SPRING Configuration

This page presents information on how to correctly configure SPRING, besides peripherals like digitizing tables and plotters.


See also:
How to install SPRING correctly.
SPRING support


Database configuration

The system identifies that a folder of the filesystem is a database by the files that are inside it; it suffices to point to the directory immediately above the database. For example, for a database named "Amazonia" which is at "C:\user\springdb\Amazonia" ()  or "/usr/spring2/springdb/Amazonia" (),  the current directory must be "C:\user\springdb" or "/usr/spring2/springdb" .

See how to configure the system to automatically load your database and project.


 

Peripheral configuration

Digitizing Table

SPRING windows.gif - 1353 Bytescommunicates with a digitizing table through a serial port, following some of the most used data formats. In the next section we discuss:

 


 


A - Procedures for testing the digitizer ( version)

Before starting the operation with the digitizer, it should be programmed through its micro switches or soft keys, whose description can be found in its manual. To check if the data format generated by the digitizer is supported by SPRING, the program "testemesa.exe" should be run.


IMPORTANT
: In case the digitizer does not generate any of the data formats supported by SPRING, get in touch with the SPRING support team at the e-mail spring@dpi.inpe.br.

The "testemesa" program has the aim of verifying the connection between the computer and the digitizer while determining the character sequence (data format) generated. Initially it is necessary to program the communication parameters between the serial port and the digitizer. That is done by the menu Settings, which shows a window called "TTY Settings" where the necessary parameters can be programmed.

In the section of communications options ("COM Options")  the serial communication port, the data rate ("Baud rate"), the number of data bits, the parity, the number of stop bits, and the data flow control, that should be kept as XON/XOFF.

Usually the serial port that is available in most computers is COM2, since the mouse is connected to COM1. The information about the number of data bits and number of stop bits, and also the parity, should be provided by the digitizer's manual.

The Control Options section should be active in order to present the errors, while in the section TTY Options only the New Line mode should be active.

NOTE: In order for the data to be visualized with greater ease, it is desirable that a larger font size be selected in the dialog that is opened by pressing the button Font. The dialog TTY Settings can then be closed by pressing the OK button.

Afterwards, the menu Action - Connect can be activated. If the physical connection between the digitizer and the serial port, and their parameters are correctly set, a sequence of characters appear on the screen, following a specific data format. Such sequence should be compared with the different data formats supported by SPRING, in order to determine which type should be configured in the "Environment Configuration" dialog, available via the menu Tools in the main menu bar of the SPRING window.

The "testemesa.exe" program can then be closed by the Action - Exit menu, or via the Close button in the Title Bar (the X in the upper right hand corner).


IMPORTANT: Due to the undefined communication state between the digitizer and the serial port, make sure that the testemesa program was really closed by pressing the shortcut keys Ctrl + Alt + Del, and also by verifying if the testemesa program is listed in the task manager. In case yes, select this program in the list of tasks and press the End Process button.


See an example of the "testemesa" procedures.

After installing SPRING in your computer, the "testemesa.exe"  application  for Windows will be available in Start - All Programs - Spring.

  • run the "testemesa.exe" program;
  • click on Settings...;
  • configure the following parameters:

o       

    • Port : COM2 (or any other free serial port);
    • Baud Rate : 9600;
    • Data Bits : 7
    • Parity : Even
    • Stop Bits : 1
    • Flow: XON/XOFF e
    • TTY Option : New Line.
  • click on OK;
  • in the "TTY" window click on Action - Connect... . The coordinates of the digitizer will be presented line by line on the window. Check if they are consistent with the table above.



Test for the unix.gif - 943 Bytesversion

The digitizer tests in a Linux environment are very simple, it suffices to type the "cat" command from a terminal, for example:

> cat /dev/ttya

where tty is the device (serial port) where the digitizer is physically connected, it could be ttya, ttyb, tty1, ttyS1, ... depending on how your serial port is configured. After typing the "cat" command, Linux starts to read the coordinates the digitizer sends to the computer. At this moment it presents, line by line, the (x,y) position where the mouse sits on the digitizer, besides the value that corresponds to the mouse button being pressed. The character format presented on the window is different for each digitizer. See the table above.

