
Higher Dimension Software, a group of
Higher Dimension Research, Inc.

HDS_GL graphics library V1.41

This file is best viewed with notepad

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I)   Introduction
II)  Installation
III) Files in Shareware Version
IV)  Registration information (ordering)
V)   How to reach us

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I) Introduction

HDS_GL is a graphics library designed for the developer/programmer 
to use in developing Windows based products.  It is designed to 
save the developer many hours of graphic development time.
There is a 16 as well as a 32-bit version of the library.  
The library is in the form of a dll (dynamic link library).  It
is assumed that the developer is familiar with using dynamic
link libraries (dll's) and opening/creating windows.  Help is
provided in get_str.txt file for linking this dll with various applications.
This library is designed to add or extend the graphics capabilities of the 
developers package whether it be a C/C++ compiler such as Watcom,
Borland, MicroSoft, a database package such as Visual Objects, Ca-dbFast,
or other packages such as Visual Basic, Delphi, etc. Since our package
rides on top of the windows API and is in the form of a dll, it
is compatible with a wide range of applications and systems.  The purpose
of this library is to make adding graphics as simple as possible while
providing a lot of capabilities.  Working with the API color 
palette, bitmaps, and other graphics is difficult.  This library 
simplifies this task greatly.

The target machine should be at least a 386 with 256 color(8-bit color).
While most of the functions work in other color resolutions,
currently, 256 color mode is supported, as this is the most widely
used color graphics mode for windows.



A few questions and answers about our library.

	Q.  	I have package xxxx that already has graphics 
		capabilities as part of the package.  Why would I 
		buy your package?

	A. 	Most packages take 1 of 2 approaches to adding graphics.
		The first being they simply allow you access to the windows 
		API, the GDI in particular.  As mentioned above this can 
		be difficult and in the least, a time consuming endeavor.  
		The second approach taken is they make graphics easy to 
		add but lack capability.  Many packages do not include 
		more advanced graphics capabilities such as transparency, 
		animation, or sound.

	Q.	I have already added some graphics or written some of my own
		graphic routines but would like to use your library for some
		of the other functions.  Can I keep my routines and use your
		functions to fill in the voids, or do I need to completely 
		use one or the other?

	A.	You can certainly mix and match.  While we believe our 
		graphics library offers a solution to meet the needs of 
		most customers, there may be functions that you've written 
		already or would like to write to address your particular 
		need, and that's great.


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II)  Installation

	This package was compressed with pkzip.  When decompressing
	you should use pkunzip with the -d option to preserve the
	directory structure.  Simply download hds_gl.zip to a
	given directory on your hard drive and then:

		pkunzip.exe -d hds_gl.zip

	The file get_str.txt is designed to help you with the process
	of linking and using the functions in the sample library.

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III)  DESCRIPTION OF FILES IN THIS SHAREWARE PACKAGE:

 
	DEMOS

		The files in this directory demonstrate many but
	not all of the functions of the library.  Also, note that 
	the purpose of the demos is just to show the functions at work
	and is not meant to cover all the possible combinations or 
	ways to use them.  The library and the demos were designed to 
	run in 256 (8 bit) color mode (as this is the color
	mode that most developers use making graphic applications. 
	Most of the functions work when run on machines that are 
	set to higher resolutions although slower.  Functions such 
        as color palette rotation work only in 256 color mode 
	(8 bit) by nature.  
	The screen resolution for the demos works best at 640x480 
	(so the demo fills the screen), but works fine with higher 
	resolutions (the library itself can work with any display resolution
	that can be set).

		hds_dem1.exe:	This demo shows some of the color functions
			 available and how easy it is to change colors with
			 these functions.  It draws some simple shapes and
			 designs to illustrate the colors and functions.

		hds_dem2.exe:	This demo is simply used to show the text
			function (both transparent and non-transparent
			text).

		hds_dem3.exe:	This demo shows all of the primitive 
			functions available.  Also, note that these 
			functions and most of the others for that matter, 
			clean up the resources and memory 
			when the call is done, so the
			programmer does not need to worry about this.

		hds_dem4.exe:	Shows some examples of the bitmap functions 
				and a few special effect functions.

		hds_dem5.exe:	This demo shows some effects you can do 
				using color rotation and then shows the 
				animation and sound functions at work.

		hds_dem6.exe:	This demo shows a different way of producing
				animation using buffers.  As the spheres hit
				the right side of the wall the counter is 
				decreased, color changed, and a "popcorn"
				sound is played.  You can experiment by
				changing the sound file (bump.wav) to a
				different sound.


		The demos use a few bitmap files (note that these are 
		mostly texture bitmaps and the tiles and panels are 
		created using the library.  There are also a few 
		wav files for sound.
	MISC

		This directory contains a couple header files that
		were used in creating the demos (hds_enum.h and 
		hds_dem6.h) along with a sample pascal header file
		(hds_head.pas).

