
FastEnvelope 2.0

by Vertical Solutions
PO Box 1150
Beaverton, OR 97075

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Three Steps to Print any Envelope 
	1.	Choose an envelope template (from the Templates menu),
	2.	Enter the address (from the keyboard), and 
	3.	Print! 
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Table of Contents

About this manual
Installing FastEnvelope
  System 6.0
  System 7.0
QuickStart
  Three Steps
  Adding a Barcode
Components of FastEnvelope
  Very Important Concepts
  List Window
  Envelope Window
The Basics
  Objects
  Moving Objects
  Resizing Objects
  Summary
Advanced Techniques
  Find
  Sort
  Auto Open
  Auto Paste
  Note
Creating and Modifying Templates
  Creating Templates
  Modifying Templates
Importing Lists
  Definitions
  Prerequisites
  Creating Formats
  Editing Formats
  Releasing Formats
  Important Note
  Another Important Note
Appendix
  The Menus
  Shortcuts
  Credits
  Copyright Notice
  Software License
  Sincere Apology

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About this manual

We are going to try something new here.  Why? Because the only thing worse than reading a software manual is writing one.

Here's what I want you to do: Glance at the rest of this section and then read the sections you want to know more about.  In short, use the manual as a reference guide, don't try to read it like a novel.   

This manual is organized by function, i.e., to learn how to install FastEnvelope see 'Installing FastEnvelope.'  Additionally, every menu item has been documented in the Help files so you shouldn't have to come back here (to the manual) too often.

The first section of this manual is called 'Installing FastEnvelope' and you should at least glance at it so you will know to drag the FastEnvelope.Help and FastEnvelope.Envelopes files to your system folder.  (Ok, now you can skip chapter one.)

The second section is called Quickstart.  There are only three steps to print any envelope in FastEnvelope: 1. Choose an appropriate template from the Templates menu, 2. Enter your information, and 3. Choose Print from the File menu.  (And now you can skip chapter two.)

The third section begins to sort out just who's what in FastEnvelope.  For instance, there is a List window that will hold approximately 450 names and addresses at any one time.  You enter new items into the list window by using the New Entry command in the Edit menu.  There is another window called the Envelope window which displays the current template you are working on.  The currently selected item in the List window is displayed in the Address object in the Envelope window.  (There are some additional details in Chapter Three but they are pretty easily devined when you use the program.  You can probably skip Chapter Three as well.  Boy, this is easy.) 

Section Four is titled "The Basics" and it covers the Objects you can use in FastEnvelope to customize a template.  There are six objects:  Address (linked to the List window), Return Address, Message, Barcode, Icon and Picture.  You can turn these objects on and off with the mouse; you can position them anywhere on the template with the hand cursor, and you can resize them using the 'grow boxes' at each corner of the object.  (You have probably already figured out that the Address, Return Address and Message objects to hold text, the Barcode object turns the USPS barcode on and off, the Icon holds an icon and the picture holds a graphic.  Since you have already figured this out, there's really no need to waste your time with Chapter Four unless you have a quick question.)

Section Five is Advanced Techniques.  This section explains Finding, Sorting, Auto Open and Auto Paste.  All of these things are fun and easy to do.  The dialogs in the program will help you with each one.  (Chapter Five is a great reference section, but you can skip it until later, maybe even until next year.)

Section Six is on Creating and Modifying envelope templates.  Templates hold the physical characteristics of an envelope, height, width, etc.  Chapter Six will teach you how to create and modify envelope templates to suit your own needs.  (Basically, here's what you do:  To create a New Template, choose Create Template from the Templates menu and enter the physical dimensions of the template.  When you are done name the template and choose 'Save' and the template will be added to the Templates menu.  This is another good reference chapter, but since we have set up all the common templates for you, you can probably skip it for now.)

Section Seven is called Importing Lists.  It tells you how to import lists from other programs for use with FastEnvelope.  An imported list is a text file that is loaded into the List Window.  (You only need to read this section when you are ready to import lists.  Importing lists is very fun and can even be automated by using FastEnvelope's Auto-Open feature. If you want to import lists, you need to read this chapter.)

