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Information about “QUEST-3D”
QUEST-3D is a three-dimensional, wire-frame modeling program for
designing, viewing, and editing three-dimensional objects. A vertical
menu provides a selection of commands for many design and viewing
tasks. Move, scale, and rotate images any way you choose for many
creative design and illustration applications. QUEST-3D can also
create images from any viewpoint around your image.
Drawing units and rotation increments are user-selectable. Portions of
the screen can be quickly enlarged or magnified, letting you see the
image you are drawing. QUEST-3D also lets you scale each axis
independently, so images can be stretched or condensed in height,
width, or length.
GO.TXT
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║ <<<< Disk No 762 Quest-3D >>>> ║
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║ To start the program, type QUEST3D (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To view information about the program, type TYPE README.DOC (press enter) ║
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PART1.DOC
Q U E S T - 3 D
Version 3.1
Shareware Release
User Manual
Copyright (c) 1987-1989 The Quest Company
-----------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
2 Introduction
2 System Requirements
INSTALLING AND SETTING UP THE PROGRAM
3 Disk Contents
3 Installing QUEST-3D:
Floppy Disk Systems
Hard Disk Systems
5 Program Configuration
HOW TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM
7 Using The Menus
8 Drawing Specification Reference
9 Keyboard Reference
REGISTERED USERS
10 Version 6 Features
14 Registration Form
3D DESIGN: THE BASIC CONCEPTS
15 3D Space: The Drawing Environment
15 Cursor Movement On The Drawing Planes
15 Drawing Planes And Your Viewpoint
COMMANDS AND OPERATION
16 Command Reference
46 Error Messages
1
INTRODUCTION
QUEST-3D is a design and modeling program that enables you to
create, view, and edit three-dimensional wire-frame objects and
images.
Completely menu driven, the program is easy to learn and use, and
features versatile commands with emphasis on conceptual design
and illustration applications.
QUEST-3D features the ability to create drawings from any
viewpoint around your drawing, and uses a simultaneous command
architecture that allows you to use several viewpoint commands
even during the drawing functions.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
QUEST-3D Version 3.1 requires the following:
An IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or Compatible
MS-DOS or PC-DOS Version 2.1 or later
Two Floppy Disk Drives or Hard Disk
512K RAM
CGA Mode - A Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) and compatible
CGA Color Monitor.
EGA Mode - An Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) and
compatible EGA Color Monitor.
VGA Mode - A VGA display adapter and compatible VGA Color
Monitor.
Optional - 8087/80287 Math Coprocessor supported.
(Increased speed performance ranges
between 3 to 10 fold)
Notes: Printing your drawings using the Shareware release
will require a memory resident screen printing
utility. Screen Capture Programs can also be used
to import drawings into several Paint Programs.
2
DISK CONTENTS
Filename Description
QUEST3D.EXE The QUEST-3D Program
QUEST3D.CFG Configuration File
QUEST3D.TMP Drawing Template File
PART1.DOC Part 1 of the Version 3.1 Users Manual
PART2.DOC Part 2 of the Version 3.1 Users Manual
README.DOC Printing instructions for the manual
FBPLANE.I3D Illustrated tutorial file
LRPLANE.I3D Illustrated tutorial file
TBPLANE.I3D Illustrated tutorial file
TEMPLE.I3D A Greek temple (sample file)
PYRAMIDS.I3D Pyramids (sample file)
PLATFORM.I3D Offshore Oil Rig (sample file)
STATION.I3D Space Station (sample file)
BUILDING.I3D Small boutique style building (sample file)
OFFICE.I3D Large office building (sample file)
INSTALLING QUEST-3D
The following installation procedures contain the instructions
for setting up the QUEST-3D program for Floppy Disk or Hard Disk
operation.
FLOPPY DISK SYSTEM
Format Two (2) Floppy Disks.
Insert the QUEST-3D Shareware Disk into Drive A, and a newly
formatted diskette into Drive B. At the DOS prompt, enter the
following commands:
A> COPY QUEST3D.EXE B:
A> COPY QUEST3D.CFG B:
A> COPY QUEST3D.TMP B:
These are the three program files necessary to run QUEST-3D.
Once they have been copied to your "new working program disk" in
Drive B, remove the disk from Drive B, and insert the other newly
formatted disk into Drive B. (Do not place a write protect label
on your working program Disk.) At the DOS prompt, enter the
following.
A> COPY *.I3D B:
3
This will copy all the sample files to the disk in Drive B, and
you can use it as a drawing file disk. When completed, remove
the Shareware program disk from Drive A, and store it for safe
keeping.
Now place your new working program disk into Drive A. The
installation of the program disks are complete, you are now ready
to start the program, and configure it to your system. At the
DOS prompt, enter the following:
A> QUEST3D
QUEST-3D will now be loaded into memory. When the opening menu
is displayed, proceed to the section below titled: CONFIGURATION.
HARD DISK SYSTEM
Overview
To run QUEST-3D from your hard disk, it is suggested that you
first create a subdirectory for the QUEST-3D program files. From
this new directory containing the program files, create another
subdirectory that will contain your Drawing files. This will
help keep your hard disk organized, and make it easier to
selectively backup or copy the drawing files you create.
Procedure
Be sure you are in the root directory of your hard disk.
C> CD\
Next, create a subdirectory for the QUEST-3D program files:
C> MD QUEST
Go to this new directory and create another subdirectory:
C> CD QUEST
C> MD DRAWINGS
While still in the QUEST directory, insert the QUEST-3D Shareware
Disk into Drive A, and issue the following commands:
C> COPY A:QUEST3D.EXE C:
C> COPY A:QUEST3D.CFG C:
C> COPY A:QUEST3D.TMP C:
4
These are the three program files necessary to run QUEST-3D.
Once they have been copied to your Hard Disk, go to your new
DRAWINGS subdirectory:
C> CD DRAWINGS
Next, copy all of the sample files on the Shareware program disk
to this subdirectory:
C> COPY A:*.I3D C:
When completed, remove the Shareware program disk from Drive A,
and store it for safe keeping. The installation of the program
files are complete. You are now ready to start the program and
configure it to your system.
Go back to the QUEST directory:
C> CD C:\QUEST
and issue the following command to start the program:
C> QUEST3D
QUEST-3D will now load into memory. When the opening menu is
displayed, proceed to the section below titled: CONFIGURATION.
CONFIGURATION
The current program configuration is displayed on the opening
screen of the program, under the headings: Graphics System and
Directories.
Your Graphics Display Adapter:
QUEST-3D supports the three standard IBM graphics adapters: CGA,
EGA, and VGA. Using the cursor keys, move the menu selector to
the menu option: DISPLAY, and press ENTER. A submenu will
appear, and display a menu option for each of the Display
adapters mentioned above.
Select the menu option of the Display adapter you have installed
in your system. (MCGA users, select the CGA option). When you
select a menu option, the configuration displayed on the opening
screen will be updated to your choice. Once you have selected
your display adapter, return to the Main Menu by selecting the
Main Menu option at the bottom of the menu.
Your Drawing File Disk or Directory:
QUEST-3D allows you to specify any disk drive or directory for
the storage of your drawing files. Select the menu option:
5
DIRECTORY. You will then be prompted to enter the Disk Drive or
Directory of your drawing files.
