Notes on GRAFX CAD/CAM Starter Kit Version 2.1 release

1) The following new or updated files are included in this release:

  GRAFX2.EXE      GRAFX SK main program
  GRAFX2.TXB      GRAFX SK text file
  PLOT.EXE        Plot program
  POST.EXE        Post Processor executable program
  GPOST.EXE       Generic Post Processor creation program
  INSPOST.EXE     Post Processor installation program
  HPLOT.EXE       Utility for plotting to a printer
  G2CONFIG.EXE    System configuration program
  G2CONFIG.MNU    System configuration menu file
  TOOLIST.EXE     Utility to create listings of tooling files
  DMCLIST.EXE     Utility to create listings of operation (DMC) files
  EXTLIST.EXE     Utility to create listings of GEO, VEC & MAC files
  DCSHELL.EXE     Utility enabling GRAFX2 to shell out to non Datacut software
  PE2.EXE         PE2 launching program for alternate memory strategies
  PE2M.EXE        PE2 launching program for alternate memory strategies
  PE2X.EXE        Original PE2 executable
  LK.COM          File viewing utility
  DXFHEAD.DXH     DXF export file header
  SYSTEM01.FNT    Graphics Font
  SYSTEM07.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM08.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM11.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM24.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM32.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM35.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM64.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM48.FNT       "      "
  SYSTEM96.FNT       "      "
  ROMANSIM.FNT       "      "
  ROMANTRI.FNT       "      "
  MARKERS.FNT     Graphic markers
  FONT.FPT        Font for printer plotting
  BD.PDT          Printer drivers
  *.PMB           Sample generic Post Processors
  *.TLL           Sample tool geometry files
  *.VEC           Sample Engraving Fonts
  NC.BAT          Batch file to start up GRAFX CAD/CAM Starter Kit
  INSTALL.EXE     Run file to install GRAFX CAD/CAM Starter Kit
  DC2.BAT         Secondary batch file to install GRAFX CAD/CAM Starter Kit
  README.TXT      This file
  MILLPOST.TXT    List of generic library non turning Post Processors
  TURNPOST.TXT    List of generic library turning Post Processors
  WIREPOST.TXT    List of generic library wire Post Processors
  GFXSK.PIF       GRAFX SK Windows Program Information File
  GFXSK.ICO       GRAFX SK Windows ICON

The installation procedure whether installing GRAFX CAD/CAM SK for the first
time or updating an existing GRAFX CAD/CAM SK to the latest version is done
by entering the following:

         a:install   or   b:install

Refer to the instruction sheet for software installation which came with
the system.

1)  Selecting a graphics mode:

    For the fastest graphics display operation, the system must run in one
    of the standard IBM graphic modes, either EGA (640x350 resolution) or
    VGA (640x480 resolution).  If you are running in one of the extended
    modes such as Super VGA (800x600 or 1024x768 resolution), it is suggested
    that you try the standard mode and then decide whether better resolution
    or faster speed better serves your needs.

    In this release the V.E.S.A. 800x600 mode has been removed from the
    configuration menu because of potential memory conflicts.  If you have
    installed this graphics mode with a previous version of the Starter Kit
    it will still work as it always did however you will notice that when
    you now do a printer plot (SEE #3), the screen will go blank while
    printing and be restored after printing has been completed.  It is
    recommended that you do not use this video mode with the GSK.


2)  Trouble-shooting:

    A) I get an insufficient memory error message.

       Check your CONFIG.SYS file and remove any auxiliary memory resident
       programs. These programs `hog' memory, thus reducing the base memory
       and slowing down the computer.  Also check to see if the AUTOEXEC.BAT
       file is loading unnecessary programs.  Useable memory may be increased
       by upgrading to MS-DOS 5.0/6.X, DR-DOS 5.0/6.0 or Novell DOS 7.  If
       using MS-DOS 5 or higher, useable memory may be optimized by running
       the utility MEMMAKER.

    B) My computer seems to process data slowly, especially when the help or
       parameter screens are displayed.

       There are two ways to improve the performance of the GRAFX CAD/CAM
       Starter Kit.

       1) Install a math co-processor in the computer.  2) Install disk caching
       software in your system such as SMARTDRV which comes with MICROSOFT
       system software.

    C) When plotting with the printer, my plot is not positioned correctly
       on the paper.  In fact it may start too far to the right and finish
       on a second sheet of paper.

       The solution is to create a file called HPLOT.SYS by running the
       configuration program from FILE > SETUP in GRAFX2 or running
       G2CONFIG from DOS.  Select OPTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS and TEST PRINTER.
       Your printer should print a test pattern where all edges of the
       rectangle should be about 2 inches from the edges of an 8.5 x 11 sheet.
       If your plot is not centered correctly, select ADJUST PRINTING POSITION
       and fill in the X and/or Y adjustments necessary keeping in mind that
       the values entered will cause the printing to shift that amount in the
       directions specified.

    D) When plotting with the printer, a blank page is ejected after completion
       of the plot.

       The solution is to create or edit the file HPLOT.SYS.  Add the entry
       "npg" for no page eject on a seperate line.


3)  Version Changes Affecting Documentation:

    A) Installation

       1) Printer - A new printer plotting feature has been added which
       replaces the low resolution screen dumps of previous versions with
       a high resolution vector plots when using the PRINT option in the
       SCREEN menu or in the PLOT utility.  This requires selecting a printer
       when configuring the system.  If installing a system update, a message
       during installation will inform you if you need to reselect the printer
       and the setup program will automatically be invoked.  If this happens,
       you simply need to select the printer.  It is not necessary to reselect
       the other devices unless you want to change them.

       After selecting the printer type, you are now asked where to send the
       printer output.  In most cases the "Default Printer Port" is what you
       want.  However, if you have more than one printer on your system you
       may wish to specifically designate which parallel port (LPTn) to use.
       You can also direct the printer output to a file, for example,
       "a:dump.prn" which can be printed later with the DOS command
       copy /b a:dump.prn lpt(n):

       2) Screen Saver Timeout - This optional specification has been added to
       the configuration menu allowing you to enter the number of minutes of
       inactivity before the screen saver is invoked.  A simple text based
       screen saver is standardly invoked unless the enhanced graphic screen
       saver available from Datacut has been installed.

    B) Extended Job Lists

       Up to 65 character descriptions may now be attached to job files.  When
       saving a geometry file, in addition to inputting the file name, you are
       now asked for the job description.  You may simply hit the <Enter> key
       or press the Right mouse button if you do not wish to enter a
       description.  This change affects the procedures outlined in both the
       Mill and Lathe Tutorials in the CAD/CAM Starter Kit manual.

       Extended job lists are created when the system is installed or updated.
       The list is found in the file JOBLIST.DIR.  The job list is updated
       whenever you save a geometry file.  If you happen to copy a .GEO file
       onto your system it will not be entered into the job list and therefore
       not appear in the extended menu for fetching an existing job.  You can
       always rebuild the job list to reflect all the files in the directory
       by selecting JOBLIST off the FILE pulldown menu.
