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                           Dials and Gauges
                        ----------------------


     Dials and Gauges is a  set of object oriented  graphics that allows you  to
     develop applications which  contain animated  dials and  gauges.  It  is an
     alternate to the package called D/DEDALUS which is available through the TI
     Defense Systems  and  Electronics  Group.   That  package  is  built  on TV
     functions, while this set is built  on GWIN.  With Dials and  Gauges, there
     is enough  functionality  so  that  you  can  quickly  and  easily  develop
     applications like flight  simulators and  expert systems  that are  tied to
     control panel simulations and make use  of these features.  A knowledge  of
     the flavor system  is assumed  when using  this package.   Also, Dials  and
     Gauges requires that the GWIN system  be loaded in advance.  Following  are
     the steps required for loading:

                         Loading Instructions
                      -------------------------- 

     1) Do a make-system on GWIN (make-system 'gwin :noconfirm)
        (If not previously loaded)

     2) Load a defsystem for DIALS (load "sys:public.dials;defsystem")

     3) Do a make-system for DIALS (make-system 'dials :noconfirm)


     Dials and Gauges contains an  assortment of flavors, methods,  and instance
     variables that can  used to  develop your  application.  This  software was
     designed to  allow  the  user  to  be  able  to  design  dials  and  gauges
     interactively and be menu driven.  However if you are careful, you can talk
     to the various flavors, methods, and instance variables and call them  from
     your application.  Here is a listing of some of the more helpful code.



                       Dial and Gauge Flavors
                    ----------------------------

     Editable-Circular-Dial-Entity  -  Creates a circular dial that can change
     size, value, tick marks, and direction of rotation.

     Editable-Lineal-Dial-Entity - Creates a linear (thermometer-type) dial that
     can be oriented in either the horizontal or vertical position.

     Editable-Sector-Dial-Entity - Creates a wedge shaped semi-circle type dial.

     Editable-LED-Dial-Entity - Creates an led display of any size and number of
     segments.

     Editable-Character-Switch-Dial-Entity - A set of  switches that  were created
     using the font system that can be displayed and change position.
     *** Not tested.  May not work.  Needed font may be missing. ***

     Editable-Face-Dial-Entity - A set of routines for making dials with
     funny faces.  *** Not tested.  May not work.  Needed code may be missing. ***



                      Dial and Gauge Methods
                   ----------------------------  



     :draw - Draws the particular dial or gauge you send the message to


     :edit-parameters - Pops up the menu that prompts you for values to edit the
     particular dial or gauge.


     :scale - Allows to you to change size of dial by sending a ratio of 1 to x.
     (Does not work with lineal dials, must use instance variables).

     :move - Moves dial to designated x and y coordinates.

     :set-current-value - Dynamically sets  value of any  gauge on screen  given
     window and value.

     :set-up-editable-dial-entity - If changing instance variables is necessary,
     this method will make those changes stick.



                    
                Dial and Gauge Instance Variables
              -------------------------------------


     x-center - x coordinate of gauge location (center of gauge)

     y-center - y coordinate of gauge  location (center of gauge)

     max-towards - orientation of lineal dial

     inverse-video-p - toggles dial image

     max-bar-value - sets maximum value of lineal dial

     bar-height - sets scale on lineal dial


                     Starter-Kit-Demo
                   --------------------

     This file  contains  a  demo  that  uses  the  dials and gauges package and
     contains some examples of how  it can be used.   To run the demo,  load the
     file starter-kit-demo and type (dials-demo) into the Lisp Listener.  The
     function CHANGE-VALUE-VIA-MOUSE is defined there too as a guide to those
     who want to use the mouse to change the value of a dial.  Run that function
     to see what it does.

     Aren't you glad you use dials, don't you wish everybody did?


Regards,

Rene Aquilina 5/22/87