***********************************************************
Directions for use for TRACK - BLASTER PRO Version 5.3
***********************************************************
Description :
=============
This program provides all neccessary routines for changing the terrains and
track-elements of 'Stunts_1.0' - compatible tracks.
Problem description :
=====================
The 'Stunts'-Editor forbids the setting of track-elements on specific terrain-
elements. It is also not possible to set individual elements of multi-
elementary track-elements.
The creation of special-effects is strongly restricted through this.
The merging of tracks with terrains is also practically impossible.
Furthermore, there is no possibility for comparing two tracks.
Attributes of the program :
===========================
*) Editing of the terrain.
*) Modification of the horizon.
*) Editing of the tracks with free use of every single element.
*) Editing of the tracks with free use of 1 special-element.
*) Move- and Copy-function.
*) Clipboard-Transformations: Mirroring : y-axis,
x-axis,
xy-axis (=180ø-rotation)
*) Auto-Set-Function in the marked area.
*) Automatic decoration-function with freely definable priorities.
*) Definite indication of all 303 track-elements.
*) Definite indication of 1 special-track-element.
*) Merging of tracks with terrains.
*) Comparison of two tracks.
*) Automatically loading of a track from the DOS-command-line.
System-requirements :
=====================
1.) MS-DOS (or compatible) - operating system
2.) VGA ( 640 * 480 ) or compatible graphic-card
(EGA-version also available)
3.) Thereto compatible (as high-resoluting as possible) screen
The program can be called directly from the DOS-command-line.
It requires no MS-Windows.
Installation :
==============
It is recommended to install the program and its configuration file 'TB.CFG'
in an own Stunts-Subdirectory - e.g. in \TOOLS.
In the batchfile TB.BAT the program call is adapted in a corresponding way.
This batchfile is installed in a directory, to where a path is set.
So the program can be called anytime with 'TB'.
The feature of delivering the name of the track directly on calling, can be
used by other programs, e.g. the Norton Commander.
In this case the program has to be registered as an additional program.
(In the case of the Norton Commander th line 'trk: tb !.!' has to be inserted
in the extension file.)
Program calling :
=================
TB [[.hig]]
When the filename is given, the track is loaded automatically.
Start-Logo - Options :
======================
Sound: < Sh-F5 > ... on < F5 > ...... off
Speed: < + > ....... increase < - > ....... decrease
(6 Steps)
Main-Menu - Options :
=====================
Self-explanatory.
File selection :
================
There are 2 possibilities for selecting a file :
1.) Direct-input of the name (without extension).
2.) Selection with scroll-lists :
* < C_Up > shows a list of the sub-directories of the current directory.
-* < C_Up > and < C_Down > select the desired sub-directory,
upper-directory ('..'), current directory ('.').
-* < Enter > changes into the corresponding directory.
If the current directory has been chosen, a list of all tracks
(without extension) appears.
--* < C_Up > and < C_Down > select the desired file.
--* < Enter > confirms the selection.
--* < Esc > returns to the directory-list, which can also be left
-* with < Esc > .
* < C_Down > changes directly to the list of the tracks.
Directory- and filenames can be fast approached inside their scroll-list
by the input of their leading character.
Track - Editor :
================
If a track has been modified since the last saving a '#' appears besides the
name of the track.
Main states :
-------------
The editor has two main states:
* In the terrain-mode the terrain elements (grass, water, hill) of the
current track can be modified.
* In the track-mode the track elements of the current track can be modified.
The current mode is displayed by the corresponding selection fields in the
top right corner.
* < Space > activates the terrain-mode.
-* < Space > toggles between the hill- and water-mode after the activation
of the terrain-mode.
* < F1 > .. < F10 > activate the track-mode
and the 10 different selection fields in the trackmode.
This selection is corresponding to the 'Stunts'-editor.
Field-elements of each mode can be activated with the corresponding keys on
the numeric block.
Modification of single elements :
---------------------------------
The selected field-element is both marked in the selection field and
displayed in the big white field in the bottom right corner.
* < Enter > sets the currently selected field-element on the currently
selected position of the field.
-* When the < Enter > key is pressed again, the previous element is set
again, which has now become the currently selected element.
* The cursor keys, < PgUp > , < PgDown > , < End > und < Home > select
the current position on the field.
-* In the Auto-Set-Mode the selected element is then set automatically.
* < Tab > switches the Auto-Set-Mode on and off.
* < BackSpace > sets the original terrain-element,
* < Ins > the originale track-element, which has been on the current
position since the last saving of the track.
