                                   VBBS 6.12 Documentation-- 13-1
.TOPIC:
R.I.P. Graphics

         ͻ
          CHAPTER 13                  R.I.P. GRAPHICS                    
         ͼ

         VBBS now supports RIP graphics.  RIP stands for Remote Imaging
         Protocol, a relatively new graphical interface standard for the
         online world.  RIP was created by the Telegrafix Corporation.
         RIP describes both a specification and a classificaton of
         software programs that use the specification.  RIP compatible
         programs use RIPscrip, the RIP programming language.

         RIPscript
         
         RIPscrip is a concise, text-based language for instructing
         compatible terminal programs to display graphics.  The RIP
         scrip language is Ascii text based and is compatible with
         virtually every host.  RIPscrip files are used by VBBS in place
         of the normal Ascii/Ansi text menus.

         RIPscrip has many graphic commands for presenting information
         to the user in an eye-pleasing manner.  The RIPscrip language
         offers a rich command set, including:

         . A full set of basic graphic commands
           (box, circle, curves,line,etc.)
         . Specialized fill patterns.
         . Color manipulation commands.
         . Multiple fonts, that are scalable.
         . Text and graphic windows on screen simultaneously.  This
           allows the user to view graphics and text at the same time.
         . Full mouse support for point-and-click operation.
         . Terminal-based bit-map icons for detailed, high-speed
           graphics.
         . Full clipboard copy and paste ability.
         . Custom defined lines and styles for technical drawings,etc.

         RIPterm
         
         To use RIP, the user needs a RIP-compatible terminal program
         such as RIPterm.  RIPterm is Telegrafix's RIPscrip-compatible
         terminal program.  The current revision is named RIPTRM154.ZIP
         and is available on most of the VBBS support boards.  RIPterm
         is a freeware program, meaning that it may be freely
         distributed.  Besides supporting RIP graphics, RIPterm includes
         all the basic terminal capabilities.

         RIPaint
         
         RIPaint is an object-oriented "What You See Is What You Get"
         Graphical User Interface (GUI) designer, implemented as a paint
         program.  It reads and writes text-based RIPscrip graphical
         script files.
                                   VBBS 6.12 Documentation-- 13-2

         RIPaint is a Fourth Generation Language applicaton.  A 4GL
         application lets you generate code by using a screen designer,
         rather than by typing in code with a text editor.  RIPaint
         genreates the RIPscrip codes for you.  You don't need to edit a
         single line.

         Choosing the (Save) option records your paint/draw actions to a
         .RIP "scene" file.  These scene files can be played back on any
         RIPscrip-compatible software package.  RIP scene files can also
         be created with other RIPscip paint programs such as DeadPaint,
         Tombstone Artist, etc.

         More about RIPscrip
         
         RIPscrip is small, efficent and fast.  It is entirely
         text-based, allowing it to be installed on almost any host
         system.  RIPscrip is composed of 7-bit Ascii text, which can be
         transmitted over either 8-N-1 or 7-E-1 hosts.

         RIPscrip is a complex scripting language and RIP files are
         cryptic looking when viewed.  RIPaint was designed with the
         intention that nobody would every have to touch a line of
         RIPscrip code.  Designing a graphical user interface by editing
         text files is not intuitive at all, and goes against the
         concept of GUI systems.

         Meganums
         
         Part of the complexity of RIPscrip files is due to the special
         numbering used to save space.  RIP files do not use the common
         decimal number system.  The decimal uses digits 0 through 9.
         RIPscript fields do not use the hexadecimal number system (O-F)
         either.

         RIPscrip uses a numbering system with 36 digits. (0-9, A-Z).
         This is called Hexa-Tri-Decimal, which was affectionately
         dubbed 'meganums'.  This numbering system is used because it
         stores numbers very efficently, thus saivng space and reducing
         transmission time.

         VBBS and RIP
         
         RIPscrip graphics, when combined with VBBS, provide visually
         stunning graphics and offers point-and-click navigation.  In
         many cases, RIP improves the speed at which meus are refreshed.
         To use RIP with VBBS, pre-designed *.RIP menus are made
         available, and should be placed in the VBBS TXT subdirectory
         along with your other menus.  Using one of the programs
         previously mentioned, however, you may design and paint your
         own menus to customize your bbs as you desire.

         Denny Costello - The Loft BBS

