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            Advanced VCR Simulator [version 1.50.000]
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By Maurizio Benvenuti
Copyright 1998, All rights reserved
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 Contents
 =========
 1. Introduction
 2. Installation
 3. Using Advanced VCR Simulator
 4. One vs. one simulations
 5. All ships simulations
 6. Questions, bug reports or suggestions
 7. Thanks
 8. Final notes


1. Introduction
================
This program allow you to simulate battles of yours VGAP Games.

This version is compatible with HOST.SRACE and HOST999.


2. Installation
================
Advanced VCR Simulator doesn't need installing.
If you're upgrading from a previous version of Advanced VCR Simulator
just overwrite AVCRSIM.EXE with the new version.

Advanced VCR Simulator automatically changes the internal format of
the file AVCRSIM.TMP into new format.

AVCRSIM.EXE must reside in the folder with these five files:

HULLSPEC.DAT
TORPSPEC.DAT
BEAMSPEC.DAT
ENGSPEC.DAT
TRUEHULL.DAT

Advanced VCR Viewer is required to view the visual battle outcomes.
Advanced VCR Simulator works with every AVCR Viewer, but if you want
simulate HOST battles you need Advanced VCR Viewer version 1.30.000
or greater.


3. Using Advanced VCR Simulator
================================
Advanced VCR Simulator displays two frames: Attacking and Defending
Those frames allow you add/remove object (ships/planet/base) and
view/change their properties:

* Switch between frames using Left/Right keys
* Browse the object list of each frame using PgUp/PgDown keys.
* Select a property using Up/Down keys and press RETURN to change it.
* Press "+" key to insert a new ship.
* Press INS key to insert a new object. In the Left frame will add
  always a new ship, but in the Right frame, if planet/base is not
  present, will display the Ship/Planet/Base menu.
* Press "-" or CANC key to remove the current object.
* Press ALT+CANC to remove all objects.

Advanced VCR Simulator also displays a menu bar:
"Options", "Simulate" and "?" (Help).

Click on menu "Options" or press ALT+O to:
 * Activate/Deactivate the HOST mode.
 * Exit Advanced VCR Simulator.
   This option has a shortcut from the main window: ALT+X

Click on menu "Simulate" or press ALT+S to:
 * Simulate a single battle between the ship on left frame and the
   ship (or planet/base) on right frame.
 * Simulate multiple battles between the ship on left frame and the
   ship (or planet/base) on right frame.
 * Perform a statistic simulation listing all possible results of
   the battle between the ship on left frame and the ship (or planet
   /base) on right frame.
 * Resolve the battles between all ships on left frame and the ships
   (and planet/base) on right frame and put results in a VCR file.
   Then call VCR.EXE (if present) to view the battles.
 * Resolve the battles between all ships on left frame and the ships
   (and planet/base) on right frame and put results in a text file.
   Then show this text file.
 * View the text file of the last simulation.

Click on menu "?" or press ALT+? to:
 * View this help.
 * View the copyright info.


4. One vs. one simulations
===========================
An one vs. one battle can be simulated in three modes:
 * Single battle
   This mode allows you to simulate one battle. You may select
   if view the battle in VCR.EXE (if present) or not.
   Also, you may select to view a specific battle, inserting a
   "Random seed" value greater than 0. A value of 0 means that
   AVCR Simulator will randomize the value of "random seed".
 * Multiple battles
   This mode allows you to simulate one battle more times.
   You may select if view the battles in VCR.EXE (if present) or
   not. Also, you may select how many times repeat the simulation.
   AVCR Simulator will randomize the value of "random seed" for
   each battle.
 * Statistic battles
   This mode allows you to view all possible results of one battle.
   You may select if view the battles in VCR.EXE (if present) or
   not. AVCR Simulator will browse the "random seed" values list to
   do a real statistic.
   NOTE: this option produces approximate statistic if you use it
         in Advanced VCR battles. This is caused by presence of a
         random additional mass in the Advanced VCR Combat Routine.
         In Host mode this option is very accurate.


5. All ships simulations
=========================
This options cause AVCR Simulator to resolve the battles between
two or more ships as HOST (if Host mode is ON) or Advanced VCR does.
The "visual" option allows to view the battles in VCR.EXE.


6. Questions, bug reports or suggestions
=========================================
This program has been given a good amount of testing. I am pretty
sure it's bug-free, but if you find any, please e-mail me.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at zeross.mauri@tin.it


7. Thanks
==========
To Tim Wisseman for his help and for VGA Planets.
VGA Planets official site is http://www.wilmington.net/vgaplanets


8. Final notes
===============
Check the Advanced VCR web page for latest informations:
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Battlefield/5544/avcr.html

This software may be used at no charge and may be distributed
freely but must always be distributed unmodified and as a unit
with all files present, including this file.

You are NOT allowed to decompile, disassemble or modify by no
means the software contained in this distribution.

The software and documentation in this distribution are provided
"as is" without express or implied warranty including, but not
limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose.
In no event will the author of this software be liable for direct,
incidental or consequential damages of any kind, even if the author
have been advised of the possibility of such damages. 

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