home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Mega-Mix
/
941009_1928.BIN
/
MANUAL1.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1987-10-25
|
53KB
|
2,179 lines
IMAGE-3D Version 2.0
Shareware Release
User Manual
Copyright (c) 1987, THE QUEST COMPANY
INTRODUCTION
------------
Image-3D is a three-dimensional wire-frame modeling program
that enables you to create, view, and edit three-dimensional
objects. Using a menu-driven interface, commands can be quickly
choosen to perform a large variety of design and viewing tasks.
And with Image-3D you can move, scale, rotate, and tip your
image anyway you choose, making the program suited for a
variety of creative design and illustration applications.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Introduction ..................................... 1
Table Of Contents ................................ 2
Disk Contents .................................... 2
System Requirements .............................. 3
Setting Up IMAGE-3D Version 2.0 .................. 4
Using The Menus .................................. 6
Version Compatibility ............................ 6
Drawing In 3D .................................... 7
Keyboard Reference ............................... 8
Sample Files ..................................... 9
Command Reference ................................ 10
Registered User .................................. 61
Error Messages ................................... 63
Index ............................................ 66
DISK CONTENTS
-------------
IMAGE.EXE The Image-3D program (Version 2.0)
IMAGE-3D.SET Configuration file used by IMAGE.EXE
SETUP.TMP Template file for starting a new drawing
README.TXT Instructions for printing the manual
MANUAL1.TXT Part One of the User Manual
MANUAL2.TXT Part Two of the User Manual
Sample Files: TEMPLE.3DM PYRAMIDS.3DM
PLATFORM.3DM DRAW-XYZ.3DM
CORNER.3DM SCALE.3DM
WINE-4-2.3DM
2
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-------------------
Image-3D Version 2.0 requires the following:
o An IBM PC, XT, AT or Compatible
o MS-DOS (PC-DOS) Version 2.0 or later
o Two Floppy Disk Drives or Hard Disk
o 512K Memory
o CGA Version - A Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) and
compatible CGA monitor
o EGA Version - An Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) and
compatible EGA monitor. The Enhanced Graphics Adapter must
also have 256K Video Memory (check your EGA card
documentation).
Optional:
o For printing your images on a dot-matrix printer you will
need a Memory-Resident Screen Printing Program. There are
a large number of these programs available commercially
and on the public domain and shareware program libraries.
Of the programs tested with Image-3D, by far the best has
been PIZAZZ Version 2.0 by Application Techniques, Inc.
Plotter support is available only on the Registered Users
Version.
3
SETTING UP IMAGE-3D Version 2.0
-------------------------------
FLOPPY DISK SYSTEM
Format two blank disks.
Insert your DOS disk into drive A and one of the formatted
disks in drive B. Issue the DOS command: COPY A:COMMAND.COM B:
Remove the DOS disk from drive A and insert the Image-3D Disk.
Issue the following DOS commands:
COPY A:IMAGE.EXE B:
COPY A:IMAGE-3D.SET B:
COPY A:SETUP.TMP B:
Your working program disk in Drive B is now complete and
should contain the following files:
IMAGE.EXE SETUP.TMP
IMAGE-3D.SET COMMAND.COM
Next, remove your new working copy from Drive B and insert
the other newly formatted diskette into Drive B. Issue the DOS
Command: COPY A:*.3DM B:
When all of the sample files have been copied to the disk in
Drive B, remove the Image-3D program disk from Drive A and store
it in a safe place. The program is now setup. To begin the
program, insert your working copy of the program into Drive A,
and the "drawing files" diskette into Drive B. The disks should
have the following files:
Drive A Drive B
IMAGE.EXE IMAGE-3D.SET TEMPLE.3DM SCALE.3DM
SETUP.TMP COMMAND.COM CORNER.3DM WINE-4-2.3DM
PLATFORM.3DM PYRAMIDS.3DM
DRAW-XYZ.3DM
To start the program from Drive A, type: IMAGE
Note: For information on setting your disk drive specification,
see the commands: DRAWINGS and SAVE CONFIG.
