*I
Help Index>acTion,	Files■ACAD~ExtramUtility║DOS ShelliConfigure:	Directory½
Editing Keysß#Mouse█(Shell Mode▓+
Scriptsû.
File ListsU0Databaseä4File Descriptionó4File Path¼7CAD ProgramZ9Directories<ACADCFG Directory5?About*AFile Copy»DacTion NewÆEacTion ExistingùFacTion Plot═GacTion pRplotIacTion ConfigΩIacTion File Utilities┴JacTion CompileφKacTion Convert╠LacTion Recover½MFile New╡N File Clear≥O!File RenameæP"File ErasebQ#File ExecèR$File Description EditeS%File Options▀U&MenusGW'Setup?Y(Tech Supportt])Problem Fixes∙^*Log Files·_+Slide Iconƒb,ACAD Directorywe-Networks«g.Auto MSLidej.Auto MSLide    
Help definition for LaunchCAD v 4.0

*B 1,Help Index

    LaunchCAD version 4.0
    copyright 1988-92 Mountain Software

    ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
    Help   ▌ ^ACAD^           ^About^            ^Configure^
    Index  ▌ ^Directory^      ^Extra^            ^Editing Keys^
           ▌ ^Files^          ^File Description^
           ▌ ^File Lists^     ^File Options^     ^File Path^
           ▌ ^Menus^          ^Mouse^            ^Networks^
           ▌ ^DOS Shell^      ^Problem Fixes^    ^Log Files^
           ▌ ^Scripts^        ^Setup^            ^Slide Icon^
           ▌ ^Shell Mode^     ^Tech Support^     ^Utility^
    ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

    Select a help topic or press [Esc] to quit help.
*E

*B 2,acTion
    ■ acTion

    Select which AutoCAD Main Menu option to execute.
    These selections correspond to the AutoCAD opening
    menu selections.

    New          - Edit a new drawing. A prototype
                   drawing can be slected from the
                   "Extra" menu
    Existing     - Select an existing drawing to edit.
    Plot         - Select a drawing file to plot.
    Printer Plot - Select a drawing file to printer plot.

    Batch operations can be performed on a list of files by
    using a script file with a file list for these three
    selections.
*P

    ■ acTion

    Configure      - Configure AutoCAD
    File Utilities - AutoCAD's file utilities
    Compile Shape/ Font file - Select a .SHP file to compile
                               to a .SHX file

    Release 11 functions:

    Convert old drawing
    Recover Damaged Drawing


    See Also:   ^File Lists^   ^Directory^   ^Help Index^
*E

*B 3,Files

    ■ Files

    Select a path and drawing file for  AutoCAD to
    use.

    ^File Path^   - Select a drive and directory.

    ^Directory^   - Pick an existing file from a list.

    New         - Type in a filename LaunchCAD will
                  add the .DWG file extention to
                  the name that you enter.

    Clear       - Close any file list that is active.

*P

    ■ File Utilities

    Erase       - erase a file on disk

    ^File Copy^ - copy a file

    Rename      - rename a file

    eXecute     - select another program to run


    See Also:   ^Help Index^
*E

*B 4,ACAD

    ■ ACAD

    Launch AutoCAD - Start AutoCAD with the file(s)
                     and parameters that you have
                     selected. A script file is created
                     by LaunchCAD to execute those
                     commands then AutoCAD is started.

    Run AutoCAD Directly - Start AutoCAD with no action
                           ignoring any selected files
                           or actions.



    See Also:   ^Help Index^
*E

*B 5,Extra

    ■ Extra

    Prototype Drawing - Select a drawing prototype for
                        a new drawing. (similar to specifying
                        DWGFILE=PROTOTYPE)

    Initial command   - A command which AutoCAD will
                        execute once your drawing has
                        been loaded. This command is
                        saved in the configuration file.

    Script file       - A script to execute after the
                        drawing has loaded.


