******************************************************************************* ******************************* AUTODESK ADI 4.2 ****************************** ******************************************************************************* The Aquila driver is a professional quality PADI (Protected mode Autodesk Driver Interface) combined display and rendering device driver for AutoCAD Release 12 and 3D Studio 2.0. Features -------- - Protected mode operation, PADI 4.2 specification - 32 bit display list for "no regen" operation - Display list operation with 16 active viewports, including paperspace viewports - Birds-Eye and Edge-Pan features for convenient zooms and pans - Partial redraws on overlapping viewports - Intelligent clean-up (Erase Buffer(TM)) to eliminate "flashing" - Display list memory meter - AutoCAD memory usage statistics - Paging-Alarm -- disables display list usage when paging become excessive - Reliable dual screen operation - Variable font support -- allows fonts up to 16 by 30 in size - International font support - User configurable screen colors - 15 and 16 bit "Band-Free" Rendering support - 24 and 32 bit Rendering support - Text screen emulation window Installation ------------ 1. Create a directory on your hard drive for the Aquila files by entering md \aquila 2. Copy all files from the \ADI42 subdirectory on the GrafixStar DOS & NT Drivers disk to the aquila subdirectory, e.g., copy a:\ADI42\*.* c:\aquila Replace "a:" and "c:" with the drive letters of your choice. Basic Configuration ------------------- If you have a 1 MB GrafixStar 300 or 500 or a 2 MB GrafixStar 700 you must run the 'VLS3MODE' TSR before running any ADI application. Please refer to the readme in the subdirectory \VLS3MODE on the DOS & NT Drivers disk. 1. Refer to your application's Installation and Performance Guide for information about other environment variables, configuring other non-display device drivers and general system configuration in order to optimize the performance of your application. 2. Aquila will detect the Autodesk application that it is being configured for and will provide correct display driver defaults for your applications. By accepting the default parameters, your driver will be configured correctly. This will work with AutoCAD, AutoShade, or 3D Studio. Font Configuration for AutoCAD -------------------------------------------- 1. This driver will use the 8-bit international font in the VGA BIOS (8x16) or, if present, an Aquila optional font file. Font files are available in sizes up to 16 x 30. The README file lists available font files and a brief description of each. 2. The driver searches for the file AQUILA.FNT in the current directory. If not found, it searches for the file specified in the DOS environment variable AQUILA_FONT. For example, set aquila_font=c:\aquila\9x15.fnt If the font file is readable, it will be used; otherwise Aquila will borrow font data from the VGA BIOS. 3. Please note that font files can only be used with AutoCAD and AutoShade, while 3D Studio will only use the internal 8x16 VGA font. If Aquila font files are used with 3D Studio, characters such as arrowheads may look strange or different. If you are using AutoCAD and 3DStudio on the same system, you may want to disable an active Aquila font before entering 3DStudio by entering SET AQUILA_FONT= AutoCAD Release 12 Configuration -------------------------------- AutoCAD Release 12 uses a method of locating device drivers that is very different to Release 11. Release 12 will search directories for device files, ignoring the DSPADI= environment variable. If you are installing or configuring Release 12 for the first time, please pay careful attention to the following setup instructions. 1. Set the environment variable in both the ACADR12.BAT and AUTOEXEC.BAT files as follows: set ACADDRV=C:\AQUILA;C:\ACAD\DRV 2. Set the font variable as described above under Font Configuration. Rerun your batch files if needed to initialize the environment variables. 3. Start AutoCAD by moving to the \ACAD directory. Enter ACAD if you are configuring for the first time or ACAD -R if you are reconfiguring and select item #3 to activate the Video Display driver menu. 4. From the available display drivers, select "S3 ADI v4.2 Display and Rendering by ATC Graphics". 5. Choose 1 to display the list of available resolutions. Select the AutoCAD S3 Display resolution mode you want. If your system is capable of dual monitor operation, you will next be asked if you wish to use this option. Option 1 is the only option that must be selected before using AutoCAD 12. For options 2 through 9, you may accept the preset defaults by choosing 0 to exit the Aquila configuration menu, or adjust them for a customized display configuration. Details regarding the special Aquila display list features are provided later in this document. 