Family Fun/Family Fun.iso/tools/readmac.exe/READMAC.DOC

Text File | 1988-06-30 | 10.1 KB | 195 lines

                         ***** READMAC 2.0 *****

         Copyright (c) 1988 by
        Micro Technologies, Inc.     Home Of      The Phoenix BBS
         921 Royal Heights Road                   Voice: [phone]
          Belleville, Il 62223                    Data : [phone]
                                                  Data : [phone]


                   Released as Shareware by MTI for  $ 10.00



Since the release of the original version of READMAC in 1985, several spinoff
programs have been released by various people in both the Public Domain and
Shareware areas.  These programs usually incorporated some aspect that was not
available in the READMAC, i.e. Hercules support, EGA & VGA support, Laser
printing, etc.  We at Micro Technologies, Inc. commend those of you that have
helped to contribute to the growing popularity of READMAC whether it was in
giving it to a friend or by posting it on BBSs.  It has made it's way around
the world as evident from some of the users on the Phoenix BBS.

MTI has now released Version 2.0 which includes the following features:

          *  Built in support for the Hercules Monochrome
          *  Built in support for the EGA 640 X 350 screen mode
          *  Built in support for the VGA 640 X 480 screen mode
          *  Command line entry of filename
          *  Wild card characters in filename for multiple file viewing
          *  Creates printer file if it can't be found
          *  Allows commands for both Dot Matrix and Laser printers
          *  Allows Laser printing to be done at 75 DPI, 150 DPI or 300 DPI
          *  Faster file loading
          *  Smoother scrolling of picture
          *  Easy entry of printer commands

In order to continue to bring new versions of READMAC to the public, we are
releasing Version 2.0 as a Shareware program.  If you like READMAC Version
2.0, we ask a small contribution of only $10.00.



*****************************************************************************
Starting READMAC Version 2.0
******************************************************************************

   The command line to execute READMAC is as follows:

           READMAC filespec[/S][/I][/H][/E][/V]

   where filespec is the specification for the file or files you wish to
view with READMAC.  The file specification may include a path specification
and may also include the DOS wild card characters * and ? to match multiple
files.  For example, the specification \PICTURES\*.MAC will display all files
in the directory PICTURES with the extension MAC.
   The S option will cause the viewer not to wait for a keypress between
pictures.  Normally when READMAC is started with a file specification
involving wild card characters, the <N> key is required to view the next
picture.  With the S option, READMAC will load and display the first picture,
and immediately begin loading the second picture.  When loaded, it will be
displayed and the loading of the third will begin.  This will continue until
there are no more pictures to load.
   The I option will cause the viewer to not display the introduction screen.
Normally, when READMAC is started, the shareware message and instructions for
moving the picture are displayed.  With the I option READMAC will load and
display the first picture without showing the introduction screen.
   Normally, READMAC displays in the CGA 640 X 200 screen mode.  The H option
will put the viewer into the Hercules 720 X 348 display mode.  The E option
will put the viewer into the EGA 640 X 350 display mode.  The V option will
put the viewer into the VGA 640 X 480 screen mode.  Only one of the three
options H, E and V may be used.  If more than one of these options is used,
READMAC will generate an error message.



******************************************************************************
Commands Available While Viewing Pictures
******************************************************************************

   The pictures displayed by READMAC are 720 lines long.  Therefore, in order
to view the entire picture, you will need to move it up and down.  The arrow
keys  and  will move the picture up and down, respectively, one row at a time.
The Page Up (PgUp) and Page Down (PgDn) keys will move the picture up and
down, respectively, ten rows at a time.
   To load and display the next file (if wild card characters were included in
the file specification upon starting READMAC) press the <N> key.  This will
cause the viewer to find the next file to load and display.  When all files
matching the specification have been displayed, the viewer will end.
   At any time while viewing a picture, you can stop the viewer by pressing
the <ESC> key.



