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V e c t o r
----------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain Software
Autodesk Registered Application Developer
Novell Professional Developer
Lotus Professional Developer
HP Peripherials Developer
Version 1.3
May 10, 1994
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
Jerry Workman, P.E.
1579 Nottingham Road
Charleston, WV 25314
CIS 70717,3564
Internet 70717.3564@compuserve.com
Orders: 1-800-2424-PsL
Tech Support / Info: 304-346-9585
FAX 304-744-1785
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introducing Vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Vector Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installing from the Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Distribution Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Loading Vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Running Vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Joining Lines into Polylines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Weeding Lines and Polylines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Weed Command Line Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Solid Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Filling Polylines with Solids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Filling a Boundary with Solids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Touch Command - controlling entity visibility . . . . . . . 8
Tips and Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Registration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Definition of Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Disclaimer - Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Vector Documentation page 1
=================================================================
Introduction
==============================
Introducing Vector
------------------------------
Vector is an AutoCAD ADS application designed to process line and
solid geometry. It provides map makers with a means to clean up
vector geometry, create color fills without hatching, and to
control overlapping entity visibility. Vector can reduce the size
(and therefore speed of use) of AutoCAD maps substantially.
Vector reduces the memory required for Lines and polylines by
providing an easy way to make polylines from line segments and by
filtering unnecessary vertices from polylines. Memory
requirements for color or solid fills created by Vector are
typically 1/10 of the size of fills created by hatching.
There is no "Solid Fill" command or function in AutoCAD. Neither
are their any good methods to solid fill a polygon or boundary.
This has left map makers, and others wishing to create a color
fill, the choice of a dense hatch pattern (creating very large
drawings), or purchasing a Postscript device (very expensive) or
use "post-processing" software.
Vector ends all of that. You can now solid fill Polylines (if you
don't have polylines, Vector can create them for you) and create
a solid fill from a seed point similar to the AutoCAD 12 command
BHATCH. The solid fill thus created is composed of AutoCAD's
Solid entities. Solids occupy only a fraction of the memory and
disk space of dense hatch patterns. They also plot much quicker
and more accurately on plotters that support direct solid fill.
Visibility control can also be a problem in AutoCAD. Our command
TOUCH floats entities to the top, so your text and line work stay
visible on top of the filled regions (not under than). The brown
bridge will always be over the blue river now.
Vector cleans up drawings created by third party programs,
digitized, or raster to vector conversion. It filters polylines
and lines using your user defined criteria (offset, angle, and/or
leg length). Vector also creates polylines from lines. Not just
one polyline at a time, but thousands (if need be). We have
tested Vector on drawings (contour maps containing line entities)
in excess of 10MB. We converted and weeded the entire drawing in
less than a minute reducing it to less that one-half the size of
the original. The resulting drawing loads and regens faster,
requires less disk space and is more easily edited.
With our fuzzy join the endpoints of the lines do not have to
meet exactly. Vector can join close lines using a snap algorithm
similar to AutoCAD's endpoint object snap. Vector works with both
DOS and Windows versions of AutoCAD release 12.
Vector Documentation page 2
=================================================================
Vector Applications
------------------------------
Mapping and Cartography
Contour and Isopleth maps
Third party data conversion
Facilities Management
Geographic Information Systems
Architectural / Landscape Design
Installation
==============================
The files are archived into compressed format on the install
diskette (or ZIP archive). You can use PKUNZIP to extract the
files to any directory on your hard drive, or use the install
program on the install diskette.
Installing from the Diskette
------------------------------
Place the diskette in any floppy drive, make that drive current,
and enter INSTALL to run the install program. There are further
instructions and program descriptions on the install diskette.
Select Vector from the install menu and enter the source (floppy
drive) and destination drive and subdirectory. The program will
extract the files to your hard drive.
Distribution Files
------------------------------
A description of the files that are included are as follows:
vector.exp DOS executable file
vector.exe Microsoft Windows executable file
vector SPARC executable file
vector.dcl dialog control file
vector.hlp help file
vector.doc online documentation
!read.me! last minute changes
file_id.diz BBS description
order.doc order form
(there may be additional files)
Vector Documentation page 3
=================================================================
Loading Vector
------------------------------
First start AutoCAD. From the AutoCAD release 12 or higher
Command prompt, enter "APPLOAD" or select Files/Applications from
the AutoCAD menu to invoke the APPLOAD dialogue. Select the File
button and select VECTOR.EXP (DOS), VECTOR.EXE (Windows), or
vector (UNIX). Select OK and the file will appear in the APPLOAD
listbox. Highlight Vector and select LOAD to load the file. You
can also (XLOAD"Vector") or add VECTOR to your ACAD.ADS file.
