InfoSnap/J v2.1d for MicroStation/J	      		    Alta, Oct 05, 1999

Platform:      Intel Windows (98, NT)

==============================================================================
InfoSnap, Public Domain Edition   Copyright (C) 1997,1999 Team uStation AB 
Author: Chris Zakrewsky           Copyright (C) 1997,1999 CAD Perfect Dev. Lab
				  
				  Alta Strandvag 37B
				  S-138 33 ALTA
				  S W E D E N
				  
				  Int'l fax: +46 8 773 3004

				  E-mail: chris@cadperf.se

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PURPOSE:
	InfoSnap is a transparent, background utility that gives you the whole 
	new way to see all the information about the element where your 
	Tentative-Point go to.

	It works regardless of whether you work in 2D or 3D.
	
	The DGN element 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.

	And with InfoSnatch you can use this information in your next action. 
	You can make a new element same length, direction, level or color. 
	Or if the element resides in a reference file, you can make that file 
	the active one for edit.  
	All with only two key-strokes: down-arrow + ins.

	You should see your productivity raising right away.

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NEW IN VERSION:
	1.1
		NEW:     File Position
		NEW:     Graphic Group
		NEW:     Measure Units (MU, WU, User Units)
		FIXED:   Cell levels handling improved (level range)
	1.2
		NEW:     Network installation
	1.3
		NEW:     Self-referenced-file indicator
		NEW:     Style Number or Name
		NEW:     Level Name
		NEW:     Snap Mode    
		NEW:     Mute toggle
		NEW:     Key-in interface
	1.4
		NEW:	 Compact-size secondary settings box
	        FIXED:   New layout of the main Settings dialog box
	        NEW:     A delay before banner display (parameter in seconds)
		NEW:     Additional info for Text and Text Nodes (metrics)
		NEW:	 Echo to Error Field in Command box
		NEW:	 Nested Cell names
	        CHANGED: 'SaveSettings' key-in is redefined.
		NEW:     To save settings:    INFOSNAP SAVE
		NEW:     To recall settings:  INFOSNAP RECALL
	        CHANGED: 'Type' key-in is redefined.
		NEW:     To see element type name:   INFOSNAP NAME [on|off]
		NEW:     To see element type number: INFOSNAP TYPE [on|off]
	1.5
		NEW:	 Accuracy (readout) setting for all numeric output
		NEW:	 X, Y, Z coordinates reporting (in current units)
		NEW:	 User defined balloon-banner offset from cursor
	        FIXED:   Problem with network installation on Read-Only volume
	        CHANGED: Auto-open for small Settings box (main box is quiet)
	1.6
		NEW:	 Indicate bulk-operations: Fence, Sel. Set, GG-Lock ON
	        FIXED:   Coordinates relative to moved Global Origin (GO=)
		CHANGED: Symbology: true or WYSIWYG (view with Level Symbology)
	1.7
		NEW:	 Selectable color schemas for the banner popup
		NEW:	 Selectable font type for the banner popup
		NEW:	 Banner popup can be displayed as a vertical table!
		NEW:	 Element tags can be displayed within popup  
		NEW:	 Display of Z-coordinate range (high & low)
		NEW:	 Element lock status
		NEW:	 Active Level indicator
		NEW:	 For old legacy files (offically unsupported feature!):
		         LINEWIDTH display (in 2D): turn 'Z coordinate' = ON,
		         'Z range' = OFF  
		CHANGED: 'echo' can be directed to MicroStation title bar now
		CHANGED: 'Mute' will not disable echoing ('echo'-option). 
		         It will affect the popup window only.  
		CHANGED: Tens of small tune-ups for enhanced readability
	1.8
		NEW:	 Text Justification reporting
		NEW:	 Option for text contents reporting for Text Elements
		NEW:	 Option for full file-path reporting
		NEW:	 Option for reporting complex element components 
		NEW:	 Option for Compact pop-up layout
	        FIXED:   Stability issues on DOS platform
	        FIXED:   Contrast issue in 'Background' color scheme   
	        FIXED:   Display interference with AccuDraw   
	        FIXED:   Performance interference with fence operations   
	        FIXED:   Difficulty with accepting Tentative-point over pop-up
		CHANGED: 'Snap Modes' are shown as cursor icon
		CHANGED: 'Active Level' is shown as cursor icon text
		CHANGED: 'Bulk-Ops' are indicated as rectangle around cursor
	1.9p
		NEW:	 NEW MicroStation Message-Snatcher (Measurement, etc.)
		NEW:	 Arc, Circle and Ellipse metrics
		NEW:	 Working Units & Coordinate Readout in uStn title bar
		NEW:	 User defined pop-up message (INFOSNAP SNATCHUSER message)
		NEW:	 Popup message in macro (INFOSNAP SNATCHOUTPUT uStn_field)
		CHANGED: 'Echo' has immediate effect now, regardless of 'Delay'
		CHANGED: Immediate Reset/Accept after snap will inhibit the 
                         pop-up when 'Delay' is larger than zero
		CHANGED: Coordinate and angle readout is improved

