



                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________






















                              B E A M  C O O K B O O K
                           _____________________________


                                   USER'S MANUAL

                          Shareware Evaluation Version 1.0

                              (Chapters 1, 2, and 3)
















                          This manual is copyrighted 1996
                                 by SoftEngineering
                            - All Rights Are Reserved -








                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________


                                 C H A P T E R  1  

                                 GETTING STARTED
                                     

          This chapter  explains how  to install  and run  Beam  Cookbook.
          When you have finished this chapter,  you will be ready to  work
          with Beam Cookbook.  Good luck!

          In this chapter:
                * The Beam Cookbook package
                * What you need
                * Running the installation program
                * Loading Beam Cookbook into your computer's memory


          THE BEAM COOKBOOK PACKAGE

          The Beam Cookbook package includes the following:
                * Your 3 1/2 or 5 1/4 program disks
                * Beam Cookbook User's Guide
                * Software registration and license agreement card

          WHAT YOU NEED

          The next two sections cover  both necessary and optional  equip-
          ment supported by Beam Cookbook.

          Necessary equipment

          Here's what you need to run Beam Cookbook:

              # Computer.  Beam Cookbook runs  on a IBM XT, AT, PS/2,  and
                fully compatible computers.

              # Operating system.  DOS 3.0 or higher.

              # Memory. To run Beam Cookbook, you  need at least 520K (or
                532,480 bytes) of available random-access memory (RAM).

              # Disk drive.  Your  computer must have  hard disk with  at
                least 1 MB (1.5 MB for installation) of space required.

          Optional equipment

          You don't need the following equipment, but each enhances Beam
          Cookbook's performance:

              # Graphics card.  If you want to display a graphic repre-
                sent-ation  of a beam with it's loads, and  beam diagrams

                                         1




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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                (shear, moment, slope, and deflection) you need a graphics
                card and a monitor capable of high-resolution graphics (a
                color monitor is not necessary).  However, you can print
                the graphics without a graphics card.

                * IBM Color/Graphics Adapter
                * Hercules (monochrome) Graphics Card
                * IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter (color or monochrome)
                * IBM Video Graphics Array (color or monochrome)
                * MCGA (IBM Model 30)
                * IBM 8514 Graphics Adapter
                * IBM 3270 PC
                * AT&T 400 line

              # Mouse.  Beam Cookbook works with  the Microsoft Mouse and
                the Logitect Mouse.

              # Printer.  You can  run Beam Cookbook  with laser, inkjet,
                and dot matrix (epson compatible 9 or 24 pin) printers.

              # Math  coprocessor.   Beam Cookbook  automatically detects
                and uses any math coprocessor installed on your computer.

              # Expanded memory card.  You can  add expanded memory  cards
                to your  computer  to  increase  the  performance  of  in-
                put/output windows and  printing.  Requires  a minimum  of
                260k.  Beam Cookbook works with any LIM 4.0 card.

          INSTALLING BEAM COOKBOOK (see README.TXT if you do not have an
                                    install diskette)

          Beam Cookbook has an Install Program to copy the necessary files
          to your hard disk.

              * This program creates a BCBEVAL directory on your hard  disk
                and copies the contents of your Beam Cookbook into the di-
                rectory.

          To run the installation program:

                1.  Start your computer.

                2.  Insert the Installation Disk into drive A.  (You can
                    also substitute another drive letter depending upon
                    your system.)

                3.  At the DOS prompt (> or C:>), type A: and press the
                    Enter key.

                4.  At the A:> prompt, type INSTALL.  Press the Enter key.


                                         2




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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                5.  Beam Cookbook will start the Install Program.  Answer
                    the questions and follow the directions on your com-
                    puter screen.
                6.  When the installation is complete, store the original
                    Beam Cookbook disks in a safe place.  They will be
                    your backup.

          Once you've run the installation program, you shouldn't need  to
          run it again.   If you want to  use a different printer, choose
          Options|Hardware|Printer in Beam  Cookbook.  To  use a  graphics
          card, choose Options|Hardware|Graphics.   For more details,  see
          Chapter 7, page 68.
            
















            
          QUICK START

          If you want to start using Beam Cookbook now, then the following
          steps will get you going in no time after installation.  If  you
          have any trouble with starting or using Beam Cookbook, read  the
          rest of the book.

                1.  From your Beam Cookbook directory type BEAMEVAL.

          See the following  page for a  list of the  commands you'll  use
          most often.











