THE POSTER PROGRAM. Version 3.3 10/20/96. CONTENTS: Introduction. Printer Driver notes. Installation. What's New. Support and Registration. Association of Shareware Professionals Statement. Deinstallation Instructions. Disclaimer. Usage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTRODUCTION. POSTER 3.3 is a major improvement to the popular Windows shareware program for making big posters, signs, and banners. Posters can be up to 9 feet by 9 feet. Poster combines the best features of word-processing, graphics, and desktop publishing with features especially tuned for big posters and banners. This includes complete flexibility in the placement of graphics, a full set of drawing tools and over 100 special effects (like 3D, rotate, and arch) for text. All text and graphics are enlarged and tiled over multiple pages. POSTER supports all True-Type and ATM fonts, and imports graphics from BMP and WMF files, as well as from the Clipboard and OLE applications. POSTER supports full color, and most Windows-compatible printers. Full support is there for non-standard poster and paper sizes. POSTER is great for a wide variety of projects at work, school, home, or clubs: 1. Creating large posters for presentations, projects, charts, etc. 2. Creating large signs for advertisements, announcements, etc. 3. Creating banners for special events, etc. 4. Enlarging pictures, charts, etc. for display. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INSTALLATION. If you have unzipped the files, then you have practically installed the program. To install the program: 1. Create a temporary directory (like \TEMP) and unzip the POSTER32.ZIP file to that directory. 2. Run SETUP from the temporary directory. c:\TEMP\SETUP The package consists of the following files: 1. This README file. 2. Example and tutorial files. 3. POSTER.EXE, which is the poster program itself. 4. POSTER.HLP, which is the on-line help file. 5. CTL3D.DLL, the 3d controls library. 6. Several BORDERx.WMF border files. These can be imported using the Page->Border->From File command. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINTER DRIVER NOTES: HP680C (and 682C): To print Continuous forms (banner paper) correctly, you MUST have version 9 of the printer driver. Version 8 does not properly handle characters that cross page boundaries in banner mode. When printing banners, be sure to set the Paper mode to Banner in the printer setup dialog box. Also, make sure the 'continuous forms' box is checked in the POSTER Print dialog box. CONTINUOUS FORMS: Poster supports continuous forms on dot matrix and the HP680. Be sure to check the continuous forms box in the POSTER Print dialog box. You may use continuous forms for posters or banners. Using it for posters causes your poster to be printed in continuous strips, reducing the amount you have to paste together. PROBLEMS WITH DROPPED CHARACTERS AT PAGE BOUNDARIES: If POSTER drops characters at page boundaries, try checking the box marked "Method A" in the PRINT dialog box. This should work ALL printers (but not plotters). If this still doesn't work, try "Method B" or "Method C". Also, see the special setup instructions below. LASERJET III USERS. If the posters you print are missing characters at page edges, then do the following: 1. Select "Method A" in the Poster Print Dialog box. Also, be sure your printer is set to 300 dpi. 2. If this doesn't work, or it is too slow for you, install and use the Laserjet II driver. LASERJET 4 USERS. To successfully print posters, you must configure your printer as follows: 1. Select "Printer Setup": 2. Set resolution to 300 dpi. (At 600dpi, printing takes a very long time, and may hang the printer.) 3. Select "options". 4. Select "Graphics Mode" = "raster", "Graphics Quality"="high", and check "print true-type as graphics". 5. If posters still do not print properly, then in the PRINT dialog box, check the boxed marked "Method A". This should always work. POSTSCRIPT PRINTER USERS. POSTER cannot always automatically switch a postscript printer from portrait mode to landscape mode. If "Print Preview" shows the printer to be in the incorrect mode,use the "Print Setup" menu item to manually select the proper mode. If you get postscript errors, or you are loosing characters at page boundaries: 1. From the control panel, select Printers, then select 'Setup. 2. Select "options", then select "advanced". 3. Select "print true type fonts as" "Bitmap (type 3)". 4. Close the control panel. 5. Start POSTER. If posters still do not print properly, or print too slow, then in the PRINT dialog box, check the boxed marked "Method A". This should always work. SLOW PRINTING. Sorry, but Windows printing is s..l..o..w. I have no good solution for this. Be sure to verify your poster with "Preview" in the "Print" dialog box. Then, have patience while it prints. --------------------------------------------------------------------- WHATS NEW. 3.3: Fixes parameter passing on the command line so you can start up poster by double clicking on a *.pos file name. Changes that make it easier to work with big bitmaps as backgrounds. Bugfix for graphics select not always working as expected. 3.2. Import GIF and JPG (JPEG) files directly. Edit Picture lets you crop, lighten/darken, adjust contrast, and adjust color value of bitmap pictures (BMP, GIF, JPG). 3.1: Support for continuous forms and HP680. Gradient color fills on rectangles and text. Automatic borders on banners. Cool text warps. 