Category : Printer + Display Graphics
Archive   : GSMAP8.ZIP
Filename : README

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

SYSTEM 8. GSMAP, GSMEDIT, GSMUTIL, GSPOST, GSDIG AND OTHER
PROGRAMS VERSION 8, FOR THE IBM PC AND COMPATIBLE
MICROCOMPUTERS, TO ASSIST WORKERS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES

by
Gary I. Selner and Richard B. Taylor

Open-File Report
92-217

DISCLAIMER

Although program tests have been made, no guarantee (expressed or
implied) is made by the authors or the U.S. Geological Survey
regarding program correctness, accuracy, or proper execution on
all computer systems. Any use of trade names is for descriptive
purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
Geological Survey. This report has not been reviewed for
conformity with the U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards.
Denver, Colorado
February, 1992

AVAILABILITY:

Open File Reports can be purchased at the address given below:
Books and Open File Reports Section
U.S. Geological Survey
P.O. Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225,
(303)-236-7476

README FILE

This file is NOT intended as a replacement for the program
documentation. The documentation consists of 220 pages of detailed
instructions with over 40 illustrations. It is virtually impossible
to learn these programs without access to the documentation. See
Availability above for where to purchase the documentation.



TABLE OF CONTENT FOR THIS FILE
SECTION 1 - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 2 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS
SECTION 3 - CONTENTS OF RELEASE DISK
SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE
SECTION 5 - HARDWARE ISSUES UPON INSTALLATION
SECTION 6 - UPGRADING ISSUES
SECTION 7 - ADVICE FOR NEW USERS

SECTION 1 - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

GSMAP and accompanying programs in this release have been
designed for use on IBM compatible personal computers. Many of these
programs require a digitizer and plotter. A complete system includes:

HARDWARE

Microcomputer
The microcomputer must use the DOS operating system Version 2.0
or higher, at least 512K available RAM, two floppy disk drives, or
one and a hard disk; at least one serial port, better two (one for the
digitizer, the other for the plotter); one parallel port (for the
printer); math co-processor chip to match the system; graphics card,
IBM compatible CGA, EGA, VGA, Hercules monochrome; monitor suitable
for use with the graphics card. Although CGA graphics will work they
are not adequate to exploit the graphic capabilities of this version.
EGA or VGA color graphics will display different kinds of lines in
different colors. EGA and VGA color graphics adapter cards must have
at least 256K memory to plot color on screen in EGA/VGA modes. A hard
disk or other fast-access storage device is strongly recommended.
These programs have been successfully operated on Compaq, Columbia,
Hewlett Packard, Sperry, IBM, GRID, Tandon, Zenith, Northgate, Leading
Edge, Gateway, and other computers, and should operate on any fully
compatible computer. We have run the programs on computers that use
the 8088 chip and 8087 co-processor at 4.77 Mhertz to others that run
the 80486 at 33 Mhertz.

Printer
The printer must communicate with the computer through parallel
port #1 (LPT1:), there are no special requirements for the printer.

Digitizer
A 16-button cursor is strongly advised (but not required except
for GSSECT). GSMAP and GSDIG have been designed and tested using a
GTCO DIGI-PAD digitizer with a 16 button cursor and a Summasketch
Professional digitizer with a 4 button cursor. They have been
successfully operated with Calcomp, Numonics (some in menu mode
only), Summagraphics Microgrid II, and other digitizers to our
knowledge, and probably can be used with any digitizer that sends
ASCII character strings and communicates with the PC through an RS232
serial port.

Plotter
Plotters must support the HPGL plot language at a level of the
HP7475 or above, and the cable connecting the computer and the plotter
must be correctly configured. Our tests have been conducted on a
Hewlett Packard 7585B and HP-7550A plotters. The HPGL files that are
generated by these programs can be used by Laser printers; the
illustrations in the documentation of this release were printed in
this way.

Mouse
A Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used as a pointing device
with the GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST programs. Use of a mouse is
convenient and speeds certain operations, but these three programs can
be fully operated without a mouse using the arrow keys on the keyboard
to move cursors on the screen.

