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1992-07-26
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* -- -- -- -- -- *
| |
| The World of |
| |
| AUTOFONT |
| ^^^^^^^^^^ |
* -- -- -- -- -- *
AFSW.EXE is the shareware AUTOFONT program which improves your titles, head-
ings, key words and announcements by converting them instantly to profes-
sional AF fonts. Only AUTOFONT uses an easy-to-use ASCII format which permits
you to combine our AF fonts with standard DOS text files.
APPLICATIONS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The uses for AF fonts are limited only by your imagination. Some uses are:
1. Titles of documents
2. Section headings
3. BBS menus and title screens
4. Announcements, Memos
5. Bulletins, Notices
6. Pre-loading into AUTODOC for text-in-graphics
7. On-screen Pageable Presentations
USING AUTOFONT
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The program is virtually self-teaching and very user friendly. No studying of
tedious instructions is needed. Type AFSW, press "Enter" and then select the
number of font files you want to work with. From that point, whatever you type
is converted automatically and instantly to eyecatching AF fonts!
You create one line at a time. The largest of our fonts or letterstyles is so
huge that 2 lines will fill your monitor screen. You are able to position each
line horizontally for best effect. Often you will want to center a line, and
this is very easily accomplished. If the text, after changed to AF fonts, is
too long to fit on a line, press "E" for "Edit" and retype. A word may need to
be hyphenated, or you may drop the last word, picking it up on the next line.
When satisfied press "S" to "Save" the line then type the next. To check your
results press "V" and your actual file (named AF.TXT) will be displayed exactly
as it was saved.
PREPARING FILES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you will use your AF font text for on-screen display instead of printing,
4 lines of either FONT-SG or FONT-SK, which have the next-to-largest letters,
will fill a standard screen. If you will be preloading into our companion
program AUTODOC to use Decor-Edge Bord`rs, the available screen area may be
reduced by the size of the Bord`r you select.
Before preparing an entire document for printing or screen display, it is wise
to plan ahead. Decide what you will need for titles and headings and make them
in advance with AUTOFONT. Then load the AF.TXT file into your text editor,
whether it is the AUTODOC AD-EDITOR or another, and simply "type between the
lines of AF fonts" to achieve your desired result. You should begin typing the
text below the main title. The text editor will automatically move the rest
-2-
of the AF font headings "down" as you type. When you reach the place at which
you want your first chapter or section heading, cursor-move past your heading
and type that section. Do the same with the rest of your headings and key
words, etc., and the entire process is quick and easy.
There are several ways to add an AUTOFONT-created title to an existing ASCII
text file. Here is one way: If your title file is named AF.TXT and your text
file is named, say, MYFILE.TXT, type the following DOS command:
COPY AF.TXT + MYFILE.TXT
Then press your "Enter" key. The result will be a new file which has the title
at the beginning, followed by your text. The name of the new file will initi-
ally be AF.TXT, but you may rename this with the DOS "REN" command. (If your
"COPY" sequence includes a new file name at the end, you will not need to re-
name anything. Example: COPY FILE1.TXT + FILE2.TXT + FILE3.TXT NEWFILE.TXT
will add 3 files together and name the combined file "NEWFILE.TXT.")
USING A WORD PROCESSOR
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Most word processing programs use special codes to create the lines, boxes and
other graphics. These codes will usually prevent importing AF fonts into the
word processor, so do a test to determine whether your word processing program
will accept AF fonts. If not, there are other options open to you:
A. Prepare your document with your word processor in the usual way, and
save it in the ASCII format rather than the specially coded format which
is normally used by the word processor. Check your manual to determine
which keys to press for an "ASCII save." Then use the DOS "COPY" command
to combine your AUTOFONT "Title" file with your ASCII file. (It is pos-
sible that your word processor "file-save" instructions may use the term
"DOS Text File" rather than "ASCII." This has the same meaning.)