******************************************************************************
Set Printer Parameters
******************************************************************************

   While viewing a picture, if you press the <S> key you will see the printer
commands enrolled for both the dot matrix and laser printing routines.  These
commands are stored in a file called READMAC.PRT and is read when READMAC is
executed.  If the file does not exist, it will be created by READMAC and the
default commands for the printers will be as follows:


          Dot Matrix Printer Commands
          Set 8/72 inch linefeed command: 27,51,24
          Set normal linefeed command: 27,48
          Graphic Mode Command (Resolution >=640): 27,76,192,3
          Graphic mode resolution (dots/line): 960
          Pins in printhead (8,24): 8
          The value 128 fires which pin in graphics mode (Top, Bottom): TOP


          Laser Printer Commands
          Set Raster Graphics To 75 DPI: 27,42,116,55,53,82
          Set Raster Graphics To 150 DPI: 27,42,116,49,53,48,82
          Set Raster Graphics To 300 DPI: 27,42,116,51,48,48,82
          Transfer 8" line at 75 DPI: 27,42,98,55,53,82
          Transfer 8" line at 150 DPI: 27,42,98,49,53,48,82
          Transfer 8" line at 300 DPI: 27,42,98,51,48,48,82
          Start Raster Graphics: 27,42,114,48,65
          End Raster Graphics: 27,42,114,66


   The default parameters for the dot matrix printer are Epson style commands.
The default paramters for the laser printer are HP style commands.  Each of
the commands are entered as decimal numbers seperated by commas.  The Set 8/72
inch linefeed command is used to set the printer into a linespacing which will
leave no gaps between the lines of graphics data since each line of graphics
is 8/72 inch wide.  The Set normal line spacing command is used to put the
printer back into its previous spacing after printing a picture.  The Graphic
Mode Command (Resolution >=640) is used to actually print the picture.  Quite
often the graphic command will need the number of points included as part of
the command as in the case of the default command.  This is the density of
line graphics mode times 8 since the printing is based on an 8 inch line.  For
example, if you look up the default command above in an Epson manual, you will
find that the density for that graphics mode is 120 DPI.  Take 120 times 8 and
you get 960.  This is becomes the next parameter Graphic mode resolution
(dots/line).  The next parameter, Pins in printhead can be toggled between 8
and 24 pins.  For those of you with 9 pin printheads, the choice should be
8 because the 9th pin is used by the printer for underlining.  The final
parameter The value 128 fires which pin in graphics mode, tells the porgram
how to build the print data to be sent to the printer.  For most printers
including Epson, IBM and compatibles this parameter should be Top.  For some
other printers, i.e.  NEC 8023, this parameter will need to be changed to
Bottom.  You should be able to find this information under graphics in your
printer manual.
   The laser printer commands consist of commands for each of the various
resolutions available for printing.  The first three commands are the commands
to set the laser printer into the various resolutions.  The next three are the
commands required to send an 8 inch line of graphics in the desired
resolution.  These commands will differ slighlty due to the paramters telling
the printer how many bytes of data to receive.  The final two printer commands
are to tell the printer to start and end graphics.  All of these printer
commands should be found in your laser printer manual under the section for
graphic printing.
   If any of the actual printer commands need to be changed, you need to find
the printer command in your manual.  If there are any variable parameters to
the command you should figure out what they should be.  For example, let's say
the printer command to set the line spacing to n/72 inch is ESC "A" n where n
is the number of 1/72 inch you wish to make the line feed.  Then the command
to set to 8/72 inch linefeed would be ESC "A" 8 or as sent from BASIC
CHR$(27);"A";CHR$(8).  So to enter the command on the command line enter
27,65,8 because "A" is the same as CHR$(65).



******************************************************************************
Printing The Picture
******************************************************************************

   When the picture is displayed, it can be printed by pressing the <P> key.
The screen will return to text mode and the following menu will appear.

                  Select Commands To Use To Print
                       Dot Matrix Printer
                       Laser Printer

   Use the arrow keys to move to the printer choice and press <ENTER>.  If Dot
Matrix Printer is chosen, then the screen will clear to a message that
printing is in progress.  After completing the printing, you will be returned
to the picture.
   If the Laser option is chosen, you will be given the choice of resolution
as shown below.


   Move to the appropriate resolution and press <ENTER>.  Printing will begin
and proceed as for the dot matrix described above.

                    Select Resolution To Use
                          75 DPI
                          150 DPI
                          300 DPI