If you are using a Floppy Disk system where Drive A contains the
QUEST-3D program, and Drive B the drawing files disk, then simply
enter: B:
If you are using a Hard Disk, and you have installed the program
as described above in the Hard Disk Installation procedure, then
enter the following: C:\QUEST\DRAWINGS
Saving the configurations:
To save your current system configurations, so QUEST-3D can use
them each time the program is started, select SAVE SETUP from the
menu. Your current configurations will be saved to disk.
The program is now installed, configured, and ready to be used to
create or view 3-D images. To learn how to create 3-D images,
proceed to the section: 3D SPACE: THE DRAWING ENVIRONMENT. Or,
to just view the sample files, see the command: 3D DRAW in the
command reference section.
6
USING THE MENUS
THE COMMAND MENUS - The menu selector consists of a small pointer
that moves along both sides of the menu to indicate the current
menu item for selection.
You control the menu selector by using the UP and DOWN Cursor
Keys. When you have the menu selector positioned at the desired
command, just press ENTER. Depending upon the command, the
program will either perform the desired task, or one of the
submenus will appear.
From time to time, messages may appear in the top row of the
display. They may be questions for you to answer with a menu
selection, or it might be a message informing you of what is
taking place with your drawing. Whenever you wish to cancel a
routine that has prompted you to select a filename or input,
simply press ESCAPE and you will return to the menu again.
THE FILE DIRECTORY - Another menu used in the program is the File
Directory Menu. It is a special menu that lists the drawing
files on disk. The screen is divided into two columns of files,
each displaying the name of the file, its size in bytes, and the
date it was last edited or created. If you have files in the
directory, or on the disk, they will be listed here on the
screen.
If the particular file command requires you to choose a filename,
the menu selector will appear after all the files have been
listed. You can move the selector using the UP and DOWN cursor
keys, and by using the LEFT and RIGHT keys you can move the
selector to the other column.
The File Directory Menu can contain a maximum of 380 files
consisting of 10 pages of 38 files. If you have more than one
page of files, the program will automatically move to the next
page to list more files, if no more files are found, or if you
want to move back to a previous page, use the PGUP Key. Likewise,
if you want to page forward through the list, use the PGDN Key.
If you have multiple pages, you can also jump to the first page
by using the HOME Key, or to the last page using the END Key.
7
DRAWING SPECIFICATION REFERENCE
The following specifications provide a quick reference about the
drawings created by QUEST-3D.
DATABASE
3D Vector & Boundary-Rep Coordinate System. Object oriented.
Resolution Independent.
MAXIMUM LINES AND SURFACES
3000 lines, 750 (4 vertex) to 1000 (3 vertex) surfaces.
(Surfaces available only on Registered Users Release)
MAXIMUM DRAWING SPACE
-7000 to +7000 drawing units along each axis
NORMAL DRAWING SPACE, MAXIMUM VIEWPORT
-3000 to +3000 drawing units along each axis. Viewport height
will depend on your display's aspect ratio.
DISK DIRECTORY/PATH
3 user defined.
Drawings Version 3.1 & 6
Library Version 6 only
Export Files Version 6 only
MAXIMUM DRAWING COLORS
CGA Mode: 2, Black & White. EGA Mode: 16, user defined from 64
color palette. VGA Mode: 16, user defined from 64 color palette.
VIEWPOINT CONTROL
User controlled, 360 Degrees. Also, 4 defined Orthographic
DRAWING FILE STORAGE
Binary Format. Data Point, Line Vector, and Surface Boundary
database. I3D File Format. (Drawing File listing & 3rd Party
Developer Kit is available from The Quest Company)
FILENAME EXTENSIONS
Drawing and Library Files: "I3D" Versions 3.1 & 6
Plot to Disk Files: "PLT" Version 6 only
HP-GL Disk Files: "HPL" Version 6 only
DXF 2D and DXF 3D: "DXF" Version 6 only
8
KEYBOARD REFERENCE
This is a summary of the keys used for the operation of QUEST-3D.
The Menu and Command Reference Section also describes in more
detail several of these keys, and where their use is appropriate.
FUNCTION KEYS
F1 - Filename input F2 - Previous Viewpoint
F3 - Left View F4 - Right View
F5 - Top View F6 - Front View
F7 - Perspective (Ver.6 only) F8 - Axes Grid
F9 - Units/Degrees F10 - Redraw
CURSOR KEYS
HOME, PGUP, PGDN, UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT
Moves the graphics cursor during the Drawing commands. Moves
your viewpoint during the XYZ VP command or PAN-ZOOM command.
LEFT, RIGHT
Cycles the color palette during the COLOR-FORE command, and
cycles the Drawing Units or Axes Rotation Degree increment during
the F9 KEY.
CHARACTER KEYS
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, +, -
Jumps to, or increments, the Zoom Factor while the PAN-ZOOM
command is active.
D
Toggles the use of one of the three Drawing Planes while any of
the Drawing commands is active
P or Z
Activates the PAN-ZOOM command.
ESCAPE
Where appropriate, cancels a command, exits a drawing command, or
cancels an input prompt.
9
REGISTERED USER
QUEST-3D Version 3.1 is a shareware program designed to introduce
the principles of 3D graphics.
A far more advanced level release of QUEST-3D, Version 6, is sent
to users who contribute a registration fee to help support its
production and development costs.
Version 6 incorporates a full set of professional-level 3D design
tools which include the following:
MORE DRAWING COMMANDS
---------------------
Circles, Arcs, Polygons, Surfaces, Curves, and B-Spline Curve
fitting commands.
NEW SURFACE MODELING COMMANDS
-----------------------------
Automatic 2D to 3D surface extrusions with user selectable
relative, or absolute, distances along any axis. For example, a
2D floor plan can be turned instantly into a 3-dimensional house
as QUEST-3D automatically extends the floor plan into surfaces to
create walls.
Automatic 2D to 3D circular extrusions with user selectable
degrees of revolution and surface sections. QUEST-3D
automatically performs circular extrusions on 2D contours to
create cylindrical objects - everything from spheres, cones, to
elaborate circular objects can be created.
Mold and reshape objects into other shapes using a command that
allows the interactive repositioning of surfaces vertices. Users
can specify the movement of just one specific surface vertex, or
all vertices and line endpoints common to the same coordinate can
be moved simultaneously. It's like pushing and pulling an object
into another shape.
ADVANCED VIEWING OPTIONS
------------------------
For the ultimate in three-dimensional viewing, the surface
rendering feature automatically "paints" each surface in a
drawing, transforming wire-frame drawings into completely painted
scenes of solid models. Options include the rendering of
surfaces with or without edge highlighting, and the rendering of
scenes using the viewport or the entire screen. When rendering
to the viewport, access to the COLORS MENU is available to
instantly change color palettes while the completed rendering is
displayed on the screen - giving users the ability to experiment
with different colors for mood, lighting, or seasonal effects.
10
Automatic Hidden Line and Surface Removal can be performed which
dramatically enhances the clarity of scenes, and displays your
drawing in "solid" form. As in reality, only those lines, or
line segments, visible from your viewpoint and not blocked by
surfaces will be displayed. These enhanced views may also be
output to a plotter, or exported in either DXF or HPGL format for
use in other programs.