    Press Enter for the ^Help Index^ or Esc to exit help.
*E

*B 6,Utility

  ■ Utility

  Delete .BAK Files - Erases all file with the .BAK extension
                      from the current directory.

  View a Slide      - View an AutoCAD .SLD (slide) file using
                      an external DOS program. "VSlide"
                      (VS.EXE) is provided to registered
                      users of LaunchCAD.

  View a Drawing    - View an AutoCAD .DWG (drawing) file
                      using an external DOS program. You must
                      provide the viewer program.
                      (eg "Automanager", or "Slick")
*P
  ■ Utility

  Edit a File       - Edit an ASCII (text) file using an
                      external ASCII editor.

  View a File       - View an ASCII (text) file. You can use
                      an external viewer ("LIST" or "BROWSE")
                      or use the internal LaunchCAD viewer.

  Run Utility       - Run a user specified external Utility
                      program.

  These utilities must be specified during configuration and
  located in the current directory or in a path DOS can find.

  Press Enter for the ^Help Index^ or Esc to exit help.
*E

*B 7,DOS Shell

    ■ DOS

    You may temporarily exit to DOS or optionally
    specify a DOS command to perform (similar to the
    AutoCAD SH or SHELL commands). LaunchCAD can swap
    all but about 700 bytes of its own memory to disk
    or EMS/XMS to provide a large memory space for you
    to run other programs while shelled out. The prompt
    is also changed to remind you to enter EXIT to
    return.


    See Also:   ^Help Index^
*E

*B 8,Configure

  ■ Configure LaunchCAD

  ■ External programs - enter the command that will
    execute the DOS utility programs external to
    LaunchCAD.

  ■ Files

    ^CAD program^ - the filename that you wish to execute
        to start AutoCAD.

    Default Script File - the script file to use for batch
        processing if no other is selected

    ^Log Files^ - the file extension to use for the
        reference file viewer. (eg LOG)
*P

    ■ Configure LaunchCAD (contd)

  ■ ^Directories^  - default directories for drawing and
                     other files.
  ■ Default script filename - the script file will
       be used for file lists if one has not been
       selected in the "Extra" menu.

  ■ Background fill character

  ■ Video mode (24 or 43/50 line)

  ■ Clock display (on or off)

  ■ ^Auto MSLide^
*P
    ■ Configure LaunchCAD (contd)

  ■ Color set  - Select one of three color sets

  ■ Mouse mode - Off: disable mouse
                 Single Click: selection mode
                 Double Click: in pick lists

  ■ DOS Shell  - You can disable swap to EMS/XMS memory
                 for programs executed from LaunchCAD.

  ■ ^Setup^      - Select Auto Setup to let LaunchCAD
                 check and if needed modify ACAD.PGP
                 and ACAD.LSP files.

  See Also:   ^Help Index^
*E

*B 9,Directory
    ■ Directory

    Any letter    - find name with same first letter
                    (eg press "K" to jump to the first
                    file starting in the letter "K")
    Tab/Lt/Rt     - toggle activation of dir/file window
    PgUp/PgDn     - move up/down a page at a time
    Home/End      - move to top/bottom of window
    Ctrl-Home/End - move to first/last file
    Escape        - Exit - no file selected
    Enter         - Select file, or directory


    Press <PgDn> for more...
*P
    ■ Directory

    Alt-D         - select Disk drive
    Alt-S         - select file Sort method
    Alt-O or F2   - popup file Options menu
    Alt-R or F3   - View log / reference file
    Alt-L or F4   - Edit log / reference file.
    Alt-E or F5   - Edit file description
    Alt-I or F6   - View drawing slide icon
    Alt-F         - popup File description window

    spacebar      - tag file
    <Ctrl>Enter   - Select tagged files as file list

    See Also:  ^File Lists^  ^File Description^  ^Help Index^
*E

*B 10,Editing Keys

          The following keys are active in data
          entry fields:

          ■ Cursor Movement

          Arrow keys      - cursor movement
          Ctrl-LeftArrow  - word left
          Ctrl-RightArrow - word right
          Home            - beginning of field
          End             - end of line/field
          Ctrl-Home       - beginning of first field
          Ctrl-End        - end of last field
          Tab             - next field
          Shift-Tab       - previous field
*P


          ■ Inserting and Deleting


          Ins             - toggle insert mode
          Del             - delete character at cursor
          BackSpace       - delete character left
          Ctrl-BackSpace  - delete word left
          Ctrl-T          - delete word right
          Ctrl-U          - delete to end of field
          Ctrl-Y          - delete to end of form
*P


          ■     Other Editing Keys


          Enter           - process current field
          Ctrl-Enter      - process all fields
          Ctrl-R          - restore field
          Esc             - abort data entry
          F2              - popup directory in at file prompt



          See Also:  ^Help Index^
*E

*B 11,Mouse


    ■ Mouse

    LaunchCAD supports three modes of mouse operation,
    Single Click, where a single click of the left
    mouse button select items in pick lists. In Double
    Click mode a single click will move the highlight
    bar and a double click will select the item. The
    right button simulates the escape key in either mode.

*P


    ■ Mouse (continued)


    If a pick list is displayed, page up and page down
    can be selected by clicking the left mouse button
    while the cursor is on the top or bottom border of
    the window. In the directory window "Select Sort"
    button can be executed with the left mouse button.


    See Also:  ^Help Index^
*E

*B 12,Shell Mode
    ■ Select a Shell Mode

    end        - save current drawing and select new file
    wend       - save current drawing and select new file
    quit       - quit current drawing and select new file
    ads        - load and execute an ADS (*.EXP) program
    insert     - insert a drawing file as a block.
    lisp       - load and execute an AutoLISP program.
    vslide     - view an AutoCAD SLD file.
    dxfin      - select and load a DXF file.
    dxbin      - select and load a DXB file.
    style      - select a text style on disk
    menu       - load an AutoCAD menu file.
    xref       - select a .DWG filr for XREF attach
    ESC / AltX - exit to AutoCAD

    See Also:   ^Help Index^
*E

*B 13,Scripts


    ■ Scripts


    A script file can be selected that will be executed
    after the drawing loads. If a file list is active,
    then the script will be run for each drawing file.
    If you are using a script with a file list be sure
    to include commands to exit the drawing editor
    eg .END or .QUIT Y as the last line of the script.



    See Also:  ^Help Index^    ^File Lists^    ^Directory^
*E

*B 13,File Lists

    ■ File Lists

    A file list is a group of files that can be used by
    the "Batch Processing" feature of LaunchCAD.

    A file list is created in two steps. First each file
    is marked by pressing the space bar to toggle a mark
    (a diamond) next to the file name. Once all files are
    marked, press <Ctrl><Enter> to add the files to the
    file list. The file list can contain files from
    different drives and directories. You can add files
    to this list by repeating the tagging process in as
    may directories as necessary. The total number of
    marked file can not exceed 100.

*P

    You may clear (erase) this file list by selecting
    "Clear" from the File menu.

    File lists are used for "batch" processing a group of
    files using a script that you have prepared. Batch
    processing can be used to plot a series of drawings,
    and also to perform a series of updates from either
    a script or an AutoLISP program.


    See Also:   ^Help Index^   ^Directory^   ^Scripts^
*E

*B 14,Database
*E

*B 15,File Description

    ■ File Description

    The file description (if it exists) is displayed at
    the bottom of the directory window for the hilited
    file. This short file description can be edited here
    by pressing <Alt-E> to pop up an entry window for the
    file. A side by side file description window can be
    viewed and selected from the directory display with
    the Alt-F key. You can also select a file in this
    window pressing the Left Mouse Button, or by pressing
    [Enter]. The Right Mouse Button and [Escape] also will
    save any changes and then exit to the directory window.
    File descriptions are stored in an ASCII file named
    DESCRIPT.ION in each directory.