NOTE: in case the digitizer does not responds to the "cat" command, check the cable connections, the microswitch configuration of the digitizer and the serial tty port configuration. The configuration of the digitizer and tty devices should be the same.


 


 
B - Operating SPRING with the Digitizing Table

Initially, the digitizer parameters such as the data format , number of data bits, number of stop bits, parity, and serial port should all be configured at the " Environment Configuration" window at the menu Tools of SPRING.

Next, the digitizer should be calibrated through the "Digitizer Calibration..." option of the menu Tools of SPRING. Note that the key used for the extraction of calibration points on the digitizer could be any, with the sole exception of the key that generates the ASCII 0 (zero), if any. In this case, the program will keep on waiting another key to be pressed before moving ahead.

After calibration the Digitizer Cursor button in the SPRING Toolbar is enabled. When pressing this button the control of SPRING is transferred to the digitizer cursor while the transfer of control back to the mouse can be done by the digitizer key that generates the ASCII character 4.

Once the digitizer has been calibrated, the digitizing operation can be started by using one of the menus: Thematic - Vector Edition, DTM - Edit, or  Cadastral - Edit, to open the "Edit"dialog and by pressing the digitizer cursor button in SPRING.


After pressing this button the control SPRING is transferred to the digitizer, that uses ASCII characters 1, 2, and 4 to perform the following functions:

    • character 1: emulates the left mouse button;
    • character 2: emulates the right mouse button;
    • character 4: indicates the end of operations with the digitizer.

The majority of digitizers generates those characters when pressing the 1, 2, and 4 keys. However, some of them generate ASCII character 4, signaling the end of digitizer operations, when the "C" key is pressed. Thus, it is convenient to note which characters are generated when pressing the digitizer keys during the execution of the "testemesa.exe" application.


ATTENTION: When opening a new SPRING session, even if the digitizer has already been calibrated, the Digitizer Calibration... dialog should be opened via the Tools menu, just to be closed thereafter so that the digitizer cursor button is enabled.

IMPORTANT : If some digitizer driver is installed, it should necessarily be removed so that SPRING can operate correctly.


 


C - Data Format Supported by SPRING

SPRING expects that every data format generated by any digitizer be an ASCII character, so they should all be configured to comply with this format.

The most common data format in the market are:

  1. - MicroGrid ASCII Counts;
  2. - MicroGrid ASCII High Resolution;
  3. - GTCO Low Resolution ASCII;
  4. - GTCO High Resolution ASCII;
  5. - GTCO MULTICAD ASCII;
  6. - Calcomp Format 3 ASCII;
  7. - SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII;
  8. - SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII.

The character sequence generated by these formats is described below.


1) MicroGrid ASCII Counts

The sequence of characters ASCII Counts (counts in millimeters)  generated by this format is the following:

SXXXXX,SYYYYY,FF,0

where:
S    = coordinate signal;  
X    = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
,    = comma ASCII character;
Y    = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
FF   = flag that identify the key that is being pressed.               

Cursor Button

ASCII (FF) Output

None

00

1

01

2

02

3

03

4

04



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


2) MicroGrid ASCII High Resolution

The character sequence in metric units and high resolution (40 lpmm) generated in this format is the following:

SXXXX.XXX,SYYYY.YYY,FF,0

where:
S  = coordinate signal;
X    = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
,    = comma ASCII character;
Y    = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
FF   = flag that identify the key that is being pressed.       

