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PCX SuperShow A Presentation Software System ============================== INTRODUCTION ============================== PCX-SuperShow is a highly stylized multi-media presentation program from PC WEST Software & Services of Phoenix, Arizona. The program allows the user to create customized screen presentations using pictures/screens saved or captured in the PCX file format. PCX-SuperShow features include multiple screen fades and segues, kaleidoscope screen effects, special effects, circle and box drawing, support of digitized voice and music with the Sound Blaster and compatible sound cards, PC Speaker music and sound, text display using customized and computer fonts, border and screen clearing effects and more. The PCX file format is one of the single most used graphics file formats in the DOS world. It is the native format of the PC Paintbrush series of programs and was developed by ZSoft Corporation. Most of the major graphics programs allow the importing and/or exporting of graphics screens in this format. PCX-SuperShow works by creating a script consisting of one or two script commands that tells the program what and how you want your files or text and drawings to be displayed. An example of a complete script is the file PCXSHOW.SPT. The files included in this shareware version are: PCXSS.EXE - PCX-SuperShow program PCXSP.EXE - The Script Generator/Editor PCXSHOW.SPT - Full Demo Script File for VGA systems *.PCX - Various PCX Screen files for demo *.FNT - Various GEM Screen fonts *.MUS - Various Music/Song Files SUPER.OTL - SuperFont Data SSORDER.FRM - SuperShow order form (ASCII text file) The shareware executable SuperShow Files PCXSS.EXE and PCXSP.EXE are identical to the registered version with the exception of a brief shareware sign-on and sign-off screen that appears each time you run your show. There are a number of files not included with this shareware version that you will receive when you register PCX-SuperShow. The main reason we have not included these files is for the reason of space. The entire PCX-SuperShow registered version includes programs and files that total over 1.5 megabytes. Additonal files/programs you'll receive with the registered version include: Ten (10) PCX file utilities: These utilities include graphics and text screen capture programs, image sizing, printing, and viewing programs. Over 2 dozen custom font files: SuperShow uses the GEM font format and we include over 2 dozen custom font files with your registered version. Runtime Module: The registered version includes a couple of programs that allow you to make a runtime version of your presentation for distribution with no royalties. Music/Voice Files: SuperShow supports the Sound Blaster compatible digitized voice files and also a music file format for your pc speaker. You receive additional music & voice files when registering. A professionally printed and bound manual that is more in depth than this documentation. And of course we are constantly updating our series of programs and files. When you register, you'll receive the very latest version of SuperShow. This documentation is a subset of our printed manual. There may be references to some of the programs not included with the shareware version. For the most part, chapters dealing with these files have been removed from this shareware documentation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PCX-SuperShow Demonstration Show A demonstration of many of the features of PCX-SuperShow is included in this version. To view the demo, change to the directory where the PCX-SuperShow files are stored. From that directory type PCXSS at the DOS prompt and press the Enter key. In a few seconds, the demonstration program will begin. If you haven't viewed the demonstration of PCX-SuperShow yet, we suggest you do so. The demo will give you a good overview of the capabilities of the program. This version of PCX-SuperShow includes PCX-ShowPrep (PCXSP.EXE). This is an ASCII based text editor that allows you to create your PCX-SuperShow script and run the show right from the editor with a simple key stroke. ShowPrep also features pull-down menu selections that automatically write script commands for you. Details on using PCXSP.EXE are found in the chapter titled PCX-ShowPrep. All orders and inquiries should be directed to: PC WEST P.O. Box 31418 Phoenix, AZ 85046 (602)-992-0310 ============ REQUIREMENTS ============ Graphics programs, especially ones requiring high screen resolution displays, such as VGA or Super VGA, are very memory and speed intensive. PCX-SuperShow is no exception. As you will note below, PCX-SuperShow will run on a simple PC or PC-XT with a clock speed of 4.77 mhz. However, if you plan to use the VGA or Super VGA mode on this type of system you will be disappointed. The speed is "Oh so slow". On the other hand, if your presentation is comprised of files and screens in the CGA or even EGA mode, then the speed is certainly acceptable. Below, we've listed three types of hardware requirements. You will be most pleased if your requirements match those of the recommended or ideal. Minimum Hardware Requirements: Minimum hardware requirements for using PCX-SuperShow are an IBM computer (PC, XT, AT, PS/2) or compatible, DOS 2.xx or higher, 512K Conventional RAM memory available when running PCX-SuperShow and a CGA, EGA, VGA or SVGA graphics card with 256K Video Memory. Recommended Hardware Requirements: The recommended hardware requirements for using PCX-SuperShow are an AT class 286, 386SX, 386, 486 computer with 16mhz chip speed or better, 1mb of expanded memory (or extended memory that may be made expanded by DOS 5.0 or other memory manager software), 512K Conventional RAM memory available when running PCX-SuperShow and a VGA graphics card. Ideal Hardware Requirements: The ideal hardware configuration for using PCX-SuperShow is a 386SX, 386 or 486 class computer with 20mhz chip speed or better, 2mb of expanded memory, 512K Conventional RAM memory available when running PCX-SuperShow and a supported SVGA graphics card. A printer is also desirable but not required. If your presentations will always be in CGA or EGA mode, we recommend you consider acquiring our PCX-Show 4.0. This version in our Show series uses video ram, for the most part, for EGA & CGA pcx files and will run smoothly on a PC or PC-XT. Supported SVGA Graphics Cards: The computer industry was together when creating the standards for CGA, EGA and VGA graphic cards. . . but then along came Super VGA and we ended up with several different standards for the Super VGA graphics mode. The industry is trying to rectify that now with the VESA standard. In the meantime, there are a lot of different SVGA cards out there. We've attempted to include support for most of them. PCX-SuperShow definitely supports the following cards/chip sets: Diamond SpeedStar Paradise Orchid Video Seven ATI Hercules Tseng Chip Set Cards There are other brands that use different names but actually use an acceptable chip set. For example, there are several different brand names that use the Tseng 4000 based chip set. PCX-SuperShow will perform well in the SVGA mode with any of those brands. What if you have an unsupported chip set? We're working on it. In the meantime, you will be able to use PCX-SuperShow in the CGA, EGA and VGA modes. Memory Information: As we've indicated, graphics programs require lots of memory. Here is the way PCX-SuperShow uses memory. A. First, the program itself will take up about 200K of conventional memory. If you started with 512K free, that leaves you with about 312K of ram. Next, the program sets aside 64K ram for the custom fonts. Another 12K or so for the SuperFont. Now we are down to about 200K of conventional memory for loading pcx files and creating buffers to store them and so forth. If you have an SVGA pcx file that is 250K in size, it becomes clear that there isn't enough conventional ram to handle it. B. When conventional ram is exhausted, then SuperShow looks for expanded memory. If it's available, it will use it to store and display your pcx files very rapidly. C. When there is no conventional ram or expanded memory available the avenue of last resort is your hard disk. SuperShow will use your hard disk as virtual memory. The penalty is speed. We are at the mercy of the speed of your hard drive for displaying pcx files stored this way. The net effect will be a very slow screen write. The Bottom Line: There is a saying that "you can never be too rich or too thin." For computers the saying is "Computers can never be too fast or have too much memory." ======== OVERVIEW ======== You interface your PCX formatted screens with PCX-SuperShow using a proprietary Script format. The Script format is simply a set of one or two word commands that tells PCX-SuperShow what you want to do. An example of a Script file is the demonstration file PCXSHOW.SPT. Take a look at this file in the PCX-ShowPrep editor or any editor/word processor that is able to load and read ASCII based text files. If you've never used PCX-SuperShow before, a great way to begin learning the program is to load the tutorial scripts in the PCX-ShowPrep editor. You may view the script contents in the editor and run the script from the editor. Once you have created or captured the PCX screens you wish to include, you need to tell PCX-SuperShow when and how you want them displayed. That is the purpose of the script. In it's simplest form, your show centers around the SHOW script command. This is the command you use to display your pcx files. You may, of course, display your pictures using the dozens of fades, segues and special effects found in PCX SuperShow. You may also use the Script to display text (using custom , SuperFont or the ROM computer fonts), pop-up window boxes and or circles, create kaleidoscope screens, clear screens, draw screen borders and more. The demo script, PCXSHOW.SPT demonstrates the use of these script commands. You may create the Script in PCX-ShowPrep or any editor/word processor that can save a file in standard ASCII format. We strongly recommend your using the PCX-ShowPrep program to prepare your script. This program allows you to choose any of the dozens of script commands from a pull-down menu system. When you choose the script command, the program will insert it in your script, saving you the time of typing or typo error correction. Once you've completed your Script you can name it using any conventional DOS characters. To see the show at the DOS prompt you would type: PCXSS [Filename.Ext] and then press the Enter key. The Script file