continued
4
HARD DISK SYSTEM
From your root directory on your Hard Disk create a subdirectory
for Image-3D. Issue the DOS command: MD IMAGE
Next, go to this new subdirectory by entering: CD IMAGE
Insert the Image-3D program disk into Drive A and issue the
DOS commands:
COPY A:IMAGE.EXE C:
COPY A:IMAGE-3D.SET C:
COPY A:SETUP.TMP C:
Next, while you're still in the subdirectory that now contains
the three Image-3D program files, create another directory for
your Drawing files. For example, MD DRAWINGS
Go to this new subdirectory by entering: CD DRAWINGS
You now need to copy all of the sample files to this new
subdirectory. Issue the DOS command: COPY A:*.3DM C:
The Hard Disk setup is now complete, you can now store the
Image-3D program diskette in a safe place.
Note:
Image-3D is initially configured for a Two Floppy Disk System.
From the Main Menu of the program, the DRAWINGS and SAVE CONFIG
commands will allow you to configure your new Disk Drive and
Path specification. See the instructions for these two commands
in the reference section. To start the program from your
"IMAGE" subdirectory, enter: IMAGE
5
USING THE MENUS
---------------
Both display Versions of Image-3D use the same method of menu
selection. A small pointer moves along the side of the menu to
indicate the current position.
You control the menu selector by using the UP and DOWN cursor
keys. If you are at the top of the menu and you press the UP
key, you will "wrap-around" to the bottom of the menu. The
"wrap-around" also works when you're at the bottom of the menu
and press the DOWN key - which quickly puts the menu selector
back at the top of the menu.
When you have the menu selector positioned at the desired
command, just press RETURN. Depending upon the command, the
program will either perform the desired task or one of the
submenus will appear.
From time to time messages may appear in the top row of the
display. They may be questions for you to answer with a menu
selection, or it might be a message informing you of what is
taking place with your drawing.
Whenever you wish to cancel a routine that has prompted you to
input a filename or unit specification, simply press ESCAPE
and you will return to the menu again.
VERSION COMPATIBILITY
---------------------
Version 2.0 files are completely upwardly compatible to
Version 4.0, (the registered users version) and will
not require any modification.
Additionally, files created on systems using the Enhanced
Graphics Adapter can be used by systems configured for the
Color Graphics Adapter and vice versa. The particular
display version you are using only determines your own
drawing and display options.
6
DRAWING IN 3D
-------------
To create true three-dimensional images requires the ability to
select points in 3D space. To identify these points (the end
points for lines) a coordinate system is used that represents
the point's location.
The coordinate system must specify how far to the side, how
high or low, and how close or far back the point is. A
coordinate format of x,y,z will identify this location.
The "x" represents the location from side to side (the
X-Axis). The "y" represents the location's length (the
Y-Axis). And the "z" represents the height or depth of the
point (the Z-Axis).
Together these 3 Axes create the 3 separate drawing planes that
you can draw on and through when creating images. The planes
are often referred to as the X-Y Plane, the Y-Z Plane, and the
X-Z plane. To make it easier and more understandable, Image-3D
identifies these drawing planes using names that correspond to
the sides of an image. They are the Left-Right Plane (the Y-Z
Plane), the Front-Back Plane (the X-Z Plane), and the
Top-Bottom Plane (the X-Y Plane).
When you are creating a 3D image, you will be able to choose
which of the planes you want the graphics cursor to move or
draw on. The selection of these drawing planes and the control
of the cursor are chosen using the DRAW command. You will
control the graphics cursor in 3D space using the LEFT, RIGHT,
UP, and DOWN Cursor keys.
Your line will be drawn on your chosen drawing plane in the
direction of the cursor key you press. And pressing the cursor
key again draws the line further by a specified increment that
you select using the F9 KEY while the Drawing Mode or Pen
Movement Mode is Active. You can also draw your image from many
different viewpoints, since the program draws lines on your
chosen drawing plane in relation to your viewpoint.
After you have tried out the DRAW command for the various
drawing planes from a couple of different viewpoints, you will
quickly discover how to orient Image-3D's graphics cursor.
