Copyright: BigFocus OLH Rel. 0397.1 © 1997 DIAMOND Multimedia Inc.


Index
BigFocus 13/Win Online Help

Welcome to the online help! Simply click on the topic which you require help for.

Configuring the BigFocus 13/Win Driver

Toolbar and Windows

Commands

Troubleshooting


Configuration topics

Configuring the BigFocus 13 / Win Driver

A few parameters that control the use of BigFocus with AutoCAD can be set in the DIAMOND BigFocus Configuration window. To display this window, select Options from the AutoCAD main menu, then Configure.

Next, choose item #3 from the menu to configure the video display. Choose BigFocus.

A prompt will appear: "Do you want to configure the BigFocus .. driver?" Choose Yes

The settings available in this window are described below:

Smart redraw:

When this checkbox is activated, an optimized redraw is performed whereby only the so-called "dirty areas" are redrawn.

BigFocus menu:

This setting determines whether the BigFocus menu will be displayed when AutoCAD is restarted.

About BigFocus:

Displays version and copyright information about your version of BigFocus.

System requirements/Memory & response times

Hotkeys

Defining Hotkeys

Hotkey defaults


Toolbar and Windows

Toolbar

Bird's-Eye View

Spyglass Lens


Command Overview

Alphabetical List of BigFocus 13/Win Commands

#BEPOP	Show/Hide Bird's-Eye

#LEPOP	Show/Hide Spyglass Lens

#SPEACONFIG	BigFocus 13/Win driver hotkey definition

#SPEAHELP	Call online help

#WRDRW	Bird's-Eye redraw

#ZA	Zoom all

#ZI	Zoom index

#ZN	Zoom next

#ZP	Zoom previous


System Configuration
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION INFORMATION

BigFocus 13/Win is designed exclusively for the following Windows accelerator graphics boards:

- Mercury series

- Fire GL series

- Stealth 3D series

- V7 Storm Pro

A Note about System Memory and the Windows permanent swap file

Both Windows and AutoCAD for Windows each require a lot of system memory to be able to run the system at an acceptable speed. Please read the corresponding sections of the AutoCAD documentation!


Toolbar

Call

•	click on the toolbar icon in the AutoCAD icon menu bar:

•	or: start the toolbar from the AutoCAD menu, option 'BigFocus'. This is only possible if the BigFocus menu checkbox in the BigFocus Configuration dialog is activated.

Icon Button Description

Click on the area of the toolbar for which you require online help!


Zoom All [#ZA]

Executes a DIAMOND Zoom All command, zooming to view the current maximum Bird's-Eye dimensions.


Zoom Index [#ZI]

Executes the zoom index command. This command can be used to zoom the display using the views stored in the zoom stack. Its function corresponds to clicking on one of the zoom stack buttons in the Bird's Eye window.

Syntax: #ZI_x, where x is between 0 and 7. The value of x specifies which zoom view should be displayed.


Zoom Next [#ZN]

Displays the next view in the zoom stack; this corresponds to clicking on the next button to the right of the currently active view in the zoom stack.


Zoom Previous [#ZP]

Displays the previous view in the zoom stack; this corresponds to clicking on the next button to the left of the currently active view in the zoom stack.


Zoom Window [TB_ZOOM_WINDOW]

Executes the AutoCAD 'ZOOM WINDOW' command.


Redraw [_REDRAW]

Redraws the screen contents (executes the AutoCAD 'REDRAW' command).


SPEACONFIG [#SPEACONFIG]

Calls the Hotkey configuration dialog box. See also: Hotkeys


HELP [#HELP]
Starts this BigFocus online help file.


Entering/deleting hotkey assignments
BIGFOCUS 13/WIN HOTKEY DEFINITIONS

To open the BigFocus Hotkeys configuration dialogue box enter the command: #SPEACONFIG or click on the HOTKEYS CONFIGURATION button of the main menu

Assigning a Function to a Hotkey

Assign commands to function keys and key combinations with function keys using this menu.

