Xerox Elixir Forms Editor User Guide

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Elixir Forms Editor

Desktop User Guide

June 1999

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: Bitstream/Bitstream, Inc.

Elixir/Elixir Technologies Corporation HP, PCL, XGF, XSOP LaserJet/Hewlett Packard Company IBM, Personal Computer, AT, PS/2, AFP, and all other IBM products mentioned in this publication are trademarks of International Business Machines IRMA/Digital Communications Associations, Inc. MS-DOS, Microsoft Mouse, Windows/Microsoft Corporation PaintBrush/Z-Soft Corporation

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 is 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

Customer support 1-2 Elixir training 1-2 Who should use this guide 1-3 Conventions 1-3

Display conventions 1-3

Typographical conventions 1-3 On-line Help 1-4 Organization of this guide 1-6 Starting the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop 1-7 Exiting the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop 1-8 Notes and cautions 1-8

2. Desktop basics 2-1

Common Windows operating system 2-1 Desktop layout 2-1 Icons 2-2

Elixir folder icons 2-3

Forms folder 2-3 Fonts folder 2-3 Graphics folder 2-3 Documents folder 2-3

Jobs folder 2-3 Clipboard icon 2-3 User Files icon 2-4

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ElixirForm application icon 2-4 Other Elixir application icons 2-4 User Tools icon 2-4 Diskette icon 2-4 Printers icon 2-5 Scanners icon 2-5 Dispatcher icon 2-5 Converter icon 2-5 Trashbin icon 2-5 Viewer icon 2-6

Sub-window menus 2-6

Backup button 2-6 Filter menu 2-7 Selection menu 2-8

View menu 2-9 Accessing DOS 2-11 Exiting the Desktop 2-12

3. Elixir folders 3-1

Folders and DOS directories 3-1 Elixir folder structure 3-2 Forms folder 3-5

Elixir Forms folder 3-5

Input Forms folder 3-6

Output Forms folder 3-6 Fonts folder 3-7

Elixir Fonts folder 3-8

Input Fonts folder 3-8

Output Fonts folder 3-9 Graphics folder 3-10

Elixir Images folder 3-11

Input Images folder 3-11

Output Images folder 3-12 Documents folder 3-13

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Elixir Documents folder 3-13 Input Documents folder 3-14 Output Documents folder 3-14

Jobs folder 3-15

Elixir Docs Jobs 3-15 Elixir Data Jobs 3-16

4. Desktop configuration 4-1

System configuration 4-2 Desktop usage switches 4-4 User privileges 4-7 Diagnostics 4-9 Creating a directory 4-10 Converter properties 4-11 Resetting System menu options 4-12 Refreshing the screen 4-13 Selecting toolsets 4-13

5. Additional Desktop features 5-1

Opening icons 5-1

Opening a folder icon 5-2 Opening Elixir files 5-2 Opening the ElixirForm icon 5-3 Opening device icons 5-3

Diskette icon 5-3 Printers icon 5-3 Scanners icon 5-3

Opening other icons 5-4

User Tools icon 5-4 User Files icon 5-4 Dispatcher icon 5-4 Converter icon 5-4 Viewer icon 5-4

Displaying Icon properties 5-5

Files 5-5

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Displaying Elixir file formats 5-6 Displaying a logo 5-7 Copying files 5-8

Copying files to Elixir folders 5-9

Copying files to a DOS directory 5-9

Copying files from a DOS directory 5-10

Copying files to a DOS-format

diskette 5-11

Copying files from a DOS-format

diskette 5-12

Copying files to a DOS-Elixir format

diskette 5-12

Copying files from a DOS Elixir-

format diskette 5-14

Copying files from Output to Input

folders 5-14

Copying Elixir form files 5-15

Creating a .PUB file 5-15

Copying a .PUB file to a diskette 5-17

Restoring a .PUB file from a diskette 5-18 Using the Elixir Scheduler Desktop 5-19

Scheduler setup 5-20

Scheduler Desktop examples 5-24

Scheduler example 1 5-24 Scheduler example 2 5-25

Viewing files 5-26

Viewing Elixir graphics files 5-27

6. Peripheral devices 6-1

Diskette drive 6-1 Scanner device 6-3

Configuration 6-3

Using scanners 6-6 Using the Elixir HP print driver 6-6

7. File conversions 7-1

General procedures 7-1

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Elixir folders 7-3

Forms folder 7-3 Fonts folder 7-4 Graphics folder 7-4 Documents folder 7-4

Jobs Folder 7-5 Initial converter setup 7-5 File conversion procedures 7-8 Converting forms 7-9

Converting Elixir forms to HP PCL

format 7-10

Converting Elixir forms to PostScript 7-12

Converting forms to Elixir graphics

files 7-15

Converting Elixir forms to PDF

format 7-16

Converting Elixir forms to XGF

format 7-20

Converting Elixir forms to XSOP

format 7-22 Converting fonts 7-23

Converting fonts to HP PCL format 7-24

Generating fonts from outlines 7-25

Font naming conventions 7-29

Generating Elixir fonts 7-31 Generating non-Elixir fonts 7-32 Regenerating screen fonts 7-32 Adding HP PCL fonts to Windows

applications 7-32

Converting graphics 7-33

Converting Elixir graphics to Tiles in a Font format 7-34

Converting Elixir graphics to PCX and TIFF formats 7-35

Restrictions and limitations 7-37

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Converting Elixir graphics to BMP format 7-37

8. Accessing DOS files and applications 8-1

Desktop tools 8-1

User Tools icon 8-1 User Files icon 8-1 Dispatcher icon 8-1

Creating an application icon 8-2

Creating an icon 8-2 Starting the application 8-5 Displaying icon properties 8-5 User Tools example 8-5

Creating an icon for Ventura Publisher 8-5

Checking the properties of the Ventura Publisher icon 8-6

Starting and exiting Ventura Publisher 8-7

Accessing DOS directories 8-7

Changing directories 8-9 Copying files between

subdirectories 8-9

Linking files to applications 8-10

Linking files to an already-defined User Tool 8-10

Linking files to a new application 8-11 Checking tool properties 8-11 Opening linked files 8-11 Starting DOS executables 8-12 Starting batch files 8-12

Using the Dispatcher icon 8-13

Setting up Dispatcher commands 8-14 Executing Dispatcher commands 8-17

Copying files to the Dispatcher 8-17

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Executing commands from

the Dispatcher icon 8-17 Dispatcher example 8-18 Using the Dispatcher to run Elixir

utilities 8-20

DOS menu 8-21

9. Stand-alone utilities 9-1

Using the utilities 9-1 DISP 9-2 ELXINV 9-3 ELXWDATA 9-5 FONTCHG 9-5 FONTMAP 9-7 FORMPRN 9-8 FSIMG 9-10 HPEDIT 9-12 IC 9-13 LP32ELX 9-14 SHOWBLOK 9-15 SHOWELX 9-16

A. Keyboard shortcuts A-1

Desktop A-1 Windows A-2 By option name A-3

B. Additional files and directories B-1

Elixir mapping table directories B-1

PostScript mapping table directory B-1 Contour fonts mapping table

directory B-2 Bitstream Facelift fonts mapping

directory B-2

C. The Elixir Desktop menu bar C-1

File menu C-1

Open (<F2>) C-2

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System menu C-6

Special menu C-8

DOS menu C-9

Window menu C-10

Copy (<Ctrl> + <C>) C-2 New C-3 Duplicate C-3 Delete (<Del>) C-3 Properties (<F2>) C-4 Print (<Ctrl>+<P>) C-4 View C-4 Formats C-5 Convert (<Ctrl> + <V>) C-5 Transform C-5 Dispatch (<Ctrl> + <I>) C-5 Close (<F3>) C-5 Exit Elixir (<Alt> + <F4>) C-5

System Config <Alt> + <F6> C-6 Usage Switches C-6 User Privileges C-6 Diagnostics <Alt> + <F5> C-7 Make Directory <Ctrl> + <M> C-7 Converter Props C-7 Reset to Defaults C-7 Refresh C-7 Toolset C-7

Close All (<F4>) C-8 Efont Factory C-8 Install Fonts C-8 Scheduler Setup (<Alt> + <F2>) C-9 Scheduler Action (<Alt> + <F3>) C-9

DOS Command (<Ctrl> + <D>) C-9

Cascade C-10

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Tile C-10 Arrange Icons C-10 Message C-10

Help menu C-11

D. Local printers D-1

Printing an Elixir form D-1 Printing a non-Elixir form D-3 Creating a .DAT file for proof-printing D-4

Creating a new .DAT file in the Elixir Documents folder D-4

Copying the .ELX files to the Elixr Documents folder D-5

Viewing and editing a .DAT file D-6 Proof-printing a .DAT file D-6

Glossary GLOSSARY-1

Index INDEX-1

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1. Introduction

This guide describes the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop, the Windows-based operating environment for launching and using Elixir applications such as Elixir Forms Editor, Elixir AppBuilder for AFP and Elixir AppBuilder for XGF.

Additionally, the Desktop has numerous productivityenhancing features, including those which enable you to:

convert files to icons link files to applications, thereby allowing you to

start an application and load a file in one step define icons for DOS or Windows-based applica-

tions you want to launch from the Desktop, such as word processors, desktop publishers and spreadsheets.

Because this guide describes all functions and features of the Desktop, certain options described herein may not apply to your specific configuration. In such cases, unavailable options display in gray (not black) on menus and dialog boxes, and some screens and icons may not display at all.

See the Elixir Forms Editor Getting Started Guide for detailed installation information.

ELIXIR FORMS EDITOR DESKTOP USER GUIDE 1-1

INTRODUCTION

Customer support

Elixir customer support centers provide telephone technical assistance for Elixir users during business hours.

If you have purchased your Elixir product directly from Elixir Technologies then contact one of the support center hotlines.

See the Elixir Forms Editor Getting Started Guide for information about contacting your support center.

Elixir training

Elixir Technologies Corporation offers training for the complete range of our Windows-based family of software products. For more information, contact:

Elixir Learning

(805) 641-5900 ext. 6

Who should use this guide

This guide serves users needing first-time or ongoing reference information about the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop.

Users should already be familiar with Microsoft Windows operations, printer and font management operations and PC peripherals, and have access to reference manuals for related PC software and hardware.

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Conventions

This section describes the following:

display conventions typographical conventions

Display conventions

ElixirForm adheres to Microsoft Windows conventions for using menus, menu commands, dialog boxes, command buttons, icons and the mouse. See your Windows manual for more information.

Many shortcut keys in the new Windows-based product are different from those in previous GEM versions. This is because the standard Windows oper- ating environment predefines certain functions to keys (for example, <F1> is always used for Help). See the "Keyboard shortcuts" appendix for a list of keyboard shortcuts.

Typographical conventions

INTRODUCTION

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this guide:

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 simultaneously pressing

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

enclosed in [ ] (square brackets). For example: Select [New] from the File menu.

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INTRODUCTION

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.

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

CD \ELIXIR <Enter>

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.

Organization of this guide

This guide contains the following chapters and appendices:

Chapter 1, “Introduction,” presents an overview of Desktop functions, features and documentation.

Chapter 2, “Desktop basics,” describes the layout and basic operation of the Desktop.

Chapter 3, “Elixir folders,” describes the Elixir directory structure and how to use the Desktop to organize and manage forms, fonts, images, documents and jobs.

Chapter 4, “Desktop configuration,” describes how to customize the Desktop.

Chapter 5, “Additional Desktop features,” describes further capabilities built into the Desktop.

Chapter 6, “Peripheral devices,” describes how to configure and use PC diskette drives, scanners and printers.

Chapter 7, “File conversions,” describes how to perform various file conversions.

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INTRODUCTION

Chapter 8, “Accessing DOS files and applications,” describes tools that allow you to access DOS and link DOS files to applications.

Chapter 9, “Standalone utilities,” explains the program utilities supplied with the Desktop software package.

“Glossary,” provides an alphabetic listing of the terms and definitions used in this guide.

Appendix A, “Keyboard shortcuts,” describes all Desktop keyboard shortcuts (fast keys).

Appendix B, “Additional files and directories,” explains the functions and use of related files not described elsewhere in this guide.

Appendix C, “The Desktop menu bar,” describes operations accessed from Desktop pull-down menus.

Appendix D, "Local Printers," describes Desktop operations related to proof-printing on HP and PostScript printers.

Starting the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop

To start the Desktop, double-click on the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop icon in the Program Manager Elixir Applications window.

The Elixir Forms Editor Desktop displays.

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INTRODUCTION

Figure 1-1. Elixir Forms Editor Desktop An arrow shaped screen pointer also displays. If you are using a monochrome monitor and have diffi-

culty reading Title bar text, select [Usage Switches] from the System menu. Then, in the Usage Switches dialog box, select [Monochrome Monitor].

An Elixir logo may also display at the center of your screen. The logo disappears when you press a key on the keyboard or a mouse button.

Note that you cannot move icons on the Desktop.

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Exiting the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop

To exit the Elixir Desktop or any of its associated applications, perform one of the following:

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

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

cation window.

Notes and cautions

The following notes and cautions apply to the Elixir

Forms Editor Desktop User Guide, version 3.11.

INTRODUCTION

The ELXWDATA.BAT program expects that the Windows directory is located at C:\WINDOWS. If it is not, edit this .BAT file to point to your Windows directory.

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

Installing a BWCC.DLL file in a directory other than drive:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM may cause errors when you perform operations such as copying files from the User Files icon to Elixir folders. Elixir installs a BWCC.DLL file dated 1993 or later in your drive:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory during installation. Other programs may also install BWCC.DLL files in different directories. Remove these other versions of the BWCC.DLL file from your system to prevent errors.

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INTRODUCTION

Elixir tests its software using HP Windows printer drivers for proof printing. Other printer drivers are not supported and may produce unpredictable results when used with Elixir software.

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2. Desktop basics

This chapter describes the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop layout and basic operation. Later chapters describe more advanced Desktop operations.

Common Windows operating system

The Elixir Forms Editor Desktop uses the standard Windows interface for display and use of operational elements such as icons, command buttons, tools, menus, dialog boxes and mouse.

See your Windows manual for complete information.

Desktop layout

The Elixir Forms Editor Desktop comprises two main display areas:

The top of the Desktop displays the menu bar and message area.

The remaining Desktop area displays icons.

Both menu bar and icons provide access to pull-down menus. See the "Sub-window menus" section in this chapter, and the "Desktop configuration" and "Additional Desktop features" chapters for more information.

The message area displays information about the operation in process, including relevant error messages.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Message area

Menu bar

Figure 2-1. Desktop layout

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.

The following sections briefly describe each icon and, where applicable, refer you to chapters where you can find more information.

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Elixir folder icons

The five icons displayed at the top left of the Desktop represent specific DOS directories. You can access directory files and convert them from one format to another using these icons.

See the "Additional Desktop features", “Elixir folders” and "File conversions" chapters 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.

Graphics folder

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

DESKTOP BASICS

Documents folder

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

Note that Documents folder functionality for .XGF or .PDF files requires XGF/PDF option products.

Jobs folder

Represents the drive:\ELIXIR\JOBS\XGFOUT directory containing JDT (Job Descriptor Ticket) files for transfer to an output XGF printer.

Clipboard icon

Temporarily stores Elixir-format (.ELX) form 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.

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DESKTOP BASICS

User Files icon

Provides access to all DOS directories and files, and links applications to files. See the "Additional Desktop features" and “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapters for more information.

ElixirForm application icon

Represents the Elixir Forms Editor (or Elixir Forms Editor for Highlight Color if you installed either the Highlight Option or Plus).

Opening this icon clears the Desktop and starts the Elixir Forms Editor application. You can also press <CTRL> and click the right mouse button on this icon to display icons for launching other installed form building products.

Other Elixir application icons

If other Elixir applications such as ElixirFont or ElixirImage are installed, icons representing these applications also display at the right of the Desktop. Opening these icons starts the corresponding application.

User Tools icon

Allows you to create and define icons for DOS applications and batch files so that opening the icon starts the application.

See the "Additional Desktop features" and “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapters for more information.

Diskette icon

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

See the “Additional Desktop features” and “Peripheral devices” chapters for more information.

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Printers icon

Scanners icon

Dispatcher icon

DESKTOP BASICS

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

See the "Additional Desktop features" chapter and "Local Printers" appendix for more information.

Allows you to start a scanner connected to your PC directly from the Desktop.

See the "Additional Desktop features" and "Peripheral devices" chapters for more information.

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

See the "Additional Desktop features" and “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapters for more information.

Converter icon

Allows you to convert form, font and graphics files and multi-page documents to different formats by using simple “drag-and-drop” mouse operations.

See the "Additional Desktop features" and “File conversions“ chapters for more information.

Trashbin icon

Allows you to delete folders and files associated with a specific directory or application.

See the “Deleting files and folders” section for more information.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Viewer icon

Allows you to view Elixir-format files associated with an application without having to first launch the application.

See the "Additional Desktop features" chapter for more information.

Sub-window menus

The Elixir Desktop offers additional functionality to normal Windows operations by providing pull-down menus in sub-windows (or "child" windows) that you can access from any Elixir folder icon. The following sections describe these functions.

Backup button

You can access the backup button by first opening any Elixir folder on the Desktop (Jobs, Forms, Fonts, Graphics or Documents), then opening any Elixir, Input or Output folder.

Each click on the backup button (or <Ctrl>+<B>) displays the contents of a directory one level closer to the root.

You can also use the backup button to change the default directory of an Elixir, Input or Output folder in the SYSTEM.INI file, as follows:

Select [Save Settings on Exit] in the Usage Switches dialog box (System menu).

Use the backup button to change to the directory you want as the default.

Exit/close the folder.

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Filter menu

DESKTOP BASICS

Figure 2-2. Backup button

The Filter menu allows you to display files you select using the * and ? DOS wildcard characters.

Figure 2-3.

Filter

For example, in the previous window, you can enter a filter to display files that start with X as follows:

1. Select [Enter Filter] from the Filter menu.

2. In the File Name Entry dialog box (shown below), type X*.*

3. Click on [OK] or press <Enter>.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Selection menu

The window displays only those files beginning with the letter X.

4. To turn off the filter, select [Turn Off Filter] in the Filter menu.

Figure 2-4. File Name Entry dialog box

The Selection menu allows you to select and deselect one or more specified files within a folder. The following figure shows a Selection menu example.

Figure 2-5.

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Selection

DESKTOP BASICS

The Selection menu contains the following options:

Wildcard Selection

Highlight files specified with * and ? DOS wildcard characters.

Write Selection <Ctrl>+<W> "Remember” a number of selected files (see the Reselect option, below).

Reselect <Ctrl>+<R> Highlight files “remembered” using [Write Selection]. When you use [Write Selection] for files accessed from a Desktop folder (Jobs, Forms, Fonts, Graphics or Documents) icon, use [Reselect] to highlight files with the same stem name (and the same or different extensions) in another folder.

Select All <Ctrl>+<A> Highlight all files in a window.

Unselect All <Ctrl>+<A> Deselect all highlighted files in a window.

Make Pubfile

Copy highlighted drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR and subordinate directory form files to a diskette. See the "Additional Desktop features" chapter for more information.

Archive Pubfile

See [Make Pubfile], above.

View menu

The following figure shows the

menu and an ex-

View

ample of viewing files using the [Show Actual] option.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Figure 2-6. Show Actual example

The View menu allows you to display files in a window in different ways. The available options are:

Short Name

Display files by name only.

Long Name

Display files by name, creation/revision date and size (in bytes).

Icon

Display files as icons, with names underneath.

Show Actual

Display reduced, bit-mapped screen versions of Elixir form, font and image files. Allows you to preview files without invoking the application and loading the file.

Name

Display files alphabetically by file name.

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Type

Display files alphabetically by file type (extension).

Date

Display files by creation/revision date.

Size

Display files by size (in bytes).

Ascending

Display files in ascending order, either by name or type (alphabetically, with "A" first), by date (chronologically, with oldest date first) or by size (smallest file first).

Descending

Display files in descending order, either by name or type (alphabetically, with "A" last), by date (chronologically, with latest date first) or by size (largest file first).

Accessing DOS

DESKTOP BASICS

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 to allow you to enter any standard DOS command.

Enter a DOS command and select [OK] to display the Elixir Exec window and execute the DOS command from either of the following directories:

the \ELIXIR directory, if no windows are open on the Desktop

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

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

See the “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapter for additional ways to access DOS.

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DESKTOP BASICS

Exiting the Desktop

You can exit the Desktop in any of the following ways:

Click on the Exit Box at top left of Desktop Press <Alt>+<F4> Press <Alt>+<X> Use the File menu and select [Exit].

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3. Elixir folders

This chapter describes the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop folder organization. To better understand this chapter, you should already be familiar with DOS directory structures.

Folders and DOS directories

Directories and subdirectories are structures DOS uses to store and organize files. Folder icons on the Forms Editor Desktop represent DOS directories or subdirectories. Just as a DOS directory contains files and subdirectories, Desktop folders contain files and other folders.

Using folder icons is easier than using DOS directories because you can display folder contents as icons in a window, and copy files from one folder to another (see the "Desktop basics" chapter in this guide).

The Elixir folder icons shown in the following figure display at the top left of the Desktop.

Figure 3-1. Elixir folder icons

ELIXIR FORMS EDITOR DESKTOP USER GUIDE 3-1

ELIXIR FOLDERS

Elixir folder icons allow you to use simple mouse operations to:

access and display Elixir-format files copy Elixir-format files into different folders convert form, font, image, document and job files

to and from Elixir format.

To the right of the Elixir folder icons, the User Files icon shown in the following figure displays.

Figure 3-2. User Files icon

The User Files icon allows you to access any file or directory on your hard disk or diskette drive. See the “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapter in this guide for a description of the User Files icon.

Elixir folder structure

This section describes the structure and use of the five Elixir folder icons.

Most Elixir folder icons contain three subordinate folders labeled Elixir, Input and Output.

For example, when you open the Elixir Forms folder icon, the following window displays.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Figure 3-3. Forms Folders window

Similarly, opening the Elixir Fonts, Elixir Graphics and Elixir Documents folder icons display a window showing subordinate folders called Elixir, Input and Output.

This folder structure allows you to edit or view form, font, image, document and job files having different formats, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-4. Input, Elixir and Output folders

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 “File conversions” chapter in this guide for more information.

Each Elixir folder is similar to a “working area” where you can edit and view converted files.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Each Output folder is similar to an “out basket”, to which edited Elixir-format files are written after you convert them to their original or other nonElixir format by copying them to the Converter icon. See the “File conversions” chapter in this guide for more information.

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

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

2. Convert the file to Elixir format as described in the “File conversions” chapter of this guide.

3. Double-click on the converted Elixir-format file to start the appropriate Elixir application (such as Elixir Forms Editor) and load the file.

4. Edit the file using the tools provided by the Elixir application. After editing, save the file.

5. Convert the edited Elixir-format file to the format you want. The converted file writes to the appropriate Output folder.

6. Open the Output folder and copy the converted file to the desired location.

The “File conversions” chapter in this guide describes this procedure in more detail.

The following sections describe the different Elixir, Input and Output folders.

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Forms folder

The Desktop Forms folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS directory and contains the Elixir Forms, Input Forms and Output Forms folders shown in the following figure.

Elixir Forms folder

The Elixir Forms folder corresponds to the DOS drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR directory and any userdefined subdirectories within the drive:\ELIXIR\ FORMS\ELIXIR directory (such as drive:\ELIXIR\ FORMS\ ELIXIR\ DEMO).

ELIXIR FOLDERS

Figure 3-5. Forms Folders window

The Elixir Forms folder displays Elixir form files (files with .ELX name extensions). You can edit any file using ElixirForm by opening (double-clicking on) the file.

The Elixir Forms folder also displays files with .BAK, .PUB and .INV name extensions, as follows:

.BAK extension files are backup form files that ElixirForm creates. You can edit .BAK files if you rename their extensions to .ELX.

.PUB extension files are publication files used for archiving and copying Elixir form files and all related components (such as fonts and graphics used on the form) to a diskette. See the “Elixir Fonts folder” section in this chapter for more information.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Input Forms folder

The Input Forms folder is reserved for future use.

Output Forms folder

The Output Forms folder contains a number of subordinate folders, an example of which shows in the following figure.

When you use the ELXINV utility to convert .ELX files to a different orientation (from portrait to inverse portrait, for example), you create .INV extension files. To edit these files using ElixirForm, rename the extensions to .ELX. See the “Standalone utilities” chapter for more information about the ELXINV utility.

Figure 3-6. Forms Output Folders window

When you use the Converter icon to convert files (as described in the “File conversions” chapter of this guide), output files write to the Output folders with appropriate file extensions, as shown in the following table.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Fonts folder

Output Forms folder

HP PCL Forms \ELIXIR\PRINTS\HPPRINT\*.PRN

PostScript Forms \ELIXIR\FORMS\PSOUT\*.PS

PDF Forms \ELIXIR\FORMS\PDFOUT\*.*

XGF Forms \ELIXIR\PRINTS\XGFOUT\*.*

DOS subdirectory and file extensions

The above Output Forms folders show all formats to which Elixir Desktop products can be converted.

The Fonts folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\ FONTS directory and contains the Elixir Fonts, Input Fonts and Output Fonts folders as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-7. Fonts Folders window

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Elixir Fonts folder

The Elixir Fonts folder corresponds to the DOS drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS\ELIXIR subdirectory and displays Elixir-format font file names with .HDR extensions. You can edit these files using ElixirFont by opening (double-clicking on) the files. See the Elixir- Font User Guide for more information.

Although only .HDR extension files display, each Elixir-format font consists of three files having the same stem name but different extension, as follows:

The .GLH and .GLY files are also in the drive: \ELIXIR\FONTS\ELIXIR subdirectory, but do not display in the window. You can display all three components if you open the subdirectory using the User Files icon described in the “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapter of this guide.

When you copy a font from the Elixir Fonts folder using the Desktop copy operation (copying to a diskette, for example), all three file components copy.

.HDR - the font header file .GLH - the glyph (character) header file .GLY - the glyph (character) bitmap file

If you want to copy an Elixir font using either the User Files icon or DOS COPY command, remember to copy all three components for each file.

Input Fonts folder

The Input Fonts folder contains subordinate folders, as shown in the following figure.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Figure 3-8. Fonts Input Folders window

To prepare a font file for conversion, first copy it to the appropriate Input Fonts folder. Make sure the file has the correct name extension for the folder, as shown in the following table.

Input Fonts folder DOS subdirectory and file extensions

HP PCL Fonts \ELIXIR\FONTS\HPIN\*.FNT

Outline Fonts \ELIXIR\FONTS\CONTOURS\*.TDF

(default - also user-definable)

The above Input Fonts folders show all formats from which Elixir Desktop products can be converted.

Output Fonts folder

The Output Fonts folder contains a number of subordinate folders, as illustrated below.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Figure 3-9. Fonts Output Folders window

When you use the Converter icon to convert files (described in the “File conversions” chapter of this guide), output files write to the Output folders with appropriate name extensions, as shown in the following table.

Output Fonts folder DOS subdirectory and file extensions

HP PCL Fonts \ELIXIR\FONTS\PRINTER\*.FLJ

(regular fonts) \ELIXIR\FONTS\PRINTER\*.RLJ (rotated fonts)

Screen Fonts \ELIXIR\FONTS\SCREEN\DEMO\*.VGA

(VGA monitors) \ELIXIR\FONTS\SCREEN\DEMO\*.FNT (other monitors) \ELIXIR\FONTS\SCREEN\DEMO\*.WDT (width tables)

Windows \ELIXIR\FONTS\SCREEN\WINDOWS\*.*

The above Output Fonts folders show all formats to which Elixir Desktop products can be converted.

Graphics folder

The Graphics folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\PICS directory and contains the Elixir Images, Input Images and Output Images folders shown in the following figure.

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Elixir Images folder

The Elixir Images folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\PRINTER directory and contains Elixir graphics-format files with .LP3 extensions. You can edit these files by opening (double-clicking on) the files. Opening a file starts ElixirGraphics and loads the file.

Input Images folder

ELIXIR FOLDERS

Figure 3-10. Images Folders window

The Input Images folder contains a number of subordinate folders, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-11. Images Input Folders window

To prepare a graphics file for conversion, first copy it to the appropriate Input Images folder. Make sure the file has the correct name extension for the folder, as shown in the following table.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Input Images folder DOS subdirectory and file extensions

PCX Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\PCXIN\*.PCX

TIFF Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\TIFFIN\*.TIF

BMP Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\BMPIN\*.BMP

The above Input Images folders show all formats from which Elixir Desktop products can be converted.

Output Images folder

The Output Images folder contains a number of subordinate folders, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-12. Images Output Folders window

When you use the Converter icon to convert files (described in the “File conversions” chapter of this guide), output files write to the appropriate Output folders with appropriate file extensions, as shown in the following table.

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Output Images folder DOS subdirectory and file extensions

PCX Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\PCXOUT\*.PCX

TIFF Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\TIFFOUT\*.TIF

BMP Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\BMPOUT\*.BMP

Screen Pics \ELIXIR\PICS\SCREEN\*.LW8

The above Output Images folders show all formats to which Elixir Desktop products can be converted.

Documents folder

The Documents folder corresponds to the DOS drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS directory and contains subordinate Elixir Document, Input Document and Output Document folders, as illustrated in the following figure.

ELIXIR FOLDERS

Figure 3-13. Documents Folders window

Elixir Documents folder

The Elixir Documents folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS\DOCLIST subdirectory and contains form list files.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

A form list file is a .DAT file you create for proof printing using an ASCII editor, containing a list of Elixir (.ELX) form files for a multi-page document. See the “Local Printers” appendix of this guide for more information about creating, viewing and proof printing .DAT files.

Input Documents folder

The Input Documents folder is reserved for future use.

Output Documents folder

The Output Documents folder contains a number of subordinate folders, as illustrated in the following figure.

Figure 3-14. Documents Output Folders window

Note that the PDF and XGF Docs output folders display only if their respective extended converters have been installed.

When you use the Converter to convert files (as described in the “File conversions” chapter of this guide), output files write to an Output folder with the appropriate file extension, as shown in the following table.

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Jobs folder

ELIXIR FOLDERS

Output Documents folder DOS subdirectory

HP PCL Docs \ELIXIR\DOCS\HPOUT\*.*

PostScript Docs \ELIXIR\DOCS\PDFOUT\*.*

PDF Docs \ELIXIR\DOCS\PDFOUT\*.*

XGF Docs \ELIXIR\DOCS\XGFOUT\*.*

The above Output Documents folders show all formats to which Elixir Desktop products can be converted.

The Jobs folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\ JOBS\XGFOUT directory and contains Job Descriptor Ticket (JDT) files ready to be transferred to the XGF printer.

Figure 3-15. Jobs folder

Elixir Docs Jobs

The Elixir Docs Jobs folder corresponds to the drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS\DOCLIST directory and displays a list of Elixir jobs (.DAT files). Each Elixir job is an ASCII file that contains a list of Elixir form files and print ticket information for the individual form files.

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ELIXIR FOLDERS

Elixir Data Jobs

The Elixir Data Jobs folder displays files in the drive:\ELIXIR\JOBS\ELIXIR\SYSTEM directory.

These are job files created using Elixir AppBuilder. Note that the DOS file names in drive:\ELIXIR\JOBS\ ELIXIR\SYSTEM are not the same as those in the Elixir Data Jobs folder; rather, the displayed names are extracted from the DOS files.

See the Elixir AppBuilder for AFP User Guide for more information.

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4. Desktop configuration

To customize your Elixir Desktop, use the options in the System menu and some of the options in the Special menu (both of which you access from the menu bar, shown in the following figure). You can also access some options using the shortcut keys displayed to the right of menu options.

Figure 4-1. Desktop menu bar

The System menu contains the options shown in the following figure.

Figure 4-2. System menu

Each option in the System menu allows you to perform certain configuration actions as described below.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

System Config <Alt> + <F6>

Configures basic system parameters.

Usage Switches

Enables and disables some Desktop functions.

User Privileges

Allows you to set up user access controls.

Diagnostics <Alt> + <F5>

Displays diagnostics information and allows you to access your diagnostic application.

Make Directory <Ctrl> + <M>

Allows you to create a DOS directory

Converter Props

Displays and lets you modify control parameters for the Converter icon.

Reset to Defaults

Resets all configuration parameters to the default values.

Refresh

Refreshes the screen display.

Toolset

Selects different Desktop toolsets.

System configuration

The [System Config] option in the System menu (and the <Alt> + <F6> fast keys) allows you to set system configuration parameters. The Desktop Basic Setup dialog box shown in the following figure displays.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Figure 4-3. Desktop Basic Setup dialog box The Desktop Basic Setup dialog box contains the fol-

lowing options:

Warn on low disk space

Displays a warning if disk space falls below the value specified in [Threshold]. The default is to not warn.

Threshold

The threshold disk space that triggers a warning to display — applicable only if you specify Yes for [Warn on low disk space]. The default is 500 KB, and the maximum is 25 MB.

Show banner logo file

The .BMP file that displays each time you start the Desktop, if there are no open windows. The banner logo may not display correctly if the image is very large. Initially, the default logo is DESKLOGO.BMP; you can specify any .BMP file located in drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\BMPIN.

Show conversion parameters

Displays conversion parameters when converting files.

Clock Running

Displays the date and time in the menu bar message area when selected. [Set Time and Date] displays a dialog box for setting the current date and time.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Double Click Speed

Sets the speed at which successive mouse clicks interpret as a double-click. The settings are: [Slowest] (the default) [Slow] [Medium] or [Fast]

Desktop usage switches

The [Usage Switches] option in the System menu allows you to customize the Elixir Desktop. Selecting this option displays the Usage Switches dialog box, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 4-4. Usage Switches dialog box

The Usage Switches dialog box contains the following options:

Confirm file deletions

When deleting one or more files, select to display a Confirmation for Command dialog box. Otherwise, deletes the file(s) without requesting confirmation.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Confirm file overwrites

When copying one or more files, if a file with the same name exists in the target folder, select to display the Confirmation for Command dialog box. Otherwise overwrites existing file(s) without requesting confirmation. This option is only applicable when you copy files through the Desktop.

Show diskette property sheet

Select to display the Diskette Properties dialog box each time you copy a file to or open the Diskette icon. See the “Additional Desktop features” and “Peripheral devices” chapters for more information.

Show printer property sheet

Select to display the Printer Properties dialog box each time you print a file. See the “Peripheral devices” chapter for more information.

Show scanner property sheet

Select to display the Scanner Properties dialog box each time you use the Scanners icon. See the “Peripheral devices” chapter for more information.

Save Settings on Exit

Retains the Usage Switches changes you made in the current Desktop session and displays them in future sessions.

Monochrome Monitor

Select to execute the DOS MODE MONO command, required for SIGMA monitors on PS/2 systems, and for newer (after 1990) SIGMA monitors running in monochrome (not gray-scale) mode. If you have difficulty reading the title bar text on your monochrome display, select this option.

Converter

Click on [Converter] to display the Converter Properties Dialog dialog box shown below.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Figure 4-5. Converter Properties Dialog

See the 'File conversions" chapter for more information about the above dialog box and the options described below.

Working Directory

The directory in which temporary read/writes take place during file conversions. The default is the root (\). We recommend specifying a RAM disk for faster conversions.

Confirm file overwrites during conversion

Allows you to specify whether files you create automatically overwrite existing output files with the same names. Select to display a dialog box requesting confirmation before overwriting an existing file. If you convert graphics files to .LGO format, the dialog box also prompts for the orientation. Not selecting this option automatically overwrites existing files. This is applicable only when converting form and .LGO files to Elixir format.

dialog box

Show properties before conversions

Allows you to specify default setup options for dialog boxes for each file conversion type.

Pause after conversions

Select to pause after each conversion.

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Use Elixir HP PCL and PostScript converters

Select to use Elixir's printer drivers when converting Elixir forms to HP PCL or PostScript formats. If not selected, you use Windows printer drivers. Elixir printer drivers produce optimized files that require substantially less disk space but create identical printer output as Windows printer drivers.

Stop process after - Error/All files processed.

Specify whether you want conversion to stop after an error occurs or after file processing.

User privileges

The [User Privileges] option in the System menu, shown in the following figure, allows you to set the level of control over certain Desktop operations for the Elixir Desktop user.

DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Figure 4-6. User Privileges dialog box

For example, you can choose whether or not to allow a user to access an Elixir application from the Desktop. If you choose not to allow access, the icons representing the Elixir application and its associated folder do not display.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Delete Files

Select to allow setting up the Desktop so users cannot delete files. Otherwise allows deletions.

Change File Properties

Allows users to change the file name in a Properties dialog box for a file.

Backup beyond default directories

In the Elixir file structure, select to allow you to back up directories to the specified drive. When not selected, allows you to back up to the default directory for the Elixir (Forms, Fonts, Graphics, and Documents) folders only. We recommend NOT selecting this option.

Access Forms

Allows access to ElixirForm or Elixir-format form files. The icons representing both do not display on the Desktop if you do not select this option.

Access Fonts

Allows access to ElixirFont or Elixir-format font files. The icons representing both do not display on the Desktop if you do not select this option.

Access Graphics

Allows access to ElixiGraphics or Elixir-format graphics files. The icons representing both do not display on the Desktop if you do not select this option.

Access Documents

Allows access to non-Elixir files. The User Files icon does not display on the Desktop if you do not select this option.

Access Userfiles

Allows access to non-Elixir applications. The User Files icon does not display on the Desktop if you do not select this option.

Access UserTools

Allows access to the User Tools icon. The icon does not display if you do not select this option.

Access Dispatcher

Allows access to the Dispatcher icon. The Dispatcher icon does not display on the Desktop if you do not select this option.

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Diagnostics

DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Access Transformer

No access effect - the Transformer is not included in the Elixir Forms Editor product.

Access Converters

Allows access to the Converter icon. The icon does not display if you do not select this option.

Perform Reset to Default

Select to enable resetting system defaults from the

System menu.

Access DOS

Allows accessing DOS from the Desktop.

The [Diagnostics] option in the System menu (and the <Alt> + <F5> fast key) allows you to run a number of diagnostic utilities and to enter a command to run a diagnostic program of your choice. Selecting the option displays the Desktop Diagnostics dialog box, shown in the following figure.

Figure 4-7. Desktop Diagnostics dialog box

Free Memory

Displays available memory in KB.

Free Resources

Displays available Windows resources as a percentage.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Base Memory

Displays total base RAM.

Maximum file list

Displays the maximum number of files according to the size of the window.

Disk Space Left

Shows the disk space left on the hard disk on which the Elixir Desktop displays.

Current drive

Displays the current drive.

View Install LOG

Click on to display the log file INSTALL.LOG created when installing Elixir software on your PC. When you report any problems to the Support Center, the center may ask for the contents of this log file to help determine the source of your problem.

View AUTOEXEC.BAT

Click on to display the contents of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file in a window.

Show Installed ElixiKeys

Click on to display installed ElixiKeys on your PC.

View CONFIG.SYS

Click on to display the contents of the CONFIG.SYS file in a window.

Creating a directory

The [Make Directory] option in the System menu allows you to create a directory in a path you enter. Selecting this option or pressing <Ctrl> + <M> displays the Enter Path of Directory to Create dialog box shown in the following figure.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Figure 4-8. Enter Path of Directory to Create

dialog box

Enter the name and path of any directory you want to create, then click on [OK] to create the directory.

If you do not enter a full path for a directory name:

If a window is open, the directory you enter subordinates to the directory corresponding to the window.

If the Desktop does not display any open windows, the directory subordinates to the root directory, on the drive where Elixir software loads.

Converter properties

The [Converter Props] option in the System menu opens the Converters Properties dialog box and allows you to specify certain initial setup options for converting files.

Figure 4-9. Converters Properties dialog box

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Clicking on each option displays the appropriate dialog box for specifying setup parameters. The "File conversions" chapter describes these parameters.

Clicking on [Converter Properties] displays the Converter Properties Dialog dialog box described in the Usage Switches section earlier in this chapter.

Clicking on [Message Reporting] displays the Message Options Dialog dialog box.

Figure 4-10. Message Options Dialog dialog box

Select options to [Show messages after process], or to write messages to a .LOG file, the stem name of which you can specify.

You can also specify to append new messages to an existing .LOG file or to overwrite an existing .LOG file.

Resetting System menu options

The [Reset to Defaults] option displays a dialog box that allows you to reset (to the initial default values) the specifications you set in the [System Config], [User Privileges], and [Diagnostics] options in the Sys- tem menu.

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Refreshing the screen

If closing a window does not completely remove it or leaves “snow” on the screen, use the [Refresh] option in the System menu to refresh the screen.

Selecting toolsets

When more than one Elixir Desktop installs on a PC drive, you can switch between Desktops using the [Toolset] option in the System menu.

Figure 4-11. Desktop Toolsets dialog box

DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Desktops differ in icon appearances and allowed file conversions, which display in the Converter icon dialog boxes. See the “File conversions” chapter for more information about file conversions.

Selecting the [ToolSet] option displays the Desktop Toolsets dialog box shown in the previous figure.

Full HYBRID Desktop

Allows all conversions for all installed Desktop versions.

AFP Desktop

Displays the AFP Desktop.

AS/400 Desktop

Displays the AS/400 Desktop.

Distributed Desktop

Displays the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop.

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DESKTOP CONFIGURATION

Xerox B & W

Allows all black-and-white Xerox conversions. Primarily for ElixirForm/ElixiSys and ElixiSys for Xerox Distributed Printers users.

Xerox H/L Color and B & W

Displays the Desktop for the Elixir HighLight Option and Plus products. Allows color and black-and-white Xerox conversions, if you install both versions (for users running both B&W and color monitors and Xerox 4850 and other printers).

Xerox Distributed Printers

Displays the 4235 XES Desktop.

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5. Additional Desktop features

This chapter describes additional operations you can perform using the Desktop icons and menu bar File, System and Special menus. You can perform most of these operations using keyboard shortcuts, as described in the "Keyboard shortcuts" appendix.

The following figure shows the Desktop menu bar.

Figure 5-1. Desktop menu bar

Operations described in this chapter include:

opening icons setting icon properties displaying/deleting different formats of a file displaying a logo at start-up copying files using the Scheduler Desktop viewing files.

If you are just starting to use the Desktop, you may want to read the “Desktop basics” chapter first to become more familiar with general Desktop operations.

Opening icons

Opening an icon typically starts a corresponding application or causes a window or dialog box to display showing properties related to the icon. In most cases,

ELIXIR FORMS EDITOR DESKTOP USER GUIDE 5-1

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

you can modify the properties displayed to affect the performance of the object represented by the icon.

You can open an icon in any of the following ways:

Double-click on it Click on it and press <Enter> Click on it and select [Open] from the File menu.

The following sections describe the results of opening various icons.

Opening a folder icon

When you open a (Forms, Fonts, Graphics, Documents or Jobs) folder icon, a window showing the contents of the folder displays. Each folder typically comprises one or more sub-folders containing files. Note that each folder corresponds to a DOS directory.

Opening Elixir files

Elixir files are generic Elixir-format files that you access from the Desktop Elixir folders, and include:

Elixir-format form files in the Elixir Forms folder (drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS)

Elixir-format font files in the Elixir Fonts folder (drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS)

Elixir-format graphics files in the Elixir Graphics folder (drive:\ELIXIR\PICS)

Elixir-format document files in the Elixir Documents folder (drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS).

When you open an Elixir file, the corresponding Elixir application starts and the file loads in the application.

For example, when you open an Elixir form file, the Elixir Forms Editor application starts, and the form file loads (displays on the screen), ready for editing.

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Note that your PC must have the corresponding application installed and enabled. Elixir applications can be enabled/disabled using the System menu, as described in the “Desktop configuration” chapter.

Note also that you cannot open an Elixir document icon in the Elixir Docs folder (drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS).

Opening the ElixirForm icon

Opening the ElixirForm icon at the right of the Desktop starts the ElixirForm application. When you exit the application, the Desktop redisplays.

Note that pressing <CTRL> and clicking the right mouse button on the icon instead displays icons representing other installed applications.

Opening device icons

Opening a device icon displays a dialog box for viewing or modifying the current properties of the device represented, as follows:

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

Diskette icon

Allows you to access or configure your PC's internal or external diskette drive. See the "Icon properties" section and “Peripheral devices” chapter for more information.

Printers icon

Allows you to access or configure a local proof printer connected to your PC. See the "Icon properties" section and "Local Printers" appendix for more information.

Scanners icon

Allows you to access or configure a scanner connected to your PC. See the "Icon properties" section and “Peripheral devices” chapter for more information.

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Opening other icons

Opening the User Tools, User Files, Dispatcher, Converter and Viewer icons results in different displays, as follows:

User Tools icon

Displays the User Tools window which allows you to create an icon for any DOS application or batch file. See the "Accessing DOS files and applications" chapter for more information.

User Files icon

Displays the User Files: Directory Paths and Tool Links dialog box which allows you to link files in a window with DOS applications. See the "Accessing DOS files and applications" chapter for more informa- tion.

Dispatcher icon

Displays the Dispatcher Commands dialog box which allows you to enter DOS batch commands. See the "Icon properties" section and “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapter for more information.

Converter icon

Displays the Converter Properties dialog box which allows you to convert form, font and graphics files to and from different formats. See the "Icon properties" section and "Desktop configuration" and "File conversions" chapters for more information.

Viewer icon

Displays the ASCII-based Windows Notepad dialog box which allows you to view and edit the contents of an Elixir-format file without launching the associated application. See the "Viewing files" section for more information.

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Displaying Icon properties

Using the Desktop, you can view and modify property specifications for the following:

Converter icon Dispatcher icon Viewer icon device (Diskette, Scanners and Printers) icons file icons.

To display and modify properties for any of the above, select the appropriate icon, then perform one of the following:

Press <F2>. Press the right mouse button. Select [Properties] from the File menu.

Files

Selecting [Properties] for a file icon displays the File Object Properties dialog box shown in the following figure.

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

Figure 5-2. File Object Properties dialog box

The File Object Properties dialog box contains the following options:

File name and extension

The name, including any extension, of the selected file. This is the only option you can change. Enter a new file name and extension to rename the file.

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File type

The type of file selected; for example, Elixir, HP PCL, or PostScript.

File size

The size of the selected file in bytes.

Date of last access

The date you created or last changed the file.

Time of last access

The time you last accessed the file. If you select more than one file, a dialog box for each

subsequent file displays when you click on [OK] or [Cancel].

Displaying Elixir file formats

When you convert Elixir and Input folders files, files with the same stem names but different extensions write to the appropriate Output folders (see the “Elixir folders' and “File conversions” chapters for more information).

The Desktop file formats feature allows you to select a file in any Elixir folder, and to display all files with the same stem name but different extensions on the drive to which Elixir installs. This feature also allows you to delete either all or selected file formats from the directory.

To display different versions of a file, select the desired file from an Elixir folder, then select [Formats] from the File menu. The File Formats dialog box displays.

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Figure 5-3. File Formats dialog box

The File Formats dialog box displays the different formats of the selected file, and contains the following options:

No Operation

Perform no operations on displayed files.

Delete * Formats

Delete all displayed formats of a selected file.

Delete * except Elixir

Delete all formats of a selected file, except the Elixir format.

Displaying a logo

You can configure the Desktop to display a logo upon start up. However, the logo displays only if you closed all windows when last exiting the Desktop.

The displayed logo may be any .BMP graphics file in drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\BMPIN. The default logo is DESKLOGO.BMP.

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To specify the logo you want displayed, follow these steps:

1. Select [System Config] from the System menu.

2. In the Desktop Basic Setup dialog box, select [Show banner logo file].

3. In the dialog box, specify the stem name of the .BMP file in the drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\BMPIN directory you want displayed.

Figure 5-4. Desktop Basic Setup dialog box

Note that, depending on your monitor's screen resolution, the size of the displayed logo changes.

Copying files

Copying files involves different procedures, depending on whether you are copying files to or from:

Elixir folders DOS directories on the hard disk DOS-format diskettes DOS Elixir-format diskettes Viewer icon.

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In each case, you select files from a window and then copy them in one of the following ways:

Drag and drop files on the destination icon. Press <Ctrl>+<C>, then click on destination icon. Select [Copy] from the File menu, then click on

the destination icon.

Copying files to Elixir folders

You copy files to Elixir folders when you convert files to different formats. However, before conversion, make sure the files have the correct name extensions for the folders in which they reside. See the “Elixir folders” chapter for more information.

Copying files to a DOS directory

Tc copy one or more files in a window to another hard disk directory, select the files and drag and drop them on the User Files icon. A dialog box similar to the following displays.

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

Figure 5-5. User Files: Directory Paths and Tool Links

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The dialog box displays the (current) paths you last specified and allows you to specify up to twelve DOS directory paths.

To specify the target directory, perform one of the following:

Select any line and type the directory into which you want to copy files.

When the directory to which you want to copy files displays, select (highlight) it.

Select any line that shows a path and edit it.

If the directory you enter does not exist, a dialog box displays requesting confirmation to create a new directory. Select [Yes] to create the new directory. An empty window for the new directory displays.

Click on [OK] to copy the files. See the “Accessing DOS files and applications” chapter for more information.

Copying files from a DOS directory

To copy one or more files from a DOS directory, open the User Files icon to display the User Files: Directory Paths and Tool Links dialog box.

Enter the name of the directory from which you want to copy files or, if the path to the directory displays, select it and click on [OK].

A window similar to the following figure displays, showing the contents of the directory. In the window, select the files you want to copy, then drag and drop the files on the Desktop target icon. The target icon can be any of the Elixir folders, the Diskette icon or the User Files icon.

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Figure 5-6. Directory window example

Copying files to a DOS-format diskette

To copy selected files from a displayed window to a DOS-format diskette, first insert a diskette into your PC disk drive.

Copy the selected files to the Diskette icon on the Desktop.

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

The System Diskette dialog box displays.

Figure 5-7. System Diskette dialog box

In the System Diskette dialog box, specify the following options to copy files to a DOS-format diskette:

Directory on Diskette to open

The diskette directory to which you want to write files.

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Diskette Drive

The identifier for your disk drive (normally A or B).

Diskette Type

Select [DOS User-Defined] to copy files to a DOS directory.

Diskette Access

As appropriate, select either [For WRITing] for a formatted diskette or [Perform FORMAT] to create a DOS-formatted diskette.

Click on [OK] to copy files.

Copying files from a DOS-format diskette

To copy files from a DOS-format diskette, open the Diskette icon to display the Diskette Properties dialog box shown in the figure above.

In the System Diskette dialog box, specify the following options to copy files from a DOS-format diskette:

Directory on Diskette to open

The diskette directory from which you want to copy files.

Diskette Drive

The identifier for your disk drive (normally A or B).

Diskette Type

Select [DOS User-Defined] to copy files from a DOS directory.

A window displays showing the contents of the directory you specified. Select the files you want to copy, then copy the files to a target icon on the Desktop.

Copying files to a DOS-Elixir format diskette

A DOS Elixir-format diskette is a DOS-format diskette that contains the Elixir file directory structure. You can copy files such as .PUB files to a DOS Elixir-format diskette without first creating the destination Elixir directories on the diskette.

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To copy selected files from a displayed window to a DOS Elixir-format diskette, insert a diskette into your PC disk drive. If the diskette is not already DOS Elixir formatted, select the [DOS Elixir] and [Perform FORMAT] options to format the diskette before copying files.

Copy the selected files to the Diskette icon on the Desktop.

The System Diskette dialog box displays.

Figure 5-8. System Diskette dialog box

In the System Diskette dialog box, specify the following options to copy files to a DOS Elixir-format diskette:

Directory on Diskette to open

Select [DOS Elixir] to display the drive:\ELIXIR directory.

Diskette Drive

The identifier for your disk drive (normally A or B).

Diskette Type

Select [DOS Elixir] to copy files to a DOS Elixir-format diskette.

Diskette Access

As appropriate, select either [For WRITing] for a formatted diskette or [Perform FORMAT] to create a DOS-formatted diskette with an Elixir directory structure.

Click on [OK] to copy files.

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Copying files from a DOS Elixir-format diskette

To copy files from a DOS Elixir-format diskette, open the Diskette icon on the Desktop to display a Diskette Properties dialog box shown in the figure above.

In the Diskette Properties dialog box, specify the following options to copy files from a DOS Elixir-format diskette:

Directory on Diskette to open

The drive from which you want to copy files.

Diskette Drive

The identifier for your disk drive (normally A or B).

Diskette Type

To copy files from an Elixir diskette, select [DOS Elixir].

Diskette Access

Select [for READing] Click on [OK]. A window displays showing the contents of the direc-

tory you specified. Select the files you want to copy, then copy the files to a target icon on the Desktop.

Copying files from Output to Input folders

To copy one or more files from an Elixir Output folder to a corresponding Input folder, use the following procedure.

1. Open an Elixir folder, then open the Output folder in the displayed window.

2. Select the output file(s) you want to copy from the Output folder.

3. Copy the file(s) to the destination Elixir icon on the Desktop.

The selected file(s) copy into the appropriate Input folder.

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Note that you cannot copy files directly from the Output Documents folder to the Input Documents folder. Instead, you must copy them to the User Files icon and, in the displayed User Files: Directory Paths and Tool Links dialog box, specify the DOS path for the appropriate Document Input folder.

Note also that you cannot copy files from an Input folder to an Output folder.

Copying Elixir form files

To copy a form file and all associated elements, use the Desktop archival feature.

The archival feature allows you to create a publication (.PUB) file containing references to all font, graphics and form information for an Elixir-format (.ELX) form file in the Elixir Forms folder (drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR).

You cannot use standard DOS or Elixir copy procedures to copy Elixir form files because these files contain elements such as text, fonts and graphics that reside in different Elixir directories.

