MAK-A-MAZ Moonlite Software Copyright 1990, 1991 Perry Robins * * * * * NOTICE * * * * * MAK-A-MAZ IS NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE It is Shareware, and may be distributed freely providing that the program and documentation are distributed together, and that the program, document, and credits remain intact and unchanged. * * * * * THE PLEA * * * * * If you decide to keep and use this program, please send a small contribution of what you feel the program is worth. In return for your contribution, you will become registered and receive notices of any updates as they become available. The only cost for upgrades will be for the disk (if needed) and for shipping. DISCLAIMER This program has been tested on several different hardware configurations including the ST's, MEGA's, and STE's, and should run from any drive or partition. I make no warranties concerning the use of this program, or any of the programs described in this document. I assume no responsibility for any damage to equipment, loss of data, of other damages resulting from the use of this program. Use this program only if you wish to assume full responsibility for the use of the program. Perry Robins P.O.BOX # 91852 Pasadena, California 91109-1852 Comments, suggestions, and reports of bugs are appreciated MAK-A-MAZ is written and compiled in GFA BASIC 3.5e GFA BASIC is a product of GFA Systemtechnik, Dusseldorf, West Germany GFA Software Technologies Inc., Salem, MA. Midi-Maze is a trademark of Hybrid Arts - 1 - MAK-A-MAZ MAK-A-MAZ is a simple program which will allow you to easily create and edit mazes for use with Hybrid Art's Midi-Maze Combat Synthesizer. Simply run the program from the ST desktop (or your favorite alternative) and away you go. With MAK-A-MAZ, you simply cannot build an incorrect maze. MAK-A-MAZ automatically places and removes walls or end posts as you build so that your maze structure remains correct. Save the maze when finished and it is ready to load into Midi-Maze. MAZE CONSTRUCTION When creating your maze, it helps to think of it in terms of a chain link fence. With this chain link fence, you have POSTS and PANELS, with vertical supports for posts, and the chain link for the panels. You can have free standing posts, but chain link without the posts will fall to the ground. Our mazes will also be made up of posts and panels (referred to as walls from now on). And just like a fence, the posts can be free standing, but the walls MUST have a support (post) at each end. Fortunately, MAK-A-MAZ handles all of the details for you. It will allow you to place posts at random, but if you place wall it will automatically place posts at each end for you. If you remove a post, MAK-A-MAZ will automatically remove any attached walls (since they would fall without the posts). If you remove a wall, the posts on either end will remain since they are free standing. While MAK-A-MAZ will insure proper maze format, it will not insure that your maze is without its problems. While your maze may be constructed correctly technically, it may not be constructed reasonably. It is possible to build a maze which actually has two or more separate chambers. When started, players may be randomly placed in areas which become a TRAP, with no way out and no way to reach other players! When constructing your maze(s), be careful not to create traps by making sure that all portions of the maze can be reached from all other areas of the maze. Remember, you may be the one who gets trapped in your own maze. HAPPY HUNTING! - 2 - USING THE EDITOR The editor consists of an editing window, a title bar, and numerous controls. The editing window should be blank (only a boarder) when started. o LOAD Allows you to load a previously created maze by selecting it with your item selector. (Clicking on the TITLE will also load a new maze.) o SAVE Saves the maze under the current title. If it is a new maze (UNTITLED), you will be prompted for a name. o SAVE AS Prompts you for a name before attempting to save it. o ERASE Starts a new maze, and provides you with a clear screen. o RANDOM Starts a new maze, but plugs in walls at random locations to get you started. When this option is used, it is possible (and highly likely) that there will be "traps" in the maze. These should be removed IMMEDIATELY before you forget. Since I feel this is very important, you will be placed into the CLEAR mode automatically. THIS SIMPLY STARTS A MAZE, IT DOES NOT INSURE IT IS WELL DESIGNED. o RE-SIZE This feature allows you to set the size of your maze. Your maze may range from 8 to 32, and must be an even value. Odd values will automatically be increased to the next even value, values below 8 will be set to 8, and values above 32 will be set to 32. o PRINT This allows you to make printed copies of your maze(s). *Hint* Set your printer for 8 Lines/Inch for a better print out. o LSHIFT/PRINT Calls the print out controls. You may then select to send a form feed after each printed file if you wish. You may also select between the "Raw Data" print out, or the "ASCII Graphic" print out of the maze. - 3 - o CREDITS The "Copyright" button will call up the credits. o EXIT Exits the program. o SET / CLEAR These buttons determine which drawing mode you are using. SET will cause posts and walls to be added to the maze. CLEAR will obviously remove the walls and posts from the maze. Holding down LSHIFT key while drawing will act as a toggle for the SET/CLEAR mode. Release the key to resume the indicated drawing mode. - 4 - REGISTRATION FORM If you like MAK-A-MAZ and would like to see new or enhanced features added to the program, please let me know. When you fill out the form below and send it to me with a small registration fee (suggested $5.00), I will add you to my mailing list. You will be notified of any updates and any new programs as they become available. Registration includes free upgrades, with the only charge being for a disk (If necessary) and shipping costs. Thank you for your support. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MAK-A-MAZ REGISTRATION ====================== NAME ___________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ City ________________________ State ________ Zip Code __________ M / F Under 18_____ 18-25_____ 26-35_____ Over 35_____ Program Release No. _____._____._____ ST Model __________ Amt. Memory __________ Where did you obtain this program? _____________________________ Comments / Suggestions: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Mail to: Perry Robins P.O.Box 91852 Pasadena, Ca. 91109-1852 - 5 -