Cursor Button

ASCII (FF) Output

None

00

1

01

2

02

3

03

4

04



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


3) GTCO Low Resolution ASCII

The character sequence in metric units and low resolution (10 lpmm) generated in this format is the following:

FXXXXYYYY

where:
F = flag that identifies the key that is being pressed.
X = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
Y = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 

Cursor Buttons

ASCII (F) Output

None

0

0

0

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


4) GTCO High Resolution ASCII

The character sequence in metric units and high resolution (40 lpmm) generated in this format is the following:

FXXXXXYYYYY

where:
F = flag that identifies the key that is being pressed.
X = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
Y = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 

Cursor Buttons

ASCII (F) Output

None

0

0

0

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


5) GTCO MULTICAD ASCII

This format is the same as the GTCO Low Resolution ASCII with the exception of the flag that identifies the cursor key being  pressed and the lack of the ASCII line feed (LF).

FXXXXYYYY

where:
F = flag that identifies the key that is being pressed.
X = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
Y = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 

Cursor Buttons

ASCII (F) Output

None

9

1

1

2

3

3

5

4

7



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


6) Calcomp Format 3 ASCII

The character sequence in metric units and high resolution (40 lpmm) is the following:

FFXXXXXYYYYY

where:
FF = flag that identifies the key that is being pressed.
X = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 
Y = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9; 

Cursor Buttons

ASCII (FF) Output

None

UU

1

1D

2

2D

4

4D



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


7) SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII

The character sequence format in metric units and low resolution (10 to 20 lpmm) is the following:

XXXX,YYYY,F

where:
X  = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9;
,  = ASCII character for comma;
Y  = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9;
,  = ASCII character for comma;
F = flag that identifies the key that is being pressed.

Cursor Buttons

ASCII (F) Output

None

0

1

1

2

2

4

4



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format


8) SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII

The character sequence in metric units and high resolution (40 lpmm) is the following:

XXXXX,YYYYY,F

where:
X  = X coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9;
,  = ASCII character for comma;
Y  = Y coordinate digit, where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9;
,  = ASCII character for comma;
F = flag that identifies the key that is being pressed.

Cursor Buttons

ASCII (F) Output

None

0

1

1

2

2

4

4



Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer data format




D - Examples of digitizer configuration


SPRING for Windows supports the following digitizers:

  1. DIGIGRAF model VanGogh
  2. DIGIGRAF model Renoir
  3. DIGIGRAF model Velasquez
  4. DIGIGRAF model Davinci
  5. Multicad
  6. Summagrid IV
  7. Summagrid V
  8. Calcomp Drawing Board III (CALCOMP 2000A)
  9. DIGICON
  10. Numonics models AccuGrid and GraphicMaster II
  11. GENIUS
  12. Summasketch III



A-) DIGIGRAF (VANGOGH model)

Configuration of the microswitches:

 

DIGIGRAF- VANGOGH

Switch

Position

Function

1

OFF

Continuous operation mode

2

OFF

 

3

OFF

ASCII Delimiter : CR+LF

4

OFF

ASCII Format: Direct measurements

5

OFF

Communication speed 9600 bauds

6

OFF

 

7

ON

Data format: ASCII

8

OFF

Resolution: 40 lpmm ( 0,025 mm )

9

OFF

 

10

OFF

Protocol: Microgrid


Programming of the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: MicroGrid ASCII High Resolution
- Data bits: 7
- Stop bits: 2
- Parity: even




Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples


B-) DIGIGRAF (DAVINCI model)

Microswitch configuration:

 

DIGIGRAF - DAVINCI

Switch

Position

Function

1

OFF

Continuous operation mode

2

OFF

 

3

OFF

Digitizing rate: 50 pairs/second

4

OFF

 

5

OFF

Communication speed: 9600 bauds

6

OFF

 

7

ON

Data format: ASCII

8

OFF

Metric: 10 lpmm ( 0,1 mm )


Programming of the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII
- Data bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even


Seta_up.gif - 170 Bytes Digitizer configuration examples


C-) DIGIGRAF (VELAZQUEZ model)

Microswitch configuration:

 

DIGIGRAF- VELAZQUEZ

Switch

Position

Function

1

OFF

Continuous operation mode

2

OFF

 

3

OFF

Digitizing rate:  100 pairs/second

4

OFF

 

5

OFF

Communication speed: 9600 bauds

6

OFF

 

