TPlot Component Readme
			**********************


Purpose:	Fast scientific and engineering plotting, storage and analysis of data.


Author:		Mat Ballard


Email:		<mat.ballard@Chemware.hypermart.net>


Version:        2.32


Release Date:	version 1.00: 12 September 2000
                version 1.10: 12 October 2000
                version 2.00: 10 May 2000


Licence:	Dual under the Q Public License: 
                TPlot is free for personal and academic use.
                TPlot requires a commercial license (ie: money) for commercial use.


Version History:
12 May 2001:  version 2.00
        - Two new components: TPlotToolBar and TDBPlot !
        - Kylix support ! Not just for TPlot, but also for all associated components.
        - added many new PlotTypes: 
            Error, Bubble, StackedColumn, NormStack, Polar, Contour, 3DWire, 3DContour.
        - added new several dialogs: Properties, Data Editor, Toolbar Editor.
        - exposed several dialogs as property editors.
	- Real functions added.

12 Oct 2000:  version 1.10:
	- added BCB(3) support and demo program
	- added PlotType property that provides for different ways of displaying the data:
		- XY, 
		- Columns, 
		- Multiple (= High-Low-Close, Mean with Error, etc)
		- (to be extended in the future)
	- added "Properties ..." menu item and Properties dialog box
	- add LabelText property to TAxis
	- sundry bug fixes
	- hide menu visibility routines from D1 to avoid 64K problem
	- requires version 1.02 of the Misc package.

12 Sept 2000: version 1.00 released


Upgrading:
Uninstall any previous versions of TPlot and the Misc package. 
Remove them from your hard drive. Then proceed with installation as outlined below. 
Note that the project group and package names change with every point release.


Installation:
TPlot requires the 'Misc' package for several utilities. This is now included in the
TPlot distribution. If you define 'GIF', 'PNG' or 'FUNCTIONS' in 'Plot.inc', 
then you will have to download various third party packages. 
See the website or help file for details.


	Delphi 3 .. 5:
		a. open the appropriate project group 
                   (eg: 'Plot/Plot200_50.bpg');
		b. I suggest that you set ('Tools' .. 'Environment options' .. 'Library') 
		   the BPL and DPC output directories to $(DELPHI)\Bin, 
		   or some other $(DELPHI) subdirectory;
		c. open the Misc run-time package in that project group
		   (eg: 'Misc200_R50.bpl' = 'Misc/Misc200_R50.dpk');
		d. compile the Misc run-time package;
		e. open the Misc design-time package in that project group
		   (eg: 'Misc200_D50.bpl' = 'Misc/Misc200_D50.dpk');
		f. compile the Misc design-time package;
		g. install the Misc design-time package into the IDE;
		h. open the TPlot run-time package 
                    (eg: 'Plot200_R50.bpl' = 'Plot/Plot200_R50.dpk')
		i. compile the TPlot run-time package;
		j. open the TPlot design-time package 
                    (eg: 'Plot200_D50.bpl' = 'Plot/Plot200_D50.dpk')
		k. compile the TPlot design-time package;
		l. install the TPlot design-time package into the IDE;
		m. open the TDBPlot run-time package 
                    (eg: 'DBPlot200_R50.bpl' = 'Plot/DBPlot200_R50.dpk')
		n. compile the TDBPlot run-time package;
		o. open the TDBPlot design-time package 
                    (eg: 'DBPlot200_D50.bpl' = 'Plot/DBPlot200_D50.dpk')
		p. compile the TDBPlot design-time package;
		q. install the TDBPlot design-time package into the IDE;


        BC++3: As per Delphi 3..5, but open the files with the BCB postfix
                   (eg: 'Plot/Plot200_R_BCB30.bpg')

        BC++4, 5: See the Installation page on:
			http://Chemware.hypermart.net/tplot/

        Kylix: As per Delphi 3..5, but open the file with the K postfix
                (eg: 'Plot/Plot200_R_K10.bpg'). Make sure you have the appropriate 
		file and directory access permissions.


Limitations:
The Plot property of TPlotToolBar must be set in code, and not in the IDE.
TDBPlot is not ready for serious use - it is very new and has some bugs.
Property editors do not work (yet) under Kylix.


Usage:
Click and drop all three components, TPlot, TPlotMenu and TPlotImageList onto a form.
Note that TPlotImageList is only relevant to Delphi 4 / BC++3 or above.

Set the TPlot.Images, TPlotMenu.Images and TPlotMenu.Plot properties.

See the Help file for more detailed information on the use of TPlot.


Help File
There is a help file that can be downloaded from
	http://Chemware.hypermart.net/downloads.htm
or studied directly at:
	http://Chemware.hypermart.net/tplot/help/

Bugs
Please email bug occurrences to the author. Bugfixes are welcome.

Suggestions and Requests
Are always welcome, but may not be acted on.


Mat Ballard 
July 2001