		REMOVED: 'Active Level','Bulk-Ops', 'Snap Mode' are no longer 
		          part of this utility.
			  For more information, see InfoGlider documentation.
	2.0g 
		NEW:	 Reusable-settings Snatcher (symbology and metrics).
		NEW:	 Precedence setting for Message-Snatcher and Element Info
		         balloons. 
		NEW:	 Option of triggering Message Snatcher by each data point.
		NEW:	 Line Spacing added to Text-Node readout metrics.
	        FIXED:   Wrong Area readout in 'uStn readout'-mode.
	        FIXED:   Consecutive snaps at the same location wouldn't trigger
			 balloon. This uStn deficiency is now worked around.
	2.1b 
		NEW:	 Command for reversing file change by Settings Snatcher.
	        FIXED:   Setting Snatcher caused exception when reference file
	        	 had name beginning with a digit.
	        FIXED:   AccuDraw Shortcuts were disabled when balloon was open.
			 The same affected AccuDraw keyboard focus.
	        FIXED:   Intermitent problem with pop-up balloon appearing on
	                 wrong screen (in some dual-head Windows NT configurations).
	        FIXED:   Intermitent aborts when Main Settings dialog box was closing.
	2.1c
	        FIXED:   Resolved compatibility issues with MicroStation/J.                 
	2.1d
	        FIXED:   Resolved compatibility issues with TriForma.                 

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INSTALLATION:	
	Unzip and copy INFOSNAP.MA to your \USTATION\MDLAPPS directory.
	Start MicroStation and go to:
		Workspace->Configuration->Design_Applications 

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

	Exit the Workspace Configuration with the Save when prompted.
	Open any DGN file and InfoSnap will pop up.
	That's it.

	Now, snap (Tentative Point) to anything. Voila! 

NETWORK INSTALLATION:	
	Define MicroStation environment variable INFOSNAP_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 (INFOSNAP.DAT) will be created whenever you push
	"Save"-button in main InfoSnap Settings dialog box.

	Example:  
		Workspace->Configuration->New...
		Variable: INFOSNAP_SETTINGS 
		New Value: $(MS_SETTINGSDIR)
	
FINE-TUNING:
	The Setup Dialog box can be recalled with key-in: INFOSNAP 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
	-----------------------------------   --------------------------------

   Static Snap stuff:
	INFOSNAP SHOW FILENUMBER  [ON|OFF]    Reference File attachment
	INFOSNAP SHOW FILENAME    [ON|OFF]    Design file name and extension
	INFOSNAP SHOW FULLPATH    [ON|OFF]    Prefix file name with full path
	INFOSNAP SHOW FILELOGICAL [ON|OFF]    Reference file logical name

	INFOSNAP SHOW FILEPOS     [ON|OFF]    Element file position
	INFOSNAP SHOW TYPE	  [ON|OFF]    Element type number
	INFOSNAP SHOW NAME	  [ON|OFF]    Element type name

	INFOSNAP SHOW LEVELNUMBER [ON|OFF]    Level or level range (cells)
	INFOSNAP SHOW LEVELNAME   [ON|OFF]    Level name 
	INFOSNAP SHOW COLOR	  [ON|OFF]    Element color
	INFOSNAP SHOW WEIGHT      [ON|OFF]    Element weight
	INFOSNAP SHOW FONTNUMBER  [ON|OFF]    Font number and text metrics
	INFOSNAP SHOW TEXTSTRING  [ON|OFF]    Follow up font metrics with text
	INFOSNAP SHOW STYLE	  [ON|OFF]    Line style number (or name)
	INFOSNAP SHOW GGROUP      [ON|OFF]    Graphic Group

	INFOSNAP SHOW CELLNAME    [ON|OFF]    Show cell name
	INFOSNAP SHOW CELLNEST    [ON|OFF]    List nested cells too (max 5)

	INFOSNAP SHOW ANGLE	  [ON|OFF]    Angle projected on three planes
	INFOSNAP SHOW LENGTH      [ON|OFF]    Total length of circumference
	INFOSNAP SHOW AREA	  [ON|OFF]    Closed element area