3.0c: Prevent problems when line width,color,or style is set on bitmaps or metafiles. 3.0b: Fix 'out of memory' when using groups, bad reload of Windings font, and problems in loading certain bmp (bitmap) files. 3.0a: minor bugfixes. Version 3 is a major improvement in Poster: Full screen mode, with Zoom, for better construction of complex posters. Removal of 2000 character limit. Much greater precision in character placement, especially for small characters in big posters. Rotated, arched, and waved text. Ruler, Grid, and snap to grid for help in graphics placement. Ability the apply bitmap patterns and pictures to text. More flexibility in text special effects. 99 built-in simple borders. Color and gradients for backgrounds. The ability to show page breaks on the working drawing. Minor Bug fixes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT. For the latest on Poster, including the latest version, tips and hints, etc., see our web page: http://members.aol.com/PosterSW If you have any problems or suggestions, please send me a note. My email address is AOL: PosterSW Internet: PosterSW@aol.com Compuserv (CIS): 75754,2174 Or you may call me at (206) 848-0467. REGISTRATION. POSTER is shareware. If you try this program, find it useful, and continue to use it, you are expected to register. The fee is only $14 (plus $1 shipping), which is really quite reasonable for a program like POSTER. Note: The unregistered version of POSTER will disable the following features after you have printed 6 posters: 1. Greater than 2000 characters. 2. Text special effects. 3. Text rotation and arch. 4. Gradient. If you register, you are entitled to unlimited support, future versions, and a free disk full of fancy borders. You wil receive the registration immediately via email. (Be sure to include your email address). This will unlock the disabled features, and remove the registration reminders. To register: From CIS (Compuserv), type GO SWREG, and register ID 4249. By mail, send $15 to: POSTER Software 11002 48th St. E. Puyallup, WA. 98372 You may print an order form by copying the file ORDER.TXT to your printer. Credit Card Orders (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) are handled by Public Software Library: Call 1-800-2424-PSL, or 713-524-6394, or FAX to 713-524-6398 or email to CIS at 71355,470 (71355.470@compuserv.com). or mail credit card orders to PsL at P.O.Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705. Ask for POSTER, ID number 14375. The cost is $14 + $1 shipping ($2 shipping for overseas). Do NOT use these numbers for any support questions. Instead, call (206) 848-0467. When you register, you receive a disk containing the latest version of POSTER, and a set of fancy borders, by return mail. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ASP (Association of Shareware Professionals) OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT. This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEINSTALL (REMOVING POSTER) To remove POSTER from your system, do the following: 1. Find the directory containing Poster. 2. Delete all files, using erase *.*. 3. If you want to save the saved poster files, but remove the program, then delete the files POSTER.EXE, POSTER.TXT, POSTER.HLP, and CTL3D.DLL. 4. To remove the start icon: Windows 3.1: In the program manager, highlight the Poster icon, and then hit the DEL key. Win95: Click on 'Start', then 'Settings', then 'Task Bar', then 'Start Text Menu', then 'Remove'. Find the Poster entry, highlight it, and then click on 'Remove'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ USING POSTER. To start using poster, simply double click on the poster icon. POSTER will start and ask you for the poster or banner format. After selecting the format you want, it will present an empty page to you. Just start typing to begin making your poster. You can also associate "POS" file types with poster (do this with File Manager or Explorer.). Then, double clicking on a POS file will automatically start poster with that file. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT. Users of POSTER must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "POSTER is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse- quential, which may result from the use of POSTER." POSTER is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using POSTER and continue to use POSTER after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg- istration payment of $15. The registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of POSTER must register and pay for their copies of POSTER within 30 days of first use, or after six posters have been printed, or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting the author. Anyone distributing POSTER for any kind of remuneration should first contact the author at the address below for authorization. This authorization will generally be automatically granted. You are encouraged to pass a copy of POSTER along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of POSTER. --------------------------------------------------------------------- TECHNICAL TRIVIA. POSTER is written in C, and complied using MSVC 1.5. It consists of about 20,000 lines of code. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Bedoll, member, Association of Shareware Professionals 9/20/96. Poster Software 11002 48th St. E., Puyallup, WA, 98372 email: PosterSW@aol.com (206) 848-0467.