                                         3




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          Table 1.1 Quick start commands
          ================================================================
           Key(s)                          Description
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          F10               Activates the menu bar.
          F10 F N           Opens a new beam file.
          F10 F O           Opens an existing beam file.
          F10 F S           Saves the current beam file.
          F10 B             Opens Beam Configuration input window.
          F10 S             Opens Supports input window.
          F10 L C           Opens Concentrated Loads input window.
          F10 L M           Opens Moments input window.
          F10 L U           Opens Uniform Loads input window.
          F10 L R           Opens Ramp Loads input window.
          F10 M H           Opens Hinges input window.
          F10 M M           Opens Moment Connectors input window.
          F10 V             Solves the current beam problem.
          F10 W Z           Zooms or unzooms the active window.
          F10 W N           Cycles through all open windows.
          F10 W P           Makes the previous window active.
          F10 W R           Lets you change the size of the active window.
          F10 W M           Lets you move the active window.
          F10 W C           Close the active window.
          F10 W I           Close all input windows.
          F10 W O           Close all output windows.
          F10 W A           Close all windows.
          F1                Displays a help screen.
          F2                Saves the current beam file.
          F3                Opens an existing beam file.
          F5                Zoom or unzooms the active window.
          F6                Cycles through all open windows.
          F7                Lets you change the size of the active window.
          F8                Lets you move the active window.
          F9                Solve the current beam problem.
          Ctrl-F6           Makes the previous window active.
          Alt-#             Displays a window, where # is the number of
                            the window you want to view.
          Alt-X             Exits Beam Cookbook to DOS.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------












                                         4




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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                                 C H A P T E R  2

                             BEAM COOKBOOK: AN OVERVIEW
                               
            This section introduces you to some of the basic procedures  in-
          volved in using Beam Cookbook.  It tells you how to

              * start Beam Cookbook
              * use specific keys and a mouse with Beam Cookbook
              * use Beam Cookbook menus to issue commands
              * use "shortcuts" to execute  menu commands
              * get on screen help about whatever you are doing
              * use the Esc key to cancel a menu or prompt
              * specify a new default directory
              * enter data and make changes to it
              * save and retrieve Beam Cookbook files
              * switch to different display mode
              * exit Beam Cookbook


          STARTING BEAM COOKBOOK

          To start working with Beam Cookbook  (once you've installed the
          program), you must load the program into your computers memory.

                1.  Get into  the Beam Cookbook directory  (the default is
                    C:\BCBEVAL) on your hard disk. For example, if the pro-
                    gram files reside in a directory called BCBEVAL, type
                         CD \BCBEVAL
                    and press the Enter key.

                2.  To run BEAMEVAL.EXE type
                         BEAMEVAL
                    at the  C:\BCBEVAL> prompt and press the Enter key.

          You can also start  Beam Cookbook and load a beam problem at the
          same time by entering the file name:
               BEAMEVAL  MYPROB (or)
               BEAMEVAL  MYPROB.BCB

            
          THE BEAM COOKBOOK MAIN SCREEN

          The Beam Cookbook main screen has four distinct areas: the  menu
          bar at  the top , the desktop area, function key bar, and a help
          line at the bottom.

          "Using the Beam Cookbook menus" on page 9 describes how the menu
          bar works.  The  follow sections discuss  the desktop area,  the
          function key bar, and the help line.

                                         5




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          The desktop area

          The desktop area takes up most of  your screen.  It is the  area
          where you open input windows (similar to a spreadsheet) and out-
          put windows.  An  input windows is where  you define your  beam
          problem (loads, supports, and etc).   An output window is  where
          the solutions are displayed.  See  chapter 4 "Input windows"  on
          page 26 and chapter 5 "Output windows" on page 35.

          Function key bar and help line

          The function key bar and help line  appear at the bottom of  the
          screen.

          The function key bar

              * reminds you of basic keystrokes and shortcuts applicable
                at that moment in the active window.
              * lets you click the shortcuts to carry out the action
                instead of choosing the command from the menu or pressing
                the shortcut keystroke.
              * displays the current file name at the left end.
              * changes as you switch activities.

          The help line

              * offers one|line hints on any selected menu command,  input
                window item, and etc. (There is always a hint.)
            
          A TOUR OF YOUR KEYBOARD

          Certain keys on  your keyboard have  a special  meaning in  Beam
          Cookbook.  The arrow keys on the right side of your keyboard let
          you move to different areas of  the screen.  The function keys ,
          on the left  or on top  of your keyboard  (F1 and up),  automate
          various commands.  Both of these key groups are discussed in the
          following sections.  These an  other special keys are  described
          in Appendix A, Beam Cookbook keys", on page 68.

          Arrow keys

          The Beam Cookbook arrow keys let you
              * move around in input windows, and output windows
              * position the cursor within an entry area during edit mode
              * highlight menu items
              * move around help screens

          In a menu,  you can use  the arrow keys to highlight  different
          menu items.  The up  arrow and down arrow  keys move you up  and
          down in the menu.  The right arrow and left arrow keys take you
          to adjacent menus if you are in the first level of menus  pulled

                                         6




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

          down from the main menu bar.  Home takes you to  the first item
          in the menu; End takes you to the last.

          With help information displayed (press  F1), use the arrow  keys
          to move the cursor to the  text that is highlighted on the  help
          screen.  When  you press Enter,  Beam Cookbook displays  another
          help screen with details about the text that is highlighted.