	INFOSNAP SHOW X		  [ON|OFF]    Display x-coordinate
	INFOSNAP SHOW Y		  [ON|OFF]    Display y-coordinate
	INFOSNAP SHOW Z		  [ON|OFF]    Display z-coordinate

	INFOSNAP SHOW TAGS	  [ON|OFF]    Tag sets, names and values

   Settings Snatcher stuff:
	INFOSNAP POPFILE  	              Undo last file exchange triggered
                                              by INSERT-selection of reference file 

   Message Snatcher stuff:
	INFOSNAP SNATCHUSER	  [your_message_goes_here] 
					Display user message. For use in macro.
	INFOSNAP SNATCHOUTPUT     [MESSAGE|STATUS|COMMAND|PROMPT|ERROR] 
				  	Echo this field now. For use in macro.
	INFOSNAP SNATCHFIELD	  [MESSAGE|STATUS|PROMPT|ERROR|NONE] 
					Target field to be snatched (echoed). 
   General Settings stuff:
	INFOSNAP SNATCHKEY	  [SHIFT|CTRL|ALT|CS|CA|AS] Triggering key 
	INFOSNAP SNATCHKEY	  [DP|RE]     Triggering action	(DataPt or Reset)

	INFOSNAP DISPLAYUNITS     [ON|OFF]    Units & Readout in uStn title bar
	INFOSNAP SETUNITS         [U|W|M|S]   Readout for XYZ, Length & Area
	INFOSNAP DIVISOR          [value]     User Unit definition
	INFOSNAP DELAY            [seconds]   Wait period before banner 
	INFOSNAP MUTE             [ON|OFF]    Inhibit InfoSnap
	INFOSNAP POPUP            [ON|OFF]    Auto-open dialog on file exchange
	INFOSNAP TRUESYMB         [ON|OFF]    Always ignore Level Symbology  
	INFOSNAP EXACT            [ON|OFF]    Show component of complex element
	INFOSNAP ACCURACY         [0|1|2|3|4|5|6]  Accuracy of readout

	INFOSNAP FONT             [DIALOG|BOLD|FIXED|FIXEDBOLD] Font type 
	INFOSNAP FORMAT           [TABLE|BANNER|COMPACT|MICRO]  Pop-up window type
	INFOSNAP ECHO             [NONE|TOP|BOTTOM] Echo banner to other field

	INFOSNAP SAVE			      Save Settings
	INFOSNAP RECALL			      Recall Settings (if saved)

	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:

        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).

	INFOSNAP_SHIFTH  controls the horisontal shift
	INFOSNAP_SHIFTV  controls the vertical shift

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

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

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


VERY ADVANCED FINE-TUNING:  (for third-party MDL developers ONLY!)
                            --------------------------------------

	If your MDL program is remapping MicroStation's cursor position it will
	surely create undesired side-effects for both InfoSnap and other MDL 
	applications as well.
	
	However InfoSnap gives you at least a way to synchronize herself with 
	such brute-force changes:

	Cook book:

	*** on entry to your application (main):
	- mdlSystem_defineCfgVar ( "INFOSNAP_SHIFT_EXTERNAL", "DYNAMIC", CFGVAR_LEVEL_USER );

		*** during the time your app is affecting cursor position:
		- compute the cursor position shift after your changes (x,y offsets in pixels)
		- redefine values of INFOSNAP_SHIFTV and INFOSNAP_SHIFTH as they change:
		- mdlSystem_defineCfgVar ( "INFOSNAP_SHIFTH", newXdelta, CFGVAR_LEVEL_USER );
		- mdlSystem_defineCfgVar ( "INFOSNAP_SHIFTV", newYdelta, CFGVAR_LEVEL_USER );

	*** on exit from your application (unload hook):
	- mdlSystem_deleteCfgVar ( "INFOSNAP_SHIFT_EXTERNAL" );

	InfoSnap will check existence of INFOSNAP_SHIFT_EXTERNAL each time it 
	reads its own settings.

	Tip: if any of INFOSNAP_SHIFTV or INFOSNAP_SHIFTH were already defined, 
	it would be smart to preserve and restore their initial values as a 
	courtessy for the user.

KNOWN PROBLEMS:
	1.
	MicroStation can have (at most) two application windows open. 
	InfoSnap won't work when one of those application windows is minimized.

	2.
	InfoSnap does not cooperate very well with EagleEye. Popup can show up
	biased to EagleEye's own popup. I.e. it is affected by cursor-position
	remapping done by EagleEye. It may, or may not be addressed in future.
	For more information see Q&A section below and the section above.

