--------------- Fastgraph/Light --------------- Fastgraph/Light is a library of more than 100 highly-optimized routines that are callable from high-level and assembly language programs running under the MS-DOS or PC-DOS operating systems. This collection of routines provides a programmer with proven, powerful tools to take command of the PC and PS/2 text and graphics video environment. Fastgraph/Light's major functional areas include: * Video mode detection and initialization * Colors, virtual colors, and palettes * Graphics fundamentals, including points, solid and dashed lines, polygons, circles, ellipses, solid and dithered rectangles, region fill, and clipping * Character display * Physical and virtual video page management * Image display facilities, including mode-specific and mode-independent images, clipped and reversed images, image retrieval, pixel run maps, and image transfer * Animation * Special effects * Keyboard, mouse, and joystick control * Sound effects and music, both synchronous and asynchronous As its name implies, the most notable feature of Fastgraph/Light is its speed. Fastgraph/Light is written in 8086 assembly language, and each routine has been optimized by hand to provide maximum performance. Fastgraph/Light supports all of the standard text and graphics video modes used by the IBM PC (PC, PC/XT, and PC/AT) and PS/2 families and compatible systems. In addition, Fastgraph/Light provides support for a commonly used video mode for the Tandy 1000 series computers and the PCjr, two video modes for the Hercules Graphics Card, and two extended VGA modes. ----------------------------------- Terms of Fastgraph/Light Evaluation ----------------------------------- This is an EVALUATION VERSION of Fastgraph/Light and is distributed as shareware. It is a full-functioned version with all of the features found in the registered version. However, any programs created with the evaluation version may not be sold, given away, or distributed in any form. You may evaluate Fastgraph/Light for 30 days, after which you must either register the product or discontinue its use. Upon receipt of your registration fee, you will receive disks containing the latest registered version of Fastgraph/Light, access to our support bulletin board, notices of product updates, and a license agreement that entitles you to freely use Fastgraph/Light in any programs. For an additional fee you can also purchase an extensive 430-page printed manual. Please see "Ordering Information" at the end of this file for complete registration information. --------- Fastgraph --------- Fastgraph is our professional graphics library of more than 150 routines. It includes all of the functionality of Fastgraph/Light but does not require the external video driver FGDRIVER. Instead, any Fastgraph routines you use are linked directly into your .EXE file. Fastgraph also includes additional features not available in Fastgraph/Light, such as a redefinable world space coordinate system and a scalable software character font. Fastgraph is an ideal development tool for entertainment and educational software, presentation graphics products, scientific and engineering applications, CAD/CAM, animation, or just about any application that requires robust graphics. Fastgraph has been used in retail products such as Accolade's Test Drive III, Day of the Viper, Steel Thunder, and Gunboat, ComputerEasy's Video Poker a la Carte, Compu-Teach's Once Upon a Time series and Puppet Playhouse, and all of our shareware products. Any programs developed using Fastgraph/Light are 100% compatible with Fastgraph. To move from Fastgraph/Light to Fastgraph, all you need to do is re-link your programs! Please see "Ordering Information" at the end of this file for Fastgraph prices and ordering information. -------------------------- Installing Fastgraph/Light -------------------------- The Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit is distributed in two formats. One format, called the zipped format, is a group of three standard .ZIP files. Your evaluation kit will most likely be in this format if you obtained it from a bulletin board (BBS), a shareware distributor, or other on-line service. The other format, called the unzipped format, consists of four 360KB 5.25-inch disks (or two 720KB 3.5-inch disks) containing the same files as in the zipped format distribution. If you purchased your evaluation kit from Ted Gruber Software, it will be in this format. The procedure for installing Fastgraph/Light on a hard disk differs depending on the format of your Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit. The next two paragraphs explain the installation procedure for each format. If you are installing the zipped format Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit, you should have three files named FGL10-A.ZIP, FGL10-B.ZIP, and FGL10-C.ZIP. Create a new, empty subdirectory (preferably called \FGTEMP) and extract the contents of the three .ZIP files into that directory. After doing this, run the INSTALL program to move the necessary files to their permanent locations. One of the items INSTALL will ask is for the name of the Fastgraph Utilities directory. We suggest using the default name \FG, but you can use any directory except the temporary directory created earlier. When you're through using INSTALL, you can delete the files from the temporary directory. If you are installing the unzipped format Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit, you'll install it directly from the distribution disks. Load the disk labeled "Installation and Utilities" in any available diskette drive, make that drive your current drive, and then enter INSTALL at the DOS prompt. From this point, just follow the directions on each screen. --------------- On-line Manuals --------------- The Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit includes complete versions of the "Fastgraph User's Guide" and the "Fastgraph Reference Manual". The two extensive manuals explain Fastgraph and Fastgraph/Light in detail and are the definitive references for using the products. While the manuals describe the Fastgraph product, everything in the manuals also applies to Fastgraph/Light unless stated otherwise. The