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Elixir

for AFP™

Getting Started

Guide

June1999

Version 4.00

Elixir Technologies Corporation P.O. Box 1559 Ojai, CA 93024

June 1999 Version 4.00 Printed in the United States of America

Trademarks and Service Marks/Company: Elixir/Elixir Technologies Corporation

HP, LaserJet/Hewlett Packard Company IBM, Personal Computer AT, PS/2, and all IBM products mentioned in this publication are trademarks of International Business Machines MS-DOS, Windows, Microsoft Mouse/Microsoft Corporation

All other product names and trade names used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyright protection claimed includes all forms and matters of copyrightable material and information now allowed by statutory or judicial law or hereinafter granted, including without limitation, material generated from the software programs which are displayed on the screen such as icons, screen display looks, etc.

Changes are periodically made to this document. Changes, technical inaccuracies, and typographic errors will be corrected in subsequent editions.

Table of contents

1. Introduction 1-1

Notes and cautions 1-2 Release notes 1-2 Customer support 1-2

Elixir Web site support 1-3 Elixir training 1-4 Who should use this guide 1-4 System requirements 1-4

Hardware 1-4

Software 1-5 Conventions 1-5

Display conventions 1-6

Typographical conventions 1-6

Mouse operations 1-7 On-line Help 1-8 Using Online documentation 1-10

Accessing online guides 1-10

Navigating in online guides 1-11

Word find 1-12 Page scrolling 1-12 Zoom in/out 1-13

Printing online guides 1-13 Organization of this guide 1-14 Starting Elixir applications 1-15

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sub-window menus 1-16 Exiting Elixir applications 1-17 Forms creation process 1-18

Forms creation overview 1-18 How Elixir fits into the forms creation

process 1-19 References 1-20

Copying resources to Elixir directories 1-20

Downloading resources to appropriate Elixir directories

1-20

Converting resources to Elixir-format 1-20

Editing fonts using ElixirFont 1-20

Editing images using ElixirImage 1-21

Using ElixirForm to compose a form 1-21

Creating screen versions of fonts and graphics 1-21

Creating a .DAT file 1-21 Proof-printing a form 1-21 Converting your form to the

appropriate format 1-21

2. Installation 2-1

Before installation 2-1

Font considerations 2-2

Selecting the Country Keyboard Map 2-2

Selecting the Default Code Page 2-4

Product Registration 2-5

Elixir Product Registration screen 2-6 Using the internet 2-6

iv ELIXIR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Registering as a new customer via

the internet 2-7

Downloading via the internet to a

non-Elixir PC 2-8

Contacting Elixir (no internet

connection) 2-9

Soft key customers running Win-

dows for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11 2-10 Installation 2-10

Installing Elixir applications 2-11

Full installation 2-12

Custom installation 2-13

Adding applications 2-14

Adding newly licensed applications 2-14

3. Desktop basics 3-1

Overview 3-1 Desktop layout 3-2

Menu Bar 3-3 Icons 3-3

Elixir folder icons 3-3

Forms folder 3-4 Fonts folder 3-4 Images folder 3-4

Documents folder 3-4 Jobs folder 3-4 Clipboard icon 3-4 User Files icon 3-5 Application icons 3-5

ElixirForm icon 3-5

ElixirFont icon 3-5

ElixirImage icon 3-5

ElixiDoc icon 3-5

ElixirScan icon 3-6 User Tools icon 3-6

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Diskette icon 3-6 Printers icon 3-6 Scanners icon 3-6 Dispatcher icon 3-7 Converter icon 3-7 Trashbin icon 3-7 Viewer icon 3-7

Transformer icon 3-7 Using the Desktop 3-8 Accessing DOS 3-8

Managing files 3-8

Selecting files in an Elixir window 3-9

File operations 3-10

Dragging files 3-10 Dropping files 3-11 Deleting files and folders 3-11 Renaming files 3-12 Duplicating files 3-13 Overwriting existing files 3-14

Converting files 3-15

Elixir folder structure 3-15

Converter operations 3-17

4. ElixirForm basics 4-1

Overview 4-1 ElixirForm layout 4-2

Toolbox <F10> 4-4

Toolbar 4-5

Message area 4-5 Creating a form 4-5

Loading a new form 4-7

Using the grid, rulers and long

crosshair 4-7

Creating form elements 4-8

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lines 4-8 Boxes 4-9 Text 4-9 Images 4-10

Undo/redo 4-12

Modifying form elements 4-12

Selecting elements 4-12 Moving selected elements 4-13 Copying selected elements 4-13 Deleting selected elements 4-14 Editing selected form elements 4-14 Saving a form 4-15 Proof-printing your form 4-17 Loading an existing form 4-17

5. ElixirFont basics 5-1

Overview 5-1 Font basics 5-2 ElixirFont layout 5-2

Toolbox 5-4 Message area 5-5 Code Page Window 5-5

Using ElixirFont 5-5

Loading a non-AFP font 5-5 Loading a Code Page 5-9 Using the edit selection tools 5-11

Using the Edit tool 5-11 Edit Window menu bar 5-13 Edit Window Toolbar 5-13

Editing tools 5-14 Using the Transform tool 5-15 Creating a character set (font) 5-17 Saving a character set (font) 5-18

6. ElixirImage basics 6-1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview 6-1 ElixirImage layout 6-1

Toolbox 6-3 Toolbar 6-4 Message area 6-4

Using ElixirImage 6-4

Loading an existing image 6-5 Using the drawing tools 6-6 Using the Transform tool 6-7 Creating an image 6-9 Resetting an image 6-10 Saving an image 6-10 Proof printing an image 6-11

A. Troubleshooting A-1

Notes and cautions A-1 Installation A-1 Elixikeys A-2 Elixir Desktop A-3 ElixirForm A-5 ElixirFont A-6 ElixirImage A-6 Operational and error messages A-7

Elixir Desktop and Converters messages A-7

ElixirForm messages A-29 ElixirImage messages A-36 ElixirFont messages A-45

Glossary GLOSSARY-1

Index INDEX-1

viii ELIXIR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

1. Introduction

This guide provides an overview and description of the basic skills and terminology required to operate the following Elixir Windows-based applications.

The Elixir Desktop, a user interface for launching Elixir applications such as ElixirForm, ElixirFont and ElixirImage. The Elixir Desktop also provides quick access to Elixir converters that convert form, font, image and document files between Elixir and other formats. You can edit Elixirformat files using the appropriate Elixir application (ElixirForm, ElixirFont or ElixirImage), and convert them back to the original or a different format using the Desktop.

ElixirForm, a forms creation package for creating and editing Elixir-format forms, which you can then convert to other formats using the Desktop.

ElixirFont, a font editor used for creating and editing Elixir-format fonts, which you can then convert to other formats using the Desktop.

ElixirImage, a bitmap editor used for creating or editing Elixir-format images, which you can then convert to other formats using the Desktop.

Each Elixir application has a user guide to which you can refer for detailed information. For information about error and operational messages, see "Appendix A, Troubleshooting".

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Notes and cautions

Elixir user guides may contain a "Notes and Cautions" section. Before using an Elixir application, we recommend that you read the "Notes and Cautions" section applicable to the application. You can also access this information by viewing the release notes.

Release notes

Release notes appear at the beginning of the Elixir software install process, so that you can review each entry before performing the complete installation. Once the software is installed, release notes can be accessed from the Help menu of the application. Release notes are formatted for viewing in Notepad or Wordpad. They have a txt file extension and are found in the drive:\ELIXIR \RELNOTES directory.

Customer support

If you have purchased your Elixir product directly from Elixir Technologies then contact the support center for your region at the number listed below.

North and South America:

+1 805 641 5900 ext. 3

Asia Pacific +92 (0) 51 206182

Europe +420 2 2431 13877

The U.S.A. Elixir Customer Support Center provides telephone technical assistance for Elixir users Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

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If you have any problems running or using Elixir PrintDriver or associated Elixir applications, contact the support center in your region for help. An Elixir product specialist will answer your call and ask for the following information:

your name, organization, telephone number and address.

the name and version number of the Elixir application.

a complete description of the problem, including any error messages displayed on your monitor or printed at your printer.

You can contact Elixir support by accessing the Elixir World Wide Web page (and selecting [Contact Support]) at http://www.elixir.com. Please complete the question form.

Elixir Web site support

The Elixir Web site at http://www.elixir.com offers the following resources:

INTRODUCTION

Raise a question for Elixir Support. Find answers in the list of Frequently Asked

Questions. Review the latest Tips and Techniques for in-

creasing productivity using Elixir software. Download new releases and the latest patches. View Release Notes for the latest available

features. Learn in the user newsgroup how others are us-

ing Elixir products. Sign up for an Elixir Learning Program.

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Elixir training

Elixir Technologies Corporation offers training for our full range of Windows-based family of products. For more information, contact the Elixir Learning center, or vist our website at www.elixir.com

Elixir Learning (805) 641-5900 ext. 6

Who should use this guide

This guide is intended for users who are familiar with Windows and who want to install the Elixir Desktop and Converters and its associated applications (ElixirForm, ElixirFont and ElixirImage). This guide also provides a quick overview of the Elixir Desktop and its associated applications and instructions on how to use the basic features associated with these applications.

System requirements

This section lists the hardware and software requirements for running the Elixir Desktop and other Elixir applications.

Hardware

Recommended PC configuration: Pentium (or

100% compatible), with at least 133 MHz processor (or the fastest commercially available processor); 32 MB RAM, 500+ MB hard drive, one CD-ROM drive.

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Software

INTRODUCTION

Additional hardware requirements:

any monitor with driver software supporting Windows in VGA, SVGA, or Sigma LaserView.

any Windows compatible mouse. any PC-to-mainframe or communications board

that supports binary file transfers (such as IBM PC3270, IRMA FT/3270, or AS/400 PC communications packages).