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YES-Dept.:
	Yes, it really is the FREE stuff
	Yes, InfoSnap was 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 InfoGlider 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 continue support for earlier MicroStation than v7.0

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 InfoSnap), 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: I can't see a thing. What is wrong?
	A: If you have other view background color than black, adjust MicroStation's 
	   Pointer Color (InfoGlider uses the same color): Settings->DesignFile->Color

	Q: The popup banner disappears, sometimes right away, sometimes after
	   a while. Can I make it stick?
	A: The banner will disappear when you:
	   - press RESET mouse-button
	   - run-over the banner with cursor
	   - touch the view border with the cursor
	   This is by design, in order to uncover geometry beneath the banner
	   (frankly, is there the less obtrusive way to do it without a click?)

	Q: The popup banner goes away immediately. What can I do about it?
	A: There is a possible timing-conflict with another application. 
	   Defining a 'Delay' period (as a fraction of a second) should fix it.

	Q: The popup banner shows up far away from cursor!
	A: See ADVANCED FINE-TUNING section above.

	Q: When I snap to cell components, the popup banner sometimes don't
	   show up. MicroStation is highlighting different cell components.
	A: Enable 'Exact elem. target', which enables InfoSnap to see inside 
	   the cell (or any complex element for that matter).

	Q: *** What is Settings-Snatcher?
	A: When you set InfoSnap balloon-format to 'TABLE', you may pick
	   almost anyone of displayed parameters and make it active!

	   Just use UP and DOWN arrow keys (or TAB) to select the item inside 
	   the balloon, and press INSERT key to snatch its setting and make it
	   active.
	   
	   If you select "Diam=", "Length=" or "Radius=", the value will
	   be sent to AccuDraw as the Smart-Locked Distance Delta. 

	   Note, that you have to have any placement tool active to get this
	   working.

           If you select "RF" (Reference File), it will be made the active file.
           If you want go back, press HOME-key. 

	   There is more:
	   If you like to apply ALL settings at once (i.e. make them active), 
	   just press INSERT key without making the item selection first. 
	   This one works for all balloon-formats.
	    
	Q: *** What is Message-Snatcher?
	A: When you are using MicroStation standard measure-tools, the numeric
	   output  is displayed usually in lower right corner of screen(s).

	   If you think that by far more logical place would be in close
	   proximity of cursor, activate Message Snatcher and it will display 
	   those messages near by the cursor.
	   
	   In a case you need to recall the last message:

	   If you have defined any key as WakeUp-Key, press it. 
	   (On MicroStation 95 you need to _move_ your cursor slightly while 
	   key is pressed. This is not necessary on MicroStation SE)  

	   MicroStation's textual output will pop up again near by the cursor!
	   If you have defined mouse button for this purpose, press it when
	   no element is highlighted (selected).

	Q: Why Message Snatcher is colliding with Element Info balloon?
	A: You need to define the precedence. Use radio-buttons: 
 	     'Snatcher'-button gives highest priority to Message Snatcher, 
	     'Elm. Info'-button gives highest priority to InfoSnap Element Info, 
	     'Both'-button gives the ability to see both. 
	   Note that 'Both'-setting requires long enough 'Delay' setting.

	Q: Where are the InfoSnap 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 INFOSNAP.DAT
	   in directory defined by INFOSNAP_SETTINGS environment variable.

	Q: Where is the angular measure taken?
	A: Look carefully close to the mouse cursor (the little one, not the 
	   large cross-hair snap cursor).
	   You'll se a little dot appear. This is the point of measure.
	   (It will go away on RESET)

	Q: What is 'User Units = Master/[1.0]' radio-button?
	A: Length (or perimeter) and Area can be reported in Master Units,
	   Working Units or User Units (a Master Unit / Divisor ).
	   It is handy when geometry was drawn in Imperial units and you want
	   InfoSnap to report in Metric units (or vice versa). Just supply a
	   suitable divisor to make conversion happen.

	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.
	   For example 'CO=3' means element color 3, and '+CO=5' means that 
    	   element color is currently overriden by Level Symbology Attribute
    	   (in selected view) specifying color 5.  And so forth...

	Q: Is InfoSnap compatible with: ..........  < fill the blanks ;-) >
	A: InfoSnap 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 InfoSnap match my version of InfoGlider?
        A: The same version. I.e. version numbers must be the same for both
           programs.

	Q: Where is the latest version of InfoSnap 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:
        InfoSnap is delivered as-is without any warranties whatsoever.
        You can use it only and solely at your own risk.
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end.