    See Also:  ^Help Index^ ^File Description Edit^
*E
*B 16,File Path


    ■ File Path


    Select the DOS subdirectory from the "mini" directory
    tree. The "default" or "current" directory is initially
    highlited. Once the desired directory is selected press
    <Enter> without moving the cursor or <Esc> to change
    directories and exit.

    Select "Drives" to log to a different disk drive.


    See Also:  ^Files^   ^Directory^    ^Help Index^
*E
*B 17,CAD Program

  ■ CAD Program Filename

  Enter the full path of the filename to execute (normally
  ACAD.EXE), if you wish to execute another program (eg "Big
  Shell" or SHROOM) then enter their file names here. NOTE:
  Only .EXE or .COM programs can be executed directly by
  LaunchCAD. You may press <F2> to select a file from the
  directory.

  Example:

  C:\ACAD\ACAD.EXE

*P

  To use SHROOM...

  C:\ACAD\SHROOM.COM C:\ACAD\ACAD.EXE

  If this field is blank LaunchCAD will exit after creating
  a script file. You must then execute AutoCAD from the next
  item of a batch file:

  LC %1
  ACAD !BATCH! LC


  See Also:   ^Help Index^    ^Directory^
*E
*B 18,Directories

    ■ Directories

  ■ Starting Directory - the directory from which
    AutoCAD will be executed. If this field is left
    blank, LaunchCAD will execute AutoCAD from the
    same directory as the selected drawing.

  ■ Default Directories - the following entries will
    set the default path to files. The directory window
    will display files from this directory when it first
    opens.
*P

  ■ Default Drawing directory -  *.DWG files

  ■ Default AutoLISP directory - *.LSP files

  ■ Default Menu directory -     *.MNX files

  ■ Default Block directory -    *.DWG files

  ■ ^ACADCFG Directory^ - AutoCAD configuration directory

  ■ ^ACAD Directory^ - AutoCAD library path directory(s)

    See Also:  ^File Path^   ^Help Index^
*E
*B 19,ACADCFG Directory

    ■ ACADCFG Directory

    If you wish to specify a directory for AutoCAD to
    use for storing a user specific configuration then
    enter that directory here. This allows each user
    on a network to have a different AutoCAD configuration

    This is the same as the DOS command:

    SET ACADCFG=<your AutoCAD Config directory>

    Any directory specified will override any SET ACADCFG
    previously executed.

    See Also:   ^Help Index^    ^File Path^
*E
*B 20,About

    LaunchCAD version 4.0
    copyright 1988-92, Mountain Software
    all rights reserved

    LaunchCAD is shareware available from:

    Jerry Workman, PE
    Mountain Software
    1579 Nottingham Road
    Charleston, WV  25314
    ph 304-744-7748 (after 7:30PM eastern)

    or with VISA/MasterCard/AMEX through the
    Public (software) Library 1-800-2424-PsL.
    Print the file ORDER.DOC for details.
*P

                ┌─────────┐
          ┌─────┴───┐     │               (R)
        ──│         │o    │──────────────────
          │   ┌─────┴╨──┐ │  Association of
          │   │         │─┘  Shareware
          └───│    o    │    Professionals
        ──────│    ║    │────────────────────
              └────╨────┘    MEMBER


    and...

    Autodesk(tm) Registered Developer

    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 21,File Copy

    ■ File cOpy

    First select a file to copy from the directory window.
    Then enter the filename and path to copy the file to.





    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 22,acTion New

    ■ acTion New

    This is an AutoCAD main menu function.

    Start a new drawing in AutoCAD. This is the
    same as selecting item 1 in the AutoCAD main menu.



    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 23,acTion Existing

    ■ acTion Existing

    Edit an existing drawing in AutoCAD. This is the
    same as selecting item 2 in the AutoCAD main menu.
    After selecting this item LaunchCAD will jump to
    the drawing directory window.



