Address __________________________________________________________ | | | | City __________________________________ State ____ Zip ___________ | | | | * Florida residents please add 6% state sales tax. | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| MULTIPLE-USER SITE LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS. PLEASE READ PAGE 21. AVScripter 4.1 Mini-manual 23 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ + A PLUG FOR MY BOOKS + +++++++++++++++++++++++++ I've written and published two books on film and television production which you may find useful for yourself or your associates. THE BARE BONES CAMERA COURSE FOR FILM AND VIDEO explains the basics of shooting for editing. Nestor Almendros, the Academy Award winning cinematographer of "Days of Heaven" and "Kramer vs.Kramer," called it "a marvel of clarity and conciseness." It's currently used as a text at over 150 universities. THE BARE BONES CAMERA COURSE covers: How the camera works, Exposure, Color temperature, Using light meters, Lenses - wide angle, normal and telephoto, Zoom lenses, Focus, Depth of field, Composition, Rule of thirds, Leading lines, Camera angles, Screen direction, How to cross the line, Using screen direction to solve shooting problems, Making camera moves, Lighting, Using reflectors and bounce lights, Planning and shooting a sequence, Storyboards, Shooting out of sequence, and more. 89 pages, 8 1/2 x 11. Over 200 illustrations. My second book, VIDEO GOALS: GETTING RESULTS WITH PICTURES AND SOUND, is a practical guide to the entire process, from initial concept to final edit. It covers: Planning the shape of your program, Establishing a style, Writing dramatic and non-fiction scripts, Pre- production, Directing the basic sequence, Directing to edit, Directing actors, Selecting the appropriate microphone, Recording voices and presence, Basic rules of editing, Editing sound, Selecting and cutting music, Editing montages, Preparing for the sound mix, and more. 116 pages, 8 1/2 x 11. Here's a coupon to order either or both books if you want: |--------------------------------------------------------------------| | TO: TOM SCHROEPPEL | | 4705 BAY VIEW AVENUE | | TAMPA, FLORIDA 33611 | | | | Please send me _____ copies of THE BARE BONES CAMERA COURSE FOR | | FILM AND VIDEO at $6.95 each, plus $1 postage/handling per book. | | | | And _____ copies of VIDEO GOALS: GETTING RESULTS WITH PICTURES | | AND SOUND at $7.95 each, + $1 postage/handling per book. | | | | I enclose check or money order for ________ total.* | | | | Name (print) _____________________________________________________ | | | | Address __________________________________________________________ | | | | City __________________________________ State ____ Zip ___________ | | | | * Florida residents please add 6% state sales tax | |--------------------------------------------------------------------|