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PROGRAM LICENSE --------------- MicroCAD 2.0 is owned and (c)Copyright 1992 by David R. Allaway. All Rights Reserved. This program is not in the public domain, but may be used and freely distributed (not for resale) only if accompanied by this documentation and provided that the user's Name, Address, and a $35 Registration Fee (check or money order in U.S. funds) have been sent, payable to: DAVID R. ALLAWAY P.O. BOX 145 READINGTON, NJ 08870 Registered users are entitled, in addition to continued program use, to the following for a minimum period of one year from date of registration: - Technical assistance at the above address or 1-908-369-8688. - Correction of program errors. - Updates to the program and documentation, as available. License is granted for trial use up to 30 days prior to registration. During the trial use period, technical assistance will be provided on a limited basis. This program is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of this program. Contents -------- 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Logo Screen 1.2 Diagram Screen 2.0 OBJECT CREATION 2.1 Draw Line 2.2 Draw Horizontal or Vertical Line 2.3 Draw Rectangle or Square 2.4 Draw Circle or Ellipse 2.5 Draw Cube 2.6 Create Text 3.0 OBJECT MODIFICATION 3.1 Find Object (Sequential) 3.2 Grab Object (On Screen Find) 3.3 Move Object 3.4 Resize Object 3.5 Clone Object 3.6 Solid Fill 3.7 Pattern Fill 3.8 Pattern Gallery 3.9 Pattern Outline 3.10 Line Types 3.11 Arrowheads 3.12 Semi-Circles and Semi-Ellipses 3.13 Tilt Object 3.14 Roll Object 3.15 Spin Object 3.16 Restore Object Rotations 3.17 Recolor Object 3.18 Text Font 3.19 Erase-Unerase Object 3.20 Find Erased Object 3.21 Group-Ungroup 3.22 Object Statistics 4.0 DIAGRAM MODIFICATION 4.1 Redefine Color 4.2 Reset Colors 4.3 Color Overlay Mode vs. Color Mix Mode 4.4 Axis Lines 4.5 Overlay Grid 4.6 Zoom-In and Zoom-Out 4.7 Tilt View 4.8 Roll View 4.9 Spin View 4.10 Normal View 4.11 Move Diagram 4.12 Decrease Perspective 4.13 Orthographic & Isometric Projections 4.14 Axis Windows 4.15 Erase Screen 4.16 Clone Diagram 4.17 Fill Pattern Editor 4.18 Linear Dimensioning 4.19 Orthogonal Rotations 5.0 DIAGRAM RETRIEVAL AND PRINTING 5.1 Review Portfolio 5.2 Diagram Gallery 5.3 Diagram Export 5.4 Printer Setup 5.5 Print Diagram 6.0 MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS 6.1 Return to DOS 6.2 Product Information 6.3 Cursor Speed Adjust 6.4 File Data 6.5 Video Test Patterns 6.6 Command Line Parameters 7.0 ERROR CONDITIONS 8.0 FILE DESCRIPTION 8.1 View Segment 8.2 Object Segment 8.3 User Customizations 8.4 Text Segment 8.5 DXF Conversion Notes 1.0 INTRODUCTION ------------ MicroCAD was created with the following objectives: 1) To provide a diagramming facility which combines the ease-of-use of paint programs with the object manipulation capabilities of CAD programs. 2) To provide an icon-based interface, which allows the creation of complete diagrams without commands, menus or keyboard entry. 3) To provide for both the creation of two-dimensional diagrams, and the creation and manipulation of objects in 3-D perspective. 4) To achieve fast display speeds without the use of graphics or math co-processors. 5) To minimize the program size, to allow fast and inexpensive distribution. The program is designed to run on any DOS or OS/2 system with a VGA or VGA-compatible video adapter and a mouse driver installed. The program has been designed to run on a 8086/88, 80286, or 80386/486 processor. Features only available on 80386/486 processors are noted. A high-quality monitor of at least 14" is recommended. Most of the program features are designed to be self-explanatory. The following instructions provide a detailed reference to the operation of each function. These instructions apply to version 2, release 0. The distribution consists of the following files: MICROCAD.EXE - MicroCAD executable. MICROCAD.ICO - Program icon for Windows. MICROCAD.OS2 - Program icon for OS/2. MICROCAD.DOC - These instructions. MICROCAD.INF - One page summary of program features. BULLETIN.ymm - Supplementary instructions and updates. In addition, the following files are created when the program is run: DIAGRAM#.nnn - Created for each saved diagram. MICROCAD.DXF - Contains the latest diagram export copy. 1.1 Logo Screen ----------- When starting the program, a logo 'movie' will be displayed. When the full logo and copyright info are displayed, click either mouse button to proceed to the diagram screen. To skip directly to the full logo during the movie: click either mouse button. To skip directly to the diagram screen: press either mouse button and release it after the full logo appears, or double-click during the movie. 1.2 Diagram Screen -------------- The diagram screen consists of: 1) The ICON AREA, on the left side of the screen. When the cursor is in the icon area, it will appear as an arrow. To select a function, move the arrow to an icon and click the left or right mouse button, as per the instructions. When a function is selected, the icon will be highlighted. Some functions are momentary, and will return to the previously selected icon when complete. 2) The DIAGRAM AREA, on the remainder of the screen. When the cursor is in the diagram area, it will appear as a crosshair (+). The currently selected diagramming function is performed when the left or right mouse button is pressed, as per the instructions. 3) The ICON HELP MESSAGE, on the top left of the diagram area. As the cursor is moved over each icon, the icon help message displays the function associated with the icon. When the cursor is in the diagram area, the help message corresponds to the currently selected function. 4) The DATE, TIME and DIAGRAM NUMBER, on the top right of the diagram area. This indicates the last modification date and time for a retrieved diagram. This area will be blank for new diagrams. 5) The SIGNATURE, in the lower right corner of the diagram area. This will appear on all screens, but will be omitted from printed diagrams. 2.0 OBJECT CREATION --------------- 2.1 Draw Line --------- To draw a line: a) Click on the Line icon (/). b) Point to the starting point of the line. c) Press either button, and move the cursor toward the desired end-point. The line will expand as the cursor is moved. d) When the cursor is at the desired end point, release the button. The new line becomes the 'current' object. To draw additional lines, repeat from step b). 2.2 Draw Horizontal or Vertical Line -------------------------------- To draw a horizontal or vertical line: a) Click on the Horizontal/Vertical icon (+). b) Point to either end point of the line. c) Press either button, move the cursor up, down, or sideways. The line will expand horizontally or vertically, in the predominant direction the cursor is moved. d) When the line is at the desired end point, release the button. The new line becomes the 'current' object. To draw additional horizontal or vertical lines, repeat from step b). 2.3 Draw Rectangle or Square ------------------------ To draw a rectangle: a) Click on the Rectangle icon. b) Point to any corner of the rectangle. c) Press the left button, move the cursor toward the opposite corner. The rectangle will expand as the cursor is moved. d) When the cursor is at the desired opposite corner, release the button. The new rectangle becomes the 'current' object. To draw a square, use the RIGHT button instead. 2.4 Draw Circle or Ellipse ---------------------- To draw a circle: a) Click on the Circle icon. b) Point to the center of the circle. c) Press the left button, move the cursor in any direction. The circle will expand as the cursor is moved. A temporary outline box will also be drawn around the circle. d) When the circle reaches the desired size, release the button. The temporary outline box will be erased. The new circle becomes the 'current' object. To draw an ellipse, use the RIGHT button, and start at either side of the ellipse. 2.5 Draw Cube --------- To draw a 3D cube or box: a) Click on the 3D Cube icon. b) Point to any corner of the box. c) Press the left button, move the cursor to the opposite corner, and release. The new box becomes the 'current' object. All 3D cubes are created with a square base. That is, with equal width and depth. To create a 3D cube with unequal width and depth, create a cube with the desired depth, and then use the resize function to adjust the width (see section 3.4). 2.6 Create Text ----------- To create a line of text: a) Click on the Text icon (abc). b) Click on the desired starting location (bottom-left margin). c) Enter the text on the keyboard. During entry, the Backspace key may be used to correct errors. d) Press the Enter key, or click either mouse button, when done. The new text becomes the 'current' object. To enter additional text, repeat from step b). A temporary box shows where the text will appear on the diagram. The size of the box is adjusted according to the text font, and shows the space the text will occupy under normal zoom. If the box does not appear in the desired location, click again to remove, and repeat from step b). Alternatively, the text may be entered anywhere, and then moved to the desired exact location (see Move Object). 3.0 OBJECT MODIFICATION ------------------- 3.1 Find Object (Sequential) ------------------------ To find an object and make it the 'current' object, click on the Find (?) icon. Each time the Find icon is clicked, a different object will blink and become the current object. If the button is held, the object will flash continuously. This may be helpful to spot smaller objects. If this function encounters a group, the group will blink once as a single object. Objects may also be selected using the On Screen Find function. 3.2 Grab Object (On Screen Find) ---------------------------- To select an object directly on the screen, click on the Find (?) icon and then click directly on the object. The object will blink to signal that it has been selected. If there are many objects in the diagram, it may be necessary to hold the button for a second until the object starts blinking. It may be necessary to position the center of the cross-hairs exactly on the object. The on screen grab includes a move function. If the button is held while the object is blinking, the object may be moved to a new location. Simply slide the cursor while keeping the button held. It is also possible to press the button, and then slide the cursor across an object. The cursor will grab the object as it goes by. To move an object in the Z-axis, press the left then also the RIGHT button. Pushing the mouse away will push the object 'into' the screen (away from the viewer). Pulling the mouse closer will pull the object 'out of' the screen (toward the viewer). An object may also be moved using the Move function. 3.3 Move Object ----------- To relocate the current object within the diagram: a) Click on the Move icon. b) Position the cursor anywhere on the screen and press the left button. c) Move the cursor, and the current object will 'follow'. d) When the object is in the desired location, release the button. This may be repeated, from step b). If a group member is selected, all members of the group will be moved. To move an object in the Z-axis, press the left and then also the RIGHT button. Pushing the mouse away will push the object 'into' the screen (away from the viewer). Pulling the mouse closer will pull the object 'out of' the screen (toward the viewer). An object may also be moved using the On Screen Find function. 3.4 Resize Object ------------- To adjust the shape or size of the current object: a) Click on the Move icon. b) Position the cursor anywhere on the screen and press the RIGHT button. c) Move the cursor, and the end-point for the object will change. d) When the object is adjusted as desired, release the button. This may be repeated, from step b). If a group member is selected, all members of the group will be adjusted. The resize object function is a very powerful tool for modifying diagrams. Because the end-point controls the length, size, angle, and shape of every object, as much control can be exercised as when the object was originally created. If, for example, a line is drawn which does not exactly reach the desired point on the diagram (or that point has changed), it can be repaired without redrawing it. Because the resize object function is on the same icon as the move function, it is possible to rework an object by alternating between the left (move) and RIGHT (resize) buttons until the object is in exactly the desired shape and location. 