          With the help  index displayed (press  Shift-F1), use the  arrow
          keys to highlight index items.  When you press Enter, Beam Cook-
          book displays another help screen  with details about the  index
          item that is highlighted.

          Function keys

          The function keys on the left or top  your keyboard (labeled F1
          and up) perform often used commands with one keystroke.  Some of
          the keys have more  than one function;  to access further  func-
          tions, hold down  Alt, Ctrl, or  Shift, the  press the  function
          key.

          Appendix A, "Beam Cookbook keys", on page 68  describes function
          keys and other special keys.

          The Esc key

          In Beam Cookbook, the Esc key is the all purpose "uh|oh" key. It
          can't reverse mistakes  you've already made,  but lets you  back
          out of mistakes before it's to late.

          Suppose that while editing or entering a entry field, you decide
          you'd rather keep the old entry.  Press Esc and the original en-
          try returns-as long as you press Esc before you press Enter.  If
          you press Esc  after pressing Enter  or before  editing a  field
          will close the input window or output window.

          Similarly, if you choose  a command that  displays a prompt  and
          then decide not to carry out  the command, Esc cancels the  com-
          mand.  Within menus, you can press Esc to exit the current menu
          and return to the previous menu.

          If you have a mouse, the right mouse button duplicates  the Esc
          key.

          General rules:
          Primary rule-You can interrupt any sequence that ends with Enter
          by pressing Esc before you press Enter.
          Secondary rule-You can also close any  menu or window by  press-
          ing Esc if there are no pending edits.



                                         7




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          USING THE MOUSE

          A mouse is a hand operated pointer device attached to your co m-
          puter.  The mouse has up to three buttons  that send signals to
          the computer when you press them,  just as pressing keys on  the
          keyboard does.  You  can use a  mouse  to  perform many   tasks,
          such as choosing commands or selecting entry fields.

          If you  have a  mouse (and  your mouse  software is  loaded),  a
          pointer appears onscreen.  The pointer is a highlighted  rectan-
          gle with a diamond in the middle.  To control the pointer,  roll
          the mouse across your desktop or mouse pad.

          The diamond in the middle of the box pointer is what you need to
          position.

          Basic techniques

          Table 2.1 describes the  actions you need to  know when using  a
          mouse.

          Table 2.1 Basic mouse techniques
          ================================================================
          Technique       Action
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Point           Move the mouse pointer to a specific area
                          onscreen.
          Click           Quickly press and release the left button.
          Double|click    Quickly press and release the left button twice
                            in succession.
          Hold down       Hold down a button.
          Drag            Press the left button down and hold it down
                            while you move the pointer.
          Release         Let up on the left button after dragging.
          Click right     Quickly press and release the right button.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------

          Use these techniques to perform the following general  functions
          with a mouse:

              * Select an item or active an area.  For example, you can
                click to choose a command from a menu or activate a dif-
                ferent part of the screen.

              * Move a boundary.  You drag to resize a window or to repo-
                sition a window.

              * Accept or cancel field entries and edits or entries in a
                prompt box.  Click on another field or click on the "OK"
                (if there is one) for accept (same as Enter key) or click
                the right button for cancel (same as Esc key).

                                         8




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

          More mouse shortcuts

          On the function key bar you can click the  highlighted shortcut
          keystroke.

          In addition to the function key bar, there are boxes on the i n-
          put and output windows:

              * A zoom box in the  upper right hand  corner of a  window.
                Click it to zoom or unzoom the window.

              * A close box in the  upper left hand  corner of a  window.
                Click it to close the window.

              * A resize box in the lower right hand  corner of a window.
                To change the size of a window, drag the resize box until
                the window is the right size, then release.

              * The move bar is the upper border of a window.  To reposit-
                ion a window, drag it to the right location, then release.

              * Scroll bars  along the bottom and right  edge of each win-
                dow.   On  both vertical  and  horizontal scroll  bars,  a
                scroll box indicates the position of the selector relative
                to the data  onscreen.   To move  to a  different part  of
                data, click on the scroll bar.

            
          USING THE BEAM COOKBOOK MENUS

          The menu bar is your  primary access to all  the menu commands.
          The only time the menu bar is not visible is when you're viewing
          graphical output.  You'll see a highlighted menu title when  the
          menu bar is  active; this is  the currently selected  menu.   To
          activate a menu press Enter.

          If a menu command is followed by an  arrowhead (>), the command
          leads to another menu (a pop|up menu).  A command without an ar-
          row indicates that the action occurs  once you choose it.   This
          action could display a dialog box or window.

          To exit a menu without choosing a command, press Esc.

          Here is how you choose menu commands using just the keyboard:

              * Press F10. This makes the menu bar active.

              * Use the arrow keys to select the menu you want to display.
                Then press Enter.  To cancel an action, press Esc.



