Author Topic: MicroDesign Plus (Read 15445 times)

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #125 on:** 07:56, 15 August 18 »

This is the cover page for the Rom version of ProPrint, the Protext print enhancer. Programmed by Graham Denyer, it was released in 1993.
A4 portrait format, printed using the Canon BJ 10-ex inkjet printer.
The disc version of ProPrint was reviewed in issue 94 of Amstrad Action. A further review, ProPrint v Pro-Ext (from Sentinel Software) was in issue 95 and the last review (ProPrint Rom) was in issue 99.

Some more info is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php?title=ProPrint&mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #126 on:** 10:31, 16 August 18 »

Half page (A5) advert in WACCI magazine. From 1994.
The text component and border were created using ProPrint, the graphics (CampurSoft logo, magnifying glass and credit cards) by MD+. This Ad was made by Graham Denyer and would require two passes thru the 24 pin Star LC-20 printer to merge the text and graphics.

GUNHED · « **Reply #127 on:** 16:57, 16 August 18 »

The quality is just awesome, now imagine a more modern laser printer, that would shake the PC.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #128 on:** 18:40, 18 August 18 »

This is the leaflet that was issued with the discs for the World Maps Library. Licensed from Creative Technology (MicroDesign) Ltd, as with the British maps these were originally PCW files converted to MicroDesign CPC strip format files. Text and graphics both produced by MD+. Reviewed in issue 105 (June 94) of Amstrad Action.
Not bad for an 8-Bit machine running at 4MHz with a memory of 128k.

Gryzor · « **Reply #129 on:** 15:04, 20 August 18 »

Thanks for sharing all those tidbits. Each one of them interesting in its own right and, indeed, the quality is great!

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #130 on:** 13:33, 21 August 18 »

Instructions for Videomaster. Reviewed in issue 88 (January 93) of Amstrad Action.
The main body of text was written using Protext and then converted to MD format.
Wiki page is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Videomaster

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #131 on:** 20:01, 22 August 18 »

Advert in the March 91 issue of the French magazine "Amstrad Cent Pour Cent" for Oxford PAO. Marketed by Duchet Computers operating from Chepstow, England.
Info for Amstrad Cent Pour Cent and Duchet Computers is here:

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_Cent_Pour_Cent

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Duchet_Computers

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #132 on:** 21:18, 23 August 18 »

Humorous poster from 89 made using the original MicroDesign from Siren Software, the world map used was included on the disc. 64K landscape format printed using the Amstrad DMP 2160 printer. The text for Greenland and Antartica was included merely to fill in the blank areas - not because I thought there were many politicians lurking there

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #133 on:** 18:15, 25 August 18 »

This is a review of the original MicroDesign from Siren Software. From "Computing with the Amstrad CPC" May 1988.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #134 on:** 10:22, 27 August 18 »

1992.
Tryouts 1 - Fill patterns.

64K Portrait and landscape formats, printed using the Star LC-10 set for high quality.

Both these files, though not pixel dense (very large black areas), would have taken about 40 minutes to print at high quality. The draft versions about 10 - 15 minutes.

The first image uses eight different patterns, the second image uses two.

These were made to see how fill patterns could be used with larger designs and what the printed output would look like. In the first image the letter H is left blank/white and in the second the centre circle area is black - these were included for comparison.

Back in 1992, depending on the quality of the printer, what you could see on the screen was sometimes quite different from the final hardcopy.

There are other comparative files like these but unfortunately I can no longer print them off

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #135 on:** 08:51, 29 August 18 »

From 95. This poster is an example of mirrored (flipped) text using one of the large font sets from MicroDesign Extra released in 1988 by Siren Software. This poster and many others like it were were available from myself, WACCI and other PD libraries to give users some idea of what was possible using the program. Pre-internet, with the exception of the Aspects Bulletin Board, there was no other way for a CPC MD user to get free material like this. In total, over a five year period, almost 15MB of MD files were released into the Public Domain for users to access. These files ranged from small clip art, converted mode 2 screens, converted PCW MD2 files, to full size A4 designs.

A4 Landscape printed using Canon BJ-10 inkjet printer.

Wiki page on Bulletin Boards is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Bulletin_boards

Edit 2/9/18

Clip art could also be acquired using the Dart scanner and the Rombo Vidi digitiser.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #136 on:** 22:06, 30 August 18 »

Advert in WACCI magazine 1993. Graphic element produced by David Carter of Penguin Software who also created, amongst other quality productions, the Amiga Graphics slideshows.
64K A4 Portrait format, printed using the Star LC-10 printer.

Wiki page for David is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Pixel

2in1 the CPM utility which created a dual-format PC/CPC 3.5" disk for transfer of files between the two systems was made obsolete as soon as the superb DosCopy by Face Hugger (Andreas Stroiczek) arrived in the UK.

Wiki page for 2in1 is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/2_in_1#Manual

Wiki page for Face Hugger is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Face_Hugger

GUNHED · « **Reply #137 on:** 23:33, 30 August 18 »

Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 22:06, 30 August 18

2in1 the CPM utility which created a dual format PC/CPC 3.5" disk for transfer of files between the two systems ...

