





       SC1MAP.TXT for SC1MAP Version 0.92 beta (Easter 1993)

       PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROGRAM INCLUDED IN THIS .ZIP FILE IS A PRE-
       RELEASE.
       THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS A "DOCUMENTATION", AS THE
       PROGRAM ITSELF IS STILL IN ITS TESTING PHASE.

       What do you need?
       =================

       - MS-DOS or PC-DOS operating system version 3.3 or later,
         try to use 5.0 though
       - Personal computer using 80286 or higher processor
       - 286 CPU with co-processor or 386 CPU recommended
       - 640K memory (try to have at least 600K free)
       - HD
       - EGA (EGA requires 256K display memory) or VGA graphics
       - Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0
       - Microsoft Aircraft and Scenery Designer


       What does SC1MAP do?
       ====================

       Or better... what it is supposed to do:

       - graphic display of sceneries and their names/boundaries so you
         can sort out which areas are covered
       - display of their contents such as NAV-aids, runways, polygons
         and other creatures found in the average SC1-file (including
         some SEE enhanced ones)
       - measurement of distances/headings
       - modification of scenery boundaries and their center, deletion
         of obsolete sceneries
       - creation of lables to comment and emphasize sceneries, as well
         as to document the SC1-file (author, version etc.) in .LBL files
       - mode file creation according to your position on the map
       - modification of (some) parameters in your MOD files and
         plane selection
       - scenery search
       - communication with FS4 via serial cable
       - output to EPSON/IBM or Hewlett Packard compatible printers,
         PostScript output to PostScript enabled printers, HPGL output to
         plotters or PCL5 compatible HP printers
       - output to DXF-files (readable by AutoCad, Intergraph etc.),
         layers included now
       - report generation (runways, nav-aids)
       - list of SC1-files in a given directory

       - mouse support
       - window zoom, left click/right click zoom


       What can I say that might help you before SC1MAP.DOC is finished?
       =================================================================

       As I have stated in the beginning of the document, this version is
       just a simple test. It is aimed at the FS4 user community that is
       interested in beta-testing SC1MAP.












       Due to this circumstance, I have not bothered writing a real DOC-
       file ... YET. In order to let you meet the basic functions of
       SC1MAP, here are some hints:


       Starting up
       -----------

       Just create an SC1MAP directory anywhere you want (try to use the
       harddisk).

       Unpack SC1MAP.ZIP and look what is in your directory:

       SC1MAP.ZIP    obviously, if you have put it there (get rid of it)
       SC1MAP.EXE    hmm
       SC1MAP.TXT    this essay
       SC1MAP.HLP    help file used by SC1MAP
       EUR.MAP       Europe outline
       USA.MAP       North America outline
       GB.MAP        UK outline
       NL.MAP        Alting scenery (NL) outline
       NO.MAP        No outline (use command line option MAP=NO)
       EUR.LBL       Europe lable file
       USA.LBL       FS default scenery lable file
       SAMPLE.BAT    a SAMPLE BATch file you (could) start SC1MAP
                     with

       SC1MAP.MOD is created if you select [M]ODE [S]AVE
       SC1MAP.INI is created if you select [E]XIT [S]AVE

       Modify the batch file according to your needs (read the next point
       first) and start it.


       Command line
       ------------

       You can copy SC1MAP into every FS4 directory you own, if you
       really have to. SC1MAP can also be started directly without any
       options, but I would advise you to use the ram-disk option (RD=)
       if you want to speed up the display of polygons for instance.

       You can have a list of the command line and environment options by
       typing <SC1MAP /?> at the dos prompt.

       To print the list just type ... SC1MAP /? > PRN

       You might say ... "so what?", but there is a hidden meaning in
       these options, you can create batch files:

       An example can be found in SAMPLE.BAT ...