                                         9




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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                As a shortcut for this step you can press the  highlighted
                letter of the menu title.  For example, from the menu bar,
                press F to quickly display the File menu.

                At this point, Beam Cookbook  either carries out the  com-
                mand, displays another menu,  displays a dialog box,  dis-
                plays a input window, or displays a output window.

              * If the menu command selected pops up another menu, then
                use the arrow keys again to select the command you want.
                Then press Enter.

                Again, as a shortcut, for this  step just press the  high-
                lighted  letter of a command to choose it once the menu is
                displayed.

                Again, at this point, Beam Cookbook either carries out the
                command, displays another menu, displays a dialog box,  or
                displays a window.

          You can also  use a mouse  to choose commands.   The process  is
          this:

              * Click with the left mouse button.

              * Click the desired menu title to display the menu.

              * Click the desired command.  To cancel command click with
                the right mouse button.

          You can also drag straight from the menu title down to the  menu
          command.  Release the mouse button on the command you want.  (if
          you change your mind, just drag off the menu; no command will be
          chosen.)

          Note that some menu commands are unavailable when it would  make
          no sense to choose them.

          Shortcuts

          Beam Cookbook offers a number of quick ways to choose menu  com-
          mands. For example, mouse users can combine the two|step process
          into one by dragging from the  menu title down to the menu  com-
          mands and releasing the mouse button  when the command you  want
          is selected.

          From the keyboard,  you can use  a number of  shortcuts (or  hot
          keys) to access the  menu bar and choose commands.  You can get
          to, or activate, menu items by pressing hot keys that are on the
          function key bar or the shortcut next to some of the menu items.
          You can also click on shortcuts on the function key bar.

                                         10




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          The following tables lists the most|used Beam Cookbook hot keys.

          Table 2.2  General hot keys
          ================================================================
          Key(s)   Menu item       Function
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          F1       Help            Displays a help screen.
          F2       File|Save       Saves the current file.
          F3       File|Open       Opens a file.
          F5       Window|Zoom     Zoom the active window.
          F6       Window|Next     Cycles through all open windows.
          F7       Window|Resize   Resize active window.
          F8       Window|Move     Move active window.
          F9       Solve           Solve beam problem.
          F10      (none)          Takes you to the menu bar.
          Alt-#    (none)          Displays a window, where # is the
                                    number of the window you want to view.
          Alt-X    File|Exit       Exits Beam Cookbook to DOS.
          Ctrl-F6  Window|Previous Active previous window.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------



          Table 2.3  Online help hot keys
          ================================================================
          Key(s)   Menu item           Function
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          F1       Help                 Displays a help screen.
          F1-F1    Help|Help on Help    Brings up Help on Help. Just press
                                         F1 when your already in the help
                                         system.
          Shift-F3 Help|Index           Brings up Help index.
          Alt-F1   Help|Previous Topic  Displays previous help screen
                                          index.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------



          Table 2.4  Window management hot keys
          ================================================================
          Key(s)       Menu item        Function
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          F5 or Alt-Z  Window|Zoom      Zoom the active window.
          F6           Window|Next      Cycles through all open
                                         windows.
          Ctrl-F6      Window|Previous  Returns to previously active
                                         window.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  (continued on next page)


                                         11




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          Table 2.4  Window management hot keys (continued)
          ================================================================
          Key(s)       Menu item        Function
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          F7 or Alt-R  Window|Resize    Resize active window.
          F8 or Alt-M  Window|Move      Move active window.
          Esc          Window|Close     Closes active window.
          Alt-#        (none)           Displays a window, where # is
          (#=1, 2, etc)                  the number of the window you want
                                         to view.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------

          USING THE BEAM COOKBOOK WINDOWS

          Most of what you see and does happens in a window.  A window  is
          a screen area that you can  move, resize, zoom, overlap,  close,
          and open.   These windows are  used to input  data, view  output
          data, and to select options.

          You can have all these windows open at same time (memory allo w-
          ing), but only one window can be active at any time.  The active
          window is the one that you're currently working in.  Any command
          you choose or data you type generally applies to active window.

          There are several types of windows, but most of them have  these
          things in common:

              * a title bar

              * a close box

              * a resize corner

              * a zoom box

              * a window number

              * scroll bars

          Beam Cookbook makes it easy to  spot the active window by  high-
          lighting the title bar.  If your  windows are overlapping,  the
          active window is always on top of the others.

          The various parts of a typical window are:

              * The close box of a window is the box in the upper left
                corner.  You click this box to quickly close the window.
                (Or choose Window|Close or press Esc.)

              * The title bar, the top most  horizontal bar of a  window,
                contains the name of the window and the window number. You
                can drag (using the mouse) the title bar to move the win-
                                         12




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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                dow around.  To  move a window  from the keyboard,  choose
                Window|Move, press Alt-M, or F8.