It is suggested however that before you begin drawing an Image
for the first time, read the following commands in the
reference section.
DRAW, MOVE PEN, LEFT-RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM, XYZ VP,
SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<, SAVE IMAGE, F1-F10 KEYS
7
KEYBOARD REFERENCE
------------------
This is a brief reference to the keys used for the operation
of Image-3D. For more specific information about the
Function Keys, see the Command Reference Section.
FUNCTION KEYS
F1 Left View F2 Right View
F3 Front View F4 Back View
F5 Top View F6 Bottom View
F7 (Reserved) F8 Axes Grid
F9 Units/Degress F10 Redraw
CURSOR KEYS
HOME - Drawing Plane. Draw or Move Pen Commands
Only.
UP, DOWN KEYS - During Menu selection, moves the
pointer to the previous menu item or the next.
During the Draw or Move Pen commands, moves the
Graphics Cursor in releation to your viewpoint.
During the XYZ VP command, moves your viewpoint Up
or Down, tipping the axes.
LEFT, RIGHT KEYS - During the Draw or Move Pen
commands, moves the Graphics Cursor in relation
to your viewpoint.
During the XYZ VP command, moves your viewpoint
Left or Right, rotating the axes.
During the Color-Fore command, cycles the color
palette to the previous color or the next.
ESCAPE KEY - Where appropriate, cancels a command, exits
the Draw or Move Pen commans, or cancels an input prompt.
RETURN KEY - When using the menus, selects the menu item.
When using the Draw command, enters the line.
8
SAMPLE FILES
------------
Included with the program files are seven sample files that
will help illustrate some of the drawings you can create
using Image-3D.
If you would like to view the sample files before reading
all of the commands, the following commands will give you
enough information about how to load and view each of the
sample files:
IMAGE DRAW, DRAWINGS, END, XYZ VP, VIEW, PLAN VIEW,
FULL SCREEN, MAIN MENU, F1-F6, F8, F10 KEYS
To start Image-3D, at the DOS prompt enter: IMAGE
Note: When prompted for a filename, just enter the name of the
file, do not include the .3DM extension.
File Descriptions:
PLATFORM
A drawing of a simple offshore oil rig. Cylinders and
scaled cubes make up most of its construction.
TEMPLE
Display of a Greek Temple. An illustration of how a wire
frame model clearly shows all of the elements used to construct
an image.
DRAW-XYZ
This file helps illustrate what is meant by drawing planes. Use
the XYZ VP command to look at it from several viewpoints, it
will help you orient yourself to the various types of drawing
planes. (In addition to drawing on just a flat drawing plane
you can also draw through a plane and onto another as shown in
the next sample file, Pyramids)
PYRAMIDS
This file contains three pyramids resting on a "floor" of
two-dimensional square tiles. Notice that you can draw lines
that slope from one point to another. With Image-3D, you can
switch your drawing plane as you are drawing lines, so you can
slope or angle your line to any point in "3D Space." (The lines
drawn on one side of each pyramid help create a "shading"
effect)
continued
9
SCALE
One of the features of this program is the ability to scale an
object's height, width, or length independently. This file
shows how a cube can be stretched along any of its dimensions.
CORNER
This "T-Intersection" illustrates how you can not only create
three dimensional objects, like the buildings, but you can add
extra two-dimensional detail to enhance the overall image, such
as the road and crosswalk. To read the signs, you can use the
ENLARGE and SMALL commands.
WINE-4-2
Table and Two Chairs. This file shows off the Registered Users
version of Image-3D (Version 4.0). The only thing in the drawing
that was "drawn" is the cord on the hanging lamp. Every other
element, including the bottle and glasses were created from the
Version 4.0 library files. A chair is created by scaling a
number cubes in different ways and then moving them together to
form a chair. Next, a Mirror Copy is made of the chair for
the opposite side of the table. And the table is made of three
cylinders, each scaled differently.
COMMAND REFERENCE
-----------------
The next section contains a full description of all
the commands in Image-3D Version 2.0. The listing is in
alphabetical order and has the following format for each
command:
COMMAND NAME COMMAND NAME
Summary: A brief description of the command.