and PCXSS.EXE file must be in the same drive/directory. If no file name is given when PCXSS is entered at the DOS prompt, the program looks for a default file named PCXSHOW.SPT. That's what we named our full-demo Script. If PCX-SuperShow can't find the Script file it will tell you. Let's say you created a Script file named MYSHOW.SHW and you want to view the show. From the DOS prompt you type: PCXSS MYSHOW.SHW and press the Enter key. Be sure there is a space between PCXSS and your Script file name. You may, of course, add to, change or delete lines/commands in your Script file at any time. Of course, the easiest way to create and view your script/show is by using our new PCX-ShowPrep editor/script generator. This program allows you to choose your script commands from menus and automatically writes the script for you. You also may run the script directly from the editor so you may monitor your progress without having to leave the editor. One of the best ways to learn to use PCX-SuperShow is by looking and modifying the demo script, PCXSHOW.SPT. We have included just about every script command available in SuperShow in this script file. Loading this script file will show you how each effect, transition, fade, segue, screen write, etc., was accomplished. There are dozens of script commands in PCX-SuperShow. The next chapter, SCRIPT COMMANDS, covers each of those commands in depth. The script commands are listed in alphabetical order. =============== SCRIPT COMMANDS =============== The following is a review of all the Script commands available in PCX-SuperShow. Script files may be prepared in any editor/word processor that is able to save files in the ASCII format. We do highly recommend, however, that you use PCX-ShowPrep. From ShowPrep you will be able to pick your script commands from pull-down menus. It will make creating your script very easy. Each Script command must be on a separate line. Any combination of upper and lower case letters is allowed. The proper syntax outlined with each script command listed below must be followed. We have grouped the commands in alphabetical order to make it easy for you to find a particular script command quickly. ATPIX [Pixel Column,Pixel Row] ------------------------------ Purpose: This command allows you to place a custom font, SuperFont and/or pcx image at any screen location. It designates, in pixels, the upper left hand corner where you wish to place your pcx picture. Comments: The main use of this command is to locate where you wish your print statement or pcx image to be located on your screen. For full screen pcx images the command is always ATPIX 0,0. Smaller pcx images may be located anywhere on the screen using the ATPIX command. The total number of pixel columns and rows for any given screen varies depending on the screen mode being used. A typical EGA screen has 640 pixel columns and 350 pixel rows. A VGA screen has 640 pixel columns and 480 pixel rows. A super VGA screen may have 800 pixel columns and 600 pixel rows or 1028 pixel columns and 768 pixel rows. When you begin using PCX-SuperShow the default is set at column 0 and row 0, or the upper left hand corner. Once you issue this command the pixel column and row remains set to those locations until another ATPIX script command is encountered. See Also: SHOW, PRINT, SPRINT, TYPE, LOGO ANGLE [degrees] --------------- Purpose: The ANGLE command is used to rotate text displayed using the SuperFont. Comments: The default is 0 degrees which means the SuperFont text will be displayed normally. To display the SuperFont at a 45 degree angle the command would be ANGLE 45. That angle will remain in effect until another ANGLE script command is issued. Both negative and positive angle degree numbers may be used. Valid degree numbers are from -359 to 359. See Also: SPRINT, OUTLINE, SIZE, SPACE BOX [X1,Y1,X2,Y2] ------------------ Purpose: The BOX script command gives you the ability to pop-up boxes (windows) of any size, color and fill design during your presentation. Comments: This command may now be used in all screen modes. You control the size and location of the boxes by entering the beginning and ending pixel rows and columns immediately following the BOX command. The easiest way to create your pop-up box is by using the Box drawing tool found in the ShowPrep editor. This allows you to size, shape and move the box to the exact location on the screen using your cursor keys. See Box drawing tool in the ShowPrep portion of this manual for full instructions. The BOX X and Y coordinates are as follows: X1 = Beginning Column Pixel Location Y1 = Beginning Row Pixel Location X2 = Ending Column Pixel Location Y2 = Ending Row Pixel Location Remember, the EGA mode has 640 column pixels and 350 row pixels. They are numbered 0 to 639 and 0 to 349 respectively. The VGA screen mode has 640 column pixels and 480 row pixels. They are numbered 0 to 639 and 0 to 479 respectively. For example, if you wish to draw a pop-up box in the center of the screen the command is: BOX 200,128,451,220 IMPORTANT: It is no longer necessary to have three digits for each coordinate. For example, if you wanted to draw the above box beginning at column 1 and row 15 the proper syntax is: BOX 1,15,451,220. To control the color of the box, simply issue the COLOR script command before entering the BOX command. For example, to draw a blue box with a white border, the proper color command is: COLOR 15,1 To control the fill design of the box, simply issue the FILL script command before entering the BOX command. The default FILL command is solid. See Also: COLOR, FILL, Box Drawing Tool in ShowPrep, CIRCLE CGA2 ---- Purpose: To set the screen mode to CGA, 2 color at 640 x 200. Comments: This is one of the screen setting modes. You must set your screen to a desired mode (CGA2, CGA4, EGA, VGA16, or VGA320) as the first script command. The default is CGA2. See Also: CGA4, EGA, VGA16, VGA320 CGA4 ---- Purpose: To set the screen mode to CGA, 4 color at 320 x 200. Comments: This is one of the screen setting modes. You must set your screen to a desired mode (CGA2, CGA4, EGA, VGA16, or VGA320) as the first script command. The default is CGA2. See Also: CGA2, EGA, VGA16, VGA320 CIRCLE [X,Y,H,V] ---------------- Purpose: The CIRCLE script command gives you the ability to pop-up circles/ellipse of any size, color and fill design during your presentation. While this command is called circle, since you can control the size of both the major and minor axis, this means that you can draw an ellipse as well as circles. Comments: This command may be used in all screen modes. You control the size and location of the ellipse by entering the beginning and ending pixel rows, columns and axis immediately following the CIRCLE command. The easiest way to create your pop-up ellipse is by using the Circle drawing tool found in the ShowPrep editor. This allows you to size, shape and move the ellipse to the exact location on the screen using your cursor keys. See Circle drawing tool in the ShowPrep portion of this manual for full instructions. The CIRCLE coordinates are as follows: X,Y = The ellipse will be centered at (X,Y) pixel location. H = This is the major (horizontal) axis. V = This is the minor (vertical) axis. The CIRCLE script command will draw an ellipse centered at (X,Y). The radius of that ellipse is H by V. Remember, the EGA mode has 640 column pixels and 350 row pixels. They are numbered 0 to 639 and 0 to 349 respectively. The VGA screen mode has 640 column pixels and 480 row pixels. They are numbered 0 to 639 and 0 to 479 respectively. For example, if you wish to draw a circle in the center of a VGA screen with a radius of 140 by 140 the command is: CIRCLE 320,240,140,140 To control the color of the ellipse, simply issue the COLOR script command before entering the CIRCLE command. For example, to draw a blue ellipse with a white border, the proper color command is: COLOR 15,1 To control the fill design of the box, simply issue the FILL script command before entering the CIRCLE command. The default FILL command is solid. See Also: COLOR, FILL, Circle Drawing Tool in ShowPrep, BOX CLR [Color Number],[Fade Number],[X1,Y1,X2,Y2] ---------------------------------------------- Purpose: The CLR script command clears any portion or the entire screen using your choice of color and fade effect. Comments: When CLR is issued the screen is filled with blank characters using one of 30 different fade techniques. In addition, you may designate pixel locations and background color for the screen. The following is a list of screen clear fade numbers and the type they invoke: 1- Instant On 11- Diag. Down Left 21- Close Horizontal 2- Wipe Down 12- Diag. Up Right 22- Close Vertical 3- Wipe Up 13- Diag. Up left 23- Drip Down 4- Wipe Right 14- Explode 24- Drip Up 5- Wipe Left 15- Implode 25- Pour Down 6- Slide Down 16- Puzzle Pieces 26- Pour Up 7- Slide Up 17- Spiral Out 27- Weave Horizontal 8- Slide Right 18- Spiral In 28- Weave Vertical 9- Slide Left 19- Open Horizontal 29- Horizontal Blinds 10- Diag. Down Right 20- Open Vertical 30- Vertical Blinds These 30 screen transitions may be further modified by separately adjusting the number of horizontal and vertical pixel numbers with the PIXNUM command. . . thus creating totally different screen clearing effects. See the PIXNUM script command for further details. For Color Number selection see the color number chart listed in the COLOR script command summary. You may clear any portion of the screen using the color and fade effects. You control the portion cleared by entering the desired pixel coordinates. To clear the entire screen all the pixel coordinates should be zero (0). The CLR X and Y coordinates are as follows: X1 = Beginning Column Pixel Location Y1 = Beginning Row Pixel Location X2 = Ending Column Pixel Location Y2 = Ending Row Pixel Location See Also: COLOR, PIXNUM COLOR [Combined Color # |or| Foreground Color #,Background Color #] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: The color command is used to set the foreground and background color when displaying text; to set the foreground color when displaying text with a custom font or SuperFont; to set the screen color when clearing the screen with the CLR command; and to set the frame and fill color when drawing boxes or circles. Comments: There are two forms of syntax acceptable when issuing the COLOR script command. One is using a single, combined color number. The other is using separate foreground and background color numbers separated by a comma. For example, the script command COLOR 15,1 or COLOR 31, both set the foreground to white and the background to blue. The combined color number is primarily for use when using PCX-ShowPrep's color pop-up menu for color selection. ShowPrep uses the combined color syntax when insert ing the command into your script. When used just prior to issuing a BOX or CIRCLE drawing command, the foreground color will be the color of the box or circle frame and the background color will be the fill color. When used just prior to printing text with SuperFont, the background number will be ignored as it uses whatever colors are currently on the screen as background. When you choose STYLE NORMAL with custom fonts both the background and foreground colors are in effect. If you choose STYLE OVERLAY then only the foreground color is in effect. The following list contains the individual Color Numbers used in PCX-SuperShow. For a complete table of combined color numbers, view the color window (F2 hot-key) in the PCX-Showprep program. 