One or more of the following peripheral devices:

AFP compatible printers. HP LaserJet II or compatible PCL 4 printer. digital scanner and associated software with

ability to create .PCX or .TIF images at 300 or 300 dpi.

Software requirements:

dows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 or later. While we make every effort to ensure the proper op-

eration of our software, some problems cannot be resolved due to differences in the operating systems.

Microsoft Windows 95, Win-

Conventions

Most of the following conventions are the same or similar to Windows conventions.

display conventions typographical conventions mouse operations

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INTRODUCTION

Display conventions

The Elixir Desktop, ElixirForm, ElixirFont and ElixirImage all adhere to Microsoft Windows conventions for using menus, menu commands, dialog boxes, command buttons, icons and mouse. See your Windows manual for more information.

Typographical conventions

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this guide and other Elixir product guides.

Keystrokes are shown enclosed in < > (angle brackets). For example:

<Enter> Key combinations are denoted by a plus sign be-

tween keys. For example: <Shift> + <F1> indicates to simultaneously press

the <Shift> and the <F1> keys. Menu titles are shown in bold. Menu options are

enclosed in [ ] (square brackets). For example: Select [New] from the File menu. Commands, options, actions, and parameters

that require description are shown in bold followed on the next line by the description. For example:

Delete

Deletes the selected files. Steps in a procedure are shown in numbered bold

paragraphs. For example:

1. At the prompt, enter the file name and extension.

Comments relating to a step (such as this paragraph) are shown in regular text following the bold paragraph.

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Mouse operations

You can perform most operations in Elixir applications by using the mouse. The terminology is similar to other Windows based applications.

Mouse operations are performed using the left or right mouse buttons, depending on the specific task.

The following mouse related terms are used in this guide:

click

to momentarily press and release the left mouse button once. A right mouse button click is specified where necessary. For example,

INTRODUCTION

Commands you enter at the DOS prompt are shown in larger text. Within DOS commands, variable names and keys you press are shown in italics. For example:

CD \ELIXIR <Enter>

Click on the right mouse button to finish entering text.

double-click

to click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession.

drag

to click and hold the mouse on an item and move the item with the mouse.

drag and drop

to drag an item as above, then release the mouse button, once the item is positioned over a the area. If the selected object is a file and the destination is a directory, the file copies to the directory.

object

a selectable item on the screen.

open

to point and double-click on an icon -- the effect of this operation depends on the icon.

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INTRODUCTION

point

to move the mouse to position the screen pointer on an area of the screen.

select

to point to an object and click the mouse -- this usually highlights the object.

<Alt>click

to hold down the <Alt> key while pressing the left mouse button -- this allows you to select a range of files in a window.

<Ctrl>click

to hold down the <Ctrl> key while pressing the left mouse button -- this allows you to select individual files from a group in a window.

<Shift>click

to hold down the <Shift> key while clicking the mouse

-- this allows you to select more than one object at a

time.

On-line Help

Elixir software uses the Microsoft Windows Help program to provide on-line Help for all functions.

For more information about Windows Help, select the [How to Use Help] option in the Help menu, or see your Microsoft Windows documentation.

The Help files included with your Elixir software include graphics created using screen drivers with large fonts. If you use a screen driver with small fonts, the Help file graphics may not display clearly. For optimum graphics display, use a screen driver with large fonts.

You can display on-line Help in the following ways:

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INTRODUCTION

Bubble Help

Click on an icon with the right mouse button to view its properties (if applicable) or to display "bubble help." Bubble help is a short description of the icon function that displays in a bubble extending from the icon.

Quick Help

Enable the quick function by selecting the quick help option in the Usage Switches (or Preferences -- for ElixirImage) dialog box. When you move the screen pointer over an icon on the screen, a short description of the icon function displays in the message area of the screen. During certain operations a message about the function you are performing also displays in the message area. To see these operational messages, disable quick help.

Context sensitive Help

To use this function, click on an icon and press <F1>. If available, the appropriate Help topic displays. If no specific topic is available, the Help table of contents displays.

Help menu

Select [Help] from the top pull-down menu and choose one of the displayed topics.

Dialog box Help

Click on the [Help] button in a dialog box to view an associated Help topic. Under Windows 95 and Windows NT, right-click on a dialog box option to display an associated Help topic.

Help pop-ups and jumps

Within Help topic text, words or phrases underlined in green are pop-ups or jumps. When you click on a pop-up topic, a box displays within the current Help topic with additional information. When you click on a jump, a different, associated Help topic displays.

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INTRODUCTION

Help hypergraphics

Hypergraphics are special graphics within Help files that contain "hot spots". Hot spots are either pop-up topics or jumps. Hypergraphics in Elixir Help are most commonly dialog boxes with option hot spots (pop-up definitions), toolboxes with tool hot spots (topic jumps), and menus with option hot spots (topic jumps or pop-up definitions).

Move the cursor over a hypergraphic until a hand displays, then click on this hot spot to display a pop-up topic, or a "jump". To close a pop-up topic, click the mouse button. To return to the original Help topic from a jump, click on <Back> in the Help file menu.

Using Online documentation

This section describes how to use PDF online documentation, including navigating through the online guides and printing the guides. Acrobat Reader is provided with the online documentation. Information about using the Acrobat Exchange program is included for users who have licenses for that program.

Accessing online guides

The PDF online documentation is copied to the drive:\Elixir\help\pdf directory during the installation of Elixir Suite for AFP. If you didn't choose to copy the PDF online documentation during the installation, you can view a complete list of the files by clicking on the Windows [Start] button and selecting Programs>Elixir Applications>Elixir Suite for AFP. Once the application is launched, click on the Help menu and select Release Notes. Wordpad displays a current list of supporting documents and the directories where they can be found on CD-ROM.

When the appropriate PDF file is accessed the Acrobat Reader program is launched and the List of Online Guides is displayed. Click on a guide to view its table of contents and jump to individual chapters.

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INTRODUCTION

The following list of PDF files and associated document names are installed in the drive:\Elixir\help\pdf directory.

StartAFP.pdf - Getting Started User Guide DeskAFP.pdf - Elixir Desktop and Converters

for AFP User Guide FormAFP.pdf - ElixirForm User Guide FontAFP.pdf - ElixirFont User Guide ImageAFP.pdf - ElixirImage User Guide PdAFP.pdf - Elixir PrintDriver for AFP User

Guide PdNT.pdf - Elixir PrintDriver for NT User

Guide AppAFP.pdf - Elixir AppBuilder for AFP User

Guide Transfmr.pdf - Elixir Transformer Suite User

Guide Viewer.pdf - ElixirViewer User Guide Elxscan.pdf - ElixiScan User Guide

Navigating in online guides

After loading a PDF document in Acrobat Reader or Exchange program (as described above), you can navigate through the online guide by clicking on the following:

TOC chapter titles - jumps to the beginning of the chapter indicated.

[Next Page] or [Previous Page] in the Toolbar - jumps to the next or previous page of the online guide (alternatively, you can use the <Page Up> and <Page Down> keys).

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INTRODUCTION

[Go Back] in the Toolbar - returns to your previous location.

[First Page] in the Toolbar - returns to the opening screen of the online guide.

Word find

This option finds a key word or phrase in the current document.

To use Word Find in a document:

1. Click on the [Find] icon in the Toolbar.

2. Enter the desired search text and click on [Find].

The Acrobat Find dialog box closes and the first occurrence of the text is highlighted.

3. To find more occurrences of the same text, click on the [Find] icon in the Toolbar and then click on [Find Again] in the Find dialog box.

Page scrolling

You can move a document on the screen to view portions of it not visible in the window, or read a document which contains article threads by clicking the mouse to scroll through the document without using the scroll bar.

To move a document on the screen for viewing (functional only when the document displays wider than the document window):

1. Click on the [Hand] icon in the Toolbar.

2. Hold down the mouse button and drag the cursor in the desired direction.

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INTRODUCTION

To follow the flow of text in a document that contains article threads (automatic text flows):

1. Click on the [Hand] icon in the Toolbar.

2. If the document contains article threads, a “down” arrow displays on the Hand icon.

3. Position the hand-shaped cursor over a paragraph and click on the paragraph to begin reading.

4. Continue clicking to follow the flow of text.

Zoom in/out

To magnify the size of the page display, click on the Zoom icon in the Toolbar, then click in the Work area. Each click resizes the view by a factor of two.

To reduce the size of the page display, click on the Zoom icon in the Toolbar, then hold down the <Ctrl> key and click in the Work area.

You can also click on the [%] button at the bottom of the screen and select a zoom percentage from the pop-up list.

Printing online guides

You can print individual chapters or an entire book to PostScript or HP printers:

1. Open the file.

2. Select File>Print.

The Print dialog box displays.

3. Select your printing options and click on [OK].

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INTRODUCTION

Organization of this guide

Chapter 1, "Introduction," provides an overview of Elixir software and documentation and describes the hardware software and memory required for installing and using Elixir software.

Chapter 2, "Installation," provides instructions on how to install Elixir Software.

Chapter 3, "Desktop basics," provides an overview of the Elixir Desktop and instructions on how to perform basic Desktop operations.

Chapter 4, "ElixirForm basics," provides an overview of ElixirForm and instructions on how to perform basic ElixirForm operations.

Chapter 5, "ElixirFont basics," provides an overview of ElixirFont and instructions on how to perform basic ElixirFont operations.

Chapter 6, "ElixirImage Basics," provides an overview of ElixirImage and instructions on how to perform basic ElixirImage operations.

Appendix A, "Troubleshooting," provides troubleshooting procedures, and lists all operational and error messages issued by the Elixir Suite for AFP products.

Glossary. Index.

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Starting Elixir applications

This section describes how to start the Elixir Desktop, and its associated applications (ElixirForm, ElixirImage and ElixirFont).

Using Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT:

Start the Elixir Desktop by clicking on the [Start] button and choosing Programs> Elixir Applications> Elixir Suite for AFP.

The Elixir Desktop displays.

INTRODUCTION

Figure 1-1. Elixir Desktop window

Note: If you are using a monochrome monitor and have difficulty reading the title bar text, select [Usage Switches] from the System menu. In the Usage Switches dialog box, select [Monochrome Monitor].

To start ElixirForm, ElixirImage or ElixirFont, doubleclick on the corresponding ElixirForm, ElixirImage or ElixirFont icons on the Desktop.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 1-15

INTRODUCTION

For example, double-click on the ElixirImage icon to start ElixirImage and display the ElixirImage window.

Figure 1-2. ElixirImage window

Sub-window menus

All Elixir applications offer additional functionality to normal Windows operations by allowing functions such as pull-down menus in sub-windows (or "child" windows).

The following figure displays a sub-window menu selection from the Elixir Desktop.

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Figure 1-3. Elixir sub-window menu

INTRODUCTION

Exiting Elixir applications

To exit the Elixir Desktop or any of its associated applications:

Double-click on the Close button at the top left of any Elixir application.

Press <Alt> + <F4>. Press <Alt> + <X>. From the File menu and select [Exit] Click on the [X] at the top right corner of the appli-

cation window.

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INTRODUCTION

Forms creation process

This section describes the forms creation process and how Elixir applications fit into the process.

Forms creation overview

A form is a single-page document that contains elements such as lines, boxes, text and images. The following summarizes the steps involved in the forms creation process.

Input/Conversion

Collecting appropriate resources, such as fonts and images, and then converting them to a format for editing or using within a composition.

Editing and composition

Organizing and structuring the resources gathered in the Input/Conversion process.

Data integration

Putting resources in a form to make the form meaningful.

Proof-printing

Printing the form on a proof-printer to ensure that all resources print correctly.

Revising

Reviewing the proof-printed form, and making changes or corrections.

Final printing and distribution

Printing multiple copies of the form on a production printer and distributing them to the target audience.

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How Elixir fits into the forms creation process

By describing how to use Elixir applications to create a form, you will learn how Elixir fits into the forms creation process.

See the "References" section that follows for more information on performing the following steps.

To create a form using Elixir applications:

4. Gather the resources (such as fonts and graphics) that you want to place in your document.

5. Copy your resources to the appropriate Elixir directories.

6. Convert resources from AFP or other formats to Elixir-format using the Elixir Desktop.

If you plan to proof-print, you will need to create printer versions of your fonts using the Elixir Desktop.

INTRODUCTION

7. Use the appropriate Elixir application (ElixirFont or ElixirImage, respectively) to edit fonts and images, or to create new fonts and images.

8. Use the ElixirForm application to compose a form that includes the resources created in the previous steps.

You will need to create screen versions of the fonts and images you created in the previous steps (using the Elixir Desktop) to see your fonts and images in ElixirForm.

If you want to create a multiple-page document, use the Elixir Desktop to create a .DAT file that references two or more forms.

9. Proof-print your form.

Verify that your form prints correctly.

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INTRODUCTION

References

10. Convert your form to the appropriate printer format using the Elixir Desktop.

11. Print your form on the appropriate printer.

This section lists the chapters in this and other Elixir application user guides where you can find procedures for the above steps.

This guide provides some information on the individual steps of the publishing process; however, you can find more detailed information in the appropriate Elixir application user guide.

Copying resources to Elixir directories

See the "Desktop basics" chapter of this guide, or the "Additional Desktop features" chapter of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

Downloading resources to appropriate Elixir directories

See the "File transfer" chapter of the Elixir Desktop

and Converters for AFP User Guide.

Converting resources to Elixir-format

See the "Desktop basics" chapter of guide, or the "Elixir Folders" and "Additional Desktop features" chapters of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

Editing fonts using ElixirFont

See the "ElixirFont basics" chapter of this guide, or the "Editing fonts" chapter of the ElixirFont for AFP User Guide.

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INTRODUCTION

Editing images using ElixirImage

See the "ElixirImage basics" section of this guide, or the "ElixirImage basics" chapter of the ElixirImage for AFP User Guide.

Using ElixirForm to compose a form

See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter of this guide, or the "ElixirForm basics" chapter of the ElixirForm for

AFP User Guide.

Creating screen versions of fonts and graphics

See the "File conversions" chapter of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

Creating a .DAT file

See the "File conversions" chapter of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

Proof-printing a form

See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter of this guide, or the "ElixirForm basics" chapter of the ElixirForm for AFP User Guide.

Converting your form to the appropriate format

See the "Desktop basics" chapter of this guide, or the "Elixir Folders" and "File conversions" chapters of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

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2. Installation

This chapter describes procedures for installing the Elixir Desktop for the first time, and over an existing version.

Before installation

Read the notes supplied with the Elixir installation program before installing or reinstalling the Elixir software, or before using a tape drive.

Complete the software licensing process (See the "Product Registration" section).

All Elixir applications described in this guide are installed using the supplied CD-ROM.

First time installation (of a Desktop application) requires at least 26 MB of free space on your hard disk drive. Selecting multiple applications will require additional disk space. Reinstallation requires less disk space as the installation procedure overwrites existing Elixir application files.

Each time you reinstall Elixir software, you overwrite existing program files and utilities with new ones. You should select backup files when reinstalling.

To avoid any possible conflicts, exit all other applications before installing Elixir software.

If you want to abort installation at any time during the process, click on the [Cancel] button from the install screen or press the <Esc> key. You will be prompted to abort.

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INSTALLATION

Font considerations

If you plan to create or modify fonts for use on AFP printers, the "AFP font conversion considerations" appendix includes information that is crucial to successful font conversion operations. You should read the "Font strategy" section of this appendix to determine how you should configure your Elixir environment based on the strategy you want to use for converting and using AFP fonts.

Selecting the Country Keyboard Map

During installation, your Country Keyboard Map and Default Code Page are automatically detected. If the installation is unable to detect your map and code page, prompts for selecting them display, and you can configure your default Elixir environment as described in this section.

A Country Keyboard Map is the translation table Elixir software uses to assign hexadecimal PC (ASCII) keys to AFP font Graphic Character IDs (GCIDs). You can find a description of the structure of a Country Keyboard Map in the "AFP font conversion considerations" appendix of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

When converting an AFP font for use in ElixirForm or for proof printing, you can convert the entire character set or a subset of the character set to Elixir. The subset, a "PC mapped" Elixir font, contains only the characters listed in the Country Keyboard Map.

If the primary purpose of converting AFP fonts to Elixir is to create forms, creating a "PC mapped" font significantly reduces hard disk space use.

The Elixir Desktop provides a number of Country Keyboard Maps suitable for most applications. When installing, select the one that most closely meets your needs.

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INSTALLATION

When you run the Elixir Desktop, you can change the default Country Keyboard Map (described in the "Desktop configuration" chapter of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide), or you can create your own custom Country Keyboard Map as described in the "AFP font conversion considerations" appendix of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

The following table lists the Country Keyboard Maps (ASCII .KMP files) provided at the time of publication.

.KMP file Description

T100437.KMP Personal Computer for US

T1000850.KMP PC Multilingual 1 for IBM PC

T1000852.KMP Latin2, Multilingual 2 (Slavic

T1000855 Cyrillic T1000857.KMP Latin 5 (Turkish) T1000860.KMP Portugal T1000861.KMP Iceland T1000862.KMP Hebrew T1000863.KMP Canadian French T1000864.KMP Arabic T1000865.KMP Nordic T1000869.KMP Greek

English, UK English, and European languages using the IBM character set

multinational keyboards

for Croatian, Czech, East German, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, and Slovenian

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INSTALLATION

Selecting the Default Code Page

If the installation cannot detect your Default Code Page, the program prompts you to select a Default Code Page from the list of Code Pages supplied. A Default Code Page is the Elixir version of an AFP Code Page.

An AFP Code Page is a translation table used by AFP fonts to assign host (EBCDIC) code points to Graphic Character IDs (GCIDs). See the “AFP font conversion considerations” appendix of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide for more information.

An Elixir Code Page is an ASCII .COD file which you either create when you convert the full character set of an AFP font to Elixir format, or is supplied by Elixir.

You use the Elixir Code Page when converting an Elixir font to AFP format for the first time (i.e., if the Elixir font was not originally converted from an AFP font). After converting, an AFP Code Page, a required component of the AFP font, generates.

The Default Code Page you select at installation will be the default Elixir Code Page when you run the Elixir Desktop. You can change the default to another Code Page as described in the "Desktop configuration" chapter of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide. The Default Code Page, in conjunction with the Country Keyboard Map, translates PC ASCII characters to EBCDIC characters when you convert overlays to or from Elixir-format.

You can also download an existing AFP Code Page from your host computer to the appropriate directory, convert it to Elixir format, and use it as a default. See the “File transfer” chapter of the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide for information about downloading AFP resources, the Code Page directory, and converting Code Pages.

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At installation, select the Elixir Code Page that most closely matches your requirements. For additional information about AFP font conversions, see the “File conversions” chapter and “AFP font conversion considerations” appendix of the Elixir Desktop and Con- verters for AFP User Guide for more information.

Product Registration

Elixir products no longer require ElixiKey hardware devices attached to your parallel port. Elixir products now utilize soft key technology. This new licensing process validates your license agreement with Elixir and places a file (password.epw if an Elixir customer, or License.dat if a Xerox customer) on your workstation.

Version 4.00 implements Elixir's new licensing process and discontinues use of the current hard keys. All customers must register/re-register software license(s) by using the Elixir registration program provided with the software.

