(This manual is not in a suitable format to be printed using TypeSet.
Example
files are provided as part of this package).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------TYPESET
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(probably the highest quality fonts available for the PCW's dotmatrix)
A collection of programs and typestyles written/designed by Keith M.
Simons.
Copyright 1990. May be copied freely for non-profit making purposes. No
copying permitted with a view of profit without prior permission. For
use with
the Amstrad PCW8256 and PCW8512. Modification is permitted if this
copyright
notice is included. The user must take responsibility for all
consequences of
the use or misuse of this program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(please start here)
TypeSet is series of programs and fonts designed simply to improve the
quality
of printouts on your PCW. It does this by passing the printhead over
each
letter three times (instead of the usual two). Then... there is the
added bonus
of the choice of fonts (i.e. typestyles). Four full-sized fonts are
provided,
namely Bold, Gothic, Normal and Roman, with two capitals-only fonts,
named Caps
and Mystery. All fonts are proportionally spaced (that is, a wide letter
like
'W' will be printed wider than a narrow letter like 'l'. It is not
(yet!)
possible to mix fonts in the same printout.
TypeSet always prints text with full justification (that is, both the
right and
the left hand columns are perfectly straight). The result is that all
printouts
using Typeset have a clear and even texture. The end result is a quality
of
print that the uninitiated may think to have almost been typeset. (As
you will
know, your printout has only been 'TypeSet'!)
TypeSet comes with an supporting program, FontEdit. As the name implies,
this
enables you to edit any of the fonts supplied, or even to produce your
own
speciallist fonts.
This user guide expains fully the use of both TypeSet and FontEdit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------TYPESET - PREPARATION OF FILES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(instructions from Locoscript)
TypeSet will not correctly print out "any" file - only files prepared in
a
special way. This requires you to use Locoscript "Simple Text Files".
When you
have typed your file into the computer, from Locoscript's Disc Management
screen, move over the filename. (As an aside: please remember when
typing your
file that all Locoscript's printing codes (e.g. bold, italics, pitch etc)
have
no effect in TypeSet. TypeSet also ignores all characters with ASCII
codes
greater than 127. This affects mainly accented characters and unusual
symbols,
which you should avoid. Importantly, however, the pound sign is
disregarded.
To print a pound sign, just type in a hash symbol in its place - the hash
is the
symbol that looks like a noughts-and-crosses board and is shown on the
keyboard
- #. End of aside!) Press f7 in Locoscript 1 (f1 if you use Locoscript
2) and
select "Make ASCII file". Then follow the prompts on the third line of
the
screen. Then use the "Copy file" function (f3 in Locoscript 1, see your
manual
if you use Locoscript 2) to copy this new ASCII file into Group 0 of your
TypeSet disc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------TYPESET - INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(a guide to your options)
TypeSet is a Mallard BASIC program.
computer by
To use it, you must start the
inserting your CP/M disc. You will see lines roll down the screen just
as when
you start Locoscript. These will be replaced by a copyright notice and a
prompt: "A>". At this prompt type the word:
basic
then press [RETURN]. Another copyright notice will appear on screen.
Then
insert your TypeSet disc and type:
run "typeset"
and press [RETURN].
The program will greet you with the words:
Typeset... by K.M. Simons c1990.
program!
- the eccentric dot-matrix upgrading
(Yes, TypeSet is quite an eccentric program. You'll see why, later!)
TypeSet
then invites you to choose the file from the disc which you want to
print.
Simply use the cursor (i.e. arrow) keys on the keyboard to move the '*'
symbols
around the file you want it to print. Then press [ENTER].
TypeSet then requires some more information as it decides how best to
print your
file. You must press [RETURN] after typing in the figure requested after
each
question. If TypeSet finds your answer unacceptable, it will ask you it
again.
If you dont't want to proceed, you can just press [STOP]. This returns
you to
Basic and you can type RUN [RETURN] to get the program started again.
These are the questions:
Printer width? (Maximum 850, Minimum 250). TypeSet expects you to use A4
paper.
This is the measurement along each line of print (i.e. from left margin
to right
margin). The measure used is 120ths of an inch. Thus if you typed in
360, the
resulting printout would be almost exactly 3 inches from margin to
margin.
Line spacing? (Suggested Minimum is 24). This is the measurement from
the base
of the first line of print to the base of the next. It is measured in
216ths of
an inch, but for the exact measurement you have to add 2 to the figure
you typed
in. Thus if you typed in 30, each line of the printout would be
32/216ths of an
inch below the previous one. If you type in 24, you will find that the
lines
are quite close together, and so I suggest that you try a larger figure
than
this unless you are short on space. The maximum figure you are permitted
is
250, the minimum is 1 (but if you do type in 1, you will not get a pretty
printout. You will get a complete mess! I have only allowed the small
figures
in case someone wants to design a very small typestyle.)