Section Seven is the Appendix and it has information on each menu item (remember these are also in the Help window), on Shortcuts you can use, Credits to find out who is responsible for all the bad jokes in the manual, applicable Copyright notices, and your Software license.  You need to read the Copyright notice and the Software License.  By using FastEnvelope you are tacitly agreeing to the terms and conditions of the software license.  If the license is unacceptable to you, you must remove FastEnvelope from your machine and return it to Vertical Solutions for a refund.  Include a signed letter stating that you are no longer in possession of any copies of FastEnvelope.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the manual.  Since you are clever enough to own and use a Macintosh, you won't have any problems with FastEnvelope.  Remember there are only three steps to print any label:

1. Choose the appropriate template,
2. Enter your information,
3. Choose print

As we've said before, the rest is just icing!

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Installing FastEnvelope

System 6.0
FastEnvelope is a .i.desk accessory;.  A desk accessory's icon looks like a small suitcase.  Desk accessories are installed with the program called the .i.Font/DA Mover;.  
If you have a hard disk, you will want to install FastEnvelope in the system on your hard disk: read the section "Installing FastEnvelope on a Hard Disk System."  If you do not have a hard drive, you will need to install FastEnvelope on each floppy disk that you use to boot (start) your Macintosh:  read the section "Installing FastEnvelope on a Floppy Disk System."
Once FastEnvelope is installed, you pull down the .i.Apple menu; and select FastEnvelope to use the program. 
If you feel you need more information on Desk Accessories, consult your Macintosh manual. 

Installing; FastEnvelope on a Hard Disk System

1.	Insert the FastEnvelope disk and double click on the program called .i.Font/DA Mover;.
2.	From the Font/DA Mover screen, select the .i.Desk Accessory; option.
3.	Use the left hand Open button to open the system on your hard drive.
4.	Use the right hand Open button to open the FastEnvelope suitcase.
5.	Get ready to copy FastEnvelope to your system:  select FastEnvelope by clicking on it.
6.	Use the copy button to copy FastEnvelope to your system.
7.	After you have moved FastEnvelope into your system, choose Quit to exit the .i.Font/DA Mover;.
8.	Remove your original FastEnvelope disk from the disk drive and be sure to store it in a safe place.

Installing; FastEnvelope on a Floppy System

1.	Start your Macintosh with the disk you want to copy FastEnvelope to.
2.	From the File menu, choose Eject to eject your system disk.
3.	Insert the FastEnvelope disk and double-click on the .i.Font/DA Mover; program.
Note:  On a one drive system expect to do some disk swapping.  If you have a two drive system, put the FastEnvelope program in the external drive.
4.	From the .i.Font/DA Mover; screen, select the .i.Desk Accessory; option.
5.	Use the left hand Open button to open the system on your hard drive.
6.	Use the right hand Open button to open the FastEnvelope suitcase.
7.	Get ready to copy FastEnvelope to your system:  select FastEnvelope by clicking on it.
8.	Use the copy button to copy FastEnvelope to your system.
9.	After you have moved FastEnvelope into your system, choose Quit to exit the .i.Font/DA Mover;.
10.	Remove your original FastEnvelope disk from the disk drive and be sure to store it in a safe place.

Final Step Hard Disk or Floppy: Drag the FastEnvelope.Envelopes and FastEnvelope.Help files to the System folder. 

System 7.0

To install FastEnvelope in System 7, just drag the FastEnvelope, FastEnvelope.Envelopes, and FastEnvelope.Help files to the System folder.  The system will take care of the rest for you.

Important Note:  FastEnvelope will not run without the FastEnvelope.Envelopes file.

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QuickStart

Three Steps

There are only three steps to print an envelope with FastEnvelope (it just doesn't get any easier than this!)

1.  Choose an appropriate template from Templates menu.  (ImageWriter templates start with 'IW-', LaserWriter templates with 'LW-', and Deskwriter templates with 'DW-'.)

2.  Type an address from the keyboard.  (If nothing happens when you type, select 'New Entry' from the Edit menu to get things started.)

