		 AstroFrames README for all Platforms
			     22 Feb 2005

Platform-Independent notes on using the program
===============================================

1. Preferences menu.

a.  Event Directory is used to designate the root of a set of directories for 
    saving event data.  As of this version, the directory must already exist
    before setting the preference.

b.  Default Location specifies the data to be placed in the event specification
     dialog when opened.  You may also specify that the program calculate an 
     event for the time it is opened.

c.  Select Bodies allows selection of which bodies and points to use in 
    calculations.  Selection is also available for cataloged bodies (eg. 
    asteroids), but one must obtain additional ephemeris files from 
    www.astro.com to use this option.

d.  Select Views is used to designate what views (charts) for an event will be
     opened when "Display" is selected from the toolbar of the main window.  
     Currently, only "Table of Positions" is implemented.

e.  Coordinate System designates the coordinates to use.  The default is 
    conventional astrological coordinates (geocentric apparent).  Topocentric 
    apparent coordinates are based on the location of the event, correcting 
    for parallax.  They, and conventional coordinates, can be considered 
    "visual" in the sense that light-time and aberration are taken into 
    account (though the topocentric apparent coordinates are closest to 
    visual, while still ignoring refraction).  Topocentric true coordinates 
    do not correct for light-time or aberration, and can be thought of as 
    relative spatial coordinates.  As for other modifications made while 
    displays are open, changing the coordinate system is immediately reflected
    in any open (unfrozen) views of an event.

f.  House cusps use the Svarogich formulation of Placidus.  Because of the 
    adjustment to geographic latitude in this system, the ASC can be ~30"
    arc different that the usual ASC calculation.


2.  Main window

The main window displays a list of events that are active in the current 
session, either by loading from disk using "Open" or by direct data entry 
using "New".  The order of events in the list can be changed by dragging a 
line up or down.

When AstroFrames is started, any events that were open (and saved) in the 
previous session are opened, along with an event for the time of starting
the program if this option is selected in the Default Location Preferences
dialog.

Most of the operations in the toolbar can act on more than one event.  If only
one event is in the list, it is considered selected, and toolbar operations 
will use it as the object to act on.  Otherwise, one must select one or more 
lines to operate on.

New events in the current session will be lost unless you save them.


3.  Modification dialog

When data is changed in the modification dialog, and the Apply button is 
pressed, all open displays for the event are immediately updated to reflect 
the change in the data. The "Freeze" button in a display defers the update 
until "Thaw" is pressed.

4.  Dynamics menu.

This has two entries: Primary Directions List and Symbolic Time Calculator.  
Only the Primary Directions List is currently implemented.

When Primary Directions List is selected, a dialog is opened for any selected 
events.  Data for the event (radix) appears at the top of the dialog, and 
dates corresponding to a span of 30 years are filled into the fields for 
designating the calculation range.

The program currently supports the two main kinds of directions:

a) zodiacal, taking both the promissor and the significator with 0 latitude, 
   using the "degree for a year" (Ptolemy) key.  These are classical Ptolemaic
   directions.

b) mundo, taking both the promissor and the significators at their own
   body or point declination (ie "with latitude").  These are classical 
   Placidus mundo directions.

Hitting the Calculate button updates the list for the currently designated 
span.  Changing the selected bodies or coordinate system in preferences, or 
modifying the data for the radix using the main menu "Modify" button will also
update the list of directions.

The Export operation saves the list to a file.

The program uses Rumen Kolev's notation for primary directions:

Month Year  Type  Aspect_p Promissor (lat_p) "D"|"C" "->"  Aspect_s 
Significator (lat_s)

Month and Year: hit date

Type: "zo" means zodiacal a direction, with the latitudes of the promissor and
       significator given immediately after them in parentheses. "mu" means 
       mundo directions, where the promissor and significator are taken on 
       their own primary paths.

Aspect_p : Designates the use of an aspect as promissor.  

Promissor: The planet or aspect being directed.

(lat_p): kind of latitude used for promissor. When 0 latitude is used for an 
	 aspect, the primary path is that of the aspect to the promissor on 
	 the ecliptic.

	 "l = 0" means use of the primary path of the promissor's zodiacal 
	 projection.

	 "l = r" (radix) means use of the promissor's primary path. Mundo 
	 directions always use the primary paths of the promissor and 
	 significator.

"D"|"C" : direction of movement.  "D" is a direct primary (movement after the 
	radix); "C" is a converse primary (movement before the radix).  
	Lowercase designators are used for directions to cusps and angles to 
	help them stand out.

Aspect_s: Designates the use of an aspect as a significator. Mundo parallels
	  and contraparallels are listed as significator aspects, and are 
	  designated by "||" and "==" respectively.

Significator:  The point being directed to.

(lat_s) : kind of latitude used for significator. When 0 latitude is used for 
	an aspect, the primary path is that of the aspect to the significator 
	on the ecliptic. 

	 "l = 0" means use of the primary path of the significator's zodiacal 
	 projection.

	 "l = r" (radix) means use of the significator's primary path.

Feedback to falis@verizon.net

A source / build distribution for UNIX-like OS's (also for Windows) is 
available at http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6qirr/myindex.html.  See the file
INSTALL at the top level of the unpacked archive for instructions.

Except for the underlying Swiss Ephemeris, this software is licensed under the
GNU General Public License.  

See the file COPYING.

Thanks to Michael D. Shore and Flower of Life Research (www.floweroflife.org) 
for the use of Mike's graphic in the Windows installer and as the program icon.