	ORDER
		Contains the files needed to register (order) the
		complete product.

		order.txt:	help file for product registration
		
		register.exe:	code used to register the product

		register.hlp:	help file used by register



	SOURCE

		This folder contains the C source code we created for 
		each of the demos.  Note, if you can already create a 
		window you do not need to wory about winmain.c

		hds_dem1.c
		hds_dem2.c
		hds_dem3.c
		hds_dem4.c
		hds_dem5.c
		hds_dem6.c
		winmain.c    

	SAMPLE

		This folder contains a sample library (16 and 32) that 
		you can try.  It contains a selection of functions from
		the full library.

		sample.c:	shows some of the functions in the sample 
				library that you can use.  It basically 
				recreates demo 1 using functions that
				are in the sample dll.
		
		sam_fun.txt:	list of the functions in the full library
				that are included in the sample libraries.

		sample16.dll:	the sample dll that you can use.
				This is a 16-bit dll sample version

		sample32.dll:	the sample dll that you can use.  This has
				the same functions as sample16.dll except
				that it is a 32bit version.

		sample16.lib:	C/C++ compilers typically build a .lib
				file from the dll file and then use this
				lib file to link in.  Sample16.lib is
				the .lib file created from sample16.dll
				using the Watcom compiler.  This .lib file
				is compatible with most C/C++ compilers.
				If your compiler is not compatible with 
				this file, you can create the .lib from the
				dll as mentioned earlier.

		sample.exe:	a runtime example of sample.c (16bit)

		simple.exe:	a runtime example of simple.c (16bit)

		sample32.lib	same as sample16.lib except 32bit version

		hds_lib.h:	the prototypes for all the functions in 
				the dll (this is for the full version).
				The functions that you can try are listed
				in sam_fun.txt.

		hds_enum.h:	This is a very simple header file.  It just
				makes enumerated types for the colors.  For
				example, color slot 249 in the system palette
				contains the color red.  We define RED to be
				249 so that it can be used instead of passing
				in the number 249.  It just makes thing a 
				little more intuitive, that is all.

		hds_com.h:	defines a variable stt that is included in 
				the library for building 16 and 32 bit versions.
				Your applications will need this file if 
				including hds_lib.h file directly or if 
				compiling the windows code (winmain2.c), etc.


		winmain2.c	code that produces a window.  Can be compiled
				directly with Watcom C/C++ compilers.

	get_str.txt

		A text file that will help you get started in working
		with the sample library.  Best viewed with notepad.

	manualqr.wri
		The quick reference section of the 
		full manual, that covers all of the functions and 
		their parameters.  Best viewed with write.

	legal.txt

		legal restrictions for this shareware library


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IV)  Registration information


Please note that this is shareware not freeware.  The shareware version
is designed to give you a feel for what this graphics library can do and
let you actually try some of the functions.  There are many 
incentives to register (i.e. purchase) the product.  These are:

	1)  receiving the complete library (dll) which contains all
	    of the functions shown in hds_lib.h and discussed in the 
	    quick reference section of the manual (manualqr.wri).
	
	2)  the complete manual (hard copy), which discusses all of the
	    functions in more detail, examples, and discussions on 
	    animation, bitmaps, color palettes, and more.

	3)  free email/fax support for 2 months.  We provide timely and
	    comprehensive support for our libraries.  We also help with
	    general graphics and/or windows questions when possible.

	4)  A free version of aslpaint.  This is a full and complete version
		that we have a license for.  Aslpaint is a 256 color paint
		package that has many features that are lacking in paintbrush.
		This paint package includes:

		geometric tools
		drawing tools
		text with shadow effects
		various pens, pencils, and airbrushes
		texture layering tools
		smear and smudge tools
		color and luminosity control
		black and white processing for making bitmap masks
		and much more.....

	5)  you can distribute products that you develop with our library
		royalty and license free.

	6)  discounts on future releases.  Minor upgrades are distributed
	    via email free of charge.


We have made it as easy as possible to order our product by having Kagi
shareware handle our payment processing.  You can purchase our product
with a check (drawn on US  bank), money order, Credit Card, and more.
To register the product (i.e. purchase) or for more about ordering
information, read the file order.txt in the directory order or contact
us for more information.

	

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V)  How to reach us

For more information or questions you can reach us at:

	email:	support@hdri.com
	fax:	(612) 730-6206

	mail:	Higher Dimension Research, Inc.
		7650 Currell Blvd. Suite 340
		St. Paul, MN 55125  USA

All inquires are answered promptly.

Be sure to visit us at our home page for the latest information
and versions:

	http://www.skypoint.com/~hdri

or ftp the latest versions from:

	ftp://ftp.skypoint.com/pub/members/h/hdri



Higher Dimension Software is a group within Higher Dimension Research, Inc.