SOFTWARE

The minimum software requirements for utilizing these programs
include PC/DOS 2.0 or higher or equivalent MS DOS, the release
diskettes, and a word processing program capable of producing ASCII
files. Although a RAM-resident program such as SIDEKICK is useful, it
can play havoc at unexpected times due to memory conflicts if
installed in base memory. We recommend running systems without TSR
(terminate and stay resident) or RAM resident programs.

SECTION 2 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS

SYSTEM 8
This release of GSMAP SYSTEM 8 brings together a series of
programs for IBM PC (and compatible) microcomputers with familial ties
to GSMAP . All have been revised from previously published versions
or are new to this release. All use Version 8 (CONFIG8.*)
configuration files. All use the same hardware system. The links
between these programs are more apparent when grouped together than as
previously released as a series of separate reports.

The basic set of geologic symbols and fonts are also used by the
other programs in this release. Symbols definitions are contained in
an ASCII file that can be extended or modified by the user, line
patterns also can be modified, within the scope of the Hewlett Packard
pattern set. The documentation contains instructions on how to design
new symbols.

All output can be drawn on a plotter, on the screen or sent to a
disk file using HPGL (the Hewlett Packard Graphics Language),
including text and symbology. The on-screen graphics can be used to
assist digitizing, editing, and design of output. All of the programs
in this set can use either Cartesian data (X, Y coordinates) or
geodetic data (latitude, longitude coordinates). The choice of
coordinate system is made by the user. Cartesian coordinates are most
useful for illustrations, cross sections, and maps where
latitude, longitude coordinates are unavailable, where the use of a
geodetic system adds unneeded complexity, or where it lacks sufficient
precision (e.g. a map at a scale of 1 inch equals 1 foot). When
working with geodetic coordinates, these programs support Mercator,
Universal Transverse Mercator, Transverse Mercator, Oblique Mercator,
Lambert Conformal Conic, Albers Equal Area, Equidistant Conic, and
Polyconic map projections. Design goals required an "office-scale"
hardware system with an affordable price. All of the programs operate
from menu screens. On-screen messages prompt the user at appropriate
times. Responses from the keyboard are entered by typing appropriate
answers to the prompts, and then screen. These programs are oriented
for use by geologists and other scientists, not for computer
specialists. Programming skills are not required.


GSMAP
GSMAP and related support programs including GSMEDIT, GSMUTIL,
GSMPBLD and GSMPBS have been developed to assist geologists and
illustrators in compilation and publication drafting of geologic maps
and illustrations. These programs attempt to facilitate geologic map
compilation and drafting in the way that digital word processing
facilitates composition and editing of text. As a set of practical
graphics programs, they enable digital compilation of graphical
elements, ease the process of modification in response to second
thoughts, editorial comments, and scale changes, and lead from initial
compilation to publication without redigitizing or redrafting. GSMAP
uses a high precision digitizer and plotter for entry and plotting of
digital data. Program capabilities include modification of data bases
by deletion of unwanted entries or additions at any time. Part or all
of the data in a data base can be plotted. Words and alphanumeric
characters are entered into an ASCII file using a word processing
program, and their locations are entered by digitizing. Entries are
numbered by the program and can be edited or deleted using this
number. Although the primary output is to the plotter, plots of all
data can be drawn on the screen. Plots can be made in two modes; the
"draft" mode provides entry numbers, the "publication" mode draws
plots without entry numbers. GSMAP data bases using the same
coordinate system can be merged. GSMAP supports lines of 14 pattern
types, symbols, patterning of polygonal areas, text (with leaders if
needed), multi-line text entries, and text that flows along features
such as rivers, fault lines, etc.

The documentation provides a thirty page tutorial that leads key
stroke by keystroke through the digitizing and plotting of a simple
illustration that contains the elements of a geologic map. For a
person who understands DOS and a modern word processing program the
tutorial exercise requires approximately two hours to complete. Our
internal training course is heavily oriented to hands-on participation
and consists of two eight-hour days of lectures and exercises with
approximately two hours dedicated to a discussion of projections.

GSMROSE
GSMROSE is a program for construction of rose diagrams from
linear data (lines or polygon boundaries) in GSMAP data bases. The
user can specify the radius of the diagram, the angular measure of the
sector used for analysis, and output to the screen, to a plotter, to a
disk file written in HPGL, or to a GSMAP data base in Cartesian
coordinates (new to this version). After drawing the rose diagram, a
table can be printed that provides the numeric information used in
constructing the diagram. Two methods of analyzing the linear data
are provided, one length weighted, the second, count weighted. When
using the length-weighted option the program reads the data for a
specified code (lines or polygon margins) in a data base, calculates
the bearing and length of each interval between points along the
lines, accumulates these lengths for angular sectors of bearing 0-10
and so on through 175-180), calculates the total length of line
segments in each sector, and divides the length in each sector by the
length in the maximum sector. This ratio is used in the rose diagram
as the radius for the sector. The radius of the diagram for the
sector of maximum length is chosen by the user. For data bases that
use Cartesian coordinates the Y coordinate of the data base is used
as the Y coordinate (0 degrees) for the rose diagram.

When using the count-weighted option, the program reads the data
for lines (not closed polygons) with a specified code, calculates the
bearing of the line connecting the first and last point of the line,
and records the number of entries for each 5 degree sector. The
sector containing the most entries is plotted to the radius specified,
the others are scaled to this distance according to the number of
entries. For geodetic coordinates and most of the projections
supported by the GSMROSE program the line of longitude used as central
meridian in the projection parameter file is used as the Y coordinate
(0 degrees) for the diagram.

GSMROSE Version 8.0 is a modification of GSMROSE Version 1.0
adding the ability to export a GSMAP data base and providing full
compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

GSSECT
Generation and plotting of the topographic profile for cross
sections, and other profiles drawn from contour maps. Version 8.0 of
this program has been revised from Version 2.0 so that it uses the
same configuration files as GSMAP Version 8, to interface with
digitizers and plotters. It can plot sections to the screen, to files
written in HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language), drive plotters,
or generate a GSMAP data base in Cartesian coordinates. Drawing the
topographic profile for structure sections is a chore not relished by
most geologists, and with conventional drafting techniques is beset
with pitfalls and inaccuracies. The use of a precise digitizer for
data input and of a plotter to draw the section eliminates most of
these problems, and speeds the entire process. Using GSSECT Version
8.0, a topographic profile may be drawn along a straight line, along
connecting straight line segments, such as a section with a bend, or
along a curve (many short line segments), such as the course of a
stream. The gradient between points of known elevation can be
computed, printed, and plotted to assist analysis of a profile.

GSSECT Version 8.0 is a modification of GSSECT Version 2.0
providing full compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

GSDIG
GSDIG is a program used to determine geodetic (latitude,
longitude) coordinates or Cartesian (X, Y) coordinates from maps or
drawings and create ASCII character files containing site identifiers
and geodetic coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds) or Cartesian
coordinates in units from the drawing or digitizer units (usually
inches). Geodetic coordinates for points can be digitized from any
map that has latitude/longitude coordinates for four points and has
been drawn using one of the supported map projections.

The output format for ASCII files can be chosen to provide easy
input of data to spreadsheet, data base management programs, or to
geodetic or Cartesian data bases in GSMAP format. Alphanumeric site
identifiers are in part entered from the computer keyboard computer,
in part entered from the digitizer keypad. An option in the utility
program, GSMUTIL, is included so that digitized geodetic (latitude,
longitude) or Cartesian (X,Y) data in GSPOST format or can be directly
entered into a GSMAP data base. Data from a series of maps can be
digitized and the data stored in a single output file in a single
digitizing session without leaving the program. Alternatively, data
can be added to an existing file permitting use of a single file in
several digitizing sessions. Use of a "mask" composed of prefix and
suffix entered from the keyboard permits alphanumeric identifiers for
sites to be entered from the numeric keypad of the digitizer during
digitizing. The prefix, maximum number of digits, and the suffix can
be changed during digitizing without reentering the coordinates of the
corners of the map.

