| ★ APPLICATIONS ★ CREATION GRAPHIQUE ★ DRAUGHTSMAN ★ |
Draughtsman: Graphics made easier (Computing with the Amstrad) | DRAUGHTSMAN (Happy Computer) | DRAUGHTSMAN (CPC Magazin) |
DRAUGHTSMAN, from Computer Graphics, has the makings of an extremely good graphics aid. It comes complete with a 15-page manual, and a keyboard strip showing the action of the re-defined keys. The standard graphics toolbox utilities are available -line, circle, ellipse, polygon, and arc drawing, colour and infilling, in all three modes. In addition there is an option to design shapes on various sized grids. This works like a character or sprite designer, with each shape designated a number and able to be re-called when building up a drawing.
The shape to be drawn at the cursor can be moved into place before being finally set into position. This facility can also be used to good effect when placing text on the screen. There are guides for drawing in perspective and a hatching command, vital for technical drawing where sectioning is commonplace. In fact professional packages are often judged on the speed of their auto-sectioning. Regrettably, however, the program does have its failings. The fill command, for example, is painfully slow. The hatching is user-controlled but very difficult to use when shading irregular shapes. A printer dump command is also included but it only refers to your own existing dump. A package of this potential should surely include one of its own. On the good side, the program is easy to use, the manual easy to follow, and the presentation is professional. Glynne Davies, CWTA |
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