Jack Nicklaus Signature Edition (JNSE)
                      Course Design Compendium
                                by Terry Clark
                     8 Nov 1993 (Updated 20 Jan 96)

  INTRODUCTION:
        First, I want to thank several folks that have made this compendium
  possible. It is truly a compilation of knowledge gained from a number of
  sources. First and foremost I wish to thank James (Revery) Matthews. He
  has been a fountain of knowledge and assistance. I want to also thank Jim
  Farst, he has assisted in many ways, his enthusiasm is second to none. It
  wouldn't be fair not to also thank, John Kunyik, the creator of, not only 
  PALEDIT, but JNSEDT as well as IMPORTBG and EXPORTBG. (JNSEDT22
  now incorporates many additional features.) Also special thanks
  to a guy called Jerbs for JNSGCOLR. These guys that can program really
  help out the little guys like me, that just want to be able to design.  I
  especially want to thank the really talented designers out there. They
  inspire us all to do better.  I know I'll miss some of the good ones, 
  but... thanks to Lee Ritz, Jim Matthews, Peter Whittaker (Peewit), Ted
  Maiden, and Scott Chesney. (Lets add; Bob Polin, Gene Rodriguez III,
  Steve Holden, Dave Salamon, and Mark Willett to the list.) Finally, I want
  to thank CompuServe, they have made this possible by providing the forum in
  which most of this knowledge was obtained, shared and compiled.

        This compendium is truly intended to be just that. It is not my
  knowledge, it is a compilation of knowledge that has been gathered. The
  above folks, and many others have contributed.  Since the information was
  freely shared I do not feel I am compromising any trust by simply
  compiling this information.  The intent is that this information be freely
  shared and used by anyone. The desired outcome is simply that everyone be
  better able to enjoy JNSE design.

        This compendium will deal with the following topics;
        1 - Design assistance programs
        2 - Design Theory
        3 - Design Technique
        4 - Design Aesthetics
        5 - Reference Material

  DESIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:

  PALEDIT/JNSEDT/(JNSEDT22)
        Probably the program I'm asked the most about are those that can 
  edit the JNSE palette. The only two that I am aware of are PALEDIT and
  JNSEDT. (JNSEDT22 has surpassed any other available program, just ignore 
  the others, now.) These were all written by John Kunyik.  JNSEDT22 is the newer
  version and is much more versatile.  There are some folks that report
  problems running this program, me included. Apparently some hardware
  configurations have trouble with this program. I have yet to figure out
  what is the specific problem, or what is the culprit. (I have to use my <ESC> key
  to gain access to JNSEDT/JNSEDT22.)
        Both PALEDIT and JNSEDT are available through many BBSs, and are in
  Library 5 in the SPRTSIM forum on CompuServe. (JNSEDT22 is now on my 
  homepage, as well.) They are *zipped* files, so  they need to be unzipped after
  being downloaded. I would recommend you try (JNSEDT22) first. If you have no
  trouble with it, don't bother getting PALEDIT or JNSEDT.
        Also, both programs come with a .DOC file that explains how they
  work. I'll go into a brief description, just to get you interested. First, 
  with (JNSEDT22), it is imperative that you operate it from the same
  subdirectory as you have the specific golf course you wish to edit. Both
  programs have you select the palette file (.PRC) for the course you're 
  editing. (The first time you use a .PRC, you need to access the COLDESC file.)
  Once you indicate the .PRC file the screen will display the 256
  colors that are in the palette. You may then change the color of any one
  or all of them. The color is changed by changing the red, blue, and green
  number value for the color. The advantage of JNSEDT is that it, 1) tells
  you how JNSE uses that specific color, like "sand", and 2) allows you to
  change a range of colors by blending from one all the way through to
  another, in one simple step. (This saves considerable time changing the
  grass greens or the sand colors.
        It is of course crucial that you consider carefully what colors you
  change. Many of the colors are used for other things, like the player
  animation, the swing bar, and the screen outline.  There is a file called
  JNSEOBJS.PCX with JNSEDT that you can load and see how your color
  changes are effecting the above objects.
        Finally, JNSEDT has an import and export background function that
  will export a background file to Deluxe Paint II Enhanced, and import a
  .PCX file to JNSE as a background (.DZV) file.
  (IMPORTBG/EXPORTBG are now included in JNSEDT22)
        These files, also by John Kunyik will import a .PCX background to
  JNSE and export a background to a .PCX format.  They are very useful if
  you have a paint program that uses 256 colors and can deal with .pcx
  files. The only real caution is that the .PCX file is 1200 X 47, a rather
  unusual size. I'm not sure what paint programs can or cannot deal with 
  that size format. Deluxe Paint II does a fine job!  One of the truly nice
  features of this method of creating backgrounds is you can take advantage
  of JNSE's water animation colors, which you can't do in "Design" mode.
        To create a .PCX background, first export a background file (.DZV)
  with the palette colors you want to use, i.e.
                 EXPORTBG filename.dzv filename.pcx
  then load that .PCX file into the paint program. Then create a new file,
  this saves the palette colors (at least it does in Deluxe Paint II). Then
  size the page to 1200 wide by 47 high.  Then create away!  If you use the
  water colors in the background, they will be animated when used in JNSE!
         (Both importing and exporting background files is now an integral part of
  JNSEDT22. It also allows you to import both overhead views and landplots.)
  