Automatic 3-Point Perspective display. Turn On Perspective Mode
and your drawing will be displayed in 3-Point Perspective. And
because QUEST-3D maintains a true 3D database on every entity in
a drawing (including, circles, curves, and text), everything in
your drawing will be adjusted for full visual realism.
MANIPULATE OBJECTS INDEPENDENTLY
--------------------------------
Objects and/or Groups of objects can be controlled independently.
Version 6 allows the designation of up to 100 different objects
in each drawing! They can be Moved, Scaled, Edited, and even
Rotated to any angle you desire, enabling users to control the
exact location and orientation of any object in a drawing.
No control points to set or manual input required - the commands
have all been optimized for fast interactive control through the
menu. And don't worry about remembering the names you gave each
of your objects, QUEST-3D will display their names right in the
menu - picking the object you want to manipulate is as easy as
selecting a command.
Copy, and Mirror Copy, commands are also included to quickly, and
effortlessly, create duplicate objects.
GRAPHICS LIBRARY SUPPORT
------------------------
Objects or shapes can be saved to disk and later merged into
drawings whenever needed, saving valuable design time by never
having to recreate objects.
COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PROGRAMS
---------------------------------
QUEST-3D is designed to integrate easily into your current and
future design system. HPGL disk files, as well as AutoCAD's 2D
and 3D DXF files can be created - enabling images to be
transferred to most CAD and Desktop Publishing programs for
additional drawing enhancement or high resolution printing. DXF
files created from 2D CAD programs can also be imported into
Version 6, where the surface extrusion commands can turn your 2D
drawing into a 3D image.
11
ADDITIONAL EDITING COMMANDS
---------------------------
Erase Last, Undo Last, and Block Erase. Erase Last gives users
fast, one key operation for erasing any entity (circle, lines,
curves, etc.) that has just been drawn. If you change your mind,
the Undo Last command will restore the entity that was just
erased with the Erase Last command. And Block Erase allows users
to specify an entire series of lines or surfaces to be deleted at
one time, saving valuable time on major editing operations.
TEXT
----
Version 6 will automatically generate text for any character,
word, or phrase input by the user (1-40 characters at a time).
The text is created using individual line segments and can be
manipulated just like any other object.
MOUSE SUPPORT
-------------
Full Mouse support is included (Microsoft Mouse compatibles).
PLOTTER SUPPORT
---------------
Hewlett Packard and Houston Instrument Plotters are supported to
provide high quality hardcopy output. Other plotters, or output
devices, using either the Hewlett Packard HP-GL or the Houston
Instrument DM/PL command languages are also supported.
AND MORE
--------
A 170 page printed manual is included with the Version 6 program,
and contains illustrations and a tutorial. Free Technical
Support is provided to registered users only. Additionally,
registered users will receive information on all future updates
as they become available.
IMPORTANT
---------
QUEST-3D Version 6 requires systems to be equipped with 640K.
This differs from the v3.1 Shareware Release, which requires only
512K. (QUEST-3D Version 6 enjoys itself with about 535K of RAM.)
12
How to become a registered user:
--------------------------------
By Mail: Fill out the registration form on the next page, and
send it along with the Registration Fee to the address
below. VISA and MASTERCARD are accepted.
By Phone: The Registration Fee is payable by credit card. VISA
and MASTERCARD are accepted.
THE QUEST COMPANY
3117 W. Holland Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
Ph. (209) 222-5301
9 AM - 5 PM Pacific Time
Monday - Friday, except Holidays
13
REGISTRATION FORM
QUEST-3D Registration $59.95
Package includes Version 6 Program Disks,
Library Files, Sample Files, and Printed Manual.
ADD Shipping and Handling: (check one)
______ U.S. destination - First Class Mail $ 5.00
______ U.S. destination - UPS Ground $ 7.00
______ U.S. destination - UPS Blue $ 9.00
______ Canada destination - AIR MAIL $ 6.00
______ Foreign destination - AIR MAIL $15.00
_______
California Residents Only: ADD Sales Tax $3.90 _______
TOTAL .................... $_______
Payment may be by Check or Money Order in U.S. Dollars payable on
a U.S. Bank. Make Check or Money Order payable to: The Quest
Company. VISA and MASTERCARD is accepted. Sorry no C.O.D.'s.
Purchase Orders must be accompanied with payment.
SHIP TO:
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Company (if applicable) _________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
If payment is by VISA or MASTERCARD, please provide the following
information:
Card Number: ___________________________________ Exp. Date ______
Name as it appears on card ______________________________________
Signature _______________________________________________________
Daytime Telephone _______________________________________________
14
3D SPACE: THE DRAWING ENVIRONMENT
To create true three-dimensional images requires the ability to
select points in 3D space. To identify these points (the end
points for lines or surface vertices) a coordinate system is used
that represents the point's location. The coordinate system must
specify how far to the side, how close or far back, and how high
or low the point is. A coordinate format of X,Y,Z identifies
this location.
The "X" represents the location from side to side (the X-Axis).
The "Y" represents the location's length (the Y-Axis). And the
"Z" represents the height or depth of the point (the Z-Axis).
Together these 3 Axes create the 3 separate "Drawing Planes" that
you can draw on, or through, when creating images.
The planes are sometimes referred to as the X-Y Plane, the Y-Z
Plane, and the X-Z plane. However, to make it easier and more
understandable, QUEST-3D uses names for these Drawing Planes that
in reality correspond to the sides of an image. They are the
Left-Right Plane (the Y-Z Plane), the Front-Back Plane (the X-Z
Plane), and the Top-Bottom Plane (the X-Y Plane).
CURSOR MOVEMENT ON THE DRAWING PLANES
When you are creating a 3D image, you will be able to choose
which of the Drawing Planes you want the graphics cursor to
travel or draw on. Simply determine which side of your image the
cursor must travel on to get to your desired location, and select
that Drawing Plane. Drawing Planes are selected while using the
LINES or MV CURSOR commands, and pressing the letter "D" on your
keyboard. The current drawing plane is displayed below the
"Model Menu" in graphics mode.
During the LINES or MV CURSOR commands, the movement of the
graphics cursor can be controlled by any of the cursor keys.
Each time you press a cursor key, the graphics cursor will move
to a new location.
When the graphics cursor moves, it moves by a Drawing Unit
increment that can be controlled by using the F9 KEY. This
allows you to set the movement of the graphics cursor to a
specific scale. The F9 KEY can be activated whenever the LINES
or MV CURSOR commands are in use.
DRAWING PLANES AND YOUR VIEWPOINT
QUEST-3D is designed to allow the creation of images from any
viewpoint. To accomplish this, QUEST-3D not only moves the
graphics cursor on the current drawing plane in the direction of
the cursor key, but also moves the graphics cursor in relation to
your 3D viewpoint.
15
Included with the program are three tutorial illustration files.
Each file illustrates one of the three drawing planes:
The FBPLANE.I3D file shows the Front-Back Drawing plane.
The LRPLANE.I3D file shows the Left-Right Drawing plane.
