Programmer 7500

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Programmer 7500 / MAX_PROGRAMMERS.iso / PROGRAMS / UTILS / LASER / AFONT2.ZIP / AUTOFONT.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1990-10-08 | 16.1 KB | 304 lines

* -- -- -- -- -- * | | | The World of | | | | AUTOFONT | | ^^^^^^^^^^ | * -- -- -- -- -- * AUTOFONT.EXE is the program which improves your typed titles, headings and key words by converting them instantly to professional SuperFonts. Other "fancy- font" programs are available, but only AUTOFONT uses an easy-to-use ASCII for- mat which permits you to combine our SuperFonts with standard DOS text files. APPLICATIONS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The uses for SuperFonts are limited only by your imagination. Some uses are: 1. Titles of documents 2. Section headings 3. Emphasis (words, phrases) 4. Announcements, Memos 5. Bulletins, Notices 6. Pre-loading into AUTODOC 7. On-screen Pageable Presentations USING AUTOFONT ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The program is virtually self-teaching and very user friendly. No studying of tedious instructions is needed. Simply type the word AUTOFONT and press your "Enter" key to be on your way. Then, whatever you type will be converted in a flash to SuperFonts! You create one line at a time - the letters are so big that 4 lines would fill your screen. You are able to position each line horizontally for best effect. Often you will want to center a line, and this is very easily accomplished. If the text, after changed to SuperFonts, proves too long to fit on a line, press "E" for "Edit" and retype. A word may need to be hyphenated, or you may drop the last word, picking it up on the next line. When satisfied, press "S" to "Save" the line then type the next. To check your results press "V" and your file (AUTOFONT.TXT) will be displayed exactly as saved. Press "X" to use the DOS shell. Return to the same place in AUTOFONT by typing "EXIT" + "Enter." PREPARING FILES ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ If you will use your SuperFont text for on-screen display instead of printing, 4 lines will fill a standard screen (5 lines if you use a text editor for de- leting blank spaces at the bottom). If you will be pre-loading into our com- panion program AUTODOC, and if you are using Decor-Edge Bord`rs, the available screen area may be reduced by the size of the Bord`r you select. Before preparing an entire document for printing or screen display, it is wise to plan ahead. Decide what you will need for titles and headings and make them in advance with AUTOFONT. Then load the AUTOFONT.TXT file into your text edi- tor, whether it is the AUTODOC AD-EDITOR or another, and simply "type between the lines of SuperFonts" to achieve your desired result. You should begin typ- ing the text below the main title. The text editor will automatically move the -2- rest of the SuperFont headings "down" as you type. When you come to the place at which you want your first chapter or section heading, cursor-move past your heading and type that section. Do the same with the rest of your headings and key words, etc., and the entire process is quick and easy. It is possible to add an AUTOFONT-created title to an existing ASCII text file by doing it this way -- If your title file is named AUTOFONT.TXT and your text file is named, say, MYFILE.TXT, you would type the following: COPY AUTOFONT.TXT + MYFILE.TXT Then press your "Enter" key. The result will be a new file which has the title at the beginning, followed by your text. The name of the new file will initi- ally be AUTOFONT.TXT, but you may rename this with the DOS "REN" command. (If your "COPY" sequence includes a new file name at the end, you will not need to rename anything. Example: COPY FILE1.TXT + FILE2.TXT + FILE3.TXT NEWFILE.TXT will add 3 files together and name the combined file "NEWFILE.TXT.") USING A WORD PROCESSOR ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Most word processing programs use special codes to create the lines, boxes and other graphics. These codes will usually prevent importing SuperFonts into the word processor, so do a test to determine whether your word processing program will accept SuperFonts. If not, there are other options open to you: A. Prepare your document with your word processor in the usual way, and save it in the ASCII format rather than the specially coded format which is normally used by the word processor. Check your manual to determine which keys to press for an "ASCII save." Then use the DOS "COPY" command to combine your AUTOFONT "Title" file with your ASCII file. (It is pos- sible that your word processor "file-save" instructions may use the term "DOS Text File" rather than "ASCII." This has the same meaning.) B. Use the method given in "A" above, but instead of saving your entire document as one big file, save sections as separate ASCII files. These might be named TITLE.TXT, PART-A.TXT, PART-B.TXT, etc. Then use AUTOFONT to make separate SuperFont headings. As you create these, rename them. you might name them TITLE.AF, PART-A.AF, PART-B.AF, and so on. Then it is easy to use the DOS "COPY" command to join them as follows: COPY TITLE.AF + TITLE.TXT + PART-A.AF + PART-A.TXT (etc.) As mentioned above, if you add a new file name to the sequence (with no "plus" sign) you will automatically get a big combined file with every- thing in order. C. You can ignore your full-blown word processor completely, and instead use a text editor (mini word processor) like AD-EDITOR which is included in the AUTODOC.EXE program. AD-EDITOR accepts SuperFonts, and can even be used for creating your own graphic elements by using the ALT key with the number keys in the numeric keypad section of your keyboard. -3- SCREEN DISPLAY OF YOUR PAGES ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Here is a way to quickly make a screen display of your SuperFont enhanced file which can easily display one page after the other at the touch of a key. FIRST: prepare your text in separate files, one file for each page. Each file may be from 1 to 23 lines in length. This refers to standard computer lines, not lines of SuperFonts. To do this you will use a text editor such as the AD- EDITOR which is part of REXXCOM's program AUTODOC. Give each file a name which will remind you of the order of pages, such as MYTEXT.01, MYTEXT.O2, etc. SECOND: Add blank lines beneath the text of each page-file, if needed, to make the file exactly 24 lines long (line 24 should always be left blank). THIRD: prepare a batch file program exactly as shown below using the names you gave to your individual page-files. This batch file should be typed and saved as a separate file. Use the same text editor used in preparing the page files. ECHO OFF CLS TYPE MYTEXT.01 PAUSE CLS TYPE MYTEXT.02 PAUSE CLS TYPE MYTEXT.03 PAUSE CLS Your batch file program should look exactly as above, using your file names in place of the ones used in this illustration. Add as many page-files as really exist, making sure to have PAUSE and CLS on separate lines beneath each name. You should name your batch file something like GO.BAT or README.BAT. Whatever name you use must have the extension "BAT" after the period. That's all there is to it! Then, so long as you have all the page-files on the disk along with the batch file your reader need only type GO or README or whatever name you've given, and your text will appear screen-by-screen! We have enclosed a sample set of 3 page-files plus a batch file program so you can try it right away to see the effect. Our sample files are named SAMPLE.1, SAMPLE.2 and SAMPLE.3. The batch file is named TRIAL.BAT, and all you need to do to see it in action is type the word TRIAL and press your Enter key. -4- PRINTING OUT YOUR FILE ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ If you use a dot matrix or laser jet printer, you should be able to print your SuperFont documents with little or no trouble. Because of hardware differences you may have to experiment to discover which method will work for you. First try to print using the command: COPY MYFILE.TXT PRN and press "Enter." Be sure your printer is "on" and properly connected. If that does not produce a satis- factory result, try your DOS "GRAPHICS" command before issuing the command for printing. Depending on your type of printer, you might have to use the "MODE" command. Please refer to your DOS User's Guide for more details on these and related commands. (In the above example "MYFILE.TXT" should be replaced with the actual name of your file.) If you are unable to obtain satisfactory printing results, you may have to use a special program like PC-FONT2.EXE which is available as Shareware from numer- ous sources. It is included at no charge with the Professional Edition of AUTO- FONT.EXE. UPLOADING TO BULLETIN BOARDS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Many computer users are members of private bulletin board services. It is fun to upload messages composed of SuperFonts made with AUTOFONT.EXE! First, you must make certain that your BBS supports the IBM extended character set. This is easy to determine; computer bulletin boards which support the IBM extended characters will usually ask new members if their computer supports these. If you reply in the affirmative your BBS settings will be set up to permit you to send and receive (upload and download) SuperFonts. With most BBSes this also includes the graphics produced with the function keys (F1, etc.). Once you are sure of the above, go ahead and prepare your SuperFont file. When you are ready to upload it as a "message" to