InfoGlider v2.1c for MicroStation 95, SE & /J	            Taby, Nov 29, 1998

Platform:        Intel Windows (3.x, 95, NT)
                 DEC Alpha Windows NT 4.0
                 MS DOS

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InfoGlider, Public Domain Edition Copyright (C) 1997,1998 Team uStation AB 
Author: Chris Zakrewsky           Copyright (C) 1997,1998 CAD Perfect Dev. Lab
				  Torpangsvagen 9
				  S-187 63 Taby
				  S W E D E N
				  Int'l fax: +46 8 756 1353
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PURPOSE:
	InfoGlider is a transparent, background utility that gives you the
        whole new way to see the surrounding MicroStation context of your 
        actions.
	It works regardless of whether you work in 2D or 3D.
	
	The state information is gathered and displayed at cursor position, 
        in contrast to standard MicroStation GUI that scatters bits and pieces 
        of information all over the place (did we heard this before?).

	You should see your control over MicroStation increasing right away.

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NEW IN VERSION:
	1.9p  (initial release, see QA section)
		NEW:     Active Level display
		NEW:     'Active Level' shows color of active Level Symbology
		NEW:     'Bulk-Ops' are indicated by cursor icons
		NEW:     Snap Mode cursor icons
		NEW:     Constraint cursor icons
		NEW:     Distance tracking (on active Z, no points needed)
		NEW:     Distance tracking line dynamics
		NEW:     Echo distance in view title bar
	2.0g
		NEW:     Echo AccuDraw readout at cursor position
	2.1
                FIXED: 	 Ghosting after view update triggered by key-ins

	2.1c
	        FIXED:   Resolved compatibility issues with MicroStation/J.                 

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INSTALLATION:	
	Unzip and copy INFOGLID.MA to your \USTATION\MDLAPPS directory.

        If you have previously installed InfoSnap companion program, your 
        installation is now complete.

        If you intend to run InfoGlider as a stand-alone utility, follow the 
	steps below:

	Start MicroStation and go to:
		Workspace->Configuration->Design_Applications 

	Locate INFOGLID in the "Available Applications" list and add it to 
	"Applications To Load" list.

	Exit the Workspace Configuration with the Save when prompted.
	That's it.

        Next time you start MicroStation, your cursor will surprize you. 
	Voila! 

NETWORK INSTALLATION:	
	Define MicroStation environment variable INFOGLIDER_SETTINGS pointing
	to the directory where the local settings should be stored on local
	machine(s). Give the path only, do not specify the file name.
	Settings file (INFOGLID.DAT) will be created whenever you push
	"Save"-button in main InfoSnap Settings dialog box.

	Example:  
		Workspace->Configuration->New...
		Variable: INFOGLIDER_SETTINGS 
		New Value: $(MS_SETTINGSDIR)
	
FINE-TUNING:
	The Setup Dialog box can be recalled with key-in: INFOGLIDER SETTINGS.
	Press "Settings"-button to open main Settings dialog box.
	Once there, create your favorite selection of what you want to be 
	displayed (and how) when snapping with Tentative Points. Make your 
	choice permanent by pressing the "Save"-button.

	Note, that unless you save settings at least once, InfoSnap will 
	warn you and use the default values.

	The keyboard-way to change settings is through command key-ins:

	Key-in				    Purpose
	--------------------------------    --------------------------------

   Dynamic cursor stuff:
	INFOGLIDER SNAPMODE     [ON|OFF]    Track current snap mode
	INFOGLIDER BULKWARNING  [ON|OFF]    Warn for any of bulk operations
	INFOGLIDER ACTIVELEVEL  [ON|OFF]    Show Active Level
	INFOGLIDER DISTANCE     [ON|OFF]    Show Distance with Activator Key 
	INFOGLIDER ACCUDRAW     [ON|OFF]    Show AccuDraw readout at cursor  

   Dynamic cursor optional stuff:
	INFOGLIDER SHOWLEVSYMB  [ON|OFF]    Indicate Active Level Symbology
	INFOGLIDER WARNGG       [ON|OFF]    Issue warning for Graphic Group Lock
	INFOGLIDER WARNFENCE    [ON|OFF]    Issue warning for Active Fence
	INFOGLIDER WARNSELSET   [ON|OFF]    Issue warning for Active Selection Set
	INFOGLIDER DISTDYNAMICS [ON|OFF]    Show distance dynamics as line
	INFOGLIDER DISTECHO     [ON|OFF]    Echo distance in view title bar
	INFOGLIDER DISTKEY      [SHIFT|CTRL|ALT|CS|CA|AS] 
 	                                            Activator key for Distance

   Settings stuff:
	INFOGLIDER SAVE		            Save Settings
	INFOGLIDER RECALL		    Recall Settings (if saved)
	INFOGLIDER PERSISTENCE  (seconds)   Time to automatic feedback shut-off 
	INFOGLIDER MUTE         [ON|OFF]    Inhibit InfoGlider output
	INFOGLIDER POPUP        [ON|OFF]    Auto-open dialog on file exchange

	Note: all [ON|OFF] type key-ins work as toggles when issued without 
	      ON or OFF modifier.