7

ON

Data format: ASCII

8

OFF

Metric: 40 lpmm ( 0,025 mm )


Programming of the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data Format: MicroGrid ASCII High Resolution
- Data Bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even




Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples



D-) DIGIGRAF (RENOIR model)

 

Microswitch configuration:

 

DIGIGRAF- RENOIR

Switch

Position

Function

1

ON

MM Protocol

2

ON

 

3

OFF

Continuous operation mode

4

OFF

 

5

ON

Data format: ASCII

6

ON

Resolution selected by switches 7 and 8

7

ON

Resolution: 20 lpmm ( 0,05 mm )

8

OFF

 


Programming of the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data Format: SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII
- Data Bits: 8
- Stop Bits: 1
- Parity: odd


Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples


E-) MULTICAD

Microswitch configuration:

 

MULTICAD

Switch

Position

Function

1

OFF

Continuous operation mode

2

OFF

 

3

OFF

ASCII Delimiter: CR

4

OFF

ASCII Format: Direct measurements

5

OFF

Communication speed: 9600 bauds

6

OFF

 

7

ON

Data Format: ASCII

8

OFF

Resolution: 20 lpmm ( 0,05 mm )

9

OFF

 

10

OFF

GTCO Protocol


Programming of the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data Format: GTCO-MULTICAD
- Data Bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even


Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples

F-) Summagraphics IV emulating other formats

 

  • F.1) MicroGrid ASCII Counts;
  • F.2) GTCO Low Resolution ASCII;
  • F.3) GTCO High Resolution ASCII;
  • F.4) Calcomp Format 3 ASCII;
  • F.5) SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII;
  • F.6) SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII.

Obs: In the microswitch configuration below, positions 6,7, and 8 of switch C were configured for a digitizer size 44 x 60, for all the cases. For a digitizer of different size see the manual concerning how to configure positions 6, 7, and 8 of switch C.

Programming of the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data Bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even



F.1-) Summagraphics IV emulating the MicroGrid ASCII Counts format

Microswitch configuration:

 

 

SET A

SET B

SET C

1

ON

ON

ON

2

OFF

ON

ON

3

OFF

ON

OFF

4

ON

ON

ON

5

ON

OFF

OFF

6

ON

ON

OFF

7

OFF

OFF

OFF

8

ON

OFF

OFF



F.2-)Summagraphics IV emulating the GTCO Low Resolution ASCII format

Microswitch configuration:

 

 

SET A

SET B

SET C

1

ON

ON

ON

2

OFF

OFF

ON

3

OFF

ON

OFF

4

ON

ON

ON

5

ON

ON

OFF

6

ON

OFF

OFF

7

OFF

OFF

OFF

8

ON

ON

OFF



F.3-)Summagraphics IV emulating the GTCO High Resolution ASCII format

Microswitch configuration:

 

 

SET A

SET B

SET C

1

ON

ON

ON

2

OFF

OFF

ON

3

OFF

ON

OFF

4

ON

ON

ON

5

ON

OFF

OFF

6

ON

ON

OFF

7

OFF

OFF

OFF

8

ON

ON

OFF



F.4-) Summagraphics IV emulating the Calcomp Format 3 ASCII format

Microswitch configuration:

 

 

 

SET A

SET B

SET C

1

ON

OFF

ON

2

OFF

ON

ON

3

OFF

ON

OFF

4

ON

OFF

ON

5

ON

OFF

OFF

6

ON

ON

OFF

7

OFF

ON

OFF

8

ON

OFF

OFF



F.5-) Summagraphics IV emulating the SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII format

Microswitch configuration:

 

 

SET A

SET B

SET C

1

ON

ON

ON

2

OFF

OFF

ON

3

OFF

ON

OFF

4

ON

ON

ON

5

ON

ON

OFF

6

ON

OFF

OFF

7

OFF

ON

OFF

8

ON

ON

OFF

F.6-) Summagraphics IV emulating the SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII format

Microswitch configuration:

 

 

SET A

SET B

SET C

1

ON

ON

ON

2

OFF

OFF

ON

3

OFF

ON

OFF

4

ON

ON

ON

5

ON

OFF

OFF

6

ON

ON

OFF

7

OFF

ON

OFF

8

ON

ON

OFF





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G-) Summagraphics V digitizer emulating the MicroGrid ASCII Counts format; Procedures:


Run the "A:\UTILITY\SG5\SG5SETUP.EXE"  program and configure the following switches in the Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu.