GSDIG Version 8.0 is a modification of GSDIG Version 3.03 to
provide compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

GSPOST
GSPOST is a program that takes data from a properly formatted
ASCII file and plots on the screen, on a plotter, or writes to a disk
file in HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) to make maps
displaying information associated with geographic sites by drawing
symbols and/or posting numerical data. GSPOST operates with data sets
that use latitude and longitude (geodetic) coordinates or X,Y
(Cartesian) coordinates. The sites might be sample localities, drill
holes, or mine portals, but characterized by location in latitude,
longitude or X,Y coordinates and a site identifier, and usually by
numeric values for attributes of the site, such as chemical data from
a sample site, or flow rates from a well.

The user must supply an ASCII data file that contains a series of
rows and columns. Each row contains a series of attributes that apply
to one data point. Each column contains one kind of attribute. The
first columns of each row are "control" columns providing the site's
identifier, the coordinates of the site and the position and angle
posting numerical values. Additional columns to a total of 50, are
data columns. Geodetic coordinates can be in either decimal degrees,
or in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Both formats cannot be used in a
single file. X,Y coordinates are specified in a system appropriate to
the map; these cannot be mixed with latitude,longitude coordinates in
a single data file.

GSPOST allows the user to specify the column from which data will
be selected, values or ranges in values (class intervals), and choose
different symbols (and/or different symbol sizes for each class, with
or without posting of numerical values, or the posting of site
identifiers.

The position of posting of numerical data at each site can be
adjusted to reduce over-printing of numbers by changing the position
and/or the angle of the posting. These adjustments are made by on-
screen editing. For any given map the X and Y scales are independent;
the area is specified using the coordinates of corner points in the
coordinate system chosen for locating data points (latitude,longitude
or X,Y).

GSPOST Version 8.0 is a modification of GSPOST Version 3.0,
adding the ability to register a plot to a specific position on a
sheet in a plotter, allowing annotation of one line of the plot
control file to assist in keeping track of the purpose of a plot
control file, and the ability to print that line as a title,
supporting the use of a mouse as a pointing device, and providing full
compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0.

SECTION 3 - CONTENTS OF RELEASE DISK

The release diskette contains a self-extracting archive SYS8.EXE and
this README file.

SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE

1. Create a directory called GS on your hard disk (DOS MKDIR
command).
2. CD \GS
3. Insert the release diskette in the appropriate drive, e.g. A:

Type A:SYS8 and depress the ENTER key

The files on the release diskette will be added to your hard
disk in extracted form ready for use. About 1.6 Mbytes will be
required.

4. Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT and add directory C:\GS to the
current search list.
5. Add a new line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT that reads as follows:
SET GSFILES=C:\GS

Many of the files on the release disk are used in the tutorial or are
provided as examples. After you are familiar with the programs, you
can remove all files except for the following:

Files with extension of EXE
Files with extension of FNT
Files with filename of CONFIG8

Normally you will operate the programs from a directory that is
created and used for a specific project or unit of work. By
organizing your hard disk as suggested above, your working directory
will contain only data files that can be removed (or archived to
floppy disk) upon completion of the project.

SECTION 5 - HARDWARE ISSUES UPON INSTALLATION

The files CONFIG8.SCR, CONFIG8.DIG, and CONFIG8.PLT must be
configured to match your hardware system. Details are provided in the
section "Hardware installation and configuration files" beginning on
p. 154 of the documentation.

Refer to the section starting on page 15 for installation of
hardware. Use the worksheet p. 156 to record the parameters of your
system. Pay special attention to the details on CONFIG8.SCR,
CONFIG8.DIG, and CONFIG8.PLT to match the physical setup of your
system. These modifications can be made using a standard word
processing program. Check p. 19 about the use of the menu template
for digitizers with less than 16 keys, and even for use with 16 key
digitizer keypads if different ASCII codes aren't sent by each key, or
if different numbers of characters are sent by different keys. See
also p. 167 for special requirements for Hercules graphics
(monochrome).

