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Text File | 1992-05-06 | 50.1 KB | 1,321 lines |
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- ___________________________
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- A U T O - M A T E
- Version 2.7
- ___________________________
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- Kurtis J. Jones
- 1748 North Oakland
- Fayetteville, AR 72703
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- 6 May 1992
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- Copyright (c) 1990-1992 by -Mate Software
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- A U T O - M A T E Version 2.7
- Copyright (c) 1990-1992 by -Mate Software
- _________________________________________
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- Unmodified copies of this program and the accompanying
- documentation may be made and distributed freely without charge. Under
- no circumstances shall this program or the accompanying documentation
- be distributed as part of any for-profit venture, without expressed
- written permission from the author.
-
- AUTO-MATE is distributed as shareware. If you find this software
- has any value to you, or if you use this software on a regular basis,
- please register your copy of AUTO-MATE by completing the order form at
- the end of this documentation.
-
- Please address any questions or comments you may have about this
- software to:
-
- Kurtis J. Jones
- 1748 North Oakland
- Fayetteville, AR 72703
-
- I may also be reached via THE SPECTRUM BBS (501) 521-5639. All first-
- time callers to THE SPECTRUM BBS are given full upload/download
- privileges.
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- DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY:
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- THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
- KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
- IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS OF PURPOSE. THE USER
- OF THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ASSUMES ALL RISKS.
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- TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- __________________
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- Description Page
- ----------- ----
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- Introduction ............................................... 1
- Limited Evaluation Version ................................. 1
- License Information ........................................ 1
- Changes in version 2.0+ .................................... 2
- Included Files ............................................. 3
- Summary of Functions ....................................... 3
- Updating AUTO-MATE ......................................... 3
- Setup and Configuration .................................... 4
- Sorting Options ............................................ 5
- The AUTO-MATE Log File ..................................... 5
- Running Alternate CAD Programs ............................. 6
- Running AUTO-MATE with SHROOM ............................. 7
- Automatic Installation ..................................... 7
- Running AUTO-MATE .......................................... 8
- Mouse Conventions .......................................... 8
- Using AUTO-MATE in Shell Mode .............................. 9
- Running AutoCAD ............................................ 10
- Plotting a Drawing ......................................... 10
- AutoCAD Configurations ..................................... 10
- Moving Around inside AUTO-MATE ............................. 11
- Adding File Descriptions ................................... 11
- Printer Output ............................................. 12
- Renaming Drawing Files ..................................... 12
- Tagging Drawing Files ...................................... 13
- Moving Drawing Files ....................................... 13
- Deleting Drawing Files ..................................... 13
- Copying Drawing Files ...................................... 13
- Compressing Drawing Files .................................. 14
- Locating a Drawing File .................................... 14
- Shelling to DOS ............................................ 15
- Exiting AUTO-MATE .......................................... 15
- Sample Installation Setups ................................. 16
- Registration Form .......................................... 17
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- INTRODUCTION:
- _____________
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- AUTO-MATE is a menu/file management system which allows the user
- to select an AutoCAD drawing file from a menu and run AutoCAD with the
- selected drawing file automatically. AUTO-MATE will also work as a
- front end for several other CAD packages that use the ".DWG" drawing
- file extension, and can be invoked with a drawing file piped at the
- command line. See the "RUNNING ALTERNATE CAD PROGRAMS" section in this
- manual.
- Also included are several file management functions, and the
- ability to add up to two lines of text describing a drawing file or
- directory listed by AUTO-MATE.
- The latest version of AUTO-MATE can be found on the following
- BBS's:
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- The Spectrum BBS (501) 521-5639 (SysOp - Kurtis Jones)
-
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- LIMITED EVALUATION VERSION:
- ___________________________
-
- The limited evaluation version of AUTO-MATE is denoted by a small
- "e" after the version number and the words "EVALUATION COPY" in the
- serial number location on the title screen. The limited version of
- AUTO-MATE is identical to the full registered version of AUTO-MATE with
- one exception. The limited version of AUTO-MATE is capable of handling
- only 10 drawing files per sub-directory, while the full registered
- version is capable of handling up to 525 drawing files per sub-
- directory.
- A registration form is included at the end of this documentation
- for users who wish to obtain the registered version of AUTO-MATE.
- Please make all checks payable to "Kurtis J. Jones".
-
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- LICENSE INFORMATION:
- ____________________
-
- AUTO-MATE may be purchased in either the single user format or the
- site licensed format. Users who purchase the single user version of
- AUTO-MATE may legally use the program on only one computer system per
- purchased copy at a time. Users who purchase the site licensed version
- of AUTO-MATE may use the program on multiple computer systems at that
- particular installation site.
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -1-
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- CHANGES IN VERSION 2.0+:
- ________________________
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- Version 2.0+ of AUTO-MATE represents a complete re-working of the
- program, which I hope you will find to be a major improvement over the
- previous versions of AUTO-MATE. The following is a brief list of the
- differences between AUTO-MATE version 1.28 and AUTO-MATE version 2.0+.
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- o AUTO-MATE v2.0+ supports a Microsoft compatible mouse.
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- o The title block information database has been left out of AUTO-
- MATE v2.0+.
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- o The AUTO-MATE display has been given a complete "face-lift" in
- AUTO-MATE v2.0+.
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- o AUTO-MATE v2.0+ is MUCH faster than AUTO-MATE v1.28.
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- o The external file security program option has been removed in
- AUTO-MATE v2.0+.
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- o AUTO-MATE v2.0+ will work as a shell from AutoCAD.
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- o The maximum file description size has been reduced from four
- lines of text to two lines in AUTO-MATE v2.0+.
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- o The keystroke commands have been changed to "make more since" to
- the user (IE: "D" is now "DELETE", "M" is "MOVE", etc.).
-
- Though I've removed several potentially useful features from AUTO-
- MATE, I feel that the removed features resulted in more problems than
- benefits and that AUTO-MATE v2.0+ is a far superior program to its
- predecessor, AUTO-MATE v1.28. I have also found that most users seldom
- used the features that have been removed. If, however, you feel that
- you must have one or more of the removed features, send me a note. If
- the response is great enough, I'll include one or more of the removed
- features in the next update of AUTO-MATE.
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -2-
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- INCLUDED FILES:
- _______________
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- The following files should be included in the archive file
- downloaded, or on the distribution diskette:
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- AUTOMATE.EXE -- Main program file
- AUTOMATE.DOC -- AUTO-MATE user's manual
- AUTOMATE.CFG -- Sample AUTO-MATE configuration file
- AUTOMATE.LOG -- Sample AUTO-MATE log file
- AUTO.BAT -- AUTO-MATE batch file
- AMATECFG.EXE -- Configuration program
- INSTALL.EXE -- Installation program
- README.DOC -- Last minute changes/additional comments
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- SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS:
- _____________________
-
- The following is a brief summary of AUTO-MATE's functions:
-
- Enter - Executes AutoCAD and automatically loads the highlighted
- drawing file, or if pressed when a directory is
- highlighted, changes the current directory to that
- directory.
- Space - Begin a new AutoCAD drawing.
- T - Tags highlighted drawing file.
- P - Executes AutoCAD and plots highlighted drawing file.
- I - Prints all descriptions for the current directory.
- E - Enables a description to be added to the highlighted
- drawing file or directory.
- Esc - Exits AUTO-MATE.
- G - Logs a new directory or drive.
- C - Copy highlighted or tagged drawing file(s).
- M - Moves the highlighted or tagged drawing file(s) to
- another directory.
- D - Delete's highlighted or tagged drawing file(s).
- R - Renames the highlighted drawing file.
- L - Runs external file location program (locates file).
- Z - Runs external compression program (compresses file).
- / - Set AutoCAD configuration.
- S - Shells to DOS (type 'EXIT' to return to AUTO-MATE).
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- UPDATING AUTO-MATE:
- ___________________
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- If you are currently using a version of AUTO-MATE prior to version
- 2.0, you should delete all files associated with AUTO-MATE, and
- reinstall AUTO-MATE from scratch. If you are updating from AUTO-MATE
- version 2.0 or later, you should copy the following files into the
- directory that you currently have AUTO-MATE installed under:
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- AUTO.BAT
- AUTOMATE.EXE
- AMATECFG.EXE
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -3-
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- After copying the new files, you should run the AUTO-MATE configuration
- program, AMATECFG.EXE. This will updated your configuration file
- (AUTOMATE.CFG) to reflect any changes that have been made in the
- format.
- If you use the AUTO-MATE shell mode, you must also add the
- following line to the beginning of the AUTO-MATE shell mode command,
- after the "defun c:auto()" statement in your ACAD.LSP file:
-
- (command "SCRIPT" "C:/AUTOMATE/$dummy$")
-
- "C:/AUTOMATE" in the above line should be changed to match the
- directory in which AUTO-MATE is installed.
- Current users of AUTO-MATE should also note that the default AUTO-
- MATE directory has been changed from "C:\ACAD" to "C:\AUTOMATE".
- Therefore, if you have AUTO-MATE installed in the directory "C:\ACAD",
- and whish to leave it there, you must now set the environmental
- variable "AMATE" to "C:\ACAD" (IE: SET AMATE=C:\ACAD). The
- environmental variable is not required if AUTO-MATE is installed in
- "C:\AUTOMATE".
- AUTO-MATE should now be network compatible for users who use
- AutoCAD on a networked system; however, AUTO-MATE has not been fully
- tested on such a system.
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- SETUP AND CONFIGURATION:
- ________________________
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- The files AUTO.BAT, AUTOMATE.EXE, and AUTOMATE.CFG are needed to
- run AUTO-MATE. AUTO.BAT and AUTOMATE.EXE may be copied into any
- directory on your machine's DOS path; however, if AUTOMATE.CFG is
- placed in any directory other than "C:\AUTOMATE", then the
- environmental variable "AMATE" must be set to the directory in which
- AUTOMATE.CFG is placed. For example, if AUTOMATE.CFG is placed in a
- directory "C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE", then "AMATE" must be set using the DOS
- "SET" command, "SET AMATE=C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE". This command can be added
- to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, or it can be added to AUTO.BAT.
- AUTOMATE.CFG contains the setup information for running AutoCAD
- under different start up configurations and the configuration data
- necessary to run the external programs supported by AUTO-MATE. A
- typical example of the file follows:
-
- 2 ;Number of AutoCAD configurations
- CONFIGURATION 1 ;Title for first configuration
- SET ACAD=C:\ACAD ;Config. #1, 'ACAD' variable
- SET ACADCFG=C:\ACAD ;Config. #1, 'ACADCFG' variable
- CONFIGURATION 2 ;Title for first configuration
- SET ACAD=C:\ACAD ;Config. #1, 'ACAD' variable
- SET ACADCFG=C:\ACAD\CFG ;Config. #1, 'ACADCFG' variable
- ARCHIVE ;Next line is compress program
- C:\UTILITY\PKZIP.EXE ;Compress program
- UNARCHIVE ;Next line is uncompress program
- C:\UTILITY\PKUNZIP.EXE ;Uncompress program
- LOCATE ;Next line is file finder program
- C:\UTILITY\FFF.EXE ;File finder program
- SHELL ;Next line is optional shell program
- C:\UTILITY\[filename.ext];Optional shell program
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -4-
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- SORT ;Next line is selected sort option
- NAME+ ;Sorts files in ascending order by name
- LOGFILE ;Next line is log file
- C:\AUTOMATE\AUTOMATE.LOG ;Specified log file name
-
- The AutoCAD configuration settings may be changed from within AUTO-
- MATE; however, all other settings need to be changed in the
- AUTOMATE.CFG file using an ASCII text editor or the included program,
- AMATECFG.EXE. Before AMATECFG.EXE will work properly, the
- environmental variable "AMATE" must be set correctly, or the file
- AUTOMATE.CFG must be in the directory "C:\AUTOMATE" (see above). The
- compression, and file finder programs are not included with AUTO-MATE,
- and must be obtained separately. A list of programs that are known to
- work with AUTO-MATE is included in the sections covering the "LOCATE",
- and "COMPRESS" commands. A more complete description of the optional
- shell program can be found under the "SHELLING TO DOS" section.
-
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- SORTING OPTIONS:
- ________________
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- Drawing files listed by AUTO-MATE my be sorted in either ascending
- or descending order based on filename, date, or size. To change the
- sorting option, simply change the "SORT" parameter in the AUTO-MATE
- configuration file, AUTOMATE.CFG. The following is a list of valid
- parameters:
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- NAME+ ;Sorts files in ascending order by name
- NAME- ;Sorts files in descending order by name
- DATE+ ;Sorts files in ascending order by date
- DATE- ;Sorts files in descending order by date
- SIZE+ ;Sorts files in ascending order by size
- SIZE- ;Sorts files in descending order by size
-
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- THE AUTO-MATE LOG FILE:
- _______________________
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- AUTO-MATE will generate a log of activity within AUTO-MATE if a
- valid DOS filename is entered in the "LOGFILE" parameter in the AUTO-
- MATE configuration file, AUTOMATE.CFG. The following functions/actions
- or recorded in the log file:
-
- Begin AUTO-MATE
- EDIT Drawing
- Begin NEW Drawing
- PLOT
- COPY
- DELETE
- MOVE
- RENAME
- COMPRESS
- ERROR messages
- End AUTO-MATE
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -5-
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- When the log option is activated (by entering a valid DOS filename in
- the log file parameter), each time one of the above functions/actions
- is executed in AUTO-MATE, AUTO-MATE will write the current date, time,
- and the function/action to the log file, along with the drawing file
- name if applicable. A sample log file is included with the program.
-
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- RUNNING ALTERNATE CAD PROGRAMS:
- _______________________________
-
- New to AUTO-MATE is the ability to function as a front end for a
- variety of CAD programs other than AutoCAD. AUTO-MATE should work with
- any CAD program which can automatically load a drawing file piped at
- the command line. For example:
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- CAD C:\DRAWINGS\FILE
-
- Where "CAD" is the name of the CAD program, and "C:\DRAWINGS\FILE" is
- the complete path\filename (w/o extension) of the drawing file.
- In order to enable the alternate CAD program mode in AUTO-MATE,
- and tell AUTO-MATE the name of the executable file for your CAD
- program, you must use an ASCII text editor (such as EDLIN), and make a
- small change to the file AUTO.BAT. Simply add the full path and name
- of your CAD executable file, preceded by a "*", after the word
- "AUTOMATE" in AUTO.BAT. The following is an example of a AUTO.BAT file
- designed to run Drafix CAD located in a directory named "C:\DFX":
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- echo off
- automate *C:\DFX\DFX
- if exist c:\automate\$aslect$.bat $aslect$
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- Where "C:\DFX\DFX" is the complete path/filename for the Drafix CAD
- executable file.
- Very limited testing has been done using AUTO-MATE in the
- alternate CAD program mode. Other than AutoCAD, AUTO-MATE has only
- been tested with the following CAD programs:
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- Drafix CAD
- Graphic CAD
-
- Also note that several features available in the normal mode of AUTO-
- MATE are either AutoCAD specific, or unavailable in the alternate CAD
- program mode of AUTO-MATE. The following is a list of options or
- commands not available in the alternate CAD program mode of AUTO-MATE:
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- o The "PLOT" command is not available.
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- o The "SHELL MODE" is not available.
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- o The "CONFIGURE" command is still available; however, it may or
- may not be very useful, since it was originally designed as a
- way to set the AutoCAD environmental variables before entering
- AutoCAD.
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -6-
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- RUNNING AUTO-MATE WITH SHROOM:
- ______________________________
-
- AUTO-MATE can now take advantage of SHROOM, included with release
- 11 of AutoCAD. In order to run AUTO-MATE with SHROOM, you must use an
- ASCII text editor (such as EDLIN) and make a small change to the file
- AUTO.BAT. Simply add "SHROOM [-s paths]" after the word "AUTOMATE " in
- AUTO.BAT. The "-s paths" statement is optional. Consult the
- documentation included with SHROOM for more information concerning its
- use. The following is an example of an AUTO.BAT file designed to load
- SHROOM:
-
- echo off
- automate SHROOM
- if exist c:\automate\$aslect$.bat $aslect$
-
- You may also specify an alternate name for ACAD.EXE using this
- option. The default name that AUTO-MATE uses to run AutoCAD is "ACAD";
- however, if for some reason you wish to specify the full path to your
- AutoCAD executible file, you may enter it after "AUTOMATE" in the
- AUTO.BAT file. The following is an example of an AUTO.BAT file
- illustrating this option:
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- echo off
- automate C:\AUTOCAD\ACAD
- if exist c:\automate\$aslect$.bat $aslect$
-
- Where "C:\AUTOCAD\ACAD" is the full path and name of the AutoCAD
- executible file.
-
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- AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION:
- _______________________
-
- In order to simplify the installation process, an installation
- program, INSTALL.EXE, has been included. When executed, the
- installation program will prompt you for all the information necessary
- to install AUTO-MATE on your system, and optionally copy the required
- files from a distribution disk to the directory of your choice. If the
- directory that you enter does not exist, the installation program will
- create it (if possible). The installation program also asks you if you
- want to modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include the commands necessary
- for AUTO-MATE to function properly. This includes adding the directory
- you have chosen to install AUTO-MATE on to the "PATH" command, and
- adding the "SET AMATE=" command. Please note, however, that if the
- intended directory is already in your AUTOEXEC.BAT "PATH" command, you
- should answer "no" to the installation program's "PATH" prompt.
- Additionally, the "SET AMATE=" command is not needed if you are
- installing AUTO-MATE to the directory "C:\AUTOMATE".
- The installation program also makes a small change to the file
- AUTO.BAT if you are installing AUTO-MATE to a directory other than
- "C:\AUTOMATE". If you do not use the automatic installation program,
- you must manually make this change using an ASCII text editor. The
- line in the file AUTO.BAT that must be changed reads:
-
- if exist C:\AUTOMATE\$aslect$.bat $aslect$
-
-
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -7-
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- You must change "C:\AUTOMATE" to the name of the drive\directory where
- you have installed AUTO-MATE.
- If you wish to use AUTO-MATE as a shell from AutoCAD, you may have
- the install program add the necessary commands to your ACAD.LSP and
- ACAD.PGP files. Once configured properly, the shell option will allow
- you to run AUTO-MATE as a shell from AutoCAD without actually exiting
- AutoCAD each time you change drawing files. However, in the current
- version of AUTO-MATE, you are not able to change the AutoCAD
- configuration via the [/] key. Additionally, compressed (.ZWG) drawing
- files that are edited will not be re-compressed after they are quit or
- ended. Also included in the installation program is the option to add
- the AutoCAD commands "Q" (Complete Quit) and "E" (Complete End) to your
- ACAD.LSP file. If this option is selected, then the installation
- program will create two small AutoCAD script files in your AutoCAD
- directory ($QUIT$.SCR and $END$.SCR), and add the LISP commands "Q" and
- "E" to your ACAD.LSP file. The commands "Q" and "E" simply allow you
- to completely exit AutoCAD and return to AUTO-MATE without having to
- enter a "0" at the AutoCAD main menu screen after ending or quitting an
- AutoCAD drawing.
-
- NOTE: You should always make backup copies of your AUTOEXEC.BAT,
- ACAD.LSP, and ACAD.PGP files before using the installation
- program.
-
-
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- RUNNING AUTO-MATE:
- __________________
-
- AUTO-MATE is extremely simple to use. Simply follow the above
- installation procedure and re-boot your computer if any changes were
- made to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. To run AUTO-MATE simply type "AUTO"
- and press [Enter]. The program will open with a title screen, then a
- listing of all drawing files and sub-directories under the current
- directory will be displayed. Use the cursor keys to highlight the
- different drawing files or directories. If more than 15 drawing files
- and sub-directories exist in the current directory, the remaining may
- be accessed by continuing to cursor down once you have reached the
- bottom of the display list.