- Baud Rate: 9600
- Parity: even
- Stop Bit: 2
- Data Bits: 7
- UIOF Format: ASCII Counts
- CR LF:X (B3)
- Resolution: 40 lpmn
- Operating Mode: Run
- Echo: OFF
- Proximity: OUT
- Click : ON

IMPORTANT : Do not install the driver for Windows that comes with the digitizer.

Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples


H-) MESA CALCOMP - DRAWING BOARD III (Calcomp 2000A)

 

This digitizer should be configured as Calcomp 2000 ASCII to emulate the SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII format, following the microswitch configuration below".

Microswitch configuration:

 

CALCOMP - DRAWING BOARD III

 

BANK A

BANK B

sw

Windows and UNIX

Windows and UNIX

1

ON

OFF

2

ON

OFF

3

OFF

ON

4

OFF

OFF

5

OFF

OFF

6

ON

ON

7

ON

OFF

8

ON

ON

9

ON

OFF

10

ON

OFF

11

OFF

OFF

12

OFF

OFF

13

OFF

OFF

14

OFF

OFF

15

OFF

OFF

16

OFF

OFF

17

ON

OFF

18

OFF

OFF


Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: SUMMASKETCH High Resolution ASCII
- Data Bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even

Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples


I-) DIGICON 3624 DIGITIZER

Microswitch configuration:

 

DIGICON 3624

 

SW1 (external)

SW2 (internal)

1

ON

ON **

2

OFF

ON **

3

OFF

ON

4

ON

OFF

5

ON

OFF

6

ON *

OFF

7

ON

ON

8

OFF

ON

(*) if it doesn't work try with: 6 OFF
(**) if it doesn't work try with: 1 ON and 2 OFF

Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: Micro Grid ASCII Counts
- Data Bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even

Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples


J-) NUMONICS

 

I.1-) Numonics AccuGrid

This digitizer is configured  in its many operation modes via softkeys. The emulation modes provided by this digitizer that are compatible with SPRING are the following:

    • MicroGrid ASCII Counts;
    • MicroGrid ASCII High Resolution;
    • GTCO Low Resolution ASCII;
    • GTCO High Resolution ASCII;
    • Calcomp Format 3 ASCII;

All the modes above can be easily configured by pressing a singe key (softkey) to load a pre-configured mode. Look in the manual how to program the softkeys i order to obtain the desired emulation mode.

These pre-configured modes present the following parameters for the serial port:

Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: Micro Grid ASCII low resolution

- Data Bits: 7

- Stop Bits: 2

- Parity: even

NOTE: The only exception is the Calcomp Format 3 ASCII mode with only 1 stop bit.


I.2-) Numonics GraphicMaster II

·  This digitizer emulates the SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII format via the APP 3 softkey (Bit Pad II ASCII).

·  This pre-configured mode presents the following parameters for the serial port:

Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: Micro Grid ASCII low resolution
- Data Bits: 7
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: even

· 



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K-) Genius Digitizer

 

Microswitch Configuration:

GENIUS DIGITIZER

SW

Position

Mode

1

OFF

 

2

ON

OFF

3

OFF

Odd parity enabled

4

OFF

Baud Rate Setting
9600 bps, fixed

Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: SUMMASKETCH Low Resolution ASCII
- Data Bits: 7

- Stop Bits: 2

- Parity: odd



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L-) SUMMASKETCH III DIGITIZER

The DOS files needed to configure the SUMMASKETCH III digitizer are the following:
- SEND.COM;
- MMTEST.COM;
- MMRST.COM

These commands are available in the CD-ROM that accompanies the digitizer's manual and should be copied to a directory, like C:\, for example.