6. Choose 2 to start the color menu to customize colors used for the AutoCAD graphics screen. 7. Choose 3 to enable or disable the "Flip-screen" feature (default is on for Release 12). Flip-screen is automatically disabled if you selected dual monitor operation. 8. Choose 4 to disable or adjust the Display List memory management options. 9. Choose 5 to disable the Erase-buffer size (default is enabled for "flash-less" redrawing during editing). 10. Choose 6 to enable or adjust the sensitivity setting for the Page-Alarm (default is off). 11. Choose 7 to enable or adjust the Edge-Pan feature. (Default is off.) 12. Choose 8 to disable or change the size of the Birds-Eye (default is 25% of the total screen size). 13. Choose 9 to configure the digitizer or mouse button to use for double-click entering of your selected command. The default is the recommended transparent Birds-eye command "'AQBIRD", as this will allow you to bring up the Birds-eye anywhere on the graphics screen while in the middle of an AutoCAD command. 14. Exit the Aquila Display configuration menu and the Video Display configuration menu. 15. Configure pointer (mouse or tablet), printer and plotter as needed. 16. Return to the main menu and save the configuration results. AutoCAD 12 AVE Configuration ---------------------------- The Aquila driver is a combined display and rendering device driver and supports 15, 16, 24 and 32 bit rendering within AutoCAD. AutoCAD's AVE Rendering must be configured for the Aquila driver. 1. If you are reconfiguring AutoCAD, delete your current AVE.CFG file. 2. Once in AutoCAD, either type RCONFIG at the AutoCAD Command prompt, or select from the pulldown menus, RENDER/PREFERENCES/Reconfigure. 3. When you configure the rendering driver for AutoCAD Render, select option 1, AutoCAD's configured P386 combined display/rendering driver. (Do not select option 2). 4. Select the S3 Rendering resolution you want from the menu list of available resolutions supported by your system. Your selection must be compatible with any limitations related to your current AutoCAD display configuration. - With a combination of dual screen mode and shell edit, ACAD screen is corrupted in resolution 640x480x8. Use the command "REINIT S" to correct the display. - With a dual-monitor configuration, select rendering to a viewport (because currently AutoCAD 12c2 does not return properly from rendering to a separate screen). - If your AutoCAD display resolution is set to any 16-color resolution, then you must render to the full screen instead of a viewport. Any resolution may be selected. - If your AutoCAD display resolution is set to any 256-color resolution and you plan to render to a 256-color viewport, select the same resolution for your display and renderings. When rendering to a viewport, AutoCAD's display driver controls the rendering resolution. 5. Select whether you wish to render to a viewport or a full screen (see 4 above for limitations). 6. Configure any hardcopy device as needed. 7. Exit the configuration menu and save your changes. 3D Studio 2.0 Configuration --------------------------- Verify that the environment variables listed under Basic Configuration, above, are initialized before proceeding with your 3D Studio configuration. 1. Go to your 3D Studio 2.0 subdirectory, e.g., the \3DS directory, and edit the file 3DS.SET file. 2. Change the line that starts with DEFAULT-DISPLAY = VGA320X200 to read DEFAULT-DISPLAY = RCPADI. 3. Change the line that begins with MAIN-DISPLAY = to read MAIN-DISPLAY = RCPADI. Delete any leading semicolon (;) that may be present. 4. Change the line that begins with MATERIAL-DISPLAY = VGA320X200 to read MATERIAL-DISPLAY = RCPADI. 5. Save the file and exit the editor. 6. Delete the file 3DADI.CFG, if present. 7. Start 3D Studio with the command 3DS. Answer Y to the question about having a VGA or SVGA. 8. Select a 256-color resolution mode for the "ADI main display". This is the mode that will be used for the 2D Shaper, 3D Lofter, 3D Editor, and Keyframer. 9. Select a 256-color resolution for the "ADI MEDIT", Materials Editor. Use of a resolution greater than 640 x 480 will not increase the usefulness of the Materials Editor at all. 10. Answer N to the question about "Will RDPADI render to a separate screen?". 11. Select a resolution mode for the Rendering "RDPADI" Device. If you select the 32K or 64K color modes, you will be asked if you wish to enable "Band-Free" mode. This allows the best color quality possible in a 15 or 16 bit device. Select Low, Medium or High. (This rendering mode is not activated in a single monitor system.) 12. Answer the question about "Will RCPADI render to a separate screen?". If using Aquila for an 8514/A, the answer is "yes", for all others, the answer is "no". 13. Select a resolution mode for the Rendering "RCPADI" Device. If you select the 32K or 64K color modes, you will be asked if you wish to enable "Band-Free" mode. This allows the best color quality possible in a 15 or 16 bit device. Select Low, Medium or High. 14. Configuration is now complete. Aquila Display List and Special Features for AutoCAD ---------------------------------------------------- AutoCAD Screen Layout --------------------- - Current Color Display - The rectangle in the top left of the screen displays the current drawing color. - Logo - The manufacturer's logo is displayed near the lower right corner of the screen. - Display Status Area - This area is located below the Logo Area and is present only when the display list has been enabled. It contains three lines of text as follows: - System Memory Status - The topmost line of text in the Display Status Area provides a percentage of total system memory that is being used by AutoCAD. AutoCAD may start to slow down when this amount exceeds 100%. After this figure exceeds 150%, "paging" will occur. - Display/Screen Lists Memory Status - The middle line of text indicates memory usage by the Aquila display list and screen list. numberK indicates amount of memory currently used by display list Empty indicates there is no drawing in memory Overflow indicates the memory required by the display list exceeds available display list memory Disabled indicates that the display list has been disabled because excessive paging has occurred - Display List Status - The third or lowest line of the Display Status Area lists abbreviations to indicate the current status of display list features. Key letters are present only when the display list is enabled. D 32 bit display list data is in use. d 16 bit display list data has been selected. Z Zooming from the display list is allowed. z Pspace and perspective zooms by AutoCAD. Birds-eye will not work in viewport. S Redraw list is enabled. s Redraw list is turned off. P Page alarm enabled and paging occurred recently. p Page alarm enabled and no paging has occurred. E Edge-pan enabled. Edge pan is impending. e Edge-pan enabled but none impending. Display List Memory Management Configuration for AutoCAD 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ This section covers the configuration of the Aquila display list memory management features for AutoCAD available under option #4 of Aquila's AutoCAD display configuration menu. Please pay careful attention to the information presented here, since this will affect the performance of Aquila under AutoCAD. Some experimentation will be necessary in order to make Aquila work optimally for your particular environment and needs. 1. While configuring, you must choose a method of memory management for the display list information. Which method you use will depend upon the type and number of drawings you work with during an AutoCAD session. - Dynamic - Memory keeps on growing as it is needed. This requires the least amount of operator interaction, and is the most carefree. - Static - Memory is a fixed amount that you will specify. When the display list grows bigger than memory limits, the display list will be shut off. The static option is a little bit faster, but requires a knowledge of how much memory your drawings will consume. 2. The first option available in the Display List memory management submenu is "Enable Display List?". Answering "No" will end the display list configuration choices. 3. If you are configuring for Release 12, you will next be asked "Enable 32 bit regens?" Enabling this feature will greatly reduce regens, thereby providing faster operation. The downside of this choice is that Aquila will use more memory for the display list. 4. Next you will be asked to select a memory management scheme, "Dynamic dlist (automatic)?" - Answering "Yes" will select the dynamic scheme. You would then be prompted to select a performance level, "Miserly (1), Normal (2) or High Performance (3)". If you have very little memory in your machine then select Miserly. If your have lots of memory, select High Performance. All others select Normal. - Answering "No" will select the static management scheme. You would then be asked to provide a memory size to use. If this is the first time it is being configured, Aquila will make a suggestion based upon the amount of memory in your system. 