- Pertinent disk information is displayed in a box to the right of
- the screen which includes the current drive, directory, number of
- drawing files, free space on the current drive, and the selected
- configuration (if any).
-
-
-
- MOUSE CONVENTIONS:
- __________________
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- AUTO-MATE supports a Microsoft compatible two-button mouse, and
- all AUTO-MATE commands may be accessed using a mouse. AUTO-MATE
- commands are accessed with the mouse by positioning the mouse cursor on
- the desired command in the lower portion of the screen and pressing the
- left mouse button. You may also edit a drawing or change directories
- by positioning the mouse cursor on the desired drawing file or sub-
- directory and pressing the left mouse button. You may simply highlight
- a drawing file or sub-directory by positioning the mouse cursor on the
- drawing file or sub-directory and pressing the right button.
-
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -8-
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- Positioning the mouse cursor on a highlighted drawing file and pressing
- the right mouse button will also tag or untag the highlighted drawing
- file depending on the file's current tag status. Additionally, the
- mouse may be used to answer "yes" or "no" at all applicable prompts.
- The left mouse button represents "yes", and the right mouse button
- represents "no". Pressing either mouse button also satisfies the
- "Press any key" prompt.
- In order to use the mouse to scroll through the current directory
- listing, you may use the mouse bar located to the right of the file
- display area. Positioning the mouse somewhere along the bar and
- pressing the left mouse button will move the file display window to an
- area in the directory listing proportional to the location of the mouse
- cursor on the mouse bar. You may also step up or down the directory
- listing by positioning the mouse cursor over either the "up" or "down"
- arrows at either end of the mouse bar and pressing the left mouse
- button.
-
-
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- USING AUTO-MATE IN SHELL MODE:
- ______________________________
-
- AUTO-MATE may also be run as a shell from AutoCAD; however,
- certain changes must be made to your ACAD.PGP file and your ACAD.LSP
- files. The required changes are listed below and may be made manually
- or by the included AUTO-MATE installation program.
-
- ACAD.PGP:
- ---------
- Add The following line to your ACAD.PGP file:
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- "AMATE,AUTOMATE S,240000,,0"
-
- ACAD.LSP:
- ---------
- Add the following lines to your ACAD.LSP file:
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- "(defun c:AUTO ()
- (command "SCRIPT" "C:/AUTOMATE/$DUMMY$")
- (setq ans (getstring "\nSave current drawing [Y/n]? "))
- (if (and (/= ans "n")(/= ans "N"))
- (command "save" "")
- )
- (command "AMATE")
- (command "SCRIPT" "C:/AUTOMATE/$AUTO$")
- )"
-
- NOTE: "C:/AUTOMATE/$AUTO$" and "C:/AUTOMATE/$DUMMY$" in the above
- AutoLISP routine should be modified to match the directory that
- you installed AUTO-MATE in. If the installation program is used,
- this is taken care of automatically.
-
- Once the above additions have been made to the ACAD.PGP and ACAD.LSP
- files, the shell version of AUTO-MATE may be invoked at any time from
- the AutoCAD editor by typing "AUTO" and pressing [Enter].
- Please note that the limitations mentioned under the "AUTOMATIC
- INSTALLATION" section apply to the shell mode of AUTO-MATE.
-
-
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- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -9-
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- RUNNING AUTOCAD:
- ________________
-
- To run AutoCAD with the highlighted drawing file, simply press
- [Enter]. AutoCAD will run, and the selected drawing file will
- automatically be loaded. Once the drawing is ended or quit, and
- AutoCAD is exited, AUTO-MATE will automatically run again. To run
- AutoCAD without a selected drawing file (begin a new drawing), press
- the space bar at anytime. AUTO-MATE will then prompt you for a drawing
- name. You may enter up to 44 characters for the name at this point if
- you choose which could include 8 characters for the drawing name and
- any AutoCAD "template" drawing (see AutoCAD), or you may leave the name
- blank by simply pressing [Enter] and then enter the name in the AutoCAD
- main menu screen.
-
-
-
- PLOTTING A DRAWING:
- ___________________
-
- The AUTO-MATE "plot" command loads AutoCAD with the highlighted
- file and selects either option [3]( - Plot) or [4]( -Printer Plot) from
- the AutoCAD main menu screen. To plot the highlighted drawing file,
- press "P", and AUTO-MATE will ask you if you want a 'Pen plot' or a
- 'Printer plot'. If you select a 'Pen Plot', you will also have the
- option of specifying certain AutoCAD plot parameters. AUTO-MATE will
- automatically send the parameters entered in the "Plot Info" window to
- AutoCAD, and exit AutoCAD after the plot is completed. The plot
- parameters entered for a particular AutoCAD drawing file in AUTO-MATE
- are stored in the DWG-INFO.TXT file (see "ADDING FILE DESCRIPTIONS").
- Therefore, those parameters will remain available for that particular
- drawing if it is renamed, moved, or copied using the AUTO-MATE
- "RENAME', "MOVE", or "COPY" commands.