B. Use the method given in "A" above, but instead of saving your entire
document as one big file, save sections as separate ASCII files. These
might be named TITLE.TXT, PART-A.TXT, PART-B.TXT, etc. Then use AUTOFONT
to make separate headings. As you create these, rename them.
you might name them TITLE.AF, PART-A.AF, PART-B.AF, and so on. Then it
is easy to use the DOS "COPY" command to join them as follows:
COPY TITLE.AF + TITLE.TXT + PART-A.AF + PART-A.TXT (etc.)
As mentioned above, if you add a new file name to the sequence (with no
"plus" sign) you will automatically get a big combined file with every-
thing in order.
C. You can ignore your full-blown word processor completely, and instead
use a text editor (mini word processor) like AD-EDITOR which is included
in the AUTODOC.EXE program. AD-EDITOR accepts AF fonts, and can even
be used for creating your own graphic elements by using the ALT key with
the number keys in the numeric keypad section of your keyboard.
-3-
SCREEN DISPLAY OF YOUR PAGES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Here is a way to quickly make a screen display of your AF enhanced file which
can easily display one page after the other at the touch of a key.
FIRST: prepare your text in separate files, one file for each page. Each file
may be from 1 to 23 lines in length. This refers to standard computer lines,
not lines of AF fonts. To do this you will use a text editor such as the AD-
EDITOR which is part of REXXCOM's program AUTODOC. Give each file a name which
will remind you of the order of pages, such as MYTEXT.01, MYTEXT.O2, etc.
SECOND: Add blank lines beneath the text of each page-file, if needed, to make
the file exactly 24 lines long (line 24 should always be left blank).
THIRD: prepare a batch file program exactly as shown below using the names you
gave to your individual page-files. This batch file should be typed and saved
as a separate file. Use the same text editor used in preparing the page files.
ECHO OFF
CLS
TYPE MYTEXT.01
PAUSE
CLS
TYPE MYTEXT.02
PAUSE
CLS
TYPE MYTEXT.03
PAUSE
CLS
Your batch file program should look exactly as above, using your file names in
place of the ones used in this illustration. Add as many page-files as really
exist, making sure to have PAUSE and CLS on separate lines beneath each name.
You should name your batch file something like GO.BAT or README.BAT. Whatever
name you use must have the extension "BAT" after the period. That's all there
is to it! Then, so long as you have all the page-files on the disk along with
the batch file your reader need only type GO or README or whatever name you've
given, and your text will appear screen-by-screen!
We have enclosed a sample set of 3 page-files plus a batch file program so you
can try it right away to see the effect. Our sample files are named SAMPLE.1,
SAMPLE.2 and SAMPLE.3. The batch file is named SAMPLE.BAT, and all you need do
to see it in action is type the word SAMPLE and press your Enter key.
-4-
PRINTING OUT YOUR FILE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you use a dot matrix or laser jet printer, you should be able to print your
AF documents with little or no trouble. A laser printer should be set at 6O
lines per page using a 10 or 12 point font which supports the IBM graphic
characters. Because of hardware differences you may have to experiment to
discover which method will work for you. First try to print using the com-
mand: COPY MYFILE.TXT PRN and press "Enter." Be sure your printer is "on" and
properly connected. If that does not produce a satisfactory result, try your
DOS "GRAPHICS" command before issuing the command for printing. Depending on
your type of printer, you might have to use the "MODE" command. Please refer
to your DOS User's Guide for more details on these and related commands. (In
the above example "MYFILE.TXT" should be replaced with the actual name of your
file.)
If you are unable to obtain satisfactory printing results you may have to use a
special program like PC-FONT2.EXE which is available as Shareware from numer-
ous sources.
UPLOADING TO BULLETIN BOARDS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Many computer users are members of private bulletin board services. It is fun
to upload messages composed of AF fonts made with AFSW.EXE! First, you must
make certain that your BBS supports the IBM extended character set. This is
easy to determine; computer bulletin boards which support the IBM extended
characters will usually ask new members if their computer supports these. If
you reply in the affirmative your BBS settings will be set up to permit you to
send and receive (upload and download) AF fonts. With most BBSes this also
includes the graphics produced with the function keys (F1, etc.).
