Copyright: Copyright (C) 1992 by NewVision


 QuikChar Help Index

Overview

Commands

Procedures

Registration Information


About QuikChar
QuikChar version 1.0

Copyright © 1992 by NewVision

All Rights Reserved.


QuikChar Overview

QuikChar is a useful tool designed to work with Microsoft Word for Windows.  It greatly facilitates the placement of symbols, dingbats and the like into a WinWord document.  After initial setup, only one action (a mouse click) is required to place any character from any font into your document--no manual font changing or Alt-code memorizing required.

To the left is a sample QuikChar screen.  While running, it floats above Word for Windows.  To place any of the shown symbols in your WinWord document, just press the corresponding button with the mouse.  That's all there is to it.  It is not necessary to perform any clipboard operations (i.e. copy and paste) or change the font within WinWord; QuikChar takes care of all that for you.

All of QuikChar's commands are accessed from the system menu.  To see a list of these commands, click on the system menu box in the above picture.  For more detailed information on how to use QuikChar, see Commands and Procedures.

QuikChar is ShareWare.  If you find it of use, please register ir.  See Registration Information for details.


System Menu


File Command

Selecting this command brings up a submenu containing three items:  New, Open, and Save As.  These commands are used to work with QuikChar Sets.  QuikChar Sets (*.qch files) are configuation files which store information such as the number and type of symbols displayed by QuikChar, the number of columns and rows that QuikChar displays, and the size and position of the QuikChar window on the screen.

The name of the QuikChar Set currently in use is indicated in parentheses after the command name on the menu.

You may save different QuikChar configuations to different files, allowing for easy access at a later time.  Four QuikChar Sets come with QuikChar (DEFAULT.QCH, SYMBOLS.QCH, VERTICAL.QCH & HORIZONT.QCH), and others may be easily created.  The first, DEFAULT.QCH, may be modified but should never be deleted, even if you do not use it.

See File New, File Open, and File Save As for detailed descriptions of the individual commands.


Setup Command

Selecting this command displays a window which enables you to configure QuikChar to display whatever characters or symbols you want.  See Setup for more information.


Rows Command

Selecting this command brings up a submenu containing the numbers 1 through 7.  Click on one of those numbers to redefine how many rows of buttons QuikChar displays.

Note that changing the number of displayed rows will NOT change the size of the QuikChar window.  Instead, the buttons will shrink or grow so that the specified number of rows will fit within it.  To change the size of the QuikChar window, you may size it as you would any other window.

The number of rows and columns displayed by QuikChar may also be changed by using the QuikSize function keys.


Columns Command

Selecting this command brings up a submenu containing the numbers 1 through 7.  Click on one of those numbers to redefine how many columns of buttons QuikChar displays.

Note that changing the number of displayed columns will NOT change the size of the QuikChar window.  Instead, the buttons will shrink or grow so that the specified number of columns will fit within it.  To change the size of the QuikChar window, you may size it as you would any other window.

The number of rows and columns displayed by QuikChar may also be changed by using the QuikSize function keys.


WinWord Font Command

This command allows the user to define which font WinWord will be returned to after a symbol is placed in a WinWord document using QuikChar.  The font name that appears in parentheses in the menu after the command name indicates the current setting (if any).

For example, suppose you are typing a document using the font Times New Roman.  You should then set the WinWord Font in QuikChar to Times New Roman.  Then, after you use QuikChar to place some symbol in your document, Word will be returned to the Times New Roman font so you may continue typing where you left off.  If the WinWord Font in QuikChar was set instead to Arial, then after using QuikChar to place a symbol in your document, Word would be returned to the Arial font (NOT Times New Roman), and any subsequent typing you did would appear in that Arial, probably not a satisfactory situation.  In other words, most often you will want the WinWord Font to be the font you use most often in Word.

Note, that if you are inserting a symbol inside a word or sentence that has already been typed, the WinWord Font setting will be unimportant and will have no effect on your document.


WinWord Macro Command

Selecting this menu item brings up a submenu containing two items:  Install and Uninstall.  Use these commands to install or de-install a Word for Windows macro for launching QuikChar.

Choosing the Install command will add an item to WinWord's "Tools" menu.  It will be labelled "QuikChar", and the shortcut key Ctrl+Shift+Q will be assigned to it.  Choosing this command any time you are in WinWord will launch QuikChar.

Choosing the Uninstsall command will delete the QuikChar menu item from WinWord's "Tools" menu, if present.

Note that if Word is running when this either the Install or Uninstall command is selected, an error message will be given.  Simply close Word, then try again.


Help Command

Selecting this command causes the Windows Help Engine to be executed and this help file to be displayed.


About Command

Selecting this command will cause QuikChar to display its About window.  This contains information such as the program's version number, the copyright notice, and whether or not a particular copy of the program has been registered.


Exit Command

Choosing this menu item will terminate QuikChar.  Pressing Alt+F4 anytime QuikChar is the active window will have the same effect.


File New Command

After selecting this command, you will be presented with a dialog box allowing you to choose a name for your new QuikChar Set.  It is suggested that all QuikChar Sets be located in the the same directory as QUIKCHAR.EXE so that QuikOpen will have access to them all.

After you have typed in a name for the new QuikChar Set, a new QCH file will be created with that name.  The QuikChar window will show a 4 x 4 grid of buttons, all empty.  The size and position of the window will remain the same until you change them.  All changes that you make to the QuikChar window, including size, position, number of rows and columns, and which symbols are displayed on its buttons, will now be saved to the new QCH file.

If you wish to double-check which QCH file is currently open, look and see which filename is displayed in parentheses after the File command on the main menu.


