Loader Construction Kit
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--- USER MANUAL ---
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L O A D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N K I T
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Version 1.93F (French)
Developed and programmed
by
GRANDHOMME André
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Throughout this manual, it is assumed that you are proficient in
using your computer, including mouse operation, icon management,
drop-down menus, and the GEM environment.
If this is not the case, we strongly advise you to carefully read
the manual that comes with your ATARI computer.
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APPENDIX
LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT DISK
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To save space, some files on the LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT disk are compressed.
Here are various instructions to decompress them. These files are
self-extracting with the extension (.TOS).
Please follow the instructions in order.
The original disk should always remain write-protected to avoid
any mishandling.
DECOMPRESSING .TOS FILES:
Disk (A) is the original Loader Construction Kit disk.
Disk (B) is your freshly formatted blank disk.
1) Format a blank double-sided disk (Disk B).
2) Copy the EXEMPLES.TOS file from the original disk (Disk A)
onto your freshly formatted disk (Disk B).
3) Double-click on the EXEMPLES.TOS file (Disk B).
All folders and annexed files will then decompress.
4) Delete the EXEMPLES.TOS file from Disk B.
5) You can now open the EXEMPLES.LCK folder to view
all the decompressed files (Extension .LCK).
Repeat the same operations for the files CHIP.TOS, TRACK.TOS,
DESSINS.TOS, and FONTES.TOS.
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A FEW WORDS FROM THE AUTHORS....
Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of the LOADER
CONSTRUCTION KIT. Every effort has been made to make this
software a premium product.
We hope it will meet all your expectations.
The Authors
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--- TABLE OF CONTENTS ---
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CHAPTER I: OVERVIEW
- Warning page..
- Installation page..
- Protection page..
- Introduction page..
CHAPTER II: USING THE LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT.
- Description of drop-down menus page ..
- Saving your work page ..
- List of names page ..
- Managing the background image page ..
- Touch-ups page ..
- Graphic effects page ..
- Scrolling page ..
- Music page ..
- Program compressor page ..
- Passive test of loader page ..
CONCLUSION:
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:
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CHAPTER I
OVERVIEW
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WARNING:
Any reproduction or copying by any means must be distributed for free.
It may not be altered, either completely or partially, nor any other files linked to it.
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INSTALLATION:
The disk is not copy-protected. However, before you start working with the Loader Construction Kit, we recommend making a copy of the original and then storing it safely.
Use the copy disk for all your operations.
This software is designed to be used under GEM and in medium
resolution on your Atari ST. If you try to load the program
in low or high resolution, you will get a message indicating that
this cannot be done.
It works on all ATARI ST compatible computers, such as the ST, STF, STE, MEGA STF & MEGA STE, and can be
installed and used on your hard drive if you wish.
CAUTION: For optimal use, it is preferable to use
the program Loader Construction Kit on a computer
with at least 1 Mega of RAM and equipped with a
Blitter.
520 ST owners (512KB memory) must have a minimum of desktop accessories (see none...) to
save as much memory as possible.
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PROTECTION:
The LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT software, however, is protected by logical
protection.
Before each use, the program will ask you to enter a series of 3 colors located on a grid supplied with the software.
You will then be given a code corresponding to the abscissa and ordinate
of one of the cells on this grid (a letter + a number). Use your
computer's mouse and click on the chosen color from among the
9 options to validate your response.
This operation must be repeated 3 times to define your
color series.
If you do not enter the correct color series, the software will automatically return to the GEM desktop without launching.
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INTRODUCTION :
* LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT is a loader creation software.
(In English: Selection and loading menu.)
It allows, without any knowledge of computer programming,
the creation of an executable file integrating: music,
text scrolling, background image, graphic effects, etc.
This allows you to personalize your demos, recreational or professional applications, advertisements, or to grant access to the computing world to any novice person from 5 to 77 years old...!!
Moreover, its extreme ease of use will enable you to design your projects in record time, with your talent as the only limit.
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CHAPTER II
USING THE LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT
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DESCRIPTION OF DROP-DOWN MENUS
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* The Loader Construction Kit uses the GEM interface of your ATARI ST
in medium resolution. It is operated entirely with the mouse
or keyboard shortcuts.
ABOUT THE LCK MENU:
This option provides different information; the program version number, the publisher's contact details,
the authors' names, etc.