Once you are sure of the above, go ahead and prepare your AF file. When you are
ready to upload it as a "message" to another member do it your "usual" way.
Since it is a totally ASCII document you may use the plain ASCII upload. You
may also upload it "with a protocol" such as XMODEM or SEA-LINK, etc.
Remember, other BBS members with computers or terminal emulators which support
the extended characters are the ONLY people who will be able to see your AF
fonts properly. Other users will not see the AF fonts. For this reason it is a
good idea to confine your uploads to the "IBM" section of the BBS.
By the way, after you have enjoyed uploading AF messages for awhile you will
want to amaze your computer friends with AF messages you create in full color,
even with flashing letters! To learn how to prepare these fascinating mes-
sages, get the programs which comprise The Magic Font Machine (see chart).
-5-
FonTastik MODE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Try the program in its normal mode before you try FonTastik. Once you are
ready to try FonTastik, select the <F> option from the main menu, and then
enter a number (1, 2 or 3) to load one of three FonTastik HQ modules. You will
see the font on display change instantly to a new design. If you have two font
data files loaded you may switch back and forth between them by pressing 1 or 2
(without pressing F), to see the effect of the HQ module. Press F followed by
1, 2 or 3 to change from one module to the next whenever the menu is onscreen.
When you are ready to exit the FonTastik mode press F followed by 0. Alterna-
tively, you may press N for "normal." If you use the <V>IEW option to view
your saved AF.TXT file the FonTastik effect remains active. The registered
edition contains not three, but nine different FonTastic HQ modules plus four
"smoothies" (see below).
While running the program, if you have a VGA system your scanline will be
temporarily set to simulate EGA. EGA simulation is used because it gives some
fonts (SF, SG, SH, SI, SJ) a nicer appearance. You may see the difference by
viewing your saved files, or by running SAMPLE.BAT in both modes. Switch to
EGA scanline at any time by running EGA.COM; return to VGA scanline with
VGA.COM. (If your monitor is not VGA or better the information in this para-
graph may be ignored.)
To use a FonTastik HQ module outside the program, simply type its name (HQ1,
HQ2 or HQ3) and press "Enter." Then view a file, run a program, etc. You will
discover that some programs reset the video mode and thus inactivate any HQ
module which may have been loaded. Load with the "I" command line option to
install as a TSR to prevent inactivation (e.g.: HQ1 I). Uninstall with the "U"
command line option. EGA.COM will inactivate an HQ module (unless the HQ is
installed with the "I" option), so load EGA.COM before loading the HQ module.
SMOOTHY MODE
^^^^^^^^^^^^
In addition to numbered HQ modules, FonTastik mode includes a smoothy module
called SMOOTHY.COM, and it is used to decode fonts SL and SM. To see examples
of these fonts type SMOOTHY <CR> followed by SCREENVU <CR> and page down to the
screen which displays them. While AFSW is running, if you press FS while at
the main menu the smoothy module will be loaded. If you save text made with
fonts SL or SM, in order to view it outside the program simply run SMOOTHY.COM
first.
Any FonTastik HQ module may be turned "off" by typing MODE CO80 and pressing
the Enter key. Neither EGA.COM, VGA.COM, nor any of the HQ modules included
with this package is a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program. It is
possible to load an HQ module as a TSR program in order to keep the FonTastik
effect active during the running of a program which resets the video mode.
This is done by using "I" as a command line option. Uninstall with "U".