Lines per page? (Maximum is ???). Obviously, this is the number of lines
of
text that are to be printed on each page. The maximum you are permitted
is
shown in place of the '???', and if you choose this maximum you will find
the
printout to be about 10 inches long on each page. You may prefer to ask
for a
few less lines than this - I can't guarantee that the program will always
calculate it correctly. (Programmers may want to know that the
calculation is:
INT(10*216/(2+llss)) .) The minimum entry you are permitted is 2.
To print XXXXXXXX.XXX, use cursor keys to select the font, then press
[ENTER].
The program will substitute the XXX's for the file that you selected.
You then
select the typestyle (or font) you desire in the same way as you selected
the
file to be printed.
The program then reads in the font. Put your paper in at this stage if
you
haven't already done so. (You need to press [EXIT] whenever the first
word of
the bottom line of the screen reads "Printer" and the paper is in the
printer,
ready to be printed on. For further instructions on how to use the
printer,
please see the manual).
The text will print fairly close to the left
hand side
of the paper.
As the text prints, the program shows itself at its most eccentric.
Please
ignore the miscellaneous numbers that flow down the screen, with comments
like
<RET> and passages of text. They are just there to convince you that the
computer is doing something. (Well - actually... they are various ways
and
means I used to try to eliminate various errors in the program. Just
ignore
them.) You should not take the disc out until the program has finished.
When
it finishes, it will type "Finished... do you want to start again?" If
you do,
just press 'Y' (don't press [RETURN] this time) - if not, press any other
key.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------THE CHOICE OF FONTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(traditional, readable or bizzare - all included and more!)
These are the available typestyles or fonts. Each is stored in a file
with a
corresponding filename and a filetype of ".FT". As explained above, all
are
proportional spaced and always print out with full justification:
Bold. A slab serif typeface, with a very distinctive (but rather oldfashioned)
appearance. The letters are quite small, but easily read and very dark.
They
stand out well. Also called "black-faced type".
Caps. A large and unusual capitals only typestyle. Unlike anything
else.
Small letters will print out as one of the other typestyles (Roman, I
seem to
remember) - but I don't recommend it. Caps just doesn't mix. Use it
only for
'Specials' feature headings in newsletters... it's out of place anywhere
else!
Gothic. Sometimes called Old English. An attractive, traditional font
with
elaborate letters (especially the capitals). Used much by calligraphers.
Not
the easiest style to read, however. Noted for its even texture.
Mystery. A capitals typeface. Lower case will print out - as Normal, I
think.
Mystery is the only font ever produced by a bug (i.e. error) in a
computer
program. I was trying to make the Roman typestyle. At that time, an
error in
the then FontEdit program produced this. (Quite an artistic error! I'm
not
that artistic). Mystery offers a very even consistency to its letters,
which
'flows' and looks very distinctive indeed (and interesting). Try it.
You may
not like it, but you have to admit that the production technique was
unique.
Normal. Essentially a Sans Serif typeface, which makes it easy to read.
Its
quality is such that (using a good ribbon in your printer) it can at
times be
mistaken for a daisywheel printout.
Roman. A serif typestyle. This means that it can be read at speed - the
serifs
help the eye to go along the lines. It is attractive and has a dark
appearance
(but not so dark as Bold).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------FONTEDIT - MAKING YOUR OWN FONTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(how about releasing new fonts as P.D./Shareware - just a thought!)
To use FontEdit from BASIC you type:
RUN "FONTEDIT"
and press [RETURN].
FontEdit will greet you with the words:
Font editing program for TYPESET.BAS.
c 1990, by Keith M. Simons.
You will be shown the font files on the disc (each file is stored under
its
name, with the filetype being .ft. Then you are asked:
Please type in the font filename to edit:
At which you should type the full filename, e.g. ROMAN.FT and then press
[RETURN]. If you make a mistake typing it in you should use cursor and
delete
keys to correct it, or else you may be asked the question again. You
will be
asked the question again in any case if the file you wanted does not
exist. If
you make up an impossible filename you will get an "Error" message and
then the
work "Ok". Type RUN then press [RETURN] and start again.