3.5 Clone Object ------------ To create an exact copy of the current object: a) Click on the Clone icon. b) Position the cursor anywhere on the screen, press and hold the left button. The current object will temporarily disappear. c) Move the cursor. The copy will follow, and the original will reappear. d) When the new object is in the desired location, release the button. The new copy will become the current object. To create additional copies, repeat from step b). If a group member is selected, all members of the group will be copied. To clone an object in the Z-axis, press the left then also the RIGHT button. Pushing the mouse away will push the object 'into' the screen (away from the viewer). Pulling the mouse closer will pull the object 'out of' the screen (toward the viewer). An object can be 'cloned in place' by clicking on the Clone icon, and then clicking on the screen without moving the cursor. Such a double object will not appear, because it will cancel itself out. If the new object is then recolored, additional object color combinations can be created. This requires that the program be in Color Mix Mode. 3.6 Solid Fill ---------- To fill the current rectangle, square or circle* with solid color, click on the Fill-Unfill icon. To remove the solid fill, click again. If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the group will be solid filled or un-filled. The solid fill will not be displayed on rotated objects. The solid fill will reverse the pattern on any pattern-filled object. * Solid-filled circles are only available on 80386/486 processors. 3.7 Pattern Fill ------------ To fill the current rectangle, square or circle* with a special pattern, click on the Pattern Fill icon. To change to the next pattern, click again. If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the group will be pattern filled. The pattern fill will not be displayed on rotated objects. To reverse the pattern, click on the Fill-Unfill icon. * Pattern-filled circles are only available on 80386/486 processors. 3.8 Pattern Gallery --------------- To display all of the available fill patterns, including reversed versions, click on the Pattern Fill icon with the RIGHT button. The cursor will point to the current object pattern. To select one of the displayed patterns, point to it and click on the left button. The current object, if applicable, will be filled with the selected pattern. If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the group will be pattern filled. Customized fill patterns may also be created, see Fill Pattern Editor. 3.9 Pattern Outline --------------- To outline the perimeter of a pattern-filled rectangle, click on the Fill-Unfill icon with the RIGHT button. To remove the perimeter outline, click again. If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the group will be outlined. The outline will also prevent reverse-filled patterns from running all the way to the edge of the rectangle. The outline will only be used in the primary window. 3.10 Line Types ---------- To change the current line, rectangle, square, or 3D box from solid line to dashed line, click on the Dashed Arrow icon. Each click will step through the available line types. After the last line type, the object will return to solid line. If the current object is a group member, all applicable members of the group will be changed. 3.11 Arrowheads ---------- To add an arrowhead to the end of a vertical or horizontal line, click on the Dashed Arrow icon with the RIGHT button. To move the arrowhead to the opposite end, click again. To add an arrowhead to both ends, click again. To remove both arrowheads, click again. 3.12 Semi-Circles and Semi-Ellipses ------------------------------ To change the current circle or ellipse from Full to One-Half or One-Quarter, click on the Semi-Circle icon, as follows: To change from Full to Top half, click once. To change from Top half to Bottom half, click again. To change from Bottom half to Right half, click again. To change from Right half to Left half, click again. To change from Left half to Upper-Right quarter, click again. To change from Upper-Right to Lower-Right quarter, click again. To change from Lower-Right to Lower-Left quarter, click again. To change from Lower-Left to Upper-Left quarter, click again. To change from Upper-Left to Full, click again. 3.13 Tilt Object ----------- To Tilt (Pitch) the current object forward, click on the Tilt icon. Each click rotates the object by one degree around the center of the object. If the button is held, the object will tilt continuously until released. If the RIGHT button is pressed while the left button is still held, the direction will reverse. If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be rotated around the group center. 3.14 Roll Object ----------- To Roll the current object clockwise, click on the Roll icon. Each click rotates the object by one degree around the center of the object. If the button is held, the object will roll continuously until released. If the RIGHT button is pressed while the left button is still held, the direction will reverse. If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be rotated around the group center. 3.15 Spin Object ----------- To Spin (Yaw) the current object left-to-right, click on the Spin icon. Each click rotates the object by one degree around the center of the object. If the button is held, the object will spin continuously until released. If the RIGHT button is pressed while the left button is still held, the direction will reverse. If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be rotated around the group center. 