INSTALLATION

Each product installed is assigned to a specific pc. This pc number, your customer number, and password are required. This information is provided when you purchase Elixir software or when you upgrade to version 4.00 of Elixir products.

If you are an Elixir customer, registration can be completed automatically if you have an internet connection on your workstation. If you are a Xerox customer you must contact Xerox to register your products.

This section describes the registration process for those customers who have purchased their Elixir products form Elixir Technologies.

The following scenarios describe the registration process for Elixir customers. Xerox Corporation will provide a separate document that describes registering your products with Xerox.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 2-5

INSTALLATION

you are a new customer and will use Soft Key registration

you are an existing customer and will change to Soft Key registration

Elixir Product Registration screen

Make your selections according to your needs and go to the appropriate section for further procedures.

Figure 2-1. Elixir Product Registration screen

Using the internet

You can register and download all registration files via the Elixir Product Registration program. There are two ways to register your products using the Internet:

down load the product registration file directly to the Elixir PC via the Internet (see "Registering as a new customer via the internet")

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download the product registration file to another machine and move it to the Elixir PC (see "Downloading via the internet to a non-Elixir PC")

Registering as a new customer via the internet

You will receive a "Customer Activation Letter" with your product(s) ordered. The registration process should be completed before installing your software. The installation CD will launch and install the Registration Program.

To install the registration program on your Elixir PC:

1. In the Software Registration screen, click on [Next].

2. Select the drive and click on [Next].

3. In the Start Registration Process screen, click on [Install].

The password file will be installed and your system configured.

INSTALLATION

To complete registration:

1. In the Elixir Product Registration "Welcome" screen, select [Next].

Your machine serial number displays.

2. Enter your customer number (from Activation Letter), then click on [Next].

3. Enter your password and the PC number you want to register, then click on [Next].

4. Select [Prepare and download my initial product license registration. This workstation or another pc is connected to the internet] from the Registration Option menu, then click on [Next].

5. In the Download Password screen, click on [Yes].

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INSTALLATION

The system displays your customer information and you must verify that it is correct.

6. When the screen displays the registration information, click on [Save]. You may also print this screen for reference or to send to Elixir.

The application installation process will begin, see the "Installation" section.

Downloading via the internet to a non-Elixir PC

To install the registration program on your Elixir PC:

1. In the Software Registration screen, click on [Next].

2. Select the drive and click on [Next].

3. In the Start Registration Process screen, click on [Install].

The password file will be installed and your system configured.

To complete registration:

1. In the Elixir Product Registration "Welcome" screen, select [Next].

Your machine serial number displays.

2. Enter your customer number (from Activation Letter), then click on [Next].

3. Enter your password and the PC number you want to register, then click on [Next].

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INSTALLATION

4. Select [Prepare and download my initial product license registration. This workstation or another pc is connected to the internet] from the Registration Option menu, then click on [Next].

5. In the Download Password screen, click on [No].

6. In the How to Contact Elixir screen, click on [Print] and take the printout to the pc connected to the internet.

7. Access the Elixir Web site at http:\\www.elixir.com. and click on [Product Registration].

8. In the Customer Information screen, enter your Customer Number and Password, then click on [Submit Form].

9. In the Elixir Customer Menu, click on [Download a New License File].

10. In the Customer Information screen, enter your PC Number and Machine Serial Number, then click on [Submit Form].

11. In the Elixir Technologies screen, click on [Click here to download your password].

12. Save the password.epw file to diskette and copy it to your Elixir PC in the \ELIXIR directory.

The application installation process will begin, see the "Installation" section.

Contacting Elixir (no internet connection)

If you have no internet access at your site you must contact Elixir and provide the serial number of the pc where you will install the Elixir software. Elixir will provide a registration file (password.epw) that you must copy to the Elixir pc.

Copy the password.epw file to \Elixir and start the installation.

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INSTALLATION

Select [Prepare my initial product license registration. This workstation is not connected to the Internet] from the Registration Option menu, then click on [Next].

The application installation process will begin, see the "Installation" section.

Soft key customers running Windows for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11

Since Windows 3.1/3.11 does not have internet capability, you must contact Elixir to obtain your password file. After installation of Elixir software, the installation program verifies that the operating system is 3.1 or

3.11, runs passwd16.exe, and provides your machine serial number.

To complete registration:

1. Enter your customer number, password and PC number, then print out a copy of this screen.

2. Fax, email, or mail Elixir the display printout. Elixir will generate a password.epw file and send it to you on diskette.

3. Load the password.epw file in the \ELIXIR directory.

The application installation process will begin, see the "Installation" section.

Installation

This section describes how to install Elixir software using the [Full] and [Custom] options. Installing additional Elixir applications to an existing version is also explained.

Note: The software registration process must be completed (See the "Product Registration" section).

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For information about starting Elixir applications after installation, refer to the "Introduction" chapter.

During installation, the log file, XWIN.log, is created in the drive:\Elixir directory. XWIN.log contains a list of all directories and files copied or created, including information pertinent to the installation. It can be accessed, using Notepad or Wordpad.

If you have any problems running Elixir software after installation, refer to the "Troubleshooting" section of the Elixir Getting Started Guide for more information.

Installing Elixir applications

Elixir provides a simple, interactive procedure for installing Elixir applications.

During installation you can select [Full] or [Custom] installation.

Selecting a [Full] installs all Elixir applications and demonstration files on the same drive. If you have a previous version of Elixir software, this option overwrites the existing version.

INSTALLATION

Selecting a [Custom] installation allows you to choose the Elixir applications and options (such as Elixir demonstration files) you want installed, as well as where you want certain options installed. For example, You may want the PDF documentation in a different directory than the application.

You can also install Elixir program files (required to run Elixir), and data files (files that you create or files such as the Elixir demonstration files), in separate drives and directories.

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INSTALLATION

Full installation

To begin installation: You can quit installation at any time, by pressing the

<Esc> key.

1. Close all active applications.

2. Insert the CD in your CD-ROM drive.

3. In the "Welcome" screen, click on [Next].

The Release Notes? screen displays.

4. Select [Read Release Notes Now] to display them in Wordpad (or Notepad), or click on [Next] to proceed with the installation.

The Product Selection screen displays.

5. Select the applications you want to install and click on [Next].

The Selected Products screen displays.

6. Verify the listed applications and click on [Next]. If you need to delete or add to the list, click on [Back] and reselect.

7. Verify your user information and click on [Next].

8. In the Select Install Type screen, select [Full] and click on [Next].

9. Select the drive on which you want Elixir software installed, then click on [Next].

10. Select the Programs Folder in which you want Elixir software installed (Elixir Applications is the default), then click on [Next].

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11. In the Backup Replaced Files screen, click on

12. In the Start Copying Files screen, click on

13. Once installation is complete, click on [Exit

Custom installation

To begin installation: You can quit installation at any time, by pressing the

<Esc> key.

1. Close all active applications.

2. Insert the CD in your CD-ROM drive.

INSTALLATION

[Yes], if you want to make back-up copies of all files replaced during installation and select the directory where the back-up files will be placed. Then click on [Next].

[Install].

Installation begins.

Installer].

3. In the "Welcome" screen, click on [Next].

The Release Notes? screen displays.

4. Select [Read Release Notes Now] to display them in Wordpad (or Notepad), or click on [Next] to proceed with the installation.

The Product Selection screen displays.

5. Select the applications you want to install and click on [Next].

The Selected Products screen displays.

6. Verify the listed applications and click on [Next]. If you need to delete or add to the list, click on [Back] and reselect.

7. Verify your user information and click on [Next].

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 2-13

INSTALLATION

8. In the Select Install Type screen, select [Custom] and click on [Next].

9. In the Configuration Only? screen:

Selecting [Yes] allows you to load Configuration, Program, and Data files into any resident directory.

Selecting [No] allows you to deselect options you do not wish installed.

10. Select the Programs Folder in which you want Elixir software installed (Elixir Applications is the default), then click on [Next].

11. In the Backup Replaced Files screen, click on [Yes], if you want to make back-up copies of all files replaced during installation and select the directory where the back-up files will be placed. Then click on [Next].

12. In the Start Copying Files screen, click on [Install].

Installation begins.

13. Once installation is complete, click on [Exit Installer].

Adding applications

If you did not install all of the Elixir options while performing the Custom installation procedure, you can do so at any time by following the steps described in the "Custom installation" section of this chapter.

Adding newly licensed applications

If you purchase additional Elixir products, Elixir will update your password file. You can access the Product Registration program from your program group and re-download your initial product registration password file to activate your new products.

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Overview

3. Desktop basics

This chapter describes the Elixir Desktop layout and basic operation.

For detailed information, see the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide.

The Elixir Desktop is the Windows-based operating environment for launching and using Elixir Suite for AFP products such as ElixirForm, ElixirFont and ElixirImage.

Additionally, the Desktop has many productivity enhancing features, including those which enable you to:

view files in associated applications using the Desktop Viewer

access your entire DOS directory structure using the User files icon

run batch files or executables from the Dispatcher

define icons for DOS-based applications such as word processors, desktop publishers and spreadsheets.

link files to applications, thereby enabling you to start an application and load a file in one step

run DOS commands convert files by copying them to an icon.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-1

DESKTOP BASICS

Message area

Menu bar

Desktop layout

The Elixir Desktop comprises two main display areas: the Elixir Desktop menu bar

the top of the Desktop displays the Menu bar and Message area

the remaining Desktop area displays icons.

Figure 3-1. Desktop window

Menu Bar

The Desktop menu bar allows you to access the following pull down menus:

File System Special DOS Window Help

3-2 ELIXIR GETTING STARTED FOR AFP USER GUIDE

Icons

DESKTOP BASICS

You can pull down a menu in one of the following ways:

Click on the menu. Press the <Alt> key along with the underlined let-

ter in the menu.

The Message area displays information about the operation in process, including relevant error and warning messages.