User's Guide is a detailed tutorial about Fastgraph, while the companion Reference Manual gives descriptions of each Fastgraph routine in alphabetical order. We recommend reading chapter one of the User's Guide and the first section of the Reference Manual before you attempt to use Fastgraph/Light. The User's Guide is split into two files, USER1.TXT and USER2.TXT. The file REF.TXT contains the Reference Manual. The INSTALL program places these files in the \FG directory. All three of these files are ASCII text files, suitable for any 80-column (or wider) printer. You can purchase printed versions of these manuals for a modest fee; they are sent free if you purchase Fastgraph. ---------------- Example Programs ---------------- The Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit contains files for all of the example programs in the Fastgraph User's Guide. The INSTALL program places these files in the \FG\EXAMPLES directory. The distributed example programs are written in C (as are the examples in the User's Guide). You can download QuickBASIC or FORTRAN versions of the examples from our support BBS by calling (702) 796-7134. ------------------ Distribution Files ------------------ The Fastgraph/Light evalutation kit consists of the following files: In FGL10-A.ZIP: FGLL.LIB Fastgraph/Light library for large memory model FGLM.LIB Fastgraph/Light library for medium memory model FGLS.LIB Fastgraph/Light library for small memory model FGLQB.LIB Fastgraph/Light library for Microsoft QuickBASIC FGLQB.QLB Fastgraph/Light quick library for Microsoft QuickBASIC FGLQC.QLB Fastgraph/Light quick library for Microsoft QuickC FASTGRAF.BI Fastgraph/Light function declarations for QuickBASIC FASTGRAF.H Fastgraph/Light function prototypes for C INTRFACE.FOR Fastgraph/Light function interfaces for FORTRAN FGDRIVER.EXE Fastgraph/Light video driver CLIP.EXE Clipping utility for pixel run files CONVERT.EXE Conversion utility for pixel run files INSTALL.EXE Fastgraph/Light installation program SNAPSHOT.EXE Screen capture utility to create pixel run files ORDER.FRM Product order form README.1ST This file In FGL10-B.ZIP: REF.TXT Fastgraph Reference Manual USER1.TXT Fastgraph User's Guide (through chapter 7) USER2.TXT Fastgraph User's Guide (chapter 8 and beyond) In FGL10-C.ZIP: *.C Example programs written in C *.ASM Example assembly language programs CORAL.* Data files for the example programs If your Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit does not include all of these files, you may order one directly from Ted Gruber Software for $3.00 postage and handling. Please see "Ordering Information" at the end of this file for an order form. Alternatively, you can download an evaluation package from our BBS by calling (702) 796-7134. There is no charge (other than the phone call) for using the BBS. -------------------- Notice to BBS Sysops -------------------- You may post the Fastgraph/Light evalutaion kit on your BBS for public downloading, provided that you do not modify any of the files in any way. Please use the three .ZIP file names listed above and insure they contain all of the necessary files. -------------------------------- Notice to Shareware Distributors -------------------------------- Ted Gruber Software hereby grants shareware distributors or vendors the right to distribute the Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit, subject to the following conditions: a) You must obtain WRITTEN PERMISSION from Ted Gruber Software to distribute the Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit. b) You must obtain a set of master distribution disks from Ted Gruber Software and only distribute identical copies of the master disks. c) You must not include any other files or products on the Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit disks. d) You must not modify the evaluation kit files in any way. -------------------- Ordering Information -------------------- Please use the order form below to register Fastgraph/Light, order Fastgraph, or order Fastgraph manuals. For your convenience, this form appears by itself in the ORDER.FRM file. Purchase orders are accepted from most companies, schools, and government agencies. Site licenses are available for Fastgraph/Light and Fastgraph. Please call or write for specific details. As an added incentive to register Fastgraph/Light or purchase Fastgraph, the first 100 orders will receive a truly awesome Fastgraph T-shirt, compliments of Ted Gruber Software! This offer does not apply to orders for the evaluation kit, or orders for manuals only. Order from: Ted Gruber Software PO Box 13408 Las Vegas, NV 89112 (702) 735-1980 Name: _____________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ________ Please send the following products: +======+==========================================+=======+==========+=======+ | | | Price | Shipping | | | Qty. | Product Description | Each | Each | Total | +======+==========================================+=======+==========+=======+ | | | | | | | | Fastgraph/Light evaluation kit | free | $3 | | | | | | | | +------+------------------------------------------+-------+----------+-------+ | | Registered version of Fastgraph/Light | | | | | | (includes on-line manuals but no | $49 | free | | | | printed manuals) | | | | +------+------------------------------------------+-------+----------+-------+ | | Fastgraph professional graphics library | | | | | | (includes Fastgraph User's Guide and | $149 | free | | | | Fastgraph Reference Manual) | | | | +------+------------------------------------------+-------+----------+-------+ | | Fastgraph User's Guide and | | | | | | Fastgraph Reference Manual | $25 | $5 | | | | (for Fastgraph and Fastgraph/Light) | | | | +------+------------------------------------------+-------+----------+-------+ | | Upgrade registered version of | | | | | | Fastgraph/Light to Fastgraph | $100 | free | | | | (does not include manuals) | | | | +======+==========================================+=======+==========+=======+ Subtotal | | +=======+ Nevada residents add 6% sales tax | | +=======+ Orders outside the U.S. and Canada add 10% shipping | | +=======+ Total enclosed | | +=======+ Specify disk format: [ ] 3.5-inch [ ] 5.25-inch