0 - Black 8 - Dark Gray 1 - Blue 9 - Bright Blue 2 - Green 10 - Bright Green 3 - Cyan 11 - Bright Cyan 4 - Red 12 - Bright Red 5 - Purple 13 - Bright Purple 6 - Brown 14 - Yellow 7 - Gray 15 - White Also See: PAL, EPAL, VPAL, BOX, PRINT, SPRINT, CLR, FONT, STYLE CONDITIONAL BRANCHING: ---------------------- Purpose: Conditional branching allows you to construct a menu system that permits the user to move forward and/or backward to certain predesignated points in your show. There are four script commands that are used in combination to create conditional branching in your show. We will discuss them in the order they should be created in your show. Also, be sure to see the tutorial script GOTO1.SPT listed in Appendix B of this manual and also contained on your distribution disk in electronic form. :[LABEL] --------- The first thing you'll want to do is decide and create the points in the script you want the user to be able to go to and return to/from. These points are designated by creating line labels. A line label always begins with a colon (:). Then you may designate any word as your label immediately following the colon. For example, if you wanted to create a label named MAIN MENU you would enter the script command :MAIN MENU on a line by itself. INPUT ----- After you have created your line labels, you'll next decide where in the script you wish to give the user the opportunity to branch to these labels. This is accomplished with the INPUT and IF _ GOTO commands. The INPUT command is very similar to the PAUSE command. It stops your show and waits for the user to press a key. The difference is that when using INPUT, the program records the key that was pressed. INPUT waits for only one key press and then goes on to process the next script command which shou ld always be the IF _ GOTO command. Using INPUT without the IF _ GOTO command would be just like using the PAUSE command. IF [key] GOTO :[label] ---------------------- This is the command that determines which line label the program will go to. You may go forward or backward from that point in the script. The program will recognize any normal, printable ASCII character as the key. You will probably want to use a single digit number or alphabet character to designate the desired key press. For example, if you had two choices for your user the proper syntax might be IF 1 GOTO :LABEL1 and the next line would be IF A GOTO :LABEL2. If the user in the above example presses any other key than 1 or A, the program will simply go forward and execute the next script command. If a non-existent line label is encountered the program will execute from the beginning. RETURN :[label] --------------- Finally, if you wish the user to be able to return from branching you will need to issue a RETURN : script command. This command would almost always be inserted as the last command in your branching routine, i.e., at the end of the series of script commands following the :LABEL. Using the example cited above, if you want the user to return to the MAIN MENU label after branching to another label the proper syntax would be RETURN :MAIN MENU. Here is what a simple conditional branching script may look like: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ :MAIN VGA16 FONT ROM16 COLOR 14,0 :TOPP CLR 1,0,0,0,0,0 ATPIX 100,100 PRINT "1. Choice Number One" ATPIX 100,120 PRINT "A. Choice Number Two" INPUT IF 1 GOTO :LABEL1 IF A GOTO :LABEL2 CLR 1,1,0,0,0,0 ATPIX 100,100 PRINT "A KEY OTHER THAN 1 OR A WAS PRESSED" DELAY 4 GOTO :TOP :LABEL1 CLR 2,2,0,0,0,0 ATPIX 100,100 PRINT "THIS IS CHOICE NUMBER ONE" DELAY 4 RETURN :TOP :LABEL2 CLR 2,3,0,0,0,0 ATPIX 100,100 PRINT "THIS IS CHOICE NUMBER TWO" DELAY 4 RETURN :TOP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is not necessary to return to the calling line label. You may return to any valid line label. If a RETURN script command is encountered without being sent by an IF _ GOTO command it will simply be ignored. ee Also: GOTO, PCXSHOW.SPT sample script CRAWL ["Message"] ------------------ Purpose: The CRAWL command will display a ticker tape type message while waiting for a key press or until a specified time expires. Comments: This command is similar to the PAUSE script command, except that a message you enter scrolls, right to left, across the screen until a key is pressed or until the time set with the CRWLAT script expires. The message must not contain more than 254 characters or an error will occur. The message and number of desired spaces must be enclosed with quotation marks. The color of the text and the screen location are determined by the COLOR and CRWLAT script commands respectively. A demonstration of t he CRAWL command is included in the PCXSHOW.SPT sample script file. See Also: CRWLAT, COLOR, ATPIX CRWLAT [X,Y,X2,Display Time] ---------------------------- Purpose: To set the parameters for using the CRAWL special effect. Comments: This command is used to set the screen location and display time for the CRAWL script command. The coordinates are as follows: X= Pixel Column Start; Y= Pixel Row; X2= Pixel Column End; Display Time= The length in seconds you wish the message to continuously crawl across the screen. For example: The following script command CRWLAT 100,200,400,30 means you wish to display the CRAWL message at row 200, beginning at column 100 and ending at column 400 for 30 seconds. See Also: CRAWL, ATPIX DELAY [Seconds] --------------- Purpose: This script command creates a delay of a designated number of seconds before executing the next script command. Comments: You would use this command to allow the user to view/read a particular screen before executing the next script command. For example if you wanted to delay 3 seconds between screen actions the proper syntax would be: DELAY 3 See Also: PAUSE, WAIT, SLEEP, CRWLAT ESCKEY [On/Off] --------------- Purpose: To activate/deactivate the Esc key during pcx image fades. Comments: You may now activate or deactivate the Esc key as a fade abort key during the SHOW fade screen transitions. The default is ESCKEY On. This means that when the Esc key is pressed during the middle of a screen fade/transition, the fade will be aborted and the very next script command will be executed. To turn this feature off, issue the ESCKEY OFF command. See Also: SHOW, PIXNUM EGA --- Purpose: To set the screen to EGA mode, which means 640x350 pixels, 16 colors. Comments: This is one of the screen setting modes. You must set your screen to a desired mode (CGA2, CGA4, EGA, VGA16, or VGA320) as the first script command. The default is CGA2. See Also: CGA4, CGA2, VGA16, VGA320 EPAL [Color#,Palette#] ---------------------- Purpose: This script command is to be used to control the color palette while in EGA screen mode. Comments: The Color# is a standard color number from 0 to 15 (See the COLOR script command summary for color numbers). The Palette# is a color shading number from 0 to 63. For example, to change the color light grey to a bright red using the EPAL command the proper syntax would be: EPAL 7,44 Now every time the light gray color (7) is used, it will appear as bright red. See Also: PAL, VPAL, COLOR FILL [style] ------------- Purpose: To fill a box or circle with a specified fill character. Comments: SuperShow allows you to fill any box or circle you draw with a variety of different fill characters. Your style choices are: Solid Bricks Diagonal Links Smalldots Bigdots The default is solid. Once you change the Fill style, it remains in effect until another FILL command is issued. The sample script, PCXSHOW.SPT, shows the different fill styles available. See Also: BOX, CIRCLE, COLOR, ATPIX FLASH [Beginning Color #,Total Colors,Number of times,Delay] ------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: A special effect to draw attention to a portion of the screen or to create a marquee like action. Comments: Flash will blink a selected color or colors for a specified number of times at a specified delay rate. PCXSHOW.SPT shows examples of the flash effect. The script command FLASH 4,1,40,2 means begin with color 4; use only one color, flash on and off 40 times (20 on, 20 off) and do it rapidly with a delay of 2. Beginning Color # must be a number between 0 and 15. Total color numbers may be between 1 and 256, depending on how many colors are available in the screen. The Times and Delay may contai n any number. Note: The FLASH command works off of palette information. Consequently, you must show at least one pcx picture with palette information before successfully using the FLASH script command. See Also: COLOR, PAL, EPAL, VPAL FONT [Font Filename] -------------------- Purpose: This script command is used to load the custom font you wish to display. Comments: There are dozens of different font styles available in this version of PCX-SuperShow. They are the files with the FNT file name extension. For example, to use the helvetica 30 point font the syntax would be: FONT HELV30.FNT You may boldface, underline, and color these fonts using the appropriate STYLE and COLOR script commands. You position and print the font using the ATPIX and PRINT script commands. Custom and internal fonts may be displayed in any screen mode. In addition to the custom fonts, you also are able to choose from among your computers resident fonts. These are designated as ROM8, ROM14, and ROM16. ROM 8 is an 8 pixel by 8 pixel font; ROM 14 is an 8 pixel by 14 pixel font; ROM16 is an 8 pixel by 16 pixel font. The easiest way to choose fonts is using the pull-down font menu in Super ShowPrep. This will show you all the fonts available on your disk. You then choose from that list and the font script command is automatically written for you. See Also: STYLE, COLOR, ATPIX, PRINT