3.  Choose Print from the File menu.

Wow!  Wasn't that easy?  You've just printed your first envelope and you're not even sweating yet!

Adding a Barcode

Now, let's say you want to print an envelope with a USPS barcode.  (USPS barcodes are used by the post office to route your mail.  Barcoded mail generally arrives more quickly than non barcoded mail.  Barcoded mail also makes you look like you know what you're doing, which you will in a minute...

Repeat steps 1 and 2 above.  Make sure you enter a zip code in the address, even if it is 12345.

On the left side of the Envelope window are 7 buttons.  Each of these buttons turn an Object off and on.  Objects that are 'on' will be printed on your envelope.  Objects that are not on won't be printed.  Objects are the basic building blocks of your envelope.  There are text objects, icon objects, picture objects and, of course, barcode objects, all of which you can turn on and off and move around to create unique and appealing envelopes.

To print an envelope with a barcode, turn the barcode object 'on' by selecting its button with the mouse.  (Black is for on, white for off.)  FastEnvelope will take care of positioning the barcode in the correct place on the envelope for you.

Now choose Print from the File menu.  As my old Economics professor used to say, "What a mouse."

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Components of FastEnvelope

FastEnvelope has two basic components, the List window, which holds the current list of names, and the Envelope window which displays the current envelope template. 
 
Very Important Concepts  

The currently selected item in the List window is displayed in the Address object in the Envelope window.

The List window and the Envelope window are linked but independent,  you can change from a #10 business envelope to a post card and the currently selected list item will still be displayed in the Address object of the new postcard template.  (Try it!)

List Window

The List window holds the current list.  The currently selected list item is displayed in the Address Object of the current template.
To add a new item to the List use 'New Entry' or 'Duplicate Entry' in the Edit menu.

To load a list of addresses from a word processor, database or spreadsheet, use the Open command (see importing Lists, below.)

Envelope Window

The Envelope window displays the current template.  This is a WYSIWYG window.  Whatever you see in this window is exactly what will print when you print your envelope.
The Address object in the Envelope window displays the currently selected item in the List window.

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The Basics

This section tells you a little bit about customizing envelope templates so you get the exact layout and appearance you want for your printed envelopes.  (Remember that a template represents the physical characteristics of the envelope as well as any text, graphics, icons, or barcodes you may add.  what you see on the screen is exactly what will print.)

Objects

FastEnvelope has six objects:  Address, Return Address, Message, Barcode, Icon, and Picture.  Each object can be moved using the hand cursor, and resized using the grow boxes at the corner of each object.  Each object can also be turned 'on' or 'off' by selecting the corresponding button on the left edge of the screen.  Objects that are 'on' will be printed.  Objects that are 'off' will not be printed.
How do you tell whether an object if on or off?  Buttons that are white are off, buttons that are black are on.  Click a button with the mouse to turn it on or off.

Each button represents one object; you cannot have two pictures, two icons, etc., on one template.  We did this on purpose to keep FastEnvelope (and FastLabel and Disk Accessory Plus) as easy to use as possible.  Let's quickly look at just one advantage of this scheme:  You've been printing business envelopes all day, but now you need to return your Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes entry form.  Since you were using company letterhead before, you had the Return Address object turned off.  Now, so Publisher's will know where to deliver your prizes, you turn the Return Address object on with the mouse and enter your return address.  You enter Publisher's address in the Address object by selecting New Entry from the Edit menu and doing typing their address.  Now choose Print from the File menu and you are done.  To resume your promising career sending business correspondence, just turn the Return Address object back off.

Important Note  

To change the font, style and size of the Address, Return Address, and Message objects use the Font, Style, Size and Justification menus just as you would for any word processor.

Address

The Address object is linked to the List.  The currently selected item in the list is displayed in the Address object.

To enter a new item into the List, select New Entry or Duplicate Entry from the File menu.

*To enter and print three envelopes at the same time:  Select Clear List from the Edit menu to clear any existing entries from the list.  Select New Entry from the File menu and enter the first address.  Again select New Entry and enter the second address.  Do the same to enter the third address.  Now choose Print from the File menu to have FastEnvelope print all three envelopes.  (Obviously, you could do this with any number of entries.)

