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This Web site is dedicated to the thousands of "users" of my programs, those who have helped test my programs over the last 22 or so years, and especially those who shared their experiences with me.

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The text in this section was derived from the v2.5 CAD manual, and has been updated somewhat, but differences between different releases of v2.5, v2.6 and v2.7 may mean that some of the information may not apply to the version you are using. Some adjustment may be required for versions prior or subsequent to v2.7A.

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Use the "Edit, Find in page Ctrl+F" or "Edit, Find (in this page)... Ctrl+F" command in your browser to search for keywords within the documentation text in this HTML page. You will need to search over again in the other pages in this HTML document for the same keyword since your browser may not search for a keyword beyond the current page that is loaded.

DANCAD3D (tm) macros are DOS ASCII text files which are sometimes referred to in other programs as *.TXT type files. You will need to use a text file editor to edit macro files that can save the macro file as "plain text" without the text formatting commands that are sometimes added to documents used for desktop publishing and such. The [W]rite command from DANCAD3D (tm)'s main menu is an ASCII DOS text type file editor you can use to write or edit many of the ASCII type files or macro files DANCAD3D (tm) uses. The [W]rite command lets you open windows to edit several files at once. The mouse is supported in the [W]rite command when the program is run under DOS and you have the DOS mouse driver installed properly. In the [W]rite command you can access the most frequently needed commands in a pop-up menu by pressing the mouse left button, or pressing the [F1] (the function one key) key on the keyboard. Additional text editing commands can be activated with the function keys, the cursor keys, and by pressing the control key and some other keys at the same time.

Select the [W]rite command from DANCAD3D (tm)'s main menu to read and or write macro program files. The macro text editor reads and writes standard ASCII type text files, sometimes also called *.TXT type files. ASCII files are files without special embedded text formatting codes. ASCII stands for "American (USA) Standard Code for Information Interchange", which is a seven bit standard code, using the lower seven bits of a byte i.e. 0 to 127, that assigns characters and printer control commands to the bytes used for data storage in computers, i.e. A = #65, B = #66, C = #67, and so on. Having a standard like ASCII allows computers to share files and have the file work and look the same on different computers. Codes 128 through 255 are sometimes used for foreign or international fonts but are less standardized and may look different on different computers. The [W]rite command can use many of the codes above 128, but since most keyboards do not have keys for those codes you need to enter them by holding down the [Alt] key and pressing the number keys on the number pad to enter the right code number, e.g. to enter code #245 you would press and hold down [Alt] while pressing [2] then [4] then [5] and then let up on the [Alt] key.

The [W]rite command text file editor has the ability divide the screen into windows so you can edit, or look at, several macro files at the same time. Being able to see more than one text file on the screen at once is useful since structured CAD programming of macros puts subroutines in separate files, i.e sub-macros. Because the LOOP and GOTO macro commands run faster in smaller files you should edit program sections of your macro that contain loops into separate sub-macro files. Sub-macro files are run form the main macro file by use of the macro command RUN.

If you prefer to use another text editor program to edit your macro programs be sure that the other text editor you use will not place embedded codes in the files text! Most word processors have an ASCII, *.TXT file type, or a "NON-FORMAT" mode that lets you edit simple text files. The only control codes normally used by DANCAD3D (tm) are the #13 & #10 at the end of a line of text and #26 as an end of file marker. If you have problems importing files made with other word processors it may be because a ^Z (control Z, ASCII #26) is somewhere other than at the end of the file. DANCAD3D (tm) may remove, or strip, some unwanted control codes when your macro file is loaded into the [W]rite command, so if you have a problem running a macro made with some other program, load the macro into the [W]rite command then save the file to overwrite the original and try running the macro again. Sometimes, though not commonly, control codes can get "stuck" in the wrong place in a file, and you might need to re-type the macro into a fresh new file in order to try to fix the problem.

If you want to use a Windows (tm) based text editor such as Notepad (tm) or Wordpad (tm) to edit a Macro file you may need to rename the file from *.MAC to *.TXT type, i.e. MYMACRO.MAC renamed to MYMACRO.TXT, before you open the file for editing. When you save the edited file you should select saving it in "DOS TXT file type" since other types may put embedded codes into the Macro source code that will cause problems when you try to run the Macro. You can rename the Macro from *.TXT back to *.MAC after it has been edited if you like, but that is not needed since both extensions will work with v2.7A. You should not open a macro file in a text editor while it is running in my CAD programs, or otherwise cause file sharing conflicts, i.e. only one program should be using the macro or other files at any given time.