Vector Documentation page 4
=================================================================
Running Vector
==============================
Joining Lines into Polylines
------------------------------
The JOIN command globally connects lines into polylines, even if
the endpoints don't meet exactly (a fuzzy join). You can select
any or all lines in the drawing and JOIN will connect the lines
end to end until it finds no more endpoints. A polyline is then
created from the connected lines and the process repeated until
all lines are connected or no further connections can be made.
You can control the distance that JOIN will look for a connecting
line endpoint with the
Snap parameter in the Weed configure dialogue. Setting this value
to 0.0 will force all endpoint connections to be exact matches.
Beware of large Snap settings, JOIN will use the first endpoint
that it finds falling within the Snap distance (similar to the
AutoCAD "Quick" object snap). If multiple endpoints meet that
criteria, then you may not get the results that you expect.
Weeding Lines and Polylines
------------------------------
The WEED command combines two operations into a single command.
Once you select entities then Weed will read those entities,
deleting each as they are loaded if the "Erase entity" check box
is active. Weed will then filter and recreate existing polylines.
The program then joins line segments to create new polylines and
finally filters those polylines.
The Weed command operates either with a command line interface or
dialog depending on the setting of the AutoCAD system variable
CMDDIA in release 12. In release 11 the command interface is
used.
Once invoked, the command first prompts for a selection set. You
can either select entities using any of the usual AutoCAD
selection modes or you can press <enter> or <space> to display
the weed parameter dialogue. The dialog contains the following
parameter edit boxes, check boxes, and control buttons:
Offset / Corridor Filter Parameter
The offset filter will remove any vertex that falls within a
corridor formed by the extension of offset lines parallel to the
two previous vertices. In effect this parameter sets a maximum
deviation of the new polyline.
Vector Documentation page 5
=================================================================
Internal Angle Filter Parameter
The internal angle filter will remove any vertex that has a
deviation angle smaller than the specified angle. This filter is
best to producing smooth polylines with a minimum of vertices.
Leg Length Filter Parameter
The leg length filter removes vertices that are closer to the
previous vertex than the specified value.
Snap Distance Parameter / Fuzzy Join
The WEED command will join line entities into polyline entities.
You can join lines whose endpoints do not meed exactly by
specifying a snap distance setting. Beware of using large values
for the snap distance, the first endpoint encountered (not
necessarily the closest) will be selected (similar to an AutoCAD
Quick snap).
Erase Checkbox
Select this checkbox to erase the original entity. A new "weeded"
polyline will be created from the entity data that is read from
the old entity. If unchecked the old entity will be not be
deleted.
Quiet Checkbox
Select this checkbox to suppress all messages during execution of
the WEED command.
Debug Checkbox
When this box is checked the WEED command will list diagnostic
information including the parameters for each vertex that it
removes.
Save Config Button
This button causes the current settings for both SFILL and WEED
to be saved to a file named "vector.ini" in the current
directory. This file is automatically loaded when you load
Vector.
Vector Documentation page 6
=================================================================
Weed Command Line Interface
------------------------------
The command line prompts are described in the following
paragraphs:
Debug:OFF, Quiet:OFF, Erase:ON, Snap 0.010000 Offset:0.00,
Leg:0.00, Angle:5
Debug/Quiet/Erase/Snap/Offset/Leg/Angle/DXF[Weed]
Press <Enter> to accept Weed to process vectors, or set one of
the parameters:
Debug ON: prints a detailed diagnostic display
Quiet ON: prints status and informational messages
Erase ON: deletes original lines/polylines
Snap: snap distance for joining lines that don't meet exactly
Offset: (corridor width) vertices having an included offset
less than this value are removed (eg line will not
err more than this amount from original)
Leg: line segments shorter than this will be removed
regardless of offset.
Angle: vertices having an included angle less than this value
are removed
Any or all of these filters can be used.
You can select any or all entities in a drawing and Vector will
filter all but LINE, ARC, and POLYLINE entities from the
selection set. Next Vector will join any coincident line segments
into polylines. Then Vector will remove vertices from existing
and new polylines according to the leg length offset, and angle
parameters.
If you make a mistake or if the Weed command does not work as
expected you can UNDO the changes and try again. It's best to
experiment on a single polyline first to find the best
combination of offset and leg length parameters.
Vector Documentation page 7
=================================================================
Solid Fill
==============================
Filling Polylines with Solids
------------------------------
The Vector Solid fill routine creates color fills from polylines
or enclosed (bounded) areas. SFILL works by creating abutting
SOLID entities within the boundary. Solids occupy only a fraction
(usually less that 10%) of the space of a hatch within the
drawing file, and plot faster on ink jet and electrostatic
plotters that support direct solid fill.
Enter "SFILL" from the Command: prompt.
Select entities to solid fill, SFILL will remove any non-polyline
entities from the selection set, and then fill the interior of
those entities selected.
You can also press <enter> or <space> to display the SFILL dialog
box where you can change SFILL settings or use a layer or filter
to select entities. The controls for that dialogue are as
follows:
Arc Segment Parameter
Polyline arc segments (bulges) are broken into tangent segments
to enable filling. You can control the size of the segments with
this parameter. Small settings will produce a smoother curve but
will increase processing time and drawing size.
Block Mode Checkbox
If this check box is active, then solid fills will be created as
anonymous block entities. This makes managing the fill much
easier, you can change the properties, move, scale, delete the
fill in one step instead of dealing with each solid entity
individually.
Use Polyline Attributes Checkbox
SOLID entities will be created on the same layer and with the
same color as the polyline when this box is checked. Otherwise
that will be created using the current AutoCAD color and layer.
Layer Button and List Box
Vector Documentation page 8
=================================================================
You can select entities on a given layer for use by the SFILL or
TOUCH commands. Simply select the Layer button and select a layer
from the list box. Then select either SFILL or TOUCH.
Keep Polygon Checkbox
BFILL uses the AutoCAD "BPOLY" routine to creates a temporary
polyline. This polyline is then filled and retained if the "Keep
BFILL Polygon" checkbox is checked or deleted if not.
Filter Button
Select this button to invoke the AutoCAD command "FILTER". A
filter can be used to select entities based on their properties.
For example, you might select the entities on layer CONTOUR with
an elevation (Z value) greater than 1000.
Once you select the "Apply" button from the filter dialog box,
SFILL will select ALL entities that match the filter spec and
then re-enter the SFILL dialog box. You can then select the SFILL
button to solid fill the POLYLINES from the selection set or
select the TOUCH command to move those entities on top.
Filling a Boundary with Solids
------------------------------
Enter "BFILL" from the command prompt.
Select a point within a closed boundary. The program uses the
AutoCAD "BPOLY" routine to create a temporary polyline. This
polyline is then filled and retained if the "Keep BFILL Polygon"
checkbox is checked or deleted if not.
Note that the entire boundary must be visible on the screen at
once and that the file ACADAPP.EXP must be loaded. If you have a
large or complex drawing, then you can speed the process by
reducing the number of entities that BPOLY must process by
zooming to just include the area that you wish to fill. You may
also turn off or freeze layers that are not a part of the
boundary.
Touch Command - controlling entity visibility
------------------------------
This command sets the AutoCAD SORTENTS system variable to enable
entity sorting for redraw, regen, and plotting. It then copies
the selected entities in place and deletes the original. The
result is to "float" these entities to the top making them
visible. Use TOUCH to move text or other entities that you wish
to place on top of solid fills.
Vector Documentation page 9
=================================================================
You can automatically exclude SOLID entities and anonymous blocks
from being "touched" by selecting the "Touch Exclude Solids"
check box in the SFILL dialogue. If you wish to select SOLIDS and
anonymous blocks (i.e. to place one SOLID over another) then "un-
check" this box.
Tips and Techniques
==============================
It takes a little "technique" to get the most out of Vector and
AutoCAD the following is a series of techniques that have been
developed by us and the users of Vector to make the work faster
and easier and to handle problem areas.
SFILL Speed
The speed of the solid fill algorithm decreases geometrically
with the number of line segments in the boundary being filled. If
you must fill very large or complex polylines then you can speed
the process by segmenting the area into smaller less complex
sub-areas. Draw a few temporary lines across the area and use the
BFILL command or BPOLY followed by SFILL.
SFILL Failures (unfilled areas)
The solid fill algorithm will occasionally fail to completely
fill a polyline. When this occurs, enter "U" to undo the fill and
then use BFILL. This technique will start the fill process at a
different origin (near the BFILL pick point) and will usually
result in a complete fill.
BFILL / BH / BHATCH / BP / BPOLY
All of these commands use AutoCAD BPOLY function to create a
polyline from an enclosed boundary. BPOLY will occasionally
refuse to create a polyline and issue an error message (eg point
not in enclosed boundary). When this occurs use the following
techniques to coheres BPOLY:
1. Select a point in a different part of the enclosed area.
2. Zoom in so that the boundary just fits on the screen.
3. Draw (temporary) line(s) across the boundary to break it into
smaller "chunks".