WoW, a dual fomat! That's awesome! Sadly I missed it back the day.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #138 on:** 06:52, 31 August 18 »

Yes the dual-format was very useful but I don't think sub-directories were utilised. It was the same with DosCopy but if I remember correctly that utility could read native MS-DOS disks without the need for a dual-format. What I definitely do remember is that DosCopy, when blown onto Rom, became an essential piece of software. It is in my "all time top five" selection of Rom software.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #139 on:** 09:01, 01 September 18 »

Stop Press converted clip art from Goldmark Systems, originally from 1988. Goldmark sold clip art discs for Stop Press from 1988 onwards and when MD+ was released in 1992 promptly converted their libraries over to MicroDesign format. Clip art for these discs was sourced from the Atari ST, Mac and PC. Quality was variable and on initial release the discs were overpriced at about £10 each, this was reduced later to £6. In 94/95(?) when ComSoft purchased the rights to the software and remaining stock from Goldmark these (MD) libraries were released into the Public Domain.

In 2018 I think maybe a fifth Troll could be added to the existing four at the top of the page.....

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #140 on:** 08:57, 10 September 18 »

1991.
This is the Electronic Hovel which is a pun on the expression "Electronic Cottage".
The video out component from the 6128 was provided by the poor quality MP3 which was later replaced by the Videomaster. The later (1994) version of this system utilised a 6128 and a 6128 Plus. Two manual phono/rca switching boxes and a coaxial switching box were needed to make this work efficiently.
In practice I found that a maximum of three peripherals could be added to the expansion port, any more than that and the computer would continually reset.
The graphic element is converted Stop Press clip art.
64K Landscape format printed using the Star LC-10.

Any questions?

Edit:
Having had a look at the 94 version I see that two 6128 Plus machines and one 6128 were used. The A4 hardcopy for that is very poor quality but pretty sure that there is a good condition A3 somewhere. When I find it I will have it reduced to A4 and then scanned for display in the thread.

Gryzor · « **Reply #141 on:** 15:21, 10 September 18 »

So much material! Thanks

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #142 on:** 16:33, 10 September 18 »

Cheers Gryzor,

Not too many left and at the moment I have no way of printing off the designs from other users, but that might change in the future.

robcfg · « **Reply #143 on:** 17:12, 10 September 18 »

What is the problem? Maybe we can help you.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #144 on:** 21:42, 10 September 18 »

Thanks for the offer Rob,

The problem is one of criminal stupidity..........
About a decade ago during a clear out I threw out my perfectly good Canon BJ 10-EX as I thought I would never use it again

Aargh!

Ho Hum. We live and learn etc.
What I'm thinking about doing some time in the mid future is to purchase a reconditioned model and take it from there. Getting some HQ scans of one D.Trump and turning him into the two faced god Janus (complete with speech bubbles) would be a good starting point

The design below is a simplified version of the design above and contains one or two minor inaccuracies but was made to give me a rough idea of the cabling involved. This was important as most of it was contained out of sight in piping and in a purpose built storage unit and could be a nightmare when it came to replacing sections.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #145 on:** 15:09, 14 September 18 »

1995.
ComSoft product list.
Logo and heading by MD+, body of text is Protext.

Nirvana, Colourdump 3, Stardump and Page Printer were originally Goldmark System programs.
ParaDos and Xexor are by Richard Wilson (Executioner) creator of WinApe and I still use both of these outstanding programs.
Route Planner was written by Richard Fairhurst (ChaRleyTroniC) owner of Robot PD and Technical Writer for Amstrad Action.
Model Universe was originally from Arnor and unusually was not written in house but by an independent programmer.

Info on selected products is below:

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/RoutePlanner

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Soft-Lok

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Nirvana

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Goldmark_Systems

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Executioner

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Model_Universe

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Campursoft_ROM_Board

http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #146 on:** 20:53, 15 September 18 »

1995.
The Amsdos Protext Suite.
Logo and heading by MD+, body of text is Protext.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #147 on:** 11:23, 17 September 18 »

1995.
ComSoft product list. Logo and heading by MD+, body of text is Protext.
PCW Protext and other CPM programs.
Although CPM Protext was primarily for PCW owners it was also used by some CPC customers.

Link to Arnor Ltd is here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Arnor

WACCO Software:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/WACCO

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #148 on:** 09:59, 19 September 18 »

1992.
The banal but essential documentation required for record keeping. Each text box was made using the (R)ectangle function on the Design page and then each row was (C)opied in the layout page to fill the A4 page with the required columns and rows of boxes. MicroDesign was particularly good for this type of work and pages like this could be made in about 10 - 15 minutes.

ComSoft6128 · « **Reply #149 on:** 20:03, 22 September 18 »

1992/93?
I made this flyer for a friend who ran an Aikido club in Glasgow. Some kind of problem occurred when printing this particular copy, as shown by the unfinished horizontal circle.
Printed using the Star LC-10 9 pin printer.

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Author Topic: MicroDesign Plus (Read 15445 times)