Gold Medal Software 3/Gold Medal Software - Volume 3 (Gold Medal) (1994).iso/accounts/edgflw.arj/EDGEFLOW.TXT

Text File | 1993-12-27 | 157.9 KB | 4,070 lines

                                  EDGEFLOW

                               DOS Flowcharter

                   Copyright (C) 1993   Pacestar Software




                                User's Manual





DESCRIPTION:

EDGEFLOW is a "Shareware" version of Pacestar Software's longtime
flowcharting favorite titled "EDGE FLOWCHARTER".  Throughout this
manual "EDGE" refers to "EDGEFLOW" and "EDGE FLOWCHARTER"
interchangeably except where describing Shareware or Licensing.


ASP OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT

    Pacestar Software is 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 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 CompuServe
    message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536."


IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Pacestar Software retains all ownership rights to the EDGE computer program
and its documentation.  The EDGE source code is a confidential trade secret
of Pacestar Software.  You may not attempt to decipher or decompile EDGE or
develop source code for EDGE, or knowingly allow others to do so.

PACESTAR SOFTWARE PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.  Pacestar Software may revise this publication
from time to time without notice.  Every attempt has been made to assure
that this manual provides the most current and accurate information
possible.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

All copyrights and trademarks mentioned herein belong to their
respective owners.


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.


DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of EDGEFLOW must accept this disclaimer of warranty:

EDGEFLOW 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 conse-
quential, which may result from the use of "EDGEFLOW".

EDGEFLOW 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 EDGEFLOW and continue to use
EDGEFLOW after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg-
istration payment of $49.95 to Pacestar Software.  The $49.95
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.

Users of EDGEFLOW must register and pay for their copies of
EDGEFLOW within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.
Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Pacestar Software.

Anyone distributing EDGEFLOW for any kind of remuneration must
first contact Pacestar 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
EDGEFLOW immediately (However Pacestar Software must still be advised so
that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest
version of EDGEFLOW.).

You are encouraged to pass a copy of EDGEFLOW along to your
friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of the EDGEFLOW
system.

EDGEFLOW SUPPORT POLICY

Pacestar is committed to supporting EDGEFLOW with the same high standards
with which we develop products.  If you contact us, we'll do our best to
respond in a timely manner, solve your problems or answer your
questions.  However, please consult this manual and the READ.ME file
first - you may find your answer there.

        US Mail:           Pacestar Software
                           Technical Support
                           P.O. Box 51974
                           Phoenix, AZ. 85076-1974

        Electronic Mail:   CompuServe
                           72162,1672

        Phone:             [phone] M-F 9-5 (AZ time)

                           Phone support is for registered users and
                           potential registered users only.  Thank you.

EDGEFLOW REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Initial Trial Period

   You have received a FULLY FUNCTIONAL, well-tested and commercially
   proven product.  No essential features have been left out, and you
   should require nothing additional to use this most powerful
   flowcharting tool -  for as long as you like.  Please compare
   EDGEFLOW's POWER, SPEED, EASE-OF-USE, and RELIABILITY to any and all
   commercially available flowcharting programs!  You'll be surprised
   only at the quality.  There will be NO OTHER SURPRISES!



   You may try EDGEFLOW free of charge for a period of thirty days.
   During this time, you may use it as often as you like.  Load it on
   as many machines as you like, make as many copies as you like, and
   PLEASE feel free to help spread EDGEFLOW among colleagues and
   associates.  We even encourage you to upload it to Bulletin boards.
   ALL provided you make no modifications to the files.

   After thirty days, your license to legally use EDGEFLOW expires and you
   are expected to register.  If you find EDGEFLOW useful, remit your
   registration fee, and you will receive an updated program and a printed
   manual.  The updated program is IDENTICAL except without the occasional
   registration reminder screens.  The manual is over 100 pages,
   very thorough, professional, comprehensive, and contains MANY figures
   and diagrams in addition to the textual descriptions contained here.
   The printed manual also includes a comprehensive index.

   Naturally, when you register you will receive notices of all future
   product updates, offers, news, and periodic reports of bugs,
   work-arounds, and user notes.

2. The registration fee is $49.95 per copy that you or your company will
   use.  If loaded on a network, the fee applies to each user, and you will
   receive a disk and a manual for each user.

   To register, mail a check or money order to:

        Pacestar Software
        Technical Support
        P.O. Box 51974
        Phoenix, AZ. 85076-1974

   We usually ship within a day of receiving payment.

   We ARE in business and have been for years, and we do need your
   registrations to remain in business.  However, if for some reason
   we decide to discontinue business in the future, ALL registration
   payments we receive after that time will be returned immediately as
   required by the Association of Shareware Professionals - see ombudsman
   statement.




                                 CONTENTS


PREFACE                                                          1

        About this Manual                                        1

        Notation                                                 1


CHAPTER 1:  PRODUCT OVERVIEW                                     2

        Capabilities                                             3

        Requirements                                             3

        Files                                                    4

        Directories                                              4


CHAPTER 2:  BASICS                                               5

        Getting Started                                          5

        Installing EDGE                                          5

        Setting up the environment                               5

        Starting EDGE                                            6

        Terminology / Important Concepts                         6

        The Cursor                                               8

        The Alignment Grid                                       8


CHAPTER 3:  USING THE MOUSE                                      9

        The MENU Function                                        9

        The SELECT Function                                      9

           Lasso select                                          9

           Deselect all                                         10

           Select all                                           10


        The DRAG Function                                       10

           Creating a new figure                                10

           Scrolling the screen                                 10

           Resizing a figure                                    11

           Splitting a connector                                11

           Duplicating figures                                  11


CHAPTER 4:  USING FEATURES AND MENUS                            12

        The Screen Menu                                         12

        Feature Menus                                           12

        Entries in feature menus                                14

        Dialog Boxes                                            14

        Other ways to execute features                          15


CHAPTER 5:  MOVING THROUGH A DIAGRAM                            17

        Scrolling                                               17

        Using Zoom                                              18

        View                                                    19

        Using Page Boundaries                                   20

        Establishing page boundaries                            20

        Home Position                                           21


CHAPTER 6:  FIGURES                                             22

        Selecting Figures                                       22

        Choosing a Default Figure Type                          22

        Creating Figures                                        23

        Changing Figure Types                                   24


        Changing Figure Sizes                                   24

        Fitting Figure Size to Text                             25

        Deleting Figures                                        25

        Undeleting Figures                                      25

        Moving Figures                                          26

        Aligning Figures                                        26

        Snap figure centers to grid                             28

        Copying Figures                                         28

        Duplicating Figures (Quick Copy)                        28

        Figure Properties                                       29

           Text                                                 29

           Font                                                 29

           Locks                                                29

        Invisible (borderless) figures                          31


CHAPTER 7:  ENTERING AND EDITING TEXT                           32

        Entering Text                                           33

        Text in Figures                                         33

        Editing Text                                            34

        Text editing controls                                   34

        Text in Dialog Boxes                                    34


CHAPTER 8:  CONNECTORS                                          35

        About Connectors                                        35

        Selecting Connectors                                    35

        Creating Connectors                                     36

        Connector Properties                                    37

           Style                                                37

           Locks                                                38


        Changing Connector Types                                38

        Copying Connectors                                     38

        Deleting Connectors                                     39

        Undeleting Connectors                                     39

        Splitting Connectors                                     39

        Joining Connectors                                     39

        Straightening Connectors                             40


CHAPTER 9:  LABELS                                             41

        About Labels                                             41

        Creating a Label                                     41

        Deleting a Label                                     41

        Editing a Label's Text                                     42

        Simulating True Labels                                     42

        Miscellaneous                                             42


CHAPTER 10:  FILE OPERATIONS                                     43

        ABOUT                                                     43

        CLEAR                                                     43

        DOS                                                     44

        EXIT                                                     44

        HELP                                                     44

        IMPORT                                                     44

        OPEN                                                     45

        PRINT                                                     45

        PROPS                                                     46

        REVERT                                                     46

        SAVE                                                     46

        SAVEAS                                                     46

        WRITE                                                     47


CHAPTER 11:  PRINTING                                             48

        Selecting a printer                                     48

        Setting paper size                                     49

        Selecting the print destination (port)                     49

        Printing and Page Layout                             49

        Enabling page boundaries                             50

        Adjust page                                             50

        Reduce/enlarge page                                     50

        Set-up                                                     50

        Orientation                                             51

        Print                                                     51

        Exporting Graphics for Import by Other Programs     52


CHAPTER 12:  CUSTOMIZING EDGE                                     53

        Configuration Options                                     53

        Format of EDGE.CFG                                     53

        System parameters                                     54

        Custom Key Assignment                                     56

        Preferences                                             58

        Changing Screen Colors                                     60


APPENDIX A:  Feature Codes                                     62

APPENDIX B:  Menu Icons                                     65

APPENDIX C:  Error Messages                                     66


                                                                        1

                                +-----------+
                                |           |
                                |  PREFACE  |
                                |           |
                                +-----------+




Welcome to the EDGE Flowcharter and diagramming program. EDGE
brings powerful flowcharting features, outstanding speed, and high quality
output to DOS users with this simple easy-to-use application.

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

The EDGE users manual is divided into several sections:

  - Chapter one provides an introduction to EDGE and a product overview
    including system requirements, technical information, and instructions
    for getting started.

  - Chapters two through five explain EDGE fundamentals such as how to
    use the mouse and the built-in menus and dialog boxes. You will also
    find definitions of important terminology and concepts. We
    recommend that you read this section before using EDGE.

  - Chapters six and seven describe how to use figures and text.

  - Chapters eight and nine describe how to use connectors and labels.

  - Chapters ten and eleven describe file operations such as saving,
    opening, and printing files.

  - Chapter twelve describes how to customize the EDGE environment to
    your own preferences.

  - Appendixes A through C provide reference information about EDGE
    features, icons, and error messages.


NOTATION

You will see the following notation throughout this manual:

  - A key sequence that combines holding down the control key while
    pressing another key (such as the "C" key) is denoted Ctrl-C, or
    control-C, or ^C.

  - A key sequence that combines holding down the ALT key while
    pressing another key (such as the "C" key) is denoted Alt-C, or ALT-C.

  - The term "menu" describes an area on the screen reserved for choosing
    features or options with the mouse.

  - The term "menu button" describes any marked region on the screen
    which is a target for a mouse click. Clicking the mouse on a menu
    button is the standard way to choose a feature.
                                                                        2


                     +--------------------------------+
                     |                                |
                     |  CHAPTER 1 - PRODUCT OVERVIEW  |
                     |                                |
                     +--------------------------------+



EDGE Flowcharter is the tool that makes flowcharting and diagramming
easier, faster, and more enjoyable than ever.  EDGE takes care of the jobs
that other graphical drawing tools don't handle, like remembering
connections between figures, automatically formatting groups of figures,
and allowing instant editing of text.  When text exceeds the size of a
figure, the figure grows automatically.  When you move a figure,
connections to other figures move along, adjusting as necessary.  EDGE
provides powerful features that are easy to use, allowing you to
concentrate fully on your diagramming task.

In addition to flowcharts, you will find EDGE useful for many other types
of diagrams including:

  - Process description and documentation

  - Data flow diagrams

  - Org charts

  - Control flow diagrams

  - State transition diagrams

  - Block diagrams for high-level software designs

  - Procedural flow diagrams

  - Object-oriented design diagrams

  - Systems flow analysis

Additionally, and most importantly, EDGE supports user-defined diagramming
techniques that integrate the capabilities of traditional methods that best
apply to your application.  YOU can diagram the way YOU want to.


                                                                        3                                                                       3

Capabilities
------------

EDGE allows you to produce flowcharts on your computer, save them to disk,
retrieve and modify them easily and quickly, and print the highest quality
output to your printer.  The simple but powerful user interface makes this
entire process easy and FAST.  With EDGE, diagrams can evolve rapidly and
be reflected instantly in electronic form.

Some of EDGE's features:

  - Integrated text and graphics. Place text anywhere on a diagram.

  - Add text to a figure and the figure automatically enlarges to
    accommodate the added text.

  - Connect any figures with lines and arrows. When you move the
    figures, they remain connected.

  - What-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) output

  - Pop-up menus, and fully integrated graphical mouse interface

  - A library of figures that you can use as building blocks for
    diagrams

  - Highest quality laser printer output, portrait or landscape, on
    multiple paper sizes, and scaled to your preference

  - Highly customizable.  You can program any feature to any key and any
    mouse function to any mouse button.  EDGE also allows you to change the
    way some parts of the user interface function.

  - Very efficient - does not require a powerful machine

  - Automatically formats diagrams

  - Plus MANY productivity enhancing features that accelerate the creation
    and maintenance of flowcharts and diagrams.


Requirements
------------

You will need the following to run EDGE Flowcharter on your system:

  1. An IBM compatible PC, XT, AT, 386, 486 (or greater) machine running DOS
     version 2.0 or later.

  2. Either EGA/VGA or Hercules Monochrome (2 video pages) display.

  3. A mouse.

  4. 640K conventional memory (RAM).

  5. Approximately 500K (1/2 meg) disk storage for EDGE plus additional
     storage for your workspace.
                                                                        4

Files:

  EDGE.EXE      Executable program file
  EDGE.HLP      Help information file (quick reference)
  EDGE.CFG      Configuration file (read on start-up)
  EDGE.PRF      Saved personal preferences (optional)
  EDGE.KEY      Custom key definitions (optional)
  EDGE.PRT      Printer set-up file (optional)
  PRINTERS.LST  Printer list file (required)
  EDGE.EDG      Default flowchart file
  *.EDG         Your flowchart files


Directories:

The EDGE Flowcharter system resides entirely in one directory (though you
can work on flowchart files in any directory).  We refer to the EDGE system
directory as the EDGEHOME directory.  You can install the EDGE system into
any directory you want and that directory will be your EDGEHOME directory.

You must tell EDGE where this directory is located by setting the DOS
environment variable EDGEHOME to the path of the directory (see Getting
Started).
                                                                        5

                            +----------------------+
                            |                      |
                            |  CHAPTER 2 - BASICS  |
                            |                      |
                            +----------------------+



EDGE is essentially a specialized editor.  Rather than manipulating text
like ordinary editors, EDGE manipulates graphics and diagrams as well.
EDGE is not simply a paint program or a draw program.  It does not merely
create graphics for presentation.  It manipulates objects that have special
relationships to one another.  EDGE maintains these relationships as you
modify your diagrams.  For instance, suppose you connect two boxes with an
arrow.  EDGE keeps the two boxes connected by the arrow even if you move
one or both of the boxes.  EDGE even reformats the document to reflect the
changes.  If you edit the text within a figure, EDGE resizes the figure so
that the new text still fits entirely within the figure.  EDGE you can
concentrate on the performs many other functions for you so

flowchart itself rather than on the process of creating it.


