> how does one edit the .ins files
>
> Ted Tontis
You should never edit any of the .ins files, as these inform Protel of what
Processes are provided by the corresponding Server.
However, if due care is exercised, it is possible to edit the (ASCII/text
format) CLIENT99SE.rcs file, which is found in the Windows directory. It is
customarily so large in size that Notepad can *not* be used to edit it, and
when some other editor is used, it is important that the file be (re)saved
in ASCII format (rather than some other format, such as those used by (for
instance) Word or Write files).
For the most part though, it is generally better to let Protel itself make
any changes to this file, and this will occur (as appropriate) if you
customise the resources. If you double-click on the menu bar, a dialog box
will be invoked, which will permit you to customise your menu resources. By
double-clicking on the title bar (and/or non-button occupied area) of a
Toolbar, it is similarly possible to invoke a dialog box which permits you
to customise the Toolbar concerned. It is also possible to customise your
Shortcut resources, though invoking the associated dialog box is not so
straightforward (though this can be facilitated by defining a Shortcut key
to invoke this dialog box, and as such, is a "bootstrap" means to facilitate
*succeeding* changes to your Shortcut resources).
When a resource is added or edited, you always specify a Process, and
optionally specify one or more parameters. (*When* these are provided (which
is not always the case), the .HLP file for each Server lists which Processes
are provided by each Server, and which parameters (if any) can be used with
each of these Processes). In the case of menu resources, you also have to
specify what text will be displayed by the menu entry; you can optionally
use (no more than) one ampersand (&) character to stipulate that the
*following* character will be underlined, e.g. Poly&gon will result in the
'g' character within Polygon being underlined in the resulting menu entry.
In the case of Toolbar resources, you typically specify which .BMP file is
to be used with the associated button, and the size of this file (# of
pixels wide, and # of pixels high) must match that of the files used on
existing Toolbar buttons. (I can't remember this size off-hand, but I do
recall that the width and height are identical.) You can also optionally
specify (by a parameter) what "bubble help" will be provided when the cursor
is moved over the corresponding button (in the Toolbar). (It is also
possible, by the use of an optional parameter, to specify what text will be
displayed in the Status Bar when a particular menu item is being "navigated"
over.) And in the case of Shortcut resources, you also have to specify which
key combination is to be used with this, e.g. Alt-F12 or Ctrl-Q, etc. (It is
also possible to specify that a shortcut key be invoked after *two*
consecutive key combinations have been entered, but this is not an option
which I have used myself, or at least not to any significant extent).
(Paintbrush can be used to prepare bitmap files for your customised buttons
within Toolbars. But be sure that the dimensions of your .BMP files match
the dimensions of the .BMP files used by the existing/provided buttons
within Toolbars.)
You could do a lot worse then read the on-line help and written
documentation provided on how to customise your resources. The above
description is really just a summary of what is involved.
Memo to anyone preparing FAQ files for Protel: consider including the above
material in a question on customising Protel's resources.
Regards,
Geoff Harland.
-----------------------------
E-Mail Disclaimer
The Information in this e-mail is confidential and may be legally
privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this
e-mail by anyone else is unauthorised. If you are not the intended
recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken
or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be
unlawful. Any opinions or advice contained in this e-mail are
confidential and not for public display.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
*
* To leave this list visit:
* http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/subscrib.html
* - or email -
* mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=leave%20proteledaforum
*
* Contact the list manager:
* mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
*
* Browse or Search previous postings:
* http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