              * The window number  is in the  upper right hand  border of
                each of the windows  you open in Beam  Cookbook.  You  can
                make a  window active  (bringing it  to the  front of  all
                other windows)  by pressing  Alt in  combination with  the
                window number.  For example, if the help window is #3  but
                has gotten buried under the other windows, Alt-3 brings it
                to the front.

              * The zoom box of a window appears in  the upper right co r-
                ner.  If the icon in that  corner is an up arrow, you  can
                click the arrow to enlarge the window to the largest  size
                possible.  If the  icon is a double  arrow, the window  is
                already at its maximum  size.  In  that case, clicking  it
                returns the window to its previous size.  To zoom a window
                from the keyboard, choose Window|Zoom, press Alt-Z, or F5.

              * Scroll bars are horizontal or vertical bars. You use these
                bars with a mouse  to scroll the  contents of the  window.
                Click the arrow at either end  to scroll one at line at  a
                time.    The   scroll  bar  represents   the  total   rows
                (horizontal bar) or the total columns (vertical bar).  The
                scroll box is positioned at the current highlighted  item.
                You can click the shaded area on either side of the scroll
                box to quickly move  to a spot in  the window relative  to
                the position of the scroll box.

              * The resize box is the lower right corner of a window.  You
                drag (using  the  mouse) the  corner  to make  the  window
                larger or smaller.  You can spot the resize corner by  its
                symbol the plus sign  (+).  To resize by using the   ke y-
                board, choose Resize from the Window menu, or press F7  or
                Alt-R.


          Window management

          Table 2.5 gives you a quick rundown of how to handle windows in
          Beam Cookbook.   Note that  you don't  need a  mouse to  perform
          these actions a keyboard works fine.










                                         13




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

          Table 2.5  Manipulating windows
          ================================================================
          To accomplish this:   Use one of these methods
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Close a window        Choose Window|Close, or press Esc, or
                                 click on the close box of the window.

          Activate a window     Click anywhere on the window, or press
                                 Alt plus the window  number in the  upper
                                 right border  of  the window,  or  Choose
                                 Window|Next or F6 to make the next window
                                 active  (next  in  the  order  you  first
                                 opened them).  Or Choose  Window|Previous
                                 or Ctrl-F6 to cycle backward.

          Move the active       Drag its title bar, or Choose Window|Move
            window               window or press F8  or Alt-M and use  the
                                 arrow keys to place the window where you
                                 want it, then press Enter.

          Hold down             Hold down a button.

          Resize the active     Drag the resize corner, or Choose
            window               Window|Resize, or press F7 or Alt-R
                                 and use the arrow keys to resize the
                                 window, then press Enter.

          Zoom the active       Click the zoom box in the upperright
            window               corner of the window, or Choose
                                 Window|Zoom or press F5 or Alt-Z.
          -------------------------------------------------------------

            
          GETTING HELP

          Press the Help key , F1, whenever you want assistance.  A window
          of information related  to what you're  doing displays over  the
          current screen.   For example, if  you press F1  with a  command
          highlighted, the help system displays a description of that com-
          mand.

          Usually, several screens of related  information are  available
          for each topic. Related topics or  areas that offer further  in-
          formation appear highlighted  as keywords onscreen.   Use arrow
          keys, Tab key (next),  or Shift-Tab key  (previous) to move  the
          cursor under  any highlighted  topic you're  interested in  then
          press Enter to display the related screen.  To return to a  pre-
          vious topic press Alt-F1.

          To return immediately  to where  you were  before getting  help,
          press Esc or click right with the mouse.

                                         14




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          To get information  about an  error message that  Beam Cookbook
          displays in the middle of the screen see Appendix B, "Error mes-
          sages", on page 74.


          SETTING THE DEFAULT DIRECTORY

          The default directory setting tells Beam Cookbook where to look
          and store beam files when you haven't specified any other direc-
          tory.  If you don't set this option, Beam Cookbook uses the cur-
          rent drive and directory.  If  you want to keep your beam  files
          in a different directory than the program files, change the  de-
          fault directory:

                1.  Press F10.

                2.  Choose File|Change Directory.

                3.  Beam Cookbook prompts you for a directory with the
                    current directory shown as the default.  Edit the ex-
                    isting directory path or type in a new path then press
                    Enter.

                    You can also type in the drive letter (such as C) then
                    press Enter and a Directory tree is displayed.  Choose
                    the directory you want and then press Enter.

                4. To save the new directory as the directory default,
                    choose Options|Save options.

          If you don't update the defaults after changing directories, the
          original directories will  be in effect  the next  time you  use
          Beam Cookbook.

          Regardless of the default directory,  you can always access  any
          directory on your disk.   Simply include  the directory path  as
          part of your  file name  you specify  when saving  or opening  a
          file.