You are next asked:
Please amend to the new font filename:
If you don't want to make a new file (typically because you only want to
alter
one character), just press [RETURN]. Otherwise, use cursor, delete and
other
keys to alter the name given to the one you want - the original file will
be
preserved and a new file made. You may get this message again if the new
filename is unacceptable, or you may get an "Error" message and then the
word
"Ok", and see above.
FontEdit, you will have noticed, assumes a little more understanding of
the
computer from you than FontEdit did. You should never use FontEdit with
a disc
which is write-protected by closing the tabs on it (see your manual for
details
of how to remove this protection).
If you want to give up (maybe the
end
result looked worse than the start) you can press [STOP] at any time
except when
the screen shows the words "Saving file...". Should you press [STOP] by
mistake, type the word CONT then press [RETURN]. The display may be
messed up,
but you can continue in this way.
After the statement "Loading file..." is displayed, you will get the
question:
Please type in character to edit, or [EXIT] to finish.
You can type in any normal character (i.e. with an ASCII code of 32 to
128) but
certain special characters will display wrongly. Then you enter the
editing
mode, about which see below. If you chose an unsuitable character, you
will
usually get the message "Character invalid." Just press in another
character.
You do NOT press [RETURN] after typing in this character.
When you press [EXIT], the computer will reply "Finish using? Are you
sure
(press Y or N)?" You press [Y] if you want to, [N] or anything else if
you
didn't and you want to select another character to edit. If you pressed
[Y],
the Computer will reply "Saving file...". Don't press [STOP] while it
does
this. When it finishes, it will show the word "Ok". You may type in
SYSTEM
[RETURN] to finish using, RUN [RETURN] to edit a font again, or RUN
"TYPESET"
[RETURN] to use the TypeSet program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------FONTEDIT - THE EDITING MODE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(or how I made the fonts on your disc)
When you select your character as indicated above, the screen will clear.
In
the top right-hand corner of the screen some comments to help you will
appear,
as follows:
Press [ENTER] when finished.
Use cursor keys to move up or down
Use the [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]
[8],[9],[0],[-], and [=] keys to
set or unset particular pixels.
Press [PASTE] to type a note on screen.
(then [ENTER] to finish typing the note).
Underneath this is some specific information relating to the work you are
doing:
Current character: *
Old file: ROMAN.FT
New file: SPECIMEN.FT
The Current Character will display the normal form of the character you
are
printing. Old File is the original name of the file you were working
with, New
File is the name of the result of your endeavours.
In the top left will appear the actual character you are working with.
It will
show lit areas where the computer will print on the paper, unlit where
the
computer will not print. The proportions of the display will vary
slightly from
the final printout.
Underneath the character will appear:
.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.0.-.=
Current character width = 9
The first line of these is a ruler which is explained shortly, the second
line
shows the width of the character as a number, which may be anything from
0 to 12
(but if you try anything more than 12 you will get problems using
TypeSet.
Don't!)
You will also see on both sides of one line of the character an '*'
symbol. You
may move this up or down using the up and down arrow (cursor keys). From
now
on, I will describe the line which these are on as the "Current Line" and
each
area which is lit or unlit as a "Pixel". Each lit pixel is a dot which
your
printer will print out.
FontEdit is designed to be quick to use, perhaps at the expense of ease
of use!
This is probably because I have little patience with slow programs.
To light up a pixel, you move the current line down to the position of
the pixel
and then press one of the keys along the top line of your keyboard. So,
[1]
will light up the first column pixel on the current line, and you are
best
advised not to use this unless you want your letters joined up. [2] will
light
up the next pixel across, then [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [0],
and then
[-] and [=] deal with the last two of the twelve available columns.
If you want to unlight a pixel, you do the identical thing.
lit
will be unlit by this method, any unlit pixel will be lit.
So any pixel
Remember that if you have the capital lock on, you will get no effect at
all.
The same will happen if you simply press the wrong key.
During editing, you may desire to remember where a certain line is usually to
ensure that the characters are even, e.g. to show where the base of the
small
letters are. To do this, press [PASTE]. The cursor will appear just
next to
and to the right of the '*' symbol on the right of the current line.
Type in
any short comment you want, then press [ENTER]. This comment will
continue to
be on this line, displayed automatically each time until you select to
finish
using.
When you've made your character just as you like it, press [ENTER].
There will
be a short pause while the computer works out how to store the character,
and
then you will be asked:
Character width?
The computer requires you to type in a number, not more than 12 or less
than 0,
then press [RETURN]. This is the width of the finished character and
corresponds to the numbers you typed in to light up the pixels, except
that for
[-] you must type 11 and [=] you must type 12. If you simply press
[RETURN],
your amended character will be stored, but not printed out when you use
TypeSet.