Getting Started
---------------


Installing EDGE:

The first thing you should do is install EDGE on your hard disk. You can
install EDGE by running the install.exe program located on your program
diskette. Read the read.me file first for complete and up-to-date
instructions.


Setting up the environment:

Set up the DOS environment variable EDGEHOME to the directory in which the
EDGE executables and set-up files are located.  Add the following line to
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

set EDGEHOME=C:\EDGE

If you choose to install EDGE in some directory other than C:\EDGE, use
that directory name instead.

For convenience you may also elect to add this directory to your DOS path
so that you can run EDGE from other directories. To do this, add the
following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

path=c:\edge; (or modify your current path to include this directory)

Remember that changes to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file are not in effect
until you reboot your machine.


                                                                        6

Starting edge:

Start EDGE by typing "EDGE" at the DOS command line with the name of
the target diagram as the parameter. For instance, to edit a diagram called
"dflow" enter:

c> edge dflow

This command invokes EDGE to edit the diagram file DFLOW.EDG.  If DFLOW.EDG
does not exist, it is created.  Notice that EDGE automatically adds the .EDG
extension to the diagram name to arrive at the file name.  You can let EDGE
add the extension or you can do it yourself.

c> edge dflow.edg (this is identical to the previous example)

However, EDGE will not allow you to use a file name with an extension
that is different from .EDG.

c> edge dflow.tst (this is an error, not a .EDG file)

If you do not provide a parameter, the default file EDGE.EDG is assumed.

c> edge (and)
c> edge edge (and)
c> edge edge.edg (are all equivalent)


Terminology
-----------

This section introduces some of the basic terminology used in this manual.

Figure

A figure is a rectangular box, a circle, an ellipse, or any one of the other
shapes contained in EDGE's figure library. A figure may have text within it
and connectors connecting it to other figures.

Connector

A connector is a line that connects two figures. Either or both ends of a
connector may have arrowheads. Connectors represent logical
relationships between figures.

Label

A label is text that "labels" a connector.  If a connector has a label, the
label is always attached to the center of the connector even if the
connector moves.  The purpose of a label is to add meaning to a connector.
For example, if your diagram is a flowchart, you might label the connectors
coming out of a diamond-shaped (decision) figure "true" and "false".

                                                                        7

Object

The general term object describes both figures and connectors. All EDGE
objects are either figures or connectors.

Diagram

A diagram is a set of objects and properties that is stored in a single
file.  We use the words diagram and flowchart interchangeably since a
flowchart is just a specialized diagram.  A diagram is not limited to the
size of a piece of paper, you can think of a diagram as a VERY large
chalkboard full of information - up to nearly 1000 times the size of the
screen.



Important Concepts
------------------

A connector ALWAYS connects two figures together.

A connector can only exist between two figures, neither end of a connector
can float freely. However, either or both of these figures can be small
"invisible" figures that exist solely for the purpose of anchoring the
connector. In effect, connectors can be placed anywhere and used for
almost any purpose.

A connector and the figures it connects ALWAYS stay together.

If you move one of the figures that a connector connects, the connector
adjusts itself to maintain the connection.

Of course, if the connector shown above had a label, the label would move
accordingly.

Text can appear in a diagram ONLY as part of a figure.

Like connectors, text cannot float freely, it must be part of a figure.
Also like connectors, you can use "invisible" figures to contain text.
Therefore, you can place any amount of text anywhere in a diagram while
still having the ability to move it around, edit it, and delete it.

The Diagram Plane

You construct a diagram on a very large plane that you can think of as a
hugh chalkboard or sketch pad - up to nearly 1000 times the size of the
screen.  The screen is a small window showing a portion of this plane.

Select-Then-Operate Paradigm

EDGE uses a "select-then-operate" paradigm (model) for manipulating objects
in the chart.  Whenever you wish to perform an operation, you select some
object or objects and then choose the operation that you would like to
perform on them.  This process is context-sensitive which means that EDGE
determines which operations can apply to the number and type of objects
that you selected and only those operations appear as options in the
feature menus.
                                                                        8

The Cursor

When you start EDGE, the first thing you will notice is a cursor in the
shape of a small arrow following the movement of the mouse.  The cursor
helps you "focus" operations on diagram objects and select features from
menus.  Another important role of the cursor is to provide you with some
indication about what EDGE is doing and what you should do next.  The
cursor changes shape under different circumstances to fulfill this role.

Depending on the circumstances, the cursor can take any of the following
forms.

The Alignment Grid

EDGE provides an alignment grid that makes aligning figures and
connectors fast and easy.

When you choose to have EDGE show the alignment grid, it is visible on the
screen unless you are zoomed.  You can use this grid to align figures and
connectors manually.

The visible grid by itself is only a visual aid.  You can use additional
options to force automatic alignment with the grid.

There are several options that control how the alignment grid works.  One
option causes the centers of figures that you create to automatically
"snap" to align with the closest point on the grid.

Another option causes not only the centers of figures to snap to the grid,
but the sides of figures as well.  So the height and width of figures that
you create or resize will fall on the nearest grid boundary.

Finally, another option allows you to increase how "fine" the grid
alignment is - how close together the grid points are located.

Further descriptions of these options and instructions on how to change
them appear elsewhere (see  Preferences).
                                                                        9


                        +-------------------------------+
                        |                               |
                        |  CHAPTER 3 - USING THE MOUSE  |
                        |                               |
                        +-------------------------------+


Using EDGE requires a mouse.  You'll use the mouse to create, move, select,
size, and connect figures as well as  to  execute  features.  Mastering the
mouse  controls  will  take  a  little  practice,  you'll  soon  enjoy  the
convenience of having so much power at the click of a button.

We assume that your mouse has three buttons which we'll call left, middle,
and right, or two buttons which we'll call left and right.  EDGE has three
corresponding functions called DRAG, MENU, and SELECT which, by default,
are assigned to the left, middle, and right mouse buttons respectively.  If
your mouse has two buttons, the MENU function (middle button) will not be
available, but you can still access the main menu by clicking on the MAIN
MENU menu button on the screen menu.

EDGE allows you to assign any of these mouse functions to any buttons, and
to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse to your personal preference (see
Configuration Options).


The MENU Function (MIDDLE BUTTON)
---------------------------------

The MENU mouse button always invokes the main menu and is identical
to clicking the MAIN MENU button of the screen menu. The function of
the main menu is described elsewhere (see  CHAPTER 4: Using Features
and Menus).



The SELECT Function (RIGHT BUTTON)
----------------------------------

The SELECT mouse button controls the selection and deselection of objects.
An object, such as a figure or a connector, is either selected or not
selected.  You select objects to indicate that they will be the target of
the next operation.

Clicking (pressing and releasing) the SELECT mouse button while the tip of
the cursor is positioned inside the select region of an object selects the
object (see Selecting Figures and Selecting Connectors).

Clicking the SELECT mouse button on an object that is already selected
deselects that object.

                                                                       10

The SELECT mouse button can also select/deselect figures in other ways:

Lasso select:

Press and hold the SELECT mouse button while the cursor is not in a
selectable object's select region and drag a lasso over a region of the
screen.  The lasso appears on the screen as a dotted box.  When you release
the mouse button, all objects completely within this "lasso" become
selected in addition to any objects that were previously selected.

Deselect all:

Clicking (pressing and immediately releasing) the SELECT mouse button while
the cursor is not in a selectable object's select region deselects all
selected figures.

Occasionally, you would rather suppress the deselect-all function.  For
example, there are cases when you may try to select a small object but you
may miss the select region of the object and inadvertently deselect all
figures selected previously.  To prevent this from happening, hold down the
shift key while selecting objects with the SELECT mouse button.  This
disables the DESELECT ALL function and the SELECT mouse button will only
select objects.

Select all:

A shortcut method of selecting all the figures in the current diagram is to
hold down the control key while clicking the SELECT mouse button as
described above.


The DRAG Function (LEFT BUTTON)
-------------------------------

You use the DRAG mouse button to "grab" and drag a figure (or all selected
figures) around the diagram.  Do this by moving the cursor into the select
region of a figure, pressing and holding the DRAG mouse button, moving the
mouse (dragging the figure) to the desired location, and releasing the
mouse button.  Figures are automatically selected while being dragged and
deselected when released.

If you select more than one figure, you may move them all by dragging any
one of them. The DRAG mouse button also does the following:


Creating a new figure:

Pressing the DRAG mouse button while the cursor is not in the select region
of a selectable object creates a new figure.  Drag the mouse until the
figure shown on the screen is the desired size.  The type of new figure
will be the current default figure type (see Choosing a Default Figure
Type) and its properties will be the current default figure properties (see
Figure Properties).  There are also other ways to create a new figure (see
Creating Figures).
                                                                       11

Scrolling the screen:

Moving the mouse to the extreme edges of the window and pressing the DRAG
mouse button causes the screen window to scroll in the corresponding
direction until you release the button.  You can also scroll the screen in
other ways (see CHAPTER 5:  Moving Through a Diagram).


Resizing a figure:

Holding down the control key while pressing the DRAG mouse button when the
cursor is within the select region of a figure resizes the figure
interactively (see Changing Figure Sizes).


Splitting a connector:

Holding down the control key while pressing the DRAG mouse button when the
cursor is within the select region of a connector splits the connector into
two different connectors at the point of selection (see Splitting
Connectors).


Duplicating figures:

Holding down the ALT key while pressing the DRAG mouse button when the
cursor is within the select region of a selectable figure quickly
duplicates the figure.  You can then drag the copy of the figure to a new
location before releasing the mouse button (see Duplicating Figures (Quick
Copy)).
                                                                       12

                   +----------------------------------------+
                   |                                        |
                   |  CHAPTER 4 - USING FEATURES AND MENUS  |
                   |                                        |
                   +----------------------------------------+



Operations provided by EDGE are called features.  Features have a unique
identification number called a feature code.  EDGE currently contains about
a hundred features each with a different feature code.  An appendix at the
end of this manual contains a complete list of EDGE features and their
feature codes (see Appendix A:  Feature Codes).

Most features are available in the three types of menus, the screen menu,
feature menus, and dialog boxes.


The Screen Menu
---------------

The most prominent menu is the screen menu.  When enabled, this menu is
located at the right edge of the screen.  The screen menu provides easy
access to the most commonly used features.

The individual fields of the screen menu are called menu buttons. The
function of each menu button is described elsewhere.

To invoke a feature from the screen menu:

  1. Move the tip of the cursor over the corresponding menu button.

  2. Click any mouse button.

! Since it is very important to view as much context of a diagram at once
  as possible, we made it possible to completely eliminate the screen menu
  as an option, thereby freeing the entire screen for your workspace.  The
  trade- off is that menus, particularly the main menu, becomes larger and
  more complex.  To enable or disable the screen menu, adjust the "MENU ON
  RIGHT OF SCREEN" option under preferences (see Preferences).


Feature Menus
-------------

The other type of menu is the feature menu.  A feature menu presents you
with a set of features from which to choose.  When you disable the screen
menu, you can access nearly every feature via feature menus.

! The set of features that appear in a particular feature menu is context-
  sensitive.  For instance, when you select a single connector, the main
  menu will present only the features that are appropriate to apply to a
  single connector.  When you select a single figure, a different set of
  features will be available.  When you select multiple figures, still
  different features will be available.  The available choices are based
  both on the current context and on the type and number of objects
  selected.
                                                                       13

A feature menu appears as a box in the working space of the screen. Under
the menu name are icons arranged in a grid-like pattern, each representing
a different feature.

When a feature menu is on the screen, it is the focus of input. Until you
dismiss the menu, you cannot use the mouse for its usual operations such as
selecting figures or scrolling. As you move the cursor over the menu, the
icon below the cursor is highlighted to indicate which feature will be
performed if you click or release the mouse button on that spot.

To dismiss the current feature menu (without invoking any feature):

  1. Click any mouse button when no feature icon is highlighted.

  2. OR, click any mouse button when the mouse is outside the boundaries of
     the menu.

  3. OR, press the ESC key.

  4. OR, press any other key when no feature icon is highlighted.



For convenience, there are several ways to invoke a feature from a feature
menu.

To invoke a feature from a feature menu (method one):

  1. Click (press and release) the menu mouse button (center button by
     default)

  2. Move the tip of the cursor over the icon of your selection so that it
     becomes highlighted.

  3. Click again to invoke the feature.

To invoke a feature from a feature menu (method two):

  1. Press and hold the menu mouse button (center button by default).

  2. Move the tip of the cursor over the icon of your selection so that it
     becomes highlighted.

  3. Release the mouse button to invoke the feature.

To invoke a feature from a feature menu (method three):

  1. Click (press and release) the menu mouse button (center button by
     default).

  2. Move the tip of the cursor over the icon of your selection so that it
     becomes highlighted.

  3. Press any key on the keyboard (typically ENTER but not ESC) to invoke
     the feature.
                                                                       14

Whichever method you choose, when you successfully invoke a feature
from a feature menu, the menu will disappear and the feature will be
performed.

Some features invoke a second feature menu to appear. Icons for such
features contain a small arrow following the text:

Entries in feature menus
------------------------

Feature menus contain icons that represent features.  Most icons are
abbreviations of six or fewer letters that represent the feature.  In
general, these abbreviations are close to, or the same as, the name of the
feature they represent.  For example, COPY represents the copy feature, and
DELETE represents the delete feature.  Other icon abbreviations are more
cryptic, such as UNDEL for undelete (see Appendix B:  Menu Icons).


Dialog Boxes
------------

Dialog boxes allow you to view information and execute features.

There are four field types that may be included in a dialog box.

  1. Toggle regions appear as small boxes with a text description
     immediately to the right, such as the ENABLE PAGE BOUNDARIES option
     above.  When the small box is solid (or protruding in 3-D), the option
     is enabled.  In this example, the empty box means that page boundaries
     are not enabled.  To toggle the sense of the option, click any mouse
     button on the box.