       @ECHO OFF

          REM     THIS IS A SAMPLE SC1MAP BATCH FILE
          REM     PLEASE CHECK THE COMMAND LINE OPTIONS BY STARTING THE
          REM     PROGRAM WITH












          REM     SC1MAP /?
          call sc1map %1 SD=c:\FSUSA RD=D map=usa

       @ECHO ON

       This means that SC1MAP searches for your files in the directory
       C:\FSUSA, uses the ramdisk D: and loads the outline, nav-aids and
       cant of the USA for display. The "%1" is used when you want to
       view one or a certain group of sceneries by using wildcards.

       You then can type:

           SAMPLE ORD*

       to check the myriads of Chicago files in your directory.

       Using batch files, you can access all your SC1-directories such as
       \USA, \EUROPE, \TEST, \DOWNLOAD etc. This avoids unnecessary
       "vertical" installations, which I doubt have any sense for FS4.


       Environment variables SET XXX=
       ------------------------------

       You will also find the environment options quite useful:

       SET SC1MAP=C:\SC1MAP
       or
       SET SC1MAP=C:\SC1MAP\

       tells SC1MAP (when loaded) that it can find the needed files (HLP,
       MAP) in the directory C:\SC1MAP. You could create a path entry to
       C:\SC1MAP and then start SC1MAP anywhere you want (e.g. from the
       FS4-directory).

       The following commands are supported:

       SET SC1MAP
       SET OUTDXF
       SET OUTHPGL
       SET OUTEPS
       SET OUTREPORT
       SET LBL


       Printing with SC1MAP
       --------------------

       Well, some time ago I was quite fond of my "mastering" the
       hardcopy for EPSON/IBM compatible printers... but.

       Hewlett Packard enthusiasts nearly killed me because I didn't
       support their standard... Well now it's done, and that damn PCL3
       was sure bothering me. If you start SC1MAP with the +HP option, a
       magic function inside SC1MAP will send the hardcopy to the printer
       in PCL compatible commands.

       If your printer is compatible to PCL4/5 (HPGL emulation) then you
       should use the option +HP +HPGL (sic).











       The resolution is higher and the output resembles the one I create
       with PostScript. If you are the owner of a Laserjet 4M (the one I
       test things on) then you can start SC1MAP with:

       SC1MAP +hp +hpgl +ps

       Meaning that HP commands are used for the hardcopy, PostScript and
       HPGL are sent to the printer (if you omit these options, output
       will only go to the file, this is a security switch for curious
       users without a PostScript compatible printer ... as EPS and HPGL
       files are in ASCII and tend to be quite long).

       It's also possible to print a list of your SC1-files (sorted by
       name, position or unsorted), as well as to generate a report of
       each. These files may be included with scenery sets you
       distribute.


       General curiosities
       -------------------

       The menus in the program, if you want to use them, can be accessed
       the simple way... by pressing the key in brackets ([]), and the
       hard way using ALT-followed by the key.

       If this hasn't been clear, then practice accessing the [D]ISPLAY
       menu:

       "D" or "ALT" and then "D"

       Once the menu has successfully covered part of the scenery, you
       can press the key in brackets to activate an option that
       challenges your curiosity.

       For example you can have fun slowing down your computer by
       activating the polygons, press "P".


       Some words about these things:

       The active scenery is displayed with a green circle and its name,
       size and radius can be found in the second line of the header.

       When a given scenery has been activated for the first time, its
       NAV-aids and runways are read from the SC1-file and loaded into
       memory. This will be done at any zoom factor.

       Scenery objects such as nav-aids, polygons, lines etc. are drawn
       at a zoom factor smaller than 10%.

       To bypass this limitation, activate "DETAIL" in the "DISPLAY"
       menu. All active objects in the "DISPLAY" menu will be drawn at
       any zoom factor now.

       Polygons, rivers, roads, lines and mountains (if activated in the
       display menu) are read from the SC1-file, which may take some
       time, and are loaded into memory (either zoom < 10% or DETAIL ON)
       for faster display.












       To select SC1 files in a certain area select the "SCENERY"/"AREA"-
       option. You will be asked to define a window (mouse). SC1MAP will
       then load only the SC1-files inside this area. This may be
       repeated as often as you want. To re-load all SC1-files, select
       "SCENERY" "ALL".