Menu(s): From which menu or menus the command can be chosen.
Procedure: A detailed explanation of how to use the command
and what function(s) it will perform.
Note: Any important tips or facts related to the command.
See Also: Where appropriate, other commands that may be of
interest.
10
ALL SIDES ALL SIDES
Summary: A Scale Type option that indicates you want all the
sides of your Image scaled at the same time and by
the same scale factor. After choosing this command
you will enter the Scale Menu.
Menu(s): SCALE TYPE
Procedure: By selecting SCALE from the Image-3D Menu, the Scale
Type Menu will be displayed. You must choose the
type of scale operation you want to perform.
ALL SIDES means you want to scale all the sides
of your image equally by the same factor and at
the same time.
After you choose ALL SIDES, the Scale Menu will
appear. From this menu you perform the scaling
operations.
See Also: SCALE, SCALE TYPE, HEIGHT, WIDTH, LENGTH
SMALLER, LARGER, FACTOR...
11
COLORS COLORS
& COLORS MENU (EGA Display Only) & COLORS MENU
Summary: Displays the Colors Menu.
Menu(s): DRAW, VIEW, EDIT, and IMAGE-3D
Procedure: The Colors Menu will display the four color
commands used on systems with the EGA:
COLOR-BACK allows you to select or change
your background color.
COLOR-FORE allows you to set each foreground
color (line color) to any one of 64 colors.
LINE COLOR allows you to choose any one of the
16 foreground colors you want you next line(s)
drawn in.
EDIT LINE lets you edit the color of a previously
drawn line.
See Also: COLOR-BACK, COLOR-FORE, DRAW, LINE COLOR
EDIT LINE, SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<
12
COLOR-BACK (EGA Display Only) COLOR-BACK
Summary: Displays the Background Color Menu.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure: The Background Color Menu displays 16 colors
(0-15). Next to each color number is a color
block so you can clearly see which color is
currently set to each background color number.
Selecting a color will immediately redraw your
image with the new background color. You will
remain on the Background Color Menu where you
can quickly select yet another color. This
allows you to easily test which background color
you want.
When finished, select PREVIOUS to return to the
primary menu where you issued the COLORS command,
or select COLORS MENU to redisplay the Colors
Menu.
Note: Even though you have only 16 background colors
to choose from, with Image-3D you can still use
any one of the 64 colors (0-63) as a background.
Let's say you choose color number 13. Your Image
is redrawn and it looks awful - this background
color just won't do. Select COLORS MENU. When the
Colors Menu is displayed, choose COLOR-FORE. Then
when the Foreground Color Menu appears move the
menu selector down to color number 13 and press
RETURN. This will activate the palette selector.
Using the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys will instantly
change the background color. You can now cycle
through all 64 colors and choose the background
color that looks best with your Image. When you
find it, just press RETURN. Your background color
is now set and you can return to the primary menu
by selecting PREVIOUS.
See Also: COLOR-FORE, COLORS
13
COLOR-FORE (EGA Display Only) COLOR-FORE
Summary: Allows you to set each foreground color
(line color) to any one of 64 colors.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure: The Foreground Color Menu displays 16 colors
(0-15). Next to each color number is a color
block so you can clearly see which color is
currently set to each color number. Then next
to each color block is another number, this
number corresponds to one of the EGA's 64
colors (0-63).
Image-3D always keeps the color Black assigned
to color number 0, and is the only color
number you can not change. The other 15 color
numbers can be assigned any one of the 64 colors.
To change a foreground color assignment, move
the menu selector to the color number you want to
change and press RETURN. A message is displayed
at the top of the screen indicating you to use
the RIGHT or LEFT cursor keys to cycle through
the palette. Next to the message is a much larger
color block and in front of it, the number
corresponding to one of the 64 colors (0-63).
As you press the cursor key the color block will
change color and any line in your drawing using the
selected color number (0-15) will also change. When
you find a color you like, press RETURN. You can
now repeat the procedure for another color number
or return to another menu with PREVIOUS or COLORS
MENU.