The TBPLANE.I3D file shows the Top-Bottom Drawing plane.
(For simplicity, only the Left, Right, Up, and Down cursor key
directions are illustrated, but you may also use the Home, End,
PgUp, and PgDn cursor keys to move the graphics cursor)
When viewing the three tutorial illustration files, use the XYZ
VP command to pick new viewpoints. Note the direction of the
arrows - the arrows indicate the path the graphics cursor will
take when either the Left, Right, Up, or Down, cursor key is
pressed.
ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINT KEYS AND AUTO DRAWING PLANE SELECTION
QUEST-3D has also been designed to automatically select drawing
planes for you, but ONLY WHEN USING THE ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINT
KEYS (F3-F6). The drawing plane selected by QUEST-3D will be the
one most associated with that particular viewpoint, i.e.
Pressing F3 will change your viewpoint to the Left View and also
switch the drawing plane to the "Left-Right" drawing plane, since
this drawing plane would most likely be the one you wish to use
from a Left View. (If you wish to use another drawing plane, you
may still use the "D" key to switch the drawing plane - similar
to that if you were drawing from an arbitrary 3-D viewpoint.)
Also, using the F2 Key not only switches your viewpoint back to
your "Previous Viewpoint," but also switches you back to the
drawing plane you were using prior to the use of the orthographic
viewpoint keys.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Using the concepts described above, and trying out a drawing of
your own, you will quickly discover how the correlation between
the Drawing planes and your viewpoint, give you the freedom to
accurately create images from any location in 3D space. More
specific descriptions for each of the three drawing planes can be
found in the command reference section. See the commands: LEFT-
RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, and TOP-BOTTOM.
COMMAND REFERENCE
The next section contains a complete description of the commands
used in QUEST-3D Version 3.1. The descriptions in the Command
Reference are in alphabetical order.
16
3D DRAW
Summary: Starts a new 3D Modeling session.
Menu(s): MAIN
Procedure
To begin a new drawing, or view and edit an existing one, the 3D
DRAW command will list all the files in the Drawings Directory.
Move the menu selector to the name of the file you wish to edit
or view. If you want to begin a new drawing, press the F1 KEY
and input a new filename. Do not include the ".I3D" filename
extension.
Following the selection or input of a filename, the program will
enter the graphics mode. If you entered a new filename, the
default drawing settings in the file TEMPLATE.CFG are loaded.
Once the MODEL MENU appears, you are free to begin creating your
new drawing. If you selected a file that already exists, the
file will be loaded into memory and displayed. You can then
begin selecting commands from the menu.
To end a graphics session and return to the opening menu, select
MAIN MENU located on the MODEL MENU. You will be prompted to
confirm your choice to "Return to Main Menu ?" Select CANCEL if
you wish to remain in graphics mode, or RETURN to end the current
graphics session.
YOU CAN NOT SAVE YOUR DRAWING FROM THE MAIN MENU, SO BE SURE TO
SAVE YOUR FILE BEFORE SELECTING "RETURN"
See Also
DIRECTORY, TEMPLATE, SAVE FILE
17
COLOR-BACK
Summary: Displays the Background Color Menu.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure
The Background Color Menu displays 16 colors (0-15). Next to
each color number is a color block, so you can see which color is
currently set to each background color number. If you are using
an EGA or VGA system, selecting a color will immediately redraw
your image with the new background color. After selecting your
background color number, you will return to the Colors Menu.
EXPANDING THE BACKGROUND COLOR CHOICES:
Even though you have only 16 background colors to choose from,
with QUEST-3D you can still use any one of the 64 colors (0-63)
as a background. For example, suppose you choose color number 13
and your image is redrawn, but the colors do not look very good.
On the Colors Menu, select COLOR-FORE. When the Foreground Color
Menu appears, move the menu selector down to color number 13 and
press ENTER. This will activate the palette selector.
Using the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys will allow you to instantly
change the background color. You can now cycle through all 64
colors and choose the background color that looks best with your
image. When you find it, just press ENTER. Your background
color is now set, and you can return to the Model Menu by
selecting CANCEL.
CGA users: The COLOR-BACK command is primarily for use with EGA
and VGA display systems. If you perform a screen redraw while
using a background color number other than 0, the screen will
appear all white (white lines on a white background). If this
happens, simply use the COLOR-BACK command and select the color
number: 0.
See Also
COLOR-FORE
18
COLOR BARS
Summary: Full Screen display of current colors. EGA and VGA
display systems only.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure
Selecting COLOR BARS will clear the entire screen and display all
16 colors (0-15) from the current palette selection. This screen
allows you to better judge the range of colors you are currently
working with.
To resume the program, press any key and the graphics viewport
and Colors Menu will be redisplayed.
See Also
COLOR-FORE
19
COLOR-FORE
Summary: Allows you to set each foreground color to any one of 64
colors.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure
The Foreground Color Menu displays 16 colors (0-15). Each color
number is listed, and next to the color number is yet another
number, this number corresponds to one of the EGA or VGA palette
colors (0-63). Next to each palette color number is a color
block, so you can see which color is currently set to each color
number. (EGA and VGA only)
QUEST-3D always keeps the color Black assigned to color number 0,
and is the only color number you can not change. The other 15
color numbers can be assigned any one of the 64 colors.
To change a foreground color assignment, move the menu selector
to the color number you want to change, and press ENTER. A
message will be displayed at the top of the screen indicating you
to use the RIGHT or LEFT cursor keys to cycle through the
palette. Next to the message is a much larger color block, and
in front of it, the number corresponding to one of the 64 colors
(0-63).
As you press the cursor key, the color block will change color,
and any line in your drawing using the selected color number (0-
15) will also change. When you find a color you like, press
ENTER. You can now repeat the procedure for another color
number, or return to another menu with CANCEL or COLORS. You may
also press ESCAPE during the palette cycling process to restore
the original color assignment you had before.
Notes
QUEST-3D uses color number 2 for the viewport border, number 14
for the menu and setting titles, and number 15 for messages and
the menu pointers. Feel free to reassign their colors.
See Also
COLOR-BACK, NEW COLOR
20
DIRECTORY
Summary: Allows you to specify the Disk Drive and/or Path
specification for your drawing files.
Menu(s): MAIN
Procedure
When retrieving or saving files, QUEST-3D needs to know which
Disk Drive and/or Path the files are located. This command
allows you to configure the Drive specification that will be used
to locate and save your drawing files. (The Library and Export
File directories are reserved features used on the registered
users release.)
The DIRECTORY command will prompt you to enter the Disk Drive and
Path specification you would like to use. You are allowed to
have a specification up to a maximum of 40 characters. To cancel
the command, press ESCAPE. To enter, type in the specification
and press ENTER.
If you are setting a Disk Drive Only specification, then you must
use the following syntax: enter the Disk Drive Letter and a
colon. Do Not enter a backslash or any other character. An
example to use Disk Drive B is simply: B:
If you are using a Path specification, then use the following
syntax: enter the Disk Drive Letter followed by a colon, then
enter the backslash "\" followed by the name of the directory. Do
not include a backslash at the end of the directory. For example,
suppose you have QUEST-3D in a directory called "Quest" on your
Hard Disk, and you have a subdirectory for your drawing files
located below the "Quest" directory. If the subdirectory for the
Drawing files was named "Drawings" then the entry would
be: C:\QUEST\DRAWINGS
Notes
Using this command resets the directory path temporarily, and
keeps the changes in effect until you QUIT the program. Use the
SAVE SETUP command to keep the setting permanent.