  JNSGCOLR
        This is not a program per se, but it is a very useful file. If you
  load it into Deluxe Paint II, or I imagine any other paint program, it
  loads the JNSE default palette.  I use this regularly to create objects in
  Deluxe Paint II. We can thank Jerbs for this effort.  When designing
  objects in a paint program, keep in mind the size restrictions of the
  "Design" mode. It is 83 high X 240 wide.

  HOLE CHANGE:
        HOLECHNG, available in the new SPRTSIM libraries is a unique new
  idea by Bill Rose.  Basically it allows you to randomly, or by given
  characteristics, change between two hole layouts, backgrounds or object
  files.  He came up with the idea during the CGA West design effort. He
  thought, something like, it would be nice to have different holes
  available for varying water levels. In other words, if the water level is
  down, this swamp won't be so full, that would create a different look to 
  the hole.  His program also works very well for changing objects and/or
  backgrounds.  For cases like Inverness, where the designers have both a
  fall and a spring/summer set of background and object files, it comes in
  very handy.
        **NOTE: I have not had a chance to experiment very much with Bill's 
  program, but it has great possibilities, IMHO.
        ***ADDED NOTE: Now Bill is working on a program to help automate the
  tournament play routine for the CGA Tour. I can't wait for this program.
        (Obviously a lot of time has passed, and these lines are both outdated.
  I used HOLECHng in my Sterling Shores design. Bill has released several 
  versions of his TKLITE program. It is a wonderful utility and the CIS tours use it
  regularly, as well as the intertour "Ryder Cup" events.)

  FLAGS:
        Just a quick note on flagsticks. You've probably noticed that some 
  courses have custom flagsticks that have stripes and/of different flag
  colors. This is done by editing the HEX code in the objects file, *.OMM.
  If your not comfortable with editing the file there is another way to use
  these type of flags. Namely, use the *.OMM file for a course that has
  flags that you like. Rename the *.OMM file to the name of the *.OMM file
  of your new course.  I.E.   REN OLD.OMM NEW.OMM
        This will replace your new courses objects file with the old courses
  object file. Then go into designer and delete all the objects you don't 
  want to keep. Chances are good there will also be an object there that
  matches the new flagstick.
        The flagsticks are addressed as indicated below. If your up to HEX
  editing, have at it.
            HEX ADDRESSES & COLORS OF THE FLAGPOLE
           ---------                               ----------
           | 03AA  |                       <-----  |HEX ADDR|
           |  04   |                       <-----  | COLOR  |
           |-------|----------------               ----------
           | 03AE  | 03AE  | 03AE  |
           |  0F   |  0F   |  0F   |
           |-------|-------|-------|--------
           | 03B2  | 03B2  | 03B4  | 03B5  |
           |  06   |  06   |  04   |  0F   |
           |-------|-------|-------|-------|--------
           | 03B9  | 03BA  | 03BB  | 03BC  | 03BD  |
           |  06   |  03   |  03   |  03   |  0F   |
           |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------
           | 03C1  | 03C2  | 03C5  | 03C5  | 03C6  | 03C7  |
           |  06   |  02   |  02   |  02   |  02   |  0F   |
           |-------|-----------------------|-------|-------|--------
           | 03CB  |                       | 03CF  | 03CF  | 03CF  |
           |  06   |                       |  01   |  01   |  01   |
           |-------|                       -------------------------
           | 03D2  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 03D6  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 03DA  |                Colors Used in Hexadecimal
           |  0F   |                01=COLOR 1,
           |-------|                02=COLOR 2,
           | 03DE  |                03=COLOR 3,
           |  0F   |                04=COLOR 4,
           |-------|                06=COLOR 6,
           | 03E2  |                0F=COLOR 15,
           |  0F   |                COLOR 1 equates to the 01 color in
           |-------|                the JNSE palette, the upper left color
           | 03E6  |                (transparent black) being 00.
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 03EA  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 03EE  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 03F2  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 03F6  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 03FA  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 03FE  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0402  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0406  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 040A  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 040E  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0412  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0416  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 041A  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 041E  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0422  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 0426  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 042A  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 042E  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 0432  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 0436  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 043A  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 043E  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 0442  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 0446  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 044A  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 044E  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0452  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0456  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 045A  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 045E  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0462  |
           |  06   |
           |-------|
           | 0466  |
           |  0F   |
           |-------|
           | 046A  |
           |  0F   |
           ---------
        The above information is compliments of Jim Farst. Thanks Jim!