FXDELAY [delay number] ---------------------- Purpose: This command controls the speed of the transition fades when using the SHOW command. Comments: FXDelay controls the speed of any of the fades used when displaying your pcx pictures with the SHOW command. The higher the number, the slower the transition. A delay number of zero resets the FXDelay timer to inactive. Once the delay is set, it remains in effect until it is reset using the FXDelay command. The speed of the fades/segues may be affected by the combined use of the PIXNUM and FXDELAY script commands. See Also: SHOW, PIXNUM GOTO :[line label] ------------------ Purpose: The GOTO script command allows unconditional branching, as opposed to the IF-GOTO command which requires user input. An example of the proper usage would be GOTO :LABEL1 Comments: There are two primary uses for the GOTO command. One is to use the GOTO command after a series of IF _ GOTO : commands. When used in this fashion the command serves as an error check. If the user hit a key other than one you were checking for, the GOTO command may be used to return back to the input command or, for that fact, to any other line label. Another very handy use is for a temporary command when creating your show scripts. If you are working on a portion of the script that is several lines into the show, you may use the GOTO command to skip over the portion of your script that is already created, tested and working well. If you use the GOTO command for this purpose, remember to go back and remove all those extraneous GOTO or line label commands when they no longer serve your editing purpose. See Also: WAIT, CONDITIONAL BRANCHING IF GOTO : ---------- SEE CONDITIONAL BRANCHING SCRIPT COMMAND SUMMARY INPUT ----- SEE CONDITIONAL BRANCHING SCRIPT COMMAND SUMMARY KALID [Kaleidoscope Number] ---------------------------- Purpose: The kaleidoscope feature of PCX-SuperShow gives you the ability to draw colorful designs on your screen to give your presentation motion and pizazz. Comments: The Kaleidoscope Number gives you some control over the appearance of the pattern drawn. Any number between -32000 and +32000 may be used as the Kaleidoscope Number. . . or you may choose not to use any number at all. By using a number, you guarantee that the same pattern will be drawn each time you run your PCX-SuperShow Script File. You may use the kaleidoscope in any screen mode. See Also: PCXSHOW.SPT script file. :LINE LABELS ------------ SEE CONDITIONAL BRANCHING SCRIPT COMMAND SUMMARY LOGO [Color number,"Text"] -------------------------- Purpose: This script command is used to display a text line using the LOGO special effect. Comments: The LOGO effect is an animated sequence of a word or phrase being displayed in different colors at slightly offset pixel locations to give a dazzling effect to display your logo or other brief information. This special effect uses the current font, three color numbers and the text information contained in the LOGO script command. The first two color numbers are the background of the logo effect and is set with the COLOR script command. The color number in the LOGO script command is the color in which the last text will display. You locate the beginning of the logo effect text using the ATPIX script command. For example, if you wished to display the word LOGO at pixel row 300 and pixel column 100 with a combination of bright and dark red background with a white top text the script commands are: COLOR 4,12 LOGO 15,"LOGO" Several examples of the LOGO effect are contained in the sample script PCXSHOW.SPT. See Also: COLOR, ATPIX, FONT LOOP ---- Purpose: Use this command if you wish to re-display the entire show from the beginning without having to rerun PCX-SuperShow. Comments: Remember, when this script command is encountered your show will start over from the very beginning. . . this means from the opening Script command. This command works well when you wish to have a continuous display of your show. To re-display a show from a particular line label use the unconditional GOTO script command. See Also: RUN, STOP, GOTO MOUSE [On/Off]: --------------- Purpose: If you have a mouse active on your computer you may use it as a pointer and a remote control device. Comments: To activate the mouse the proper syntax is MOUSE ON. When you turn the mouse on, a pointer will appear at the location you gave in the MOUSE AT script command. You may then move the pointer on your screen as you move your mouse. To make the pointer disappear the syntax is MOUSE OFF. If the mouse is connected, you may use it as a remote control device whether or not the pointer is displayed. Clicking the right and center mouse buttons move forward one screen. Clicking the left mouse button w ill end the show. The default is MOUSE OFF. See Also: MOUSE AT MOUSE AT [X,Y]: --------------- Purpose: To locate the mouse pointer on your screen. Comments: The coordinates X and Y are the pixel locations where you want your mouse pointer to appear. X is the pixel column and Y is the pixel row. To locate your mouse pointer at pixel row 100 and pixel column 300 the proper syntax would be MOUSE AT 300,100. You should use the MOUSE AT script command prior to turning your mouse on with the MOUSE ON command. See Also: MOUSE [On/Off] OUTLINE [ON/OFF] ---------------- Purpose: To turn the outline feature of SuperFont on or off. Comments: When issuing the script command OUTLINE ON, characters are displayed in outline form. OUTLINE OFF displays the characters filled solid with the foreground color set with the COLOR command. The default is OUTLINE OFF. This script command only affects the SuperFont display. See Also: SPRINT, SPACE, SIZE, ANGLE PAL ------------------- Purpose: To restore the original default palette. Comments: This command simply restores the original default 16 or 256 color palette. See Also: EPAL, VPAL, SHOW PAUSE ----- Purpose: This command is used to pause the presentation of your show. The program waits for a key press or mouse click from the user to continue. Comments: Pause is similar to delay except that a key press or mouse click is required for the show to continue. Pressing the left mouse key or the Esc keyboard key will terminate the show. Pressing any other key will move forward to the next script command. See Also: DELAY, SLEEP, INPUT PLAY [Music Language] --------------------- Purpose: To play music or sound directly from your script. Comments: See the Music Language section this manual for details on playing sound and music from your script. See Also: Music Language Chapter PIXNUM [Horizontal Number, Vertical Number] ------------------------------------------- Purpose: This command controls the number of pixels being displayed during the fade/segue routines when using the SHOW command. The higher the numbers, the more pixels are displayed at a time and the quicker the image appears on your screen. Comments: Valid numbers are 0 to 1024 (or maximum screen resolution). Once the number is set, it remains in effect until it is reset using the PIXNUM command. SuperShow now gives you the ability to set both the horizontal and vertical pixel numbers. Varying these numbers will give you unique screen fades as shown in the sample script, PCXSHOW.SPT. In addition, the speed of the fades/segues may be affected by the combined use of the PIXNUM and FXDELAY script commands. See Also: SHOW, FXDELAY PRINT ["Text"] -------------- Purpose: This is the script command that actually displays text on your screen using the custom fonts or your internal, resident computer fonts. Comments: This is for use with custom and resident fonts in any screen mode. Your text must be enclosed by quotation marks. Example: If you wanted to enter text that said ACME Widget Budget Review the proper syntax would be: PRINT "ACME Widget Budget Review" To display the SuperFont see the SPRINT script command summary. See Also: ATPIX, SPRINT, COLOR, STYLE RETURN : --------- SEE CONDITIONAL BRANCHING SCRIPT COMMAND SUMMARY ROTATE [Degrees] ---------------- Purpose: This script command will rotate a custom or internal computer font at 90, 180, 270 or 0 degrees. Comments: This is similar to the SuperFont angle command with the exception that ROTATE may be used only with the four degree angles cited above. The rotation angle remains in effect until a new ROTATE command is given or until a new font is designated using the FONT script command. See Also: FONT, PRINT, STYLE RUN [Filename.Extension] ------------------------ Purpose: This command is a built in shell feature of PCX-SuperShow and may be used to run other executable (.EXE or .COM) programs without disturbing your screen presentation in PCX-SuperShow. Comments: This command was originally created to allow users to play music while a screen from PCX-SuperShow appears on the monitor. You may also use the command to run any program. When the shelled program ends, you are returned to your PCX-SuperShow where you left off. For example, if you wish to run a program named EXAMPLE.COM from within your PCX-SuperShow, the proper syntax would be: RUN EXAMPLE.COM Be sure there is a space between the command RUN and the full filename of the program. See Also: STOP, LOOP, CONDITIONAL BRANCHING SBPLAY [Filename.VOC] --------------------- Purpose: To play a digitized sound file from Sound Blaster or compatible sound files. Comments: SuperShow now gives you the ability to play any Sound Blaster (VOC) or compatible digitized sound file directly from your script. The filename may include a drive and directory if it is not stored in the same location as your SuperShow program. When the sound file finishes playing the next script command will be executed. Note: You must have a Sound Blaster card or compatible to use this script command. See Also: Play, Xplay SHAKE [number] --------------- Purpose: This special effects command literally causes the picture on your screen to shake up and down. Comments: The [number] parameter is the length of time you wish the screen to shake. The higher the number, the longer the screen will shake. SHOW [Filename.Ext] [Fade Number] --------------------------------- Purpose: This script command is used to display a PCX screen file, in any screen mode (CGA through Super VGA) using one of the dozens of available screen fades/segues. Comments: The SHOW command is followed by the filename and extension of the pcx image you wish to display. Finally, you must assign that file a fade number. For example, if you wanted to load a PCX file named MYFILE and display it using a diagonal fade down right the syntax would be: SHOW MYFILE.PCX 10 You may also designate a drive and directory if your PCX file is not in the same directory as the PCXSS.EXE program. For example, if your file is located on drive C in a directory named PICS, then SHOW C:\PICS\MYFILE.PCX 10 would be the proper syntax. Be sure a space is between each element of the command. The command first looks to use expanded memory to store and display screens. If none is found, it will use conventional memory and finally it will look to use disk space on your hard drive as virtual memory if none other is available. There are 35 basic fade numbers with the SHOW command. Additional fades are created by varying the horizontal and vertical pixels using the PIXNUM command. Here is a list of the basic screen fade numbers and the type of fade/segue it invokes. 