| ★ APPLICATIONS ★ CREATION GRAPHIQUE ★ CHARACTER FONT DESIGNER ★ |
CHARACTER FONT DESIGNER (Amstrad Action) | CHARACTER FONT DESIGNER (Aktueller Software Markt) |
Having released printer buffer upgrade for the DMP2000/3000. Goldmark have now come up with a program that, amongst other things.lets you use all that extra memory - a Character Font Designer A what? CFD is a program that will let you change the design ol a printed character so that, tor example, you could print letters in diilerent alphabets like Cyrillic or Greek Needless to scry, your printer must be Epson compatible and should posess as much memory as possible to remember all those extra characters You can also change your Amstrad s own characters to whatever you want, and then use this new typestylc bom your own programs and even some wordprocessors Finally, you can change the Amstrad key layout to a diilerent configuration - some countries use an AZERTY keyboard instead of QWERTY (Look at the top left ol your Arnold keyboard) With this program, setting up such changes is easier lor the uninitiated than delving into the murky depths of the manual In lad. all these operations can be done from Basic - but this program simplifies the operation. Font command menu The package is supplied on tape or disk in a medium sized box with a small manual II you have a disk drive, buy the disk version - the tape version apparently doesn't like being backed up. One obvious omission is any ready prepared fonts 1cm the printer it would have been nice to have some examples at fust what this program is capable ol To use the program is a straightforward task. You're presented with two diilerent sized grids (one lor the printer, one lor the screen), a menu, a message area and a tryout area where your designs can be printed, so you can see them as they will actually appear. You can either use a (oystick or the keyboard to control the program. The menu consists ol the following.
Installing and printing To use such a finished set ol patterns, a separate program called Install must be run This sets up all the diilerent characters and keys (make sure your printer is switched on), and then gives back control to you Now. I did say that any characters produced by this would work with some woidprocessors - the exceptions are. in general, any that require CPM. such as Wordstar CFD can be made to work even better The Amstrad CPC has a minor problem known as a 7 bit printer port. This moans that you can only print characters 0 through 127 You can buy something called an 8 bit printer port which lets you print characters 0 through 255. 11 you have one. this program will also let you design characters with an extra row of dots in This sounds trivial but it's a nice touch, and your letters will look just that little bit better than belore. Motorway pileup Now to the other side oi the coin The manual for this is neat and petite, but has been laid out with the thoughiulness of a motorway pile up. Example • the first thing you need to do is to load the program The loading instructions are stuck right in the middle of the booklet The saeen presentation is very good However, if you try to leave the menu area, you are treated to an electronic dirge WHY? Turn the sound down before it drives you round the bend. CFD is written in Basic, and so the responses of the program are not lightning quick, but they're perfectly adequate In conclusion, the manuals offputting style is largely compensated for by the programs openness CFD may well be the answer to your prayers if you are prepared to spend time (and quite possibly money) on incorporating it into your present system. To the right person, it would be a useful tool AA |
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