-6-
Since the FonTastik modules may be used with other programs and files, most
users put them into a hard-drive directory which is named in the PATH estab-
lished by the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Here is an example of a command line in an
AUTOEXEC.BAT file, in which directories containing REXXCOM Systems programs are
placed in the PATH. In this example, the FonTastik HQ modules and the related
programs EGA.COM, VGA.COM and NOR.COM, are actually located in the directory
named UTIL:
PATH C:\DOS;C:\UTIL;C:\AUTOFONT;C:\MAGIFONT;C:\AUTODOC;C:\BATCH;C:\GAMES;
For more information on the subjects of PATH and AUTOEXEC.BAT, please refer to
your DOS User's Guide and Reference.
READ.EXE
^^^^^^^^
READ is a handy program which may be used to view AF.TXT or any ASCII file.
Page-by-page display is provided, and the result is better than the "MORE"
option of late versions of DOS. The command TYPE FILENAME | MORE (where
"FILENAME" is the name of a text file) produces a display of only 23 lines at a
time, whereas READ FILENAME displays a full 24 lines, and you type 7 fewer
keystrokes to make it happen. Use Ctrl+C to exit before end of text. Put
READ.EXE in your root directory and you'll be able to use it wherever you are
on your disk. If you want to use READ.EXE to display your AF.TXT file with
the use of a FonTastik HQ module, type READ AF.TXT 1 to display it with HQ1
installed; use 2 or 3 to select HQ2 or HQ3. Use S for "Smoothy" mode. After
you receive your registered version of AutoFont you will be able to use READ
with all 9 HQ modules plus "Smoothy" mode. (The unnumbered HQ.COM should be
present as well. If not present, a brief error message will appear just before
your text is displayed by READ.EXE.)
NOTE: Before using READ.EXE be sure ANSI.SYS (or an equivalent ANSI driver) is
active. See your DOS User Guide for details.
UMLAUTS
^^^^^^^
If you have a need for German Umlaut letters (with 2 dots over a vowel), you
will be pleased to find them in files FONT-UA.DAT through FONT-UH.DAT as well
as FONT-SI.DAT and FONT-SK.DAT. Use F keys.
-7-
USING AF FONTS WITH DIFFERENT VIDEO SYSTEMS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This edition of the program is inoperable on CGA or monochrome systems, but
many of the fonts may be displayed on such systems. If you create an ASCII
file (DOS text file) which includes AutoFont fonts, the file itself will look
fine on virtually any IBM compatible system. Exceptions to this rule are the
"Smoothy" fonts (SL and SM), since the FonTastik HQ modules require EGA or
better to operate.
INCOMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
REXXCOM programs are tested on as many different systems as possible in an
effort to maintain compatibility with dissimilar hardware and software con-
figurations of IBM compatible computer systems. New systems are being marketed
each month, making the programmer's job difficult. Some systems will not
operate correctly unless certain special programs are included in the
CONFIG.SYS file. We recently tested our programs on a new system and we were
surprised to discover "jumbling" of many of our standard screens which had
never before presented a problem. The screens cleared up only after a new
version of ANSI.SYS was installed in the computer's CONFIG.SYS file and the
computer was restarted. The ANSI driver was included with the computer as an
unexplained "extra" program, and the dealer had not installed it.
If you should happen to experience any difficulty with a program from REXXCOM
Systems (or from any other software developer) please do the following before
requesting help:
1. Print out and review the program's instructions (docs) very carefully to be
sure you are following the directions exactly.
2. Review your computer system's user guide or manual to be sure your computer
system is set up fully and correctly.
REXXCOM SYSTEMS
P.O. BOX 111
SCHOOLEYS MOUNTAIN, NJ 07870
USA
CompuServe ID 72656,2764
PROGRAMS MAIN FEATURES USES FOR EACH PROGRAM
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| AUTODOC | 1. Easy creation of text files | 1. An exceptional program with|
| ^^^^^^^ | framed in customized Decor- | applications in business, |
| with the | edge borders. Unique. | education. communication. |
| | 2. Text and borders are easily | 2. Excellent new medium for |
| "AD-EDITOR" | colorized for impact. | creating incredibly unique,|
| and | 3. Files are easily scrolled | eyecatching announcements, |
| Supporting | by line or page. | advertisements, greetings |
| Materials | 4. Fancy headings made with | and much more. |
| | AUTOFONT are easily added. | 3. Excellent for training pro-|
| Our famous | 5. Clip-art may also be added. | grams. Adds eye-appeal to |
| Text-in- | 6. The registered edition has | educational and motivation-|
| Graphics | full AD-Editor (text editor)| al terials. |
| file maker | 7. Easy print-out of your text.| 4. Creates immediate attention|
| | 8. Creative and fascinating. | when used for personal mes-|
|Use to CREATE| Work becomes pleasure! | sages. Exciting! |
| EDIT and | 9. Many fantatic Decor-Edge | 5. Useful for teaching the use|
| DISPLAY | SCENES in reg. edition. | of computer and text editor|
+------------ +--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| ADVUE | 1. Multiple versions for many | 1. AutoScroll feature amazing!|
| ^^^^^ | uses. Instant display. | 2. LOOP version for continuous|
|Compact viewr| 2. Monochrome or color. | countertop displays! More!|
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| AUTOCOM | 1. Text-in-Graphics converter. | 1. "Latest and Greatest" TIG |
| ^^^^^^^ | Makes custom COM files! | viewer. Nothing like it! |
|Create COMs! | 2. Monochrome and color. | 2. For docs, messages, more! |
+------------ +--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| AUTOFONT | 1. Your text is coverted in- | 1. Use for creating profes- |
| ^^^^^^^^ | stantly to fancy fonts. | sional titles for otherwise|
| "The Auto- | 2. Switch from one SuperFont to| ordinary documents. |
| Matic Font | another with a keypress. | 2. Also useful for headings & |
| Writer" | 3. SuperFonts save in ASCII & | keywords for to be viewed |
| | flash onto the screen with | onscreen or printed out. |
|Over 3O fonts| the DOS "type" command. | 3. Excellent for making head- |
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~| 4. Registered AUTOFONT has more| ings and titles to pre-load|
| Plus: | than 4O font styles! | into the AUTODOC program. |
| 9 FonTastik | 5. FonTastik modules increase | 4. Can be used to make entire |
| HQ MODULES | font styles to over 3OO! | documents or one-page an- |
| ^^^^^^^^^^ | 6. Load 4 files - containing 8 | nouncements in big fonts. |
| Plus: | font styles - at same time! | 5. Uploadable to BBS. |
| 4 SMOOTHIES!| 8. SMOOTHY modules, fonts and | 6. Pageable screen files easy |
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^| graphics are INCREDIBLE! | to make. |
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| THE MAGIC | 1. Typed words convert to bril-| 1. Create incredible displays |
| ^^^^^^^^^ | liant, multicolored displays| to create attraction at |
| FONT MACHINE| instantly! | trade shows, meetings, etc.|
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^| 2. Hundreds of combinations of | 2. Colorful onscreen displays |
| Consists of | fonts/colors/special-effects| have applications for use |
| 3 Programs: | in the registered edition. | in office, library, store, |
| | 3. Flashing multicolored Super-| school, museums, etc. |
| MAGIFONT | Font text is readily com- | 3. Use for custom on-diskette |
| ^^^^^^^^ | bined with graphics. | sales messages for mailing.|
| MAGISHOW | 4. "Slide Shows" easily made. | 4. Unusual new format to use |
| ^^^^^^^^ | 6. HQ mode enhances fonts in a | for greetings, messages, |
| MAGIVUE | truly incredible new way. | announcements, etc. |
| ^^^^^^^ | 5. Individual display screens | 5. Upload to many BBS systems.|
|+ NEW HQ mode| are easily custom-made. | 6. Make titles for videos etc.|
+-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+
TO PRINT AN ORDER BLANK TYPE "ORDER" AND PRESS "ENTER"