*****************************************************************************
*                              O S - R E F                                  *
*****************************************************************************

  OS-REF exists as DonationWare - if you like and/or use this software
  regularly, please make a donation of 5 to the RNLI or any other
  suitable charity (other than yourself!)

  What is OS-REF ?  
  --------------

  OS-REF is a short AutoLISP routine that enables a list of co-ordinates 
  (usually Ordnance Survey) to be produced by picking points within a 
  drawing. Its primary use enables civil engineers to quickly produce 
  setting out co-ords for any given construction site, highway alignment etc.

  Why was it written ?
  ------------------

  This program was created to enable me to produce a series of setting out
  co-ordinates for a fenceline around a proposed waste water treatment
  works. It was then employed in producing another set of co-ordinates
  (Ordnance Survey) to enable all of the structures on the site to located,
  and has since been used in all manner of seting out tasks.

  How will it benefit me ?
  ----------------------

  For each point picked, OS-REF will place a marker at that point, reference
  the point/marker and also produce a referenced co-ordinate containing
  the Easting and Northing for that point. This means that literally hundreds
  of points can be referenced within a matter of minutes rather than hours.

  How do I use OS-REF ?
  -------------------

  Using OS-REF is simplicity in itself, just follow these easy steps :-

  1.  Copy OS-REF.LSP and OS-REF.TXT into any directory that is in the
      AutoCAD path e.g C:\ACAD  or  D:\ACAD\SUPPORT 
      (If you are not sure, SHELL out from AutoCAD and type SET at the DOS
       prompt - there will be a line looking something like :-
       ACAD=C:\ACAD12;C:\ACAD12\SUPPORT  etc etc     - this is the AutoCAD
       path)

  2.  Start AutoCAD and start your drawing

  3.  Load OS-REF by typing at the Command: prompt   
      (LOAD "OS-REF")        don't forget to press RETURN!

  4.  You should then get a message saying that OS-REF has loaded, if not,
      AutoCAD could not find the file and you then need to specify the
      directory where OS-REF can be found  e.g.
      (LOAD "C:\\ACAD\\SUPPORT\\OS-REF")                

  5.  Ensure that the drawing co-ordinate system matches a known set of
      real world co-ordinates (i.e. maps relative to Ordnance Survey 
      references)

  6.  You MUST ensure that the value of DIMSCALE is set to the value of your
      plot scale factor -   a drawing that will be plotted at 1=50 should
      have DIMSCALE set to 50. This is nescessary for the markers and text
      to be drawn at the correct size (markers 1.5mm in diameter, all text
      2mm high)

  7.  Type OS-REF at the Command: prompt

  8.  You will now be asked for a prefix that will be placed before each
      reference number. Enter a . for no prefix. A default will be shown
      between < >, pressing RETURN will select this. This is useful to
      identify between sets of markers on the same drawing
      e.g.  prefix F for fences, S for structures etc...

  9.  Next you are asked for a start number - this is a counter that forms
      the second part of the reference. This will initially be set to 1 and
      will not reset until told to do so.
  
  10. You are now asked for a point to place the referenced co-ordinate data.
      This simply specifies the start point for the `table'

  11. Finally you pick points where required, the relevant references
      markers and co-ords being produced for you.

  12. Terminate the command by pressing RETURN (mouse, keyboard or digitiser)


  Additional Information
  ----------------------

  This software has been thoroughly tested with and works with AutoCAD
  Release 11 & AutoCAD Release 12.

  There are no dialogue boxes to ensure one program will suffice for 2
  AutoCAD releases ..... anyway, a dialogue box isn't really nescessary.

  In compliance with the Ordnance Survey co-ordinate system, this program
  will assume that 1 drawing unit = 1 metre (NOT 1mm) .... therefore, a
  map that is to be plotted at a scale of 1:2500 would have a DIMSCALE (and
  plot scale) of 2.5 .

  All output generated by this program will be placed into a layer
  called OS_PT_REF.

  A new text font OSREF is created, and is based upon the ROMANS font.

  A block called OS_REF_PT is created, its insertion scale always being 1.

  All generated text will be automatically sized to 2mm (plotted size).

  All co-ords are to 2 decimal places and are suffixed by the letters
  E (easting) and N (northing) - these can be easily removed or changed
  by using CHGTEXT.

  A box is not drawn around the co-ords just to leave you with something
  to do!

  To UNDO an OS-REF command, use UNDO BACK.


  The Legal Stuff.....
  ---------------

  This program can be freely copied / distributed via any electronic means
  with a charge being made for duplication services only where distribution
  is to occur by removable magnetic media. The files OS-REF.LSP (2780 bytes)
  and OS-REF.TXT (6502 bytes) must remain unaltered and exist as a pair.

  The software and all associated files may be subject to future revisions
  and released at the discretion of the author. This software remains the
  sole copyright of Dave Shields - don't try to pass this off as your own
  work ..... it isn't!

  This software carries no warranty, implied or otherwise with the author
  being absolved from any blame due to damage, loss of time and/or data
  or any other heinous occurence caused either directly or indirectly from
  the use of, or inability to use this program.... blah blah blah etc blah.

  Finally......
  -------

  If you think this software
   a) is cool
   b) is OK, but how about adding/changing this.... 
   c) sucks
                                 ͻ
  eMAIL me, Dave Shields, on :-    lifesux@fdnebbs.demon.co.uk  
                                 ͼ

  with your thanks, suggestions, abuse (with constructive comment please!)
  and let me know where you downloaded it from.....

                                          Dave Shields   April '95