       Some users have asked for the possibility to view/print several
       SC1-files at the same time. For this option, select "SCENERY",
       "SHOW ALL". All selected objects in the SC1-files in view (scenery
       centre inside the four corners of the screen) will be drawn.

       Please note that it may take a while (understatement) to draw all
       scenery contents at a zoom of 100% when "DETAIL" and all
       "DISPLAY"-options are active.

       To save a given display configuration, select "SAVE" in the
       "EXIT/SAVE" menu.


       HELP?
       -----

       Every menu has its own help text, activate it and press "H". If
       you are not inside a menu, pressing "H" unchains the general help
       screen. (For this you have to unpack SC1MAP.HLP too).

       Yellow items in a menu are functions.
       White/Black ones are toggle-settings.
       Gray ones are not yet available (such as HPGL in the output menu).


       SC1 modification
       ----------------

       Some very beautiful scenery files have flaws which are quite
       difficult to be recognized by the designer (ther person, not the
       program). Either they are not well centered, the overlap disturbs
       the transition to a neighbouring scenery, or the radius is too
       small.

       SC1MAP will help you to take care of these things. In the SCENERY
       menu there are options which allow graphic radius modification and
       re-centering. It's also possible to delete files which you don't
       like or which are out of date.

       Soon a graphic scenery editor will be available which goes much
       further than that.

       About Mode files and their modification
       ---------------------------------------

       One thing I hate about FS4 are the .MOD files. They are useful but
       also annoying, especially when you have too many of them.

       SC1MAP can create mode files for you, so you don't need to have
       the directory full of stuff you will never use.

       Once in SC1MAP, having zoomed on an airport or anywhere else, you
       can go to the [M]ODE menu. Here you either just press [S]AVE or











       you modify the settings of the mode such as the altitude, the
       plane a.s.o. This feature will be enhanced some day...

       For the moment you are able to modify altitude, heading, in
       flight/ground setting, plane (which can be viewed first).

       You can now exit SC1MAP ... start FS4 (whereever it may be) ... et
       voil, monsieur ees in the selected location.

       It also works the other way 'round. Save a mode, any mode, and
       load SC1MAP using the mod= command line option. Just guess what
       happens.


       Label files
       -----------

       One thing that often bugged me, that I always had to read the
       .DOCs found together with SC1-files.

       Hope these times are over and that some scenery designers pick up
       this habit:

       Select a scenery inside SC1MAP and go to the [S]CENERY-menu and
       select [M]AKE LABEL.

       You will be prompted to enter a label (any kind of text), and
       subsequently a position on the map.

       Once you have done this, SC1MAP generates a .LBL file:

       SCENERY: MILANO   - I Milano - SIZE:  4598 bytes   RADIUS:  161 KM
       VERSION:
       CREATED:
       AUTHOR :
       ADDRESS:
       @ N 15876.2225 E 16132.8094 = MILAN (MILANO)
       @ N 15868.4293 E 16181.2478 = LINATE
       @ N 15949.8835 E 16019.7346 = MALPENSA (HALF MADE)

       This is a completely readable and editable ASCII file which stores
       the labels generated by SC1MAP. Obviously, for the moment, you
       will have to use your editor to fill in information such as the
       version etc.

       You can also do it the other way round! Just take any .DOC file
       you have snoring around on your harddisk.

       Use the <@>, <N>, <E> and <=> characters to let SC1MAP figure out
       what is found where. The line should start with the at-sign (@), N
       and E may be swapped (I won't disclose their meaning), the label
       must be preceded by a "=".

       Some .LBL files are included (US and Europe), who can be enhanced
       with your own inputs.

       I encourage the exchange of .LBL-files (single or included within
       a SC1 collection).












       Any comments concerning the format and possible enhancements of
       LBL-files are welcome.


       Communication with FS4
       ----------------------

       Hello rich guys! You have two PCs? Ok, get a null modem cable and
       connect the 486 to the Pention using a golden null-modem cable
       (surprisingly, a 286 will do fine; the golden cable is mandatory).

       Once you have agreed with FS4 about your baudrate and figured out
       which is COM1 (or 2) on your computer, just activate the data
       exchange ([O]NLINE) and observe the (green) plane in SC1MAP if you
       must (a famous ATC program is politely invited to eat its heart
       out, if it works in mine).

       To top all ridiculous and unneccessary functions in this program,
       you can also exchange messages with a FS4 by using the [S]END
       command.

       Some options like FOLLOW and FIND SERIAL have been included...
       enjoy!


       Epilogue
       ========

       As I have mentioned before, SC1MAP is a TEST! I have the intention
       to make it as bug-free, correct and useful as possible, so take
       some time to play around with it and let me know if you want.

       I will try to spread the newest version as far as my possibilities
       let me do it, and I invite "spreaders" to do their job.

       I would like to thank so many people, that even mentioning one of
       them whilst forgetting the other would be a crime, so I don't.

       Everyone who knows that I am grateful to... please feel thanked.

       Moreover, this file would be lengthened by several kilobytes
       (boast).

       The "ancestors" of this program have been tested throughout Europe
       by eccelent members of the FSFan Net, leading SC1 artists, very
       capable FS4-pilots and last not least patient BBS sysops. All
       adjectives may be mixed according to your own wishes.

       Last, not least, thanks to the developers of FS4 and FS4 related
       products who have really done a great job to take the time and
       money creating and enhancing such a fabulous program.

       As this (unfabulous) program is still in its testing phase, some
       problems will still arise. I suppose that they will be gone in
       about two month's time, the hour of the release of SC1MAP V1.0.

       Though this program is still "TestWare", it is supposed to be some
       kind of ShareWare. SC1MAP was not conceived out of the urge to
       earn money, but simply to satisfy some of my personal needs











       concerning the documentation and managing of SC1 files. As it
       seems that I share this problem with many other people, I decided
       to spread this stuff.

       Nevertheless, all kinds of contributions to compensate the extreme
       amounts of cigarettes and coffee consumed are welcome.

       Those who take the extreme decision and send 25 US$ to the address
       below (around April '93) will receive SC1MAP V1.0 together with a
       written documentation (I'll do my best to make it better than the
       one mailed in a program I do not dare to mention at this point.)

       Those who want to spend their money on more interesting things can
       download the same program in their favourite BBS. And I'm also
       happy about any letter that reaches me without means of payment.

       Independently of your "contributions", I will be glad to support
       you to my best, bug reports and suggested enhancements are
       essential for the improvement of this program.

       The sale of this program is theivery and will be treated as such.

       Ah, before I forget it... all mentioned trademarks and copyrights
       are property of their respective owners.

       Where can you get hold of me?
       =============================

       For people who like to write letters, send faxes or others who
       have huge telephone budgets:

       Enrico Schiratti - Klner Str. 198a - D-4150 Krefeld - Germany
       Tel. +49-2151-396234 (Office hours, GMT+1)   Fax +49-2151-311247

       You can also reach me via:

       - AIRBORNE, Germany, +49-2324-84384
       - AIRTEL, UK, +44-342-714900
       - COMPUSERVE, 100137,457
       - TGD, Germany, +49-6131-582639
       - FSFAN, Holland, +31-20-6958426
       - NADESHDA, Germany, +49-211-212494
       - SAM-LINK, Italy, +39-6-426128/423322

       In: FSForum, FSFanNet, FlyNet.

       One last remark for chronic downloaders who have reached this
       point in the document:

       Hey! It's really great that you find all these interesting files
       on CIS or your local BBS which are just waiting and longing to be
       downloaded!

       But don't you think that you could make that ultimative download
       and get yourself an offline mail reader? I think that the Flight
       Simulator community throughout the world could and would profit
       from your written contributions. It's really great that some
       people take the time to exchange informations, tips and hints and
       lots of nonsense about FS5, so why don't you join us? Just check











       in the MESSAGE areas as well! If you do not know how to achieve
       this, which is quite possible, ask your local sysop, sure he'll be
       glad to help.





























































