This document describes features on a version-by-version basis. Note that there was never a 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 of BoloStar; the jump in versions from 1.1.1 to 1.5.0 is due to the enormous changes that were made to the program. K&D Software is currently working on an even newer version (which will probably not be out any time soon), as well.
IMPORTANT: See notes at bottom of this document for some details which may affect your maps!
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BoloStar 1.5.0
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** Compatibility Features **
• 68000, 68020, 68030, and 68040 compatible
• 32-bit clean and works with virtual memory
** Window Features **
• Full-color support (1-bit, 4-bit, and 8-bit)
• Multiple-monitors with multiple-depths support
• BlockMode and SmartMode option
• Four levels of zoom (100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%)
• Cooperative-time updates when multiple windows up
• Smarter and faster redraws in many areas
• Toolbar is now "prettier" when tools are disabled
• Show Ranges shows pillbox firing ranges
• Show Limits graphically defines recently imposed 20-cell border
** Editing Features **
• Flip horizontal and vertical
• Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear -- works between map windows
• Undo last operation
• Editable initial base armor, ammunition, and mine content
• Editable initial pillbox armor and firing speed
• Editable starting location and direction
• Remove all starting positions command
• Reset all base and pillbox parameters commands
** Drawing Features **
• Smooth drawing point tool
• Mine tool operates in "FatBits" toggle mode
** Unique Features **
• Maze tool creates maze with one possible solution
• Scraps menu lets you place common land selections instantly
• Save Scrap… lets you save your own scraps to the scrap menu
• Extensions let developers add their own tools and commands
• BoloText generates text of any font, size, style, and terrain
• BoloTrace outlines specified terrains
• Island Generator creates psuedofractal islands with a tree grow option
• Does a really cool About box count as a feature? :)
** I/O Features **
• Printing (prints color if you have a color printer)
• New security measure for preventing people from changing author names
• Capable of opening maps via drag-n-drop
• Map Info shows important quantities and editing dates
• SmartSave detects objects in the 20-cell border area and alerts you
** Preference Features **
• Open maps at the center point
• Automatically zoom windows to full screen
• Specify default window zoom levels
• Specify default drawing mode (BlockMode or SmartMode)
• Smart preferences don't need to be thrown out with new app versions
• Preferences now house serial number information to avoid hassles
• Extensions can utilize BoloStar preferences file for individual prefs
++++++ IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT BOLOSTAR™ AND BOLO ++++++
• Bolo 0.98 does not properly support starting positions. If you make a map with less than 16 starting positions, it is possible that your map will have people periodically starting off in the middle of the mine fields!
• The BoloStar™ memory partition comes to you with a suggested partition of 1024K (and a minimum of 900K). If you're serious about your editing and wish to open multiple windows or do larger operations, we suggest you increase your partition to 1200K or larger for best results.
• With the advent of a higher-security measure for author names, you will unfortunately find your old maps reading in a little funny. We suggest you load in any old maps you may have made, fix the author name, and save them again. We apologize for this inconvenience, but we also promise that it will never happen again! This new measure SHOULD stop the dishonest tampering of the author name on other peoples' hard map work.
• If you're moving up from 1.0 or 1.1.1, we suggest you throw out your Preferences file to facilitate a smooth upgrade. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN. Preferences are now sequentially added so that new versions of BoloStar™ do not have to be reregistered or require the preferences to be thrown out. We know you'll appreciate this in the long run.
• K&D Software are easily reachable and always eager to answer questions or take in comments and suggestions. Also, please email any bugs you find to both of us (it facilitates faster internal operations).
EMAIL (Comments, Questions, Suggestions on BoloStar™)
Dan Rudman rudman@engin.umich.edu
Keith Fry keithfry@engin.umich.edu
NEWS: (Comments, Questions on Bolo or BoloStar; Suggestions on BoloStar™)