Note that you cannot move Desktop icons.

Each Desktop icon represents an application, folder, utility or PC device configured for your system. Generally, the name, shape and appearance of an icon indicate its purpose or the type of action you can perform.

Elixir folder icons

The four icons displayed at the top left of the Desktop represent specific DOS directories. You can access files and convert them from one format to another using these icons. See the “Elixir folder structure” section of this chapter for more information.

Forms folder

Represents the drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS directory containing Elixir, Input and Output form files.

Fonts folder

Represents the drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS directory containing Elixir, Input and Output font files.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-3

DESKTOP BASICS

Jobs folder

Clipboard icon

Images folder

Represents the drive:\ELIXIR\PICS directory containing Elixir, Input and Output image files.

Documents folder

Represents the drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS directory containing document files referencing the Elixir-format files for multi-page documents.

Note that Documents folder functionality for .PDF files PDF option products.

Represents the DOS \ELIXIR\JOBS directory and is used with Elixir AppBuilder to create multiple Elixir form print files called Jobs. A job includes formatting information for the print run and individual pages, and comprises a print ticket and form files.

Temporarily stores Elixir-format form (.ELX) files during job creation. You can copy an Elixir-format form to the Clipboard using standard copying procedures, then copy the form to a specific job when you need it.

User Files icon

Provides access all DOS directories and files, and links applications to files.

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Application icons

DESKTOP BASICS

Application icons display at the right of the Desktop and represent Elixir products. Depending on your installation, one or more of the following icons display.

ElixirForm icon

Represents the ElixirForm application. Opening the icon clears the Desktop and starts ElixirForm.

ElixirFont icon

Represents the ElixirFont application. Opening the icon clears the Desktop and starts ElixirFont.

ElixirImage icon

Represents the ElixirImage application. Opening the icon clears the Desktop and starts ElixirImage.

ElixiDoc icon

Represents the ElixiDoc application. Opening the icon clear the Desktop and starts ElixiDoc.

ElixiDoc allows you to run all Elixir file-format conversion applications in standalone mode, directly from DOS.

ElixirScan icon

Represents the ElixirScan application. Opening the icon clear the Desktop and starts ElixirScan.

ElixirScan allows you to electronically generate existing (paper) forms using most commercially-available scanners, and to edit and store the forms on your PC.

User Tools icon

The User Tools icon allows you to create and define icons for DOS applications and batch files.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-5

DESKTOP BASICS

Diskette icon

Printers icon

Scanners icon

Dispatcher icon

Enables you to access and format a diskette in your PC diskette drive.

Enables you to access a local proof printer connected to your PC.

Enables you to configure and start a scanner connected to your PC directly from the Desktop.

Enables you to invoke DOS commands or batch files in which you can embed replaceable parameters.

Converter icon

Enables you to convert form, font, image and multipage document files to different formats by using simple “drag-and-drop” mouse operations.

Trashbin icon

Enables you to delete unwanted files and directories.

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Viewer icon

Enables you to view Elixir-format print or screen files (.LP3 or .LW8 extensions), .DAT files, Elixir forms, text and object files without having to launch the associated Elixir application.

Transformer icon

Enables you to apply utilities to AFP-format files that generally modify the file headers.

Using the Desktop

The remaining sections of this chapter describe the following basic Desktop operations:

accessing DOS file management operations converting files

DESKTOP BASICS

Accessing DOS

The DOS menu allows you to run DOS commands from the Desktop.

Selecting the [DOS Command] option or pressing <Ctrl> + <D> displays a dialog box that enables you to enter any standard DOS command. Enter a DOS command and click on [OK] to clear the Desktop and execute the command from the following directory:

from the root (drive:\) directory, if no windows are open on the Desktop

from the directory corresponding to the window, if a window is open on the Desktop.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Managing files

After the DOS command executes, the system prompts you to enter any key to redisplay the Desktop.

The following sections describe basic Desktop file management operations that are common to all Elixir products. The operations include:

selecting files dragging and dropping files deleting files and folders renaming files duplicating files overwriting existing files

Selecting files in an Elixir window

Files display as icons in Elixir windows. To display files, double-click on an Elixir folder and then doubleclick on the appropriate Elixir, Input or Output folder. If you double click on an Input or Output folder a window with more folders (representing different file formats) displays. Double-click on the appropriate folder to display its files in a window.

To select one file, click on it. Note that the selected file displays highlighted. To select more than one file (or multi-select files), click on one file, then <Shift> click on other files. The following figure shows several files selected.

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Figure 3-2. Selecting files

To deselect a file, <Shift> click on it.

DESKTOP BASICS

To select a range of files, click on the first file in the range, then <Alt> click on the last file. The two files and all displayed files between display highlighted.

To select all files in a directory (including files not displayed in a window) press <Ctrl> + <A>. Alternatively, pull down the Selection menu and click on [Select All].

To deselect all files, press <Ctrl> + <A>. Alternatively, pull down the Selection menu and select [Unselect All]. Clicking anywhere in the window other than on a file also deselects selected files.

Press a character to select the first displayed file in the window starting with that character. Press the character again to select the next file, and so on.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-9

DESKTOP BASICS

File operations

With one or more files selected, you can perform file operations by either dragging and dropping the files to an icon, selecting an option from a pull-down menu or entering a keyboard command.

Dragging files

To drag a selected file, click on it, hold down the mouse button and move the mouse. A square-shaped dragging cursor displays in the window and moves as you move the mouse. The following figure shows a dragging cursor example.

Figure 3-3. Dragging

cursor example

To drag more than one file, first multi-select the files, then click on one of the selected files while holding down the left mouse button. If you select more than one file, a double cursor displays, representing multiple files.

Dropping files

To drop one or more files on a Desktop icon, select the files, drag them to a position on top of the target icon, then release the mouse button.

If dropping the files on an icon is not permissible, an X-cursor displays.

Figure 3-4. X-cursor

Deleting files and folders

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DESKTOP BASICS

To delete one or more files from a window, select the files and perform one of the following actions:

drag and drop the files on the Trashbin icon Note that you cannot open the Trashbin to re-

trieve deleted files; use the [Usage Switches] option in the System menu to select the [Confirm File Deletions] option to avoid inadvertently deleting files.

pull down the File menu and select [Delete]. press <Del> on your keyboard.

The Confirmation for Command dialog box displays with the first file selected, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-5. Confirmation for Command

dialog box/Delete

The Confirmation for Command dialog box contains the following options:

Delete

Delete the first file, then redisplay the Confirmation for Command dialog box for subsequent files.

Skip

Do not delete the first file; redisplay the Confirmation for Command dialog box for the next file.

Confirm OFF and Continue

Delete all the files without further prompting.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-11

DESKTOP BASICS

Note that you can modify your Desktop setup so that the Confirmation for Command dialog box never displays when deleting files, and files delete without prompting (see the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide for more information).

Deleting folders is similar to deleting files, except that you can only delete empty folders.

Renaming files

To rename one or more files, select the file(s), then perform one of the following actions:

press <F2> click the right mouse button pull down the

menu and select [Properties],

File

then type a new file name and extension in the displayed dialog box.

Note that these actions change the external (DOS) file name only.

The File Properties dialog box shown in the following figure displays the first file name in the selected list.

The only option you can change is file name and extension.

Figure 3-6. Renaming a file

See the “Overwriting existing files” section in this chapter for more information.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Duplicating files

You can duplicate a file by copying it to the same folder and renaming it. You can duplicate one or more files in a single operation by first selecting the file(s) you want to duplicate, then pulling-down the

File

menu and selecting [Duplicate]. The Object Duplication dialog box displays with the

name of the first selected file in the list, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-7. Object Duplication dialog box

1. In the [into] option, enter the new file name and extension for the first file you want to duplicate.

2. Either select [Skip] to not copy the first file or select [Duplicate] to copy the file with the new file name.

The dialog box redisplays showing the next file selected from the list.

Note that if you duplicate a file in any Elixir folder and do not specify an extension for the [into] option, the program assigns an extension appropriate for that folder.

See the “Overwriting existing files” section in this chapter for more information.

Overwriting existing files

If you copy or duplicate a file having the same name as a file in the target directory, the Confirmation for Command dialog box displays, as shown in the following figure. The dialog box shows the first duplicated file name selected from the list.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-13

DESKTOP BASICS

Similarly, if you attempt to rename a selected file with a name that already exists in the target directory, a warning message displays.

Figure 3-8. Confirmation for Command

dialog box/Overwrite

The Confirmation for Command dialog box contains the following options:

Overwrite

Overwrite the file, then redisplay the Confirmation for Command dialog box with the next duplicated file name in the list.

Skip

Do not overwrite the existing file; redisplay the Confirmation for Command dialog box with the name of the next duplicated file name in the list.

Confirm OFF and Continue

Overwrite duplicated files in the target folder without further prompting.

You can modify your Desktop setup so that the Confirmation for Command dialog box never displays and duplicate files get overwritten without prompting (see the Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide for more information).

Converting files

Using the folders and Converter icon, you can convert form, font, image and document files between Elixir and other formats. You can edit Elixir-format files in any installed Elixir application (such as ElixirForm, ElixirImage or ElixirFont), and reconvert them to their original or another format using the Converter icon.

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DESKTOP BASICS

However, before you perform conversion operations, you should familiarize yourself with the Elixir folder structure.

Elixir folder structure

The structure of the Elixir folder icons is similar. Each Elixir folder contains three subordinate Elixir, Input and Output folders.

For example, when you open the Forms Folder icon (by double-clicking on it), the window in the following figure displays showing the Elixir Forms, Input Forms and Output Forms folders.

Figure 3-9. Forms Folders window

Similarly, opening each of the other Elixir folder icons displays a window showing subordinate Elixir, Input and Output folders. This structure allows you to view, edit and file form, font, image and document files having different formats.