FILES MENU:
In this drop-down menu, you have access to a series of
file management functions.
NEW - Resets all variables..
LOAD.LCK - Load a .LCK file (F1)
SAVE.LCK - Save a .LCK file (F2)
TEST.LCK - Test the operation of your loader (simulation..)
COMPILE LOADER - Creation of a LOADER.PRG on the disk..
DELETE FILE - Delete a file on disk.
RENAME FILE - Rename a file on disk.
CREATE FOLDER - Creation of a new folder on disk.
EXIT LCK - Exit the Loader Construction Kit program
and return to GEM.
OPTIONS MENU:
SELECT DRIVE: - Choice of the active floppy drive or hard drive.
DISK INFO: - Clicking on the A or B icon, you get the available space
on your floppy disk.
It also provides various other information,
such as the type of floppy disk, the number of sides, and
tracks, etc.
- Clicking on the BOOT SPY option, you can test for
the presence of a virus on the floppy disk.
CAUTION: Do not use this option on original
floppy disks.
FORMAT: - This option gives you a disk formatter.
The formatting performed is the same as that under the
GEM desktop of your ATARI
EXECUTE .PRG: - This option allows you to run another program
while remaining under the control of the LOADER CONSTRUCTION
KIT.
- You must have at least one mega of RAM
to use this option..
BACKGROUND IMAGE MENU:
LOAD .P?1: Loading an image in Degas Elite format
(PI1 & PC1)
LOAD .NEO: Loading an image in Neochrome format
SAVE .PI1: Save an image in Degas Elite format (.PI1)
SAVE .NEO: Save an image in Neochrome format (.NEO)
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SAVING YOUR WORK
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SAVING:
In order to retain your creations, it is imperative to
save them on a floppy disk or hard drive.
To do this, use the option SAVE .LCK from the FILES Menu, or
press the FUNCTION KEY F2
The extension (.LCK) will be automatically added by the program
with each save.
PS: For protection, if a file with the same
name already exists, a (.BAK) file is automatically created .
So watch out for the free space on your floppy disk...!
LOADING:
Of course, you can subsequently reload your creations
by using the LOAD .LCK option from the FILES Menu, or press
the FUNCTION KEY F1
COMPILATION:
After finishing your LOADER, you can save it as
an executable program directly under the GEM desktop.
To do this, use the option COMPILE LOADER from the drop-down
menu and follow the program's instructions.
After compiling, do not change the name of the executable file
created by the program (LOADER.PRG). This would cause an error
when launching it...
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LIST OF NAMES
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CREATION OF THE LIST OF NAMES:
* Click on the NAME icon or press the function key F3
to access the dialogue box.
This option allows you to define the list of NAMES for
EXECUTABLE PROGRAMS that you want to load through
your LOADER.
The maximum number of these programs is 18, but you can
increase this limit by chaining multiple loaders together.
* To create your loader, you must define the NAMES of the EXECUTABLE PROGRAMS to be launched and the KEYS assigned to them.
For this, use your mouse and proceed as follows:
- Click on the PRG №1 box
- The GEM file selector appears,
then click on the chosen FILE (executable..!).
- The program then asks you to hit the KEY
associated with this FILE.
- Return to the main dialogue box where the File Name and the Keyboard Code of the key are displayed.
- Proceed in the same way for all programs
to create your list.
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>>> ATTENTION <<<
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* Each Program to be launched must be located in the same DIRECTORY
as the LOADER.PRG file on your Floppy Disk or hard drive.
* For the LOADER to launch a Program under GEM, it must not be
compiled in an AUTO folder.
* If the programs to be launched are COMPRESSED, there may be
conflicts with the LOADER and memory.(Run TESTS...!)
* Avoid mixing programs that operate at different resolutions (Low or Medium) in your list.
* If you have decided to compile your LOADER in an AUTO folder,
the programs in your list must be located at the root of the directory on your floppy disk.
These must not call GEM and must operate
in LOW RESOLUTION.
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MANAGING THE BACKGROUND IMAGE
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To load or save a background image, click on the IMAGE icon or press the function key F3.
You can also use the BACKGROUND IMAGE drop-down menu.
LOAD BACKGROUND IMAGE: ( Load .P?1 or Load .NEO )
- This option allows you to load an image into your computer's memory (the background image) which will later serve as a graphic backdrop for your loader.
The LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT can load images of the Degas Elite type (extension .PI1 or .PC1), or Neochrome type (extension .NEO),
these three file formats being the most common in the ST-compatible computer world.
After each read, the program displays the image that has just been loaded; click the right mouse button to
return to the main screen.
SAVE BACKGROUND IMAGE: ( Save .PI1 or Save .NEO )
This option allows saving the background image stored in your computer's memory. The LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT can save this image in Degas (.PI1) or Neochrome (.NEO) formats.
( the program will automatically add the extension of the chosen image format with each save )
VIEW BACKGROUND IMAGE: ( View Image or Function Key F3 )
- This option allows you to view the background image stored in your computer's memory at any time.
After viewing it, click the right mouse button to
return to the main screen.
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TOUCH-UPS
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Click on the DRAWING icon or press the function key F5 to
access the dialogue box.
- This option allows you to load your drawing program directly within the Loader Construction Kit to make touch-ups to your various graphics.
- You will then be asked to specify the desired resolution to launch your drawing program.
Since some software uses GEM, despite a usage in LOW resolution, the benefit of MEDIUM
resolution is highly appreciable.
(Example: Neochrome...)
CAUTION: It is strongly recommended to have a computer
with at least one mega of RAM to use
this option.
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GRAPHIC EFFECTS
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Click on the EFFECTS icon or press the function key F6 to access the graphic effects definition screen.
- This option gives you the possibility to combine various foreground and background effects for your background image.
You have 6 types of appearance effects and as many for disappearance.
- The selection of such effects is done through icons represented by a drawing.
Click on the desired effect, then on TEST to preview your choice.
- After viewing the effect, click the right mouse button to
return to the dialogue box.
- To have no appearance or disappearance effects, select
the NORMAL option in the dialogue box.
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SCROLLING
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Click on the SCROLLS icon or press the function key F7
to access the scrolling definition screen.
You can define vertical scrolling of a maximum height of 33
pixels.
TEXT
- First, enter the text of your scrolling,
click on the WRITE TEXT button.
- The text editor box then appears:
(with the ASCII order of authorized characters..)
- Then just type your text.
The maximum size of your text is 720 characters.
The ESC key allows you to erase the line where
the cursor is located.
* You also have the options LOAD, SAVE, and
DELETE (Extension: .TXT )
FONT:
- You must have loaded the image containing
the objects to be scrolled into the buffer:
These objects will most often be text font drawings, but it is not forbidden to scroll mountains, clouds, etc.
- To load your font image into memory, use
the option LOAD FONTS. (Extension .PI1, .PC1 or .NEO)
After loading, your image will automatically be previewed.
Click the right mouse button to return to
the dialogue box.
- Then you can save, in the Degas format, the
same image using the option SAVE FONTS.
- The save format of this option is different
from the standard DEGAS format, in that the size of the fonts
(size defined by the HEIGHT and WIDTH parameters)
is saved along with the image.
This facilitates the use of your fonts while remaining
compatible with all drawing software.
- The option VIEW FONTS will allow you to preview your font image at any time.
- The option DELETE FONTS will allow you to clear the memory buffer where your font image is stored.
PARAMETERS:
- Then you must specify the size of your objects to
scroll using the PARAMETERS box:
- WIDTH: Use the increment arrows to define in pixels the width of each object.
(Maximum 8x4=32 Pixels)
- HEIGHT: Use the increment arrows to define in pixels the height of each object.
(Maximum 33 pixels)
CREATE TRAJECTORY:
- Click on CREATE TRAJECTORY to define the location of the
your scrolling trajectory directly on your background image.
- For this, use your ST's mouse, move the trajectory
(Y) directly with your mouse.
The location of your scrolling is then displayed
on the screen by 2 parallel lines.
Click the LEFT MOUSE BUTTON to validate your
choice.
- Do the same to define and validate the two parameters X1 & X2
(Start and end column of the scroll)
SCROLLING ON & OFF:
- To validate your scrolling, click on ON.
The TEST option allows you to check and preview your scrolling.
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IF ANY PARAMETERS ARE MISSING FROM THE PROGRAM, THIS ACTION WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE..!
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GRILLE: The grid option allows you to create a grid in the
format of the desired fonts, then save it in the Degas
(extension .PI1) format and work on it using your drawing software.
This facilitates the creation or touch-up of new
text fonts.
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MUSIC
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Click on the MUSIC icon or press the function key F8 to access the music definition box.
This option allows you to load music into your computer's memory and play it during the execution of your loader.
Sound on your ATARI can be obtained in two ways; by programming the sound chip or by playing sampled tunes.
You therefore have the option to load music of either SOUND CHIP type or SOUND-TRACK STE (.MOD) type.
* CHIPS MUSICS:
LOAD:
- You can load Sound Chip type music using the LOAD option.
The music will then automatically play as soon as you return to the
dialogue box.
- For Chips composed of several tunes, you can
specify the number of the tune to play using the CHIP NUMBER option.
For this, click with your mouse on the two increment arrows of the counter.
CAUTION: Any loading of an unknown format other than MAD MAX,
WHITTAKER may "Crash" your machine.
SAVE:
- You can save the Sound Chip music in memory to a floppy disk with the SAVE option in the dialogue box.
(Extension: .ZIK)
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* SOUND-TRACKS STE: (If you have an STE..!!)
- You can load uncompacted SoundTrack STE type music using the LOAD SoundTrack STE option.
The music will then automatically play as soon as you return to the
dialogue box.
- For better audio quality, Sound-tracks use
a high amount of machine time, therefore, there is a risk of disrupting
the text-scrolling if the scrolling trajectory or the fonts used are too large.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to load music files of formats other than those indicated, as this could force a system shutdown. The program will always try to verify that the music is in the expected format before using it; however, something may go wrong.
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PROGRAM COMPRESSOR
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Click on the PACK icon or press the function key F9 to
access the dialogue box.
FOR THIS OPTION, YOU MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF ONE MEGABYTE OF RAM.!
You will then be asked to insert the LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT diskette into drive A to load the compression routines.
This option allows you to compress programs while keeping them executable. This saves space on your diskette, allowing you to include more choices in your loader menu.
But be cautious, test all the programs you compress; it doesn't work with all types of files. It depends on their internal structure...
How to use MEGA-PACKER:
First, you need to define your preferences. To do this, click on the "PREFERENCE" option in the main packer menu.
WRITE TITLE: This option allows you to define whether, during the program's decompression, a message will or will not inform the user that this file is compressed with MEGA-PACKER.
VERIFICATION: This option allows you to define whether you want YES or NO for program verification after compression.
VISUALIZATION: This option allows you to define whether, during file decompression, you want YES or NO for a color animation to run on your computer screen. This is to keep the user entertained.
ATTENTION: The EXECUTABLE FILE (your loader...) produced by the Loader Construction Kit is already compressed...
Redoing the operation doesn't work...!!
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PASSIVE LOADER TESTING
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Click on the TEST icon or press the F10 function key to run your loader and view the animations you have created.
HOW TO TEST YOUR LOADER:
To check your LOADER, press the KEYS associated with the NAMES of the programs defined in your LIST.
After the PASSIVE TEST, press the space bar to return to your loader's menu.
To exit and return to the main editor screen, press the ESC key.
CONCLUSION:
We disclaim any responsibility for direct or indirect damage that the user's hardware or other software may suffer, or for any other reason.
We hope you will be completely satisfied using this software.
Loader Construction Kit is programmed in GFA Basic 3.5 Compiled.
GEM is a registered trademark of Digital Research Inc.
Degas Elite is a registered trademark of Migraph Inc.
Atari ST, Mega ST & STE, and TOS are registered trademarks of ATARI Corp.
The LOADER CONSTRUCTION KIT v1.93 diskette includes:
A TRACK.TOS file (for STE only...)
A CHIPS.TOS file
A FONTES.TOS file
An EXEMPLES.TOS file
A DESSINS.TOS file
The program LCK_193F.PRG
The files LCK0.DAT
LCK1.DAT
LCK2.DAT
LCK3.DAT (Essential)
LCK4.DAT
LCK5.DAT
LCK6.DAT
LCK7.DAT
The LISEZ.MOI file
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KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:
Function Keys:
F1 - Load a .LCK file
F2 - Save a .LCK file
F3 - Create the LIST
F4 - View or load a BACKGROUND IMAGE
F5 - Load a drawing program
F6 - Show/hide the background image
F7 - Create SCROLLING
F8 - Music
F9 - Mega Packer
F10 - Test
Help Key:
- Load an ASCII file
Undo Key:
- Set the date and time for your system
ESC Key:
- Exit the TEST option
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END
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