    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 24,acTion Plot

    ■ acTion Plot

    Plot an existing drawing in AutoCAD. This is the
    same as selecting item 3 in the AutoCAD main menu.
    After selecting this item LaunchCAD will jump to
    the drawing directory window.



    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 25,acTion pRplot

    ■ acTion pRplot

    Printer plot an existing drawing in AutoCAD. This is
    the same as selecting item 4 in the AutoCAD main menu.





    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 26,acTion Config

    ■ acTion Config

    Configure AutoCAD. This is the same as selecting item
    5 in the AutoCAD main menu.





    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 27,acTion File Utilities

    ■ acTion File Utilities

    Load the AutoCAD file utility menu. This is the
    same as selecting item 6 in the AutoCAD main menu,
    or entering the command FILES in the AutoCAD
    drawing editor.



    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 28,acTion Compile

    ■ acTion Compile

    Compile a shape file in AutoCAD. This is the
    same as selecting item 7 in the AutoCAD main menu.





    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 29,acTion Convert

    ■ acTion Convert

    Convert an old drawing in AutoCAD. This is the
    same as selecting item 8 in the AutoCAD main menu.




    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 30,acTion Recover

    ■ acTion Recover

    This is an AutoCAD main menu function.

    Recover a "damaged" drawing in AutoCAD. This is the
    same as selecting item 9 in the AutoCAD main menu.



    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 31,File New

    ■ File New

    Enter a filename for a new drawing that you wish
    to create:
                  ╔════════╗
         example: ║COLUMBIA║
                  ╚════════╝
    The .DWG file extension will be added automatically.

    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 32,File Clear

    ■ File Clear

    Select this to clear / erase a file list.






    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 33,File Rename

    ■ File Rename

    Rename any DOS file. First select the file in the
    directory then enter the new filename.





    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 34,File Erase

    ■ File Erase

    Erase any DOS file. First select the file in the
    directory then answer "Yes" to confirm the deletion.

    WARNING - the erased file can not be recovered
              once erased.


    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 35,File Exec

    ■ File Execute

    Select an executable file to execute (run). You
    must select a .COM, .EXE or .BAT file.





    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 36,File Description Edit

    ■ File Description Edit <Alt-E>

    You may edit the hilited file's description
    text by pressing <Alt-E> from the directory.
    This text is saved to a file in the current
    directory named DESCRIPT.ION and is displayed
    at the bottom of the directory window as each
    file is hilited by the cursor. The length of
    this description is limited to 67 characters
    You may also maintain a log file for each
    drawing file with an ASCII editor by pressing
    <Alt-L> or <F4> to edit or you may view this
    file by pressing <Alt-R> or <F3>

    ^Help Index^ ^Log Files^
*E
*B 37,File Options

    ■ File Options <F2> or <Alt-O>

    While the Drawing Directory is displayed you may
    press <F2> or <Alt-O> to pop up a menu of file
    options. Any of these actions can be performed
    on the hilited file:

    See Also:

    ^Help Index^  ^File Descriptions^ ^File Copy^

    ^Slide Icon^  ^Log Files^   ^File Erase^
*E
*B 38,Menus

    ■ Menus

    Valid keys in pulldown menus:

    Letter Key - jump directly a menu item
        <Alt><Letter> will immediately execute
        "hot key: options.

    Arrow Keys - movement of selection bar
    [Left Mouse Button] or...
    [Enter]    - selects menu item under bar
    [Right Mouse Button] or...
    [Esc]      - backup 1 menu or exits from top menu.
    [AltX]     - Immediately exit program


    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 39,Setup

    ■ Setup

    LaunchCAD must be configured, and modifications
    must be made to your ACAD.PGP and ACAD.LSP files,
    to work properly. You can make these changes with
    an ASCII editor manually or you may select "Config
    /Auto Setup" to have LaunchCAD make the changes for
    you. LaunchCAD will first check to see if the
    required modifications already exist, and if so
    no changes will be made, otherwise the required
    commands are added as follows:

    * in your ACAD.PGP file:

        LaunchCAD,LC,180000,*Parameters: ,0
*P
    ■ Setup

    * in your ACAD.LSP file:

        (LOAD"LC")

    * Enter the full path of ACAD.EXE in the "Config/
      Files/CAD Program Filename field.