3.16 Restore Object Rotations ------------------------ To restore the current object rotations (roll, tilt, spin) to zero, click on the Normal View icon. 3.17 Recolor Object -------------- By clicking on any of the four primary color icons, the current object color is changed to the indicated color. The indicated color also becomes the color for any new objects. If the current object is a group member, all objects in the group will be recolored. 3.18 Text Font --------- The default text font is 5x7, but may be changed to 8x14. To change the text font, click on the Text icon (abc) with the RIGHT button. This changes the font on the current object (if it is text), and on any new text. Any other text will remain unchanged. To change the font back, click again. When changing fonts, the text width and height will change, but the left and bottom margins will remain the same. 3.19 Erase-Unerase Object -------------------- To erase the current object, click on the Erase icon. If the current object is a group member, the entire group will be erased. To immediately restore the erased object, click again. To restore a previously erased object, use the Find Erased function. If the object dimensions are displayed, the first click will erase the dimensions only. The second click will erase the object. The third click will restore both the object and the dimensions. Erased objects will be remembered, even after leaving the program, unless the diagram becomes so complex that space must be reclaimed, in which case the oldest erased objects will be forgotten first. 3.20 Find Erased Object ------------------ To find a previously erased object, click on the Find (?) icon with the RIGHT button. Each time the RIGHT button is clicked or held, a different erased object will blink on momentarily, or flash continuously. By then clicking on the Erase icon (with the left button), the object can be 'unerased'. 3.21 Group-Ungroup ------------- Multiple objects may be grouped together to behave as a single object. They may, for example, be moved, cloned, recolored, rotated, etc. as a single object. To identify the first group member: a) Click on the Find (?) icon. b) Point to an object on the screen and click or hold the RIGHT button. The object should blink or flash to acknowledge. To identify each additional group member: c) Point to an object to be added and click or hold the RIGHT button, all of the current group members should blink together. Additional group members may be added at any time, by clicking on the Find icon, then clicking anywhere on the group with the left button to select the group. Then click on an object which is not already a member, with the RIGHT button. To ungroup an object, first click on it with the left button. The entire group should blink. Then click on the object with the RIGHT button. The object should blink individually to signify that it has been disconnected. An object may not be added to or removed from a group if either have been rotated. This is because the change in the group center would impact the rotations. Instead, first restore the object and/or group to normal view, then add or remove the object, then reapply the desired rotations. 3.22 Object Statistics ----------------- The current object statistics and related data are displayed, at the bottom of the screen, whenever the axis windows are on. These include: - The cursor position (X,Y) - The diagram scale (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1:1, 2X, 4X, 8X) - The current object position (X,Y,Z) - The current object size (Height, Width, Depth) - The current line length - The current line slope (degrees from horizontal) - The current square, rectangle, circle or ellipse area - The current object rotations (roll, pitch, yaw) - The projection mode (PERSP, ORTHO, ISO) The statistics always reflect the current object, and are updated as the cursor is moved, or as an object is moved, rotated or resized. When creating a new object, the statistics are updated as the object is being created. This may be used to create or resize an object to exact scale. The positions are displayed relative to the axis origin at the center of the screen (see Axis Lines). The position of a line corresponds to its left end-point. The position of a square or rectangle corresponds to its upper-left corner. The position of a circle or ellipse corresponds to its center. The object rotations are displayed in degrees clockwise, as viewed from the axis windows. These do not include the view rotations. Line lengths may also be displayed directly on the diagram. See Linear Dimensioning (section 4.18). If linear dimensioning in 10ths, ft.-in. or 16ths is in use, the object statistics will be shown accordingly. In ft.-in., areas will be shown in sq.-in. up to 143 sq.-in., and sq.-ft. (or fraction of) up to 30,000 sq.-ft. In 16ths, areas will be shown in sq.-in. (or fraction of) up to 30,000 sq.-in. 4.0 DIAGRAM MODIFICATION -------------------- 4.1 Redefine Color -------------- To redefine any of the four primary colors, or the background color, click on the corresponding Color icon with the RIGHT button. A gallery of 64 standard colors will be displayed. The cursor will point to the current color. To select one of the standard colors, point to it and click on the left button. To select from among 4,096 custom colors, point to the closest standard color and click on the RIGHT button. A gallery of 64 variations on the standard color will be displayed. To select a custom variation, point to it and click on the left button. To cancel without selecting one of the custom variations, click again on the RIGHT button. 4.2 Reset Colors ------------ To select one of four standard color schemes, click on the Overlay-Mix icon with the RIGHT button. To select the next color scheme, click again. The four color schemes are: 1) Bright colors on black background. 2) Bright colors on dark-grey background. 3) Dark colors on light-grey background. 4) Dark colors on white background. The four color schemes all use red, green and blue, and are suitable for different ambient lighting conditions. It may be necessary to select one of these color schemes when using a medium-resolution monitor, in order to prevent display distortion. 