            
          ENTERING AND EDITING DATA

          To enter information in a field, move the selector to the  field
          you want and type  in the entry.   The characters appear in  the
          field.  The  cursor, shown as  underscore, shows  you where  the
          next character will appear.  If you make a mistake will  typing,
          press the Backspace to erase the  character, then type the  cor-
          rect one.



                                         15




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

          When the entry  is complete, press  Enter or any  of Beam  Cook-
          book's arrow keys (up, down, left, right, Page  Up, and so on).
          If you entered the data by pressing the arrow key, the field se-
          lector moves in the appropriate direction.

          If Beam Cookbook  finds an error  in your entry,  it beeps,  and
          displays an error message.

          When editing and entry, use u and " to position the cursor  any-
          where in the entry (if  the cursor is at  the either end of  the
          entry field and you use these keys  you go to the next or previ-
          ous field).  You can then  insert new characters, or use  Delete
          to remove erroneous ones.  When you've corrected the error press
          Enter to accept you're changes.

          After you enter data  in a entry field,  you can always go  back
          and change the entry.  Just highlight the entry field, then  re-
          enter or change  the data and  then press Enter.   "Editing  en-
          tries," on page 48, discusses editing entries in detail.

          To highlight a entry field using  a mouse, just click the  entry
          field.  Also when editing you  can position the cursor by  using
          the mouse, just click where you the cursor to move too.

            
          Saving and opening beam files

          You can save the data you've entered for a beam in a disk file.
          Later, you can  access the beam  file by opening  the file  it's
          stored in.

          To save a new file, unnamed beam file in a disk file,

                1.  Press F10.

                2.  Choose File|Save (or F2).  Beam  Cookbook prompts you
                    for the file name.

                3.  Enter a file name or press Enter and choose one from a
                    displayed list of files in the default directory.  You
                    can use up to eight letters  or numbers.  The  default
                    file-name extension .BCB is automatically appended.

                4.  Press Enter.  If you choose  or enter a name that  al-
                    ready exists, Beam Cookbook will prompt you to  verify
                    that you  want the  existing file  to be  overwritten.
                    You'll see a dialog box  with three options: Yes,  No,
                    and Cancel.  Choose Yes to  overfile, or choose No  or
                    Cancel to cancel the command.   See page 56 for  auto-
                    matic renaming of  the existing file  with .BAK file-
                    name extension.

                                         16




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
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          To save an existing, previously named beam file,

                1.  Press F10.

                2.  Choose File | Save (or F2).

          To save the current beam file to another file name,

                1.  Press F10.

                2.  Choose File|Save As.  Beam  Cookbook  prompts you for
                    the file  name,  just  as  it  does  when  you  choose
                    File|Save for a unnamed beam file.

                3.  Enter a file name or press Enter and choose one from a
                    displayed list of files in the default directory.  You
                    can use up to eight letters  or numbers.  The  default
                    file-name extension .BCB is automatically appended.

                4.  Press Enter.  If you  choose or enter a name that  al-
                    ready exists, Beam Cookbook will prompt you to  verify
                    that you  want the  existing file  to be  overwritten.
                    You'll see a dialog box  with three options: Yes,  No,
                    and Cancel.  Choose Yes to  overfile, or choose No  or
                    Cancel  to cancel the command.  See page 56 for  auto-
                    matic renaming of  the existing file  with .BAK  file-
                    name extension.

          Caution!
          If you exit without saving the current beam file, all your  work
          will be lost.  Beam Cookbook will prompt you to verify that  you
          want the current file to be saved.  You'll see a dialog box with
          three options: Yes, No, and Cancel.  Choose Yes to save changes,
          choose No to discard changes and continue, or choose Cancel  the
          command.

          Always save before you  leave the program or  turn off the  com-
          puter.

          If you're entering a lot of  data, save your work  periodically.
          That way if something happens to  your system memory (such as  a
          power failure), you'll lose only  the data you've entered  since
          your last save.

          After you've saved a beam file in a file, you can bring it  back
          up onscreen any time by retrieving it:

                1.  Press F10.


                                         17




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

                2.  Choose File|Open (or F1).  Beam Cookbook  prompts you
                    for the file name.

                3.  You can type in  the exact name (including the  direc-
                    tory and file-name extension if different from the de-
                    fault) or use a mask and  press Enter.  If you used  a
                    mask or the file name cannot be found a list of  files
                    will be displayed.   You can  choose one  from a  dis-
                    played list of files in the default directory.

                4.  If you haven't saved the current beam file, Beam Cook-
                    book will prompt you to verify that  you want the  ex-
                    isting file to be saved.  You'll see a dialog box with
                    three options: Yes,  No, and  Cancel.   Choose Yes  to
                    save changes, choose  No to discard  changes and  con-
                    tinue, or choose Cancel the command.

            
          SETTING THE SCREEN SIZE

          Normally, Beam Cookbook uses 25 lines for display.  If you  have
          an EGA card you can display 43 lines.  If you have a VGA display
          adapter you can display 50 lines.