  2. Input regions appear as larger boxes with text inside, such as the
     margin boxes shown.  To change these options, click any mouse button
     on the box.  The text insertion cursor replaces the standard cursor.
     Enter text using keyboard keys, backspace, and delete, then either
     press return or move the cursor out of the box to indicate you are
     finished.

  3. Action regions appear as large thickly-bordered boxes with an action
     description inside, such as the CANCEL and OK boxes shown.  When the
     cursor moves into an action region, the entire box is inverted (or
     depressed in 3-D).  To take the action described, simply click any
     mouse button while the action box is inverted.  You can also take the
     action by pressing the first letter of the action region text on the
     keyboard.  In the example shown, take the PRINT action by pressing the
     "P" key or clicking any mouse button on the PRINT box.

  4. Scroll boxes appear as a box with a list of options.  A scroll box
     allows you to choose from a large number of options by scrolling
     through a list of elements and picking the one you want.  To choose
     from a scroll box, use the arrow buttons to the right of the scroll
     box to scroll forward and backward either one entry at a time (single
     arrow) or a screen at a time (double arrow).  You can also use the up
     and down arrows and the PGUP and PGDN keys on the keyboard.  When the
     entry you want is in the window, point at it with the cursor and click
     a mouse button to select it.
                                                                       15

Other ways to execute features
------------------------------

Menus are the most common and convenient way to execute features, but there
are times when other methods are either necessary or more convenient.
Features can also be executed from the keyboard or executed directly by
feature code.


Choosing a feature from the keyboard:

Many features are assigned to keys on the keyboard.  A simple keystroke is
often the fastest and most convenient way to access a common feature,
especially for an experienced user.  For example, pressing the INS key is a
much easier way to add text to a figure than choosing the text feature from
the menu.

Many key sequences, like INS, are assigned features by default (see
Appendix A:  Feature Codes).  If you prefer to use different key sequences
to invoke certain features, you can assign any feature to any key (see
Assigning a feature to a key).


Choosing a feature by feature code:

Another way to access a feature is to enter its feature code directly.

To enter a feature code directly:

  1. Choose CHOOSE from the MISC menu.  Or, equivalently, press the "+" key
     on the keypad (not the shifted equals sign key).  The following dialog
     box appears:

  2. Use the arrow buttons on the right of the scroll box to scroll through
     the many codes.  The double-arrow buttons move up or down a screen at
     a time.  (The arrow keys on the keyboard and the PGUP and PGDN keys
     will work also.)

  3. When you locate the code you want to execute, click the mouse on the
     code so that the code and description appear in the box above the
     scroll box.  You can also type the number yourself by clicking in the
     CODE box.

  4. When the feature code you have chosen is displayed in the CODE box,
     execute the feature by pressing the ENTER key, or by clicking on OK,
     or by clicking a second time on the code in the scroll box.

  5. You can cancel at any time by pressing the ESC key or clicking on
     CANCEL.


                                                                       16

Finding a feature code (feature code report mode)
-------------------------------------------------

You can use the feature code report mode to show which features are being
executed during normal use.

When you enable the feature code report mode, every time you execute a
feature, the name of the feature and its feature code will appear on the
screen for two seconds. The feature code report display looks like this:

To enable the feature code report mode:

Press the Scroll Lock key on the keyboard enabling scroll lock. On most
keyboards, an LED will light to verify that scroll lock is enabled.

To terminate the feature code report mode:

Press the Scroll Lock key again disabling scroll lock.



! There are several reasons why your particular machine might not recognize
  scroll lock.  The most common reason is that a program you have installed
  has an alternate keyboard driver that inhibits detection of scroll lock
  or intercepts scroll lock for its own use.  Unfortunately there are many
  such programs in widespread use on the PC.  If this is the case, you will
  have to decide whether to remove the other program or simply not use this
  feature of EDGE.  In general, you can easily do without this feature
  since you will rarely need to know a feature code.
                                                                       17

                   +----------------------------------------+
                   |                                        |
                   |  CHAPTER 5 - MOVING THROUGH A DIAGRAM  |
                   |                                        |
                   +----------------------------------------+


This chapter describes how to control the position of the window on the
diagram and how to control the appearance of the diagram in the window.

As described in chapter one, the diagram is drawn conceptually on a very
large "diagram plane" many times larger than can be shown on a single
screen.  The screen shows a small portion or window of this plane.  You can
move the window through the diagram in many ways.  You can scroll through
the diagram (also known as "panning").  You can zoom in and out to view
more or less detail.  You can go directly to a certain view.  You can also
jump instantly to the center of your diagram.  These features make
navigating through your diagram quick and precise.


Scrolling
---------

Scrolling is the means by which the screen window moves incrementally to
different positions in the diagram plane.

To scroll the screen with auto-scroll disabled:

  1. Press the DRAG mouse button when the cursor is near one of the borders
     of the screen.

  2. The screen will continue to scroll until you release the button.

This same feature is available using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

! Since the size of the diagram plane is limited, you can only scroll a
  finite distance in any one direction.  When you reach the border of the
  diagram plane you will see a dashed-double-dotted line and you will not
  be able to scroll further in that direction.  The border may not be
  visible on the right edge of the screen if it is obscured by the screen
  menu.


Auto-scrolling
--------------

With auto-scrolling enabled the screen automatically scrolls whenever the
cursor approaches one of the four sides of the screen.  You can enable or
disable auto-scroll in the Preferences dialog box (see Preferences).

When auto-scrolling, the screen scrolls in the direction of the cursor as
long as the cursor keeps moving in that direction.  As soon as the cursor
stops moving, the scrolling stops.  However, if you press the DRAG mouse
button (the left button by default) while auto-scrolling, scrolling
continues until you release the button.
                                                                       18

Scroll options:

When the screen is scrolling, all figures and connectors may optionally be
replaced by outlines (see Preferences).  This makes scrolling more
efficient on slower machines.

Whenever the screen scrolls by one of the methods described above, it
scrolls by a certain number of screen pixels at a time.  You may program
the size of these steps to achieve whatever scrolling speed you choose.

To change the horizontal and vertical scroll rates, modify the
SCROLL_RATE_VERT and SCROLL_RATE_HORZ system parameters in your EDGE.CFG
file (see Configuration Options).

! Naturally, there is a trade-off.  If you choose to increase the scrolling
  speed by increasing the size of each step, the scrolling will not appear
  as smooth.  On a machine where speed is the over-riding consideration,
  this trade-off is perfectly acceptable.


Moving with Arrow Keys:

The arrow keys control window navigation much like scrolling.  Since they
are quicker and more convenient, the arrow keys are the most useful way to
move the screen window to a new location in the diagram plane.

Each depression of an arrow key moves the screen in the indicated direction
by some portion of a screen (a different distance than scrolling).  You can
change this distance by modifying the SCREENS_PER_ARW system parameter in
your EDGE.CFG file (see Configuration Options).


Using Zoom:

You can use the zoom feature to adjust your view of the diagram to appear
larger or smaller than it really is.  This is especially useful for viewing
page layout since the true screen size only allows you to view a small
portion of a page at a time.  The diagram is always either "zoomed in",
"zoomed out", or not zoomed at all.


To zoom in (making objects appear larger):

  1. Press the PGUP key on the keyboard, or click on the IN menu button on
     the screen menu

Zooming in by more than twice the original size is not permitted. When
zooming in, text always appears the same size.


To zoom out (making objects appear smaller):

  1. Press the PGDN key on the keyboard, or click on the OUT menu button on
     the screen menu.
                                                                       19

Zooming out further and further causes less and less detail to be visible;
first the text becomes invisible, then the arrowheads, then you lose some
detail on certain figures, and so on.  It is also normal for straight lines
to appear crooked (see More about zoom below).


To return back to the true size (also called unzooming):

  1. Press the END key on the keyboard, or click on the UNZOOM menu button
     on the screen menu.

To toggle between unzoomed and the previous zoom:

  1. Press the END key on the keyboard repeatedly, or click on the ZOOM/
     UNZOOM menu button on the screen menu repeatedly.


More about zoom

Whenever you are zoomed, your view of the diagram will be distorted to some
degree.  When zoomed out, you will not see all the detail that you would
expect at true size.  In particular, you will see no text and you will lose
some details on certain shapes.  If you zoom out far enough, some things
might disappear altogether.  You may also notice that lines that appear
perfectly straight when not zoomed, may appear slightly jagged while
zoomed.  This is normal.  The true size view is always accurate.

When you zoom in or zoom out, the cursor position determines exactly where
the focus of the zoom will be.  If you zoom in with the cursor positioned
on a figure, the new view will show that figure in greater detail
regardless of where on the screen the cursor is located.  This is different
from some programs that always use the center of the screen as the focus
for the zoom thus requiring you to move the figure exactly to the center of
the screen so that it is visible when you zoom in on it.  In EDGE, the
center of the screen becomes the zoom focus if the cursor is not located in
the workspace when you perform a zoom - such as when you use one of the
zoom buttons on the screen menu.

Most operations will work as usual while zoomed, but it makes sense to
perform most of them while unzoomed so that it is obvious what is
happening.  There are some operations that do not work at all while zoomed,
one example is editing text.


View
----

The best way to change the position of the window on a very large diagram
is to use the view feature.  Invoke this feature by choosing VIEW from the
main menu.

When you choose the view feature, the view of the screen is zoomed out so
that objects appear about 1/6 their original size.  The standard cursor is
then replaced by a box that indicates where the new screen window view will
be positioned in the diagram.  The following diagram illustrates this.
                                                                       20

When you click any mouse button, the portion of the diagram within the view
cursor box will fill the screen and the screen will automatically unzoom to
reveal this view of the diagram.  You can press ESC to cancel at any time.

If you are already zoomed-out when you invoke the view feature, that zoom
level is used to scale the size of the view cursor box.  In this way, EDGE
does not limit you to choosing your new view from the fixed default zoom
level.

! EDGE saves the zoom level and the view whenever you save the diagram.
  However, changing these things alone does not count as a modification to
  the diagram.  This approach allows you to enter a file, move around, and
  zoom in and out, all without marking the file as modified.  You can then
  exit without saving the file and without explicitly indicating that the
  file should not be saved.


Using Page Boundaries
---------------------

You can define a region of the diagram to correspond to a page.  The
boundaries of this region define the portion of the diagram that will be
printed when you perform a print operation.  The page boundaries are shown
on the display as a box made up of a dash-dot-dash line pattern.


Establishing Page Boundaries

You can set the position of the page within the diagram by establishing new
boundaries.

To establish the page boundaries:

  1. Choose REPAGE from the MISC menu or press the ADJUST PAGE button in
     the Print and Page Layout dialog box.  The screen view will zoom out
     to reveal a large enough area of the diagram to allow you to select
     the position of the page.  As with the view feature, if you are
     already zoomed out enough, no additional zoom will occur.  Also like
     the view feature, the standard cursor will be replaced by a box that
     represents the new page.

  2. Position the box over the portion of the diagram where you would like
     the new page boundaries.  If you know that you are going to be
     resizing the page in step four below, position the upper left corner
     of the page where it should remain after resizing.

  3. Press and hold any mouse button to establish the new page boundaries
     or press ESC to cancel.

  4. If you have selected a printer that allows scaled output, you can drag
     the cursor to adjust the page size before releasing the mouse button.
     When you release the mouse button, the scale will automatically adjust
     to set the page size according to the box you've drawn.

                                                                       21

Notes
-----

The page boundaries that show on the display will always be accurate
regardless of the print format, the paper size, the print scale, or the
orientation of the page.

You may only establish page boundaries for a single page in one diagram
file.  This may at first seem like a limitation.  However, due to memory
limitations and performance impact, there is a limit on the amount of
context you can fit in a single file.  It is much more advantageous to
split an intricate design into logically organized diagram files.

If you are working on a large design diagram that is self-contained in one
diagram file, you may want to print only a portion of the design at a time
as needed.  To print a larger portion of the design, use the scaled
printing option.  Another alternative is to print out multiple pages by
printing the same file over and over while adjusting the page boundaries
(see move-page commands).  You can then glue or tape the individual pages
into a large poster.



Home Position
-------------

EDGE provides a way to instantly locate the center of the diagram file with
a single keystroke.  The center of the diagram file is the center of the
smallest imaginary box that includes all figures in the diagram.  This
feature is especially useful for finding your way back to the diagram data
after inadvertently losing your place.

To move instantly to the center of the current diagram file:

  1. Choose HOME from the MISC menu.

  2. OR, press the HOME key on the keyboard.
                                                                       22

                            +-----------------------+
                            |                       |
                            |  CHAPTER 6 - FIGURES  |
                            |                       |
                            +-----------------------+


Figures are the fundamental building blocks for all EDGE diagrams.  This
chapter will describe EDGE figures, their uses, and the operations you can
perform with them.


Selecting Figures
-----------------

Each different figure type has a rectangular select region.  This region
determines whether the cursor is positioned "on" the figure.  If two or
more figures overlap, it is possible for the cursor to be on more than one.
In this case, one figure is chosen arbitrarily.  A selected figure is
displayed as a dashed rectangular box representing the select region of the
figure.

When you select a figure, all connectors that are connected to it
automatically become selected to indicate that they will be affected by
moving the figure.

A figure may be "selection-locked" in which case you cannot select it in
the ordinary way.  The only way to select a selection-locked figure is to
press the SHIFT key while selecting the figure (see Locks).


Choosing a Default Figure Type
------------------------------

The default figure type determines the type of figure that will be created
the next time you take any action that results in the creation of a new
figure.  The default figure type is highlighted in the screen menu.

To change the default figure type:

  1. If the figure type you want is visible in the screen menu, simply
     click any mouse button on its symbol.  Otherwise, proceed to step 2.

  2. Access the Figure Library menu by clicking any mouse button on the
     LIBRARY menu button of the screen menu, or by choosing LIB from the
     main menu.  The latter is available only if the screen menu is
     disabled.

  3. Move the tip of the cursor over the icon that represents the figure
     type you want.

  4. Click any mouse button.

When a figure that is not represented on the screen menu becomes the new
default figure type, it moves from the figure library out to one of the ten
spots in the screen menu, replacing the figure that has not been used in
the longest time.  Figures in the screen menu represent the most current
working set of figures.
                                                                       23

The rectangular box, the rounded-cornered rectangular box, the circle, and
the invisible box will always remain in the working set and will never be
displaced even if you do not use them.

