## GSTMenu Markup Wizard Tutorial

The GSTMenu program is easy to configure for your usage. First you use the GSTMenu Markup Wizard to set it up and then you run the GSTMenu program to see it work.

Here are the steps to create an AutoPlay or Menuing application with the GSTMenu Markup Wizard.

Note: The mechanics and techniques of editing graphic images is beyond the scope of this tutorial. Some previous training or experience using a graphics package is assumed.

1. Locate the graphic bitmap that you want to use, then add some text with your favorite graphics program to describe the main features of your program as shown in figure 1. Save this bitmap as MENU1.BMP.

Figure 1

2. Create a highlight bitmap by doing a saveas of MENU1.BMP to MENU1H.BMP. Carefully highlight the text areas by overwriting the text areas with a contrasting color as shown in figure 2. It is mandantory to select an existing color from MENU1.BMP to avoid pallete switching when the highlight bitmap is shown. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for as many graphic panels that you want to show. Advance the menu numbers in sequence as you go.

Figure 2

3. Replace the sample BMP and WAV files in the GSTMENU sub-directory that you created from the GSTMENU.ZIP file. You are ready to start marking the selection areas and configuring the action each area will have in your program. Now double click on the GSTWIZRD.EXE to get started. Figure 3 shows the GSTMenu Markup Wizard menu. This is made visible by clicking the right mouse button. Here is a description of the Menu Functions:

Menu Functions

- Clear - Clear all previous work and start all over.
- Configure Title Bar and sounds - Create a title for your program and setup the sound for each action
- Open Menu1h.bmp - Opens the first menu in sequence for marking and configuring.
- Open Next bmp in sequence - If you are currently on Menu1h.bmp, this will open Menu2h.bmp for marking.
- Open Specific bmp file for correction - This allows you to go back after you finish a sequence and make a change to one bmp.
- Close - Close the markup wizard. You can now test your configuration by running GSTMENU.EXE.

Figure 3

4. Figure 4 shows the dialog that will appear when you select Configure Title Bar and Sounds on the menu. This will allow you to create a title for your program and setup the sound for each action. Notice that there is a sound for when the mouse travels over a highlight area, when an executable is selected and when you change to a new menu.

Figure 4

5. Open the first bitmap by selecting Open Menu1h.bmp and mark your first area. Figure 5 shows the marking process. An area is marked by clicking the left upper corner of the rectangle you want to mark with the left mouse button, then dragging the rectangle to cover the area and releasing the left mouse button. The Configure Highlight Actions dialog appears. You can either type in an executable name or select a menu number to go to when this area is clicked in the GSTMenu program. Figure 5 shows selecting menu2 as the action. When the GSTMenu program runs and this area is clicked it will change to menu 2.

Note 1: If you drag the rectangle past the edge of the bitmap the dialog will automatically pop up as you touch the edge. You have the option of using this rectangle definition or hitting cancel if you accidently hit the edge by mistake. If you drag so rapidly that the rectangle can't keep up and go off the edge it will pop up automatically at the spot where you come back in with the mouse.

Note 2: If have already marked an area and decide that you need to change it, go to the Open Specific bmp file for correction option and select the bitmap that needs to be changed. This option resets all previous configuration for that one bitmap and lets you start over. The configuration for other bitmaps will stay the same and not be affected.

Figure 5

6. Figure 6 shows the same dialog as in the previous step, but this time an executable has been typed in. When the GSTMenu program runs and this area is clicked it will run myapp.exe in the bin sub-directory passing parm1 as parameter. The Quit after execute can be checked if you want GSTMenu program to exit after the executable is run. It can also be checked by itself for an exit area as demonstrated in the right lower corner in figure 5.

The GSTMenu Kit now can invoke the proper application based on extension using the Win95 system association. Some example extensions are:

- pdf -- Acrobat Reader
- htm -- Web browser
- jpg -- Web browser
- gif -- Web browser
- txt -- Notepad
- doc -- Wordpad / Word

Some sample entries for the wizard dialog

In same sub-directory as gstmenu.exe

- readme.txt
- readme.doc
- mypic.jpg

In sister level "test" sub-directory

- ..\test\readit.txt
- ..\test\cycle_ad.pdf

Note: If you invoke the Internet Browser and don't check "Quit after execute", the browser will switch the color pallette to suit itself and it could cause unwanted interaction with the GSTMenu bitmap. Test this carefully before choosing not to close the GSTMenu after invoking the browser.

Figure 6

7. Figure 7 shows Menu1h.bmp after all areas have been marked.The next step would be the Open Next bmp in sequence on the menu if there is more than one graphic.

Figure 7

8. Now use the Open Next bmp in sequence and mark all remaining bitmaps using the same technique. When you get to the last one select close and test out your configuration by running GSTMENU.EXE and see if everything works as expected.

If one of the screens doesn't work properly, use the Open Specific bmp file for correction option. This option allows you to redo one screen without affecting your completed work on other screens.

Copyright © 1996 GS Technologies. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GS Technologies is prohibited. Microsoft and Windows 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Last updated Feb-26-97

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##### gstrope@connect.net