                1.  Press F10.

                2.  Choose Options|Screen

                3.  Choose 25 lines or 43/50 line.

          These options are only available on hardware that supports them.

          After you choose the screen size, Beam Cookbook uses it  immedi-
          ately.  If you want  to use that screen  size as a new  default,
          choose Options|Save options.

          Using mouse drivers with graphics cards

          Early versions of mouse drivers don't support screen sizes  that
          have more than 25 lines.  As a result, your mouse driver may not
          work correctly when you use the screen sizes of EGA 43 lines or
          VGA 50 line modes.  The following table shows which mouse  driv-
          ers work correctly with enhanced screen modes.









                                         18




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________


          Table 2.6  Mouse drivers that support enhanced screen modes
          ================================================================
              Mouse                   Driver version supports
                                      EGA 43 line and VGA 50 line mode
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Microsoft               Version 6.11 or later
              Mouse System            Version 6.01 or later
              Logitech                Version 4.00 or later
              PC Mouse                Version 6.01 or later
          ----------------------------------------------------------------

            
            
          EXITING BEAM COOKBOOK

          When you're finished working with Beam Cookbook,

                1.  Press F10.

                2.  Choose File|Exit.    If your Beam file   contains data
                    that you haven't yet saved, Beam Cookbook will  prompt
                    you to verify that  you  want the existing file to  be
                    saved.  You'll  see a dialog  box with three  options:
                    Yes, No, and Cancel.

                3.  Choose  Yes to save changes  and exit  Beam  Cookbook.
                    Choose No to discard changes and then exit Beam  Cook-
                    book.  Cancel cancels the exit and returns you to Beam
                    Cookbook.

          When you exit Beam Cookbook, the program disappears and the  DOS
          prompt returns.  To return to Beam Cookbook, you can reload  the
          program by typing BEAM and pressing Enter.

          Alt-X is the default shortcut for the File|Exit command.
















                                         19




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________


                                 C H A P T E R  3

                                THE PULL-DOWN MENUS

          All Beam Cookbook commands are accessed through the menu bar at
          the top of the screen.

          Some commands on the menu bar displays another menu, which is  a
          pull-down menu because you pull it down from the menu bar.  Each
          pull-down menu accesses a different branch of the command tree.

          This chapter briefly  describes the  pull-down menus  associated
          with each menu bar  command.  Further  chapters detail the  com-
          mands on these menus.

            
          ABOUT

          The F10|About command does not have a pull-down menu associated
          with it.  This command  displays copyright and version  informa-
          tion.

            
          FILE

          The F10|File command brings up the File menu, which you can use
          to open and save files, change the default directory, get infor-
          mation about your system, and exit Beam Cookbook.

                                +------------------+
                                | Open          F3 |
                                | New              |
                                | Save          F2 |
                                | Save As          |
                                +------------------+
                                | Change Directory |
                                | Get System Info  |
                                +------------------+
                                | Exit       Alt-X |
                                +------------------+

              * Open opens an existing beam file.

              * New opens a new beam file.

              * Save lets you save the current beam file.

              * Save As saves the current beam file under a new name.

              * Change Directory lets you change the default directory.

                                         20




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

              * Get System Info display information about your system.

              * Exit removes Beam Cookbook from memory and returns you  to
                DOS.  If your beam problem contains data that you  haven't
                saved, Beam Cookbook  asks if you  want to  save the  file
                first.

          All File menu commands (except Exit and Get System Info) are de-
          scribed in Chapter 7 on page 58, "Working with beamfiles."  Exit
          is described on page 19.  Get System Info in the next paragraph.

          The Get  System Info  command displays  a box  with  information
          about your system.


                      +[-]========= Information ============+
                      |                                     |
                      |        DOS Version:        5.0      |
                      |        Math Coprocessor:   Yes      |
                      |  ---------- Dos Memory -----------  |
                      |    Free:   146K Max Avail: 146K     |
                      |  ---------- EMS Memory -----------  |
                      |    Total: 1024K Available: 1024K    |
                      |                                     |
                      |               [ OK ]                |
                      |                                     |
                      +-------------------------------------+


          The information here is for diskplay only; you can't change  any
          of the information in this box. After reviewing the  information
          in the box, press Enter to put the box away.


            
          BEAM

          The F10|Beam command does not have a  pull-down menu associated
          with  it.     This  command   opens  or   activates  the   "BEAM
          CONFIGURATION" input window.  The  beam command is described  on
          page 26.

            
          SUPPORTS

          The F10|Supports command does not have a pull-down menu  associ-
          ated with it.   This command opens  or activates the  "SUPPORTS"
          input window.  The supports command is described on page 28.




                                         21




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________
            
          LOADS

          The F10|Loads command brings up the  loads menu , which you  can
          use to open input windows for concentrated loads, moments,  uni-
          form loads, and ramp loads.

                              +----------------------+
                              |  Concentrated Loads  |
                              |  Moments             |
                              |  Uniform Loads       |
                              |  Ramp Loads          |
                              +----------------------+

              * Concentrated Loads  opens or activates  the "CONCENTRATED
                LOADS" input window.

              * Moments opens or activates the "MOMENTS" input window.

              * Uniform Loads opens or activates the "UNIFORM LOADS" input
                window.

              * Ramp Loads opens or activates the "RAMP  LOADS" input win-
                dow.

          The input  windows opened  by these  commands are  described  in
          Chapter 4, "Input windows."


            
          MISCELLANEOUS

          The F10|Miscellaneous command brings up the miscellaneous menu,
          which you can use  to open input windows  for hinges and  moment
          connectors.

                              +---------------------+
                              |  Hinges             |
                              |  Moment Connectors  |
                              +---------------------+

              * Hinges opens or activates the "HINGES" input window.

              * Moment Connectors opens or activates the "MOMENT CONNECT-
                ORS" input window.

          The input  windows opened  by these  commands are  described  in
          Chapter 4, "Input windows."





                                         22




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

          SOLVE

          The F10|Solve command does not have a pull-down menu associated
          with it.  This command solves the current beam problem and opens
          or activates  the "SOLUTIONS"  output window.   The  "SOLUTIONS"
          output window is described in Chapter 5, "Output windows."


            
          OPTIONS

          The F10|Options command brings up the options  menu, which co n-
          tain commands that let you change default settings for the over-
          all system.

                            +--------------------------+
                            |  Hardware              > |
                            |  Screen:      25 lines > |
                            |  Preferences           > |
                            |  StartUp               > |
                            +--------------------------+
                            |  Save Options            |
                            +--------------------------+


              * Hardware lets you specify or change settings for your com-
                puter graphics card, printer, and the device used for your
                printer connection.

              * Screen  lets  you specify  whether Beam  Cookbook displays
                text in 25  lines or 43/50  lines. In order  to use  43/50
                line mode  your system  must have  a EGA or  VGA graphics
                card.

              * Preferences  lets you  tailor Beam  Cookbook to  suit your
                needs.  The  options are  divided into  two sections,  one
                that affects Beam Cookbook when you  are using it and  the
                other saves information when you leave Beam Cookbook.   In
                the first section ,  auto save, you can  auto save a  con-
                figuration file (same as Save|Options),default  directory,
                and  window positions when exiting Beam Cookbook.  In  the
                second section automatically create  a backup file  and/or
                auto close windows.

              * StartUp  lets you  specify whether Beam  Cookbook will use
                expanded memory to speed up window display and printing.
                                                     s
              * Save Options stores the all option settings defined under
                the option command and  the current default directory  de-
                fined under the file command.


                                         23




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________

          All Option commands  are described  in Chapter  7, "Setting  Op-
          tions", on page 51.



          WINDOW

          The F10|Window command brings up the window menu, which contain
          commands that let  you  close  windows and alter  the ways  Beam
          Cookbook displays them.

                               +--------------------+
                               |  Zoom/Unzoom   F5  |
                               |  Next          F6  |
                               |  Previous Crtl-F6  |
                               |  Resize        F7  |
                               |  Move          F8  |
                               |  Close         Esc |
                               +--------------------+
                               |  Close Input       |
                               |  Close Output      |
                               |  Close All         |
                               +--------------------+

              * Zoom/Unzoom expands the active window to its maximum size,
                if already expanded if shrinks the window to its  previous
                size.

              * Next makes the next window active, which makes it the top
                most open window.

              * Previous makes the previous window active, which makes it
                the topmost open window.

              * Resize lets you change the size of the active window.

              * Move lets you change the position of the active window.

              * Close lets you close the active window.

              * Close Input lets you close all the input windows currently
                open.  See Chapter 4, "Input windows", page 26.

              * Close Output lets you close  all the output  windows cur-
                rently open.  See Chapter 5, "Output windows", page 35.

              * Close All lets you close all the windows (input or output)
                currently open.

          All Window commands are described in Chapter 2, "Window  manage-
          ment", page 13.

                                         24




                                 BEAM COOKBOOK 1.0
          ________________________________________________________________
            
          HELP

          The F10|Help command brings up the help menu, which contain com-
          mands that let you   have access to  different parts of the  on-
          line help, which is displayed in a special help window.

                          +-----------------------------+
                          |  Contents                   |
                          |  Index            Shift-F1  |
                          |  Previous Topic     Alt-F1  |
                          |  Help on help               |
                          +-----------------------------+

              * Contents provides a summary of Help topics you can choose
                from.

              * Index  provides a comprehensive alphabetic index  of Help
                topics you can choose from.

              * Previous  Topic  lets you go  back to the  previous   Help
                topic.

              * Help on Help shows you how to use the Help.

          All Help commands  are described in  Chapter 2, "Getting  help",
          page 14.


























                                         25