Note

Some function keys are reserved by AutoCAD and Windows. A warning message is reported on the screen if you select a reserved key combination. However, if you assign a new command to a reserved key combination, any previously assigned AutoCAD or Windows function is no longer available.

See Hotkey Defaults for information on reserved assignments.

Example: Assigning the command #ZA to F3

1. In the  Shift Keys  section mark the  None  checkbox.

2. In the  Function Keys  section mark the  F3  checkbox.

3. Type in the command #ZA in the input box next to  Command .

4. Click on  OK.

The function is now programmed to F3.

Proceed in the same way to assign a command to any other key combination.

Notes

Before clicking on  OK , assign all hotkey combinations you want to define. Clicking  Cancel  will delete all hotkey combinations defined so far.

The  Command  input box displays the assigned function when the corresponding key combination is selected again from the menu.

Function Button Description

•	Show all
Lists all the existing hotkey assignments. You may select one or more assignments and delete them with the  Clear  button.

Note: The  Clear  button is enabled only when a hotkey assignment is selected.

•	Cancel
Restores the hotkey assignments to the state that existed before the configuration menu was called.

Changing a Hotkey Assignment

Assign a new function to the respective key combination. This will overwrite the previous assignment.

Deleting a Hotkey Assignment

1.	Select the function key combination required.

2.	Press the BACKSPACE key or delete the entry in the  Command  input box.

3.	Click on  OK.

or

1.	Click the  Show all  button.

2.	Select the hotkey assignment you want to delete

3.	Click the  Clear  button.

The assignment is now deleted (check with  Show all ).


Hotkeys: Default settings
HOTKEY DEFAULTS

Reserved Assignments:

F...	CRTL	ALT	Shift

F1	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F2	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F3	-	-	-	-

F4	res. AutoCAD	res. Windows	res. Windows	-

F5	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F6	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F7	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F8	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F9	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F10	res. AutoCAD	-	-	-

F11	-	-	-	-

F12	-	-	-	-


General information about the Bird's-Eye View
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW

Purpose

The Bird's-Eye View is a useful tool that shows you the entire drawing regardless of a current zoom view. It serves to help you find your way around complex drawings by showing you the zoom area as a box. It also allows quick definition of zoom areas and enables you to pan these.

Call

Enter the command #BEPOP, or click on the "globe" icon symbol in the main Toolbar:

Button Description

Click on the area of the menu for which you require online help.

Defining a Zoom Window within the Bird's-Eye View

1.	Position the cursor over the imaginary top left corner of the intended zoom window.

2.	Press and hold the right mouse button, then move the mouse to draw open a zoom area box. Note that if you also hold the left mouse button the view in the main area is dynamically changed too.

3.	Release the button to see the zoom view on the main screen. Note that the zoom area is now shown as a box in the Bird's-Eye.

If the zoom view does not cover the area you want correctly, simply repeat the process.

Moving a Zoom Window in the Bird's-Eye View

1.	Move the cursor within the zoom area box in the Bird's-Eye View.

2.	Press and hold the left mouse button. A new outline now appears (the old area is left on the screen) and can be moved with the mouse.

3.	Release the mouse button to see the new zoom view and delete the old outline.

Note

To move the zoom view dynamically press and hold the left mouse button, and then press and hold the right one before moving the zoom box. The main view is then dynamically changed.

Panning in X or Y Directions within the Bird's-Eye

1.	Click and hold the left mouse button to the left or right of the zoom area box and move the mouse to pan vertically only

2.	Click and hold the left mouse button above or below the zoom area box to pan horizontally only

Redrawing the Bird's-Eye Window

The #WRDRW command updates and redraws the Bird's-Eye View. This may be necessary when vectors are deleted from a drawing. The Bird's-Eye View may still contain these deleted vectors or sections, whilst the drawing itself is displayed correctly in the display area.