Donut Holes, Islands, and Lollipops
If you wish to exclude islands or "donut holes" from the fill,
then draw a temporary line crossing the island and the
Vector Documentation page 10
=================================================================
external boundary (a lollipop stick). Then use BFILL to fill the
area of the donut.
Limitations
==============================
WEED Command
There is no limit to the number of line segment that Vector can
handle, but there is a practical limit. If you are WEEDing or
JOINing a very large drawing you can improve the performance of
the commands by reducing the size of the selection set that the
routine must analyze. Simply weed the very large drawings in
segments.
SFILL
The polyline solid fill algorithm can not handle "figure eights"
or loops in the polyline where the line crosses itself. It also
has difficulty filling narrow sawtooth patterns and snakes. The
program will fill these polylines as best it can. These entities
can usually be filled successfully by breaking them into smaller
sections.
BFILL
The BFILL command uses the AutoCAD BPOLY routine and is limited
by BPOLY's ability to create a polyline within a bounded area.
BFILL (as well as BH and BP commands) redefine the UCS to keep
coordinate values small and thus reduce BPOLY failures.
Vector Documentation page 11
=================================================================
Disclaimer
==============================
Users of Vector must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "Vector
is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed
or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author
assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which
may result from the use of Vector."
Vector Documentation page 12
=================================================================
License
==============================
Shareware
------------------------------
This version of Vector is NOT public domain or free software, but
is being distributed as "shareware". You may try it out to see if
it is useful for you. If you wish to continue to use Vector you
must register. Registered users are provided with a password to
remove the opening delay and with support for one year.
The program in the form of the original archived file only may be
freely distributed, but not sold (except under license, or for a
nominal copying or disk fee).
Non-registered users of this software are granted a limited 30
day license to make an evaluation copy for trial use for the
purpose of determining whether Vector is suitable for their
needs. At the end of this trial period, you may either register
your copy, or discontinue using Vector.
All users are granted a limited license to copy Vector only for
the trial use of others and subject to the above limitations.
This license does NOT include distribution or copying of this
software for use:
1. In connection with any other product or service.
2. For general use within a company or institution.
3. For distribution in modified form; i.e., the file containing
this license information MUST be included, along with the
full Vector documentation.
Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (Sysops) are
encouraged to post Vectorxx.ZIP for downloading by their users,
as long as these conditions are met.
Vector Documentation page 13
=================================================================
Registration Information
------------------------------
A Vector registration licenses you to use the product on a
regular basis. Individual license cost for Vector is $85
including a diskette with the latest version of Vector and the
printed manual. Registration also entitles you to telephone
support and notification of updates and new products. Print file
ORDER.DOC and mail or FAX the form to the address above. You can
also place an order by telephone or through Compuserve (GO
SWREG).
Educational institutions, full-time students and BBS sysops can
apply a 50% discount. PLEASE include your educational institution
letterhead (with your title), or a photocopy of your most recent
registration slip, or the name and number of your BBS.
Definition of Shareware
------------------------------
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
Vector Documentation page 14
=================================================================
Disclaimer - Agreement
------------------------------
Users of Vector must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "Vector
is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties,
expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the
warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The
author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential,
which may result from the use of Vector."
Vector 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 Vector and continue to use
Vector after a reasonable trial period, you must make a
registration payment of $85 to Mountain Software. The $85
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 Vector must register and pay for their copies
of Vector within 30 days of first use or their license is
withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting
Mountain Software.
Anyone distributing Vector for any kind of remuneration must
first contact Mountain Software at the address below for
authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted
to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its
guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may
begin offering Vector immediately (However Mountain Software must
still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date
with the latest version of Vector.).
You are encouraged to pass a copy of Vector along to your friends
for evaluation. You may not, however, copy the registered
password file. Please encourage them to register their copy if
they find that they can use it.
Jerry Workman 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
Vector Documentation page 15
=================================================================
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,
or send a message via Compuserve mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536
Index
==============================
ACAD.ADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3
ASP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15
AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3-5, 7-10
BHATCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 9
boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 7-9
BPOLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3-10
Compuserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 13, 15
dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4, 7, 9
directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 5
disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 12, 13
DOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12-14
install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
join . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 4-6
layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 8
license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14
scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 12-14
solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 7-10
solid fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 7-10
subdirectory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 8
Undo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 9
vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7, 9-14
weed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6, 10
XLOAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ZIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 12