Creating Figures
----------------

There are many different ways to create figures.  Whichever way you choose,
the type of the new figure is determined by the default figure type.  The
properties of the new figure are determined by the default figure
properties (see Figure Properties).

The standard way to create a figure:

  1. Choose a default figure type (see Choosing a Default Figure Type).

  2. Move the tip of the cursor to the location where you want the figure.
     Be sure this location is not within the select region of a selectable
     figure.

  3. Press and hold the DRAG mouse button (the left button by default) and
     drag the mouse until the figure has the size and shape you want.

  4. Release the mouse button to complete, or press ESC to cancel.


Other ways to create figures

You can create figures by duplicating or copying existing figures or by
undeleting deleted figures.

Creating figures with text automatically

You can create a figure automatically by invoking the insert text feature
code (by pressing the INS key by default) without specifying a figure.  If
the cursor is not within the select region of a selectable figure, a new
figure is created at the cursor position and text entry is initiated on the
new figure (see CHAPTER 7:  Entering and Editing Text).  If you terminate
text entry before adding any text to the figure, the figure will
automatically be deleted.

The new figure will start off very small and grow as you add text.  If
height and width are locked for new figures, the figure will start out the
size of the last figure you created.

If the cursor position is on a connector, the connector is split and the
new figure is connected to both figures that the original connector
connected.  The following diagram shows the result.
                                                                       24

Changing Figure Types
---------------------

To change the type of a figure or a group of figures:

  1. Select one or more figures that you wish to change to a new figure
     type.

  2. Choose a new default figure type.  Not only does the default figure
     type change, all selected figures change to the new type.


To change the type of a figure for which you are entering text:

  1. Press the TAB key repeatedly OR enter the feature code of the new
     figure type.  The ONLY way to enter the code while entering text is to
     press a key assigned to the code.  You will have to set up these key
     assignments beforehand.


Changing Figure Sizes
---------------------

To change the size of a single figure:

  1. Position the tip of the cursor over the figure you want to resize.
     This can be a selected figure or an unselected figure.

  2. Press and hold the control key on the keyboard and the DRAG mouse
     button (the left button by default).

  3. Move the mouse to adjust the size of the figure.

  4. Release the mouse button when complete, or press ESC to cancel.

     When the size of a figure changes, all connectors automatically
     adjust.


To change the size of a group of figures to the size of another figure:

  1. Select the group of figures.

  2. Select the "model" figure LAST.

  3. Choose SIZE from the main menu changing the size of all selected
     figures to the size of the last selected figure.

When adding text to a figure, if the dimensions of the figure are exceeded
by the size of the text, the figure is automatically enlarged as needed.

EDGE will not allow figures to be smaller than is required to hold their
text.  Also, height and width locks may interfere with resizing (see Figure
Properties).  You may have to disable these locks in order to resize.
                                                                       25

Fitting Figure Size to Text
---------------------------

The fit feature conforms the size of a figure as closely as possible to the
size of its text.  If the figure has no text, the fit feature has no
effect.  If the figure has text, the height and width of the figure are
shrunk to the smallest size that will accommodate the text.


To fit a figure's or group of figures' size to their text:

  1. Select the figure or figures.

  2. Choose FIT from the MISC menu.

! Width or height locks may interfere with the fit operation.


Deleting Figures
----------------

To delete figures:

  1. Select the figure(s) to delete.

  2. Choose DELETE from the main menu OR press the DEL key on the
     keyboard.

When you delete a figure, all connectors that are connected to the figure
are deleted as well.

If a figure is deletion locked, it must first be unlocked before it can be
deleted (see Figure Properties).

If you delete a figure or group of figures accidentally, you may undelete
them provided you do so before deleting any others.

! Executing the delete feature with no figures selected clears the delete
  buffer.  The memory it occupied becomes available for other operations,
  but you can no longer use undelete to bring the deleted objects back.
  Since DELETE will not appear in the main menu unless objects are
  selected, the only way to make this happen is to press the DEL key when
  no objects are selected.


Undeleting Figures
------------------

To undelete the last set of objects that you deleted in the single most
recent delete operation, choose UNDEL from the main menu.  If the UNDEL
entry is not present, there is nothing to undelete.
                                                                       26

Moving Figures
--------------

Move figures by dragging the figure or figures to a new position in the
diagram.


To drag a figure:

  1. Position the tip of the cursor in the figure's select region.

  2. Press and hold the DRAG mouse button (the left button by default).

  3. Move the mouse to the new position.  The outline of the figure is
     "dragged" along.

  4. Release the mouse button to complete, or press ESC to cancel.


To drag multiple figures as a group:

  1. Select each of the figures.

  2. Position the tip of the cursor in one of the selected figures' select
     region.

  3. Drag the group of figures just as you would a single figure.

Figures may not be free to move vertically or horizontally or both if they
are locked (see  Figure Properties).

While dragging figures, you may not use arrow keys to adjust the screen
position. However, the screen will scroll when the cursor approaches any
of the four edges of the screen.

Aligning Figures
----------------

The Align Figures dialog box allows you to align figures with each other,
with the page boundaries, and with the grid. Access the alignment dialog
box by choosing ALIGN from the main menu when one or more figures
are selected.

To align figures:

  1. Select the figure(s) to align.

  2. Select a figure as the model for the alignment.  For example, if you
     are aligning the tops of the figures you selected in step one, select
     a figure whose top is in a position where the others should be
     aligned.

  3. Choose ALIGN from the main menu.

  4. Select alignment options by clicking on the toggle regions.

  5. Click on OK to align or cancel at any time by clicking on CANCEL.
                                                                       27

You may choose any one or none of the vertical alignment options PLUS any
one or none of the horizontal alignment options PLUS the grid alignment
option.  Each of the options is described in detail below.

In the diagrams below, figure three is always the figure that was selected
last and is consequently the "model" figure for the alignment.


Top edges

This feature aligns the top edges of all selected figures along a
horizontal line passing through the top edge of the last selected figure.

Top/bottom centers

This feature aligns the centers of all selected figures along a horizontal
line passing through the center of the last selected figure.

Bottom edges

This feature aligns the bottom edges of all selected figures along a
horizontal line passing through the bottom edge of the last selected
figure.

Center of page (horizontally)

This feature aligns the selected figures as a group with a horizontal line
passing through the center of the current page boundary.  Notice that the
selected figures do not move relative to one another and individual figures
do not align with the center of the page unless only one figure was
selected.

Left edges

This feature aligns the left edges of all selected figures along a vertical
line passing through the left edge of the last selected figure.

Left/right centers

This feature aligns the centers of all selected figures along a vertical
line passing through the center of the last selected figure.

Right edges

This feature aligns the right edges of all selected figures along a
vertical line passing through the right edge of the last selected figure.

Center of page (vertically)

This feature aligns the selected figures as a group with a vertical line
passing through the center of the current page boundary.  Notice that the
selected figures do not move relative to one another and individual figures
do not align with the center of the page unless only one figure was
selected.
                                                                       28

Snap figure centers to grid

When you enable this alignment option, the selected figures are aligned to
the grid in addition to the alignment options you've chosen.  After
standard alignments, each figure will be moved so that its center is
located at the nearest intersection of two grid lines.  The figures will
NOT be resized to align to the grid regardless of the grid options enabled.

Since the grid alignment occurs after other alignments, it is possible that
the result may not be aligned as you wish.  To prevent this from happening,
perform grid alignment separately from other forms of alignment.



Copying Figures
---------------

To copy a figure or group of figures:

  1. Select the figure(s) to copy.

  2. Choose COPY from the main menu.

  3. Move the cursor to the new location.

  4. Choose PASTE from the main menu to complete the copy, or press ESC to
     cancel.

To make more than one copy, hold the control key while PASTEing and repeat
the sequence.

! Selected connectors that connect TWO selected figures are copied as well.

You can also use this procedure to copy between files.  You can COPY in one
file, OPEN another file, and PASTE in the second file.


Duplicating Figures (Quick Copy)
--------------------------------

In addition to the copy procedure described above, you can copy figures
conveniently within a single file by using the quick copy feature.


To quick copy a single figure:

  1. Position the cursor in the select region of the figure you want to
     copy.

  2. Hold down the ALT key while dragging the figure with the DRAG mouse
     button.  You will drag a duplicate of the figure away.

  3. Release the mouse button when you have properly positioned the new
     figure.  To make repeated duplications, hold down the control key as
     well as the ALT key when releasing the mouse button.  As always, you
     can press ESC before releasing the mouse button to cancel.
                                                                       29

To quick copy a group of objects:

  1. Select any number of objects.

  2. Perform the duplication procedure described above on any one of the
     selected objects to duplicate the entire group.


Figure Properties
-----------------

Each figure has a set of special properties that you can review and program
using the figure properties dialog box.

To display the figure properties dialog box:

Invoke the figure properties dialog box by pressing the Properties menu
button located under the working set of figures on the screen menu, or by
choosing the FPROPS feature from the main menu.  The figure properties
dialog box looks like this:

Text

A figure's text may be right, left, or center justified.  Choose one method
for justifying text.  The default is center justified.

! The text justification method also controls how the figure will grow as
  you add text that exceeds the dimensions of the figure.  For example, if
  a figure with right justified text is enlarged to accommodate additional
  text, the right edge of the figure will remain in the same location.
  Note:  if any connector connects to the top or bottom of such a figure,
  it will grow in both directions as if it were center justified.  This
  exception prevents the distortion of your diagram that could result from
  repositioning the figure.

Font

A figure can use one of two fonts for its text.  It may use either a small
font labeled SMALL or a slightly larger font labeled LARGE.  The actual
size of these fonts will vary when printed based on the output scale you
choose.  You should favor the smaller font because it allows you to display
more context on a single screen.

Locks

There are several types of figure locks.  When you enable a figure lock,
you cannot change the corresponding characteristic of the figure until you
disable the lock.

SELECTION LOCK

When a figure is selection-locked, you cannot select it with the mouse.  A
selection-locked figure is useful for building a template in the background
of a diagram that does not interfere with operations on foreground figures.

You may select a selection-locked figure only by holding down the shift key
while selecting the figure in the usual way.
                                                                       30

DELETION LOCK

You cannot delete a figure that is deletion-locked.

HEIGHT LOCK

You cannot change the height of a height-locked figure.  Caution, this lock
may interfere with automatic resizing of figures during text entry.

WIDTH LOCK

You cannot change the width of a width-locked figure.  Caution, this lock
may interfere with automatic resizing of figures during text entry.

HORIZONTAL POSITION LOCK

You cannot move a figure that is horizontal position-locked to the left
or right.

VERTICAL POSITION LOCK

You cannot move a figure that is vertical position-locked up or down.

TEXT MODIFICATION LOCK

You cannot modify the text of a figure that is text modification locked.


To examine a figure's properties:

  1. Select a single figure.

  2. Invoke the figure properties menu by pressing the Properties menu
     button located under the figure icons on the screen menu, or by
     choosing FPROPS from the main menu.
                                                                       31

To change figure properties:

  1. Select the figure or figures to change.  Note, if several figures are
     selected, the properties of all the selected figures must be changed
     to the same values.

  2. Invoke the figure properties dialog box as described above.

  3. Use the mouse to change the properties by clicking in the toggle
     regions.

  4. Choose which figures to apply the changes to.  You may apply these
     properties to (1) all figures, (2) all selected figures, or (3) all
     new figures.  If you apply the properties to all new figures you
     modify the default figure properties.

  5. Click the mouse button on OK to apply the changes.

! Only the properties that you changed by clicking the mouse button will be
  applied to the figure(s).  For instance, suppose you select many figures
  each with a different font and text justification.  You then invoke the
  figure properties dialog box and click on SMALL font only and apply the
  changes to the selected figures.  The font on all the selected figures
  will become small, but they will all maintain their original
  justification because you did not change justification in the dialog box.
  This often causes confusion when you try to disable a lock for many
  figures.  In this case, the figure lock will always show off when you
  invoke the dialog box, but you have to click the property on and back off
  in order for a change to take affect when you press OK.


Invisible (borderless) figures
------------------------------

Invisible figures occupy a rectangular area of the diagram and can have
visible text but no visible borders. They are used for segmented connectors
and free-form text.

Although the borders of invisible figures are not normally visible, you can
choose to have them shown on the diagram by enabling the "SHOW INVISIBLE
BOXES" option.  When displayed, invisible figures appear as shown in the
above.  Whether or not they are shown on the screen, borders of invisible
figures will not print.

Invisible figures have the special characteristic that if they have no
text, connectors connect to them at the center as opposed to the centers of
their top, bottom, left, and right sides.  This allows you to use them as
"elbows" for segmented connectors.

! You cannot resize an invisible figure unless it is selected or its
  borders are shown on the screen.

Invisible boxes are also useful for manually labeling connectors between
visible boxes.
                                                                       32


                   +-----------------------------------------+
                   |                                         |
                   |  CHAPTER 7 - ENTERING AND EDITING TEXT  |
                   |                                         |
                   +-----------------------------------------+


As you work with EDGE, you'll find that text plays a very important role in
your flowcharts and diagrams.  You can use text to add descriptions for
figures, labels for connectors, titles, comments, annotations, directions,
and so on.  EDGE allows you to add text just about anywhere easily and
quickly.  This chapter covers the different ways to use text.

Entering Text
-------------

Adding text to an EDGE diagram is very easy.  Point the cursor to where you
want the text and begin typing.  If the cursor points to an existing
figure, the text you type will be inserted into the figure.  If the cursor
does not point to an existing figure, an invisible figure is created at the
cursor location and the text you type is inserted.

You can also begin editing text by pressing the INS (Insert) key when
pointing at an existing figure.  If you are not pointing at an existing
figure, a figure of the default figure type (as highlighted in the screen
menu) is created and the text you type is inserted.

EDGE signals you that it is ready to receive and edit text by displaying a
text insertion cursor.  The text insertion cursor appears as a small
triangle pointing upwards to the space between two characters of text.

If you enter more text than can fit into the dimensions of the figure, the
figure's boundaries expand to accommodate the text.  If the figure's height
or width is locked, this expansion may be inhibited.

You can continue to enter text until you press INS again, press ESC, click
a mouse button, move the mouse, or reach the limit of 1000 characters per
figure.

See the following section for complete instructions for entering text in
figures.
                                                                       33

Text in Figures
---------------

! Before initiating text entry for a figure, make sure that the figure does
  not have text-modification locked (see Figure Properties).