Syntax	 #WRDRW


Zoom Status
Indicates that zooming is possible. The 'Z' changes to 'NZ' (on a red background when zooming is not possible). This can occur in Paper Space mode in perspective view. To correct this, change the Paper Space mode to Model Space and then execute the zoom. 'NA' indicates that the view is not the current one and that a zoom is therefore not possible. This can occur if you are working with more than 4 viewports. The driver can only maintain a limited number of viewports/Bird's-Eye views simultaneously. To correct this, make the required viewport the current one by clicking on the 'NA' symbol.


Zoom Stack Buttons
These 8 buttons to the right of the 'F' button represent 8 zoom views stored in the zoom stack. Each time you zoom into the drawing the view is saved onto the next zoom button (it appears to be pressed down). To skip through various zoom views from the stack, simply click on the blank zoom buttons in turn.


Redraw Button
This button enables you to quickly redraw the Bird's-Eye window contents after moving, copying and deleting elements in the main drawing, removing any pixel artifacts which may disturb you.

Note: If you use the Zoom All command, it affects the zoom view that results from clicking on the Fit button.


Fit Button
Expands the current zoom box to fill the Bird's Eye window. To return to a normal view after using any of the buttons in the Bird's Eye window, click with the left mouse button anywhere within the Bird's Eye view.

Note: After you use the Fit button, a Zoom All command will zoom back to the view defined by the preceding Fit commands.


SPYGLASS LENS

The Spyglass Lens is a useful magnifying glass tool used to examine a particular area of your model that you want to work in. It can also be used to pass the zoomed view back to the AutoCAD drawing area and Bird's-Eye view.

Syntax	#LEPOP

Alternative:	Click on the following icon in the Toolbar:

Example of a zoomed view in the Spyglass lens:

Using the Lens Window

1.	Open the Lens window.

2.	Use the slider bar to set a magnifying factor as required (e.g. 15). Click on the scroll bar to change by a factor of one-half or two.

3.	Click in the drawing area again

4.	Press and hold the CTRL key. The area beneath the current cursor position is now shown in the Lens window (moves dynamically with the cursor in the main drawing) at the zoom level shown in the top bar of the Spyglass Lens.

5.	Release the CTRL key to end the dynamic Lens function.

Passing the view back to AutoCAD

To pass the magnified view in the Lens window back to the main drawing: proceed as above, but click the left mouse button once before releasing the CTRL key. The lens view is then passed back to the main drawing view.

Lens Zoom Factor

The zoom factor number in the lens is multiplied by the current zoom level to get the resultant viewing zoom level. For example, if you are at zoom level 10 and the zoom factor in the lens is 4 then you will be viewing your model at zoom level 40 in the lens.


BEPOP (switch Bird's-Eye View on/off)
#BEPOP	(TOGGLE BIRD'S EYE VIEW)

The #BEPOP command toggles the Bird's-Eye View ON/OFF.

Syntax	 #BEPOP

Note

This function is most useful when assigned to a hotkey.


Troubleshooting/Tips
Troubleshooting

Problem:

During the AutoCAD Video Display configuration, the option 'BigFocus - Accelerated Display Driver...' doesn't appear, and the Toolbar doesn't appear.

Solution:

Check your ACAD.INI file. It must contain the following section (example):

[General]

....

ACAD=c:\acadr13\win;....;c:\diamond\bf13win

ACADDRV=c:\acadr13\win\drv;c:\acadr13\win;c:\diamond\bf13win

....

whereby the first path (C:\DIAMOND\BF13WIN in this example) should correspond to the target directory you specified during the BigFocus software installation. The second path (C:\ACADR13\WIN in this example) should correspond to the AutoCAD executable directory. Change or add these entries if necessary.

Problem:

The 'BigFocus' pulldown menu is still present after reconfiguring to another driver. It doesn't function but causes a number of error reports on the screen.

Solution:

Restart AutoCAD. The pulldown menu will then have disappeared.

Problem:

The BigFocus pulldown menu is disturbing.

Solution:

Deactivate the BigFocus menu checkbox in the DIAMOND BigFocus Configuration window. The menu will disappear the next time you start AutoCAD.