Note: Image-3D uses color number 4 for the menus, number
2 for the viewport boarder, number 14 for the menu
title, and number 15 for messages and the menu
pointer. Feel free to reassign their colors - just
be sure you can see the color of the menu options.
See Also: COLOR-BACK, COLORS, LINE COLOR
14
DELETE ALL DELETE ALL
Summary: Deletes all the line data for your Image.
Menu(s): EDIT
Procedure: After selecting DELETE ALL, a small menu will
appear to confirm your desire to delete all of the
line data for your Image.
Selecting NO will return you to the Edit Menu
and leave your line data untouched.
Selecting YES will erase all the line data for your
Image. However, all of the settings (i.e. colors,
line units, etc.) will not be reset and you can
immediately continue working on a new drawing again.
Note: DELETE ALL erases only the line data currently in
memory. To erase the data you have on disk, issue
the SAVE IMAGE command after using the DELETE ALL
command or to erase the file completely, use the
DOS command ERASE after exiting Image-3D.
See Also: SAVE IMAGE
15
DELETE LINE DELETE LINE
Summary: Allows you to remove a previously drawn line
from your drawing.
Menu(s): EDIT
Procedure: To use this function you must first select a line
using either the SELECT >>> or SELECT <<< commands.
If you have selected a line using the SELECT
commands, the line will be redrawn using the
Editing Line Style as in the SELECT procedure.
(if you haven't issued a command that redraws the
image, your line will already be drawn in the
Editing Line Style).
If you are sure you want to erase the selected
line from your drawing, press RETURN. Any other
key will cancel the Delete Line procedure.
After pressing RETURN, the program will sort the
data for your image, recalculate, and then display
your revised drawing. Your line count will also
have been reduced by one.
See Also: SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<, DELETE ALL
16
DRAW (From the Draw Menu) DRAW
Summary: Activates the Drawing Mode.
Menu(s): DRAW
Procedure: Once you select DRAW, you can move the graphics
cursor using the LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN cursor keys.
Each time you press the cursor key a line will be
drawn, stretching from its starting point to the
current location of the graphics cursor. The
graphics cursor appears as a small square on the
EGA monitor and a small diamond on the CGA monitor.
The graphics cursor moves along a drawing plane
that can be selected by the HOME key. Any movement
of the graphics cursor will be in relation to this
plane and your viewpoint. As the graphics cursor
moves, the x,y,z coordinates will be displayed in
the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
When you have drawn a line to the position you
want, press RETURN. The line number displayed with
the x,y,z coordinates will advance by one, and will
always indicate the line you are currently working
on. Your actual line count will be one less. You
may have a maximum total of 3000 lines per drawing.
After selecting RETURN, you remain in the drawing
mode and can continue drawing more lines. To stop
drawing, press ESCAPE. Cursor key control will now
be back on the menu. If you ESCAPE before selecting
your line with RETURN, the unselected line will be
erased and the cursor will move back to the last
starting point and you will return to the menu.
Note: Use the F9 KEY to set the increment the graphics
cursor will move each time you press a cursor key.
Note: The center of Image-3D's "3D drawing space" is at
the x,y,z coordinate: 0,0,0 and the drawing space
extends 7,000 units in each direction. However you
should keep your image boundaries between -3000
to +3000 since this is the size of the normal
viewport. (the extra space is for contingencies
and future program features)
See Also: "Drawing In 3D" Section, MOVE PEN, F9 KEY,
LEFT-RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM, F10 KEY
17
DRAW (From the Image-3D Menu) DRAW
Summary: Displays the Draw Menu, one of the primary menus
used in Image-3D.
Menu(s): IMAGE-3D, and also from the EDIT Menu
Procedure: The Draw Menu displays one of the primary
menus where all of the commands used to draw the
lines of your image can be selected.
The Draw Menu is also the only menu where the
graphics cursor is active. When moving to another
menu, the graphics cursor can be removed from the
display by issuing a "Redraw" with the F10 Key.