  DESIGN THEORY:

        Course design theory is a much discussed topic.  There are books on
  it.  The ideas expressed by Jack Nicklaus, both in the "tips" screens and
  in the owners manual for JNSE are all valuable. But, real life course
  design and JNSE course design are QUITE different. The vagarities and
  limitations of JNSE should be understood and always considered in any
  design.
        There of course are many different theories about what is a good
  and/or bad design. If your aim is to please the "masses" you are almost
  sure to fail. Studying the structure of the famous real life courses is
  always a good idea. These at least provide some valid ideas and can
  certainly give inspiration. Get some books showing various courses and/or
  discussing course design, see the reference list at the end.
        In JNSE designs there are basically, IMHO, three types of courses.
  Of course anyone else could come up with another number, for various
  reasons. But, for the sake of discussion, the three types are; 1) existing
  courses (or real life courses), 2) imagined courses (or made up courses),
  and 3) Fantasy courses (or unreal courses). Doing existing courses will
  probably gain you the most notoriety, but are the most difficult. Imagined
  courses allow you freedom to design and imagine what things should be
  like. Finally fantasy courses allow your mind to truly wander into the
  unknown. Golf on the moon anyone? (see Lee Ritz's Sea of Crises)
        Anyway you choose to go, it is important that you decide how you
  want to design the course, then sit down and solidify your ideas. The
  overall concept is critical to a good result.
        Personally I like to set up the basic structure of the holes on
  paper first.  You know, one hole is a dogleg right, uphill, with a creek
  running down the right side of the fairway, or something like that.  This
  assures me that the final result will have variety and can help to assure
  that "all the clubs in the bag" will be needed. Integral with this
  exercise is the overall look of the course.  What kind of background and
  objects will you use? Planning ahead is always a good idea. However,
  sometimes the spirit of the design can be very creative.  Once you "get 
  into it" you may come up with some additional, or different ideas.