* < Del > removes a track-element.
* < x > sets a random-scenery-element, if there has been set no element on
the current position.
* < X > sets a random-scenery-element, if there has been set no element or
only a scenery-element on the current position.
Marking function :
------------------
* < Alt-F5 > selects the top left,
* < Alt-F6 > the bottom right corner of the pre-marking.
The pre-marking (light cyan) appears, it can be modified any time.
* < Ctrl-S > activates the marking-cursor (light grey), which can now be
moved to the desired position.
-* < Enter > , < BackSpace > , < Ins > , < Del > , < x > and < X >
correspond to the area of the marking-cursor now.
* < Ctrl-C > copies the field-elements in the pre-marking into the
clipboard.
* < Ctrl-X > removes the track- or terrain-elements in the pre-marking -
depending on the current mode - after copying into the clipboard.
* < Alt-X > removes both track- and terrain-elements in the pre-marking
after copying into the clipboard.
The clipboard-symbol in the great white field right down and the marking-
cursor (light grey) appear, which can now be moved to the desired
position.
Round the area, from where elements have been inserted into the
clipboard, there appears a dotted line rectangle (light cyan) to
establish a reference to the elements in the clipboard.
When no pre-marking has been selected, only the currently selected
element of the trackfield is copied or moved into the clipboard.
-* < F1 > .. < F10 > , and < Space > change the mode of the clipboard.
The mode can be read left beside the great white field in the bottom
right corner (the inactive partial mode appears dark grey).
-* < Enter > inserts the elements of the clipboard (depending to the mode)
on the current position.
--* < BackSpace > resets the terrains-elements, and
--* < Ins > the track-elements, which have been set before inserting, if
the position of the marking-cursor has bot been changed and the editor
has not been left.
-* < \ > transforms the content of the clipboard.
The following operations are cyclically provided :
*) mirroring towards y-axis - symbol |
*) mirroring towards x-axis - symbol ---
*) mirroring towards x- and y- axis (=180ø-rotation) - symbol -|-
*) original (default)
The symbol of the corresponding transformation appears in the great
white field in the right bottom corner.
-* < | > key performs the same transformations, with the x-axis mirroring
cyclically before the y-axis mirroring.
-* < Alt-F7 > activates the pre-marking on the position of the marking
again.
* < Alt-F8 > removes the (pre-)marking.
Comparing function :
--------------------
* < C > activates the comparing function.
All field-elements in the track displayed that differ from the
comparative track are displayed with a marking in their top left corner.
* < S > swaps the currently displayed track with the comparative track.
* < D > loads the currently displayed track also as comparative track.
Other functions :
-----------------
* < Ctrl-F2 > saves the currently displayed track directly.
* < - > loads a new track, which comes before the current track in the
alphabetical order.
* < + > loads a new track, which comes after the current track in the
alphabetical order.
* < Alt-F1 > activates the detailed help-screen.
The explanations of the functions are adapted to the current program
state.
The functions which are not possible in the current program state appear
dark grey.
(Exceptions: (Marking-)Cursor-motion,
Clipboard-mode-changing
- always appear lighted.)
The editor contains an active short-help-screen. Here the most important
functions are displayed. The function equals to that of the detailed
help-screen.
* < Esc > returns to the main menu.
* < Q > quits the program.
Functions of the input masks :
==============================
* < Ctrl-C > First edit line
* < Ctrl-R > Last edit line
* < Ctrl-Y > Delete all characters right beside the cursor
* < Ctrl-U > Restore edit line
* < Ctrl-Q > Cancel input and leave mask
Saving of the configuration file :
==================================
The configuration file 'TB.CFG' must be in the directory of the program.
(This is always guaranteed by saving from the program.)
For problems, questions and suggestions :
=========================================
The NAILWOOD Company - e-mail:
------------------------------
**** nagel@dbai.tuwien.ac.at ****
* Bug-reports.
* help-requests for installation-, configuration-, operation- and other
problems.
* I'll appreciate any valuable hints for program-improvement.
The NAILWOOD Company - Stunts-Page:
-----------------------------------
**** http://stud2.tuwien.ac.at/~e8926276/ENGLISH/Stunts.htm ****
New information, FAQs, updates, tracks, highscores, replays, cars, ...
*******************************************************************************
TrackBlaster Pro 5.3 by The NAILWOOD Company
*******************************************************************************
(
geocities.com/timessquare/castle) (
geocities.com/timessquare)