To add or edit text for a figure:

  1. Move the tip of the cursor into the select region of the figure, or
     select the figure.  If the figure is a label, you must use the former
     method because you cannot select a label by itself.

  2. Begin typing text.  Alternately, you may begin by pressing the INS key
     on the keyboard or by choosing TEXT from the MISC menu.

  3. The text insertion cursor replaces the standard cursor indicating text
     editing is in progress.

You are now free to enter and edit text as you like (see  Editing Text).

! Under most circumstances, text is appended to existing text.  However,
  under some circumstances, the first character you type causes any
  existing text to be deleted.  For example, whenever you create a label,
  it has the default text "LABEL".  If you immediately start typing text,
  your text will replace the default text rather than adding to it.  The
  same thing will occur when a prompt has a default reply.  Its easy to
  tell when this will happen because the text insertion cursor appears at
  the front of the existing text rather than at the end.  If the very first
  thing you type is a text editing control rather than a standard
  character, further characters are simply added as usual.

Text within figures is always centered vertically.  It may be centered
horizontally or it may be right or left justified depending on the text
properties of the figure.  The text justification for new figures depends
on the default figure properties (see Figure Properties).

Figure text may use either the smaller or larger text font depending on the
text properties of the figure.  The text font for new figures depends on
the default figure properties (see Figure Properties).
                                                                       34

Editing Text
------------

You are editing text whenever the text insertion cursor is visible.  While
editing text, you can type any standard text characters and those
characters will be added to the text at the location of the cursor.  All
standard characters are valid except "^", "|", "}", and "{".  Control
characters and non-printable characters are ignored.

You can also enter a number of text editing controls that control movement
within the text and editing of the text.

Text editing controls

  BACKSPACE     deletes the character to the left of the cursor.
  DEL           deletes the character to the right of the cursor.
  SHIFT-DEL     deletes all of the text.
  END           moves the cursor to the end of the line.
  END END       moves the cursor to the end of the text.
  ^END          moves the cursor to the end of the text.
  ESC           terminates text entry.
  ENTER         adds a line feed to the text.
  HOME          moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
  HOME HOME     moves the cursor to the beginning of the text.
  ^HOME         moves the cursor to the beginning of the text.
  INS           terminates text entry.
  Keypad PLUS   deletes the word to the right of the cursor.
  Keypad MINUS  deletes the word to the left of the cursor.
  MOUSE CLICK   terminates text entry.
  MOUSE MOVE    terminates text entry.
  RIGHT ARROW   moves the cursor to the right one character.
  LEFT ARROW    moves the cursor to the left one character.
  UP ARROW      moves the cursor up one line.
  DOWN ARROW    moves the cursor down one line.
  ^RIGHT ARROW  moves the cursor to the right one word.
  ^LEFT ARROW   moves the cursor to the left one word.
  ^Y            deletes the line with the cursor.
  TAB           changes the type of the figure without terminating text
                entry. Each time you press the tab key, the figure
                changes to the next figure from the working set.


Text in Dialog Boxes
--------------------

When you edit fields in dialog boxes such as the name of a file to open,
most of the text editing controls described in the previous section operate
as expected.  Of course, those that wouldn't make sense, such as TAB, UP
ARROW, and DOWN ARROW are ignored and ENTER serves as a terminator.
                                                                       35


                          +--------------------------+
                          |                          |
                          |  CHAPTER 8 - CONNECTORS  |
                          |                          |
                          +--------------------------+


Connectors serve a very important purpose in EDGE flowcharts and diagrams.

A connector is a line that connects two figures.You can use connectors to
show the flow of control in a flowchart or to show similar relationships
between any two figures.

About Connectors
----------------

All connectors have certain characteristics in common and a set of rules
that govern their behavior.

  - Any two figures can be connected by a single connector.

  - A single figure may have any number of connectors to other figures.

  - Either or both ends of a connector may terminate in arrowheads pointing
    towards the center of one of the figures.

  - Arrowheads may point in any of the four compass directions.

  - Connectors always connect to the centers of the top, bottom, right, or
    left sides of a figure.  A connector will always connect either the
    right side of one figure to the left side of another or the top side of
    one figure to the bottom side of another.

  - The connector is always straight, it may never curve.

  - A connector automatically connects the two nearest sides of the two
    figures, so as one figure moves relative to the other, the connector
    adjusts.


Selecting Connectors
--------------------

Every connector has a select region that extends a few pixels around the
entire connector.


To select a connector:

  1. Click the SELECT mouse button within the connector's select region.

  2. A selected connector appears as a dotted line.
                                                                       36

To deselect connector:

  1. Click the SELECT mouse button again within the connector's select
     region.

There are other ways to select and deselect connectors such as using the
lasso method described in an earlier chapter or by selecting and
deselecting the figures it connects.


Creating Connectors
-------------------

You can create a connector between any two figures.

To create a connector:

  1. Choose the connector type by clicking on one of the connector icons in
     the screen menu.  The normal cursor changes to the connect cursor.

  2. Position the tip of the connect cursor in the select region of the
     figure to connect from.  If the cursor is not in any figure's select
     region, an invisible figure will be created beneath the cursor.  If
     the cursor is in the select region of a connector, the connector will
     be split (see Splitting Connectors) and the new connector will begin
     at the elbow created in the split operation.  In effect, this allows
     you to run a connector from any point on an existing connector.

  3. Press and hold the DRAG mouse button (left by default).

  4. Position the tip of the connect cursor in the select region of the
     figure to connect to.  You may also position the tip of the cursor in
     the select region of a connector in order to terminate the connector
     at any point on this second connector.  If you decide not to create
     the connector, press the ESC key to cancel.

  5. Release the mouse button to complete or press ESC to cancel.

In step three above, you may click the mouse button rather than pressing
and holding it, then click it again to perform step five.

If auto-straighten is enabled (see Preferences), the second e will
figurautomatically be aligned with the first.

If auto-stiffen (auto-lock) is enabled (see Preferences), the connector
will be assigned either a horizontal or vertical lock property if it is
straight.

If the cursor is not in the select region of a second figure when you click
(or release) it, an intermediate invisible figure will be formed
automatically (called an "elbow").  The connect process will continue this
way until the click occurs on a figure or ESC is pressed, or connect mode
is terminated by pressing the right mouse button.

An elbow is simply a small invisible box with no text.  Whenever connectors
connect to an invisible box that has no text, all connectors meet in the
center of the box to form an "elbow".
                                                                       37

If "END CONNECT MODE AFTER EACH CONNECTOR" is enabled (see Preferences),
the cursor will revert back to normal automatically after you create a
single connector.  Otherwise, it will remain in connect mode until you
press some other mouse button or click the mouse in a menu.  To remain in
connect mode after making a single connection even when this option is in
effect, press the shift key while making the connection.

Connector Properties
--------------------

Each connector has a set of special properties that you review and modify
from within the connector properties dialog box.

To display the connector properties dialog box:

  1. Press the Properties menu button located under the connector icons on
     the screen menu, or choose CPROPS from the main menu.

  2. The connector properties dialog box appears.


To examine a connector's properties:

  1. Select a single connector.

  2. Invoke the connector properties dialog box by pressing the Properties
     menu button below the connector icons on the screen menu, or by
     choosing CPROPS from the main menu.


To change connector properties:

  1. Select the connector or connectors to change.

  2. Invoke the connector properties dialog box as described above.

  3. Use the mouse to change the properties by clicking in the toggle
     regions.

  4. Click the mouse button on OK to apply the changes.  You may apply
     these properties to (1) all connectors, (2) all selected connectors,
     or (3) all new connectors.  If you apply the properties to all new
     connectors, you are changing the default connector properties.

! Only the properties that you changed by clicking the mouse button will be
  applied to the connector(s).  This often causes confusion when you try to
  disable a lock for many connectors.  In this case, the connector lock
  will always show "off" when you invoke the dialog box, but you have to
  click the property on and back off in order for a change to take affect
  when you press OK.
                                                                       38


Style
-----

You can choose one of several different linestyles for a connector.  Choose
either solid, dashed, or dotted as the examples indicate.  The STYLE button
on the screen menu is also useful for changing the style of the default
connector properties.

Locks
-----

STIFF LOCK

When this lock is enabled, the connector is "stiff".  Whenever you move one
of the figures that the connector connects, the other is moved exactly in
line.  Therefore, a stiff connector is always the same length and the same
angle and keeps two figures positioned the same relative to one another.

HORIZONTAL LOCK

When a connector is horizontally locked it will drag any connected figure
with it for any distance that it is moved vertically.  The figures are free
to move relative to one another horizontally.

VERTICAL LOCK

When a connector is vertically locked it will drag any connected figure
with it for any distance that it is moved horizontally.  The figures are
free to move relative to one another vertically.


Changing Connector Types
------------------------

To change connector types:

  1. Select one or more existing connectors.

  2. Choose the icon that corresponds to the new connector type.  All
     selected connectors are changed to the chosen type.


Copying Connectors
------------------

When copying a group of figures, the connectors (and their labels) will be
copied as long as two provisions are met.  First, connectors must be
selected to be copied, and second, the connectors must connect two figures
that will be copied.

For instance, you cannot select a single connector and try to copy it.
Rather, you must also select BOTH of the figures it connects and copy all
three objects. Be sure to select any elbows as well or you could lose parts
of the duplicate connector.
                                                                       39

Deleting Connectors
-------------------

To delete connectors:

  1. Select one or more connectors to delete.  Unlike copy, you need only
     select connectors if you like.  You may of course select any
     combination of figures and connectors.

  2. Choose DELETE from the main menu to delete all selected objects.

UNDEL will undo this action.

When you delete a connector, any connected figure that is invisible and has
no text will also be deleted.  This prevents accumulation of extraneous
invisible boxes.


Undeleting Connectors
---------------------

To undelete the last set of objects deleted by the single most recent
delete operation, choose UNDEL from the main menu.  If UNDEL is not present
in the main menu, there is nothing to undelete.


Splitting Connectors
--------------------

You can "split" a single connector into two smaller connectors connected by
an "elbow".  To do this, hold down the control key while dragging a point
on the connector with the DRAG mouse button.  Release the mouse button when
you have properly positioned the new elbow or press ESC to cancel.  Split
connectors can later be re-joined.


Joining Connectors
------------------

Any number of connectors that share a common figure with another connector
can be joined together.

To JOIN a number of connectors:

  1. Select two or more connectors to join together.

  2. Choose JOIN from the main menu.

You can also use the join feature to join two connectors and eliminate a
figure simultaneously.  This process can be very convenient as the
following diagram shows.
                                                                       40

Straightening Connectors
------------------------

The straighten feature allows you to make a connector horizontal or
vertical by automatically aligning the connected figures.  If auto-lock is
enabled, the straightened connectors will become locked horizontally or
vertically.

To straighten one or more connector(s):

  1. Select one or more connectors to straighten.

  2. Choose STRGHT from the main menu.

This feature is most useful with auto-lock enabled.  Otherwise,
straightening one connector might un-straighten others and the result could
be disappointing.

! Straightening cannot be undone and may not have the result you expect.
  Always save your diagram before attempting to straighten.



More About Connectors
---------------------

  - You cannot drag connectors.  You can move a connector only by moving
    one of the figures it connects.

  - When one connector with an arrow connects to a figure in the same place
    as another connector without an arrow, the result is confusing.  You
    should avoid this situation when possible.  It is usually better to use
    a segmented connector with an elbow for one of the connections.

  - You should avoid connecting overlapping figures.
                                                                       41

                            +-----------------------+
                            |                       |
                            |  CHAPTER  9 - LABELS  |
                            |                       |
                            +-----------------------+


Many times you will find that a connector alone does not fully convey the
relationship between two figures.  A label is a convenient way to add a
text description to a connector to clarify its meaning.  In a flowchart,
for example, a label is an excellent way to indicate why a certain path in
the diagram was taken.

About Labels
------------

A label is a block of text attached to the center of a connector.  Any
connector can have a single label.

The label is not shown when you select the connector.  When you deselect
the connector, the label reappears at the proper position within the
connector, even if the connector has moved.


Creating a Label
----------------

To create a label:

  1. Select the connector to label.

  2. Choose LABEL from the main menu.

  3. A label is created with the default text "LABEL".  You can now edit
     the label text.  Since a label is just a special type of figure,
     editing text within a label is exactly like editing text in any other
     figure (see CHAPTER 7:  Entering and Editing Text).


Another way to create a label:

  1. Move the cursor over the select region of a connector that does not
     have a label.

  2. Press a key that is assigned the label feature code.

  3. Set the label text as in step three above.


Deleting a Label
----------------

To delete a label:

  1. Select the connector to which the label belongs.

  2. Choose DELLBL from the main menu.
                                                                       42

Undelete cannot recover a label that is removed this way.

Another way to delete a label is to empty it of text.  If you edit a label
and leave it without any text, the label will automatically be deleted.

Of course, you can also delete a label by deleting its connector, in which
case undelete will work.


Editing a Label's Text
----------------------

The standard way to edit label text is to position the cursor over the
label and either press the INS key or just begin typing text.  Editing
continues exactly as it would with any standard figure type.


Simulating True Labels
----------------------

If the standard labels don't do exactly what you want, no problem.  You can
simulate a label by creating an invisible figure with text.  For example,
to create a label that does not connect to the exact center of a connector,
simply create an invisible box with the label text and connect it to the
two figures.  Of course, this type of simulated label does not move
automatically with the figures as a true label would.


Miscellaneous
-------------

  - Label text is ALWAYS center justified.

  - You cannot select a label directly.  However.  A label is always
    selected when the associated connector is selected.  When you want to
    select a label, select its connector instead.

  - Labels are not shown when their connectors are selected.

  - Labels are not shown when zoomed out.

  - When you create a label, it assumes the font size specified for new
    figures.  Once you create a label, you cannot change its fonts size.

  - Labels never have any locks.
                                                                       43


                       +--------------------------------+
                       |                                |
                       |  CHAPTER 10 - FILE OPERATIONS  |
                       |                                |
                       +--------------------------------+


The FILE menu contains features that apply to the current diagram file.
These features perform operations like opening, saving, and printing
diagram files.


To invoke the FILE menu

  1. Press the FILE menu button or choose FILE from the main menu.

  2. The FILE menu will appear as shown.


ABOUT
-----

The about feature displays miscellaneous information about the EDGE program
and the current diagram.  The following diagram shows the format of the
about dialog box.

! The available memory field indicates approximately how much DOS memory is
  available to EDGE.  In reality, this is the least amount of memory that
  is available and EDGE may be able to use other memory.  When this number
  gets low, it is a good idea to first save and exit EDGE, then restart and
  see if memory is still low.  If memory is still low, your diagram is too
  big and should be split up.  You may also want to consult your DOS manual
  for tips on freeing up more conventional memory.


CLEAR
-----

Clear deletes ALL figures and connectors in the diagram.  You can undo this
operation by using UNDEL immediately after the clear.  Even though this
operation can be undone, a confirmation is required for added security.
Choose either CONFRM or CANCEL when the following prompt appears.

! Clear will even delete figures that are deletion-locked.  To clear all
  figures except those that are deletion locked, select them all and
  perform a standard delete operation.
                                                                       44

DOS
---

The DOS feature spawns a DOS command shell.  EDGE will remain in memory
while you are returned to the DOS command line.  You can perform any DOS
operations and then return to EDGE by entering the EXIT command at the DOS
command line.  You will arrive back in your diagram file exactly where you
left off.

! Once you spawn out to DOS, EDGE loses control and cannot guarantee the
  safety of your data.  We strongly advise that you save prior to spawning
  a DOS shell.  If anything occurs in the DOS shell that prevents a normal
  return to EDGE (such as a system crash) you could lose any work that you
  did not save.


EXIT
----

The exit feature exits EDGE and returns to the DOS command line.  This is
the same operation that is available from the screen menu button EXIT.  If
you have made changes that you have not yet saved, you will be asked
whether to save the changes.


HELP
----

The help feature invokes an editor session on the EDGE.HLP file.  This file
is a quick reference showing the most commonly needed information.  When
the editor exits, control is returned to the program at the point where it
left off.  The help feature will not work if the HELP system parameter (or
EDITOR) has not been set up in the EDGE.CFG file (see Configuration Options).


IMPORT
------

The import feature merges a target EDGE diagram file into the working file
at the location of the cursor.  Choose the file name from the import dialog
box.  For help on using the dialog box see OPEN.
                                                                       45

OPEN
----

The open feature opens a different diagram file.  This is how you move from
one diagram to another without leaving EDGE.

To open a new diagram file:

  1. Choose OPEN from the FILE menu. The Open File dialog box appears as
     shown.

  2. Change to the directory that contains the file you want to open.  Use
     the arrow buttons to the right of the directory scroll box to scroll
     through the subdirectories of the current directory.  The double-arrow
     buttons move up or down a screen at a time.  Click on one of the
     subdirectories shown to move to that subdirectory.  The [..] entry
     moves you to the parent of the current directory.  You can change
     drives by clicking on the drive letter such as [-B-] for drive B.
     Each time you change directories, all of the EDGE files in that
     directory will be shown in the files scroll box.

  3. Choose a file from the files scroll box in the same way that you chose
     the directory.  Clicking on a file makes it appear in the FILE box
     above the scroll box.

  4. Alternately, click in the FILE box and enter the file name yourself.
     You can change directories this way as well by entering a directory
     name ending in a '\' character.

  5. Click on the same file again or click on OPEN to open the file.

  6. You can cancel at any time by pressing the ESC key or clicking CANCEL.

If you specify a file name that does not exist, EDGE will open that file as
a new file.

! Once you move from one diagram to another using the open feature, the
  next time you access the open feature, the previously opened diagram file
  name will appear as the default.  You can then simply press the enter key
  to easily open this previous diagram.  This allows you to very easily
  switch back and forth between two diagrams.

! When you open another diagram file your paste buffer remains intact
  enabling you to paste objects into the file that you copied from the
  previous file (see Copying Figures).


PRINT
-----

(see  CHAPTER 11: Printing)
                                                                       46

PROPS
-----

The file properties feature brings up the File Properties dialog box. This
dialog box allows you to program certain properties of the current diagram
file.


To toggle the write protect status of this file:

  1. Click any mouse button on the READ ONLY toggle region to toggle
     between read-only and read/write.  When a file is read only, you
     cannot change it.

  2. Click on OK to apply the change or CANCEL the menu without changing
     the file properties.

! When you mark a diagram file as read-only, the file is marked read-only
  to DOS as well as to EDGE.  A read-only file cannot be written in any way
  from within EDGE.  Read-only files are useful for storing frequently used
  patterns or parts of diagrams.  If the file is marked read-only, you can
  cut out a portion of the file, open a new file and paste the cut portion
  into the new file and the template file will not be saved because it is
  read-only.


REVERT
------

Revert re-loads the last-saved version of the working diagram file
discarding any changes you made since the last time you saved.  A
confirmation is required since this operation destroys previous work and
cannot be undone.  Indicate whether you want to confirm (go ahead with) the
revert, or cancel when the following prompt appears.


SAVE
----

Save immediately saves the working diagram file.  If you have modified the
file since you last saved it, the icon for this feature will be shown in
red (or with a box around it on a mono screen) to serve as a reminder that
the file should be saved.


SAVEAS
------

Saveas saves the working diagram file under a new name which becomes the
working file.

Use the saveas dialog box to choose the file name.  For instructions on
using this dialog box see OPEN.

                                                                       47

WRITE
-----

The write feature writes the working diagram file to a different file name.
This does not change the name of the working file and does not save the
working file.  Use the write dialog box to choose the target file name.
For instructions on using this dialog box see OPEN.

                                                                       48

                           +-------------------------+
                           |                         |
                           |  CHAPTER 11 - PRINTING  |
                           |                         |
                           +-------------------------+


EDGE supports hundreds of different printers from inexpensive dot matrix
printers, to laser printers, to postscript printers, and even HP compatible
plotters.  Output quality and resolution varies by printer.  The highest
quality output is available with postscript laser printers and HP series
III compatible laser printers.

The print feature invokes the print and page layout dialog box.  You can
use this dialog box to set up the page and print the diagram.


Selecting and Setting up Your Printer
-------------------------------------

Before you print a flowchart for the first time, you must select the
printer and the print options you want to use.


To select and setup your printer:

  1. Choose PRINT from the FILE menu or click on the print menu button on
     the screen menu to invoke the Print and Page Layout dialog box
     discussed in detail elsewhere (see Printing and Page Layout on page
     75).

  2. Click on Set-up to get to the print set-up dialog box.


Selecting a Printer
-------------------

EDGE supports most popular dot matrix and laser printers as well as HP
compatible plotters.  Additional printer support will be added based on
your feedback and our research.

Find the name of your printer in the scroll box and click on it so that it
appears in the box above.  If your printer is not listed, it may be
compatible with one that is.  Most printers can emulate one of the industry
standard printers upon which EDGE is based.  In order to do so, some
require special switch settings while others automatically perform
emulation.  Refer to your printer documentation for specific emulation
instructions.

! Since EDGE printer drivers are based on industry standard drivers such as
  postscript, Epson, and HP Laserjet, you may have to enable emulation on
  some printers even if they are listed explicitly.  If your printer does
  not work properly, we suggest that you try each of the drivers from the
  scroll box that begin with the word "generic" prior to calling technical
  support.

                                                                       49

Setting paper size
------------------

EDGE supports different paper sizes for some printers.  Select either
letter size (8 1/2 by 11 inch) or ledger size (11 by 17 inch) or one of the
ANSI paper sizes.

You can set a custom paper size if you use a size that is not listed.
However, do not use custom paper size unless this is the actual size of the
paper that your printer supports.  If you want to print on only a portion
of a page do so by adjusting margins, not by making a custom paper size.


Selecting the print destination (port)
--------------------------------------

You can choose to print to any of the standard parallel printer ports
(LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3) or to a DOS file.

If you print to a file, you can later print the file to the printer from
DOS.  This is useful when you do not have a printer attached to your
machine.  You can print to a file, move that file to another machine via
floppy disk, and print the file from there.

! When you print a file to your printer from DOS, you can use the DOS print
  command if the output is an ASCII-based format (such as postscript or
  HPGL).

  C> print diagram.ps

  Otherwise use a copy command like the following:

  C> copy /b diagram.dm lpt1


Printing and Page Layout
------------------------

The Print and Page Layout dialog box allows you to set-up the location,
scale, and dimensions of a page and then print the contents of that page to
the printer you selected previously (see Selecting and Setting up Your
Printer).


To change page layout and/or print your diagram:

  1. Choose PRINT from the FILE menu or click on the print menu button on
     the screen menu.

  2. The Print and Page Layout dialog box will appear as shown.

                                                                       50

Setting margins
---------------

You can set the left, right, top, and bottom margins by simply clicking in
the appropriate box and editing the value.  EDGE will verify that the
values you enter (in inches) are within a valid range.  If they are not,
you will hear a beep and the margin will automatically change to a valid
number.

Larger margins will decrease the size of the visible page boundaries.  You
can always draw figures right up to the edges of the visible page
boundaries without worrying whether they will print.


Enabling page boundaries
------------------------

This option controls whether or not you can see visible page boundaries.
You should keep the page boundaries enabled unless you are producing a
diagram that you do not intend to print.

! In order to print, you MUST have page boundaries enabled.


Adjust page
-----------

When you click in the adjust page action region, you invoke the re-page
feature that assists you in adjusting the position and scale of the page
boundaries (see Establishing page boundaries).


Reduce/enlarge page
-------------------

You can choose a page scaling factor by clicking the mouse in this region
and editing the number shown.  A value less than a hundred per cent
decreases the size of the page, making the figures and text appear larger
when you print.  Increasing the value increases the page size making text
and figures appear smaller when you print but allowing you to fit more on a
page.

Whether or not you can scale the page depends on the printer you have
selected.  In general, scaling is supported by postscript and HP Laserjet
series III laser printers and HP compatible plotters.

An easier way to adjust the page scaling is to use the Adjust Page option
discussed above or the REPAGE feature (see Establishing page boundaries).


Set-up
------

Clicking on SET-UP brings up the Print Set-up dialog box where you can set
up your printer and standard printing options (see Selecting and Setting up
Your Printer).
                                                                       51

Orientation
-----------

You can choose to print your diagram in landscape orientation (lengthwise)
or in portrait orientation (standard letter form).  Changing the page
orientation automatically adjusts the page boundaries appropriately.

! Not all printers support landscape orientation.


Print
-----

When you click this button, EDGE prints your diagram to the printer
destination.

! In order to print, you MUST have page boundaries enabled.


Raster vs. Vector Printing
--------------------------

Programs communicate with printers via protocols (languages) that can be
different for each printer.  Each of these protocols comes in one of two
flavors either raster or vector.  EDGE supports both raster and
vector-based output formats.

Most dot-matrix printers and HP Laserjet series II (and earlier)
compatibles are raster devices.  When printing to raster devices, an
application like EDGE must tell the printer the state of every dot or "bit"
that makes up the image.  Consequently, raster output requires more
computation and more data transmission, and therefore tends to be very
slow.  It is not uncommon for printing to a raster device to take several
minutes per page.  While raster printers are easier and less expensive to
produce, they generally produce much lower quality (lower resolution)
output.  In addition, raster output more difficult to work with so EDGE
must impose some restrictions of its own - namely, you can only print to
raster printers in portrait orientation, with no scaling, and only to 8 1/2
by 11 inch paper.

Vector-based output devices, on the other hand, are superior in many ways.
Postscript printers, HP Laserjet series III and compatibles, and HP
plotters use vector-based protocols.  Applications communicate to
vector-based devices with high-level commands such as "draw line".  Since
the device does most of the work, output speed is dramatically better
(seconds rather than minutes in most cases) and output quality is the
highest available.  EDGE also supports landscape page orientation, full
page scaling, and multiple paper sizes for many vector-based printers.
                                                                       52

Exporting Graphics for Import by Other Programs
-----------------------------------------------

You can use EDGE's printing mechanism to export graphic output suitable for
import into another graphics program.  There are a few different formats
that might be suitable for import by other graphics programs.

  - Encapsulated postscript --A very popular graphics format.  EDGE can
    produce standard EPSF files but not EPSI files which contain pre-
    rasterized images.

  - HPGL -- Another vector-based graphic format supported by many graphic
    programs.

  - PCL-4 -- Widely supported due to use by Hewlett-Packard - raster
    format.

  - PCL-5 -- High quality like EPSF.  This vector format is a superset of
    HP-GL/2.


To export graphics for import into another program:

  1. Select one of the above formats as your printer.

  2. Choose FILE as your print destination (port).

  3. Specify the file name you want to print to.

  4. Print in the usual way.

Importing the resulting file into the other application may not always be
straight-forward. Refer to the documentation for your application.

In many cases, you will have to convert one of the EDGE output formats to a
different format that your graphics application supports.  There are
several good graphics conversion programs available just for this purpose,
such as Hijaak by Inset Systems.

! PACESTAR cannot guarantee that the final image will reflect the quality
  of your EDGE output.  Much of the quality of the final image is
  controlled by the conversion and interpretation software that is beyond
  our control.  Many applications are known to compromise the quality of
  high level page description languages such as encapsulated postscript and
  HPGL.  You will have to try your application to see how it performs.
                                                                       53

                       +---------------------------------+
                       |                                 |
                       |  CHAPTER 12 - CUSTOMIZING EDGE  |
                       |                                 |
                       +---------------------------------+


This chapter describes several ways to customize EDGE to your personal
preferences.


Configuration Options
---------------------

Every time you run EDGE, a set of system parameters are set up to control
certain aspects of the program.  You can customize these parameters by
adding entries to a file called EDGE.CFG (located in the EDGEHOME
directory) with any standard text editor.  The system parameter values
determine how several functions perform.  When EDGE runs, it looks for an
EDGE.CFG file in the EDGEHOME directory.  If EDGE does not find this file,
it uses default values for all system parameters.  If EDGE does find the
file, it examines each line in the file and uses any valid entries in place
of the defaults.

You will generally set your configuration options once and then rarely
change them.  Examples are mouse sensitivity and file backup strategy.


Format of EDGE.CFG
------------------

The EDGE.CFG file consists of assignment statements that define values for
system parameters.  A line that begins with a semicolon in the first column
is a comment.  An assignment begins with a system parameter name followed
by an equals sign followed by an argument.  Any amount of white space may
separate these fields.  The argument may be an integer, a floating point
number, or a string depending on the type of the parameter.

For example, one system parameter is "EDITOR".  It expects a string
specifying the file name of the editor.
Any of the following lines would be appropriate.

EDITOR = c:\ed.exe

EDITOR= c:\ed.exe

EDITOR=c:\ed.exe

 EDITOR ="c:\ed.exe"
                                                                       54

System parameters
-----------------

BACKUP

Argument:       A flag, either 0 or 1
Example:        BACKUP = 1
Default:        0

When this flag is set (non-zero), EDGE creates a backup file whenever you
do a save.  The backup file is named after the original diagram file with
the .EDG extension replaced by a backup extension (See BACKUP_EXT).  For
example, if the file being edited is FILE.EDG, whenever EDGE saves the
diagram file, it first copies FILE.EDG to FILE.BAK.


BACKUP_EXT

Argument:       A string up to three characters that is a valid DOS file
                extension.
Example:        BACKUP_EXT = bak
Default:        bak

This is the file extension for backup files. (See BACKUP)



HELP

Argument:       A string that specifies a valid DOS file name (may include
                disk and path). (max. 32 characters)
Example:        HELP = edit
Default:        none

This parameter is the name of the program that you choose to use to browse
through the help file.  It can be a standard text editor like MSDOS Edit,
it can be a word processor, or it can be a program like "list" or "show"
that is designed specifically for browsing through ASCII text files.  The
only requirement is that the program can take a file name as a command like
argument.  If EDITOR is set, it is used rather than HELP.


LEFT_BUTTON

Argument:       A string specifying the operation to associate with this
                mouse button, either SELECT, DRAG, or MENU..
Example:        LEFT_BUTTON = DRAG
Default:        DRAG

This parameter defines which of the functions DRAG, SELECT, or MENU is
issued when you press the left mouse button.  If you redefine this
parameter in your EDGE.CFG file, you should also redefine the parameters
for the other mouse buttons.
                                                                       55

MIDDLE_BUTTON

Argument:       A string specifying the operation to associate with this
                mouse button, either SELECT, DRAG, or MENU.
Example:        MIDDLE_BUTTON = MENU
Default:        MENU

This parameter defines which of the functions DRAG, SELECT, or MENU is
issued when you press the middle mouse button.  If you redefine this
parameter in your EDGE.CFG file, you should also redefine the parameters
for the other mouse buttons.


MOUSE_SENS_HORZ

Argument:       An integer in the range 1-5.
Example:        MOUSE_SENS_HORZ = 2
Default:        2

This parameter defines the sensitivity of the mouse when moved
horizontally.  Larger values make the mouse less sensitive.


MOUSE_SENS_VERT

Argument:       An integer in the range 1-5.
Example:        MOUSE_SENS_VERT = 2
Default:        2

This parameter defines the sensitivity of the mouse when moved vertically.
Larger values make the mouse less sensitive.


PSFONT

Argument:       A string specifying thefont to use when outputting text to a
                postscript printer.
Example:        PSFONT = Helvetica
Default:        Courier

This parameter defines the font that is used for postscript output.  Not
all postscript printers support the same fonts.  Check your printer manual
for a list of fonts that your printer supports.


RIGHT_BUTTON

Argument:       A string specifying the operation to associate with this
                mouse button, either SELECT, DRAG, or MENU.
Example:        RIGHT_BUTTON = SELECT
Default:        SELECT

This parameter defines which of the functions DRAG, SELECT, or MENU is
issued when you press the right mouse button.  If you redefine this
parameter in your EDGE.CFG file, you should also redefine the parameters
for the other mouse buttons.
                                                                       56

SCREENS_PER_ARW

Argument:       A floating point number between 0.0 and 1.0.
Example:        SCREENS_PER_ARW = 0.33
Default:        0.33

This parameter defines the portion of a screen that is scrolled when you
press an arrow key.  For example, 0.5 means that the screen is scrolled by
half a screen each time you press an arrow key.


SCROLL_RATE_HORZ

Argument:       An integer (1-n) specifying the number of pixels to scroll the
                screen at a time when scrolling left or right.
Example:        SCROLL_RATE_HORZ = 40
Default:        40

This parameter defines the number of pixels that the screen will scroll in
each horizontal step.  For a slow machine, set this value to a larger
number so that scrolling will be faster overall in exchange for being more
"choppy".


SCROLL_RATE_VERT

Argument:       An integer (1-n) specifying the number of pixels to scroll the
                screen at a time when scrolling up or down.
Example:        SCROLL_RATE_VERT = 20
Default:        20

This parameter defines the number of pixels that the screen will scroll in
each vertical step.


Custom Key Assignment
---------------------

By default, many keys on the keyboard invoke often-used features.  A
complete list of features, feature codes, and their default key assignment
is included in this manual (see Appendix A:  Feature Codes).

You may assign any feature that has a feature code to any ONE valid key
sequence.  A valid key sequence is any combination of a regular key, the
control key, and the ALT key.  The shift key is ignored.  For example, you
could assign the delete feature to one of the distinct key sequences "D" or
"Control-D" or "Alt-D" or "Control-Alt-D".  An uppercase or a lowercase "d"
are equivalent in any of these sequences.
                                                                       57

Assigning a feature to a key
----------------------------

To assign a feature to a key:

  1. Press the set key feature key (ALT-K), choose SETKEY from the MISC
     menu, or enter the set key feature code.

  2. In response to this prompt, enter the key sequence to which you want
     to assign a feature.  This key sequence can be any combination of the
     ALT key, the control key, and any other key except the ESC key.  Use
     the ESC key to cancel the set key feature.  You can also cancel the
     operation by pressing any of the mouse buttons.

  3. The following dialog box appears.  If a feature was previously
     assigned to the key sequence, that feature will appear in the box
     marked CODE.

  4. Use the arrow buttons on the right of the scroll box to scroll through
     the many codes.  The double-arrow buttons move up or down a screen at
     a time.  (The arrow keys on the keyboard and the PGUP and PGDN keys
     will work also.)

  5. When you locate the code you want to assign to the key sequence, click
     the mouse on the code so that the code and description appear in the
     box above the scroll box.  You can also click in the CODE box to enter
     the code yourself.

  6. When the feature code you have chosen is displayed, complete the key
     assignment either by pressing the ENTER key, or by clicking on OK, or
     by clicking a second time on the code in the scroll box.

  7. If, on the other hand, you decide not to assign the feature, press the
     ESC key or click on CANCEL.

  8. You will now be able to access the feature using the new key sequence
     until you exit EDGE.

  9. To save the newly programmed key and all others, invoke the
     preferences dialog box and choose SAVE.  The new key definitions will
     be stored to disk in the file EDGE.KEY in the EDGEHOME directory.
     Each time you restart EDGE, your custom assigned keys will be set up
     for you.


Restoring keys to defaults
--------------------------

To restore all keys to their default feature assignments, simply delete the
EDGE.KEY file in the EDGEHOME directory (from DOS).  Or, if you have not
saved the new key definitions to disk yet, choose the LAST SAVED option
from the preferences dialog box to reload the previously defined key
assignments.
                                                                       58

Preferences
-----------

The preferences dialog box allows you to custom program certain options
that control how EDGE behaves.  Unlike the options you set in EDGE,CFG,
these options are conveniently programmable from within EDGE permitting you
to change them as often as you like.


To invoke the preferences dialog box:

Either press the Preferences menu button on the screen menu (if the
screen menu is enabled) or choose PREFS from the main menu.

Use the mouse to toggle options.  When the toggle region of an option is
darkened (or protrudes in 3-D), that option is enabled, otherwise it is
disabled.  When you have set these options as you prefer, exit the menu by
clicking on OK.

If you'd like these options to be in effect the next time you run EDGE,
click on SAVE.  If you terminate the menu in any other way, your changes
will be lost as soon as you exit EDGE.

To go back to the most recently saved preferences, press the LAST SAVED
menu button.


AUTOMATICALLY ALIGN CONNECTED FIGURES

When you enable this option, also called auto-align, EDGE will
automatically align figures when you connect them.  If you create a
connector between a first figure and a second, the second is aligned either
vertically or horizontally with the first figure depending on the relative
locations of the two figures.  This option is generally used in conjunction
with auto-lock (see below).

! Alignment will not occur if the two figures are not relatively close to
  being aligned in the first place - within an angle of about 20 degrees of
  being aligned vertically or horizontally.  EDGE assumes that figures at a
  smaller angle have been left unaligned intentionally.

If the shortest distance between the two figures is vertical, the figures
are automatically aligned vertically.  If the shortest distance is
horizontal, the figures are aligned horizontally.


AUTOMATICALLY LOCK STRAIGHT CONNECTORS

When you enable this option, also called auto-lock, EDGE will automatically
lock connectors that are straight.  Whenever a connector is deselected for
any reason, the connector automatically receives either the vertical or
horizontal lock property as appropriate so that the connector remains
straight the next time you move either of the connected figures (see
Connector Properties).  This option is generally used in conjunction with
auto-align.
                                                                       59

AUTOMATIC DESELECT AFTER OPERATIONS

When you enable this option, figures that are the target of an operation
remain selected after you perform a feature.  You then have to deselect
manually.  You can achieve the same result on a case-by-case basis by
holding the shift key down at the moment that the figures would normally be
deselected.


CREATE FIGURES CENTERED AT INITIAL POINT

When you create a figure with the DRAG mouse button, the figure is either
created centered at the initial point, or with the figure's upper left hand
corner at the initial point.  When you enable this option, figures will be
created centered at the initial point of creation.


END CONNECTOR MODE AFTER EACH CONNECTOR

When you enable this option, the connector cursor that indicates connection
mode will disappear after making a single connection.  Otherwise, the
connection mode will remain in effect until you explicitly disable it.


MENU ON RIGHT OF SCREEN

This option controls the screen menu.  When you enable this option, the
menu is present, otherwise it is not.  When the screen menu is not present,
the operations normally found in the screen menu can be found as entries in
the main menu.


AUTOMATIC SCROLL WHEN NEAR EDGE OF SCREEN

With this option enabled, the screen will scroll whenever the cursor gets
close enough to any of the edges of the screen.  With this option disabled,
you must press the DRAG mouse button near the edge of the screen to scroll.


SHOW ONLY OUTLINES WHILE SCROLLING

This option controls whether a scrolling screen shows only the outlines of
the true objects.  You can accelerate scrolling on a slower machine by
enabling this option.


TERMINATE TEXT ENTRY WHEN MOUSE MOVES

This option controls whether moving the mouse terminates text entry.  When
this option is enabled, any significant mouse movement causes text entry to
be terminated.  Many people find this a convenient option.  Others feel its
too easy to move the mouse by accident.  Choose what you like best.
                                                                       60

SHOW INVISIBLE BOXES

When enabled, this option causes the borders of all invisible boxes to be
drawn as cornered rectangles (see Invisible (borderless) figures).  You can
then move and edit them more easily.

Even when visible on the screen, invisible boxes will never appear on a
printout.


SHOW GRID (WHEN NOT ZOOMED)

When this option is enabled, the alignment grid is visible (unless zoom is
active).  This option controls ONLY the visibility of the grid.  Use of the
grid for alignment is independent and is controlled by the following
options.


SNAP CENTERS OF FIGURES TO GRID

When this option is enabled, figures that are created or moved will
automatically snap in place so that their centers are at the nearest grid
point.  This makes it very easy to align figures horizontally and
vertically regardless of their size.


SNAP CENTERS AND SIDES OF FIGURES TO GRID

When this option is enabled, the dimensions (height and width) of figures
that are created or resized are snapped to the nearest grid point as well
as the centers of the figures.

! This option has no effect on circles and invisible boxes.


FINER GRID ALIGNMENT

When this option is enabled, the alignment grid becomes finer - grid points
become closer together.  This allows greater flexibility in figure size and
location but makes it slightly harder to align by hand.

! The visible grid does not change to reflect this option.



Changing Screen Colors
----------------------

You can program your own choice of screen colors on either a color or a
monochrome screen.  There are three colors you can change, the background
color, the foreground color, and the menu color.  On a monochrome monitor,
there are obviously only two color choices, black and white.  On a color
monitor, you can choose from any of sixteen different colors.
                                                                       61

Changing the background color
-----------------------------

To change the color of the screen background, press Alt-B when no menus are
active, or enter the background color feature code directly.  The
background color of the screen will change to the next available color.
Cycle through all available colors until you find your favorite.


Changing the foreground color
-----------------------------

To change the color of the screen foreground, press Alt-F when no menus are
active, or enter the foreground color feature code directly.  The
foreground color of the screen will change to the next available color.
Cycle through all available colors until you find the one that you like
best and that goes best with your choice of background color.

Changing the menu color
-----------------------

To change the color of the menus, press Alt-M when no menus are active, or
enter the menu color feature code directly.  The menu colors will change to
the next available color.


Saving changed colors
---------------------

The color changes described above will only remain in effect until you exit
EDGE unless you save them.  Save the screen colors by choosing SAVE in the
Preferences dialog box (see Preferences).
                                                                       62


                         +-----------------------------+
                         |                             |
                         |  APPENDIX A: Feature Codes  |
                         |                             |
                         +-----------------------------+


This section lists the EDGE feature codes, the corresponding features, and
the default key assignment for each.  The key assignments shown here are
only valid until you change them (see Custom Key Assignment).