The following commands should be run in a DOS window:

C:\> MMRST

C:\> SEND /2 /Cza

Note:
-  /2 refers to serial port COM2, if it is available. If you use COM1, then /2 should be changed to /1 above.

- /Cza: this parameter configures the digitizer to generate ASCII characters and not binary characters (the default).

Afterwards, run the following test command:

C:\> MMTEST

A window will be presented. Press any key to proceed. A new window will be presented.

In this case, press keys Alt + A (both at the same time).

Such procedure allows a sequence of ASCII characters to be transmitted in the following format:

XXXX,YYYY,0

where:
XXXX: characters corresponding to the horizontal coordinate;
YYYY: characters corresponding to the vertical coordinate;;
comma: separator;
0: indicates that no button of the digitizer mouse is being pressed.

If the digitizer mouse button 1, 2, 3, or 4 are pressed, the corresponding characters are presented on the screen. The command Ctrl + X (CTRL and X keys pressed at the same time) should be commanded in order to exit the MMTEST program.

Note: The DOS window used to send these commands should be closed.

Once these procedures are completed the digitizer is configured to work with SPRING.

Environment Configuration dialog of the Tools menu:

- Data format: SUMMASKETCH LoRes
- Data Bits: 7

- Stop Bits: 2

- Parity: even

 


Seta_up.gif - 170 BytesDigitizer configuration examples
 


 

Configuration for LINUX

The serial port configuration for Linux platforms can be done via the devices ttyS0, ttyS1, ttyS2, or ttyS3 (COM1 to COM4 respectively) by following the procedures below:



1-) Check that the serial port where the digitizer will be connected has read and write permission for any user. The device name used by Linux usually is "/dev/cua1" or "/dev/ttyS1". Login as root in order to change permissions.

# su root
# cd /dev
# chmod 666 ttyS1

2-) In the ".config.spring" file that belongs to the user add the command line below, or simply type it at the command prompt, before running SPRING:

stty cs7 9600 parenb -parodd -cstopb < /dev/ttys1

 

Connection with the Mesa DIGICON digitizer

When you wish to connect to a digitizer of the DIGICON brand you should observe the connection of the cable that was provided together with the digitizer, for in the case of a RISC workstation you should make a modification in the connector that is plugged into the computer.

The figure below shows the pinout of the 25 pin connector. Note that the in connector which connects to the computer pins 6, 8, and 20 should be interconnected.

 

 


 

HPGL/2 Plotter

SPRING supports the HPGL standard, widely used by pen, inkjet, and electrostatic plotters, generating a file in the HPGL/2 format via the "Scarta" application.


The correct configuration of your plotter requires that you carefully analyze the user manual of the equipment, for most plotters in the market present a limit in the number of colors that can be plotted simultaneously. The SPRING plotting application (Scarta) tries to find the best match between the colors chosen by the user and the colors available in the plotter.

To minimize the problems of differences between the colors in SPRING and in the plotter you should choose the colors in your map within the capability of your plotter. We recommend the following procedure before beginning your project: the plotter should be configured to automatically adjust the colors or "by software", as some plotter brands like to say.

 


PostScript plotters and printers

In the case of PostScript plotters, there is no need for any specific configuration. The " Scarta" will generate a file of that type, starting from a map built on the "Scarta" screen, which could then be sent directly to the output device.


 


 

Image presentation control

SPRING allows the control of the visualization mode, what allows the simulation of the "true color" (16 million colors) environment in 8-bit graphic adapters. Such control can be disabled by the user.

The environment variable DITHERING allows the control of the visualization mode. Its default value is ON (simulation of the "true color" environment). This control should be always set to OFF, in the case of using 24-bit graphic adapters.

IMPORTANT: The best video resolution in SPRING is 1024 x 768 or more, and the color depth is High Color (16 bits) or True Color (32 bits).

See also:
How to run SPRING