readme.asc for VUTRAX for LINUX
-------------------------------
What do you need
----------------
o Linux (GNU Freeware) on an 80486 or higher processor and
enough RAM to run moderate applications.
o XFree86 Graphical user interface (X-Windows)
o glibc-2.3.x installed (already part of most modern
installations - a section on building the library appears
near the end of this note).
This issue of Vutrax for Linux was developed and tested under
Ubuntu 7.10, and also tested with Knoppix 3.7, Knoppix 5.01,
Fedora Core 7 among others using Window Managers Gnome and KDE.
Installation
------------
If you downloaded individual files you first need to decompress the
installer and make it executable using
unzip -d vtx vtx/vutrax_set_up.zip
Navigate your window managers file browser to the directory/folder
containing the installation files (where you downloaded or the
'linux' directory of the CD.
Double Click (Or Right Click + [Open]) on 'vutrax_set_up'
If this does not run there are a number of possible reasons, the
most likely of which is that you don't have access permission to
execute the program. In the following 'sudo' can be replaced with
temporarily using the 'su' command or logging in as 'root':-
CDROM or Mounted iso file:
Your /etc/fstab probably doesn't provide execute access
for the mount. Rather than mess with the system file:-
1. Note the path of your CDROM, the part before /linux in
the File Browser 'Location'. Click the toggle button
if locations are not shown - if you see something
like '/media/cdrom0/linux' use '/media/cdrom0'
2 Select [Applications > Accessories > Terminal] or
similar, and in the terminal window that appears type
sudo mount -o remount,exec /media/cdrom0
Alternatively copy all the files from CDROM into a
temporary folder (see the troubleshooting section) and
continue as described next.
Downloaded (or copied) Files:-
Use something like:
Right click, Properties, Permissions and tick the
[Execute] box.
Alternatively in a Terminal window:-
sudo chmod +x vutrax_set_up
If you are installing a configured (rather than free) system
you will need to save the configuration file (*.cfg) sent as
an e-mail attachment for selection during the installation.
Do not alter this file in any way.
VUTRAX is installed under a single directory that you specify as
a parameter. Conventionally the directory name is 'vutrax' in
your user home directory.
Because of various difficulties in using Linux utilities when
names including spaces have to be quoted, we suggest you avoid
such style and choose simple names, particularly for the install
directory. (Vutrax itself is perfectly happy if you use spaces in
project file names.)
When first used 'vutrax_set_up' offers to install into 'vutrax' in
your home directory. If you want to make it available to other users
you can install it in /usr, the root directory etc. as you choose.
Starting Vutrax
---------------
After installation, Vutrax should start automatically, build
initial library indexes, help indexes, and configure the menu
system defaults for your install directory.
For the first installation in Gnome or KDE desktop environments
you would have been asked whether to create desktop icons for
Vutrax Startup
Vutrax Graphics engine only
Vutrax Text Edit (SEE)
Vutrax Command Processor (VTXSHELL)
If these don't appear, log in again (more exactly restart your X
session), or
[Rescan Desktop Directory] from (Right Click on the Desktop)
These icons can conveniently be dragged into one of your toolbars
and removed from the desktop.
You can also start Vutrax from an Xterm using command
/start_vutrax
or by creating a start up icon as follows (For Gnome):-
Right click on Desktop > New > Launcher
Name: Vutrax (or whatever you choose)
Comment: (Anything)
Command: Varies according to what you want to start.
Replace /vutrax with your installation directory:-
Vutrax System: /vutrax/start_vutrax
Draft graphics: /vutrax/start_vutrax draft
See text editor: /vutrax/start_vutrax see
Vtxshell commands: /vutrax/start_vutrax shell
Type: Application
Run in Terminal: Unchecked
Icon: Select an icon if you want
(Vutrax icons are image files in /vutrax/xwin)
Supplementary Documentation
---------------------------
Vutrax is available for both Windows and Linux and shares most of
the source code and documentation. While this has the advantage
that it is straightforward to maintain both issues in a
compatible state, it does mean that the documentation leans
towards the Windows architecture. This section notes the major
differences from the Windows based documentation.
o For '\' in filenames read '/'
Avoid using \ or / in filenames in either Windows or Linux:-
\ in Linux will often be treated as directory separator
by Vutrax. (Note that a single \ is in any case treated
as an 'escape' sequence)
/ in Windows can not be carried over to Linux
o Filenames of routinely accessed files within the supplied
Vutrax are all in lower case - only a few files in the
run-time library and Amaya Browser have to use mixed case.
Although upper case and mixed case filenames are mostly
handled as expected, there are some cases where lower case
is imposed when names embedded in files are not found.
*** We recommend that you use all lower case file names. ***
If you get in a mess with mixed names you can set a whole
project directory to lower case by selecting [Option x]
from (Specify) and entering VTXSHELL command like:-
rentol "\vutrax\your project directory\*"
o Some features are not offered in the Linux Version:-
* [Graphical TrueType Font] from (Text > Font Options)
is designed for Windows TrueType fonts and is not
able to convert Linux fonts to vector drawing.
Text using Truetype fonts used in existing artworks is
displayed, printed and plotted correctly.
TrueType fonts already built and saved in Vutrax for
Windows (the Free version is sufficient) can be loaded
and selected using
[Graphical Font] from (Text > Font Options)
* [Windows GDI] from (Plot) is not offered. Equivalent
functionality is included in [Postscript] from (Plot).
* Back-conversion utilities for Vutrax 12 to 11
* Interface utilities for 3rd party products with no
Linux counterparts.
o Users of Low level command features only:-
Linux does not support the 'Archive' attribute concept.
By default Vutrax assumes this attribute for files last
updated 'today'. Environment variable ARCHAFTER can be
set to an explicit date on or after which the archive
marker is set.
Select keyword 'Environment Variables Summary' in
[Contents] from (Help) for the details.
Differences from Windows Conventions
------------------------------------
If you are used to Windows:-
o Clicking another window or dialogue box while a dialogue
box is active may cover the active dialogue box, and the
visible window will refuse to accept selections.
Action: Find the dialogue box in the list of windows in the
edge panel, and click on it.
o The help system shows lists of selectable items only if you
click on the currently selected item. As a reminder a small
down arrow appears at the right, but it is the text you
must click to view the list.
Interchange with Vutrax for Windows
-----------------------------------
o If you import sets of files from DOS/Windows:-
In/under the Vutrax Directory:-
[Initialise] from (File > Setup > Configuration)
Elsewhere, or explicitly for the above:-
[Specify n] from (Option) and enter
vtxuddu /*
o To export sets of files to DOS/Windows:-
Before export
[Specify n] from (Option) and enter
vtxuddu -ud /*
o In Windows, you can convert Linux files not pre-converted
using (in the WINDOWS version):-
[Specify n] from (Option) and enter
vtxuddu -ud \*.*
o 'vtxuddu' is a command line utility in both Windows and Linux
for converting end-of-line sequences within Vutrax. It knows
which Vutrax files to convert and which to leave alone.
For the command line options for utility vtxuddu use
[Specify n] from (Option) and enter
vtxuddu
Uninstalling Vutrax
-------------------
A successfully installed Vutrax can be de-installed using
[Remove Vutrax] from (File > Setup > Configuration)
In the event that installation fails, or Uninstall is incomplete,
you can remove Vutrax from a Console or Xterm Text Windows.
Given the installation directory $HOME/vutrax:-
ls $HOME/vutrax (to be sure you have the right directory)
chmod 777 $HOME/vutrax (Remove selective protection set, if any)
rm -Rf $HOME/vutrax (BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH THIS!)
Regardless of where installed, current preference files are in $HOME:-
rm $HOME/.vutrax_*.ini (BE CAREFUL WITH THIS!)
Delete any icons by right Clicking on them and selecting
[Delete].
Printing Text and Graphics
--------------------------
The printing system in Linux and driver availability are very
mixed, so Vutrax provides a customisable filter output so you can
configure it to your system.
Printer output is always in Postscript format. If your printer
can accept Postscript format you can usually direct the output
direct to that printer (driver access permission permitting)
or via a spooling/director system such as 'lpr'.
Otherwise you will need to direct the Postscript output
through Ghostscript (program name normally 'gs') which can
accept Postscript and output to a wide variety of printers
with a lot of user control of options.
To get things working it is best to output the postscript to
a file, and then use Ghostscript directly to output the file
adjusting the options until you get what you want.
You can then embed the required calls and options into the Vutrax
printer settings.
Two sets of settings are stored, one for all text output and
the other for DRAFT graphics printing.
The PLOT program manages the details of output more explicitly -
you can customise aspects of the Generated Postscript if you need
to. Since DRAFT can do graphics printing you are likely to use
PLOT for Postscript printing (as opposed to Photoplot and CNC
generation) only for special cases.
To output a Postscript file to a non-Postscript printer you
might use the following command at a BASH prompt:-
gs -sDEVICE=laserjet -sOutputFile=/dev/lp0 pscript.ps
where
'pscript.ps' is a default name for Vutrax generated
postscript files.
'/dev/lp0' must match your port & have appropriate
access permission.
'laserjet' has to be your printers style. For a list of
available printer styles start gs and type
DeviceNames == for a list.
** ^ Don't miss out the space before == **
Alternatively command 'gs -h' generates a list.
If this worked you would embed in the filter output settings
gs -sDEVICE=laserjet -sOutputFile=/dev/lp0
A huge number of options are available - here is a more
generalised example of a filter
gs -sDEVICE=laserjet -sPAPERSIZE=a3 -sOutputFile=/dev/lp0
'PAPERSIZE=a3' instructs Ghostscript to assume an A3 printer
and paper. Stick to A4 for text outputs.
If any program crashes or hangs on attempting to print with
such a filter, set the output back to file output and test
your filter directly with 'gs' to diagnose the problem.
You might find it convenient to access the stored filter strings
directly:-
[Specify] Menu: SEE %HOME%/.vutrax_printer.ini
From BASH: vi $HOME/.vutrax_printer.ini
and set the default output filters required for text and graphics.
If you use Ghostscript to access a non-Postscript printer you
need entries like
[Printer]
PipeGraphics=gs -sDEVICE=laserjet -sPAPERSIZE=a3 ...
... -sOutputFile=/dev/lp0
PipeText=gs -sDEVICE=laserjet -sPAPERSIZE=a3
... -sOutputFile=/dev/lp0
(... ... means one continuous line.)
with the fields as described earlier.
To preview the output write the output to a file
(e.g. temp.ps), and view this output using ghostscript:-
bash shell> gs -sPAPERSIZE=a3 /vutrax/work/temp.ps
Advanced Configuration Changes
------------------------------
You can alter your configuration by introducing a file .twinrc
into the home directory of the user.
Note: files starting with '.' are not listed by the 'ls' command
unless you include option '-a' as in
'ls -las $HOME/.twinrc'
Below is a 'prototype' file that introduces the standard settings
expected if this file exists, and shows (commented out by an
initial # and space) some possible settings you might want to use.
You can Copy and Paste this into $HOME/.twinrc to get you
going. (If you copy and paste this in Windows be sure to convert
the file to Unix/linux format using 'vtxuddu ' in Linux
BEFORE putting it into the home directory as .twinrc)
[boot]
display=:0.0
windows=
temp=/tmp
openpath=
# Set to 0 (default) to select standard -75-75- fonts.
# Set to 1 to select high resolution -100-100- fonts.
# hiresfonts=0
# Set to 0 to ignore letter case in file names (not recommended)
# nochangecase=1
# [windows]
# You can select the standard proportional spaced font. This font is
# little used by Vutrax but must be available. Default is 'helvetia'.
# FontFace=times
# FontSize=18
# [FontSubstitutes]
# Force the font face for Dialogue boxes, message boxes etc.
# Each line to be read as '=