Note that there is another text editor, within DANCAD3D (tm), in the [C]alligraphy sub-menu of the drawing editor that can use alternative screen fonts, if any have been created to correspond to the font loaded, and is intended for the editing of blocks of text files for use with the BLOCK text command. The inverse video mode ([Ctrl] & [PrtSc]) in the [C]alligraphy menu text editor lets you see if any spaces are left dangling from the end of lines of text that might cause problems with the BLOCK text command (spaces at the end of lines of text can shorten lines of text and disrupt the right margin in the block of text element produced.) The [E]dit block command in the [C]alligraphy sub-menu of the drawing editor is only for editing very short files so that the screen fonts, *.808 or *.814, can be used with the [B]lock text command. For editing macro files use DANCAD3D (tm)'s main menu [W]rite command since the [E]dit block command does not work with long or wide (large) files.

The macro code text editor has three ways to enter your editing commands: using the standard word processing (WP) control code keys, by using the cursor and function keys, or by using the mouse to select from the pop-up menu and move the text cursor.

The ^ symbol in front of the [Key] means hold down the [Control] key and press the key to the right then let the [Key] up, then let the [Control] key up. If you are entering two control keys one after the other you can keep the [Control] key down and press the first key, then let up the first key, and while still holding the control key down press the second key and let up the second key, then let up the control key. So if you see ^Y or ^[Y] in the text below or in the [W]rite command help screens ([T]utor) it means press and hold [Control] ([Ctrl]) then press [Y], this is generally done with one hand by using two fingers, one finger on the control key and another finger on the other key, always pressing down the control key first so that you do not get an unwanted character in your document.

The control code sequences are a hold over from previous versions of DANCAD3D (tm). Most of the commonly used commands are now available on the function keys and with the mouse from the pop-up menu. The control codes have been kept in v2.7, and perhaps some subsequent versions, since users are already accustomed to using them.

A. Single keystroke text editor commands for writing macros.
   1. Control letter key commands.
      a. ^[A], Left word.
      b. ^[S], Left character.
      c. ^[E], Up line.
      d. ^[R], Up page.
      e. ^[W], Scroll up.
      f. ^[I], Tab.
      g. ^[D], Right character.
      h. ^[F], Right word.
      i. ^[X], Down line.
      j. ^[C], Down page.
      k. ^[Z], Scroll down.
      l. ^[J], Jump to beginning or end of line.
      m. ^[G], Delete right char.
      n. ^[H], Delete char left.
      o. ^[P], Insert character by ASCII into text.
      p. ^[Y], Delete line.
      q. ^[[], or [Esc], Undo last ^[Y], can press more than once.
      r. ^[T], Delete right word.
      s. ^[N], Insert line.
      t. ^[M], New line in text buffer.
      u. ^[B], Reformat paragraph.
      v. ^[L], Repeat last find and replace.
      w. ^[V], Toggle insert mode.
      x. ^[U], Abort, this is used to abort some other commands.
      y. ^[\], Disk directory.
      z. ^[^], Pop-up menu.

   2. Cursor and non-control single key commands.
      a. [RightArrow], Left character.
      b. [UpArrow], Up line.
      c. [PgUp], Up page.
      d. [LeftArrow], Right character.
      e. [DownArrow], Down line.
      f. [PgDn], Down page.
      g. [Del], Delete right char.
      h. [Bksp], Delete char left.
      i. [Esc], Undo last deletion.
      j. [Return], New line in text buffer.
      k. [Ins], Toggle insert mode.
      l. [F1], Pop-Up menu and tutor help..

B. Two keystroke text editor commands for writing macros.
   1. Control Q and key text editor commands.
      a. ^[Q]^[A], Find-Replace, options (enter when prompted):
         G = Global, search whole file.
         B = Backward, search from bottom to top.
         N = No ask, do not stop at each match & ask before replacing.
         U = Ignore case, match even if letters are in wrong case.
         W = Whole words, match only if test case is a whole word.
      b. ^[Q]^[B], Cursor to beginning of block.
      c. ^[Q]^[C], Bottom of window.
      d. ^[Q]^[D], End of current line.
      e. ^[Q]^[F], Find pattern.
      f. ^[Q]^[I], Toggle auto-indent mode.
      g. ^[Q]^[J], Jump to marker with prompt.
      h. ^[Q]^[K], Cursor to end of block.
      i. ^[Q]^[R], Top of window.
      j. ^[Q]^[S], Beginning of current line.
      k. ^[Q]^[Y], Delete text to end of line.
      l. ^[Q] [0] to [9], Jump to numbered marker.

   2. Control K and key text editor commands.
      a. ^[K]^[B], or [F7], Begin block.
      b. ^[K]^[K], or [F8], End block.
      c. ^[K]^[C], Copy block.
      d. ^[K]^[V], Move block.
      e. ^[K]^[Y], Delete block.
      f. ^[K]^[H], Hide-Display toggle block.
      g. ^[K]^[R], Read macro file, edit a macro or ASCII data file.
      h. ^[K]^[W], Write macro file,   use filename  PRN.  or AUX.  to
         print a listing of your macro on paper for review.
      i. ^[K]^[S],   Save file,  use after read file (overwrites using
         name on window banner,  use [F1] [W] if you want a  different
         file name).
      j. ^[K]^[T], Set tab width.
      k. ^[K]^[M], Set marker with prompt.
      h. ^[K] [0] to [9], Set marker number.
      i. ^[K]^[X], Quit and eXit and return to main menu.  You need to
         use  [F1] [W]  before [F1] [Q], or ^[K]^[X], if you want your
         work saved so you can use it later.