- All of the parameters listed in the AUTO-MATE "Plot Info" window
- except the "Additional Command" parameter correspond directly to
- AutoCAD plot parameters, and are discussed in detail in the AutoCAD
- Reference Manual. The "Additional Command" parameter is included to
- continue after interruptions in the plot sequence such as the "Plot
- exceeds specified size" error. A "Y" placed in this parameter will
- enable the plot to continue in this situation. Under most
- circumstances, you should leave this parameter blank. All other plot
- parameters may also be left blank, in which case the default AutoCAD
- plot parameter will be used. The "Plot file" parameter is only used
- when the drawing is being plotted to a file.
-
-
-
- AUTOCAD CONFIGURATIONS:
- _______________________
-
- Several different AutoCAD configurations may be created and saved
- using AutoCAD, as long as each configuration was created and saved in a
- unique directory. AUTO-MATE has a feature which lets you change the
- current AutoCAD configuration to one previously created through
- AutoCAD. To enable this feature, press the foward-slash [/] key, and a
- list of current configurations will appear. to change the current
- AutoCAD configuration, highlight the desired configuration and press
- [Enter].
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -10-
-
-
-
-
-
- AUTO-MATE comes with two example configurations which are stored
- in the AUTOMATE.CFG file; however, these will not work on your system
- unless you have previously set these configurations using AutoCAD.
- To add a new configuration, press the [A] key. A window will then
- appear prompting you for the name of the new configuration name, and
- two configuration command lines (for setting "ACAD" and "ACADCFG"). The
- environmental variable "ACAD" will usually need to be set equal to the
- path under which your AutoCAD program files reside. This is usually
- "C:\ACAD". The variable "ACADCFG" is set to the path where the AutoCAD
- configuration files are kept. If you are creating a new configuration,
- you will have to select the new configuration by pressing [Enter] once
- you have entered it into AUTO-MATE, and then press the space bar to
- execute AutoCAD. AutoCAD will tell you that AutoCAD has not yet been
- configured, and then prompt you for the required configuration
- information. (Consult your AutoCAD Reference Manual for more
- information on AutoCAD configurations).
- When adding a new AutoCAD configuration, you must first create the
- necessary DOS directory that you wish to place the new AutoCAD
- configuration files in. AUTO-MATE does not create the configuration
- information for AutoCAD, nor does it create the necessary DOS
- directories. AUTO-MATE simply sets the required environmental
- variables which "point" to the pre-defined configurations.
- Once the foward-slash [/] key has been pressed, the user also has
- the option of deleting or editing an existing configuration.
-
-
-
- MOVING AROUND INSIDE AUTO-MATE:
- _______________________________
-
- Once inside AUTO-MATE, there are two ways in which you can move to
- different directories. If you wish to change the current drive, you
- must press [G] and type in the new drive specification at the prompt.
- You may also type in a complete drive and path specification at the
- prompt.
- You may move around through the directory structure on the current
- drive by highlighting the new directory in the file listing window and
- pressing [Enter]. Directories are indicated in the file display window
- by a "<DIR>" at the end of the directory name. In order to "step back"
- one directory simply highlight the ".." listing and press [Enter]. This
- has the same affect as typing "cd .." at the DOS prompt.
-
-
-
- ADDING FILE DESCRIPTIONS:
- _________________________
-
- A description of up to two lines may be added to any drawing file
- or sub-directory displayed by AUTO-MATE. To add a description to a
- file or sub-directory, simply highlight the desired file or sub-
- directory and press [E]. A cursor will appear in the file description
- area near the bottom of the screen. You may then simply type an
- appropriate description in. Pressing [Enter] terminates and saves the
- description while pressing the [Esc] key exits without saving any
- changes that have been made to the file description. Once a
- description has been entered for a file or sub-directory, the
- description will be displayed whenever the file or sub-directory is
- highlighted.
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -11-
-
-
-
-
-
- When a description is added in AUTO-MATE, the program creates a
- file in the current directory named DWG-INFO.TXT if one has not already
- been created. This file stores all of the file and sub-directory
- descriptions for the current directory, and is automatically updated as
- new descriptions are added. When a drawing file is renamed, moved, or
- copied using the AUTO-MATE "RENAME", "MOVE", or "COPY" commands, the
- file description stays with the new file. For example, if a file is
- moved from a directory named "c:\files" to a directory named
- "c:\drawings" using the AUTO-MATE "MOVE" command, the DWG-INFO.TXT file
- in the directory "c:\drawings" would be updated to include the
- description for the file being moved into that directory. More
- information about manipulating files can be found under the following
- sections.
-
- NOTE: DWG-INFO.TXT files created with versions of AUTO-MATE prior to
- version 1.20 are not compatible with the newer version. In order
- to use your existing DWG-INFO.TXT files, you must use an ASCII
- text editor to add a " DWG" to the end of each drawing file name
- in the DWG-INFO.TXT file. Also, file descriptions created with
- versions of AUTO-MATE prior to version 2.0 will be truncated at
- 78 characters.
-
-
-
- PRINTER OUTPUT:
- _______________
-
- The drawing file descriptions for the current directory may be
- printed by pressing [I]. The printout will be formatted in 66 line
- pages with the page number for each page along with the total number of
- pages in the printout printed in the upper-right corner of each page.
- All drawing files and sub-directories listed in the current directory
- will be included in the printout, regardless of whether or not they
- have a description. Printer output defaults to "LPT1:"; however, you
- may also direct the printer to a ASCII text file by changing "LPT1:" to
- a valid DOS filename.
-
-
-
- RENAMING DRAWING FILES:
- _______________________
-
- AUTO-MATE includes a function for renaming a selected drawing
- file, while maintaining that file's AUTO-MATE description. To rename a
- drawing file, highlight the desired file and press [R], and at the
- prompt, type in the new file name. The file name must be a valid
- AutoCAD drawing file name, and the file extension (".DWG" or ".ZWG")
- should not be added. Once the file has been renamed, the DWG-INFO.TXT
- file is updated automatically.
- When a compressed file is selected to be renamed, AUTO-MATE will
- uncompress the file and rename the uncompressed version of the file
- also.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -12-
-
-
-
-
-
- TAGGING DRAWING FILES:
- ______________________
-
- To tag a highlighted drawing file, simply press [T]. A "check-
- mark" will be displayed to the left of the drawing file to indicate
- that the file is tagged. The current number of tagged files along with
- the current size of the tagged files is displayed at the bottom of the
- file display window.
-
-
-
- MOVING DRAWING FILES:
- _____________________
-
- The AUTO-MATE "MOVE" command enables a selected drawing file or
- group of tagged drawing files to be moved from the current directory to
- any valid directory on the your system. To move a highlighted drawing
- file, or a group of tagged files press [M]. A prompt will be displayed
- asking for the new directory. The complete DOS path to the new
- directory must be entered at the prompt. Once this has been done,
- press [Enter] and the selected file(s) will be moved to the selected
- drive/directory. The file description associated with the file(s)
- being moved will also be moved to the new directory.
-
-
-
- DELETING DRAWING FILES:
- _______________________
-
- To delete a highlighted drawing file or group of tagged drawing
- files press [D]. A prompt will appear asking you to confirm that the
- highlighted or tagged file(s) is to be deleted. You must answer "y" in
- order for the file(s) to be deleted. Once a file is deleted, any file
- description associated with that file is also removed from the "DWG-
- INFO.TXT" file.
-
-
-
- COPYING DRAWING FILES:
- ______________________
-
- The AUTO-MATE "COPY" command works exactly like the "MOVE"
- command, only the selected file(s) will not be deleted from the
- original directory.
-
-
-
- COMPRESSING DRAWING FILES:
- __________________________
-
- AUTO-MATE is capable of using one of the many available file
- compression programs to compress or uncompress drawing files. To
- activate the file compression program, press [Z]. Once compressed,
- drawing files typically take up about half the amount of disk space
- that they normally would. AUTO-MATE renames the compressed drawing
- file to "filename.ZWG", and deletes the original drawing file. If for
- some reason, the compressed file cannot be created, AUTO-MATE will NOT
- delete the original drawing file. If compression is requested on a
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -13-
-
-
-
-
-
- drawing file that has already been compressed, that drawing file will
- be uncompressed, and renamed to "filename.DWG", and the compressed file
- will be deleted.
- Multiple compressions of tagged drawing files are also possible.
- Simply tag the drawing files you wish to compress and press [C]. AUTO-
- MATE will use the file compression program to compress all tagged
- drawing files with the "DWG" extension, and uncompress all tagged
- drawing files with the "ZWG" extension.
- A compressed file can still be loaded into AutoCAD through AUTO-
- MATE. AUTO-MATE will use the file compression program to automatically
- uncompress the drawing file before running AutoCAD, and once AutoCAD is
- exited, the drawing file will be automatically re-compressed.
- The following is a list of file compression programs that are
- known to work with AUTO-MATE, along with the settings that must be
- included in the AUTOMATE.CFG file:
-
- PKZIP PAK
- by PKWARE, Inc. by NOGATE CONSULTING
- --------------- --------------------
- ARCHIVE ARCHIVE
- [drive:][path]PKZIP [drive:][path]PAK A
- UNARCHIVE UNARCHIVE
- [drive:][path]PKUNZIP [drive:][path]PAK E
-
-
- PKARC ZOO
- by PKWARE, Inc. by Rahul Dhesi
- --------------- --------------
- ARCHIVE ARCHIVE
- [drive:][path]PKARC [drive:][path]ZOO A
- UNARCHIVE UNARCHIVE
- [drive:][path]PKXARC [drive:][path]ZOO E
-
- LHAR
- by Haruyasu Yoshizaki
- ---------------------
- ARCHIVE
- [drive:][path]LHARC A
- UNARCHIVE
- [drive:][path]LHARC A
-
- NOTE: [drive:] and [path] are not required if the compression programs
- are located in a directory on your system's DOS path.
-
-
-
- LOCATING A DRAWING FILE:
- ________________________
-
- To locate a specified drawing file using an external file finder
- program, press [L], and enter the desired filespec at the prompt.
- AUTO-MATE will run the file finder program specified in the
- AUTOMATE.CFG file under the "LOCATE" heading.
- The following is a list of file finder programs that are known to
- work with AUTO-MATE, along with the settings that must be included in
- the AUTO-MATE.CFG file:
-
-
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -14-
-
-
-
-
-
- Fullscreen File Finder PKFIND
- by Jim Derr by PKWARE, Inc.
- ---------------------- ---------------
- LOCATE LOCATE
- [drive:][path]FFF [drive:][path]PKFIND
-
- NOTE: [drive:] and [path] are not required if the file finder program
- is located in a directory on your system's DOS path.
-
-
-
- SHELLING TO DOS:
- ________________
-
- To temporally shell to DOS, press [S], and DOS commands may be
- entered. To return to AUTO-MATE, type 'EXIT' and press [Enter] at the
- DOS prompt.
- Optionally, a shell program may be included in the AUTOMATE.CFG
- file. If the name of an optional shell program is found, AUTO-MATE
- will run that program with the highlighted drawing file piped to the
- optional shell program instead of performing the normal DOS shell.
- This option is mainly intended for users who wish to use an external
- file viewer with AUTO-MATE, but is not limited to that use. The
- optional shell program can be ay program that uses the following
- format:
-
- PROGRAM (options) FILENAME.EXT
-
- Where "PROGRAM (options)" is the optional shell program, and
- "FILENAME.EXT" is the highlighted drawing file that is piped to the
- optional shell program. If the highlighted drawing file is compressed,
- AUTO-MATE will uncompress the drawing file before running the optional
- shell program, and then re-compress the file before returning from the
- shell program.
- This option has not been tested extensively, and caution should be
- exercised with its use.
-
-
-
- EXITING AUTO-MATE:
- __________________
-
- To exit AUTO-MATE press [Esc]. AUTO-MATE will exit to DOS in the
- current directory, or alternately run the next command in the AUTO.BAT
- batch file.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -15-
-
-
-
-
-
- SAMPLE INSTALLATION SETUPS:
- ___________________________
-
- The following is a list of sample installation setups of AUTO-MATE
- for users who are having difficulty installing the program.
-
-
- EXAMPLE #1: AUTO-MATE being installed in "C:\AUTOMATE"
- ------------------------------------------------------
- 1. Copy AUTOMATE.EXE, AUTO.BAT, AUTOMATE.CFG and optionally
- AMATECFG.EXE to the directory "C:\AUTOMATE".
-
- 2. Make sure that the directory "C:\AUTOMATE" is included in your
- AUTOEXEC.BAT's "PATH" command.
-
- 3. Reboot your system if necessary, and type "AUTO" at the DOS
- prompt to execute AUTO-MATE
-
-
- EXAMPLE #2: AUTO-MATE being installed in "C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE"
- -----------------------------------------------------------
- 1. Copy AUTOMATE.EXE, AUTO.BAT, AUTOMATE.CFG and optionally
- AMATECFG.EXE to the directory "C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE".
-
- 2. Change the line in the file AUTO.BAT which reads:
- "if exist C:\AUTOMATE\$aslect$.bat $aslect$"
- to read:
- "if exist C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE\$aslect$.bat $aslect$"
-
- 3. Add the directory "C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE" to your AUTOEXEC.BAT's
- "PATH" command.
-
- 4. Add the command "SET AMATE=C:\ACAD\AUTOMATE" to your
- AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
-
- 5. Reboot your system if necessary, and type "AUTO" at the DOS
- prompt to execute AUTO-MATE
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -16-
-
-
-
-
-
- ORDER FORM FOR AUTO-MATE v2.7
- _____________________________
-
- Copyright (c) 1990-1992
- - Mate Software
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
-
-
-
- NAME:______________________________________________________________
-
- COMPANY:___________________________________________________________
-
- ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________
-
- CITY, STATE:____________________________________ZIP:_______________
-
- PHONE:_____________________________________________________________
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- *USER SURVEY*
-
- COMPUTER TYPE:_____________________________________________________
-
- DOS VERSION:_______________________________________________________
-
- AUTOCAD VERSION:___________________________________________________
-
- BBS WHERE YOU OBTAINED AUTO-MATE (INCLUDE PHONE NUMBER):
-
- ___________________________________________________________________
-
- COMMENTS:
-
-
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- *CHECK DESIRED REGISTRATION*
-
- LATEST VERSION OF AUTO-MATE: $25.00 ______
- (INCLUDES MANUAL AND REGISTERED VERSION
- OF AUTO-MATE ON DISK)
-
- SITE LICENSE: $70.00 ______
- (REQUIRED FOR BUSINESS - INCLUDES MANUAL
- AND SITE LICENSED VERSION OF AUTO-MATE
- ON DISK)
-
- UPGRADE FROM EARLIER VERSION OF AUTOMATE: $5.00 ______
- (MUST INCLUDE SERIAL NUMBER)
- SERIAL NUMBER:_______________________
-
-
- SEND TO: KURTIS J. JONES
- 1748 NORTH OAKLAND
- FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72703
-
-
- A U T O - M A T E v2.7 Page -17-
-
-
-