See Also: IMAGE DRAW, DRAW (from the Draw Menu)
18
DRAWINGS DRAWINGS
Summary: Allows you to set or change the Disk Drive and/or
Path specification for the Drawing file directory.
Menu(s): MAIN MENU
Procedure: When retrieving or saving drawing files, Image-3D
needs to know which Disk Drive and/or Path the
files are located. Using the command DRAWINGS, you
configure the Drive specification Image-3D will use
to locate and save your drawing files.
The DRAWINGS command will prompt you to enter the
Disk Drive and Path specification you would like to
use. You are allowed to have a specification up to
a maximum of 40 characters. To cancel the command,
press ESCAPE. To enter, type in the specification
and press RETURN.
If you are setting a Disk Drive Only specification
then you must use the following syntax: enter the
Disk Drive Letter and a colon. Do Not enter a
backslash or any other character. An example to use
Disk Drive B is simply: B:
If you are also using a Path specification then use
the following syntax: enter the Disk Drive Letter
followed by a colon, then enter the backslash (i.e.
\) followed by the name of the directory. Do not
include a backslash at the end of the directory.
For example, let's say you have Image-3D in a
directory called "Image" on your Hard Disk and you
have a separate directory for your Drawing files
located below the "Image" directory. For this
example the directory name for your Drawing files
will be appropriately named "Drawings"
The entry for DRAWINGS would be: C:\IMAGE\DRAWINGS
Note: Use SAVE CONFIG command to save your configuration.
19
EDIT EDIT
Summary: Displays the Edit Menu, one of the primary menus
used in Image-3D.
Menu(s): IMAGE-3D, DRAW
Procedure: The Edit Menu displays one of the primary
menus where all of the commands relating to the
Editing of your image can be selected.
See Also: IMAGE-3D, DRAW (from the Image-3D Menu), VIEW
20
EDIT LINE (EGA Display Only) EDIT LINE
Summary: Allows you to edit the color of a previously
drawn line.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure: To use this function you must first select a line
using either the SELECT >>> or SELECT <<< commands.
If you have selected a line using the SELECT
commands, the Edit Line Menu will be displayed. Like
the Line Color Menu, this menu displays all the 16
colors with a color bar next to each color number.
Choose the color you would like the selected line
to be changed to. When you do, the line will
immediately be drawn in the new color. You will
remain in the Edit Line Menu so you can run down
the list of colors choosing a color that is just
right for your image.
When finished, choose either COLORS MENU or
PREVIOUS to return to another menu. Your line
will now remain in the color you have just
selected.
See Also: SELECT >>>, SELECT <<<, LINE COLOR, COLOR-FORE
21
END END
Summary: To end a graphics session and return to the Main
Menu.
Menu(s): IMAGE-3D
Procedure: After selecting END, you will be prompted to
confirm your selection.
CANCEL will return you to the Image-3D Menu.
YES-QUIT will take you to the Main Menu. Be sure
to save your file first.
22
ENLARGE ENLARGE
Summary: Displays the Enlarge Scr(een) Menu. Used to Zoom
or enlarge portions of the drawing viewport.
Menu(s): VIEW
Procedure: Selecting the ENLARGE command will display a
menu with the following options: SMALL, LARGE,
NORMAL, PREVIOUS.
SMALL will enter you into the Small View Menu where
you can choose one of nine areas to enlarge. LARGE
is similar to the operation of SMALL, except you
have only five slightly larger areas to choose
from. NORMAL will redraw the display in its normal
setting. And PREVIOUS will return you to the View
Menu.
See Also: SMALL, LARGE, NORMAL
23
F1-F6 KEYS F1-F6 KEYS
Summary: Selects an Orthographic View.
Menu(s): Any menu
Procedure: The viewport is cleared and your image is redrawn
using one of the Six Orthographic Views. The views
are assigned to a separate function key as follows:
F1 LEFT VIEW F2 RIGHT VIEW
F3 FRONT VIEW F4 BACK VIEW
F5 TOP VIEW F6 BOTTOM VIEW
You can use this command even while you're in Draw
or Pen Movement Mode. If Draw Mode is active, you
can use this command to assist you in positioning
your lines more quickly, since you can jump from
one view to another - even if you are in the middle
of drawing a line.