5. If you are configuring for Release 11, you will be asked if you wish to "Enable redraw list?" Answering "Yes" allows you to enable a faster redraw method. This will consume some additional memory, but it does improve redraw speeds. If you selected "Static" memory management earlier, then you will be asked to select a memory size for the redraw list. Usually this can be 1/2 to 1/4 of the amount you specified for display list usage. Display List Feature Configuration for AutoCAD 12 -------------------------------------------------------- This section covers the configuration of the Aquila display list features available under options #3 and #5 through #9 of the Aquila display configuration menu for AutoCAD. Graphics Flip-screen (Option #3) -------------------------------- If enabled, the AutoCAD text screen will appear in the center of the graphics screen. This eliminates the mode switching delay common to most multi-frequency monitors. When enabled the graphics Flip-screen will emulate the VGA text window. Use the F1 key to toggle between modes. If you wish to execute any DOS commands, Aquila will switch the screen to a full-screen text mode allowing for full DOS compatibility. If you are using an after-market TSR product that pops up into the screen during AutoCAD sessions (calculator, plot spooler, etc.) or you wish to use the Print-screen function while in the text screen, then you should not use this option. Flip-screen is automatically disabled for dual monitor operation. Erase buffer (Option #5) ------------------------ Answering Yes to "Enable erase buffer?" brings up a second question "Erase buffer size?". This will determine the number of erased objects it takes before Aquila will start an automatic "cleaning" cycle to remove them from the display list. Select a higher value if you plan on doing much large drawing editing. The erase buffer can also be disabled, enabled and resized from within AutoCAD by typing "AQEBUF=0" at the command prompt to disable and "AQEBUF=xx" to enable or resize, where xx is the new size. When AutoCAD erases objects from the drawing database, it erases them from the screen as well. Sometimes this action causes other objects to appear erased as well. The "redraw" command has no effect, but a "regen" causes the objects to appear correctly. This problem can be solved by using the erase buffer to correct the display corruption that occurs when objects are erased from the drawing. Normally, AutoCAD will request that the driver erase a line from the screen by drawing it in black. This causes the erased object to flash on and off the screen during redraws. Another side effect is that objects near the erased one may appear to be incomplete. To correct this in the fastest manner possible, Aquila will keep a list of erased vectors, and erase them only when the buffer fills. This speeds up block erasures considerably. The custom command, AQCLN, discussed below, can also be used to clear the erase buffer. There are certain after market software packages for AutoCAD, such as CAD Overlay, which rely upon the ability to draw objects in black (background color). If you are using one of these packages and the screen images appear distorted, then you need to disable the erase buffer. Paging Alarm (Option #6) ------------------------ Answering "Yes" to "Enable Page-Alarm?" will bring up a second prompt about the sensitivity setting for the Page-Alarm. When AutoCAD's memory requirements exceed the amount of physical memory available in your machine, it begins "paging" in order to gain extra memory. Paging means that certain memory areas are traded back and forth with a "swap file" on the hard drive. Due to the difference in access speed between main memory, and this "virtual" memory that is on the hard drive, AutoCAD begins to slow down, often to the point of being unusable. To combat this, memory is used very sparingly, and only when absolutely necessary. As a second line of defense against paging, when the amount of memory paged out to disk exceeds several preset thresholds, Aquila begins shutting down extra functions, and returns the memory to AutoCAD. When paging activity exceeds the first threshold, the screen-list feature is disabled and all associated memory is returned to AutoCAD. At this point, the screen list status line, the lowest line, will disappear from the status window. Should paging activity continue, Aquila will disable the display list feature and return all of that memory to AutoCAD. When that has been done, the middle line of text in the status area will say "Disabled", to indicate that all display list functionality has been terminated. The driver will continue to function as normal, but redraws will be slower. However, AutoCAD itself will now be much faster than it was when the paging was occurring. This allows you to complete your drawing session in much less time. Edge Pan (Option #7) -------------------- Edge-pan is used to move around while zoomed into a drawing. By leaving the cursor near the border of the currently active viewport, Aquila will automatically begin to pan in that direction. This only begins if the cursor is left idle for a predetermined length of time. The default is Edge-pan disabled. Experimentation with the Edge-pan settings will yield the best results for your needs. There are nine custom Edge-pan commands provided with the Aquila driver. Edge-pan settings may be adjusted either in the configuration menu or within AutoCAD by typing at the command prompt "AQEPAN ON" or "AQEPAN OFF". Please refer to the list of