Unlike the Return Address and Message objects, the Address object can only have one Font, Style and Size which you set with the Text menus.

You can hold down the command key and use the arrow keys to select the next or previous item in the List.

Return Address

The Return Address object is a text object.  You can change the font and style of every character in this object.  The text you enter in the Return Address object is saved with the template:  the next time you open this template, the Return Address object will be in the same position, with the same font, with the same text, as you left it.

Message

The message object is a text object.  You can change the font and style of every character in this object.  The Message object behaves exactly the same as Return Address object mentioned above.

Barcode

The Barcode object will print a USPS barcode on your envelope when it is turned on.  Barcodes must be located in a very specific location on the envelope and FastEnvelope takes care of this for you.  You cannot reposition the Barcode object, if it gets in your way, either you will have to move or you can turn the Barcode object off.

The USPS barcode has two parts:  a five bar FIM strip at the upper right of the envelope and a series of tall and short vertical lines on the lower right of the envelope.

The presence of a USPS barcode will help your mail to be delivered more quickly because its processing is automated: a machine reads the barcode and routes it to the proper town.

Icon

Icons are a very special form of graphic.  They are 32 pixels square (about a half inch) and are saved in a special format by most Macintosh programs.  

That means that there are a icons in almost every application (Microsoft Word and HyperCard are examples of applications) on your hard drive.  It also means you can't just cut and paste to get an icon, you need to use the Get Icon command in the Settings & Utilities menu to bring an icon into FastEnvelope.

If you want to edit the current Icon object to change its appearance, turn the Icon object on and select 'Edit Icon' from the Settings & Utilities menu.  (You need to have gotten an icon with 'Get Icon' before you can edit it.)

Because icons are specified to be 32 pixels square, the Icon object cannot be resized.

Picture

Pictures are graphics that can be pasted into FastEnvelope from the Scrapbook.  (The Scrapbook is under the Apple menu and is described further in you Macintosh manual.)

Once you have pasted a graphic into FastEnvelope, you have three options for displaying it (all found in the Settings & Utilities menu):
Scale Picture:  When checked, this menu item scales the picture to fit exactly into the Picture object.

Restore Proportions:  This menu item creates a proportionately scaled version of the picture inside the Picture object.

Use Picture Size:  This menu item draw the picture at its original size, but clips it at the edges of the Picture object.  You can resize the Picture object to see more or less of the picture.

Advanced users:  FastEnvelope can use 'PICT' and 'PNTG' type graphics.  FastEnvelope cannot use 'EPSF' graphics unless the postscript is embedded as pic comments in a PICT graphic.

Moving Objects

All the objects in FastEnvelope, except the Barcode object, can be moved anywhere on the current template.  Objects are moved using the hand cursor.  The top button on the Envelope window, the one showing the hand and the 'A' switches the cursor between the hand and the arrow cursor.  To switch to the hand cursor click the cursor button with the mouse.  

To drag an object, change the cursor to the hand.  Now press and hold the mouse button down with the hand cursor over the object you want to move.  With the mouse button still down 'drag' the object to its new position.  Release the mouse button.  That's all there is to it.

Resizing Objects

All the objects in FastEnvelope, except the Barcode object, can be resized.  An object can be as small as 1/2" square or as large as the envelope template itself.  Objects are resized using any of the grow boxes that are in the corners of the current object.

To resize an object, click it once with the mouse to make it the current object.  The four grow boxes are only drawn for the current object.  When you move either the hand or the arrow cursor over a grow box it will change to a cross.  When the cross cursor appears, press and hold the mouse button.   With the mouse button still down, 'drag' the grow box to resize the object.  Release the mouse button when you're through.  (Contrary to popular belief, the appearance of the cross cursor has no apparent religious significance.)

Summary

FastEnvelope is a little bit like a word processor (the text objects), a little like a drawing program (the way you resize and position objects) and a little like a forms program (the templates).  You've already mastered the three steps to print any envelope.  What you've just learned is that you also have the options of turning objects off and on, resizing objects and repositioning objects.

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Advanced Techniques

Ok, you've mastered the three steps to print any envelope, you've figured out how to turn each object on or off and change its size and position on a template.  Now you're ready for the fun stuff.  Finding, Sorting, Auto-Open, and Auto-Paste make FastEnvelope easier to use and more powerful.  

All of these options are menu commands in the Utilities & Settings menu.

Find lets you find items in the List.  Sort lets you sort the list by any field (zip code, last name, etc.), Auto-Paste will automatically paste the contents of the clipboard into the List when you open FastEnvelope, and Auto-Open will automatically open and import a file for you (this lets you use FastEnvelope like an address book).

Find

Use the Find command to find an item in the List.  
To Find an entry in the List:  Select the Find menu item and enter the keyword for the search.  Select the Find button with the mouse.  FastEnvelope will search the list from top to bottom looking for matches.  When it finds a match the search will stop and the Find Next button will be highlighted.  To continue your search, select Find Next.

The currently found entry will be selected in the List and will also be displayed in the Address object on the current template.  
Note:  FastEnvelope disregards capitalization when searching.

Sort

(We would like to admit, up front, that sorting is our favorite function.  To be truthful we've never seen a sort implemented like this and we are very very happy with ourselves for designing it.)
The Sort command sorts the items in the List.  You can sort by any item in an address, first name, last name, state, zip code, etc.

When you select Sort, a dialog appears displaying the Address object.  To sort by zip code, click the zip code with the mouse.  To sort by first name, click the first name.  After you have selected sort item, click the Sort button to sort the list.  Pretty clever.  Absoloodle.

Now, it may happen that during the sort FastEnvelope will encounter an address that is arranged a little differently than it expects.  When this happens, FastEnvelope will display the address and ask you to select the sort item again.  Click the sort item with the mouse or select the Skip button to leave this type of address unsorted at the end of the list.  

Why would you want to leave addresses unsorted?  Because it is a good way to get rid of anomalies, like blank addresses or addresses that only contain punctuation.

Auto Open

Auto Open lets you select a file to open every time FastEnvelope is started.  Auto Open gives you the option of using FastEnvelope like an Address book.

When you select Auto Open you will be asked to select a file.  This is the file FastEnvelope will open each time you start FastEnvelope.

Auto Paste

We borrowed this from another envelope printing program Kiwi envelopes.  Kiwi deserves the credit for coming up with the idea for this great, time-saving feature.

When you select Auto Paste, the contents of the clipboard will be pasted into the Address object when you open FastEnvelope.

Let's say you have just typed a letter in MS Word.  Highlight the addressee in the letter and choose Copy.  Now open FastEnvelope.  The address is pasted into the Address object for you.

What are the implications of Auto-Paste?  Well, you remember the three steps to print any envelope you learned earlier?  Auto-Paste has the ability to cut those three steps down to just one:  Print.  If you print a lot of correspondence, you will want to try this feature.

Note

Auto Paste and Auto Open are only active if a check mark appears beside their items in the Utilities & Settings menu.

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Creating and Modifying Templates

A template represents the physical characteristics of an envelope: height, width, margins, etc.

In FastEnvelope we have defined the most commonly used templates for you.  We have also provided the power for you to create your own templates and to modify (and remove) existing templates.  Templates are stored in the FastEnvelope.Envelopes file that you drug to your System folder.

Creating Templates

To create a new template, select 'Create Template' from the Templates menu.  The dialog that appears is divided into two sections.  The section on the right, titled 'Show Envelope' shows your template displayed relative to the current paper selection.  (The current paper selection is set by choosing the Page Setup command and is explained below.)  The left section, titled 'Define Envelope is where you enter the physical dimensions of your new template.