If you try typing in a fraction or a number less than 0, you may lose the
work
you have been doing. If you type a number greater than 12, TypeSet will
probably fail when it encounters the character. So please... 0 to 12
only!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------TYPESET AND FONTEDIT - ADVANTAGES OVER THE COMPETITION.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Enjoy yourself!)
Advantage 1: It's free. Good - eh? Locofont II will cost you some
fifteen
pounds for six fonts and you have to buy Locoscript II first.
Advantage 2: It's quick to edit your own fonts. The font editor on the
Desktop
Publisher (as most font editors) requires several more keypresses to
light or
unlight each pixel, and a lot more use of the cursor).
Advantage 3: It's ultra-high quality. I understand Locofont uses a 16
pin font
- Typeset uses a 24 pin font. The matrix for each Desktop Publisher
character
is 16 by 16 for a double sized character. Typeset uses 24 by 12 for a
normal
sized character.
Advantage 4: Proportional Spacing and Micro-justification. Locofont and
Supertype offer these features as well. Desktop Publisher and virtually
everything else don't.
Advantage 5: Programs are fairly small.
requires immense programs.
Any Desktop Publishing package
Advantage 6: You can print ASCII files in fancy fonts.
the
Desktop Publisher.
You can't with
------------------------------------------------------------------------------DISADVANTAGES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(As I'm giving the program away, I can list these. If you had
paid...!)
1. Only usual characters can be printed.
LocoScript
to get a pound sign in TypeSet.
2.
You have to type a hash in
You can't change the font in the middle of a printout.
3. It would be nice to be able to have centering, right justification,
underline and tabulators. You can't do any of these. (Expert
programmmers
please note: I'd also like big print! If you want to release a modified
version/total rewrite into the Public Domain, it's O.K. with me if you
make full
acknowledgements and preferably give me sight of it without charge!)
4. Unlike LocoFont and SuperType, it won't work from LocoScript. Unlike
SuperType, it won't work from CP/M. Unlike the Desktop Publisher etc.
you can't
have pictures as well.
5. Because of the format of the fonts, they aren't quite as versitile as
those
of its 'competitor' in the Public Domain, MML Systems Printit. I've used
their
fonts for all sorts of purposes - but not actually to print out as they
were
provided (which was the way they were actually intended!)
6. If you want to produce a newsletter, you probably need a pair of
scissors
and some 'Magic' adhesive tape (far better than glue or sticks of
adhesive if
you're photocopying, I assure you).
7. It's still a little slow. I would like the program to wait for the
printer,
not the printer for the program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------SUGGESTIONS FOR USE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------(or, What does it do?)
I really only made TypeSet for the fun of writing it and designing the
fonts. I
haven't myself put it to any real use - that's up to you. This chapter
is thus
provided as suggestions from the writer - not from a user of the program.
I suggest that the best use is in newsletters or display leaflets. You
can
print them in more than one column, simply by printing the columns on
seperate
sheets then using "Invisible" adhesive tape to put them into their final
positions with photographs or diagrams if desired. Headings can be
produced
using LettraSet or a similar mechanical means, and you could photocopy to
get
the fininshed publication.
You may desire to mix typestyles in your document. If so, of course, you
must
use seperate "files" and cut and tape the result. You are recommended
not to
use more than two or three typestyles in any publication, as otherwise
there
will appear to be too much variety. It is better to keep it simple, and
use
contrasting styles. (Perhaps Gothic for headings, and Roman for the main
text,
with Normal for special "features"... but experiment for yourself).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------PRINTABLE CHARACTERS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following characters can be printed using TypeSet, assuming always
that the
character has been designed first:
!"#$%&'()*+,-./
0123456789:;<=>?
@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO
PQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_
`abcdefghijklmno
pqrstuvwxyz{|}~•
The hash character, '#' will print out in all supplied fonts as a pound
symbol.
Of course, you can define any unrequired symbol to print out however you
like.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ANY QUESTIONS?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're welcome to contact me by letter on any point relevant to any part
of the
Collection, including these programs. I can't promise to reply to every
letter
(nor can I hope to know the answer to every question - I only wrote the
programs) - but please enclose an S.A.E. if you want me to reply.
I hope you enjoy the programs and find them useful.
Keith M. Simons,
10, Orrishmere Road,
Cheadle Hulme,
Cheadle, Cheshire, U.K..
SK8 5HP
All trademarks are acknowledged. This package of programs is a part of
the
"Keith Simons Collection, Version Two".