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

Creating a .PUB file

To create a .PUB file for an Elixir form file, follow these steps:

1. Open the Elixir Forms folder and select the .ELX file you want to archive.

2. From the Selection menu, either select [Make Pubfile] or press <Ctrl>+<U>. The dialog box shown in the following figure displays.

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Figure 5-9. Elixir Publication File

This dialog box contains the following options:

PubFile name

The name of the .PUB file you want to create, based on the .ELX file stem name.

Include Screen Fonts

Either select to include, or leave unselected to omit, screen fonts in the .PUB file.

Include Screen Graphics

Either select to include, or leave unselected to omit, screen images in the .PUB file.

dialog box

Include Printer Fonts

Either select to include, or leave unselected to omit, proof printer fonts (for the proof printer you specify in the [Proof Printer Fonts for] option) in the .PUB file. Also includes rotated fonts, if used.

Include Printer Graphics

Either select to include, or leave unselected to omit, printer images in the .PUB file.

Proof Printer Fonts For

Allows you to specify your proof printer as [HP LJ]. The Elixir Desktop creates a .PUB file in the Elixir

Forms folder with the same stem name as the file you selected. If a .PUB file with the same name exists in the Elixir Forms folder, the program prompts you to confirm overwriting it.

You can view the contents of a .PUB file by doubleclicking on its icon as shown in the following figure.

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Figure 5-10. Publication file components example

Copying a .PUB file to a diskette

To copy a .PUB file to a diskette, follow these steps:

1. Insert a formatted diskette into your diskette drive. Open the Diskette icon and make sure [Diskette Drive] indicates the correct drive.

2. Select the .PUB file from the Elixir Forms window.

ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

3. From the Selection menu, select [Archive Pubfile].

Alternatively, copy the .PUB file to the Diskette icon.

All directories and related files required for each element of the .PUB file copy to the diskette. If a .PUB file with the same name exists on the diskette, the program prompts you to confirm overwriting it. Your confirmation also overwrites any component files with the same stem name.

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Restoring a .PUB file from a diskette

To copy a .PUB file and all associated graphics, font and form files from a diskette to your hard disk, follow these steps:

1. Insert the diskette into your diskette drive.

2. Open the Diskette icon, and select [DOS-Elixir] to display a window with the diskette contents.

3. Display the

drive

:\ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR (or subordinate directory) window that contains the .PUB file.

4. Copy the .PUB file icon to the Desktop Forms icon.

5. Click on the Elixir Forms folder in the displayed window.

The .PUB file and all associated files copy to the appropriate Elixir folders. If a .PUB file with the same name exists in the Elixir Forms folder, the program prompts you to confirm overwriting it. Your confirmation also overwrites any existing component files with the same stem name.

If you restore a .PUB file to a PC with a different monitor than the PC from which you copied the form file, your screen fonts and screen graphics may not display correctly. For correct font and graphics display, use the Converter icon (described in the “File conversions” chapter of this guide) to regenerate the screen fonts and graphics.

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Using the Elixir Scheduler Desktop

The Elixir Scheduler Desktop allows you to specify automated file conversions, batch file execution and other actions, and to specify the conditions for their performance.

The actions you can specify are:

file conversions running transcripts executing an application defined as a User Tool executing an application defined in the Dispatcher

icon executing any .BAT, .EXE or .COM command.

The conditions for which you can specify the above actions are:

the date and/or time for performing an action checking for the existence of a file before per-

forming an action performing an action at specified intervals.

Examples of automated actions you can specify with the Scheduler Desktop are:

If files in an Input Folder are present, convert them to one or more formats.

At a certain time, perform a certain action (such

as back up files). (Later, this section provides detailed examples.) In addition, if you install the Elixir Desktop on a dedi-

cated PC attached to a network, the Scheduler enables uploading files to another destination, for example, to a high-speed printer.

As an example of a Scheduler setup:

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You can print an application document to a file on a Network Scheduler.

The Scheduler Desktop detects the file and converts it from its native format to a high speed printer format.

The Scheduler then automatically sends the file to the printer for processing.

Scheduler setup

To execute operations from the Scheduler Desktop, follow these steps:

First, install the Scheduler Desktop on a dedicated PC attached to the network.

If you want to specify automated file conversions, follow steps 1 through 4. If you want to specify actions other than file conversions (such as executing batch files), go to step 5.

1. Open the User Files icon and specify the Network Scheduler directory to which the files print to disk (see the "Accessing DOS files and applications" chapter for more information).

2. Install the appropriate converter on the Network Scheduler drive or set its input and output paths to the Network Scheduler drive.

3. Right-click on the Dispatcher icon and set up the Dispatcher to run the files for conversion through a DOS batch file (see the "Accessing DOS files and applications" chapter for more information).

4. Click on [Setup] in the Dispatcher Commands dialog box and in the displayed User Application Setup box, click on [Send only Filename].

Create the batch file to perform the following:

convert input Dispatcher files to the output format you previously set up in the Desktop

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write an error log; you can set the Scheduler desktop to check for the existence of the log and to pause or to transmit an error message if it exists

send files directly to the printer delete any unwanted files on the PC. (Later, this chapter describes more details about

these actions).

5. Set up the Scheduler Desktop by selecting [Scheduler Setup] from the Special menu, or by pressing <Alt> + <F2>

Make the appropriate selections in the Scheduler Setup dialog box shown in the following figure.

Figure 5-11. Scheduler Setup dialog box

All Scheduler Activity

Sets processing to [Processing] (on) or [OFF] for up to eight Scheduler actions. [Processing] polls each Scheduler action to test it for a TRUE, condition. If a Scheduler action tests TRUE a consequent action results.

Task Scheduling by

The processing mode. [ID Priority] processes Scheduler actions using number 1 as the highest priority, and number 8 as the lowest priority. [Circular processing] processes Scheduler actions sequentially without priority.

Number of allowable scheduler tasks

The number of Scheduler actions tested for when you select [Processing]. The maximum is eight actions.

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Timing delay between scheduler tasks

The frequency at which the Scheduler tests for TRUE Scheduler actions, in seconds.

6. Set up the Scheduler action by selecting [Scheduler Actions] from the Special menu, or pressing <Alt> + <F3>.

Figure 5-12. Scheduler Tasks dialog box

Task

Allows definition of up to eight Scheduler actions (tasks), and to set [Task processing ON] (select) or off (leave unselected). Click on [Next] or [Prev] to display and to modify tasks 1 through 8.

Task test

[On File(s)] tests for the existence of a file in a directory, both of which you specify (see next options), [On DateTime] tests for a specified PC date and time, [Test TRUE] continually executes the specified action at the timing interval specified in step 5.

File(s) test Directory

The directory in which the Scheduler checks for the existence of a file if you select [on File(s)] in Task

test.

Filename(s)

The file for which the Scheduler checks if you selected [on File(s)] in Task test. DOS wildcards are permissible. [Any] searches for any files in the specified directory.

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Date

When testing for passage of a specified date, enter the day, month, and year you want the Scheduler action processed. Select [Any] after the date to process the Scheduler action every day at the time specified by Time.

Time

When testing for passage of a specified time, enter the hours, minutes, and seconds you want the Scheduler action processed.

Action to take

Select [Dispatch] and enter the number of the Dispatcher command to process the Dispatcher command, [Usertool] to process the user tool, or [BATch File] to process the batch file specified in [Name].

After action

[Delete Files] deletes files after the Scheduler action, [Task processing OFF] turns processing off after the action, and [None] specifies that the Scheduler continues processing for further actions.

Please note the following Scheduler operation conditions:

The Scheduler Desktop pauses during keystrokes, mouse clicks or movements, menu pull down operations, and dialog displays, but resumes polling after an allotted time delay once these actions end.

To operate the Scheduler with the [DateTime] option, select the [System Config] option in the Sys- tem menu and set the system clock on ([Clock]:On) in the Desktop Configuration dialog box that displays.

To reset the Scheduler functions to defaults, enter the following command at the DOS prompt:

DEL\ELIXIR\DESKTOP\SYSTEM\DISPATCH\*.SRV

<Enter>

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The Scheduler Desktop is single tasking and you should operate it on a dedicated workstation. You can accomplish Full Scheduler operations without using network interrupts and you can perform this from a DOS-based system.

The Scheduler Desktop is operational in nonnetwork environments, and can process files sent over modems for printing to a remote printer.

Scheduler Desktop examples

This section describes examples of using the Scheduler Desktop.

Scheduler example 1

The following example describes setting up a Scheduler action to run a batch file at one minute past noon.

The example assumes that you set up the Scheduler Desktop on a dedicated PC, attached it to a network, and if applicable, defined the Network Scheduler directory to which files print to disk.

1. Select the [Scheduler Setup] option from the Special menu and select the options you want in the dialog box that displays (the options as described earlier in this section).

2. Select the [Scheduler Actions] option from the Special menu and enter or select the following to set up a Scheduler action based on a DateTime test:

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[Task] 1 [Task test] On DateTime [Filename(s)] *.SYS [Date] 02 [Month] 12 [Year] 92 [Hour] 12 [Min] 1 [Sec] 0 [Action to take] BATchFile [Name] JOBXXX [After action] Task processing OFF

Figure 5-13. Testing for a passed

date/time example

This example sets up Scheduler action number 2 to run the file JOBXXX on 12/02/92 at 12:01 PM.

If [Any] is selected for the Date, the Scheduler action would occur every day at 12:01 PM.

Scheduler example 2

The following example describes setting up a Scheduler action that continuously runs a utility at specified time intervals.

1. Select the [Scheduler Setup] option from the Special menu and select the options you want in the dialog box that displays (the options as described earlier in this section).

2. Select the [Scheduler Actions] option from the Special menu and enter or select the following to set up a Scheduler action based on a Test TRUE test:

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ADDITIONAL DESKTOP FEATURES

Task] 2 [Task test]Test TRUE [Action to take] Usertool [Name] NETCOMX [After action] None

Figure 5-14. Testing for a TRUE

This example sets up Scheduler task number 2 to run the usertool NETCOMX continuously at intervals specified in step 5 in the Scheduler setup section.

condition example

You can use this Scheduler action to periodically send messages over the network to inform nodes that the Scheduler is active and waiting.

Viewing files

The Viewer icon allows you to link applications to file extensions so that copying a file with a certain extension to the icon starts the application and loads the file.

For example, you can link all .PCX file to the Windows PaintBrush program so that copying a .PCX file to the Viewer icon starts PaintBrush and displays the .PCX file.

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To link applications to file extensions, use any ASCII editor to edit the ELX.INI file in the drive:\WINDOWS directory.

You can also click the right mouse button on the Viewer icon to start Windows Notepad with ELX.INI loaded.

In the file, under the [Viewer_Filemap] section add lines in the following format:

extension=application

extension

is the file extension

application

is the executable linked to extension.

For example: PCX=PBRUSH.EXE This line links .PCX files to the PaintBrush application.

Viewing Elixir graphics files

The Viewer icon also allows you to display Elixir format graphics (.LP3) and screen graphics (.LW8) by copying the files to the icon. You can copy the above files from any folder to the Viewer icon.

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Figure 5-15. Elixir graphics (.LP3) display example

The Elixir Image Viewer application displays Elixir graphics or the screen versions of Elixir graphics in an image window, as shown in the above example.

From the File menu select [Attributes] to display information about the graphics, [Print] to print the graphics, and [Exit] to exit the Viewer.

Clicking on the arrows in the image window header allows you to zoom in to 2X, 4X, 8X, 16X, and 32X magnifications and to zoom out to -2X, -4X, and -8X magnifications. The printed image size also displays (PRN displays in the window header).

When displaying magnifications greater than 1X, the left of the window displays the magnified view and the right of the window shown a portion of the image at 1X magnification.

Clicking on the button to the right of the arrow toggles a grid at magnifications of 8X or greater.

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Moving the screen pointer in the window displays the coordinates of the pointer in dots with respect to the top left corner of the graphics.

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6. Peripheral devices

This chapter describes how to access and use peripheral devices connected to your PC. Devices covered in this chapter include the diskette drives (internal or external) and scanners.

The "Local printers" appendix describes use of a supported local printer.

See the Elixir ElixirScan User Guide for detailed information if you plan to use the ElixirScan application with your scanner.

Diskette drive

You access diskette drives through the Desktop Diskette icon.

The Diskette icon allows you to:

specify the drive letter of the diskette drive you want to access

copy files from the hard disk to a diskette copy files from a diskette to the hard disk format a high or low density diskette in DOS or

DOS-Elixir formats (DOS format with the standard Elixir directory structure on the diskette).

The “Additional Desktop features” chapter describes procedures for copying DOS files to and from diskettes.

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To assign a drive letter or to format diskettes, open the Diskette icon to display the System Diskette dialog box shown in the following figure. This dialog box also displays when you copy one or more files to a diskette (by copying file icons to the Diskette icon).

Figure 6-1. System Diskette dialog box

To specify a drive letter, enter the letter for the Diskette Drive option. Any actions you subsequently perform using the Diskette icon apply to the diskette drive you specify.

To format a diskette, select [Perform FORMAT] for the [Diskette Access] option, then select the format type for the [Diskette Type] option.

When you format a diskette the following options apply:

DOS User-Defined

Formats the diskette using the DOS FORMAT command.

DOS Elixir

Formats the diskette using the DOS FORMAT command and creates an \ELIXIR subdirectory on the diskette.

When you copy files to and from a diskette, the following options also apply:

Directory on Diskette to open

The diskette directory you want to access. The default is A:\*.*

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Diskette Access [Perform FORMAT] - formats a diskette (see above); [For READing] - displays a window showing a list of files and directories on the diskette. [For WRITing] applicable only when you copy files from the hard disk; copies the hard disk files to the diskette.

Scanner device

You can access any scanning device connected to your PC through the Desktop Scanners icon when you have the appropriate scanner software installed that can create 300 dpi .TIF or .PCX files.

Before using your scanner, configure the Desktop as described in the following section.

You can run only one scanner from the Desktop.

Configuration

PERIPHERAL DEVICES

To use your scanner from the Desktop, first set the scanner specifications as follows:

Select the Scanners icon and press <F2> or select [Properties] from the File menu. The User Application Setup dialog box shown in the following figure displays:

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PERIPHERAL DEVICES

Figure 6-2. User Application Setup dialog box

The User Application Setup dialog box contains the following options:

Command to Execute

The command that executes the application you want associated with the icon. For example, to create a WordPerfect icon, you would specify WP.

If you want to link the application to files in the same directory as the application (see the “Linking files to an already-defined User Tool” section), you can also type in the DOS command with an embedded %1 parameter. The embedded %1 parameter specifies the location in the command at which you want the file name to appear. See also the [Prompt for parameters] option.

'Nickname' for application

A nickname (up to 8 characters) for the application you want to run. After creating an icon, the User Tools window displays the icon with the nickname under it.

Optional Long Name

A descriptive name for the application (up to 29 characters). The long name is informational only; it identifies the application in the dialog box.

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Working Directory

The DOS path for the executable. Use this field if the application you are running is not present in the drive:\ELIXIR directory and if you have not specified a DOS PATH= statement for the directory in which the application executable resides.

Command Options

Select [DOS Application] if running a DOS application (enables the [Command Attributes] options).

[Send Only Filename] uses only the stem name of the file for command execution.

Select [Prompt for parameters] if you want the program to prompt you to enter an argument that appends to the command in [Command to execute]. This displays a dialog box allowing you to enter an argument when you run the application. Leave unselected (the default) to run the application without prompting for an argument.

[Run Minimized] executes the command in a minimized window.

Command Attributes

Select [Command is .BAT file] if the command you specify is a DOS batch file. This redisplays the Desktop when you exit the application. Leave unselected to return you to the directory specified in the batch file. If the application is a batch file that calls another batch file, the Desktop does not redisplay when you exit the application (see the “Starting batch files” section in this chapter for more information).

Select [Pause after execution] to pause after exiting the application and to request entering any key to continue before returning to the Desktop. Leave unselected to return to the Desktop after exiting the application.

Display Options

[Window] displays command execution in a window. [Full Screen] displays command execution in a full screen environment.

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[Browse] button

Click on to display the contents of a DOS directory (which you can change) from which you can select a file.

Using scanners

To use your scanner, open the Scanners icon. After confirming that the information in the User Application Setup dialog box is correct, click on [OK] to start the scanner application.

See your scanner user manual for information on configuring your system for your scanner..

Using the Elixir HP print driver

The Elixir HP print driver produces files that require substantially less disk space and take less time to print.

To use the Elixir HP print driver, follow these steps:

1. Select and drag the files to the Printers icon.

2. In the Print dialog box, select the [Elixir HP Driver] and click on [Setup].

The Elixir HP Driver dialog box displays. Select from the following options:

Printer

The type of HP LaserJet printer (II, III or 4).

Printer Port

As Appropriate, either [LPT1], [LPT2] or [LPT3].

Output Mode

Either [Use PCL commands] or [Use rasterization]. The [Use rasterization] option allows you to print objects such as circles and paths that HP PCL may otherwise ignore or print as other objects.

6-6 ELIXIR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

PERIPHERAL DEVICES

Font Substitution Tables

Either [No] to use printer-resident fonts or [Selected] to use fonts from the table you enter in the [Selected Table] option. You can browse the font tables listed in the Select Font Table dialog box by clicking on the [Select Font Table] button.

Create As Macro

A number value in [Macro ID number] to store your form on the printer for future use.

3. After selecting your options, click on [OK].

4. To print the file, click on [OK] in the Print dialog box.

ELIXIR FORMS EDITOR DESKTOP USER GUIDE 6-7

7. File conversions

The main function of the Elixir Forms Editor Desktop is to convert form, font, graphics, document and job files to and from different formats.

General procedures

Before copying or converting a file, you may want to first check the file's property specifications.

To display file properties:

1. Select one or more files in any open window.

2. Either press <F2> or select [Properties] from the File menu.

Figure 7-1. File Object Properties dialog box

3. The File Object Properties dialog box displays with the following options:

File name and extension

The name, including any extension, of the selected file. This is the only option you can change. To rename the file, enter a new file name and extension.

ELIXIR FORMS EDITOR DESKTOP USER GUIDE 7-1

Xerox Elixir Forms Editor User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual