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- QuickLens v2.03 by Mike Berro/BCS Software 25 Dec 88
- (v2.02 27 Jun 87)
- (v2.01 26 Jun 87)
-
- Version 2.03 Additions
-
- Three gadgets were added: Magnify, De-Magnify, and NextScreen. The
- first two are self-explanatory. NextScreen sends the window to the
- next screen behind visible one (if it exists), and brings that screen
- to the front.
-
- Instructions
-
- QuickLens is based on "Lens" by Ned Konz. Thanks to Larry Phillips,
- Keith Young, and the rest of the gang on CompuServe's AmigaForum for
- their invaluable insistence, er, assistance. This version is still
- experimental: see "Danger! Danger!" below.
-
- I wrote QuickLens primarily because Keith Young (of Access! fame) wanted
- a quick zoom routine. QuickLens is 100% assembly language. You will not
- notice any appreciable speed difference (with the default-sized window)
- between normal and x4 magnification, and x2 is only slightly slower
- (for various arcane reasons).
-
- QuickLens does not use much CPU time (especially when the window is small).
- The window is updated constantly when the mouse is in motion, and 3 times
- a second when the mouse is still. The window does not need to be active.
-
- To change magnification, the window must be active. To activate the window,
- click the left mouse button when the pointer is within the window. Click
- the right button to go from normal, to x2, to x4, and back to normal. The
- Magnify gadget increases the magnification, and the De-Magnify gadget does
- the opposite.
-
- QuickLens starts up in normal magnification. From CLI, you can type
- "QLens 2" or "QLens 4" to start in x2 or x4 magnification.
-
- The window can still be sized even though the sizing gadget is invisible
- (I hate wasted visual space). Just grab where the size gadget should be
- (lower right corner of the window).
-
- Click the left button on the close gadget in the upper left corner to
- exit, or press ESC on the keyboard when the QLens window is active.
-
- Moving QLens to Another Screen
- ------------------------------
- To send QLens to another screen, press the BACKSPACE key (the QLens window
- must be active), or click on the NextScreen gadget. This sends the QLens
- window to the screen just behind the screen it's currently on, and then
- sends the current screen to the back of all screens, thereby exposing the
- screen which now contains the Qlens window. By pressing BACKSPACE you can
- therefore display every available screen. There is no effect if there is
- no screen behind the current one.
-
- Press W (again the QLens window must be active) to send the QLens window
- directly to the Workbench screen. Nothing will happen if the Workbench
- screen doesn't exist. This does not bring the Workbench screen to the front.
- Use this (or exit Qlens) before you make the current screen go away; see
- the next paragraph.
-
- Qlens v2.02 will attempt to vacate the screen it is on if that screen is
- closed. It will move to the screen immediately behind the current one.
- However, beware of Danger.
-
- Danger! Danger!
- ---------------
- Note that sending the QLens window to other screens is dangerous! (i.e.
- not fully supported by the Amiga operating system). The QLens window
- must be able to vacate the screen before the screen is closed. QLens
- intercepts the system call to CloseScreen() to do this. If another
- program is also intercepting this system call, this could cause problems
- after QLens or the other program exits. If this is a problem, manually
- get rid of the QLens window before closing the screen.
-
- In addition, you may notice strange effects on some screens. If the screen
- is overscan, the mouse pointer may be offset from it's 'real' position.
- The screen colors may also make the QLens window invisible. That's
- why I allowed you to quit by pressing "Q". In any case, it does work nicely
- on the Access! screen.
-
- Technical Note:
- ---------------
- QuickLens does use a fair amount of CHIP memory, especially if the window
- is large. It is a SIMPLE_REFRESH window, but an additional bitmap of
- approximately window size is used to speed up the magnification. QuickLens
- would also be faster if it did not have to worry about overlapping
- windows. As it is, it is (theoretically) well-behaved.
-
- If you find this program useful, or if you can suggest improvements,
- please drop me a line and let me know. Money would be ok too.
-
- Mike Berro/BCS Software
- 13432 Lochrin Lane
- Sylmar, CA 91342
- CompuServe: 76004,2001
- 1939 BBS: (818) 368-4248 (A great BBS for video & graphics)
-