4.3 Color Overlay Mode vs. Color Mix Mode ------------------------------------- The four primary colors normally mix with each other to produce sixteen different color combinations. Alternatively, the colors may be changed to overlay each other in a particular order. To switch from color mixing to color overlay, click on the Overlay-Mix (multi-color) icon. To restore color mixing, click on the Overlay-Mix icon again. The current mix or overlay technique is displayed on the icon itself. 4.4 Axis Lines ---------- To turn on the X, Y and Z axis lines, click on the Axis icon. The Z line is only visible if the diagram has been rotated, or in orthographic or isometric projection. To turn the axis lines off, click again. 4.5 Overlay Grid ------------ To turn the 10-by-10 overlay grid on, click on the Grid icon. The axis windows, if on, will be turned off. To turn the grid off, click again. While the grid is on, newly created objects will automatically be aligned on the nearest grid dot. 4.6 Zoom-In and Zoom-Out -------------------- To increase the display scale by 2X in the main window, click on the Zoom icon. This may be repeated up to three times beyond normal (to 8X scale). To decrease the display scale by 1/2 in the main window, click on the Zoom icon with the RIGHT button. This may be repeated up to three times beyond normal (to 1/8th scale). To restore the scale to 1:1, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button. The zoom function zooms in on the center of the screen. To zoom in on another portion of the diagram, use the Move Diagram function to move the desired portion of the diagram to the center of the screen. The axis lines may be used to help center the desired portion of the diagram. Zooming-in moves the viewer closer to the center of the diagram, which increases the perspective effect. Zooming-out moves the viewer further from the center of the diagram, which decreases the perspective effect. 4.7 Tilt View --------- To Tilt (Pitch) the diagram view forward, click on the Tilt icon with the RIGHT button. Each click rotates the view by one degree around the X axis. If the RIGHT button is held, the view will tilt continuously until released. If the left button is pressed while the RIGHT button is still held, the direction will reverse. To restore the view to zero tilt, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button. 4.8 Roll View --------- To Roll the diagram view clockwise, click on the Roll icon with the RIGHT button. Each click rotates the view by one degree around the Z axis. If the RIGHT button is held, the view will roll continuously until released. If the left button is pressed while the RIGHT button is still held, the direction will reverse. To restore the view to zero roll, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button. 4.9 Spin View --------- To Spin (Yaw) the diagram view left-to-right, click on the Spin icon with the RIGHT button. Each click rotates the view by one degree around the Y axis. If the RIGHT button is held, the view will spin continuously until released. If the left button is pressed while the RIGHT button is still held, the direction will reverse. To restore the view to zero spin, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button. 4.10 Normal View ----------- To restore the view rotations (roll, tilt, spin) to zero, and return to normal zoom, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button. 4.11 Move Diagram ------------ To relocate the entire diagram within the display window: a) Click on the Move icon with the RIGHT button. b) Position the cursor anywhere on the screen and press either button. c) Move the cursor, and the entire diagram will follow. d) When the diagram is in the desired location, release the button. This may be repeated, from step b). To return to the original location, click on the Normal View icon with the RIGHT button. 4.12 Decrease Perspective -------------------- The diagram is normally displayed at maximum perspective. To decrease the perspective, click on the Perspective icon. Decreasing the perspective is the same as increasing the viewing distance, and zooming in to maintain the same scale. Decreased perspective flattens the image like a telephoto lens. To return to maximum perspective, click again. 4.13 Orthographic & Isometric Projections ------------------------------------ The diagram is normally displayed in perspective projection. To switch from perspective projection to orthographic projection, click on the Axis icon with the RIGHT button. To switch from orthographic to isometric projection, click again on the Axis icon with the RIGHT button. To switch from isometric to perspective projection, click again on the Axis icon with the RIGHT button. In orthographic and isometric modes, view rotations and perspective are ignored. The diagram move, zoom, object rotation and orthogonal rotation functions remain in effect. 4.14 Axis Windows ------------ Click on the Windows icon to divide the screen into four parts: 3D perspective view, front view, side view and top view. Click again on the Windows icon to restore to 3D perspective view only. The axis windows are displayed at 1/4 scale, in 3D, but without perspective. Text is not displayed in the axis windows. When the axis windows are on, the cursor position and current object statistics are also displayed (see Object Statistics). 4.15 Erase Screen ------------ To erase the currently displayed diagram from the screen, and reset the display parameters, click on the Erase icon with the RIGHT button. The displayed diagram will be saved, including any changes. 4.16 Clone Diagram ------------- To create a new diagram from an existing diagram, retrieve the existing diagram (see Review Portfolio), then click on the Clone icon with the RIGHT button. The existing diagram will be saved, including any changes. The date, time and diagram number will be erased from the display. Any subsequent changes will be saved as a new diagram. This feature may also be used to save interim versions of a diagram, as it is being created or modified. Simply click on the Clone icon with the RIGHT button before proceeding with a change or group of changes. This will allow the version before the changes to be retrieved at a later time, if desired. 