SECTION 6 - UPGRADING ISSUES

Important changes from GSMAP Version 7.0 are:

1. An environmental variable can be used to specify a directory
CONFIG8.PLT, CONFIG8.SYM, and CONFIG8.SCR), and font files (*.FNT)
and the addition of a statement of location e.g. SET GSFILES=C:GS to
the AUTOEXEC.BAT file allows these files to be kept in a separate
area from the executable program files and data files, and allows a
single copy to be maintained on disk for all of the level 8 programs
of the GS series.

2. An additional capability added to the plotter option makes indexing
to hard copy in the plotter both feasible and accurate. For example,
geologic information can be plotted directly on a topographic map
base.

3. Polygons can be outlined with a different line type than that used
for the fill. Codes 400-499 and codes 800-899 have been defined as
polygon codes to increase the total possible number of polygon codes
from 100 to 200.

4. Font 0 (0.FNT) has been expanded so that most of the extended
character set corresponds to the character set viewed on the screen,
with geologic extensions in place of little used characters.

5. Codes 100-199 used for data to be plotted from tables have
previously been restricted to one-point entries. In this version two
points can be digitized, the first controls the location of the
symbol, the second locates the posting position.

6. Application programs and utility programs published separately have
been combined with this release.

7. The utility program GSMUTIL supports added options that enable
listing of codes and number of entries in a data base.

8. GSMAP option 8 (PLOT) GSMEDIT, and GSPOST now contain error
checking for plot control files. The plot file is rapidly scrolled
across the screen, but stops when an error is detected, and requests
modification of the plot control file, greatly assisting the location
(and hence fixing) of errors.

9. GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST now support the use of a mouse as a
pointing device for moving around the graphics screens.

10. At many points in the programs, prompts indicate choices that have
default values (hit the ENTER key). Default choices are indicated in
Upper case letters; lower case letters designate the other valid
choices.

11. Because of the introduction of the mouse pointing device in several
of the programs (and the subsequent use of the right hand to hold the
device), a different system of choosing options has been introduced.
Previously you chose an option by typing a letter or number and then
depressed the ENTER key. The new procedure (identified on screen) is
to chose the option by typing the letter or number only. The programs
will react as soon as a "hot key" is typed. "Hot Keys" are displayed
in an alternate color and a message on the lower right of the screen
will indicate that the selection uses the "hot key" method. When the
word ENTER appears on the prompt, then the requested information should
be typed and then the ENTER key depressed to relay the information to
the program.

Before starting a new project using Version 8.0 or resuming a
Version 6/7 project using Version 8.0, prepare, or check and modify
the following files.

Projection parameter file. Use the extension .PRJ to take
advantage of on-screen file listings. Projection files have not been
changed from Version 6/7.

Text file(s), as needed. No change from Version 6/7.

Data file(s), as needed. No change from Version 6/7.

Plot control file(s) Changed from Version 7 only for codes 400-
499. As with Version 7, you will need at least one plot control file
to operate these programs. Use the extension .PLT so that it will be
listed at appropriate times. You must have a plot control file to
plot to the screen, on the plotter, or to a disk file, and to digitize
data to take advantage of the screen display capabilities new to
Version 7, continued to Version 8, and to use the new version of the
screen edit program GSMEDIT.

Look in the documentation for changes in requirements of plot
control files from Version 6. Check decorated lines codes 1-99, 600-
699, polygon fills codes 400-499, to specify the width and size of
characters codes 100-199, and for the new capabilities of these code
groups. Take out the line in the Version 6 plot files specifying
width and height of characters.

In versions of GSMAP prior to Version 7.0, unused (extra) codes
in a plot file required the system to rummage all the way through the
data base when plotting, find that no entries were present, then do it
all over again. Version 7 and 8 operate differently. Unused codes in
the plot file have almost no effect on the time of plotting. Entry 1
in the data base is plotted first, then succeeding entries in
sequence. The effects are mostly good, and for some plots, plotting
time is cut in half. Optimizing the data file itself is desirable.
The loading of fonts on a slow system or from floppy disks takes lots
of time. Don't digitize a few entries that use font #1, then a few
more that use other fonts. Optimizing a data base using the utility
program GSMUTIL takes thought but only a few minutes to order entries
to minimize font switching and pen swapping.

If moving from Version 6.0 level programs, print the first lines
of each of your Version 6 configuration files; change the first lines
of the Version 8 configuration files with the same name to match those
of the Version 6 file. You will notice that CONFIG8.SCR is the same;
the keypad version of CONFIG8.DIG needs one additional line to define
the F key; CONFIG8.PLT now contains a the first line setting
communication parameters, a second that sets parameters for the size
of label characters and circles for beginnings and ends of lines in
draft mode, and 18 lines establishing patterns and spacings for 18
line types, but not the symbol definitions. The file CONFIG8.SYM
contains symbol definitions formerly in CONFIG.PLT. After changing
the first lines of these files to match your system, copy the
executable files (extension .EXE into your Level 8 subdirectory.
Level 8 programs will work with either Cartesian or geodetic
coordinates, just decide which you want and be consistent.

Remember to include the entire file name for text and data files
with extension in its proper place in the plot file, and include the
drive designation if you are operating with the program in one area
and text or data files in another. Use of font #0 until the final
stages of preparation of hard copy will minimize the time spent
loading fonts. Yes, fonts are now loaded during digitizing so that
you can read the text on the screen. Digitizing and editing using
GSMAP and GSMEDIT may benefit from draftmode plot control files so
that you can use the circles that mark the first and last points of
lines on the screen.

Preparation or review of these files will require that you plan
codes, text, and data, and that you DO your homework on map
projections if using geodetic coordinates. If a code is left out of
the plot control file, entries with that code won't be plotted to the
screen or on the hard copy (Option 8), but will be shown on the screen
when digitizing Option 3 GSMAP, but as decorated or patterned,
symbols and text entries will show as points (no text, no symbols).
On EGA or VGA color screens these lines will be seen in bright yellow.

Mouse
A mouse can be used as a pointing device with the graphics
screens of GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST. Microsoft-compatible mouse
driver software must be installed (see instructions in mouse
documentation), and loaded, generally a function of instructions in
the CONFIG.SYS file before opening one of these programs in mouse-
mode. With these programs the Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used
to move about the graphics screen and locate points, not for choice of
option.

In general, select options using hot keys on the keyboard (no
ENTER keystroke required), use the mouse to move the cursor about the
screen instead of using the arrow keys on the keyboard (as used in the
keyboard mode of operation), and use the left key on the mouse to
select a location. If for example, you want to set a window to
enlarge a portion of the screen, hit B on the keyboard to select the
"set window option", use the mouse to move the cursor to the lower
left corner of the window to be selected, press the left key, then
move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the window, and
press the left key to establish the second corner of the window.

In the input mode, GSMEDIT, the "arrow key" digitizing procedure
requires the use of the 0, 1, 2, and 3 keys to specify function. With
the mouse, click the left key instead of the 0 key on the keyboard,
click the right key to return operation to the keyboard, then hit the
the 1, 2, or 3 key on the keyboard to specify the function of the
right-key stroke. This resembles the procedure required for operation
of GSMAP with a one-key digitizer, where a return to the menu template
is required to specify the function of the last key-stroke.
Digitizing a closed rectangular polygon in mouse-modewould require, L
click, L click, L click, R click, hit 2 key on the keyboard. In
mouse-mode, the keyboard instruction tells GSMEDIT the function of the
final right click from the mouse.

Plot Register

A word of caution about the PR plot register option introduced in
Version 8 of GSMAP and GSPOST so that a plotter can be used to make a
plot registered to corners drawn on the sheet, i.e., here's a way to
draw a geologic map on a paper copy of the topographic base. This
process uses a temporary HPGL file (created then deleted). Although
you won't ever see this file, space must be available on the working
drive so that the computer can create and use it. For this reason,
use a directory with plenty of space on your fastest drive. Some of
these HPGL files can be large, very much larger than the data base
files. One of ours for a complete and patterned 15' quadrangle is
over one Megabyte in size. This PR process isn't practical when using
floppy disks, except for small projects.