File Open Command

After selecting this command, you will be presented with a dialog box allowing you to open any QuikChar Set (*.qch file).  Select the file you wish to use, and press OK.  The QCH file currently in use will be closed, and the new one opened.  The QuikChar window will display the symbols saved in that file.  Additionally, the QuikChar window will assume the same size and position that it had the last time this QuikChar Set was in use.

See QuikOpen for information on a quicker alternative to opening QuikChar Sets.

There are four QCH files that come with QuikChar:  DEFAULT.QCH, SYMBOLS.QCH, VERTICAL.QCH & HORIZONT.QCH.  Try opening these to see how different configurations can be saved to QCH files.


File Save As Command

Selecting this command allow you to save the QuikChar Set currently in use to a file with a different name.  Again, it is suggested that all QuikChar Sets be saved to the same directory where QUIKCHAR.EXE is located so they are accessible to the QuikOpen method of opening QCH files.

There is no need to save a QuikChar Set (QCH file) after you make a change to the appearance or content of the QuikChar window...all changes are automatically saved to the file currently in use.


Commands

All of QuikChar's commands are accessed via its system menu and are shown on the below picture.  To get more information about a command, click on its name.


Setup

The Setup Window provides a means of customizing which symbols and characters QuikChar displays.  It contains a grid showing a variety of characters, a scroll bar, and a drop down combo box listing all fonts available on the system.

The characters displayed on the grid are in the font whose name is displayed in the combo box.  To scroll through all characters available in any given font, use the scroll bar below the grid.

To add a character to QuikChar, click on its symbol in the grid and drag over to the QuikChar window.  Release it over the button where you wish it to appear.  Any changes you make to the QuikChar window are immediately saved to the QCH file currently in use.


QuikOpen

QuikOpen provides a quicker, more convenient way of opening QuikChar Sets (QCH files) than using the standard File Open command.  To use it, click the right mouse button over any portion of QuikChar's main window.  A menu will appear, listing all the QCH files residing in the same directory as QUIKCHAR.EXE.  Click on the name of any file to open it.


QuikSize
QuikSize Function Keys

The QuikSize function keys provide a convenient shortcut for changing the number of rows and columns which QuikChar displays.  When QuikChar is the active window, pressing the function keys F1 through F7 will cause QuikChar to display the following number of rows and columns:

Function Key	# Rows	# Columns

F1	1	1

F2	2	2

F3	3	3

F4	4	4

F5	5	5

F6	6	6

F7	7	7

Note that changing the number of rows and columns does not change the size of the QuikChar window itself.  To do this, just size it as you would any other window.


Procedures

The following are procedures which can be performed with QuikChar which are not directly linked to the Commands on the system menu.

QuikOpen (a shortcut for the File Open command)

QuikSize (a shortcut for the Rows and Columns commands)

Placing a character in a WinWord document


Placing A Character In A WinWord Document

Placing a character from QuikChar into a WinWord document is simple.  Inside Word, place the cursor at the point where you wish the symbol to appear.  Next, with the mouse, click the button on QuikChar that shows the symbol you wish to place.  QuikChar will insert the character, in the appropriate font, into the WinWord document, and then return WinWord to the font specified with the WinWord Font command.


Choose WinWord Font Window

This window allows you to choose the font which WinWord will be returned to after QuikChar places a symbol or character in a WinWord document.  To define the font, just select it in the combo box.  If you wish to make the font the default, check the "Save As Default" box.  If the box remains unchecked, any changes you make will last for this session only...they will not be saved.

For more information, see WinWord Font Command.


Registration Information

QuikChar is not public domain software, nor is it free; it is Shareware. Non-licensed users are granted a 21-day period during which they may use QuikChar on a trial basis, to see if it is suitable for their needs.  After the 21-day trial period, users are required to register the program or discontinue using it.  Any use of QuikChar after the 21-day trial period constitutes a violation of copyright.

The single-license registration fee for QuikChar is $34.95.  In return, you will receive a

diskette containing the latest version of QuikChar and accompanying documentation files, along with a unique registration number.  Additionally, your name will be displayed in the "About" box as the registered user.  Registering QuikChar enables us to continue to develop high-quality, inexpensive software for you to use, so please support the Shareware concept and register this program if you find it of use!  Also, if you register you will be eligible for discounts on futures upgrades.

Commercial site licenses are also available.  Please refer to QCORDER.TXT for rates.

To order, please fill out the accompanying order form (QCORDER.TXT) or print out the Order Form included in this help file, and send to:

NewVision

800 5th Ave #382

Seattle, WA  98104

Additionally, if you have any questions,  problems, comments, or suggestions regarding QuikChar, contact us at the above address, or on CompuServe at 76020,732.  All comments and suggestions are appreciated and welcome.


Order Form
 (To print this order form, choose the Print Topic command from the File menu above.)

                      QuikChar Registration Form

                      --------------------------

Please print clearly.

Name:     ________________________________________________

Company:  ________________________________________________

Address:  ________________________________________________

          ________________________________________________

City:     ___________________  St: ______  ZIP: __________

Home Phone:(_____) _____________ Work Phone:(_____) _______________

                   ___ copies of QuikChar @ 34.95 each = _____.____

        	                 Shipping: _____.____

($2.00 in USA, $3.00 in Canada, $4.00 foreign, $10 US overnight)

                 WA residents please add 8.2% Sales Tax: _____.____

                                                  Total: _____.____

Disk Size (choose one):

[ ] 5.25" (1.2M)      [ ] 5.25" (360K)     [ ] 3.5" (720K)

Please enclose a check or money order made payable to NewVision.

(Must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank.)

Where did you get your copy of QuikChar?

____________________________________________________________________

Send to:

        NewVision

        800 5th Ave #382

        Seattle, WA  98104

 (please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery)