In this section we will describe one by one the widespread use controls of MG, such
as close and opening of files, saving,...
The six icons in the lower leftmost part are used for this sort of non-specific controls.
So from top to down, left to right we have:
1- Open portfolio, that represents, as usual, the opening of files. Clicking this button
we can see the file chooser, with the existing files on the "files" directory,
but that can be used to choose any other directory or file. The file must end in .bmg
to retrieve a graphic from disk. If the file is opened, it will be "pasted" in the screen. but
If the CTRL-key id pressed before, when clicking this button and opening a file, this one will replace everything on screen.
(Some buttons in the "file-chooser" haven't been bound to a function, they're
in the top-right side).
2- Below the open portfolio, there's a button with the icon resembling two sheets.
This is the button to paste postscript files translated to *.mg files. It is at an alfa stage but in the tests made, everything has gone straightforward. The translation of *.ps files to *.mg files can be done trough the use of the "ps2mg" program included in directory "metagraf*" of the distribution. (Later on, the way of doing will be explained.)
3- The last button at the left is the "clear_all" button. If we
click it, and then we click at any place of the working panel, everything is deleted, everything
visible and also unvisible.
Once done, the right button must be clicked to continue working. (Besides, it's
important to say, that some internal counters of METAGRAF are not reset, which is specially
useful, as we'll see afterwards.)
4- At the right, the first of the three last buttons resembles a diskette; this is the
button for saving files.
Whenever you press this button, a "chooser" appears where the name of the file to save WITHOUT EXTENSION must be written.
A couple of files with extension ".mp" and ".bmg" will be created in the directory choosen.
.
5- The next button is the "cut&paste" button, used for inserting
pictures or images after having clicked the "Place" green button of the
image-panel. (See the file "Introduction.html").
6- Finally, a small honour to Java language when we use his mascot to say
goodbye. This is the classic "exit" button.
We've finished the review of buttons of general use. There're more buttons, these other buttons have some specific functions. (Really, it's difficult to determine what is useful for all the people or just for part of the people.)
OTHER BUTTONS, NOT SO GENERALLY USEFUL
7- This button is in the top of the toolbox at the left, it's used
for running "gv" (Linux) or "gsview32" (Windows), for seeing the
"real" result of the work. At the same time, a couple of new files, with extension ".mp" and ".bmg"
are created in directory "files" as it is explained in "Introduction.html".
8- At the left of the previous button it's the button used for including
special fonts, that is , PostScript fonts. Clicking it, a font dialog pops up for the usual
choosing. Afterwards, these fonts can undergo afins transformations, like the ones
used with standard LaTeX/TeX texts, including math formulae.
9- Button for raw MetaPost. It's used with the editor. METAGRAF is
at the same time: a graphic editor and a text editor.
At any time, it is possible to mix a drawing with a text written in raw MetaPost. Using the
editor to write a MetaPost text and clicking
the button labelled "MP", and then clicking anywhere in the working panel, the text will be included in the resulting file.
This Metapost included in the drawing behaves as a special MG object. It is not seen but "it is there...".