    The files LC.LSP, END.SCR, QUIT.SCR, BLANK.SCR must
    be copied to either your ACAD directory or on your
    AutoCAD library path. (eg SET ACAD=C:\ACAD\SUPPORT)
    Your ACAD directory must also be on your DOS PATH.
    (eg PATH C:\;C:\ACAD)

    Also See: ^Configure^ ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 40,Tech Support

    ■ Tech Support

    Technical help is available to registered users:

    Telephone:   304-744-748 (after 7:30PM Eastern)

    Compuserve:  MAIL to Jerry Workman [70717,3564]

    US Mail:     Mountain Software
                 1579 Nottingham Road
                 Charleston, WV  25314


    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 41,Problem Fixes

    ■ Problem Fixes

    A list of problem fixes is contained in the
    documentation file LC.DOC and the printed manual
    that is provided to registered users.







    See Also ^Setup^ ^Tech Support^ ^Help Index^
*E
*B 42,Log Files

    ■ Log / Reference Files <F3> or <Alt-R>

    Reference files are ASCII text files that you prepare
    to describe or document an AutoCAD drawing file. You
    must prepare this file external to LaunchCAD. You can
    view this reference file (if it exists) while in the
    directory by pressing either the <F3> or <Alt-R> keys.
    You may edit this file using an external editor from
    the directory by pressing the <F4> or <Alt-L> key.
    You can configure LaunchCAD to use the file extension
    of your choice (eg LOG for *.LOG, or "REF", or "TTL",
    or "DOC", etc).


    See Also: ^Configure^  ^Directory^  ^Help Index^
*E
*B 43,Slide Icon

    ■ Slide Icon <F6> or <Alt-I>

    You can view an AutoCAD slide file with the same name
    as the drawing file using an external slide viewing
    program. "VSlide" (VS.EXE) is provided to registered
    users of LaunchCAD. VSlide is a small and fast slide
    viewing program for EGA/VGA systems. You must create
    the drawing slide, which can contain a "snap-shot"
    of the drawing made with the MSLIDE command in AutoCAD.
    The slide viewer is activated in the drawing directory
    by pressing either the <Alt-I> or <F6> keys. This feature
    provides similar functionality as a drawing viewer at a
    fraction of the cost.


    See Also: ^Directory^  ^Help Index^
*E
*B 44,ACAD Directory

    ■  ACAD Directory

    If you wish to specify a library search path for
    AutoCAD then enter the directory(s) that contain
    AutoLISP files, blocks, text styles, shapes, etc.
    This allows each user on a network to have a
    different AutoCAD library path without a unique
    batch file for each user.

    This is the same as the DOS command:

    SET ACAD=<your AutoCAD library path>

    Any directory specified will override any "SET ACAD="
    previously executed.

    See Also:   ^Help Index^    ^File Path^
*E
*B 45,Networks

    ■  Networks

    LaunchCAD works the same on an LAN as on a standalone
    workstation. You must however set the DOS environment
    variable USERNAME to a unique name for each user on
    the LAN. Or you can start LaunchCAD with the /U switch
    to specify the USERNAME (eg LC /U=Jerry). Each user
    will then have a unique configuration and there will
    be no filename conflicts.

    LaunchCAD will supply the ".." or parent directory
    if it is not present, and will detect network disk
    drives.

    Press Enter for ^Help Index^ or Esc to quit help
*E
*B 46,Auto MSLide

    ■  Auto MSLide


    Select On to automatically create a slide file with the
    same name as the drawing file the first time that you
    END or QUIT the drawing. A slide file will be created
    using the AutoCAD command MSLIDE.

    Select Off to disable this option.


    See Also:   ^Configure^  ^Slide Icon^  ^Help Index^
*E