  DESIGN TECHNIQUE:
        This is an area that will certainly create some discussion, and
  probably arguments. Each person to their own opinion. My intent is not to
  get into philosophy here, just how to use JNSE to design a course.
        Of course you start with, CREATE A COURSE.  Your first decision is
  in regard to land plot.  JNSE provides only two choices, the JNUG choices
  are not available, and I've never figured out how to make them work. But, 
  it's time to get "creative", anyway. If you don't like one of the two
  choices, start from scratch.  First, go to EDIT PLOT, then DELETE OBJECTS,
  then DELETE ALL. Next, from the normal edit screen, paint everything
  OUT OF BOUNDS. Next go to PLACE HILLS, then FLATTEN PLOT. Now you have a
  clean slate, so to speak.  I like to start by adding water and or sand.
  Then I go to the PLACE HILLS option and start sculpturing the landscape.
  Then, once the land is sufficiently sculpted, I go back to the normal edit
  plot screen and touch up the colors.
        OPTION: Leave the plot flat and OB, and just start designing holes,
  then after all holes are done, go back and "pretty up" the plot.
        Now, lets discuss OBJECTS and BACKGROUNDS. (First, refer back up to
  the IMPORTBG/EXPORTBG programs.) Creating objects and backgrounds can be
  very difficult, time consuming, and frustrating!  If you aren't artistic,
  it can be impossible to come up with something your satisfied with.  There
  are numerous objects available. Every course in the CIS Libraries has
  some<g>. Plus there are a number of objects in files like JNROCK.ZIP,
  JNPINE.ZIP and etc.  These are .PCX files and are a very nice place to
  start.  I often will start with one of these and make alterations to it,
  to fit my needs. I find it much easier than starting from scratch. To
  import a .PCX file, use IMPORT PAINT option. Oops! Back to basics,
  sorry<g>.  First, go to EDIT OBJECTS.  If you don't want the object that 
  is there, DELETE OBJECT, then go to NEXT OBJECT.  Continue this til you've 
  deleted all the objects, unless you want one of those. Now, to fill it
  back up with objects use IMPORT OBJECT to import from another course, or
  IMPORT PAINT to import a .PCX file. (NOTE: see discussion above about
  JNSGCOLR.  Use this file to create your own objects in Deluxe Paint II (or
  Enhanced).
        Backgrounds for me are the hardest. Your artistic talents, when
  the're like mine, are stretched to the max here. My best recommendation is
  to IMPORT BACKGROUND of one you like.  Then play with that background.
  Start small at first, then work your way up as you start to understand how
  to create things.  Don't worry, you can always go back to IMPORT 
  BACKGROUND and start over<G>! Also, if you have a paint program, remember,
  some of the tools there will help immensely. Using the IMPORTBG program
  you can use your paint program to create beautiful backgrounds. The skies
  the limit here.
        Now, you have your plot and your objects. The next step is to ROUTE
  the course, select COURSE ROUTING. You'll now be looking at the plot. 
  Using your mouse and NEXT HOLE/PREV HOLE you can route each hole. Remember
  to take advantage of the CENTERLINE (the red line following the mouse).
  Once you have marked your tee ground and green/pin #1 position, click on
  the SAVE HOLE/NEXT HOLE button. Once you have 18 holes routed, your ready
  to move on.
        To EDIT the holes, you can either stay in COURSE ROUTING, or EXIT
  back to the main menu screen.  It's easier to work from the main screen, 
  as all you have to do is click on the hole # to go into the EDIT HOLE
  function. Now the real fun begins, sculpting your hole.
        There are some very good design tips in a file in Lib 13, called
  DESIGN.TIP by Paul Conrad. I won't repeat his advise here. I'll only go
  into a little of the "Clark" philosophy. It was compiled by many
  discussions here in CIS (GAMERS/SPRTSIM). I'll only cover some highlights.
        Decide in the beginning how you wish to handle the "mowing 
  patterns", for lack of a better term. Will Out of Bounds (OB) be just 
  that, or will it be Heavy Rough (HR)? HR is awful nice to have sometimes.
  And you can get OB by using the edges of the screen, anything off the edit
  hole screen is in fact OB. Other mowing pattern considerations are; 1)
  around the teebox, 2)edges of the fairways, and 3) around the greens.
  Personally I don't like greens surrounded by rough. Some folks think that
  is necessary to create a difficult course. This is not necessarily true.
  Once you've chosen mowing patterns, be consistent throughout your design.
        Be VERY careful with elevations! One of JNSE's major, IMHO, flaws is 
  it's ability to handle ball flight properly. A long uphill shot is quite 
  difficult. Don't plan a hole where you have to hit a 2 or 3 iron 180+ 
  yards up a large hill. Also don't create areas on the course where noone 
  can recover! JNSE does not have a "unplayable lie" option. If you stick
  someone deep down in a hole that it is impossible to get out of, they will
  HATE your design. It is acknowledged that there are legitimate uses for
  nasty locations, just always leave a "way out" even if it is hitting
  backwards.
        Designing greens is probably the one most criticized area in JNSE
  design. I take my share of criticism, so following my advise may not be
  the best course of action<BG>! I personally like undulating greens, both
  in real life and in JNSE. The only time I use flat portions on the green
  are when the green is; severely terraced, or extremely large. But, you
  should, IMHO, NEVER have a green that changes more than 15-20 (feet?)
  numbers from one spot to the next. Some will say that 15 is too great!
  Also, if you put pin positions close to the edge of the green, don't have 
  the green sloping into trouble. I try to avoid this by having a lip
  between the pin and the edge of the green, just a 1 number lip will help
  considerably.
        Finally, until you get very proficient at "BUILDING HILLS", you
  should very carefully view every pixel in your playing areas. the BUILD
  HILLS option can produce some pretty strange results! Sculpting your hole
  is very important! I'm a stickler for sand traps. Each one has to be 
  carefully sculpted to get a realistic look. Traps should hold balls when
  they are hit into it, IMHO. I've played many courses where you hit into a 
  trap, only to roll out. This can be good or bad. Rolling out into water or
  HR is not pleasant, but rolling out into fairway or green is!
        Once the hole is layed out and sculpted you can begin putting in
  objects. This appears to be an easy task. IMHO, it isn't. Getting the 
  objects to come out natural looking takes a certain amount of talent.
  Ready for another "Clarkism?<G> I think you should use great care in 
  placing your objects so that they DO NOT hide hazards, sometimes to get
  what you want, you have to, but it should be done with great care.
        After the objects, you should place all four teeboxes and all five
  pin positions. 
        OK, now you have all 18 holes edited and you think your done, right?
  Wrong!! The best designs are the best because of the great care that is
  taken to design them. I have several recommendations.
        First, the land plot needs to be touched up, or maybe totally
  redone. If you included adjacent fairways in your individual hole design,
  they will show up on the plot view. There are two ways to deal with this.
  One is to not design adjacent fairways til after your 18 holes are done.
  Then copy the course to a different name/place and edit the copy, hole by
  hole. Once this is done copy the holes back to the original using DOS
  copy. This method will not effect the land plot. Another methods is to
  turn everything to transparent, then hand draw the holes. Some good
  examples of hand drawn land plots are; Bob Polin's Pebble Beach 
  (BPPEBB.ZIP), CGA West (CGAWES.ZIP), and Jim Matthews latest Muirfield
  (MUIRFI.ZIP). Or you could do something original like Jim Matthews
  Municiple (MUNI.ZIP).
        Next, you need to seriously play test your creation. I like to play
  several rounds with a foursome. I like to use two computer players and two
  humans, one from each tee. This will catch a lot of little things you
  screwed up on.
        Finally, create a .TXT file to add to your course. We all like to
  hear about your design.

