3GRAPH

version 2.0


User's Manual






Copyright (C) 1988, 3-D Software. All Rights Reserved.

3GRAPH and 3-D SOFTWARE are trademarks of
3-D Software, P.O.Box 43975, Tucson, Arizona, 85733, U.S.A.





PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Operating System: MS-DOS 2.1 or later.
Computer: PC/XT/AT or 100% compatible.
Memory Requirements: 320-K available RAM
Printer (optional): Epson-compatible dot-matrix graphics printer
connected to parallel port LPT1.
Video Configuration: One of the following:
1. Hercules-compatible monochrome graphics;
2. EGA monitor & card (at least 128-K video RAM).
3. CGA (printer graphics only)

(Note: 3GRAPH does not display CGA video graphics,
but will still print on CGA systems.)



1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

3GRAPH is a program that creates 3-dimensional data charts. Printing is
optional, and requires an Epson FX-compatible dot-matrix printer. There are
3 ways to input the data to be charted: by typing in the data through 3GRAPH's
spreadsheet interface, by importing an ASCII text file, or by retrieving a data
file that was created by 3GRAPH and has a .3GR extension. The spreadsheet cut/
paste functions can delete a row and insert it as either a row or column, and
columns can also become rows or columns. To paste blank rows & columns you can
clear the cut/paste buffer (to clear the last cut). Use the Edit Menu to prepare
data, and use the Plot Menu to set the plotting parameters. In the Plot Menu use
the Perspective submenu to set viewing angles. Lotus can create ASCII files with
the /print/file command. Included with this program are 4 demo files:

DEMO1.3GR DEMO2.3GR DEMO3.ASC DEMO5.WK1

3GRAPH cannot read DEMO5.WK1 (.WK1 files are read by Lotus 1-2-3 ver 2.01 & ex-
ported as ASCII files like DEMO3.ASC which can be read by 3GRAPH).



2. IMPORTING ASCII FILES INTO 3GRAPH

ASCII files are just plain text files, without any special characters, and
can be created with word-processor programs (in "non-document mode") and with
Lotus 1-2-3 (see below).

These syntax rules apply to ASCII files that are to be imported into 3GRAPH:

- Maximum line width = 999 characters.
- All titles and figures must be separated by at least 2 consecutive
blanks. Titles may have embedded blanks, but not consecutive ones.
Consecutive blanks always signify a separation between data items.
- Blank lines are ignored.
- Dash-lines and graphics characters not allowed.
- The first non-blank line in the ASCII text file must
contain the chart's main heading.
- The second non-blank line contains the sub-heading.
- The third non-blank line contains all the column titles.
- The remaining non-blank lines contain a row title followed
by data cells (numbers).

3. AN EXAMPLE: IMPORTING DATA From LOTUS 1-2-3 Version 2.01

It is recommended that you include in your PATH the directories which
contain the Lotus 1-2-3 and 3GRAPH programs (that allows you to invoke
the Lotus and 3GRAPH programs from any directory). For more information
about the PATH command, see your MS-DOS manual.

From the directory with the files that were included on the 3GRAPH disk,
invoke the Lotus 1-2-3 program. After a momentary copyright screen,
a blank worksheet will appear, and the word READY appears on top-right
of screen. Press slash (/) to switch from READY mode to MENU mode.
Then press F (F=file), then press R (R=retrieve). Select DEMO5.WK1
(by moving the highlight cursor to that name and pressing ENTER).
The sample spreadsheet for Central District Foods will appear. To use
this data with 3GRAPH, you must EXPORT the data into an ASCII text file
(Lotus does not use the term EXPORT, but rather they call it PRINTing a
FILE).

To export the data from Lotus 1-2-3 v2.01, issue these keystrokes:

- press slash (/) to invoke MENU mode

- press P (P=print)

- press F (F=file)

- enter this filename: DEMO5.ASC

- press R (R=range)

- enter this range: a1..f20

- press O (O=options)

- press M (M=margins)

- press R (R=right)

- enter this number: 200

- press Q (Quit Options Menu, return to Print Menu)

- press G (G=go)

- press Q (write file, return to READY mode)

You've just created a file that can be imported by 3GRAPH version 2.0.
To exit Lotus 1-2-3 press /QY.



4. 3GRAPH TERMINOLOGY

Matrix: a table of numbers, made up of rows & columns.

Transpose: flip matrix; make the rows into columns, and
the columns into rows. Transposing a transpose
of a matrix brings you back to the original matrix.

Cut-Paste Buffer: a memory buffer where you can temporarily store
a row/column. To store a row (or column) in this buffer,
you have to delete (cut) the row (or column) from
the data matrix, then you can insert (paste) it
back into the data matrix as many times as you
want (until the cut-paste buffer is cleared, or
until you delete another row/col from the data matrix).
The cut-paste buffer does not care whether it is storing
a row or column, so you can change a data matrix row into
a column by deleting it as a row and then
inserting it as a column (columns can also
be changed into rows).


5. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Negative Numbers: 3GRAPH v2.0 does not plot negative numbers.
Negative numbers are automatically converted to zero.

Version 2.1 of 3GRAPH will allow sizing and plot negative numbers & 2-D charts.
Ver 2.1 will not be a shareware program, and will be available at a discount
to registered users of ver 2.0.


6. TRADEMARK NOTICES

3GRAPH and 3-D Software are trademarks of 3-D Software, P.O. Box 43975, Tucson,
Arizona 85733, U.S.A. Lotus 1-2-3 is a trademark of Lotus. Epson FX is a trade-
mark of Epson. Hercules is a trademark of Hercules. MS-DOS is a trademark of
Microsoft. Lotus 1-2-3 is a trademark of Lotus. PC/XT/AT trademark of IBM.


7. REGISTRATION

3GRAPH Version 2.0 is a SHAREWARE program. Shareware is a
software distribution system whereby computer users get to
use a program for an initial trial period before paying for
its use. If you continue using 3GRAPH after an initial trial
period, you must either stop using the program or become a
registered user by sending $10 with the Registration Form to
3-D Software. Registered users can use 3GRAPH on one work-
station (computer) at a time. SITE LICENSES: Registration
for use on more than one work-station at a site is $10 for
the first computer and $5 for each additional computer.
This program can be freely distributed noncommercially.
Any commercial distribution of 3GRAPH requires written
permission from 3-D Software, P.O.Box 43975, Tucson, Arizona
85733, U.S.A. 3-D Software is not responsible for the
results of use or misuse of 3GRAPH.






3GRAPH (TM) Registration Form



Description Quantity Price
----------- -------- -----

Shareware Registration Fee
(Required of every 3GRAPH v2.0 user
after initial program evaluation). . . . . . . . . . $ 10.00 = _________

Registration Fee for each additional
work-station at the same site . . . . . ________ X $ 5.00 = _________


Sub Total = _________


Arizona customers add 7 % Sales Tax = _________



TOTAL = $ ___________


Send check or money order payable in U.S. Dollars to:
3-D SOFTWARE, P.O. Box 43975, Tucson AZ, 85733, U.S.A.



Your Name:__________________________________________ Telephone:_______________


Address:_______________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________


Type of Computer:______________________________________________________________


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