Several add-on software packages can enhance WordPerfect graphics, fonts and desktop-publishing features. Athena Technologies Inc's $89.95 AccuDraw for WordPerfect 2.0 is a drawing program to replace DrawPerfect, which doesn't provide sufficient drawing capabilities. AccuDraw functions include rotation, line-segment insertion and deletion, expanded memory support, an optional icon interface and an on-line tutorial. AccuDraw requires 400Kbytes of RAM and can use 120Kbytes of LIM 3.2 expanded memory. Bethesda Softworks's $89.95 By Design memory-resident software simplifies WordPerfect desktop publishing features by establishing hot keys to set up page layouts and place clip art. Bitstream Inc.'s $99 FaceLift automatically scales HP LaserJet printer fonts between 2 and 500 points. FaceLift uses 50Kbytes of RAM or 10Kbytes of expanded memory and includes 13 fonts.
By Tony Pompili
WordPerfect users can now improve their graphics and fonts presentations as well as get easier access to desktop-publishing features, thanks to enhancements and add-on packages introduced by third-party developers.
Athena Technologies Inc. of Westboro, Mass., has introduced an alternative drawing program for WordPerfect Corp.'s DrawPerfect, according to Scott Warner, marketing director for Athena. Because DrawPerfect is a presentation-graphics package, it doesn't provide all the drawing capabilities users need, Warner said.
Called AccuDraw for WordPerfect version 2.0, Athena's program features a new rotate function, a line-segment inserting/deleting function, support for expanded memory, an on-line tutorial and an optional icon interface. The program also has a symbol library feature to organize commonly used graphics and icons into a file.
The program creates WPG files that are compatible with WordPerfect 5.0 and 5.1. AccuDraw requires 400K bytes of RAM and can use up to 120K bytes of LIM EMS 3.2 expanded memory, according to Warner. The program is priced at $89.95 and will be available in December.
Users seeking an easier access path to WordPerfect 5.X desktop-publishing features can turn to Bethesda Softworks, whose By Design package, which facilitates access through hot keys, according to Chris Mates, marketing director of the Rockville, Md., company.
By Design uses WordPerfect macros to enable users to perform functions such as setting up page layouts and placing scalable clip art, Mates said.
The program also includes predesigned layouts that users can fill with their own newsletter copy, for example. A macro takes care of formatting and pagination, according to Mace.
Available now, the terminate-and-stay-resident program is priced at $89.95.
With the recent release of FaceLift by Bitstream Inc., WordPerfect users now have access to on-the-fly font-scaling features. FaceLift for WordPerfect can automatically scale for fonts between 2 and 500 points on Hewlett-Packard Co.'s LaserJet series of printers, according to Rob Friedman, president of Bitstream, in Cambridge, Mass.
FaceLift, priced at $99, uses 50K bytes of RAM, or 10K bytes when used with expanded memory. It comes with 13 typefaces, and other fonts can be purchased separately.
Athena can be reached at (800) 525-3577. Bethesda Softworks can be reached at (800) 677-0700. Bitstream can be reached at (617) 497-6222.