Note: The F7 KEY is not used in Version 2.0, it is a
Version 4.0 feature for turning the Perspective
Mode On and Off.
See Also: XYZ VP
24
F8 KEY F8 KEY
Summary: Toggles the display of an Axes Grid On and Off.
Menu(s): Any menu
Procedure: If Axes Grid is Off, it is now turned On and your
Image is redrawn with the Axes Grid.
If Axes Grid is On, it is now turned Off and your
Image is redrawn without the Axes Grid.
Image-3D creates the Axes Grid by drawing a line
along each Axes (X-Axis, Y-Axis, and Z-Axis) and is
useful in aligning your image to the center of
Image-3D's rotation point located at (0,0,0), or
just viewing your image in relation to the X,Y,Z
Axes.
Note: PLAN VIEW temporarily turns the Axes Grid off when
drawing its four views.
See Also: MOVE
25
F9 KEY F9 KEY
Summary: Allows the selection or change in Draw Units
or Axes Units during the command that uses these
units.
Menu(s): NONE - Only active during the corresponding command
operation.
Procedure: DURING THE DRAW OR MOVE PEN COMMANDS:
Used to select or change the distance the graphics
cursor will move each time you press a cursor key
when using the DRAW or MOVE PEN commands. The F9
KEY is used to cycle through a number of different
Draw Units while you are still using the DRAW or
MOVE PEN command. The Line Units are: 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000
The Draw Menu displays your Drawing Units down in
the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Pressing
F9 will suspend the Draw or Move Pen command and
allow you to use the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys to
cycle the Draw Units. As you press the cursor key,
the Units display will change. When you want to
select the displayed unit, press RETURN. You will
now resume with the DRAW or MOVE PEN command.
DURING THE XYZ VP COMMAND:
While rotating the XYZ VP Axes, you may find that
you would like to change the degree of rotation the
Axes moves each time. The F9 KEY can be used to
cycle through the a number of different degree
increments. Your choices are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10,
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45.
The currently set Axes Unit is displayed on the
right-hand side of the screen. Pressing F9 will
suspend the XYZ VP command and allow you to use the
LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys to cycle through the Axes
Units. As you press the cursor key, the Axes Unit
will change. When you want to select the displayed
unit, press RETURN. You will now resume in the XYZ
VP command and each movement of the XYZ VP Axes
will be by the displayed Axes Unit.
Note: You can use the ESCAPE KEY to cancel the F9
selection process and retore the previous value.
See Also: DRAW, MOVE PEN, XYZ VP
26
F10 KEY F10 KEY
Summary: "Redraw" clears the viewport and redraws your image.
Menu(s): Any menu
Procedure: The viewport is cleared and your image is redrawn.
The command will also clean up lines that may have
been partially erased by the graphics cursor moving
across previously drawn lines. Redraw does not
perform any rotation or tip calculations and will
redraw your screen much faster than it does after
using XYZ VP.
Note: You can use this command even while you are in Draw
or Pen Movement Mode.
Note: The graphics cursor is only active on the Draw
Menu. Using the F10 KEY from any other menu allows
you to remove it from view. The graphics cursor
will then reappear when you return to the Draw Menu.
27
FACTOR... FACTOR...
Summary: Your Image can be scaled using five different
factors: .99, .95, .90, .75, and .50. To choose a
scale factor select one of these factors from the
Scale Menu.
Menu(s): SCALE
Procedure: The menu option FACTOR... does not perform any task
other than provide a heading for the Scale Factors
listed below it.
While on the Scale Menu, your current Scale Factor
is displayed in the lower right-hand corner of the
screen.
A Scale Factor of .50 will cause the greatest
amount of scaling to occur, whereas a Scale Factor
of .99 will cause the least.
You can change your Scaling Factor as needed, and
your current Scale Factor will also be saved with
your drawing data on disk.
See Also: SCALE, SCALE TYPE, ALL SIDES, HEIGHT,
WIDTH, LENGTH, LARGER, SMALLER
28
FRONT-BACK FRONT-BACK
Summary: While using the DRAW or MOVE PEN commands, selects
the drawing plane that is associated with the Front
or Back Side of your image. (the X-Z Plane)
Menu(s): NONE - Selected Only in DRAW or MOVE PEN commands.
Procedure: While in either the Drawing Mode or the Pen Movement
Mode, you can toggle your drawing plane using the
HOME cursor key. A message in the upper right-hand
corner of the screen indicates your current
drawing plane.
The Front-Back drawing plane will cause any
subsequent movement of the graphics cursor to move
in relation to this plane and your viewpoint.
The LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys will move the
graphics cursor along the width of your image (the
X-Axis), while the UP and DOWN cursor keys will
move the graphics cursor along the height of your
image (the Z-Axis).
The current Y coordinate value (the location along
your image's length) will be locked in place as you
draw on the Front-Back Plane. To move along the
length of your image, you can use the LEFT-RIGHT or
TOP-BOTTOM drawing plane.
See Also: LEFT-RIGHT, TOP-BOTTOM, DRAW, MOVE PEN
29
FULL SCREEN FULL SCREEN
Summary: Clears the menu from the display, and temporarily
redraws your image using the entire screen.
Menu(s): VIEW
Procedure: FULL SCREEN redraws your currently selected view
without a menu or message area by using the entire
screen as the drawing viewport.
The program is paused temporarily and pressing any
key will reset the viewport and return you back to
the View Menu.
The FULL SCREEN command is also the best place for
you to use any memory resident utility program that
allows you to print your display screen.
See Also: ENLARGE
30
HEIGHT HEIGHT
Summary: A Scale Type option that indicates you want only
the height of your image scaled.
Menu(s): SCALE TYPE
Procedure: By selecting SCALE from the Image-3D Menu, the Scale
Type Menu will be displayed. You must choose the
type of scale operation you want to perform.
HEIGHT means you want only the height (Z-Axis)
scaled.
After you choose HEIGHT, the Scale Menu will
appear and from this menu you perform the scaling
operations.
See Also: SCALE, SCALE TYPE, ALL SIDES, WIDTH,
LENGTH, SMALLER, LARGER, FACTOR...
31
IMAGE DRAW IMAGE DRAW
Summary: Starts a 3D graphics design session.
Menu(s): MAIN MENU
Procedure: To begin a new drawing, edit an existing one, or
just to view images, this command will clear the
Main Menu from the screen and display all the
drawing files you have on disk. You will then be
prompted for a filename.
If you want to cancel the command and return to the
Main Menu, Press ESCAPE.
To begin a new drawing, enter a new filename that
is not already in use, or is not on the current
disk. Do not include the ".3DM" extension.
To retrieve an existing drawing that is listed
in the directory, just enter its filename without
the ".3DM" extension.
After entering a filename, the program will enter
its graphics mode, display a viewport, and load
your drawing (or SETUP.TMP if it's a new drawing).
On existing files, the program must calculate your
viewpoint position, so you will have to wait a
moment as the program calculates and draws each
line in your image. When displayed, the Image-3D
Menu will appear and you can begin selecting
commands from the menu.
See Also: DRAWINGS, SAVE CONFIG, SETUP FILE
32
LARGE LARGE
Summary: Allows you to select one of five different areas
of the viewport to enlarge.
Menu(s): ENLARGE
Procedure: The viewport will divide into four quadrants
and a fifth quadrant will appear in the middle.
Choose the menu option that corresponds to the
quadrant you want to enlarge.
After making a selection, the viewport will be
redrawn to display only the area in the selected
quadrant. You will then return to the View Menu.
If you were already viewing an enlarged quadrant
when you selected LARGE, the screen will be redrawn
in order to display all 5 areas. You can select a
new area or use the PREVIOUS command to make no
change to your enlarged viewport. You can also
switch from LARGE to SMALL without having to use
the NORMAL command.
See Also: ENLARGE, SMALL, NORMAL
33