21
DISPLAY
Summary: Graphics Adapter configuration.
Menu(s): MAIN
Procedure
To specify the use of a particular Graphics Adapter, the DISPLAY
command will list the three adapters supported by QUEST-3D.
Choose the graphics adapter installed in your computer system.
QUEST-3D supports the CGA/MCGA, EGA, and VGA. (Color Monitors
Only)
Use the SAVE SETUP command to keep the setting permanent.
Otherwise, the program will only keep your selection in effect
until you QUIT the program.
SEE ALSO
SAVE SETUP
22
DP B/W
Summary: Clears the menu from the display, and temporarily
redraws your image in full screen mode using a White background
and Black lines.
Menu(s): VIEW
Procedure
DP B/W (Desktop Publishing Black & White) redraws the current
view without a menu or message area by using the entire screen as
the drawing viewport. The program displays your image with Black
lines on a White background to better simulate the way your
drawing might appear in a Desktop Publishing program, or how it
will appear when printed or plotted.
The program is paused temporarily, and pressing any key will
reset the viewport and return you back to the View Menu.
See Also
FULL SCRN
23
PART2.DOC
ERASE LN or ERASE ALL
Summary: To erase a line or drawing currently in memory.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
ERASE LN - Allows you to erase a line from the drawing. The line
must first be chosen with the SELECT command.
ERASE ALL - Allows you to completely erase ALL the data for your
drawing at one time.
When selecting ERASE LN, the line will be highlighted using the
editing line style. You will then be asked to confirm your
choice to delete the line. Press ENTER if you want the line
erased, or any other key to cancel the command.
When selecting ERASE ALL, a confirmation menu will be displayed.
Selecting NO will cancel the command, and YES will remove all the
drawing data from the database.
The message "Sorting & Optimizing Database" will be displayed
during the deletion process as QUEST-3D removes data from memory,
and reindexes the databases.
Notes
ERASE ALL deletes only the data currently in memory, and not on
Disk. Also, the filename you specified when starting the
graphics session will still be in effect after an ERASE ALL.
See Also
SELECT, SAVE
24
F2 KEY
Summary: Redraws your image using the last XYZ VP command
viewpoint.
Menu(s): Nearly all.
Procedure
The viewport is cleared, and your image is redrawn using the
rotation and tip values of your last selected XYZ VP viewpoint
(the viewpoint selected from the XYZ VP command). This Function
Key command is for quickly returning to your Previous 3D
Viewpoint after having used one of the four Orthographic Views.
You can use this command even during the drawing commands. This
gives you the versatility, for example, to jump from view to
view, then back to your 3D View after checking where to set your
points.
This command also sets the previous Drawing Plane that was last
selected or used from this 3D Viewpoint.
See Also
F3-F6 KEYS, XYZ VP
25
F3-F6 KEYS
Summary: Selects an Orthographic Viewpoint, and automatically
selects a Drawing Plane for the view.
Menu(s): Nearly all.
Procedure
The viewport is cleared, and your image is redrawn using one of
the preset Orthographic Views. The views are assigned to a
separate Function Key as follows:
F3 LEFT VIEW F4 RIGHT VIEW
F5 TOP VIEW F6 FRONT VIEW
You can use this command even during the drawing commands. If
one of the drawing commands is in use, you can use this command
to assist you in the positioning of the graphics cursor more
quickly and precisely, since you can jump from one view to
another.
Using the F3-F6 Keys also automatically selects the Drawing Plane
that is most likely to be used at such a view. For example, when
the F3 Key is pressed, the Drawing Plane will be switched to
LEFT-RIGHT, whereas if the F6 Key is pressed, the Drawing Plane
will become FRONT-BACK. (If desired, you can also override the
selection by making your own using the "D" Key.)
Orthographic Views are also very useful when you are positioning
your drawing with the MOVE command.
To return to a Previous 3D Viewpoint and Drawing Plane use the F2
KEY.
See Also
F2 KEY, XYZ VP
26
F8 KEY
Summary: Toggles the display of an Axes Grid ON and OFF.
Menu(s): Nearly all.
Procedure
If Axes Grid is OFF, it is now turned ON and your image is
redrawn with the Axes Grid.
If Axes Grid is ON, it is now turned OFF and your image is
redrawn without the Axes Grid.
QUEST-3D creates the Axes Grid by drawing a line along each Axes
(X-Axis, Y-Axis, and Z-Axis) and is useful in aligning your image
to the center of the rotation point located at (0,0,0).
Notes
PLAN VIEW temporarily turns the Axes Grid OFF when drawing the
four views.
See Also
MOVE
27
F9 KEY
Summary: Allows the selection of Drawing Units or Degrees during
the commands that use these increments.
Menu(s): NONE. Active only during the corresponding command
operation.
Procedure
DURING THE DRAWING COMMANDS:
Used to select or change the distance the graphics cursor will
move each time you press a cursor key during the drawing
commands. The F9 KEY is used to cycle through a number of
different Drawing Units while the LINES or MV CURSOR commands are
in use. The units are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 20, 25, 50, 100,
250, 500, 1000
The Drawing Units are displayed in the lower right-hand corner of
the screen. Pressing F9 will suspend the LINES or MV CURSOR
command, allowing you to use the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys to
cycle the Drawing Units. As you press the cursor key, the Units
display will change. When you want to select the displayed unit,
press ENTER. You will then resume with the command you were
using.
DURING THE XYZ VP COMMAND:
While rotating the XYZ VP Axes, you may find that you would like
to change the degree of rotation the Axes moves. The F9 KEY can
be used to cycle through a number of different Degree increments.
Your choices are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45.
The current Degree increment is displayed on the right-hand side
of the screen. Pressing F9 will suspend the command, allowing
you to use the LEFT or RIGHT cursor keys to cycle through the
Degrees. As you press the cursor key, the Degree display will
change. When you want to select the displayed Degree, press
ENTER. You will then resume with the XYZ VP command.
Notes
You can use ESCAPE to cancel the selection process and restore
the previous value.
28
F10 KEY
Summary: Clears the viewport and Redraws your image.
Menu(s): Nearly all.
Procedure
The viewport is cleared, and your image is redrawn. The command
will also clean up lines that may have been partially erased by
the stretching of lines during the LINES command. Redraw does
not perform any rotation, tip, or perspective calculations, and
will redraw your screen much faster than the XYZ VP command.
Notes
You can use this command even while you are in a drawing command.
29
FRONT-BACK
Summary: While using the LINES or MV CURSOR commands, selects the
drawing plane that is associated with the Front or Back Side of
your image. (the X-Z Plane)
Menu(s): NONE. Selected Only during a Drawing command, or by
using the F6 KEY.
Procedure
While using the LINES or MV CURSOR command, you can toggle your
drawing plane using the "D" character key. The last message
displayed below the Model Menu indicates your current drawing
plane. Additionally, using the F6 KEY will also select the
Front-Back drawing plane automatically.
The Front-Back drawing plane will cause any subsequent movement
of the graphics cursor to move in relation to this plane and your
viewpoint. The LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys will move the graphics
cursor along the Width of your image (the X-Axis), while the UP
and DOWN cursor keys will move the graphics cursor along the
Height of your image (the Z-Axis).
The current Y coordinate value (the location along your image's
length) will be locked in place as you draw on the Front-Back
Plane. To move along the length of your image, you can use the
LEFT-RIGHT or TOP-BOTTOM drawing plane.
See Also
LEFT-RIGHT, TOP-BOTTOM
30
FULL SCRN
Summary: The FULL SCREEN command clears the menu from the
display, and temporarily redraws your image using the entire
screen.
Menu(s): VIEW
Procedure
FULL SCRN redraws your currently selected view without a menu or
message area by using the entire screen as the drawing viewport.
The program is paused temporarily, and pressing any key will
reset the viewport and return you back to the View Menu.
The FULL SCREEN command is also a good place to use any memory
resident utility program that allows you to print your display
screen on a dot-matrix printer, or capture it for use in a paint
program.
See Also
DP B/W, PAN-ZOOM
31
LEFT-RIGHT
Summary: While using the LINES or MV CURSOR commands, selects the
drawing plane that is associated with the Left or Right Side of
your image. (the Y-Z Plane)
Menu(s): NONE. Selected Only while using a Drawing command, or by
using the F3 KEY or F4 KEY.
Procedure
While using the LINES or MV CURSOR command, you can toggle your
drawing plane using the "D" character key. The last message
displayed below the Model Menu indicates your current drawing
plane. Additionally, using the F3 or F4 KEYS will also select
the Left-Right drawing plane automatically.
The Left-Right drawing plane will cause any subsequent movement
of the graphics cursor to move in relation to this plane and your
viewpoint. The LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys will move the graphics
cursor along the Length of your image (the Y-Axis), while the UP
and DOWN cursor keys will move the graphics cursor along the
Height of your image (the Z-Axis).
The current X coordinate value (the location along your image's
width) will be locked in place as you draw on the Left-Right
Plane. To move along the width of your image, you can use the
FRONT-BACK or TOP-BOTTOM drawing plane.
See Also
FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM
32
LINES
Summary: Used for drawing lines in your drawing.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
Once you select LINES, you can move the graphics cursor using any
of the cursor keys. Each time you press a cursor key a line will
be drawn by stretching it from its starting point to the current
location of the graphics cursor. The graphics cursor appears as
a small Cross.
The graphics cursor moves along a drawing plane that can be
selected by the "D" key. Any movement of the graphics cursor
will be in relation to this plane and your viewpoint. gAs the
graphics cursor moves, the X, Y, Z coordinates will be displayed
in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
When you have drawn a line to the position you want, press ENTER.
The line number displayed with the X, Y, Z coordinates will
advance by one, and indicates the line you will be working on
next. Your actual line count will be one less. You may have a
maximum total of 3000 lines per drawing.
After pressing ENTER, you remain in the line drawing mode and can
continue drawing more lines. To stop drawing, press ESCAPE. If
you ESCAPE before selecting your line with ENTER, the unselected
line will be erased, and the cursor will move back to the last
starting point, and you will return to the menu.
Also displayed below the menu is the current Drawing Unit - the
increment the graphics cursor will move each time you press a
cursor key. You can change this value by using the F9 KEY while
the using either the LINES or MV CURSOR commands.
The center of QUEST-3D's drawing space is the X, Y, Z coordinate:
0, 0, 0. The drawing space extends 7,000 units in each
direction. However, you should try to keep your image
boundaries between -3000 to +3000 since this is the maximum size
of the viewport.
See Also
LEFT-RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM, F10 KEY
33
MOVE
Summary: Displays the Move Menu, where you can move your drawing
in any of six directions, and by a number of different unit
increments.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
When the Move Menu appears, the current Move Unit will be
displayed below the menu. You can move your image LEFT and RIGHT
(X-Axis), FORWARD and BACKWARD (Y-Axis), and UP and DOWN (Z-
Axis).
Choosing any of these six directions will cause the image to be
recalculated, and displayed in the new position. The amount of
movement can be set by selecting either 200, 500 or 1000 units
from the menu, or by using the SPECIFY command to enter your own
increment in the range of 1-3000 drawing units.
Notes
The program calculates your viewpoint using the center coordinate
0, 0, 0. Centering your image with the MOVE command allows it to
have a more equal rotation and tip transformation. To help
center your image, use Orthographic Views such as a front or side
view, (F3-F6 KEYS).
Selecting SCALE from this menu allows you to jump to the SCALE
menu.
See Also
SCALE, F3-F6 KEYS, F8 KEY, F10 KEY
34
MV CURSOR
Summary: Allows you to reposition the graphics cursor without
using a drawing command.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
After selecting MV CURSOR, use the cursor keys to position the
graphics cursor. The position you choose will become the new
starting point for the next line you draw using the LINES
command.
Use the "D" key to toggle between the three drawing planes to
control your movement in 3D space. Like the LINES command, the
F9 KEY can be used to set or change the increment the graphics
cursor will move each time one of the cursor keys is pressed.
Once you have the graphics cursor positioned, press ESCAPE.
See Also
LEFT-RIGHT, FRONT-BACK, TOP-BOTTOM, F9 KEY
35
NEW COLOR
Summary: To select a new line color for drawing.
Menu(s): COLORS
Procedure
The Line Color Menu displays all 16 (0-15) colors that are
available for use in your drawing. Color blocks will appear next
to each color number on EGA and VGA systems.
Select the color you want your next line or lines to be drawn in.
This color will remain in effect until you select a new color.
After choosing a new line color, you will return to the primary
menu where you issued the COLORS command.
Notes
Use the COLOR-FORE command to change the palette color associated
with any of the line colors.
CGA users: this command is primarily for use on EGA and VGA
systems. However, to stay compatible with the registered user
version of the program, CGA users have access to the line color
designations. They can be used to designate "layers" for
drawings that will be transferred in DXF format to other CAD
programs.
See Also
COLOR-FORE
36
PAN-ZOOM
Summary: To Pan or Zoom the graphics viewport.
Menu(s): VIEW, and by using either the "Z" or "P" Keys.
Procedure
On nearly any menu, and during the LINES or MV CURSOR commands,
PAN-ZOOM allows you to move your viewpoint on your drawing (PAN)
or enlarge the view of your drawing (Zoom). You can access this
command by either selecting it from the View Menu, or using the
"Z" or "P" keys, which will activate both Pan and Zoom functions.
If you select the command from the View Menu, all the keys
relating to the Pan and Zoom functions are displayed in the menu
area, whereas selecting the command using the "Z" or "P" keys
will not. The advantage of using the "Z" or "P" keys is that it
also allows you to activate the command during the LINES or MV
CURSOR commands, thereby giving you more versatility while
drawing. To exit the PAN-ZOOM command, press ESCAPE.
ZOOM
There are 8 Zoom Levels that can be selected. While the Pan and
Zoom Mode is Active, you can move from one Zoom Level to the next
by pressing the "+" key for "Zoom In" and the "-" key for "Zoom
Out." Zoom Level 1 is normal while Zoom Level 8 is at maximum
enlargement. Additionally, you can jump to various Zoom Levels
by pressing any of the numeric keys 1 thru 8. This allows you to
jump, for example, from Level 2 to Level 7 at the touch of a key.
PAN
Using the cursor keys, you can Pan the display of your drawing.
Like the XYZ VP command, you are moving your viewpoint not the
drawing itself. Press the cursor key for the appropriate
direction you want your viewpoint moved. The Pan increment is
controlled dynamically by the program, and will Pan your
viewpoint by One-Third the distance of the graphics viewport on
each press of a cursor key. A unique feature of this dynamic
control is that it is based on your current Zoom Level, and will
therefore eliminate any possibility of Panning in too large an
increment. If you attempt to Pan farther than the limits of "3D
space" the program will give a short "Beep," and will not
continue to pan farther than is possible.
NOTES
While in the Pan and Zoom Mode, pressing "R" will Reset both Pan
and Zoom to Normal. Pan and Zoom settings remain in effect even
when redrawing your image after using the XYZ VP command.
37
PLAN VIEW
Summary: Simultaneously displays three Orthographic Views and
your current 3D viewpoint using Full Screen Mode.
Menu(s): VIEW
Procedure
The screen is cleared, and is divided into four equal sections.
In each section a different view of your image will be drawn.
Three of the views are Orthographic Views which are straight on
views of your image. The fourth view will be the same view that
was previously displayed when you selected this command.
The top-left display is the Top View.
The bottom-left display is the Front View.
The bottom-right display is the Right Side View.
The top-right display is the current 3D viewpoint.
After viewing your image with PLAN VIEW, press any key and you
will return to your previous view.
Notes
If the Axes Grid is ON, it will be temporarily turned OFF for
this command.
See Also
F3-F6 KEYS, XYZ VP
38
SAVE FILE
Summary: Saves your drawing and current settings on disk.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
Selecting the SAVE FILE command saves your current drawing on
disk. The file will have the name you specified when you started
drawing or editing, and has the .I3D filename extension. In
addition to the 3D database, all the drawing settings will also
be saved, including the current location of the graphics cursor
and color palette information.
After the file has been saved, press any key and control will
return back to the Model Menu.
Notes
Your drawing is saved as numerical data and not as a memory image
of the screen. The size of the file will be directly related to
the number of lines you have in your drawing. Should you ever
create an image with the maximum amount of lines, the file will
probably require around 80K bytes of disk space.
39
SAVE SETUP
Summary: Saves the current program configurations to disk.
Menu(s): MAIN
Procedure
After selecting SAVE SETUP, you will be asked to confirm your
choice to create a new configuration file. QUEST-3D reads this
file each time you start the program, and informs QUEST-3D what
display adapter you are using and where you want to load and save
drawing files.
To configure QUEST-3D to your computer system, use the DISPLAY
command to indicate the graphics adapter installed in system.
Use the DIRECTORY command to specify where you want QUEST-3D to
store your drawing files.
After specifying, or changing, a configuration option, use the
SAVE SETUP command to permanently save the information to disk.
It will then be used each time the program starts.
See Also
DIRECTORY, DISPLAY
40
SCALE
Summary: To increase or decrease the size of your drawing,
including scaling each Axis independently.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
The Scale Menu will appear, and display the current Scale Factor
and Scale Type below the menu.
To change your Scale Factor, select from the menu one of the
following: .99, .95, .90, .75, .50. A Scale Factor of .50 will
cause the greatest amount of scaling to occur, whereas a Scale
Factor of .99 will cause the least.
ALL SIDES indicates you want to scale all the sides of your image
equally by the same factor, and at the same time. HEIGHT
indicates you want only the height (Z-Axis) of your image scaled.
LENGTH specifies you want to scale only the length (Y-Axis). And
WIDTH specifies you want only the width (X-Axis) scaled.
The SMALLER and LARGER commands will scale your drawing using the
specified Scale Type, and by the Scale Factor currently
displayed. Your drawing will be recalculated, and then redrawn
on the screen. You can continue to scale your drawing or select
MODEL to return to the Model Menu, or the MOVE command can be
used to jump immediately to the Move Menu.
Notes
Scaling your entire image down to a tiny dot on the screen will
run the risk of setting some of the X, Y, Z coordinates to Zero.
If this happens you may be unable to bring your image back up to
its normal size or shape.
Scaling your entire image 2 to 3 times larger than the viewport
will run the risk of your image hitting the edge of 3D space (+-
7,000 units). The coordinates of your image will begin to reset
to +-7,000 and alter the shape of your image. To enlarge a
portion of your drawing for a more detailed view, use the PAN-
ZOOM command.
41
SELECT
Summary: Displays the Select Menu, where commands enable you to
select specific Lines for editing.
Menu(s): MODEL
Procedure
QUEST-3D allows you to edit each line in your drawing. Since
lines can be located anywhere in 3D space, this command enables
you to select the exact line without the having to be concerned
about accidently including lines that lie in front, or behind,
the line you want to edit. This command can therefore be used at
any viewpoint location around your drawing.
The LINE >> command is used to step through your drawing from the
first line drawn to the last.
The LINE << command starts at the most recently drawn line and
steps backwards through the database.
When you use either method, the first line found will be
highlighted in an editing line style - so you can easily see the
line that is currently marked. The program pauses for you to
either select this line, or to move to the next. By pressing a
key other than ENTER, the next line will be highlighted.
When the line you want to edit is highlighted, press ENTER. The
selected line can now be used by the editing commands such as
changing the color (CHG LINE), or deleting it from the drawing
with the ERASE LN command.
Stepping through the entire image without choosing a line will
not cause a selection to take place. If you want to cancel the
SELECT commands once you have started through your drawing, you
can press ESCAPE. The current line will be redrawn, and no
change or selection will have occurred.
NOTES
This command is consistent with the registered user version.
However, the selection process is dramatically shortened and made
easier by allowing users to indicate a particular object such as
a door, window, etc. to step through, instead of the entire
database. Additionally, this method was designed to allow users
to select a single surface on any entity in a drawing. The
editing of a single surface on a sphere or cylinder, etc. is
therefore possible - a feature most commercial or competing
shareware programs do not allow.
42
TEMPLATE
Summary: Creates a new drawing template that is used each time
you start a new drawing.
Menu(s): MAIN
Procedure
A confirmation menu appears with the options: NO and YES. A short
description of the command will also be displayed. TEMPLATE
allows you to use one of your drawing files for the default
settings used by QUEST-3D when starting a new drawing. Each time
you begin a new drawing, QUEST-3D loads the settings that are in
the file: QUEST3D.TMP
TEMPLATE will save drawing settings such as the Drawing Units,
Scale Factor, Color Palette, current Drawing Plane and Viewpoint
degrees to the new template configuration file.
If you do not want to create a new template file, then select NO
and you will return to the Main Menu. Selecting YES will display
the drawing files on disk, and prompt you to select one of the
listed files. If you discover the file you want to use is not
listed, or you want to cancel the command, then press ESCAPE and
you will return to the Main Menu.