  DESIGN AESTHETICS:
        I've covered some of my thoughts on aesthetics earlier. So this will 
  be short. Most of the things you can do to make your course aesthetically
  pleasing relate to the use of backgrounds, objects and land plots. But,
  the palette and elevations are also critical. If you alter the palette and
  make your player look awful, it isn't aesthetically pleasing. Also, you 
  should consider the player when you alter colors that effect the playing
  screens. Some of the more serious concerns are covered here.
        1) The main playing screen and the swing bar. Steve Charnes has
  proof that different colors can speed up and/or slow down the swing bar,
  at least on some machines.
        2) The green overhead view can be seriously effected by changing the
  green colors.
        3) As mentioned above, the players can be made to look terrible,
  which is disconcerting, if your not careful.
        4) Finally, remember JNSE players are all types. Altering colors can
  cause problems where it is difficult to tell if your in rough or fairway.
  It can also create unpleasant appearances.
        Another important aesthetic consideration is overhead views. If you
  place objects in such a way as to hide hazards, you are doing the player a
  disservice. There should never be hazards that are completely hidden. This
  is most critical when you set up blind shots.

        Finally, as a last note, the above collection of information is
  mixed with my own thoughts. I am, by no means an expert. I know what I
  like and I have a very workable knowledge of JNSE. But, by all means "be 
  yourself". Don't try to be someone else. Use other people's ideas to 
  foster the generation of your own. Also, try anything. Who knows it might
  come out very nice!

  REFERENCE MATERIAL:
        There is a lot of help in the SPRTSIMS Libraries. Some of the
  interesting stuff is outlined below.
        Some files of interest are:
        DESIGN.TIP by Paul Conrad
        JNSECC.TXT DOS play Dates
        JNDOS.TXT  DOS play Dates
        SOURCE.JNU Source Book References by Jaybird
        JNCOLR.ZIP JNSE editing/color info
        BUSH.ZIP/BUSH1.ZIP by Phil McCloud (Tree lessons)
        JNSE4.RUL/JNSE5.RUL Design contest rules
        JNTR__.ZIP Various files of .PCX trees
        JNSHRB.ZIP Various .PCX shrubs
        JNROCK.ZIP Various .PCX rocks
        JNPINE.ZIP Various .PCX pine trees
        JNPALM.ZIP Various .PCX Palm trees
        JNOBJT.ZIP Various .PCX objects (ball washers, yardage markers,
  carts, etc)
        JNCACT.ZIP Various .PCX Cactus
        JNANIM.ZIP Various .PCX animals
        TREED.ZIP More trees by Phil McCloud
        OBJS1.ZIP Other various .PCX objects
        PALIDA.ZIP Various trees and lilacs

        There is wonderful reference information out there. Why not ask your
  course pro for a topographical map of your course. Yardage books are very
  helpful, as well as taking a camera/camcorder the next time you play golf.

  CLOSING:
        I hope that this compendium is helpful to you. My main objective is
  to help out the new designers, and maybe convince some folks to "give it a 
  try"!
        As I mentioned before, I've gotten a lot of help from folks here in 
  CIS. If I can help anyone, I'm only happy to try. Remember though, advise 
  is only worth what you paid for it<BG>!

        Terry Clark
        75230,2671
        tdclark@ix.netcom.com