Figure 3-10. Input, Elixir, and Output folders

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-15

DESKTOP BASICS

Each Input folder is similar to an "in basket" containing files you can convert to Elixir format by copying them to the Converter icon. See the "Converter operations" section of this chapter for more information.

Each Elixir folder is similar to a "working area" where you edit and view Elixir-format files.

Each Output folder is similar to an "out basket" to which edited Elixir-format files write after you copy them to the Converter icon. See the "Converter operations" section of this chapter for more information.

To use Elixir folders for file editing, follow these steps:

1. Copy the file you want to edit or view to the appropriate Elixir folder.

The Elixir Folder opens to display the subordinate Elixir, Input and Output subfolders.

2. Click on the Input folder.

The Input folder opens to display subfolders for different file formats.

3. Click on the folder that corresponds to the format of the file you are copying.

4. Convert the file to Elixir format, as described in the "Converter operations" section of this chapter.

5. Double-click on the converted Elixir-format file to start the appropriate Elixir application (such as ElixirImage or ElixirFont) and to load the file.

6. Edit the file using the tools provided by the application.

7. Save the file.

8. Convert the edited Elixir-format file to the format desired.

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9. Open the Output folder and copy the con-

Converter operations

The simplest way to convert files is to use the Desktop Converter icon. The following example demonstrates how to convert an Elixir form file to another format. Procedures for converting font, image and document files are basically the same.

1. Double-click on the Forms folder icon to dis-

2. Double-click on the Elixir Forms folder.

3. Select the file(s) you want to convert.

4. Copy the file(s) by dragging and dropping

DESKTOP BASICS

The converted file writes to the appropriate Output folder.

verted file to the desired location.

play the Forms Folders window.

A window containing Elixir form files displays.

them on the Converter icon.

5. In the dialog box(es) that displays, specify the output format(s) to which you want the file(s) converted.

One or more output files with the correct file extensions generate and automatically write to the appropriate Output folders.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 3-17

Overview

4. ElixirForm basics

This chapter describes basic ElixirForm operations. For more information about ElixirForm, see the Elixir-

Form for AFP User Guide.

ElixirForm is an interactive forms design tool that allows you to create and edit forms in WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get) mode.

ElixirForm creates the static (or boilerplate) components of a form, such as lines, boxes, text and images. You can then merge these static elements with variable data and print the resulting form on an AFP high-speed printer.

Static data adds meaning to the variable data with which it merges. For example, the following variable data from a credit application form

X 123-456-789 9876.23 X 985-234-980 11813.34

is more meaningful when merged with static data and viewed together:

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-1

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

With ElixirForm, you can see each static form element as you add or change it. With an optional desktop proof printer, you can generate proofs using the Elixir Desktop Converter and compile forms directly on your PC, thus freeing an AFP printer previously required for these tasks.

You can also use the Elixir Desktop to define a multipage document (.DAT file) comprising a group of single-page forms you created using ElixirForm . You can then use the Desktop to convert the multi-page document to other formats.

Depending on the ElixirForm product you have installed, your screens and options may differ from those displayed in this chapter.

ElixirForm layout

The ElixirForm window contains the following features:

a work area at the center of the screen a work area Menu bar above the work area an ElixirForm Menu bar at the top of the screen a message area between the Menu bars a Toolbox to the left of the screen a Toolbar above the work area.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Close button

Toolbox Toolbar

Message area

Work area

menu bar

Work area

ElixiForm

menu bar

Figure 4-1. ElixirForm window

The ElixirForm Menu bar enables you to access the following pull down menus:

File System Window Help

The work area Menu bar enables you to access the following pull down menus:

Edit Tools View Options

You can pull down a menu in either of the following ways:

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-3

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Toolbox <F10>

Message panel

click on the menu. simultaneously press the <Alt> key and an under-

lined letter in the menu.

The Toolbox displays to the left of the work area and provides tools for creating and editing form elements. If you maximize the work area, the Toolbox displays on top of the work area.

Tools (from left to right) Select, Line, Path, Box,

Circle, Text and Image tools

Tool options

Preview panel

Figure 4-2. ElixirForm Toolbox

You can toggle between hiding and showing the Toolbox by either selecting [Tools] from the Window menu (or pressing <F10>).

The following tools (from left to right) for creating and editing form elements display at the top of the Toolbox:

Select tool; Line tool; Box tool; Text tool; Image tool. When you click on a tool, a short description of the

tool displays in the message panel and the options for the tool display in the Toolbox. You can select tool options by clicking on the icons.

The preview panel displays the option(s) you selected.

4-4 ELIXIR GETTING STARTED FOR AFP USER GUIDE

Toolbar

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

The Toolbar displays across the top of the work area and contains a digital ruler with blocks that show the selected element, and the selected element coordinates and size. The icons in the Toolbar allow you to show the measuring ruler, change the grid and view settings, undo and redo operations and show or hide the Toolbox.

Digital ruler

Message area

When you position the cursor over an icon in the Toolbox or Toolbar, a description of the icon displays in the message area. Operational messages also display in this area.

Creating a form

This section describes the following ElixirForm operations for creating a simple form:

loading a new form using the grid, rulers and crosshair creating form elements editing selected form elements using the undo/redo feature modifying form elements saving a form proof-printing a form

Grid settings

Measuring ruler

Magnification/

Reduction

Undo/Redo

Figure 4-3. ElixirForm Toolbar

Show/hide toolbox

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-5

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

By following the procedures outlined in this section, you can develop a simple form such as the following fictitious "FedBank" credit application.

Note that the procedures assume that you have installed the Elixir demonstration files accompanying your software. If not, you can install them now by performing a [Custom] installation. See the "Installation" chapter for more information.

Figure 4-4. Sample form

Loading a new form

After you start ElixirForm, load a new form as follows:

1. Pull down the File menu and select [New Form].

The Page Properties dialog box displays.

4-6 ELIXIR GETTING STARTED FOR AFP USER GUIDE

2. Select the page property options for your form.

See the ElixiForm User Guide for more information about options in this dialog box.

3. Click on [OK].

The Page Databasing dialog box displays.

4. Enter information for the new form (optional).

See the ElixiForm User Guide for more information about options in this dialog box.

5. Click on [OK].

A new, untitled form displays in the work area.

Using the grid, rulers and long crosshair

Display the grid, rulers, and long crosshair to help place elements accurately on your form.

To display the grid, click on the top half of the Grid icon in the Toolbar.

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

You can also select the above options by pulling down the

menu and selecting the applicable option.

View

The grid and rulers allow you to be precise in your measurements.

To display the grid, click on the top half of the Grid icon in the Toolbar.

To display the graphical ruler at the top left edges of the work area, click on the Graphical Ruler icon in the Toolbar.

To display the long crosshair, click on the Long Crosshair icon in the Toolbar.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-7

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

You can also turn these options on and off by selecting them from the View menu.

The Digital Ruler displays at the top left of the Toolbar and shows the horizontal and vertical position of the screen pointer.

Creating form elements

The following section describes how to create form elements such as lines, boxes, paths, circles, text and images.

Lines

To draw a line:

1. Click on the Line icon in the Toolbox (or select [Line] from the Tools menu).

The Line toolbox displays.

2. Select line properties from the options listed.

Options include line direction, width, style and color.

3. Position the screen pointer in the work area where you want the line to start.

Note that you can begin a line at any position on the screen, and stretch it in any direction.

4. Press and hold the left mouse button while dragging the screen pointer across the work area.

A line displays.

5. Release the mouse button where you want the line to stop.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Boxes

To draw a box:

1. Click on the Box icon in the Toolbox (or select [Box] from the Tools menu).

The Box toolbox displays.

2. Select box properties from the options listed.

Options include positioning, shape, number of box splits and border width, style, shading and color.

3. Position the screen pointer in the work area where you want the box to start.

Note that you can begin a box at any position on the screen, and stretch it in any direction.

4. Press and hold the left mouse button while dragging the screen pointer across the work area.

The box increases in size.

5. Continue moving the screen pointer until the box is sized as desired.

6. Release the mouse button to place the box.

The box outline displays solid.

Text

To add text:

1. Click on the Text icon in the Toolbox (or select [Text] from the Tools menu).

The Text toolbox displays.

2. Select text properties from the options listed.

Options include character and word spacing, boundaries, justification, positioning, color, lines per inch, columns and font type.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

3. Select a font from the Toolbox font list.

The default font is at the top of the list.

4. Position the screen pointer in the work area where you want the text to start.

5. Enter characters from the keyboard.

6. Click the right mouse button when finished.

Images

To add an Elixir-format image:

1. Click on the Image icon in the Toolbox (or select [Text] from the Tools menu).

The Image toolbox displays.

2. Select [Load Image] from the options listed.

The Load Image dialog box displays drive:\ELIX- IR\PICS\PRINTER directory images with .LP3 extensions.

Figure 4-5. Load Image

dialog box

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Note that pre-3.0 version Elixir software users with only screen version images (.LW8 files) can load them by clicking on the load image icon; this displays a Load Image dialog box with .LW8 files in drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\SCREEN. However, to either edit an image, tile an image into a font or create a printer version of an image, you must have the .LP3 version.

3. Select an .LP3 image.

To load the sample "FedBank" credit application described at the beginning of this section, select [FBLOGO].

4. Click on [OK].

5. Press and hold the left mouse button.

The image attaches to the screen pointer.

6. Position the image on the form.

7. Release the left mouse button to place the image.

Undo/redo

ElixirForm allows you to undo an operation and cancel a previous undo operation.