1- Instant On 11- Diag. Down Left 21- Close Horizontal 2- Wipe Down 12- Diag. Up Right 22- Close Vertical 3- Wipe Up 13- Diag. Up left 23- Drip Down 4- Wipe Right 14- Explode 24- Drip Up 5- Wipe Left 15- Implode 25- Pour Down 6- Slide Down 16- Puzzle Pieces 26- Pour Up 7- Slide Up 17- Spiral Out 27- Weave Horizontal 8- Slide Right 18- Spiral In 28- Weave Vertical 9- Slide Left 19- Open Horizontal 29- Horizontal Blinds 10- Diag. Down Right 20- Open Vertical 30- Vertical Blinds 31- Snake Also, slow screen fades in both 16 color and 256 color modes are available using these screen fade numbers: 32- Fade-In 256 33- Fade-In 16 34- Fade-Out 256 35- Fade-Out 16 See Also: ATPIX, PIXNUM, FXDELAY, Appendix A, LOAD SIZE [Number] -------------- Purpose: This script command is used to enlarge or shrink the size of the SuperFont. Comments: The number may be any number, however, there are reasonable parameters. A very small SuperFont does not look very good. If you are going to use a small font then use the internal or one of the small custom fonts. The average size you will use will probably be in the range of 6 to 16. See Also: FONT, ATPIX, SPRINT, OUTLINE SLEEP [Seconds] --------------- Purpose: This script command acts as a delaying mechanism much like the DELAY script command, but disables the Esc key as an abort mechanism. Comments: There are two differences between the SLEEP and DELAY script commands. Pressing the ESC key during the execution of the SLEEP command will NOT abort the script and return to DOS as is true with the DELAY command. Pressing the Esc key during the SLEEP command will move forward to the next script command. Therefore, if you wish to keep the end user from aborting your script by pressing the ESC key, use the SLEEP command for delays. The second difference is in the way in which the program tracks time. Using the DELAY immediately following a SOUND or PLAY command may cause some strange sounds from your speaker. This is because DELAY uses some of the same timing routines as SOUND and PLAY. Therefore, it is best to use SLEEP for a script delay in conjunction with SOUND or PLAY. See Also: DELAY, WAIT, PAUSE SOUND [Number] -------------- Purpose: You may use this command when you desire a sound to highlight a screen or message. Comments: There are five distinct sounds included in this version of PCX-SuperShow. All sounds are relatively short in duration. The number following the Sound script command must be between -4 and +5. Sometimes a sound is used to draw the user's attention to the necessity of pressing a key. See Also: PAUSE, INPUT, PLAY, SOUND OFF, XPLAY, SBPLAY SOUND OFF --------- Purpose: To kill any remaining sound stored in the sound buffer. Comments: The main purpose of the SOUND OFF script command is to stop any sound you may have programmed using the PLAY or SOUND command. See Also: SOUND, PLAY, XPLAY SPACE [Number] -------------- Purpose: This is for setting the space between characters when displaying text with SuperFont. Comments: As you change the size and angle of the SuperFont, you probably will also want to change the spacing between characters. That is what the SPACE script command does. Normal spacing is in the range of 4 to 8. See Also: SPRINT, SIZE, ANGLE, OUTLINE SPRINT ["Text"] --------------- Purpose: This is the script command that actually displays text on your screen using the SuperFont. Comments: This is for use with the SuperFont only. SuperFont may be displayed in CGA, EGA or VGA screen modes. Your text must be enclosed by quotation marks. Example: If you wanted to enter text that said ACME Widget Budget Review the proper syntax would be: SPRINT "ACME Widget Budget Review" To display custom and internal fonts see the PRINT script command summary. See Also: ATPIX, PRINT, COLOR, ANGLE, SPACE STOP ---- Purpose: To stop the presentation of your show, returning the user to DOS or the calling program. Comments: The stop command serves a couple of purposes. It aids in setting up conditional branching where you wish to have the user choose a branch or stop using the show. It also may be used as an aid when building your script and you wish to force a stop after certain script commands are executed. See Also: CONDITIONAL BRANCHING, RUN, LOOP STYLE [Bold/Underline/Overlay/Normal] ------------------------------------- Purpose: The STYLE script command is used to change the appearance of a custom or ROM computer font. Comments: The default when starting PCX-SuperShow is Normal. You may use combinations of the different styles. For example you can make a font transparent, bold and underlined by issuing the three appropriate STYLE script commands. Here is a definition for each of the styles available: ■ Normal: Normal font display means that the font will have a foreground color and background color (set by the COLOR script command) and will write over anything previously displayed on the screen. This is the default if no STYLE script command is encountered. ■ Overlay: This means that the font will be transparent and only the foreground color is in effect. The background color set with the COLOR command is ignored. Words printed in this mode do not erase the portion of the screen on which they appear, but write over what is already there. ■ Bold: This means the font will appear bold when displayed. ■ Underline: Issuing this style command will display text with a single underline. The STYLE command remains in effect until a new STYLE command is encountered. Remember, most of the STYLE commands are cumulative. . . in other words, if you have issued a bold style and then later issue an underline style, the next font display will be both bold and underlined. The exception is the Normal style command. This resets the STYLE back to just normal as outlined above. See Also: FONT, COLOR, PRINT, ROTATE, TYPE, LOGO, CRAWL TYPE ["Message"] ---------------- Purpose: To display a single line of text with a typewriter sound effect. Comments: This command is used as a special effect to draw attention to a line of text you wish to display. The message and number of desired spaces must be enclosed with quotation marks. The color of the text and the screen location are determined by the COLOR and ATPIX script commands respectively. Both custom and internal fonts may be used with this effect. See Also: COLOR, AT, PRINT VGA16 ----- Purpose: To set the screen to VGA mode, which means 640x480 pixels, 16 colors. Comments: This is one of the screen setting modes. You must set your screen to a desired mode (CGA2, CGA4, EGA, VGA16, or VGA320) as the first script command. The default is CGA2. See Also: CGA4, CGA2, EGA, VGA320 VGA320 ------ Purpose: To set the screen to VGA 320 mode, which means 320x200 pixels, 256 colors. Comments: This is one of the screen setting modes. You must set your screen to a desired mode (CGA2, CGA4, EGA, VGA16, or VGA320) as the first script command. The default is CGA2. See Also: CGA4, CGA2, EGA, VGA16 VPAL [Color#,Red,Blue,Green] ---------------------------- Purpose: This is the VGA palette command to be used to control the color palette while in VGA screen mode. Comments: The Color# is a standard color number from 0 to 15. (See the color chart in the COLOR script command summary for color/number information). The Red, Blue and Green are palette intensities and are numbers from 0 to 63. To change a bright red VGA color to bright white, the proper syntax is: VPAL 12,63,63,63 An example of using VPAL is contained in the sample show script PCXSHOW.SPT. See Also: PAL, EPAL, COLOR WAIT ---- Purpose: To allow the user to go forward to the next line label, backward to the previous line label or to the first line label in a script file by pressing predesignated keys. Comments: The WAIT script command is similar to the PAUSE and INPUT commands. The special purpose of WAIT, however, is to allow the user to move forward to the next line label or backward to the previous line label. To move forward the user may press the following keys: PgDn, Down Arrow Key, Right Arrow Key or Right Mouse Button. To move backward the user may press the following keys: PgUp, Up Arrow Key, Left Arrow Key or Left Mouse Button. To move to the first line label in a script file the user would press the Home key. To end the program the user would press the Esc key. As opposed to INPUT, there is no need to tell the program the name of the line label. It will simply go to the next, previous or first line label in your script file. You may mix the PAUSE and INPUT/IF GOTO/RETURN commands with the WAIT command. See Also: PAUSE, SLEEP, CONDITIONAL BRANCHING, DELAY, CRAWL XPLAY [Filename.MUS] -------------------- Purpose: To play a pre-programmed text music/sound file from your PC Speaker. Comments: SuperShow now gives you the ability to play music/sound files directly from your script. The filename may include a drive and directory if it is not stored in the same location as your SuperShow program. When the sound file finishes playing, the next script command will be executed. Several sound files are included with your registered version of SuperShow. See the chapter on the Music/Sound Language for details on creating and playing music and sound through your PC speaker. See Also: PLAY, SBPLAY, SOUND ================== PCX Super-ShowPrep ================== PCX Super-ShowPrep is an editor/script generating program that is an integral part of PCX-SuperShow. The program file name is PCXSP.EXE and is included with every registered purchase of PCX-SuperShow. ShowPrep is a DOS text, ASCII, editor. It features pull-down menu's for editor control and especially for creating script commands for your presentation. It is not necessary to use ShowPrep to create a script for use in PCX-SuperShow. All you need is any word processor or editor that can save files in the DOS Text format (ASCII). We do believe, however, that using PCX-ShowPrep will save you a great deal of time since all the script commands are available from drop down menus, including each of the fades available in the SHOW commands. Also, each of the PCX-Utilities and drawing tools for boxes and circles are found in Super ShowPrep. In addition, you may run the script directly from the editor without having to go to DOS. And, when the script is done running in PCX-SuperShow, you are returned to the editor and the script you are working on. To begin using the program, simply type PCXSP at the prompt and press the enter key. If you wish to load a script file upon start-up of the program then type the script filename on the same command line. For example, if you wish to load a script file named MYSHOW.SPT when starting PCX-ShowPrep, the proper syntax would be: PCXSP MYFILE.SPT When you first begin ShowPrep, the editor is active. This means that ShowPrep is ready to have you start writing your script. It functions at this point much like any other editor/word processor. We will cover the editing functions in more detail shortly. To activate the pull-down menu system you'll need to press one of the associated function keys. In addition to the function keys, many of the ShowPrep functions are selected by pressing associated hot-keys. We will cover the menu function key and hot-key system in a moment. First let's look at the editor portion of the PCX-ShowPrep program. EDITOR: The program functions much like any editor/word processor with one notable difference. Since the scripts for PCX-SuperShow dictate one command per line, the word wrap feature is turned off. This means that the cursor will not automatically jump down to the next line. To move your cursor down you will need to press the Enter or other edit keys mentioned below. The editor otherwise has most of the functions of a standard DOS text editor. You may search, save, load, merge, block copy, move, delete, insert and so forth. The maximum number of lines in a script is 2000. IMPORTANT: The F1 Function key will pop-up a help screen for using the editor. There are 2 pages of help information. The first page reviews the edit keys available in the editor. The second page tells how you may block copy, move and or delete portions of your script text. Here is a review of the edit keys: Home/End - Go to begin/end of line Ctrl+Home/End - top/bottom of screen Pg Up/Dn - Display previous/next page Ctrl+PgUp/Dn - Go to 1st/last page Ctrl+Y - Delete current line Ctrl+N - Insert blank line above Ctrl+ - Move one word right Ctrl+ - Move one word left Shift+Cursor - Begins block mode. You may continue to highlight the area you wish to block by continuing to tap the cursor key (up or down) while holding down the shift key. The blocked text will appear in reverse video. To paste the block into the buffer for copying press any key but the Escape key. To delete the block and paste the block into a buffer for moving, press the shift and delete keys. To insert a text copied into the buffer, line up your cursor at the point in your script where you wish to insert. Press the shift and insert keys and the buffer text will be inserted in your script. PULL-DOWN MENUS, FUNCTION KEYS AND HOT-KEYS: As mentioned earlier, the function keys are used to activate the pull-down menu system of PCX-ShowPrep. Once a menu has been pulled down you may display the previous or next pull down menu by pressing the left or right cursor (arrow) keys. You will also note that many of the menu items have an associated hot-key. The hot-key combination may be found to the right of a displayed menu function. For example, the function Load Script has a hot- key combination of Alt+D. The hot-key combination has been assigned those functions that are used frequently. You may use the hot-key combination to invoke the function without pulling down the menu. As you become more familiar with the program, this will speed up your use of the program. We will now cover each of the function keys and associated menu items and hot-keys. It should be noted that pressing the escape key (Esc) when using the menu system will always take you to the previous menu or, eventually, to the editor. F1 - HELP: As mentioned above, this function key displays two pages of help information concerning the editing functions and keys of PCX-ShowPrep. F2 - COLORS: This special function key does not pull-down a menu, but rather pops-up a color chart. The purpose is the option of changing the colors of the editor. The default colors are white on blue. You may choose any combination of colors by moving the cursor to the color combination you wish and then press the Enter key. The editor will change to that color combination for the remainder of your session. F3 - FILES: When pressed, this function key will display a menu of items relating to maintenance of your script and pcx files. We will cover each item of the menu. New Script: Choosing this option will clear your screen, deleting any previously entered or loaded text and change the name of the new script file to WORKING.SPT. Be sure you have saved any previously entered script text before choosing this option. The associated hot-key is Alt+N. Load Script: This option allows you to load any script text file of your choice. The first thing you'll see is an input box. You may directly enter the name of a script to be loaded in this box. If you would rather see a directory list of script files, then enter the appropriate path, if different from the one displayed, and use the *.SPT mask. The mask and path may be changed to any combination of characters. Next, a pop-up box will display all the files that matched the mask in the selected directory. Simply use your cursor keys to highlight the desired file and press the enter key. The file will then be loaded into the editor. When a file is being loaded, any previously loaded text will be deleted and you will briefly see a blinking message at the bottom of your screen. Once the file is loaded the path and filename will appear in the lower left hand corner of your screen. The associated hot-key is Alt+D. Save Script: This option will save your script to a disk file. When choosing this option an input box will appear with a default path and filename. If this is acceptable, simply press the enter key. If you wish to change the path or filename, then type the appropriate changes and press the enter key. If you changed the path or name, the changes will be reflected in the lower left hand corner of your screen. Remember. . . WORKING.SPT is assigned to every new script file. You'll probably want to rename scripts initially designated with this name. The associated hot-key is Alt+F. Merge Script: This option allows you to combine multiple script files into one main script file. We suggest that you build your show, especially long involved presentations, into separate scripts. This makes creating, running and debugging your script go much faster. That's where the merge function is handy. Merging is almost the same and follows the same syntax as the Load Script function. The difference is that the previously entered or loaded text will not be deleted. The new merged file will be appended at the end of the currently loaded script text. You may then block copy, move, etc., the merged text. The associated hot-key is Alt+M. Print Script: This option sends the currently loaded script to parallel printer port #1. Be sure your printer is turned on before choosing this function. There is no associated hot-key. Search Script: The purpose of this function is to search for a word or combination of words in your script text. This is especially helpful if you are editing a long script. When you choose this selection, an input box will appear asking for the string (word or words) you wish to search for. The search always begins at the cursor and goes forward. Therefore, if you want to search the entire text file, be sure your cursor is on the first line of the text. If the string is found, the line in which it wa s found will appear at the top of your screen and the cursor will be resting on the beginning letter of the string. If the string is not found, a brief beep will be heard. The associated hot-key is the F9 Function key. Save/Run Script: One of the handiest features of PCX-ShowPrep is that you may run the script directly from the editor. That is what this option does. When you choose this option the file will automatically be saved to disk and then the script will be run in PCX-SuperShow (PCXSS.EXE). IMPORTANT: You must have the program PCXSS.EXE located in the same directory/path as PCX-ShowPrep for this option to work properly. Once the script has completed running, you will be returned to the editor to continue wor n your script. The associated hot-key is the F10 Function key. DOS Shell: This option sends you to the DOS prompt. You may perform any normal DOS function here. Do not attempt to load any memory resident programs when in this shell. To return to ShowPrep, type EXIT at the prompt and press the enter key. Quit: This option ends your current session of ShowPrep returning you to DOS or to the calling program. The associated hot-key is the Alt+F1 Function keys. F4 - TOOLS: The options on this menu are all associated with your PCX-Utilities and box and circle drawing tools. View PCX File: A handy feature in ShowPrep is you may view any pcx file on any disk, in any directory. Choosing this option runs the PCX ScreenView program so you must have PCXSV4.EXE located in the same directory/path as PCX-ShowPrep. For details on using this utility see the appropriate listing in the chapter named PCX-UTILITIES. The associated hot-key is Alt+V. Crop PCX File: Perhaps you've decided to you want to display only a portion of one of your pcx files. Choosing this option runs the PCX-Crop utility program so you must have PCXCROP.EXE located in the same directory/path as PCX-ShowPrep. For details on using this utility see the appropriate listing in the chapter named PCX-UTILITIES. The associated hot-key is Alt+X. Size PCX File: Choosing this option runs the PCX-Size utility program so you must have PCXSIZE.EXE located in the same directory/path as PCX-ShowPrep. This utility allows you to interactively change the horizontal and or vertical size of a designated pcx image file. For details on using this utility see the appropriate listing in the chapter named PCX-UTILITIES. Change PCX File: Choosing this option runs the PCX-Change utility program so you must have PCXCHANG.EXE located in the same directory/path as PCX-ShowPrep. This utility allows you to change the display resolution header portion of a pcx image file. For details on using this utility see the appropriate listing in the chapter named PCX-UTILITIES. MakeShow: You also may create your run-time script directly from ShowPrep by choosing this option. When you select this option, an input box appears giving you the default filenames for MakeShow. If these are acceptable simply press the enter key. If not, make the appropriate changes and then press the enter key. If you change your mind, pressing the Esc key will return you to the editor. See the chapter named RUN-TIME MODULES for more information on using MakeShow. There is no associated hot-key for this function. Box Draw: This is one of the new drawing utilities in PCX SuperShow. The purpose of this utility is to interactively draw a box on a pcx image file. This will make locating and displaying your box much easier than trying to guess where the pixel coordinates are located. When you choose this option, an input box appears just like you were selecting a pcx image file to display. Choose the pcx image file on which you wish to draw your box and press the enter key. Next you will see that image on your screen along with a box outline, much like the box outline in the PCX-Crop utility. It is by sizing, moving and manipulating this box that you may draw your box. You may control the speed and movement/size of the sides of the box as follows: By default the sides of the box move one pixel length at a time. To speed the movement to 5 pixels, press the Spacebar key. This key acts as a toggle switch. Pressing it will increase the speed/pixels. You control the size and location of the box using the cursor (arrow) keys. When you first start the box draw the up and down cursor keys will move the top line of the box up or down. The right and left cursor keys will move the left side of the box left or right. To move the other two sides of the box press the S key once. Now the up and down cursor keys will move the bottom line of the box up or down. The right and left cursor keys will move the right side of the box left or right. The S key serves as a toggle switch. If you press it a second time, you will again be able to move the top and left sides of the box, and so forth. Once you have located and sized the box the way you want it to appear in your show, press the Enter key. The BOX script command will now appear in your script with the exact pixel coordinates. Circle Draw: This is one of the new drawing utilities in PCX SuperShow. The purpose of this utility is to interactively draw a circle on a pcx image file. This will make locating and displaying your circle much easier than trying to guess where the circle coordinates are located. When you choose this option, an input box appears just like you were selecting a pcx image file to display. Choose the pcx image file on which you wish to draw your circle and press the enter key. Next you will see that image on your screen along with a circle outline, much like the box outline in the PCX-Crop utility. It is by sizing, moving and manipulating this box that you may draw your circle. You may control the speed and movement/size of the sides of the box as follows: The up, down, left and right cursor keys moves the circle, as drawn, in the same direction as the chosen cursor key. To change the size and shape of the circle you use the pgup, pgdn, home and end keys. Pgup increases the height of the circle, pgdn decreases the height. Home increases the width of the circle while the end key decreases the width of the circle. By default the dimensions of the circle move one pixel length at a time. To speed the movement to press the space bar. This key acts as a toggle switch. Pressing it the first time will increase the speed/pixel movement by 5 pixels. You may continue pressing the space bar to increase the speed as high as 25 pixels and then it will return to one pixel movement. Once you have located and sized the circle the way you want it to appear in your show, press the Enter key. The CIRCLE script command will now appear in your script with the exact coordinates. F5 - EFFECTS: The options on this menu are all associated with displaying pcx image files, clearing the screen and other special screen effects. Pressing the F4 function key from the editor will pull-down this menu. The options are: Show Command: If you wish to display a pcx file using the SHOW command, then you would choose this option. The first thing that occurs when you select this option is that an input box appears asking for the path of the pcx file you wish to display. If it is the default, simply press the enter key. Next, a directory of pcx files will be displayed. From this menu, use the cursor keys to highlight the pcx file you wish to display and press the enter key. Next a menu of all the fades will appear on your screen. Highlight the desired fade using the cursor keys and then press the enter key. The proper script command, reflecting your choices, will be inserted into your script at the location of the cursor in the editor. For example, if you chose a pcx file named SAMPLE.PCX and you chose the fade Open Curtain the script command SHOW SAMPLE.PCX 21 will automatically be inserted in your script. The associated hot-key is Alt+S. ATPIX, PIXNUM, FXDELAY: The next three options are all script commands associated with the SHOW command. They control the location and speed with which the pcx file is displayed. When you choose any of these options, the command will be inserted in your script. The cursor will be to the right of the command waiting for you to enter an associated number. See the chapter on Script Commands for more information concerning these commands. CLR Command: This is the script command used to clear the screen. When you choose this option, you will first see a menu of colors which you may use to clear the screen. Highlight the desired color with the cursor key and press enter. Now you will see a menu of all possible screen clearing fade effects. Highlight the desired effect with the cursor key and press enter. The appropriate CLR script command will now be automatically inserted into script at the editor cursor location. For example, if you chose to clear the screen to black using the snake effect the command CLR 10,0,0,0,0 would automatically be inserted in your script. This command indicates you wish to clear the entire screen. If you wish to clear only a portion of the screen, then you need to enter the appropriate pixel coordinates where the last four zero's now appear. See the CLR command information found in the Script Commands chapter of this manual for more details. Other Effects: You'll also note other commands like ATPIX, PIXNUM, FXDELAY, Delay, Pause, Sleep, etc. are contained on this menu. To insert one of these commands in your script, simply highlight the command with the cursor key and then press enter. The command will be inserted in your script at the cursor location in the editor. For details of each of these commands, see the chapter named Script Commands. F6 - SCREEN: Pressing this function key will display a menu of PCX-SuperShow screen related script commands. Commands like EGA, VGA16, COLOR, and CONDITIONAL BRANCHING commands are contained on this menu. To insert one of these commands in your script, simply highlight the command with the cursor key and then press enter. The command will be inserted in your script at the cursor location in the editor. For details of each of these commands, see the chapter named Script Commands. F7 - FONTS: Pressing this function key will display a menu of PCX-SuperShow font related script commands. Commands for custom, internal and the SuperFont are all located on this menu, as well as the commands for displaying fonts with the Crawl, Type or Logo effect. Font Directory: This option is associated with the custom GEM fonts used in PCX SuperShow. When you choose this option you will see a box asking for the path/directory where you custom fonts are located. It uses the current drive and path as the default. Press enter and a list of your custom fonts will appear. Using your cursor keys, highlight the desired font and press the Enter key. ShowPrep will then enter the appropriate FONT script command and filename in your script. Other Font Commands: The remainder of the options in this menu may be chosen by highlighting the desired command using your cursor keys. Once highlighted, press the Enter key and that command will be automatically written in your script at the current cursor location. For details of each of these commands, see the chapter named Script Commands. F8 - SOUND: Pressing this function key will display a menu of PCX-SuperShow sound and music related script commands. Commands for digitized Sound Blaster files and pc speaker sound and music are all located on this menu, as well as some pre-programmed sounds. SBPlay: This is the command to play Sound Blaster digitized VOC files. When you choose this option you will see a box asking for the path/directory where your VOC files are located. It uses the current drive and path as the default. Press enter and a list of your Sound Blaster VOC files will appear. Using your cursor keys, highlight the desired file and press the Enter key. ShowPrep will then enter the appropriate script command and filename in your script. XPlay: This is the command to play external music MUS files. When you choose this option you will see a box asking for the path/directory where your MUS files are located. It uses the current drive and path as the default. Press enter and a list of your music files will appear. Using your cursor keys, highlight the desired file and press the Enter key. ShowPrep will then enter the appropriate script command and filename in your script. Other Sound Commands: The remainder of the options in this menu may be chosen by highlighting the desired command using your cursor keys. Once highlighted, press the Enter key and that command will be automatically written in your script at the current cursor location. For details of each of these commands, see the chapter named Script Commands. ================ RUN-TIME MODULES ================ NOT INCLUDED IN SHAREWARE VERSION ============= PCX-UTILITIES ============= NOT INCLUDED IN SHAREWARE VERSION ============== MUSIC LANGUAGE =============== In this version of PCX-SuperShow, we have added a music language that allows you to play music/sounds right from your script or from an external music file. Several sample external music files have been included with your registered version of PCX-SuperShow. In addition, samples of actual music language script commands are included in the sample script file PCXSHOW.SPT. Both the XPLAY music text and PLAY script command use a Music Language that is very similar to that found in the Basic program language. The music files, those with a .MUS extension, are simply self contained songs saved in an ASCII text file format. You can play these music files by using the XPLAY command or by playing actual musical notes and notations right from your script using the PLAY command. Both methods use the same music language syntax. Basically, to use the PLAY script command you build a string of commands and music notes which you include directly after issuing the PLAY script command. Here is a list of the music commands: PLAY [Commandstring] Commandstring is a string expression that contains music commands: ───────────Set Octaves and Play Tones─────────────── Ox Sets current octave (x = 0-6) │ < or > Up or down one octave Nx Plays note x (x = 0-84, 0 is a │ A-G Plays A, B, ..., G in current rest) │ octave (+ = sharp, - = flat) ─────────────Set Tone Duration and Tempo─────────── Lx Sets length of a note (L1 is │ MS Each note plays 3/4 of length whole note, L4 quarter note, │ MN Each note plays 7/8 of length etc.) x = 1-64 │ ML Each note plays full length Tx Sets number of quarter │ Px Pause for the duration of notes per minute │ x quarternotes (x = 1-64) (x = 32-255, 120 is default │ ────────────────Set Operation──────────────── MF Plays music in foreground │ MB Plays music in background For example, lets play a few notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. We'll set the tempo (T) at 180 quarter notes per minute and play in the second octave (o) [that's the letter o not a zero]. PLAY T180 o2 P2 P8 L8 GGG L2 E- PLAY P24 P8 L8 FFF L2 D To interpret the first line: T180 = Tempo set at 180 quarter notes per minute. 02 = 2nd octave P2 = Pause for 2 quarternotes P8 = Pause for 8 quarternotes L8 = Set note for eighth note GGG = Plays three G notes L2 = Set note for half note E- = Change to key of E flat For the second line: P24 = Pause for 24 quarternotes P8 = Pause for 8 quarternotes L8 = Set note for eighth note FFF = Plays three F notes L2 = Set note for half note D = Play a D note You could actually put all of the music commands on one line and it would work the same. We try to keep the music command lines reasonably short for readability. Also you will note a space between each of the music commands. This is not necessary, but again we do so for purposes of readability. XPLAY [Filename.MUS] -------------------- XPLAY will play an external ASCII text file containing a list of music commands that normally comprise a song or portion of a song. To create an external music text file you simply write the commands much as you do in the script using the PLAY script command. The difference is that you do not need the word PLAY preceding the music command. If you want to include a comments in your music file, they must be preceded by a apostrophe or they will be interpreted as a music commands and an error will probably result. Here is a sample music file: 'LaMarseille mb O2 T150 mn F16 F8. F16 B-4 B-4 >C4 C4 ml F4. mn D8 <B-8 P16 B-16 ml >D8. mn <B-16 G4 >E-2 ml C8. mn <A16 ml B-2 mn P8. Here we include the name of the song as a comment by using the apostrophe. We also are telling the program to play this music in the background by using the mb script command. This means that while the song is playing you will be able to execute other script commands. The program will generate a music buffer that will hold up to 32 notes in the background. Depending on the tempo and note length, this means that when you tell the program to play music in the background, you will be able to generate several other script commands while the music is playing. Important: Do not issue any other sound or music commands while playing music in the background. The results will be unpredictable and most likely, undesirable. ============== TECHNICAL HELP ============== Technical assistance is available from PC WEST at no additional charge. The number to call is 602-992-0310. The PC WEST phone is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The best time to reach us, however, is Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pm, Pacific Time. If no one is available when you call, you will be able to leave a recorded message and we will get back to you. . . usually within 24 hours. We are always looking for ways to improve our software. If you have thoughts of additional features you would like to see in future versions, please drop us a line or call us at 602-992-0310 with your suggestions. Thank you for using software from PC WEST! APPENDIX A ERROR MESSAGES There may be times when you encounter errors when using the PCX-Show series of programs. Ninety percent of all errors reported to us deal with memory and file problems. We will cover the most common errors you may encounter. OUT OF MEMORY: Memory related problems are the most common and this error means exactly what it says. . . the program could not find any memory to continue operation. As mentioned earlier, PCX-Show first attempts to use all conventional memory available then it looks for expanded memory and finally it uses disk space as virtual memory. This error occurs when all those attempts fail to provide enough memory for the show to continue. SOLUTION: This error most commonly occurs when running your show from PCX-ShowPrep. Graphics programs and files are very memory intensive. ShowPrep requires memory, as does Super-Show (PCXSP.EXE) as do each of your PCX files. When running your show we recommend that you have 512K conventional memory available. To check how much memory is available, run the SHOWMEM.EXE utility or CHKDSK DOS utility prior to running Super-Show or ShowPrep. If you encounter this error, unload all memory resident programs, f reeing as much conventional memory as possible. DOS 5.0 also provides more conventional memory to most systems than earlier versions of DOS. STRING SPACE CORRUPT: This is also a memory related error message. Again, this error occurs most often when running your show from PCX-ShowPrep when you have less than 512K conventional memory available. SOLUTION: See Out Of Memory error message solution above. ILLEGAL FUNCTION CALL: This error most commonly occurs when you issue commands to the programs that contain parameters outside the legal boundaries. For example, if you issued the CRAWL script command with a text string containing more than 255 characters you would encounter this error message. This error may also be encountered with the PRINT, COLOR, CIRCLE and BOX script commands. SOLUTION: Locate the script command that causes this error message. It may or may not be the problem. If it's not, the culprit isn't far behind. For example, say you found that the script command PRINT "Hello World" was executed when the error occurred. That command is okay. Look back to the ATPIX command, which locates where the text will be printed on your screen. Say the ATPIX command read AT 800,1. There is the problem. You are trying to print the text at column 800, beginning at row 1. Since there is no column 800 available, the illegal function call message is encountered. Change the script to the appropriate column number and run the show again. CAN'T FIND [FileName.Ext]: This means that the program cannot find a specific file. That file may be a font, script or pcx file. Remember, the SUPER.OTL font file must be included on any disk from which you use PCXSS.EXE or DEMO.EXE since this is the default SuperFont file for the program. SOLUTION: Determine whether the error is caused by a missing file or an incorrectly spelled filename. If you try to display a non-existent pcx file using the SHOW script command, a beep will sound and the program will continue to execute the next script command. SYSTEM LOCKUP: We've tried to take every precaution to avoid the dreaded system lock-up (aka "crash") when using the PCX-Show series of programs. Unfortunately with the wide variety of hardware and memory resident software in existence, you may encounter a lock-up. SOLUTION: This error usually occurs because of a memory resident process conflict. The solution is to note what command in the script is causing the system to lock-up. If you have unloaded all memory resident programs and the system still locks-up when you execute a script command, please make note of the command causing the problem and call us for technical assistance. Please try to determine the reason for an error message by examining your script and referring to the above error information. If you still can't figure out what's happening, give us a call. Be sure you are by your computer with the program loaded and ready when you call. ============================ DISCLAIMER & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ============================ Warranty: The PCX-SuperShow Software System and documentation is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Information in this manual/document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of PC West Software & Services. PC WEST(sm) Software & Services and it's officers and employees shall have no responsibility or liability to you or any other person, persons, or entity with respect to loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by use of PCX-SuperShow and/or its documentation. The liability of PC WEST Software & Services under the warranty set forth above shall be limited to the amount paid by the customer for the product. No other warranties are expressed or implied as to the operation, use or suitability of PCX-SuperShow. Copyright: The computer files and this documentation are protected by United States Copyright law. PC WEST Software & Services owns and retains title to the computer programs, files and the contents of this documentation. Copyright 1990/91/92, PC WEST Software & Services. Acknowledgements: The programs and utilities in the PCX-SuperShow software package were created using various language editors, compiler, and link programs and library toolbox routines. These include Microsoft Professional Development System 7.1, QuickBasic 4.5 and associated compiler and link programs from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, WA. Portions also were compiled/linked using PDQ from Crescent Software of Stamford, CT. Code includes toolbox routines from the QuickPak Professional Library & Graphics Workshop also from Crescent Software of Stamford, CT. Also, portions Copyright Genus Microprogramming, Inc. 1988-1991. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. PC WEST is a registered service mark of PC WEST Software & Services. Published by: PC WEST Software & Services P.O. Box 31418 Phoenix, AZ 85046