Legend:

^C              means press the control key (Ctrl) and the "C" key together.
Alt-N           means press the Alt key and the "N" key together.
Key-*           means press the "*" key on the keypad (not shift-8)
Down            means press the down arrow key on the keyboard (not numlocked)

(shift status is always ignored, i.e., "^A" is the same as "^a")



CODE KEY     FEATURE            DESCRIPTION
---- ------- -----------------  ------------------------------------------
None ^ESC    QUICK EXIT         Exit without saving - CAUTION!
1    Alt-' ' Main Menu          Pull up main menu (as with mouse)
2    Down    Scroll Down        Scroll down
3    Up      Scroll Up          Scroll up
4    Left    Scroll Left        Scroll left
5    Right   Scroll Right       Scroll right
6    F2      Connect            Change to connection mode
7    Alt-F   Foreground Color   Adjust foreground color
8    Alt-B   Background Color   Adjust background color
9    Alt-M   Menu Color         Adjust menu color
10   Alt-D   DOS Shell          Shell out to DOS leaving EDGE resident
11   PGUP    Zoom In            Zoom in (enlarge view)
12   PGDN    Zoom Out           Zoom out (shrink view)
13   END     Zoom               Unzoom/Zoom to last zoom level
14   DEL     Delete             Delete all selected objects
15           Type 0             Change type to INVISIBLE
16           Type 1             Change type to BOX
17           Type 2             Change type to SOLID BOX
18           Type 3             Change type to DOUBLE-LINED BOX
19           Type 4             Change type to SOLID DOUBLE-LINED BOX
20           Type 5             Change type to ELLIPSE (OVAL)
21           Type 6             Change type to DOCUMENT
22           Type 7             Change type to 3-D (SHADOWED) BOX
23           Type 8             Change type to DIAMOND (DECISION)
24           Type 9             Change type to ROUNDED-CORNERED BOX
25           Type 10            Change type to PARALLELOGRAM
26           Type 11            Change type to CIRCLE
27           Type 13            Change type to BOX - DOUBLE SIDES
28           Type 14            Change type to BARRED ROUNDED-BOX
29           Type 15            Change type to TWO HORIZONTAL LINES
30           Type 16            Change type to CARD
                                                                       63

CODE KEY     FEATURE            DESCRIPTION
---- ------- -----------------  ------------------------------------------
31           Type 17            Change type to HEXAGON
32           Type 18            Change type to QUADRILATERAL
33           Type 19            Change type to SLANT-TOPPED BOX
34           Type 20            Change type to HOME PLATE
35           Type 21            Change type to SDL0
36           Type 22            Change type to SDL1
37           Type 23            Change type to SDL2
38           Type 24            Change type to SDL3
39           Type 25            Change type to SDL4
40           Type 26            Change type to SDL5
41           Type 27            Change type to SDL6
42           Type 28            Change type to SDL7
43           Connector --       Create connector with no arrowheads
44           Connector ->       Create connector with an arrow to 2nd figure
45           Connector <-       Create connector with an arrow to 1st figure
46           Connector <>       Create connector with two arrowheads
47           File Menu          Invoke the FILE menu
48           Figure Library     Invoke the figure library
49           Misc. Menu         Invoke the miscellaneous features menu
50           Re-page            Adjust the page boundaries
51           Reserved
52           Size               Conform all figures to size of last selected
53           Fit                Fit all selected figures around their text
54           Reserved
55           Reserved
56           Reserved
57           Reserved
58   Ins     Insert Text        Insert text into selected figure
59           Straighten         Straighten selected connector(s)
60   Alt-U   Undelete/Paste     Undelete the last objects deleted, or paste
61   Alt-C   Copy               Copy selected objects
62   Alt-A   Align              Align selected figures
63   Alt-L   Label              Add a label to the selected connector
64           Delete Label       Remove the label from the selected connector
65   Key-*   View               Change the window view interactively
66   F9      Figure Properties  Invoke the figure properties dialog box
67   F10     Connector Props    Invoke the connector properties dialog box
68   Alt-X   Exit               Exit EDGE, save any changes
69-78        Reserved
79   Alt-S   Save               Save the diagram
80           Save As            Save the diagram under a name (change to)
81   Alt-W   Write              Write the diagram under a name (no change to)
82           Revert Menu        Revert to last saved version (asks to confirm)
83           Revert             Revert to last saved version (no confirmation)
84           NOP                Do nothing
85           Clear              Delete everything (can be undeleted)
86   Alt-O   Open               Open a different diagram
87           Import             Import a diagram into the current diagram
88   Alt-P   Print              Invoke the print menu
89   Alt-I   About              Show various information about EDGE
90   F1      Help               Show the help file
91           Save & Exit        Force a save and exit
92           Discard            Exit without save (requires confirmation)
93   F8      Page Down          Move page boundaries down exactly one page
94   F7      Page Up            Move page boundaries up exactly one page
                                                                       64

CODE KEY     FEATURE            DESCRIPTION
---- ------- -----------------  ------------------------------------------
95   F5      Page Left          Move page boundaries left exactly one page
96   F6      Page Right         Move page boundaries right exactly one page
97   Alt-R   Right Menu         Enable/disable screen menu (on right of screen)
98           Reserved
99           Reserved
100  Key-+   Choose Feature     Execute a feature by code
101  Alt-K   Set Key            Assign a feature code to a key
102  HOME    Home               Locate the center of the current diagram
103  Key--   Preferences        Invoke the preferences dialog box
104          File Properties    Invoke the file properties dialog box.
105  Alt-J   Join               Join selected connectors into one
106          Reserved
                                                                       65


                          +--------------------------+
                          |                          |
                          |  APPENDIX B: MENU ICONS  |
                          |                          |
                          +--------------------------+


This section lists EDGE icons and their corresponding features. Some
icons such as FILE, invoke a new menu. These icons are followed by an
indented list of icons indicating the features available from the new menu.

ICON             FEATURE           DESCRIPTION
------           ---------------   ----------------------------------------
ALIGN            Align             Invoke the align dialog box
COPY             Copy              Copy selected objects
CPROPS           Connector Props   Bring up connector properties menu
DELETE           Cut               Cut (delete) all selected objects
DELLBL           Delete Label      Remove label from the selected connector
FILE>            File Menu         Invoke the file menu
        ABOUT    About             Show various information about EDGE
        CLEAR    Clear             Delete everything (can be undeleted)
        EXIT     Exit              Exit EDGE, save any changes
        HELP     Help              Edit the help file
        IMPORT   Import            Import a diagram into the current diagram
        OPEN     Open              Open a different diagram
        PRINT    Print             Invoke the print menu
        PROPS    File Properties   Invoke the file properties dialog box.
        REVERT   Revert            Revert to last saved version of diagram
        SAVE     Save              Save the diagram
        SAVEAS   Save As           Save the file under a name (change to)
        WRITE    Write             Write the file under a name (no change to)
FPROPS           Figure Properties Invoke figure properties dialog box
JOIN             Join Connectors   Join the selected connectors into one
LABEL            Label             Add a label to the selected connector
LIB              Figure Library    Invoke the figure library
MISC>            Misc Menu         Invoke miscellaneous functions menu
        CHOOSE   Choose a Feature  Choose a feature by feature code
        FIT      Fit               Fit all selected figures to their text
        HOME     Home              Go to the center of the diagram
        REPAGE   Re-Page           Adjust the page boundaries
        SETKEY   Set Key           Assign a feature to a key
        SIZE     Size              Conform all figures to size of last
        STRGHT   Straighten        Straighten connector(s)
        TEXT     Insert Text       Insert text into selected figure
PREFS            Preferences       Invoke the preferences dialog box
UNDEL            Undelete          Undelete the last objects deleted
VIEW             View              Change the window view interactively



Miscellaneous icons:

CANCEL           Cancel the operation
CONFRM           Confirm that you really want to do the operation

                                                                       66


                        +-------------------------------+
                        |                               |
                        |  APPENDIX C:  ERROR MESSAGES  |
                        |                               |
                        +-------------------------------+


Error messages occur when you attempt to perform some operation that is not
valid or does not apply under the circumstances.  When an error message
occurs, you must acknowledge it before continuing.  Do this by clicking any
mouse button on the box marked OK, or simply press any key on the keyboard
- the key will NOT execute a command, it will simply acknowledge the error.

The possible error messages and probable causes and remedies are listed
below.


At least one figure should be selected

  The operation is valid only when applied to one or more figures.  Select
  one or more figures and try again.

At most one figure should be selected

  The operation is valid only when applied to one figure or fewer.  Select
  one figure and try again.

Can't find printers.lst file

  The file named "printers.lst" must be located in order to set-up your
  printer.  You may get this message if you are executing EDGE from a
  directory other than the EDGEHOME directory and you have not set up the
  EDGEHOME environment variable (see Getting Started).

Can't quick copy due to figure locks

  If a figure is position locked so that it cannot move in any direction,
  EDGE will not allow you to quick copy it.  Try copying this figure with
  the copy/ paste commands.

Check printer and try again

  You attempted to print to a parallel printer port but the printer was not
  ready.  Make sure the printer is turned on, on-line, and is not out of
  paper.

Could not open file

  EDGE could not open or create a file in the current directory.

Could not open file for saving

  Make sure the disk is not full and that the directory that you are trying
  to write to can be written to.  If you are attempting to overwrite a
  previous version, make sure the previous version is not write-protected.
                                                                       67

Could not open file to import

  The file you specified for the import feature could not be opened.  It
  may not exist or it may not be in the specified directory.  Check the
  name you entered.

Could not save key definitions to disk

  Make sure the disk is not full and that the EDGEHOME environment variable
  is set and the EDGEHOME directory can be written to.  Also make sure the
  old EDGE.KEY file is not write-protected.

Could not save preferences to disk

  Make sure the disk is not full and that the EDGEHOME environment variable
  is set and the EDGEHOME directory can be written to.  Also make sure the
  old EDGE.PRF file is not write-protected.

Could not save printer set-up to disk

  When you exit the printer set-up menu by choosing OK, EDGE attempts to
  save your set-up information to disk.  Make sure files can be written to
  the EDGEHOME directory and any previous version of EDGE.PRT is not
  write-protected.

Exactly one connector should be selected

  The operation you attempted is valid only when applied to exactly one
  connector.  Select one connector and try again.

Exactly one figure should be selected

  The operation you attempted is valid only when applied to exactly one
  figure.  Select one figure and try again.

Figures are already connected

  You attempted to connect two connected figures.  Any two figures may only
  be connected by a single connector.

File is improper format for load

  The file you attempted to load is not in the proper format.  This
  probably indicates an error in the filename you entered.

File must have .EDG extension

  When specifying a file name for saving a diagram file, the file must end
  in .EDG (upper or lower case).  If you do not specify an extension, .EDG
  will be added automatically.  However, if the file name you enter has
  some other extension, this error message results.

Invalid feature code

  The feature code you entered did not correspond to a valid feature code.
                                                                       68

Invalid file name

  EDGE prompted you for a file name and the name you gave was not valid.
  Make sure it does not contain any illegal characters and is the proper
  length.  Refer to your DOS manual for the exact file naming syntax.

Invalid parameter, extension must be .EDG

  You invoked EDGE on a file with an extension other than .EDG.

Invalid parameter, not a valid filename

  You invoked EDGE on a file with an invalid filename.

No connectors are selected

  The operation you selected requires one or more connectors to be
  selected.  Select one or more connectors and try again.

Not all selected connectors were joined

  You performed a join feature on a number of connectors but not all of the
  connectors could be joined into a single connector.

Not enough memory to copy selected objects

  Memory is running low.  You might be able to copy some portion of the
  objects that are selected.  Select fewer objects and try again.

Not enough memory to load file

  The file you attempted to load was too large to fit in memory.

Not valid when figures are selected

  The operation you tried to perform can only be performed when no figures
  are selected.  Deselect all figures and try again.

Nothing to align

  You attempted to perform a figure alignment before selecting any figures.
  Select the figures you wish to align and try again.

Nothing to DELETE, buffer cleared

  You selected the delete feature while nothing was selected to delete.
  This causes the delete buffer to be cleared, freeing up the memory.  You
  can no longer use undelete to retrieve the last thing you deleted.

Nothing to PASTE

  A copy must be performed prior to paste.

Nothing to UNDELETE

  Either nothing has been deleted that can be undeleted or you cleared the
  delete buffer after the last DELETE (see Undeleting Figures).
                                                                       69

One or more figures not moved due to locks

  This message usually results from an attempt to align figures.  One or
  more of the figures was locked from being aligned properly with the
  others.  You may want to unlock these figures and try again.

Out of memory

  EDGE has run out of memory.  This indicates that your diagram is too big.
  Split it into multiple files.  Exit EDGE immediately or risk a crash.

Page boundaries must be enabled to print

  The operation you attempted requires that a page boundary be defined.
  Enable page boundaries in the print menu and try again.

Read-only file

  You attempted to write out a diagram file that is marked as read-only.
  If you are sure you want to modify the diagram, change its write-protect
  flag located in the PROPS dialog box.

See file EDGE.HLP for help information

  You attempted to access the HELP feature but no HELP was defined.  You
  can define the program to view the help file by setting the system
  parameter EDITOR.  Help pulls the EDGE.HLP file into your editor.  You
  can read this file outside of EDGE or you can print it to your printer.

Selected connectors could not be joined

  You attempted to join two connectors that could not be joined into one.
  Join only connectors that are connected to each other by elbows
  (invisible figures).

Some objects were not deleted due to locks

  You just deleted one or more objects.  If any of those objects were
  protected from deletion by a lock, they will not be deleted and this
  message will result.  If you really want to delete these objects, unlock
  them and try again.

Text cannot be added while ZOOMed

  Unzoom and try again.

Text is locked for new figures

  You attempted to create a figure with text (probably by pressing INS
  while the cursor was not over an existing figure) but the new figure
  properties are set to have locked text modification.  Either create the
  figure without text or use the figure properties menu to disable text
  modification lock on new figures.
                                                                       70

Text is locked for this figure

  You attempted to modify or create text for a figure that is locked for
  text modification.  You can only add or change the text if you eliminate
  the text modification figure lock.

That file already exists

  You tried to create a file that already exists.

The selected connectors cannot not be joined

  You tried to join two connectors that did not have a figure in common

Two or more connectors must be selected to join

  You attempted to perform a join operation without first having selected
  two or more connectors.  Select two or more appropriate connectors and
  try again.

Two or more figures should be selected

  The operation you attempted requires that at least two figures be
  selected.  Select two or more figures and try again.

Unable to access file

  This error is analogous to the "abort, retry, ignore?" message in DOS
  except that it always aborts.  It indicates that DOS could not open a
  file as requested.  The most common cause is a floppy drive door left
  open.  Fix the problem and retry the operation.

Unable to open print file - check printer or disk

  During a print operation, the output device (or file) could not be
  opened.  If printing to a file, the disk may be full, the drive may not
  be ready (check the drive door for a floppy), or file protection may be
  interfering.  If printing directly to a printer port (i.e., to lpt1 or
  lpt2 or lpt3), check that the printer is actually connected to the port
  and on-line with paper loaded.

WARNING: memory is low

  This message indicates that very little memory is left for EDGE to
  operate.  You should treat this as an out of memory indication to avoid
  any problems.  Because EDGE uses dynamic memory allocation for many
  things, it may not always be able to recover once memory is completely
  exhausted.  This message protects the user from approaching dangerous
  memory problems.  Once the "out of memory" message is encountered, it is
  not always possible to guarantee a safe recovery.