SECTION 7 - ADVICE FOR NEW USERS

Don't fight hardware and new software at the same time. If you
are setting up a new system, use the sample BASICA programs provided
in the documentation to help establish communication between your
computer, digitizer, and plotter. Read the section on installation
and configuration files starting p. 155 before blindly attempting to
run the Tutorial. You will need to customize the configuration files
named CONFIG8.SCR, CONFIG8.PLT, and CONFIG8.DIG to match your system's
hardware. If you do not install as per instructions in Section 2,
make sure that your PATH contains the directory where the executable
programs were loaded. If you chose not to use the environment
variable GSFILES, then the files named CONFIG8.*, *.FNT, and possibly
the executable files (extension .EXE) must be in the default
directory.

Read the section on map projections and projection files. If you
do, you won't expect the sample projection file MAP.PRJ designed for
maps using the UTM projection in Colorado to work correctly for your
rush project in the Empty Quarter.Start with the glossary, it has all
the good stuff. After the system is working, spend a couple of hours
doing the GSMAP tutorial project. You'll save time in the long run.

Make copies named CONFIG8.*. These will work. Read the
configuration instructions, and make use of the environmental variable
SET GSFILES= , see p. 155 of the documentation to simplify your hard
disk's configuration.

The GSMEDIT program is one of the best ways of plotting a data
base on the screen because you can see details of parts of the data by
using its windowing capabilities; a digitizer isn't required for
windowing. An early use of the F9 Q key sequence (terminating
the screen plot early) when drawing to the screen greatly speeds
operations. GSMEDIT requires a plot control file. In addition, you
can digitize entries using this program.

Interconnection of hardware

Please refer to the Installation section of the documentation for
such details as we can supply and a worksheet (p. 156) to assist
configuration of the system. Manuals supplied with the hardware
furnish additional explanations of switch settings, cable
specifications, and details about interconnection and configuration of
particular pieces of hardware.

Default Values

At many points in the programs described here , prompts indicate
choices that have default values (hit the ENTER key). Default choices
are indicated in Upper case letters; lower case letters designate the
other valid choices.

Mouse
A mouse can be used as a pointing device with the graphics
screens of GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST. Microsoft-compatible mouse
driver software must be installed (see instructions in mouse
documentation), and loaded, generally a function of instructions in
the CONFIG.SYS file before opening one of these programs in mouse-
mode. With these programs the Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used
to move about the graphics screen and locate points, not for choice of
option.

In general, select options using hot keys on the keyboard (no
ENTER keystroke required), use the mouse to move the cursor about the
screen instead of using the arrow keys on the keyboard (as used in the
keyboard mode of operation), and use the left key on the mouse to
select a location. If for example, you want to set a window to
enlarge a portion of the screen, hit B,on the keyboard to select the
"set window option", use the mouse to move the cursor to the lower
left corner of the window to be selected, press the left key, then
move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the window, and
press the left key to establish the second corner of the window.

In the input mode, GSMEDIT, the "arrow key" digitizing procedure
requires the use of the 0, 1, 2, and 3 keys to specify function. With
the mouse, click the left key instead of the 0 key on the keyboard,
click the right key to return operation to the keyboard, then hit the
the 1, 2, or 3 key on the keyboard to specify the function of the
right-key stroke. This resembles the procedure required for operation
of GSMAP with a one-key digitizer, where a return to the menu template
is required to specify the function of the last key-stroke.
Digitizing a closed rectangular polygon in mouse-modewould require, L
click, L click, L click, R click, hit 2 key on the keyboard. In
mouse-mode, the keyboard instruction tells GSMEDIT the function of the
final right click from the mouse.

Plot Register

A word of caution about the PR plot register option introduced in
Version 8 of GSMAP and GSPOST so that a plotter can be used to make a
plot registered to corners drawn on the sheet, i.e., here's a way to
draw a geologic map on a paper copy of the topographic base. This
process uses a temporary HPGL file (created then deleted). Although
you won't ever see this file, space must be available on the working
drive so that the computer can create and use it. For this reason,
use a directory with plenty of space on your fastest drive. Some of
these HPGL files can be large, very much larger than the data base
files. One of ours for a complete and patterned 15' quadrangle is
over one Megabyte in size. This PR process isn't practical when using
floppy disks, except for small projects.