4.17 Fill Pattern Editor ------------------- The fill patterns supplied with the program may be edited to create customized fill patterns. To edit a fill pattern, click on the Pattern Fill icon with the RIGHT button to display the pattern gallery. Point to the pattern to be edited and click on the RIGHT button. This may be a pattern which is similar to the desired pattern, or any pattern which is not needed. The blank and solid-fill patterns may not be edited. The dot matrix for the selected pattern will be displayed, along with the resultant fill pattern in normal and reverse formats. To return to the pattern gallery without editing the pattern, click on the RIGHT button again. To edit the pattern, point to a cell in the matrix and click on the left button. The cell will be toggled on or off, and the resultant fill pattern will be updated. When the editing is complete, click on the RIGHT button to return to the diagram screen. 4.18 Linear Dimensioning ------------------- To display the dimensions of each line, rectangle or cube on the diagram, click on the Axis Windows icon with the RIGHT button. The dimensions will be displayed in whole numbers. - To add a decimal point to the dimensions, click again. - To change the dimensions to feet and inches, click again. - To change the dimensions to inches and 16ths, click again. - To remove all dimensions, click again. Dimensions may be removed for an individual object by clicking on the Erase icon (see section 3.19). Individual object dimensions, once removed, will remain off unless individually restored. The Zoom In/Out function will alter the apparent size of all objects without changing the dimensions. This may be used to set the effective scale of the diagram. The following chart indicates the minimum and maximum dimensions which may be drawn with various combinations of zoom and dimensioning units. This may be used to select an appropriate starting point for creating a diagram. Note that the zoom may be adjusted while editing the diagram, to draw objects having larger and/or finer dimensions. Scale Unit 10ths Ft.-In. 16ths ----- ---- ----- ------- ----- 1/8 8 to 3456 .8 to 345.6 8" to 288' 1/2" to 216" 1/4 4 to 1728 .4 to 172.8 4" to 144' 1/4" to 108" 1/2 2 to 864 .2 to 86.4 2" to 72' 1/8" to 54" 1:1 1 to 432 .1 to 43.2 1" to 36' 1/16" to 27" 2X 1 to 216 .1 to 21.6 1" to 18' 1/16" to 13 1/2" 4X 1 to 108 .1 to 10.8 1" to 9' 1/16" to 6 3/4" 8X 1 to 54 .1 to 5.4 1" to 4'6" 1/16" to 3 3/8" The maximum value represents the height of the primary window, with the axis windows on. Slightly larger dimensions are available with the axis windows off, and in the horizontal direction. 4.19 Orthogonal Rotations -------------------- The entire diagram may be rotated by 90 degrees in order to provide a left side, right side, back, top or bottom view in the main (3D) window. With the axis windows on, simply click on the axis window displaying the desired view. If the SIDE window is clicked on, the diagram will be rotated by 90 degrees counter-clockwise as viewed from the top: - The first click will rotate the diagram to the left side. - The second click will rotate the diagram to the back (backwards). - The third click will rotate the diagram to the right side. - The fourth click will restore the diagram to the front. If the TOP window is clicked on, the diagram will be rotated by 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the left side: - The first click will rotate the diagram to the top. - The second click will rotate the diagram to the back (upside down). - The third click will rotate the diagram to the bottom. - The fourth click will restore the diagram to the front. If the RIGHT button is used, in either window, the direction of rotation will be reversed. This function, unlike the tilt, roll and spin functions, changes the actual object orientations, not just the view. This allows additional objects to be drawn at 90 degree angles to the original diagram. The axis windows (see 4.14) may be turned on temporarily in order to use this function. The diagram rotations will remain in effect after the windows have been turned off. 5.0 DIAGRAM RETRIEVAL AND PRINTING 5.1 Review Portfolio ---------------- To retrieve the next diagram in directory sequence, click on the Review Portfolio icon. A retrieved diagram will display the date and time of last modification and the diagram number. To fast-forward through the diagram portfolio, press both buttons simultaneously. To view the entire portfolio 64 diagrams at a time, use the Diagram Gallery feature. Any new or modified diagram in progress will be automatically saved when the Review Portfolio function is used. 5.2 Diagram Gallery --------------- To view the entire portfolio, click on the Review Portfolio icon with the RIGHT button. Up to 64 diagrams will be displayed at 1/8th scale with default colors. Click on any diagram to retrieve it, or click anywhere with the RIGHT button to display the next 64 diagrams. A retrieved diagram will display the diagram number and the date and time of last modification. Any new or modified diagram in progress will be automatically saved when the Diagram Gallery function is used. 5.3 Diagram Export -------------- Diagrams may be exported to other programs which can accept files in the Drawing Interchange Format (DXF). This includes many CAD, graphics and word-processing programs. No special action needs to be taken to export a diagram. The file MICROCAD.DXF will always contain the most recently displayed diagram, in DXF format. This file may be renamed or copied to another file, to save the exported diagram more permanently. Alternatively, a name for the export file may be specified on the command line when starting the program. Refer to section 6.6 for details. Because many programs which accept DXF can only interpret two- dimensional data, diagrams created with 3-D information must be given special consideration, as follows: If a 3-D diagram is exported for use in a program which can correctly render 3-D images, the axis windows should be turned ON (see 4.14) before exiting the diagram. This