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3DMENU Plus TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT IS 3DMENU Plus ? .................................... 3 MENU SYSTEM STRUCTURE .................................... 4 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS ....................... 5 INSTALLATION ............................................. 6 First Time Installation ............................. 6 Replacing Older 3DMENU Version ...................... 6 Limiting Access to "Read Only" ...................... 6 USING 3DMENU Plus ........................................ 7 Selecting a Menu Option ............................. 7 Control Panel ...................................... 8 Returning to Previous Menu ......................... 8 Item Help .......................................... 8 Creating/Modifying Item HELP window ................ 8 Special Parameters ................................. 8 DOS Shell .......................................... 9 Exiting to DOS ..................................... 9 MODIFYING A MENU ........................................ 10 Changing Banner Name ............................... 10 Selecting Option to Modify ......................... 10 Making an Option a Sub-Menu ........................ 10 Making an Option a Command File .................... 10 Deleting an Option ................................. 11 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 1 3DMENU Plus COMMAND FILES ............................... 12 What is a Command File ? ........................... 12 Using the Edit Window .............................. 12 Specifying Return Menu Level ....................... 13 Passing Parameters ................................. 13 Command File Naming Convention ..................... 14 CHANGING COLORS ......................................... 15 CUSTOM VERSIONS OF 3DMENU Plus .......................... 16 LICENSE INFORMATION ..................................... 17 COMMISSIONS ............................................. 18 ORDER FORM .............................................. 19 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 2 WHAT IS 3DMENU Plus ? 3DMENU Plus is the most user-friendly and visually pleasing menu creation system ever developed. Its intuitive interface will guide you easily through the creation of your own personalized menu system to organize the software on your hard disk. 3DMENU Plus: o is extremely easy to use o creates pop-up menus and menu options with 3-dimensional effect o has a unique color display which allows you to select menu colors o allows up to 4 levels of sub-menus, for a total of over 6,500 menu options o has a built-in "Assistant" that displays your existing directories and command files, taking the guesswork out of creating menu options, and enabling single keystroke editing o uses standard DOS batch files, making conversion from an existing DOS batch file menu system effortless o has a built-in DOS Utilities Menu, eliminating the need to know DOS commands o creates pop-up HELP windows which can be customized to explain any or all menu options o is NOT memory resident o has an optional screen save facility with choice of animated graphics display o offers full mouse support o allows optional "Read Only" access for preventing users from modifying menu system 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 3 MENU SYSTEM STRUCTURE The menu system structure is designed to accommodate up to 6,561* separate options. This structure is based on a main menu and up to 3 levels of sub-menus (total of 4 levels). Menus can contain as many as 9 options each. An option can either run a program or call in a sub-menu containing more options to choose from (4th level menus can only contain options that run programs). This structure utilizes 2 types of files: command files (extension .bat) and menu files (extension .mnu). Command files are standard DOS batch files used to execute a program. The menu files contain menu information required by 3DMENU Plus. Information for the main menu is stored in a file called 0.mnu. Files created for options 1 through 9 on the main menu are named 1 through 9 with their appropriate extension (either .bat or .mnu). All files created for options on sub-menus follow the same naming convention, prefixed by the number of the sub-menu, i.e. 12.bat is option 1 from the main menu, followed by option 2 from the sub-menu. * Based on a main menu with 9 sub-menus x 9 sub-menus x 9 sub- menus x 9 options on the fourth and last level. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 4 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS COMPUTER: 3DMENU Plus runs on IBM PC, PC XT, PC AT, or compatible (for example COMPAQ) with a hard drive. OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS or MS-DOS version 2.00 or later. DISPLAY ADAPTOR: 3DMENU Plus will work with any video display adaptor that supports 80 column color mode, or monochrome mode. These adaptors include the Monochrome Adaptor, Hercules, CGA, EGA and VGA. MEMORY: A minimum of 256K RAM is required. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 5 INSTALLATION FIRST TIME INSTALLATION: Step 1: Create a 3DMENU subdirectory on your hard drive. eg. MD \3DMENU Step 2: Copy the 3DMENU archive file, "3DMENUX.EXE", into the 3DMENU directory. Step 3: Type "3DMENUX" and press <Enter> to unarchive the files. Step 4: Type "3DMENU" and press <Enter> to initialize the program. (A file called "MENU.BAT" will be created for you.) Step 5: Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and include a path to the \3DMENU directory. If you want the menu to appear after every re-boot, insert the command "\3DMENU\MENU" as the last line of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. REPLACING OLDER 3DMENU VERSION: Step 1: Type "3DMENUX" and press <Enter> to unarchive the files. Step 2: Copy the 3DMENU Plus files into your existing 3DMENU directory. Only the system files will be replaced, and your menu structure will remain intact. Step 3: 3DMENU Plus includes a built-in DOS Utilities Menu. If you wish to incorporate this sub-menu into your existing menu structure: a) Add a sub-menu option called "Utilities" to your main menu. b) Type the following command: RENAME D*.* #*.* (where # represents the number of the menu option for the DOS Utilities Menu). LIMITING ACCESS TO "READ ONLY: 3DMENU Plus' optional "Read Only" access provides a method of preventing users from modifying their own menu systems. NOTE: "Read Only" option is only provided with registered copies of 3DMENU Plus. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 6 USING 3DMENU Plus SELECTING A MENU OPTION: USING THE KEYBOARD: o highlight the item using the cursor keys, and press <Enter>; OR o press the option's corresponding number; OR o press the option's corresponding function key. USING A MOUSE: Highlight the option using the mouse, and press the left button. (The right button is equivalent to the ESC key, and you can use it to return to the previous menu.) USING THE PGUP / PGDN KEYS: Pressing PgDn will select the next sub-menu option on the current menu, and run that menu. PgUp returns you to the previous menu. NOTE: An option which is a sub-menu can be easily recognized by the double right arrow pointing to it. A single right arrow points to all other options. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 7 CONTROL PANEL: If you require help while running 3DMENU Plus, press the CTRL key. RETURNING TO PREVIOUS MENU: Hit the ESC key or the PgUp key from any menu to return to the previous menu. ITEM HELP: Press the ? or / key from any menu option to display its corresponding HELP window. NOTE: For menu options requiring parameters, the HELP window will be displayed automatically, unless it is empty. CREATING/MODIFYING ITEM HELP WINDOW: Display the desired help window (see above), and press the F10 key. Type in the desired message (or edit message if one already exists), and press the ESC key when done. SPECIAL PARAMETERS: This option allows you to set special parameters which control the operation and appearance of your menu system. The following parameters can be customized to suit your preference: ACTIVATE SCREEN SAVE: 3DMENU Plus has an optional screen save facility that helps prevent damage caused by having the same image on the screen for extended periods of time. You may specify the number of minutes of keyboard inactivity, from 1 to 99, before you would like the screen save to begin. If you do not wish to activate the screen save facility, set this parameter to NEVER. SCREEN SAVE DISPLAY: 3DMENU Plus provides several options to control the appearance of the screen save facility. You may select a black screen, OR a single line, double line, or block graphic animated display. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 8 SHOW TIME AS: This parameter controls the time display on your menu system. You may select either 24-hour clock or 12-hour clock. MOUSE SENSITIVITY: If you are using 3DMENU Plus with a mouse, you may set this parameter to control its sensitivity. You may select any number from 0 to 9, with 0 representing highest sensitivity, and 9 representing lowest sensitivity. SHOW CTRL=HELP MESSAGE ?: If you do not wish the CTRL=HELP message to appear at the bottom of your screen, set this parameter to NO. DOS SHELL: This option provides a method of temporarily accessing DOS without exiting from the menu system. CTRL-D creates a second DOS session which can be used to run a DOS application. Typing "EXIT" at the DOS prompt will return you to the menu system, at the point you were when you ran the DOS shell. EXITING TO DOS: Press CTRL-X to exit from the menu system and return to the DOS environment. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 9 MODIFYING A MENU PRESS THE F10 KEY to modify any menu which is currently in the foreground (displaying the date and time). CHANGING BANNER NAME: 3DMENU Plus allows you to customize the banner name that appears above your main menu. When the main menu is the current menu, simply press the F10 key, cursor up to existing banner name, hit <Enter>, and type in a new banner name. If you make the banner name blank, no banner will appear above your menu. SELECTING OPTION TO MODIFY: Using your cursor keys, highlight the option number you wish to add, and press <Enter>. MAKING AN OPTION A SUB-MENU: Select the option you wish to make a sub-menu (see above). Answer "Y" to the prompt "Is this to be a sub-menu?". Type in a title for the sub-menu and press <Enter>. NOTE: If the option currently exists as a command file, it must first be deleted (see Deleting an Option, below). You cannot add options to this newly created sub-menu right away. Press the ESC key when done adding options to the current menu. Then select the new sub-menu and press the F10 key to add options to it. MAKING AN OPTION A COMMAND FILE: Select the option you wish to make an command file (see above). Answer "N" to the prompt "Is this to be a sub-menu?". Type in a title for the option and press <Enter>. NOTE: If the option currently exists as a sub-menu file, it must first be deleted (see Deleting an Option, below). The system will prompt you to type in the drive and directory containing the program software, and the command which executes the program. You can type in this information, or you can select 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 10 from the lists of your existing directories and command files, displayed by 3DMENU Plus' built-in "Assistant". Press the ESC key when done. 3DMENU Plus uses this information to create a command file, which will then appear in a small edit window. NOTE: If your command is a ".bat" file, either the contents of the file will be read into the edit window (for DOS versions 2.0 thru 3.2) or the command will be prefixed by "CALL" (for DOS versions 3.3 and up). Each command file has the command "\3DMENU\MENU" as the last line. The "\3DMENU\MENU" command causes the menu to be displayed again at the completion of the option. You can either save the command file as is, or add additional commands (see 3DMENU Plus Command Files chapter, Using the Edit Window). Press the ESC key when done. DELETING AN OPTION: Using your cursor keys, highlight the option number you wish to delete, and hit the DELETE key twice. When you delete an option, 3DMENU Plus automatically deletes its associated command file and HELP window file from your \3DMENU directory. NOTE: 3DMENU Plus will not allow you to delete a sub-menu until it is empty. If you wish to delete a sub-menu, you must first go to the sub-menu and delete all the options in it. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 11 3DMENU Plus COMMAND FILES WHAT IS A COMMAND FILE ?: A command file is a file containing a series of commands which are executed by the operating system. The DOS operating system calls these files batch files, and reserves the extension ".bat" for them. 3DMENU Plus uses standard DOS batch files to execute your menu options. USING THE EDIT WINDOW: END OF LINE MARK: Each line is terminated with a left arrow. This end of line marker cannot be edited. DELETING A LINE: Press Shift-DELETE to delete the current line (which your cursor is on) and save it to scrap (memory). INSERTING A LINE: Press Shift-INSERT to insert the contents of scrap (see above) on a new line, above the current line. IMPORTING A FILE: Press the F1 key to import an existing file. Importing a file will cause the contents of the edit window to be replaced with the contents of the imported file. COPYING/MOVING LINES: Delete line to scrap (using Shift-DELETE). Insert line again from scrap (using Shift-INSERT), either in the same location if you are copying, or in another location if you are moving. The contents of scrap remains intact and can be inserted using Shift-INSERT in any other location(s) you wish. NOTE: This editor has a limitation of 63 lines by 127 columns. If your command file requires more than 63 lines, use some other editor (eg. word processor) to create the command file for that option. (See Command File Naming Convention, below, for name of file to edit.) 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 12 SPECIFYING RETURN MENU LEVEL: 3DMENU Plus permits you to choose which menu level to return to after execution of a menu option. By default, 3DMENU Plus always returns to the menu that contained the program option. However, you can edit a command file so that you will return to the previous menu, or the main menu. You do not need to be consistent; each command file can return to the menu level of your choice. To return to the menu that contained the program option, no action is required. To return to the previous menu, simply add "P" after "\3DMENU\MENU" on the last line of your command file: eg. \3DMENU\MENU P To return to the main menu, simply add "M" after "\3DMENU\MENU" on the last line of your command file: eg. \3DMENU\MENU M PASSING PARAMETERS: 3DMENU Plus permits you to pass parameters to a command file, by recognizing standard DOS parameter passing symbols (%1 through %9). Simply include one or more of these symbols in a command file, and 3DMENU Plus will automatically mark the option as requiring specific parameters. When you select the option, a pop-up window will appear, prompting you for the parameters required. Also, if a HELP window exists for that option, it will be automatically displayed. Refer to your DOS manual under BATCH file commands for instruction on how to use the parameter passing symbols. NOTE: 3DMENU Plus will not recognize the existence of the % command unless your command file has been created by the 3DMENU Plus batch file editor. If you must use another editor, and want to include parameter passing, first create and save the batch file, with a parameter passing symbol, in the 3DMENU Plus editor. This will mark the file as requiring parameters, and then you can edit the file using another editor. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 13 COMMAND FILE NAMING CONVENTION: 3DMENU Plus assigns a name to each command file created, using the numbers required to select the option. For example, if you are in the main menu, and you select option 3 (where option 3 is not a sub-menu), 3DMENU Plus utilizes a command file called 3.bat. OR, if option 3 calls in a sub-menu, and then you choose option 5 from the sub-menu, 3DMENU Plus utilizes a command file called 35.bat. The number of digits in the command file name quickly indicates which level of menu the option belongs to. There can be a maximum of four digits in the name, since 3DMENU Plus permits four levels of menus. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 14 CHANGING COLORS 3DMENU Plus has a unique color display which can be easily customized to suit your preference. NOTE: If you have a monochrome adaptor, 3DMENU Plus will NOT allow you to access the change colors option. To change menu colors, press the ALT key. These are the color choices available to you: 1 Black 9 Grey 2 Blue 10 Light Blue 3 Green 11 Light Green 4 Cyan 12 Light Cyan 5 Red 13 Light Red 6 Magenta 14 Light Magenta 7 Brown 15 Light Yellow 8 White 16 Bright White NOTE: Choices 9 through 16 are not available for Background, Foreground, and Highlight colors. Press the letter corresponding to the color selection you wish to change. The next available color choice will appear. For example, if the current Background color is Blue, pressing ALT-B will change it to green. Pressing ALT-B a second time will change it to Cyan, etc. TO SAVE your color changes, press ALT-S. If you omit this step, your menu will return to its previous settings the next time it runs. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 15 CUSTOM VERSIONS OF 3DMENU Plus Custom versions of 3DMENU Plus are available upon request, with the following possible enhancements: o Company or personal logo (may require EGA graphics adaptor) o Special screen display, i.e. messages, prompts, etc. o Password protection If you are interested in any of the above, or have other special requirements, please write a letter outlining your requirements and the number of copies of 3DMENU Plus you will need, for a price quotation. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 16 LICENSE INFORMATION You are encouraged to copy and share this program with other users, ON THE CONDITIONS that the program is not distributed in modified form, and that no fee or consideration is charged for use, copying, or distribution. (Clubs and user groups may charge a nominal fee for expenses and handling while distributing 3DMENU.) COMMERCIAL USERS: A $39 license fee per system is required if used in a place of business or incorporated into another product. Volume discounts, site licenses, and commercial licenses are available. PRIVATE USERS: If you are using this program and find it of value, your contribution of $39 will be appreciated. SEND PAYMENT TO: Tony Minichillo 528 McRoberts Avenue Toronto, Ontario CANADA M6E 4R4 PLEASE STATE WHICH VERSION(s) OF 3DMENU YOU HAVE. This program is provided "AS IS", without any warranty, expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular purpose. WHY REGISTER YOUR COPY OF 3DMENU ? o You receive a CURRENT copy of the program on a floppy diskette o You receive a complete user guide, including tips on this program's use o You receive technical support (by phone or letter) for a period of one year following registration o You will receive discount offers on updated versions of 3DMENU when available o You will receive advance information about new programs developed in future o Your input and ideas help shape future versions of 3DMENU and other programs 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 17 COMMISSIONS: Shareware is a unique marketing approach. You are encouraged to freely distribute unmodified copies of 3DMENU in the U.S. and Canada. As a registered user, you will receive up to $8 commission for every new 3DMENU user who registers and quotes your registration number. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 18 3DMENU Plus ORDER FORM Tony Minichillo DATE:__________________ 528 McRoberts Avenue Toronto, Ontario CANADA M6E 4R4 NAME: REFERRED BY: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Registration # _____________ ____________________________ DESCRIPTION PRICE ___ licenses for 3DMENU Plus rel.___ X $39 = $_______ (less ___% volume discount of) ($_______) ___ site licenses for 3DMENU Plus X $3,750 = $_______ additional user guides X $5 = $_______ TOTAL: $_______ PLEASE INDICATE DISK SIZE: [ ] 5 1/4" [ ] 3 1/2" Please make checks payable to TONY MINICHILLO, and mark checks "3DMENU Plus". ******************************************************************** Price per copy $39 2 - 100 copies 20% discount over 100 copies 25% discount Only one user guide is included with orders for multiple copies of 3DMENU Plus (however you will receive a registered program diskette for each copy). Additional user guides can be purchased for $5 each, if required. Purchase of a site license entitles you to copy the 3DMENU program for up to 150 users. Only one user guide and one registered program diskette is included, however, additional user guides can be purchased, as above. The price for a site license is $3,750. 3DMENU PLUS Rel. 1.0 (c) Copyright 1989 Tony Minichillo page 19