To undo the most recent operation, click on the Undo icon in the Toolbar or select [Undo] from the

menu. Note that ElixirForm undoes one

Edit

operation element at a time. To cancel the most recent undo operation, click

on the Redo icon in the Toolbar or select [Redo] from the

menu. Note that ElixirForm cancels

Edit

one undo operation at a time.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-11

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Modifying form elements

You can change and delete form elements as required, and create a new form by copying elements from an existing form. Note that the procedures are similar for lines, boxes, images and text.

Selecting elements

You must select an element before you can modify or copy it.

1. Click on the Select icon, or click the right mouse button in the work area.

2. Click on the element you want to modify.

Boxes display around or inside the element to indicate you have selected it.

If you want to select all elements, click on [Select All] in the Edit menu.

To deselect all, click on [Unselect All] in the Edit menu.

<Shift>click to select multiple elements.

Moving selected elements

To move a selected element:

1. Click on the Select icon.

2. Select the direction for moving: [Horizontal only], [Vertical only] or [Free].

3. Click on the element you want to move.

Boxes display on the element to show you have selected it.

4. Click on the selected element; the screen pointer changes to a hand.

4-12 ELIXIR GETTING STARTED FOR AFP USER GUIDE

If the screen pointer does not change to a hand when you place the cursor on the element, it may be because the element is too small. If this happens, press and hold the <Ctrl> key as you move the cursor over the element. When the screen pointer changes to a hand, move the element.

5. Drag the element to the new position.

6. Release the mouse button.

The element locks in the new position.

Copying selected elements

To copy a selected element:

1. Click on the Select icon in the Toolbox.

2. Click on the Copy icon.

3. Select the direction for copying: [Horizontal only], [Vertical only] or [Free].

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

4. Click on the element you want to copy.

Boxes display on the element to show you have selected it.

5. Click on the up or down arrows to select the number of copies between 1 and 99.

Hold down the <Ctrl> key while clicking on the arrows to increase or decrease the value by 10. You can also backspace over the value and enter a new value from the keyboard.

6. Click on the selected element and drag it in the direction you want to place the duplicate lines or boxes.

Deleting selected elements

To delete selected elements:

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

1. Select [Delete All] from the Edit menu (or use the <Ctrl> + <Del> hot key.

This command deletes all elements on the page, even if you did not select them.

If you want to exclude certain elements from being deleted, you can click on one or more element exception icons in the Toolbox. The element(s) you choose do not delete during the operation. For example, if you have a form with text, boxes and lines on it, and you want to delete the lines and boxes but not the text, click on the text icon and then select [Delete all] from the Edit menu. All lines and boxes delete, and only text remains.

Editing selected form elements

To change the properties of a selected element:

1. Place the screen pointer on the selected element and click the right mouse button.

The tool options for that element display in the Toolbox.

2. Click on a tool option to change the properties of the selected element.

For example, click on the box shape icon to change a square to a rectangle.

3. Click the right mouse button again to return to select mode.

To change the coordinates of a selected element:

1. Place the screen pointer on the selected element and click the right mouse button.

2. Place the cursor in the coordinates box in the Toolbar and enter the new coordinates. ElixirForm will not accept coordinates that exceed the page limits.

Use the <Del> key to delete the whole number

4-14 ELIXIR GETTING STARTED FOR AFP USER GUIDE

Saving a form

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Use the <Backspace> key to delete only the last number

3. Click the mouse button to accept the new coordinates.

To save your form:

1. Select [Save Form] from the File menu or press <Ctrl> + <S>.

The Save Form dialog box displays showing the contents of the forms directory.

Figure 4-6. Save Form dialog box

2. Type a filename in the File name option.

You do not need to type an extension. An .ELX extension adds to your form name and your form saves in the drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR directory.

If you plan to convert your form to other formats, you should save the form with a maximum sixletter file name. Longer file names truncate upon conversion and could result in overwriting existing files.

3. Click on [OK].

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-15

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

After you name the form, you can press <Ctrl>+ <S > to perform a quick save.

If you want to save an existing form as a new file, select [Save Form As] from the File menu (or press <F7>), and type a new filename in the Save Form as dialog box and click on [OK]. The program adds an .ELX extension to your file and saves it in the drive:\ ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR directory.

Proof-printing your form

To proof-print your form:

1. Select [Print] from the File menu.

2. Select your proof printer and other print options from the Print dialog box.

3. Click on [OK].

Your form prints on the selected printer.

Loading an existing form

To load the form you just created the next time you start ElixirForm:

1. From the File menu, select [Load Form].

The Load Form dialog box displays.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Figure 4-7. Load Form dialog box

2. Select the name of the form file you want to load.

3. Click on [OK] or double-click on the form filename.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 4-17

Overview

5. ElixirFont basics

This chapter describes basic ElixirFont operations. For information about ElixirFont, see the ElixirFont for

AFP User Guide.

This section describes ElixirFont, the Windows-based bitmap font editor that allows you to create and edit fonts in WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get) mode.

ElixirFont along with the Elixir Desktop allows you to easily import and convert fonts to Elixir-format, and to edit and reconvert them back to their original or other formats.

ElixirFont for AFP also allows you to perform the following font operations:

edit individual font characters using tools to manipulate the character bitmap

apply embolden, italicize and underline transformations to one, all or a sequence of font characters

display and edit character and font properties such as kerning, baseline offset and orientation.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-1

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Font basics

The Elixir Desktop allows you to convert AFP Bounded box, AFP Unbounded box, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Bitstream Facelift outline (contour) fonts to Elixirformat fonts.

Once converted to Elixir format, these fonts can be resized, merged with other fonts, italicized or treated to a variety of other editing operations. Note that the operations you can perform on individual characters and on the entire font depend on whether you converted the font from an AFP character set or from a non-AFP font.

The following sections describe ElixirFont procedures involving fonts from non-AFP sources such as HP PCL and Bitstream Facelift.

For ElixirFont procedures involving fonts from AFP (Bounded-box and Unbounded-box) sources, see the "Elixir font structure" chapter of the ElixirFont for AFP User Guide.

ElixirFont layout

The ElixirFont window comprises the following elements:

a work area at the center of the screen a work area Menu bar above the work area an ElixirFont Menu bar at the top of the screen a message area between the menu bars a Toolbox to the left of the screen a Toolbar above the work area.

The figure below displays the ElixirFont window.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Close Box

Toolbox

Message area

Code Page Window

Work Area

menu bar

Work area

ElixirFont menu bar

Figure 5-1. ElixirFont window

The ElixirFont Menu bar allows you to access the following pull down menus:

File System Window Help

The work area Menu bar allows you to access the following pull down menus:

Font Edit Char Transforms

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-3

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Toolbox

Message panel

You can pull down a menu in one of the following ways:

Click on the menu Simultaneously press the <Alt> key and the un-

derlined letter in the menu.

The Toolbox displays to the left of the work area and provides tools for editing and transforming characters and fonts. If you maximize the work area, the Toolbox displays on top of the work area.

Edit selection tools

Undo, Stop, Go buttons (from left to right)

In this area, different options display, depending on the tool you select

Figure 5-2. ElixirFont Toolbox

You can toggle between showing and hiding the Toolbox by selecting [Tools] from the

Window

menu (or

pressing <F10>). When you click on a tool, a short description of the

tool displays in the message panel and the options for the tool display in the Toolbox. You can select the options for that tool by clicking on the icons.

The buttons below the editing tool options allow you to undo the last operation, stop a conversion in progress or apply the current tool or transformation.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Message area

The message area displays icon descriptions, characteristics of the loaded font and error and operational messages.

Code Page Window

This window allows you to load a Code Page (see the "Loading a Code Page" section of this chapter for more information).

Using ElixirFont

The following sections describe basic ElixirFont operations, including:

loading an existing font loading a Code Page using edit selection tools using the edit tool using the transform tool creating a character set saving a character set

Loading a non-AFP font

Each Elixir format font includes at least three components with different file extensions in the drive:\ELIX- IR\FONTS\ELIXIR directory:

An .HDR component containing font header information

A .GLH component containing header information for each character

A .GLY component containing the actual bitmaps of the characters.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-5

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

To load a non-AFP Elixir font:

1. Select [Usage Switches] from the System menu.

The Usage Switches dialog box displays.

Figure 5-3. Usage Switches

dialog box

2. Select the [Convert non-AFP font to Charset on load] option.

3. Click on [OK].

4. Select [Open Charset] from the File menu or press <F8>.

The Load Charset dialog box displays, with a list of .HDR font components.

Figure 5-4. Load Charset dialog box

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

5. Select a non-AFP font.

Note that AFP character sets begin with C0 and C1; non-AFP fonts can begin with any character.

6. Click on [OK].

The Convert to Charset option dialog box displays.

Figure 5-5. Convert to Charset

option dialog box

7. Click on [No] to load the font as a non-AFP font.

The ElixirFont main screen displays.

Figure 5-6. ElixirFont main screen

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-7

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

The Character Set window shows the character bitmaps of the font, arranged left-to-right and top-tobottom by the ASCII position of the character in the font. The font header file defines the positions.

When you move the screen pointer to a character, its position shows at the top of the screen in decimal and hexadecimal notation. A gray box appears around the current character.

Also shown is character width (in pels) and whether the character is NULL, SPACING or NONBLANK. A null character means that no character is defined for this position and shows as a filled gray cell (like the first 32 characters in the font). A spacing character occupies a cell but does not have a bitmap and prints as a spacing character. All other nonblank characters contain bitmaps.

The left of the screen shows the Toolbox used to edit and manipulate the characters or the entire Elixirformat character set. The "Using the edit tool" and "Using the transform tool" sections of this chapter describe these and other operations.

The Code Page window is initially blank.

Loading a Code Page

A Code Page maps keyboard entries to characters in a character set. Each key on the keyboard corresponds to a hexadecimal Code Point. When printing on an AFP printer, the Code Point matches to a GCID in the Code Page. This allows you to use different code pages to print subsets of characters in a character set.

Elixir provides PC versions of code pages as T1*.COD format ASCII files in drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS\ ELIXIR.

To load and display a Code Page in the ElixirFont Main screen Code Page window, perform one of the following actions:

Open a T1-, X0- or X1-prefix file in the Desktop Elixir Fonts folder.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Note that opening a T1 file loads a code page only; opening an X0 or X1 file loads the code page and its associated character set.

Make the Code Page Window the active window and select [Open Coded Font] from the Code- Page menu of press <F8>..

Make the Edit Window the active window and select [Open Coded Font] from the Charset menu.

Select [Open Code Page] from the File menu on the ElixirFont Main screen.

The Load Code Page dialog box displays, with a list of code pages in the default directory.

Figure 5-7. Load Code Page dialog box

1. Select a Code Page and click on [OK].

The Code Page Window displays the selected Code Page, as shown at the bottom of the following figure. Note that if a character set is not present, the Code Page displays GCID names only.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-9

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Figure 5-8. Loaded Code Page and Character Set

2. Select [Usage Switches] from the System menu.

3. Select [Highlight chars in Code Page] to highlight characters in the selected character set that are mapped to the Code Page.

4. Click on [OK].

For information about editing a Code Page, see the "Elixir font structure" chapter of the ElixirFont for AFP

User Guide.

Using the edit selection tools

Use the edit selection tools to perform edit operations for individual characters and an entire font.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Edit selection tools (from left to right)

Select, Edit, Transform, Kill, Char Properties Copy, Swap, Merge, Sample, Font Properties

Figure 5-9. Edit selection tools

Using the Edit tool

The Edit tool allows you to edit an individual character in a font. Click on its icon after loading a font to display editing tools in the Toolbox.

1. Select and load a font.

2. Select the character you want to edit and then click on the Edit tool in the Toolbox.

An Edit Window similar to the one in the following figure displays. Alternatively, you can doubleclick on a character to display the edit window.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-11

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Figure 5-10. Editing a character bitmap The bottom of the display shows a partial list of char-

acters with the current character selected. You can click on another character to display it in the Edit Window. You can also scroll through the entire font using the <Page Up>, <Page Down>, <Home> and <End> keys (or use the window scroll buttons or bar).

The left side of the display contains the Bitmap window which contains a bitmap of the character (initially at 8x magnification). Each dot in the bitmap shows as a black or white box 8 bits high and 8 bits wide. You can edit the bitmap in the window by using the editing tools.

The right side of the display contains the Framing window, which you can move around the character to display different character portions in the Bitmap window.

Select an editing tool to display its options. In addition, you can select options from menus in the Edit Window menu bar and from the Edit Window Toolbar displayed just below the ElixirFont menu bar.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Edit Window menu bar

The Edit Window menu bar contains the following pulldown menus:

Char Edit Tools View

You can pull down a menu in one of the following ways:

Click on the menu Press the <Alt> key along with the underlined let-

ter in the menu.

Edit Window Toolbar

The Edit Window Toolbar contains a digital ruler and a number of other icons which allow you to display a grid, undo an edit operation, magnify or reduce a view, save changes made during editing and select characters in a font.

Digital ruler

Undo

Show Grid

Magnify or reduce view

Post (allows you to save edits)

Select next character

Select previous character

Figure 5-11. Edit Window Toolbar

Editing tools

The following figure shows the editing tools available in the Toolbox when you click on the Edit tool. Select a tool by clicking on it, or by pulling down the Tools menu and selecting a tool.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-13

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Editing tools (from left to right)

Character Properties, Ruler, Copy/Move

Draw Dot, Draw Line, Draw Box, and Draw Circle Draw with Brush, and Blend Character

Editing tool options

Figure 5-12. Editing tools

To use an editing tool:

1. Click on the tool or select it from the Tools menu.

2. Select any additional options for the tool from the Toolbox.

Selecting the Character Properties tool displays a dialog box from which you can enter properties for a character.

Selecting the Ruler tool displays the digital ruler in the Edit Window Toolbar.

If you select a drawing tool, drag the mouse in the bitmap window to edit the character using the tool.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Selecting the Copy/Move tool allows you to select a rectangular area of the displayed character and to move or copy it (by selecting the "M" or "C" icons in the Toolbox) to another location in the cell.

Selecting the Blend tool allows you to blend another character into the current cell. After selecting the Blend tool, click on another character in the font to blend it with the currently loaded character in the Framing window on the right. After positioning it, click on [Accept] at the bottom of the Toolbox to blend the character with the loaded character.

3. To save your changes, click on the Post icon in the Toolbar or select [Post] from the Char menu.

Using the Transform tool

The Transform tool allows you to apply transformation operations to either a single font character or an entire font.

1. To display transformation operations in the Toolbox, select the Transform tool.

The transformation operations display as shown in the following figure.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

Transformation operations (from left-to-right)

Resize, Rotate, Shift, Slant Darken, Lighten, Underline, Reverse Filter, Outline, Halftone, Mirror

Undo, Stop, and Go buttons

Transformation options

Figure 5-13. Transform tool and

transformation operations

2. Load a font and select either a character or entire font by selecting [Select All] from the Edit menu (or pressing <Ctrl> + <A>).

To deselect a character set, select [Unselect All] from the Edit menu or press <Ctrl> + <A>.

Select a transformation operation from the

3. Transform menu or click on the Transform

tool and select a transformation operation from the Toolbox.

Note that inn the previous figure, the Rotate tool shows as selected.

4. Select the transformation options you want.

In the previous figure the [Clockwise] Rotate option shows selected.

Note that the options in the Toolbox change depending on the transformation tool you select.

Click on the Go button to apply the

5. transformation.

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ELIXIRFONT BASICS

If you perform the Rotate operation shown in the Toolbox, the character or entire font rotates 90° to the right. Repeatedly clicking on the Go button rotates the character(s) in 90° increments (see the following figure).

Click on the Stop button to stop a

6. transformation in progress.

Note that if you stop the current conversion, the undo operation may not be available.

Click on the Undo button to undo a

7. transformation operation.

Figure 5-14. Clockwise rotation example

Creating a character set (font)

To create an Elixir character set you can either modify an existing Elixir character set and save it to a new file, or you can create a new character set using the [New Charset.] option in the Charset menu.

To create a new font using the [New Charset] option:

1. From the Charset menu, select [New Charset].

A series of dialog boxes display requesting you to specify properties and a name for your character set.

See the ElixirFont User Guide for information regarding Elixir character set names and properties.

2. After entering a filename and selecting character set properties, click on [OK].

A window with character cells (representing individual characters in your character set) displays. The character set name you specified displays at the top left corner of the window.

ELIXIR FOR AFP GETTING STARTED GUIDE 5-17

ELIXIRFONT BASICS

3. Use the Edit or Transform tools to create your character set.

Saving a character set (font)

To save a character set to the current file:

1. Select [Save Charset] from the Charset menu or press <Ctrl> + <S>.

2. Click on [OK}.

The program adds an .HDR extension and saves the file in the drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS\ELIXIR directory.

To save a character set to a new file:

1. Select [Save Charset as] from the Charset menu.

2. Type a new filename in the Save Charset As dialog box.

3. Click on [OK].

The program adds an .HDR extension and saves the file in the drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS\ELIXIR directory.

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Overview

6. ElixirImage basics

This chapter describes basic ElixirImage operations. For more information, see the ElixirImage for AFP

User Guide.

ElixirImage is a Windows-based bitmap editor that allows you to create and edit black-and-white Elixir-format images.

ElixirImage was designed to provide the environment and drawing tools normally found on dedicated graphics workstations.

Combined with the ElixiSys Desktop, ElixirImage provides powerful features to support your AFP highspeed laser printing systems.

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ELIXIRIMAGE BASICS

ElixirImage layout

The ElixirImage window contains the following:

a work area at the center of the screen a work area Menu bar above the work area an ElixirImage Menu bar at the top of the screen a message area between the menu bars a Toolbox to the left of the screen a Toolbar above the work area.

Close Box

Toolbox Toolbar

Message

area

Work Area

menu bar

Work area

ElixirImage menu bar

Figure 6-1. ElixirImage window

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Toolbox

ELIXIRIMAGE BASICS

The ElixirImage Menu bar allows you to access the following pull-down menus:

System Window Help

The work area Menu bar allows you to access the following pull-down menus:

File Edit Image Tool Transform

You can pull down a menu in either of the following ways:

click on the menu simultaneously press the <Alt> key and the un-

derlined letter in the menu.

The Toolbox displays to the left of the work area and provides drawing and transform tools for creating and editing images. If you maximize the work area, the Toolbox displays on top of the work area.

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ELIXIRIMAGE BASICS

Message panel

Preview panel

You can toggle between showing and hiding the Toolbox by either selecting [Tools] from the Window menu or pressing <F10>.

Drawing tools

Click on Transform icon to display transform tools

Tool options or

Transform tools

Figure 6-2. ElixirImage Toolbox

When you click on a tool, a short description of the tool displays in the message panel and the options for that tool display in the Toolbox. You can select the options for that tool by clicking on the icons.

The Preview panel displays your option selections.

Toolbar

The Toolbar displays across the top of the work area and contains the digital ruler and icons for magnifying and reducing an image, undoing and redoing editing operations, changing the drawing mode and selecting the grid.

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ELIXIRIMAGE BASICS

Digital ruler

Figure 6-3. ElixirImage Toolbar

Message area

The message area initially displays the type of image loaded in the work area (black-and-white, highlight color or full color), operational and icon description messages and transformation messages.

Using ElixirImage

The following sections describe basic ElixirImage operations:

loading an existing image using the drawing tools using the transform tools creating an image resetting an image saving an image proof-printing an image.

Magnification/

Reduction

Undo/Redo

Drawing modes

Grid

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Xerox Elixir for AFP Getting Started Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual