 Block Breaker  Version 4.00E  Help Contents

Block Breaker is an exciting action game.

To learn how to use Help, press F1.

How to Play Block Breaker

How to Use Block Breaker Editor

Commands

File menu

Edit menu

Game menu

View menu

Option menu

Help menu

Toolbar

Status Bar

How to Register

Copyright

Registration Request Form


How to Play Block Breaker

Object

Object of this game is to break all the blocks (except Gold blocks) by hitting the ball with the paddle.

Mouse

By default, you can use mouse to control the paddle.  Press the left mouse button to start the ball moving, and the right mouse button to pause.

Keyboard

If you would like to control the paddle by keyboard, you can do so by selecting "Use Keyboard" from Settings under the Option menu.  Press the left or right arrow key to move the paddle.  By pressing the Shift key with an arrow key, you can move the paddle faster.  Press the space bar to start the ball moving, and the Esc key to pause.

Block Types

Gold blocks  These blocks can not be broken.

Silver blocks  These blocks will break after being hit three times.

Colored blocks  These blocks will break after a single hit.


How to Use Block Breaker Editor

The Block Breaker Editor will allow you to create your own patterns.

Mouse

Click the left mouse button on the pallet to choose a block color. Then click the left mouse button in the grid to add a block to the pattern. You can remove blocks by clicking the right mouse button.


File menu commands

The File menu offers the following commands:

New	Creates a new Block pattern.
Open	Opens an existing Block pattern.
Save	Saves an opened Block pattern using the same file name.
Save As	Saves an opened Block pattern to a specified file name.
Exit	Exits Block Breaker.


Edit menu commands

The Edit menu offers the following commands:

Add Bonus Ball when This Stage Cleared	Checking this menu will cause an extra ball to be added after completing the current stage when playing the game.
Message when All Stages Cleared	Allows you to edit the message displayed when all stages are cleared.
Delete This Stage	Deletes the contents of the current editing stage.


Game menu commands

The Game menu offers the following commands:

Play	Switches to the play game mode.
Demonstration	Switches to the demonstration game mode.
Edit	Switches to the Block Breaker Editor mode.
Pause	Pauses or resumes the moving ball.


View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands:

Stage Forward	Advances to the next stage of the game.
Stage Backward	Returns to the previous stage of the game.
Zoom	Allows you to change the zooming.
Toolbar	Shows or hides the toolbar.
Status Bar	Shows or hides the status bar.


Option menu commands

The Option menu offers the following commands:

Speed	Allows you to change the ball moving speed.
Control	Allows you to change mouse or keyboard to control the ball, and shows or hides mouse cursor.
Sound	Allows you to control sound settings.


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands:

Contents	Offers you the Help contents.
Search for Help on	Offers you the Help Index where you can find the Help topics.
Using Help	Provides general instructions on using help.
How to Register	Provides instructions on registering Block Breaker.
About	Displays the version number of Block Breaker.


File New command
New command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new Block pattern in Block Breaker.

You can open an existing Block pattern with the Open command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+N


File Open command
Open command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing Block pattern in a new window.  File Open dialog box will appear.

You can create new Block patterns with the New command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+O


File Open dialog box

The following options allow you to specify which file to open:

File Name

Type or select the filename you want to open.  This box lists files with the extension you select in the List Files of Type box.

List Files of Type

Select the type of file you want to open:

Only Block pattern files with .blc extension can be opened.

Drives

Select the drive in which Block Breaker stores the file that you want to open.

Directories

Select the directory in which Block Breaker stores the file that you want to open.


File Save command
Save command (File menu)

Use this command to save the active Block pattern to its current name and directory.  When you save a Block pattern for the first time, Block Breaker displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your Block pattern.  If you want to change the name and directory of an existing Block pattern before you save it, choose the Save As command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+S


File Save As command
Save As command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the active Block pattern.  Block Breaker displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your Block pattern.

To save a Block pattern with its existing name and directory, use the Save command.


File Save As dialog box

The following options allow you to specify the name and location of the file you're about to save:

File Name

Type a new filename to save a Block pattern with a different name.  A filename can contain up to eight characters and an extension of up to three characters.  Block Breaker adds the extension you specify in the Save File As Type box.

Drives

Select the drive in which you want to store the Block pattern.

Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the Block pattern.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your Block Breaker session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.  Block Breaker prompts you to save Block patterns with unsaved changes.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Double-click the application's Control menu button.

Keys:	ALT+F4


Play command
Play command (Game menu)

Switches the game mode to Play mode.  This is where you play the game.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


Demonstration command
Demonstration command (Game menu)

Switches the game mode to Demonstration mode.  The demonstration will not advance to the next stage automatically.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+D


Editor command
Edit command (Game menu)

Switches the game mode to Block Breaker Editor mode.  You can edit your original Block patterns.  This command is enable only for registered users.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+E


Pause command (Game menu)

Pauses or resumes the moving ball.  To resume the ball, repeat the command, or use one of the following short cuts.

Shortcuts

Mouse	Right click to pause, Left click to resume

Toolbar:

Keys:	Esc to resume and pause, Space bar to resume


Add Bonus Ball when This Stage Cleared command (Edit menu)

Checking this command will cause an extra ball to be added after completing the current stage when playing the game.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Message when All Stages Cleared command (Edit menu)

Allows you to edit the message displayed when all stages are cleared.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Message when All Stages Cleared Dialog box

Edit the final message when all stages are cleared.  You can enter multiple lines of the message, and the message can contains up to 255 characters.


Delete This Stage command (Edit menu)

Deletes the contents of the current editing stage.


Stage Forward command (View menu)

Advances to the next stage of the game.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+F


Stage Backward command (View menu)

Returns to the previous stage of the game.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


Zoom command
Zoom command (View menu)

Use this command to zoom the view.  Block Breaker displays the Zoom dialog box so you can change the zoom settings.


Zoom Dialog box

Specify the zooming value.  The Block Breaker Window will be resized automatically according to the zooming value.  To select 75% or 100%, you need higher graphic resolution to display.  With VGA which is a general graphic resolution, only 50% can be selected.


View Toolbar command
Toolbar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Toolbar, which includes buttons for some of the most common commands in Block Breaker.  A check mark appears next to the command name when the Toolbar is displayed.

See Toolbar for help on using the toolbar.


Toolbar

The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below the menu bar.  The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools used in Block Breaker,

To hide or display the Toolbar, choose Toolbar from the View menu.

Click	To

Open a new Block pattern.  (In an Edit mode only)

Open an existing Block pattern.  Block Breaker displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate and open the desired file.

Save the active Block pattern.  If you have not named the document, Block Breaker displays the Save As dialog box.  (In an Edit mode only)

Enable or disable a bonus ball to be added when the current stage is cleared when you play.  (In an Edit mode only)

Edit an message displayed when all stages are cleared.  (In an Edit mode only)

Switch to the play mode.

Switch to the demonstration mode.

Switch to the editor mode.

Return to the previous stage

Advance to the next stage

Pause or resumes the moving ball.

Set the ball speed slow.

Set the ball speed normal.

Set the ball speed fast.

Set the ball speed very fast.

Enable or disable the music.

Enable of disable the sound effect.

Activate the context-sensitive Help.


View Status Bar Command
Status Bar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Status Bar, which describes the action to be executed by the selected menu item or depressed toolbar button, and keyboard latch state. A check mark appears next to the command name when the Status Bar is displayed.

See Status Bar for help on using the status bar.


Status Bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Block Breaker window.  To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View menu.

The status bar indicates the following game status:

Indicator	Description

Stage	The order number of the current stage.

High Score	The highest score achieved in past for the current Block pattern.

Score	The current score of the current Block pattern in a Play mode.

Ball Left	The number of remaining balls.


Speed command
Speed command (Option menu)

Allows you to set the ball speed.  Block Breaker displays the Speed dialog box so you can change the ball speed.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Speed Dialog box

Select the ball speed.  Slow will slow ball most, and Turbo will make the ball fastest.


Speed - Slow command (Toolbar)

Allows you to slow the ball most.  This command is enable only when the Play or Demonstration command is checked in the Game menu.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Speed - Normal command (Toolbar)

Allows you to make the ball speed normal.  This command is enable only when the Play or Demonstration command is checked in the Game menu.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Speed - Fast command (Toolbar)

Allows you to make the ball speed fast.  This command is enable only when the Play or Demonstration command is checked in the Game menu.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Speed - Turbo command (Toolbar)

Allows you to make the ball speed fastest.  This command is enable only when the Play or Demonstration command is checked in the Game menu.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Control command
Control command (Option menu)

Allows you to change mouse or keyboard to control the ball, and shows or hides mouse cursor.  Block Breaker displays the Control dialog box so you can set these control settings.  This command is enable only when the Play command is checked in the Game menu.


Control Dialog box

Allows you to change mouse or keyboard to control the ball, and shows or hides mouse cursor.

Control

If you choose Mouse, the paddle will follow the same horizontal position as the mouse cursor.  If you choose Keyboard, you can control the paddle with the right or left arrow keys on your keyboard.  To move the paddle faster on the keyboard, press the Shift key as you press the arrow keys.

Hide Mouse Cursor

Checking this box will hide the mouse cursor when you play.  Check this if the mouse cursor annoys you.


Sound command
Sound command (Option menu)

Allows you to change the sound settings.  Block Breaker displays the Sound dialog box so you can set these control settings.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Sound - Music command (Toolbar)

Enable of disable the music.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Sound - Effect command (Toolbar)

Enable or disable the sound effect.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:


Sound Dialog box

Allows you to set the sound settings.  To play the music or sound effect, you need to have a PC equipped with a Microsoft Windows compatible sound card or a Multimedia PC.

Music

If this checkbox is selected, the music will be play when the game begins.

Music Settings

Click this button to display Music Settings Dialog box so you can select the music files,

Effect

If this checkbox is selected, the sound effect will be played when a ball hits the paddle or bricks.

Effect Settings

Click this button to display Sound Dialog box in Control Panel so you can assign your favorite sound files to various events.


Music Settings Dialog box

You can have your favorite music playing during the various events.  The music files must be Windows standard MIDI files.

Demonstration

Enter a music file path to be played during the demonstration.

Play

Enter a music file path to be played during the play.

Game Over

Enter a music file path to be played during the game is over.

Browse

Press this button to find music file location.


Register Dialog box

If you have not registered Block Breaker, please refer to How to Register.  You will receive registration information when you register, and enter your name and a password included in the registration information.

Your Name

Enter your name.

Password

Enter the 5-letter password included in the registration information when you register.


How to Register

Request for Registration

If you decide to continue to play the game, please register this shareware with your name.  Your contributions will be used to make better software.  Foreign registration is welcome.

The registration fee

In addition to Block Breaker, you can register other EmSoft Windows games.  Please add a floppy disk handling and shipping cost unless you order through CompuServe.  The floppy disk will include the latest version of Block Breaker and other EmSoft Windows games.

The registration fee per program: US$10.00

International floppy disk handling and shipping: US$5.00

How to register

If you have a CompuServe ID

You can use the Shareware Registration Service in CompuServe by "GO SWREG".  The registration ID for Block Breaker is 522.  If you use this service, CompuServe will notify me that you have used the service, and I will soon e-mail you the registration information.  However, a floppy disk cannot be ordered through CompuServe because the newer version is always available in the WINFUN forum library (GO WINFUN).  Here is how to register on CompuServe.  From any prompt on CompuServe, type:

GO SWREG 	(goes to Register Shareware Menu)

2 	(Register Shareware)

1 	(Search by Registration ID)

522 	(Registration ID for Block Breaker)

Y 	(Yes to 'Would you like to Register?')

You will receive the registration information directly from me usually within 24 hours.

If you do not have a CompuServe ID

Print and fill out the Registration Request Form.  Please make out a check or money order to Yutaka Emura and send it to the following address with the registration form.  A check or money order must be in U.S. dollars and it must be able to cash through a U.S. bank.  From outside the U.S., please send an international money order or cash.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Yutaka Emura

920-1, Higashi-Hiratsuka,

Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305 JAPAN

In Japan

Choose one of the followings:

1. If you are a credit member of NIFTY-Serve, you can register by using the shareware registration service by GO SWSOKIN.  The shareware number of Block Breaker is 26.