Show Envelope

There are a couple of things worth mentioning about the Show Envelope screen.  Notice the dotted gray line around the inside of the paper rectangle.  This is the printable area of the page.  LaserWriter users can maximize this area by choosing Larger Print Area from the Print Options dialog under Page Setup.  ImageWriter users can maximize this area by choosing No Gaps Between Pages from Page Setup.  DeskWriter users should note that this is why the barcode object gets clipped on their envelopes:  If your envelope is larger than the printable area, the DeskWriter won't print all the way to the bottom edge of the envelope.  DeskWriter users may want to try using a smaller envelope.

The second thing to remember is the orientation of the envelope.  If you are feeding your envelope into the printer lengthwise (narrow edge first) then you will choose landscape orientation under Page Setup (man on his side).  If you are feeding your envelope in widthwise (long edge first) then you will choose portrait mode under Page Setup (man standing up).

Define Envelope

You have three 'convenience' choices to make before you start defining your envelope:  

Choose metric to define your envelope in millimeters or inches to use inches as your standard of measure.  (Hold down the command key and type 'I' or 'M' to set this button.) 

If you want to enter your dimensions as fractions, choose Fractions, otherwise choose decimal.  (Hold down the command key and type 'D' or 'F' to set this button.)

If you are specifying a center feed envelope you can check the Center Feed box and FastEnvelope will automatically calculate the Top Margin for you.  (Hold down the command key and type 'R' to check this box.)

The next step is to choose Page Setup and set the paper size and orientation for your printer.

LaserWriter

We recommend using the 8 1/2 x 11 paper size because it eliminates clipping.  Choose Larger Print Area from the Options menu.

ImageWriter

Again, we recommend using the 8 1/2 x 11 paper size because it eliminates clipping.  Make sure you set No Gaps between Pages in the Page Setup dialog.

DeskWriter

Choose the Envelope paper size.  DeskWriter users do not set the Center feed button.  Note:  If your envelope is larger than the paper size that is defined for the envelope in Page Setup then the DeskWriter will not be able to print all the way to the edges of your envelope.  You can compensate for this by moving objects a little toward the center of your envelope.

All that is left is entering the physical dimensions of your envelope or card.  It is very important that you measure your envelope so the dimensions you enter are exact because the barcode must be positioned exactly to be read by the Post Office's equipment.

Note that as you enter these dimensions the envelope in the Show Envelope screen will be redrawn to reflect its new size and position.
You can enter each dimension by typing or you can use the mouse and the arrow buttons next to each dimension to change the size. (If you hold down the Shift key while using the arrow key, the size will increase/decrease by 1/16".  When the Shift key is not depressed the increase/decrease is 1/8".

Enter the height of your envelope in the height box.  Enter the width in the width box.  If you are not using center feed, enter the top margin in the top margin box.  Enter the left margin in the Left Margin box.  The Left Margin is typically 0 on all printers.
That's about it.  Type a name for your template in the Name box, choose Save and your template will appear in the Templates menu ready for you to customize and print.

Note

When you create a template, the characteristics of the current template are copied into the new template.  To quickly create a new #10 sized template, first select a #10 sized template from the Templates menu and then choose Create template.  This way the dimensions of the envelope and even the position of the objects on the envelope will be transferred from the old template to the new template.

Modifying Templates

Modifying a template is identical to creating a template except the changes are saved to the current template instead of a brand new template.

You can also use the 'Delete' button under modifying templates to delete the current template.  Deleted templates and their objects are removed from the Templates menu.

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Importing Lists

This is the hardest thing about FastEnvelope to understand because I have to use precise computer terms and definitions to describe the process.  However, the practice is easier than the textbook:  All word processors, databases and spreadsheets save data that FastEnvelope can read, so you just save the data to a new file (a text file) and then start FastEnvelope and choose Open.  FastEnvelope will ask you which file to Open and, after you have selected the file, what format to use. You can create a new format (New), choose an existing format (make sure the format matches the file), or choose not to apply a format (None).

A format is another type of template that tells FastEnvelope how to arrange the data (your addresses) it imports.

Definitions

Record: any group of characters that ends with a carriage return.

Field: any group of characters that ends with a tab or comma.

A record is made up of one or more fields.

Example, a comma delimited record with two fields:
Henry,Carstens(CR)

Example, a tab delimited record with three fields
Henry(tab)Carstens(tab)Vertical Solutions(CR)

Prerequisites

FastEnvelope can import files that have been saved as text files.  Each field in the file should be separated by tabs or commas and end with a carriage return.

To save a file from a word processor, spreadsheet or database use the Save As, or Export command in that program and specify the file type as Text.  Some programs will also give you the option of saving a tab, comma, merge or SYLK files.  FastEnvelope can import tab, comma or merge files.

FastEnvelope 2.0 is now powerful enough to handle all but the most bizarre files.  For example, if you are entering a list in MS Word, you no longer have to worry about each record having the same number of fields:  FastEnvelope 2.0 can handle varying field lengths.

Creating Formats


Why create Formats?  Formats allow you to import addresses from word processors, databases, and spreadsheets without setting up special merge files or worrying about field order in each record.

First you need a file to import.  The only criteria here is that you have saved your addresses in a 'text' file.  (If you don't know how to do this, refer to the documentation for your program, probably by looking in the manual's index under text, export, or save as.)

Now, start FastEnvelope and choose 'Open' from the file menu.  Select the file you want to import.

A dialog will appear asking you to 'Select an Import File Format.'  Choose 'New' to create a new format.

The dialog that appears is called the Formatter.  On the left side of the screen you see a list of fields.  These are the fields from your import file.  For now, let's ignore the rest of the dialog and concentrate on these fields.

You can arrange these fields by dragging them into position.  For instance, if you had a 'First Name' field and a 'Last Name' field you would drag them both onto one line.  You would do the same thing with City, State and Zip code: drag them onto the same line.

Now it's time to notice that the sample address in the upper right hand corner of the screen is starting to take shape.  Each time you move a field, the address is redrawn to reflect the change.  This sample address shows you what the Address object will look like on the current template after you import the file.

The only thing that is missing from your format is a little punctuation.  There are 5 punctuation 'wells' at the bottom of the screen: Blank, Comma, Comma-Blank, Tab, and Carriage Return.  To add punctuation to your format, click the mouse in a punctuation well and drag the punctuation up to your format.  You can insert the punctuation anywhere in a line by releasing the mouse where you want the field inserted.  For example, if you have separate city, state and zip fields you will probably want to add a comma-blank after city and a tab after state.  (A tab is three blank spaces.)  You can check the effect of the added punctuation by examining the sample address in the upper right corner of the screen.

When you are finished adding the punctuation to your address, choose Save.  A new dialog will appear asking you whether you want to save your format or 'Use and Discard' it.  There are also two check boxes, 'Drop Empty Fields' and 'Strip Quotes' you can set.

Setting the Drop Empty Fields option tells the Formatter to remove empty fields from the address.  This option makes addresses look nicer, no gaps where a company name is missing, and is usually set.

Setting strip quotes is used with comma delimited files and merge files which surround each field with quotation marks.  This option should be set for comma delimited and merge files.

At this point you can choose to Save your format, in which case you will be able to reuse it later, or you can Use and Discard it which means the format won't be saved when you close FastEnvelope.  Saved Formats appear in the dialog that appeared earlier asking you to 'Select an Import File Format.'

Notes

The punctuation field called carriage return will insert a blank line into the address.

Punctuation and fields can be drug to the area marked "Drag unwanted fields below this line."  Fields and punctuation in this area will not be imported or added to the format.  Use this area to get rid of unwanted fields, like 'phone number' or 'notes' that may not be appropriate for an envelope.

If a text file contains records with different numbers of fields then you will need to set up a separate format for each type of record.  In the middle of the dialog, on the right edge of the screen is a message that tells you the name of the file your are importing and the number of different formats you will have to create for this file.  Below this message are two buttons, Next and Previous that let you switch between formats.

Editing Formats

After you have created a format and imported your file you may decide you want to change the format.  To do this you select 'Edit Format' from the Edit menu.  The Formatter appears and you can adjust your format and save it as described above.

You can only edit the format that was used to import current file into the List.