custom Aquila commands given below for additional custom Edge Pan commands. Birds-eye View (Option #8 & 9) ------------------------------ The Birds-eye feature allows fast transparent zooms and pans. The Birds-eye can be activated either by typing "'AQBIRD" or by double-clicking on the mouse or digitizer button specified during configuration. When activated, the Birds-eye window will appear under the current cursor location. The window will show a small overall view of the drawing that AutoCAD has currently placed in Aquila's display list. Within the Birds-eye window a highlighted rectangle indicates the currently viewed area, and an outline rectangle indicates the area that will be shown if a Birds-eye zoom is completed. If this rectangle contains an "X" in the middle, then the Birds-eye is in pan mode. If this rectangle contains an arrow, then the Birds-eye is in zoom mode. Pressing the pick button on your mouse or digitizer (usually the left button for a mouse) allows you to toggle between zoom and pan modes in the Birds- eye window. Pressing the selection button on your digitizer causes the Birds-eye to disappear and the selected view to be used in the currently active viewport. A new zoom will be executed if necessary. Moving the cursor outside the Birds-eye window without making a selection will cancel the function. This Birds-eye will work in multiple viewport drawings, and will appear in the aspect ratio of the currently active viewport. The Birds-eye can be resized at any time during an AutoCAD session by typing "AQBESZ=xx", where xx is any number between 10 and 50 and represents the percentage of the graphics screen size for the new Birds-eye size. The image inside the Birds-eye when it is activated can be manipulated without causing a "regen" in Release 12 by using the "AQZWI" command. By performing a "ZOOM ALL" followed by an "AQZWI" , you will be able to zoom in and out of your drawing as much as possible without causing further regens. Band-Free Rendering ------------------- When using the 15 or 16 bit rendering modes, often times the images appear "banded". This banding or staircasing occurs most often on objects with large sloping or gently curving surfaces. Band-Free rendering improves the image quality in these modes. The "Band-Free" effect can be controlled as well. It may be set to "Low", "Medium", or "High", depending upon how much of the banding you want to eliminate. This feature will be of limited use to users of AutoShade, but is beneficial to users of Autodesk RenderMan and 3D Studio. Custom Aquila Commands for AutoCAD ---------------------------------- Aquila provides a number of custom commands which provide status information about memory usage for the Display list. Additional commands enable the user to reset or redefine Aquila Edge-pan and Birds-eye features from within AutoCAD. Below is a summary of the custom Aquila commands. AQHLP The help screen function displays a list of all the driver local commands, and gives a brief description of each. This command is best executed from the text or flip-screen. AQDLQ Displays on a text-or flip-screen all the viewports currently in use, along with some useful statistics about each one. This command is best executed from the text or flip-screen. AQDRQ Displays current display resolution and memory allocation statistics (CTRL-L provides the same function). When executed from the command prompt of the graphics screen, only a three- line summary will be given. AQCLN Removes objects from display list. "Cleans" the drawing display. AQBIRD Displays Birds-eye window underneath current cursor location. This command is not designed to work for paperspace or perspective viewports. AQEPAN ON/OFF Toggles on and off the Edge-pan feature. AQPL Pan to the left by 25 percent. Regens are never authorized by the pan or zoom in/out Aquila commands. AQPR Pan to the right by 25 percent. AQPU Pan up by 25 percent. AQPD Pan down by 25 percent. AQZI Zoom in by 50 percent. AQZO Zoom out by 50 percent. AQZWI "Zoom way in" while using the same scale factor, will cause a regen. By performing a ZOOM ALL followed by an AQZWI you may zoom around your drawing as much as possible without a regen. (AutoCAD 12 only) AQBESZ=xx Resize the Birds-eye window. Valid number is between 10 and 50, and it is a percentage of the graphics screen size. AQPANSCR=xx Amount of the viewport scrolled by the edge-pan feature. Valid number must be between 10 and 80, and it is a percentage of the viewport size. AQPANBRD=xx Width of the edge-pan border given in number of pixels. Valid number must be between 5 and 50. AQPANTM1=xx Amount of initial delay given in number of "clicks" or fractions of a second used before the edge-pan begins. Valid range is 10 to 64. AQPANTM2=xx Amount of time before another edge-pan begins. Valid range is 1 to 18. AQEBUF=xx Size of the erase buffer. Using 0 turns off the buffer.