2. In a post office, make a remittance to the following Yubin-Furikae account.  Write 'Block Breaker 4.00E' on the back of Haraikomi form, and order Tsujo-Haraikomi.

Utsunomiya 3-26195

Note: The account number will be changed to 00330-2-26195 from May 1994.

If you have any questions or comments, please write or e-mail me.

CompuServe  	73560,2250

NIFTY-Serve  	QFG02250

Yutaka Emura

The registration fee is 1,200yen per program and domestic floppy disk shipping is 500yen.

(See also Registration Request Form and Copyright)


Copyright
Copyright and Miscellaneous

How to get the newest version

The newest versions of EmSoft programs are always uploaded on CompuServe WINFUN library.  Downloading from this is the easiest way if you have a CompuServe ID.  However, if you would like to have a floppy disk, send US$5.00 to me as shown at How to Register.

Copyright

Although the copyright of this application belongs to Yutaka Emura, you can freely copy and distribute.  In case of using commercially, his permission is necessary.

Miscellaneous

Your comments are welcome.  If you find any bugs, please let me know.


Registration Request Form
In order to print this form, please choose "Print Topic" from the "File" menu in this Help Window.

Registration Request Form (Author: Yutaka Emura)  BLC-4.00

In addition to Block Breaker, you can register other EmSoft Windows games.  Please add a floppy disk handling and shipping cost if you would like.  The 3.5inch floppy disk (720KB format) contains the latest versions of Block Breaker and other EmSoft Windows games.  Check any or all of boxes below to specify which programs you would like to register and whether you order the floppy disk.

[ X ]  Block Breaker	US$10.00

[    ]  Emlith	US$10.00

[    ]  EmPipe	US$10.00

[    ]  A floppy disk	US$ 5.00

Total amount enclosed:	US$______

Name:(please print)	_____________________________

Address:(please print)	________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Country:	_______________________

Answers to the following questions are optional but appreciated to serve you better.

Computer System:

[    ] 286   [    ] 386   [    ] 486   [    ] Pentium   [    ] Others ________

OS: [    ] Windows 3.1   [    ] Windows NT   [    ] OS/2 2.1   [    ] Others ________

How did you get this program?

[    ] BBS   BBS Name:_____________________________________________

[    ] Shareware Distributor   Distributor Name:_________________________

[    ] Disk included in a book or magazine   Title:_______________________

[    ] Others   Please Describe:______________________________________

Comments: 	___________________________________________________

Send this form with a check or money order to:

Yutaka Emura

920-1, Higashi-Hiratsuka,

Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305 JAPAN


Contents command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using Block Breaker and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the first button on the left in the Help window whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


Search for Help on command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the Help index.


How to Register (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about registering Block Breaker.


How to Use Help (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice and version number of your copy of Block Breaker.


Help Using Help Command
Context Help command

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of Block Breaker.  When you choose the Toolbar's Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and question mark.  Then click somewhere in the Block Breaker window, such as another Toolbar button.  The Help topic will be shown for the item you clicked.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+F1


Title Bar

The title bar is located along the top of a window.  It contains the name of the application and Block pattern.

To move the window, drag the title bar.  Note: You can also move dialog boxes by dragging their title bars.

A title bar may contain the following elements:

Application Control-menu button

Block pattern Control-menu button

Minimize button

Name of the application

Name of the Block pattern


Size command (System menu)

This command cannot be used in Block Breaker.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the Block Breaker window to an icon.

Shortcut

Keys:	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

This command cannot be used in Block Breaker


Next Window command (Block pattern Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the next open Block pattern window.  Block Breaker determines which window is next according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F6


Previous Window command (Block pattern Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the previous open Block pattern window.  Block Breaker determines which window is previous according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+CTRL+F6


Close command (Control menus)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Double-clicking a Control-menu box is the same as choosing the Close command.

Note:  If you have multiple windows open for a single Block pattern, the Close command on the Block pattern Control menu closes only one window at a time.  You can close all windows at once with the Close command on the File menu.

Shortcuts

Keys: 	ALT+F4 closes the Block Breaker window or dialog box


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.