   3. Control O and key text editor commands.
      a. ^[O]^[C], Center text.
      b. ^[O]^[E], Up window.
      c. ^[O]^[G], Goto window with prompt.
      d. ^[O]^[I], Goto column number.
      e. ^[O]^[J], Link-Join window.
      f. ^[O]^[K], Change case.
      g. ^[O]^[L], Set left margin.
      h. ^[O]^[N], Goto line number.
      i. ^[O]^[O],  Open  new  window.  Use additional windows to edit
         subroutines.  Remember to save each window before exiting.
      j. ^[O]^[R], Set right margin.
      k. ^[O]^[S], Set undo limit.
      l. ^[O]^[W], Toggle word wrap mode.
      m. ^[O]^[X], Down window.  Move cursor to another window.
      n. ^[O]^[Y], Destroy window.
      o. ^[O] [0] to [9], Jump to window number.

DANCAD3D (tm) v2.5G and higher now have the [F?] function keys, and their [Alt] and [F?] key combinations assigned to the commonly used text editor commands.

[F1]        = ^[^]     = Bring up the pop-up menu.
[F2]        = ^[K]^[X] = Quit and return to main menu.
[F3]        = ^[K]^[C] = Block copy.
[F4]        = ^[K]^[Y] = Block delete.
[F5]        = ^[K]^[H] = Hide-Display marked block.
[F6]        = ^[K]^[V] = Block move.
[F7]        = ^[K]^[B] = Mark block begin.
[F8]        = ^[K]^[K] = Mark block end.
[F9]        = ^[K]^[R] = Read file.
[F10]       = ^[K]^[W] = Write file, prompts so you can rename file.

[Alt]&[F1]  = ^[Q]^[A] = Find and Replace, with options:
                         G = Global, search whole file.
                         B = Backward, search from bottom to top.
                         N = No ask, do not stop at each match.
                         U = Ignore case, match even if wrong case.
                         W = Whole words, match only if a whole word.
[Alt]&[F2]  = ^[U]     = Abort command.
[Alt]&[F3]  =  [Esc]   = Undo delete (you can press several times.)
[Alt]&[F4]  = ^[Y]     = Delete line of text.
[Alt]&[F5]  = ^[Q]^[R] = Cursor to top of window.
[Alt]&[F6]  = ^[Q]^[C] = Cursor to bottom of window.
[Alt]&[F7]  = ^[Q]^[B] = Cursor to beginning of marked block.
[Alt]&[F8]  = ^[Q]^[K] = Cursor to end of marked block.
[Alt]&[F9]  = ^[\]     = Directory of disk filenames.
[Alt]&[F10] = ^[K]^[S] = Save window without filename prompt.

To save a marked block to disk: mark the block with [F7] then [F8], open a window (press[F1] then[O]) move the marked block into the second window (if the cursor is not in the second window use the [U]p window command in the pop-up menu, i.e. [F1] then [U] before you press [F3] or [F6]) then save the second window (press [F10], the window saved is whatever window the cursor is currently in when you press [F10].)

If you want to include some line data in to your macro file you can press [F9] to load an element that you saved by using the [S]ave [A]SCII command. file type. The drawing element ASCII data file type is like the macro ENTER command, see the information about the ENTER macro command in Appendix B.

Be sure that you save the contents of each [W]rite command "window" to a disk file with[F10] before you exit the [W]rite command by pressing [F2] so that the text file(s) you edited will be saved on your disk and not be lost. Anything you edit in the [W]rite command that you want to keep or use again must be saved to your disk before you quit and exit the [W]rite command.

The [T]utor command in the pop-up menu in [W]rite also lists many of the text editor commands.

Pressing the left mouse button will bring up the text editor pop-up menu. By rolling the mouse up and down at many of the file prompts you can roll through a sequence of the most recently entered filenames. You can use the mouse to select filenames from the disk directory (remember that if you enter a filename with the "global characters" * or ? in the filename you will get a disk directory.) Mice and track-balls give you the equivalent of the four arrow keys when you roll them, the right button moves the [W]rite command cursor to the left side of the screen, and the left button (and center button as well) brings up the pop-up menu. When you use the mouse for picking filenames from the directory you need to click the [MouseLeft] once to put the name at the filename prompt, and then click the [MouseLeft] again to enter the filename.

If you cannot get the mouse to work you should check to see that you have installed your DOS mouse drivers properly in your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. If your mouse did not come with DOS drivers you may need to contact the manufacture for your mouse for another driver program, or find a mouse that works properly with all DOS type programs.