another member do it your "usual" way. Since it is a totally ASCII document you may use the plain ASCII upload. You may also upload it "with a protocol" such as XMODEM or SEA-LINK, etc. Remember, other BBS members with computers supporting the extended characters are the ONLY people who will be able to see your SuperFonts properly. Non-IBM- compatible computer users will not see the SuperFonts. For this reason it is a good idea to confine your uploads to the "IBM" section of the BBS. By the way, after you have enjoyed uploading SuperFont messages for awhile you will want to amaze your computer friends with SuperFont messages you create in full color, even with flashing letters! To learn how to prepare these fasci- nating messages, get the program MAGIFONT.EXE. REXXCOM SYSTEMS P.O. BOX 111 SCHOOLEYS MOUNTAIN NEW JERSEY, USA O787O DISPLAYWARE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY REXXCOM SYSTEMS """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" NAME MAIN FEATURES APPLICATIONS +-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+ | AUTODOC.EXE | 1. Contains an excellent text | 1. Training programs. Adds | | | editor. Handy for daily use | eye-appeal to informational | | with the | in typing and editing. | and educational texts. | | | 2. Allows colorization of text | 2. Creation of messages with | | "AD-EDITOR" | for fantastic visual impact. | incredible colored and anima- | | + | 3. Amazing custom DecorEdge | ted features, even graphics! | | Supportive | Bord`drs for color + image. | 3. Useful for introduction to | | Material | 4. SuperFont headings & titles | computer and word processor. | | | are readily included in text. | 4. Excellent for text files | | | 5. Graphic pics may be added. | to be used for disk storage | | | 6. Completed text files are in | or printout. May be used with | | | convenient scrollable form. | or without the user-customiz- | | | 7. Superimpose your text files | able features. | | | over colored background scenes.| 5. Teaches the use of IBM ex- | | | 7. Easy keystroke-printout. | tended character set. | | | 8. Creative. Very fascinating. | 6. Useful for generating mes- | | | 9. Color recommended. Needed | sages and memos for networks, | | | for amazing NEW Bord`r Scenes! | and related applications. | +------------ +--------------------------------+-------------------------------+ |AUTOFONT.EXE | 1. Typed copy instantly con- | 1. Use for creating profes- | | | verted to large SuperFonts. | sional appearing titles for | |("The Auto- | 2. Larger variety of fonts in- | otherwise ordinary documents. | | Matic | cluded in professional edition.| 2. Also useful for headings & | | SuperFont | 3. SuperFonts save in ASCII & | keywords for ASCII text to be | | Writer") | can be put onto screen with | read onscreen or printed out. | | | regular DOS "type" command. | 3. Excellent for making head- | | | 4. Easily add to regular ASCII | ings and titles for pre-load | | | text files to improve impact & | into AUTODOC.EXE. | | | set off important sections. | 4. Can be used for preparing | | | 5. Graphic illustrations also | announcements or entire docu- | | | included (easy-to-use ASCII). | ments if large fonts needed. | | | 6. Printing of SuperFonts and | 5. SuperFonts made with this | | | combination text + SuperFonts | program can be included in | | | easily accomplished with most | ASCII files as messages for | | | equipment. | network transmittal or for | | | 7. Color not required. | uploading to a BBS. | +-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+ |MAGIFONT.EXE | 1. Typed copy converts instan- | 1. Useful for making displays | | + | taneously to brilliant colored | to attract/inform/motivate | |MAGIVUE.EXE | display for onscreen viewing. | at trade shows and meetings. | | + | 2. Hundreds of combinations of | 2. Colorful onscreen displays | |MAGISHOW.EXE | fonts/colors/special-effects | also have many applications | | | in the professional edition. | for use in offices/libraries/ | |("The Magic | 3. Flashing (blinking) multi- | schools/museums/stores, etc. | | Font | colored SuperFont text readily | 3. Use for custom on-diskette | | Machine") | combined with graphics. | sales messages for mailing. | | | 4. "Slide Shows" easily made | 4. Unusual new format to use | | | for use in many applications. | for greetings, messages, an- | | | 5. Individual display screens | nouncements, etc. | | | easily custom-made for variety | 5. The full featured colorful | | | of uses. | screens will upload to many | | | 6. Unusually fascinating to | computer BBS systems. | | | use. Develops creativity. | 6. Can be used to make TITLES | | | 7. Color (CGA/EGA/VGA/MCGA). | for your videotapes! | +-------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------+ TO PRINT AN ORDER BLANK TYPE "ORDER" AND PRESS "ENTER"