will cause all 3-D data to be exported 'as is'. The diagram view, perspective and zoom may then be handled by the receiving program. This is intended for 3-D CAD programs. If a 3-D diagram is exported for use in a program which cannot render 3-D images, the axis windows should be turned OFF (see 4.14) before exiting the diagram. This will cause a 'snapshot' of the current diagram to be exported as a two-dimensional image, according to the current viewing angle and projection mode. The image will then appear in this fixed orientation to the receiving program. This is intended for word-processing and 2-D CAD programs. If linear dimensioning is turned on, all dimensions will be exported as text entities. This allows the dimensions to appear in programs which cannot automatically calculate dimensions. If the object dimensions are to be altered in the receiving program, or dimensions are not required, linear dimensioning should be turned off before exiting the diagram (see section 4.18). Dimensioning is automatically turned off for 3-D exports. For technical notes on the DXF conversion, refer to section 8.5. 5.4 Printer Setup ------------- To step through the available printer types, click on the Print icon with the RIGHT button. The available printer types are: - IBM/Epson, 8-pin mode, landscape, 60 dpi. - Epson LQ, 24-pin mode, landscape, 120 dpi. - HP LaserJet, portrait mode, 75 dpi. - HP LaserJet, landscape mode, 75 dpi. - HP PaintJet, 16-color portrait mode, run-length encoded, 90 dpi. These selections may also work for other printer models with similar specifications. The program cannot tell if the selected type matches the printer. If it does not, incorrect output will result. Click again with the left button to print the diagram. Some printers may be able to accommodate multiple type selections. When printing to a file, do not mix type selections unless the printer to be used can accommodate all of the selected types. 5.5 Print Diagram ------------- To print the diagram, on the printer type shown, click on the Print icon. Use Printer Setup to change the printer type. Printed output is directed to the default printer (LPT1). The program will normally wait if the printer is not ready, or reject the print function if the printer is inaccessible. An alternate device name, or file name (up to 33 characters), for printed output may be specified on the command line, for example: /LPT2 If a file name is specified (for example: /DIAGRAMS.PRT), and it does not exist, it will be created. The file will be added-to each time the Print function is used. The file may be deleted or renamed after printing. 6.0 MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS ----------------------- 6.1 Return to DOS ------------- To exit the program, click on the DOS icon (C:>). Any diagram changes will be saved. The program license and registration information may be displayed. Click again to return to DOS. 6.2 Product Information ------------------- To display this document while running the program, click on the Product Info icon. Each additional click will display the next page. To page backward, click on the RIGHT button. 6.3 Cursor Speed Adjust ------------------- To slow the cursor speed by half (with respect to the mouse movement), click on the Perspective icon with the RIGHT button. To double the cursor speed (vs. normal), click again. To restore normal cursor speed, click again. 6.4 File Data --------- To view the current diagram object catalog and display parameters, press on the DOS icon (C:>) with the RIGHT button. Release to remove. See FILE DESCRIPTION for details. 6.5 Video Test Patterns ------------------- For a black & white video-resolution test pattern, click on the Product Info icon with the RIGHT button. For a 16-by-16 color-saturation test pattern, click again. For a grey-scale and color-hue test pattern, click again. To return to the displayed diagram, click again. 6.6 Command Line Parameters ----------------------- The default names for the printer and export files may be changed via command line parameters. /printer - 'printer' is the printer device name or file name. The default printer device name is LPT1. =export - 'export' is the export file name. The default export file name is MICROCAD.DXF. File names may be simple (=drawing.123) or may contain the path and file name (=c:\diagrams\drawing.123). The path and file name may not exceed 33 characters. 7.0 ERROR CONDITIONS ---------------- The program will return immediately to DOS, with an error message, under the following conditions: Message ------- 'VGA Required.' The program must be run on a PC equipped with a VGA or fully VGA-compatible video adapter. 'Download incomplete.' A complete copy of the documentation (MICROCAD.DOC) corresponding to this program release must be present. 'Mouse driver not installed.' A mouse driver must be installed. Install and restart. 'Insufficient disk space for conversion.' Additional disk space is required in order to convert existing diagrams to the current format. Make additional space available and restart. The additional space will be freed as soon as the conversion is complete. Miscellaneous error conditions which do not prevent the program from continuing are signaled by an audible beep. 8.0 FILE DESCRIPTION ---------------- The following is a description of the file format for each diagram. Each diagram comprises three variable-length segments, as follows. Note: All words are stored with the low-order byte first. 8.1 View Segment ------------ The view segment contains parameters which apply to the entire diagram: Word Name ---- ---- 0 SIZE - 002E Length of view segment, in bytes (46) 1 CURR - nnnn Current-object offset (not displayed) 2 XMOV - nnnn Diagram shift in X-axis (left) 3 YMOV - nnnn Diagram shift in Y-axis (up) 4 ZMOV - nnnn Diagram shift in Z-axis (not used) 5 UNIT - uupp uu = Dimensioning units: 00 - Dimensioning off 01 - Integer 02 - 10ths 03 - Ft.