Releasing Formats

Eventually, you will end up with one or two formats that you no longer use and you will want to remove them from the formats list.  To remove a format, select 'Clear Formats' from the edit menu and select and delete the unwanted formats.

Important Note

Lists that were 'Saved' from FastEnvelope are saved with their formatting intact.  You can import these files by choosing 'None' in response to the 'Select an Import Format' dialog.

Another Important Note

As you can probably imagine, formats are pretty closely tied to the file they were created for.  You probably won't be able to apply a format created for a MS Word file to a file exported from Filemaker.  You can make this all a little easier on yourself by naming your formats as follows:  First/Last.Customer dB.  Where First/Last describes a characteristic of this format and Customer dB is the file the format was created for.

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Appendix

The Menus

FastEnvelope has eleven menus:  FastEnvelope, File, Edit, Text (and its submenus Font, Style, Size, and Justification), Templates, Utilities & Settings, and Windows.

Generally, each menu has the following function:

File

The File menu has commands for importing lists, saving lists and printing.  Pretty standard Macintosh File menu stuff.

Edit

The Edit menu has commands for editing text, creating new and duplicate entries in the List, clearing the list, clearing and editing formats.

Text

The Text menu has commands for manipulating Fonts.  You can change the font, style, size and justification of the Address, Return Address, and Message objects.  You can also change the font, size and style of the List.

Templates

Use the Templates menu to select a new template or to create and modify templates.  (A template represents the physical characteristics of an envelope, height, width, margins, etc.)

Utilities & Settings

This menu (I am so tired of typing Utilities & Settings) has items that manipulate icons and graphics as well as the advanced features Find, Sort, Auto Open and Auto Paste.

Windows

Each menu item in these menus is fully described in the Help files and in the manual.

Shortcuts

Here are the shortcuts you can use to 'power' through FastEnvelope.

To switch between the text cursor (I-Beam) and the drag cursor (hand), hold down the option key and click.

To skip the Save dialog at quitting time, hold down the option key while closing.

To force an Auto-Paste, hold down the option key when opening FastEnvelope.

Every dialog button can be 'pressed' by holding down the command key and typing the first letter of the button --  (Command-period for Cancel; Return for defaults)

Every check box and radio button can be 'pressed' by holding down the command key and typing the first letter of the button.  (Type cmd-'R' to set the Center Feed box in the Create Templates dialog.)

Credits

This project wouldn't be finished and wouldn't be as complete as it is without help from the following:

Jimmy Buffet: Albums, tapes and CD's

Ayn Rand: Philosophy

User Suggestions:  Thank you for taking the time to make them

My Five Favorite Books:  Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, Catch 22, Coming of Age in the Milky Way, and Jitterbug Perfume

Program Design: Henry Carstens

Program: Henry Carstens

Manual: Henry Carstens

Copyright Notice

FastEnvelope .i.copyright; 1990-91 Vertical Solutions.  All rights reserved.

FastEnvelope manual copyright 1991 Vertical Solutions.  All rights reserved.

i.Software License; Agreement

The FastEnvelope manual and FastEnvelope program were developed and copyrighted by Vertical Solutions; with all rights reserved.  

The manual and program are licensed to you on a non-exclusive, non-transferrable basis.  Neither the manual nor the software may be copied except as follows:



1]  	You may make backup copies of FastEnvelope for your own use providing that copies bear the Vertical Solutions ;.i.copyright; notices.

2]  	You must purchase one copy of FastEnvelope for every machine you use it on. 

3]  	Site licensing agreements are available by calling Site Licensing at: 503.671.0511, additional copies of FastEnvelope may be ordered by calling 800.222.6032.

Failure to purchase the software you use is a crime punishable by imprisonment.

Sincere Apology

We have been writing software manuals for almost five years now and have come to realize that any software manual is only acceptable to about 50% of the people who read it.  

We think, in all seriousness, that this is because people learn in different ways: basically by doing or by studying.  For a number of reasons, this manual was written to accommodate those people who learn by doing.  These people tend to enjoy shorter descriptions and a little more humor.

If you have a hard time understanding this manual, please accept our apologies.