Once you select YES, the settings in the file will be read and
saved in the QUEST3D.TMP file. Each time you start a new
drawing, the new settings you just transferred will be used.
Notes
This command will not affect the drawing file that you use for
the default settings.
43
TOP-BOTTOM
Summary: While using the LINES or MV CURSOR commands, selects the
drawing plane that is associated with the Top or Bottom Side of
your image. (the X-Y Plane)
Menu(s): NONE. Selected only during a drawing command, or by
using the F5 KEY.
Procedure
While using the LINES or MV CURSOR command, you can toggle your
drawing plane using the "D" key. The last message below the menu
indicates your current drawing plane. Additionally, using the F5
KEY will also select the Top-Bottom drawing plane automatically.
The Top-Bottom drawing plane will cause any subsequent movement
of the graphics cursor to move in relation to this plane and your
viewpoint. The LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys will move the graphics
cursor along the Width of your image (the X-Axis), while the UP
and DOWN cursor keys move the graphics cursor along the Length of
your image (the Y-Axis).
The current Z coordinate value (the location along your image's
height) will be locked in place as you draw on the Top-Bottom
Plane. To move along the height of your image, you can use the
FRONT-BACK or LEFT-RIGHT drawing plane.
See Also
FRONT-BACK, LEFT-RIGHT
44
XYZ VP
Summary: Used to select your viewpoint around your drawing.
Menu(s): MODEL, VIEW
Procedure
The viewport clears and displays an XYZ Axes Tripod. The current
degree of Rotation and Tip of your viewpoint is displayed on the
right-hand side of the screen, as well as the currently set Axes
Degree increment.
The Axes are labeled with a letter that corresponds to the sides
of your image, R (right), T (top), F (front). These labels will
help you track your viewing position. Using the cursor keys, you
can rotate and tip the Axes.
The rule to remember is:
You Are Moving Your Viewpoint, Not Your Image.
Therefore, if you press the Right cursor key you will move your
viewpoint to the right, and the Axes will actually spin to the
left. And if you press the Up cursor key, you will move your
viewpoint higher, and the Axes will actually spin down.
When you have selected your viewpoint, press ENTER. Your image
will be recalculated and displayed using your new viewpoint. If
you wish to exit the command, and return to your previous
viewpoint, press ESCAPE.
Notes
The degree of movement the Axes rotates and tips, each time you
press a cursor key, can be set using the F9 KEY while you are
using the XYZ VP command.
If you have previously used the Pan or Zoom commands, you may
need to use them again to realign your view. The drawing rotates
on the point 0, 0, 0 and the area you were viewing may have been
rotated out of view.
See Also
F9 KEY, and "KEYBOARD REFERENCE" section.
45
ERROR MESSAGES
The following is a list of error messages used by QUEST-3D. Most
error messages were designed to correspond to similar error
messages used by DOS. Others however, are more specific to
QUEST-3D in order to help track down a specific problem.
Bad Filename
The filename contains characters that are invalid. Consult
your DOS manual. Also, remember not to include the filename
extension when entering a filename.
Device unavailable
An attempt was made to access a device that is either not
"on-line" or does not exist. For example, setting a
directory specification to "C:" when in fact, a hard disk is
not available in the computer.
Disk is full, unable to save file
QUEST-3D attempted to write a file on a disk which contains
insufficient free space. Replace the disk with another that
contains more free space, and retry the command.
Disk media error
An attempt was made to write or read a file from your disk.
This error indicates your disk may be defective. Consult
your DOS manual for procedures to check your disk.
Disk not ready
An attempt was made to write or read a file from your disk.
Check to be sure the drive door is closed properly.
Disk write protect
An attempt was made to save a file to your disk and
encountered a write protect label, remove it and retry the
command.
File not found
The file you specified could not be found. Retry the
command and be sure the file is listed in the directory.
46
File: QUEST3D.CFG not found
This is the configuration file that contains information
about your hardware configuration. QUEST-3D must have this
information in order to run properly. You can create this
file by using the SAVE SETUP command on the Main Menu.
File: QUEST3D.TMP not found
When starting a new drawing, the file: QUEST3D.TMP is loaded
into memory and becomes the initial drawing template for
your new drawing. QUEST3D.TMP must be kept on the same disk
as QUEST3D.EXE.
Incompatible File
The specified file is not QUEST-3D Version 3.1 or Version 6
compatible.
Internal error 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, or
Illegal Function Call
An internal error in the QUEST-3D program has occurred.
Please send a description of the circumstances that has
caused the error, the error number, and the actions the
program took after it happened. If you receive an Internal
error 105 message, first check to be sure you have
configured the program to the proper display adapter and
monitor configuration for your computer. Additionally,
QUEST-3D is designed to support Color Monitors Only.
Invalid Directory
The directory specification is not correct. Check to be
sure the proper syntax is being used, see the command:
DIRECTORY. Also, QUEST-3D will not create a new directory
if one does not exist. Use DOS to create new directories.
Out of Memory
Out of String Space
There is insufficient free RAM. QUEST-3D Version 3.1
requires about 420K. Check to be sure you do not have too
many unnecessary memory resident programs currently in
memory. Most Screen Printing Programs or Screen Capture
Programs require less than 35K, so you should have enough
memory to run QUEST-3D. If you have other memory resident
programs in memory too, it will be necessary to remove some
of them before running QUEST-3D.
Would exceed maximum memory
You have executed a command that would exceed the maximum
memory. QUEST-3D allows up to 3000 lines per drawing.
47
README.DOC
Q U E S T - 3 D
Shareware Release
Version 3.1
The users manual for QUEST-3D is comprised of two text files:
PART1.DOC and PART2.DOC. The manual is 47 pages in length. The
files are formatted for output on standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper, (or
9 1/2 x 11 perforated edged computer paper) with 1 inch left and
right margins.
PART1.DOC contains pages 1-23, and PART2.DOC pages 24-47.
To print the manual: Align your printer paper to the top edge of
a new sheet of paper. Use the DOS "PRINT" command, or the DOS
"COPY" command to send the QUEST-3D Manual files to your printer.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #0762
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
BUILDING I3D 16220 9-28-89 11:46a
FBPLANE I3D 1358 9-28-89 11:41a
GO BAT 29 12-29-89 9:48a
GO TXT 566 12-29-89 9:47a
LRPLANE I3D 1409 9-28-89 11:42a
OFFICE I3D 38784 9-28-89 11:44a
PART1 DOC 45573 9-28-89 2:16p
PART2 DOC 40520 9-28-89 2:17p
PLATFORM I3D 11680 9-28-89 11:45a
PYRAMIDS I3D 3958 9-28-89 11:42a
QUEST3D CFG 103 9-28-89 11:48a
QUEST3D EXE 162063 9-27-89 12:33p
QUEST3D TMP 125 9-28-89 11:47a
README DOC 729 9-28-89 2:15p
STATION I3D 21199 9-28-89 11:43a
TBPLANE I3D 1358 9-28-89 11:44a
TEMPLE I3D 5310 9-28-89 11:45a
17 file(s) 350984 bytes
2048 bytes free