-In. 04 - 16ths PROJ - pp = Projection mode: 00 - Perspective 01 - Orthographic 02 - Isometric 6 YEAR - nnnn Year modified 7 DATE - ddmm Month (mm) and Day (dd) modified 8 TIME - mmhh Hour (hh) and Minute (mm) modified 9 MODE - mmtt mm = Color overlay/mix mode: 00 - Overlay mode 01 - Mix mode FILE - tt = Diagram type: 00 - File not yet created 02 - MicroCAD version 2.0 10 TILT - nnnn Diagram tilt (pitch) in degrees counter-clockwise 11 SPIN - nnnn Diagram spin (yaw) in degrees counter-clockwise 12 ROLL - nnnn Diagram roll in degrees counter-clockwise 13 DIST - ddzz dd = Perspective viewing distance exponent ZOOM - zz = Zoom out (+) or in (-) scaling exponent 14 AXIS - aavv aa = Axis lines status: 00 - Axis lines off 01 - Axis lines on VIEW - vv = Axis window status: 00 - Axis windows off 01 - Axis windows on 15 through 22 Palette registers (not displayed) The following are not part of the view parameters, but are included in the display for program support: PROC - nnnn Processor type (8086, 0286, 0386, 0486) MCAD - vvrr MicroCAD version (vv) and release (rr) MOUS - vvrr Mouse driver version (vv) and release (rr) ADDR - xxxx Program address of last interrupt CODE - xxxx Code(s) associated with last interrupt POOL - nnnn Offset of next available byte in text pool 8.2 Object Segment -------------- The object segment contains the descriptions of each object within the diagram: Word Name ---- ---- 0 SIZE - nnnn Length of object segment, in bytes (3 to 32761) 1 TYPE - ggtt gg = Group number (00 if not a group member) tt = Object type: 00 - Empty slot (not displayed) 01 - Point 02 - Line 03 - Ellipse (includes Circle) 04 - Rectangle (includes Square) 06 - Text 08 - 3D Box (Cube) 1C - Color specification 1F - Fill pattern 8x - Erased object FF - End of catalog (not displayed) 2 Y0 - nnnn Beginning Y-axis coordinate 3 X0 - nnnn Beginning X-axis coordinate 4 Z0 - nnnn Beginning Z-axis coordinate 5 Y1 - nnnn Ending Y-axis coordinate 6 X1 - nnnn Ending X-axis coordinate 7 Z1 - nnnn Ending Z-axis coordinate or text offset in pool All coordinates correspond to the screen row (Y) and column (X), relative to the upper-left corner of the screen at normal zoom. Word Name ---- ---- 8 MODE - mmsc mm = Mode: 01 - Alternate line type or text font 02 - Outlined pattern 04 - Solid fill or reverse pattern x0 - Pattern fill 0-30 (even) x8 - Pattern fill 1-31 (odd) 40 - Right or top arrow 80 - Left or bottom arrow Alternate line type: 01 - Dashed 09 - Dotted 03 - Hidden 0B - Dash-Dot 05 - Center 0D - Border 07 - Phantom 0F - Divide s = Circle/ellipse slice: 1 - Upper half 5 - Upper-right quadrant 2 - Lower half 6 - Lower-right quadrant 3 - Right half 7 - Lower-left quadrant 4 - Left half 8 - Upper-left quadrant or 8 = Object dimensioning off c = Color (0-3) 9 TILT - nnnn Object tilt (pitch) in degrees counter-clockwise 10 ROLL - nnnn Object roll in degrees counter-clockwise 11 SPIN - nnnn Object spin (yaw) in degrees counter-clockwise 12 through 16379 Additional objects (same as words 1 through 11) The following are not part of the object parameters, but are included in the display: TEXT - cccccc Text value (first six characters from text pool) The current object is indicated by an '=' following the object type. Note: Dimensions are not stored as objects. 8.3 User Customizations ------------------- The following object formats are used for user-supplied program customizations: Word Name ---- ---- 1 TYPE - 001C User color specification: 2 DAC - 00cc cc = Digital-analog converter number (0-63) 3 RED - 00rr rr = Red component (0-63) 4 GRN - 00gg gg = Green component (0-63) 5 BLUE - 00bb bb = Blue component (0-63) 6 through 11 Not used Word Name ---- ---- 1 TYPE - 001F User-edited fill pattern: 2 FILL - 00mm mm = Pattern number (Same as MODE) 3 DOT1 - bbaa 1st (aa) and 2nd (bb) dot-matrix row 4 DOT2 - ddcc 3rd (cc) and 4th (dd) dot-matrix row 5 DOT3 - ffee 5th (ee) and 6th (ff) dot-matrix row 6 DOT4 - hhgg 7th (gg) and 8th (hh) dot-matrix row 7 through 11 Not used 8.4 Text Segment ------------ The text segment contains the values for all text objects: Word Name ---- ---- 0 SIZE - nnnn Length of text segment, in bytes (2 to 1026) 1 through 512 Text pool (zero or more null-delimited strings) 8.5 DXF Conversion Notes -------------------- The DXF export format corresponds to AutoCAD Release 11. Specific implementation details are as follows: HEADER Section -------------- The EXTMIN, EXTMAX, LIMMIN and LIMMAX variables are set according to the diagram extents. The TDCREATE and TDUPDATE variables are set according to the diagram modification date and time. The CLAYER variable is set according to the current color. The ORTHOMODE variable is set 'on' in orthographic or isometric modes. The AXISMODE variable is set 'on' if the axis lines are on. The GRIDMODE variable is set 'on' if the grid is on. All dimensioning variables are omitted. TABLES Section -------------- Line types CONTINUOUS, DASHED, HIDDEN, CENTER, PHANTOM, DOT, DASHDOT, BORDER and DIVIDE are defined. Four layers are defined, as follows: COLOR1 - Blue COLOR2 - Green COLOR3 - Red COLOR4 - White The reference flag is set for layers in actual use. The default line type is CONTINUOUS in all layers. The default line type is overridden, by entity, for other object line types. Text style 'STANDARD' is defined. The following tables are present but empty: VPORT, VIEW, DIMSTYLE, UCS, APPID. BLOCKS Section -------------- The BLOCKS section contains all grouped objects. Group names are assigned as GROUP1, GROUP2, etc. All grouped objects are converted as described in the ENTITIES section. ENTITIES Section ---------------- 3D export ignores all view rotations and projection. All objects are exported in full 3D coordinates (X,Y,Z). 2D export applies all view rotations and projection. The rotated and projected objects are exported as 2D images (all Z coordinates zero). Objects are converted to DXF entities as follows: Object Type 2D Export 3D Export ----------- --------- --------- Point POINT POINT Line LINE LINE Rectangle LINE (4) POLYLINE Rectangle (filled) SOLID 3DFACE Circle CIRCLE CIRCLE Circle (rotated) POLYLINE POLYLINE Circle (isometric) POLYLINE CIRCLE Semi-Circle ARC ARC Semi-Circle (rotated) POLYLINE POLYLINE Semi-Circle (isometric) POLYLINE ARC Ellipse (all) POLYLINE POLYLINE Cube LINE (12) 3DFACE (6) Text TEXT TEXT (dimensions) TEXT (none)