ADVANCED FINE-TUNING:
        Some graphic drivers report incorrect origin of the screen to InfoSnap 
        in dual-screen Windows setup, causing the pop-up banner being shifted 
        abnormally (ideally, it should open at very close proximity of cursor).
        
        Now you can compensate for this error (the same way as in InfoSnap):

        There are two (optional) environment variables controlling the screen 
        offset where the balloon-text banner shows up relative to current 
        cursor position. Values are given in pixels (default is 0).

	INFOGLIDER_SHIFTH  controls the horisontal shift
	INFOGLIDER_SHIFTV  controls the vertical shift

	Example: 
		We need to move the banner 50 pixels to the left:

		Workspace->Configuration->New...
		Variable:  INFOGLIDER_SHIFTH 
		New Value: -50

	Close current design file (i.e. restart InfoGlider).


KNOWN PROBLEMS:
	1.
	Some MDL programs who are remapping MicroStation's cursor position
	will affect Distance option.
	There is no solution to that at the current time.
	
	2. 
	ALT distance key moves the focus to menu bar. Press ALT again.

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YES-Dept.:
	Yes, it really is the FREE stuff
	Yes, InfoGlider is available for DOS and Alpha NT as well
	Yes, we love to hear your feedback (comp.cad.microstation)
	Yes, it is a taste of MDL-stuff we can create for you (commercially!) 
	Yes, there is more to it -- look at InfoSnap companion program!

NO-Dept.:
	No, you don't need to be on SELECT/CSP to get this stuff
	No, MDL source files are not part of this offering. Sorry...
	No, we will not support Mac and UNIX
	No, we will not support MicroStation v5 (or earlier) either

FINAL WORD:	
	I am very interested in constructive feedback from you!

	Preferably on USENET (comp.cad.microstation) as I don't have time 
	to do custom jobs for free, however if it will be apparent that the 
	proposed change (or addition) gain the whole MicroStation community
	(i.e. those who use InfoGlider), I will make it at no charge whatsoever.
            		
	/Chris Zakrewsky  

	chris@cadperf.se
	http://www.ustation.se

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QUESTIONS? I BET:

	Q: Dynamic icons shows up far away from cursor!
	A: See ADVANCED FINE-TUNING section above.

	Q: Where are the settings stored?
	A: Stand-alone installation: The settings are stored in the application 
	   itself. It gives a one file less to worry about. 
	   Network installation: The settings are stored in the INFOGLID.DAT
	   in directory defined by INFOGLIDER_SETTINGS environment variable.

	Q: How to define colors for dynamic cursor info?
	A: Use standard MicroStation Color Settings:
		   Settings > DesignFile > HighlightColor
		   Settings > DesignFile > CursorColor

	Q: How to define an anchor point for Distance tracking?
	A: Start point for distance is defined by pressing the activator key
	   and holding it depressed while you are moving the cursor.
	   When you release the activator key, distance is set to zero.
	   Distance measurement is taken on active Z plane (in 3D).
	   Note, that this is not a precision tool. Its accuracy is linearly
	   proportional to view zoom factor. For accurate measuring use 
	   MicroStation 'Measure'-palette in concert with InfoSnap Message 
	   Snatcher.

	Q: I can see intermitently a '+' prefixes at different places. Why?
	A: The '+' character indicates that immediately following information
	   is being temporarily overriden by another setting.

	Q: Is InfoGlider compatible with: ..........  < fill the blanks ;-) >
	A: InfoGlider was tested with MicroStation Foundation products ONLY.
	   It has been found to cooperate nicely with a number of third-party 
	   applications as well.

	   However, as a freeware it is (non-profit, public domain program), 
	   there are no plans whatsoever to modify InfoSnap in order to fit
	   into any _commercial_ application environment. 
	   
	   Only other _freeware_ products can be reviewed for compatibility 
	   issues on the 'free-of-charge' basis.
	   
	   This is a matter of our policy: to encourage development of 
	   non-profit MDL-tools available for general public use (it's you!). 

	   (If you need _custom_ adjustments anyway - you'll need to pay some 
	   fee for the effort)

	Q: Which version of InfoGlider match my version of InfoSnap?
        A: The same base version. I.e. version numbers must be the same for
           both programs.

	Q: Where is the latest version of InfoGlider available?
	A: At its home:  http://www.ustation.se

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LEGAL STUFF:
	MicroStation is a copyrighted trademark of Bentley Systems Inc.
	Other trademarks are acknowledged as property of their respective 
	owners.

DISCLAIMER:
        InfoGlider is delivered as-is without any warranties whatsoever.
        You can use it only and solely at your own risk.
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end.
