Black Box 4/BlackBox.cdr/gamefly/libmac.arj/LIBMACS.DOC

Text File | 1991-05-03 | 3.7 KB | 87 lines

This is a collection of macro files that can be used with SEEPLUS
in providing custom values for various SEE library objects.

Each macro starts with a series of comments (beginning ') which
tell what each custom variable does, and in some cases the names
for the library objects which share one macro (e. g., masts,
balloons).

Then there are actual custom commands for the .dat file contained
in the macro, with the default values I myself use. As can be
seen, most of these are color values, which can be determined
from tables.doc which comes with SEE03, or from earlier SEE docs.
Some values, however, are size or height, and the latter may be
in two custom values for (1) less than 256 meters, and (2)
multiples of 256 meters. For some objects (e. g., all ships)
I do not myself use any custom variables (just default), although
the possible variables are listed as comments in the macro.

Then a range, xx command, where xx is in units of 256 meters. If
you prefer, you can precede this with "runits,nm" (range units =
nautical miles), and then xx will be interpreted as nautical
miles. Or other units: see the SEE documentation.

Next follows the actual library command, and finally, as with all
SEE macros, the end statement (not to be confused with the "end"
command for the whole text).

To use these macros with SEEPLUS:

First, load the macro with LOAD MAC/DAT from the File menu:
choose MAC.

Now edit the macro from the Text menu from the Text menu.
You may want to edit the custom values for your own use, and, in
some cases (balloons, masts) the particular object you want, in
those cases, hot air or helium balloon; plain mast, strobe,
rotating beacon. All of these differences are explained in the
introductory comments in each macro. Change the range if you
like. This is the range of visibility for the object, and you
will want to have it different for different types: balloons and
lighthouses from a longer distance, probably, than ships. Save
the edited macro out of the editor with F2.

Now load your scenery file in SEEPLUS from the File menu. Before
using the macro, you must at least set the FS coordinates; do
this from the Expert menu ("N&E Coordinates"). If it is important
that a given object be inserted with a particular heading (ships,
for example), you will also want to set out of the Expert menu
two things:

(1) "FSNorth -- deviation": this is determined by putting a fuel
cell in your file and noting the difference between the heading
of the vertical stroke of the "F" and your magnetic reading (see
SEE docs), and

(2) the heading for the object (magnetic -- "Heading 0-360").

So your file now has the usual directory/path information, a
report line, at least north,xxx and east,yyy, and perhaps heading
information.

Now you are ready to load in your edited macro: again do this
from the Expert menu: "Load Macro".

"Save & Create NEW" from the Execute menu, as usual in SEEPLUS.

Some library objects have no macro here, because there are no
custom variables (towers, gantries, skidmarks, whales). But, as
noted in the documentation for the libraries, many of these can
at least have their basic day/dusk/night colors set, unless
otherwise specified. This is also the case with objects which do
have other custom variables.

NOTE: THE USE OF THESE MACROS DOES NOT REQUIRE USING THE LIBRARY
MENU IN SEEPLUS AT ALL; all information is in the macro.

At the end of each use of a given macro, it will continue, of
course, to have the same values as those just applied. Macros can
be edited outside of SEEPLUS with any ASCII text editor, and you
may prefer to do so if you are not quite familiar with the
SEEPLUS editor. *Be sure* all of your macros have an "end"
statement.

Jim Ross 70235,143