Readme file to MAKROS-A (27.10.2002)

 

1) Version

The actual version number of MAKROS-A is 7.5.3  (October 2002)

 

2) Changes in respect to earlier version

Makrosa may freely be used on universities and by students

2.1) LINUX version

Makrosa is on demand also available for Linux and some UNIX workstations.

2.1) New commands

Command "VDAFS" allows to work with CAD data given in VDAFS format.

Command "DLL function" allows to call own functions to generate elements.

Command "Interface (DLL)" allows to call own interface functions from a DLL.

Dragging left mouse button in the graphics window changes the view dynamically.

Command "3DExpansion" allows translation between coordinate systems.

Hint: If plotted points are only 1 pixel, the graphic card does not support "glPointSize()", if this is the case,

point size must be given in the plot dialog in the corresponding input field in model units with a - sign.

 

3) Installation of MAKROS-A

First create a folder makrosa. 

3.1) zip-file

The program is completely installed by extracting the different zip-files.

For the stand alone version only makrosa_exe_engl.zip is needed, for demos also makrosa_demo.zip.

With AutoCAD14 makrosarx_exe_engl.zip  is needed.

With AutoCAD2000 makrosarx2000_exe_engl.zip  is needed.

3.2 From CD

The program can be installed by just copying the files to hard disc.

 

 

4) Demo

After extracting  the zip-file start the file "\bin\makrose.exe" and choose command "Demo file" from menu "Help". In the corresponding popup dialog mark the option "Show pictures automatically" und click button "Open". In a file selection box choose the file "\common\demo\demo.dem", this will start an endless demo, to stop it press the button "Stop demo":  

 

 

5) Folders

MAKROS-A is installed in the following folders (for "makrosa" an other folder may be given):

 

 

Folder File Explanation
makrosa\ readme.html this file
makrosa\english\bin makrose.exe exe-file
makrosarxe2000.arx ARX-Version for AutoCAD2000
makrosarxe.arx    ARX-Version for AutoCAD 14
makrose_linux Linux version
makrose_sgi SGI version
makrose.chm Windows-help file
makrosa.mns menu file for AutoCAD
makrosa\common\demo\ *.* files with demos and tutorial
makrosa\english\doc manual.pdf MAKROS-A documentation
makrosa\english\html *.* Linux / UNIX help files
makros\common\dll *.* Templates for developing own functions

 

 

6) Uninstallation

There are no entries made to the registry, so uninstalling MAKROS-A is simply done by deleting the relevant folders.

 

 

7) Using MAKROS-A

7.1) As a stand alone application

Double click on makrose.exe.

MAKROS can also be invoked by double clicking on files with extension .dem, .fes, .mes  if a corresponding association with these file types to makrose.exe is given.

7.2) From within AutoCAD

From within AutoCAD the ARX version is invoked with the AutoCAD command ARX/Load and selecting the object makrosarxe.arx resp. makrosarxe2000.arx in a file selection box.  With AutoCAD 14 the menu file "makrosa" must explicitly be loaded using the corresponding AutoCAD command. Control is alternatively within AutoCAD or within makrosarx. Control is passed from AutoCAD to makrosarx clicking menu button MAKROSA or giving command "m_makrosa" in the AutoCAD command line. While control is within makrosarx, no AutoCAD commands may be used. From within makrosarx control is given back to AutoCAD using menu button "Control to AutoCAD". Reading entities from AutoCAD is done using menu button "Read AutoCAD data". Transfer of  elements to AutoCAD is done by plotting elements with the option "AutoCAD" checked in the corresponding plot dialog.

 

 

8) Documentation

You find the documentation in the file "manual.pdf". You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print it.

 

 

9) HTML Help

You find a compiled HTML version of the documentation in the file "makrose.chm". To display it Microsoft HTML Help Viewer is needed, which is part of Microsoft Internet Explorer (up 4.0). With Linux / UNIX Netscape is invoked with html files that are given in the folder makrosa\english\html.

 

 

10) Demo-files

All demo files are located within subfolder "demo". These file can directly be loaded and executed from CD and need not be copied to your hard disk.

 

11) OpenGL-graphics

MAKROS-A uses OpenGL for graphical display. Needed libraries (DLLs) are installed by default for Windows/NT and Windows XP.

 

 

12) Licence

MAKROS-A can freely be used on universities and by students. For commercial use a licence is needed.

 

 

13) Download

For download see www.g-boege.de

For a demo only makrosa_exe_engl.zip and makrosa_demo.zip is needed.

For an update mostly only the object files need to be updated.

 

 

14) Further development

Special functions may be implemented (as hidden commands that need a key) on demand.

Errors should be reported to guenther.boege@g-boege.de