Welcome to the SlideWrite Plus for Windows, Version 7
Trial Program Guide
To use this Guide...
Use your browser's Print button to print out a copy of this guide, then follow along with the tutorials using your downloaded copy of the SlideWrite Trial program. These exercises are designed to give you an overview of SlideWrite's capabilities, and show you just how simple it is to use.
In this Guide...
Questions and Answers
What is the SlideWrite Plus Trial Program?
A fully-functional program that lets you try out all the features and capabilities of Version 7 of SlideWrite Plus for Windows. Start off with a slide show of pre-programmed samples. Then, you'll find it quick and simple to try your hand at entering data to create your own 2D or 3D graphs, use SlideWrite's powerful curve-fitter module to fit a nonlinear function, or use the draw module to enhance your charts with text, line, arrows, and figures.
You can even print charts or copy charts, data, and graphics through the Windows clipboard into other Windows applications, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, etc. SlideWrite is now an OLE application, so you can use the Insert Object command in PowerPoint, Word and other applications to insert SlideWrite charts in your documents.
The only thing the Trial Program can't do is to save charts and it displays a promotional message across the bottom of each chart.
Why use the Trial Program?
Completely risk-free, you can determine whether SlideWrite meets your needs. First, print out this document so you can follow along with the tutorials.
In less than 15 minutes, the tutorials guide you through step-by-step instructions, showing the examples we've selected to highlight the unique features of SlideWrite Plus. At any time in the tutorials, press F1 to get context-sensitive Help, complete with search and "How-to..." We're sure you'll find this program a cinch to use, like our thousands of users who consistently rate ease-of-use as one of SlideWrite's strongest features. If you need assistance, just email us at support@slidewrite.com or call 1-800-795-4754 to reach our friendly Technical Support staff.
What do I need to get started?
IBM Personal Computer or compatible, with Microsoft Windows XP or Vista, and a hard disk with at least 5 MB of free disk space.
How do I order the full-featured program?
For fastest service, call us at 1-800-795-4754 to order by credit card or Purchase Order. Or use the order form at our web site: www.SlideWrite.com. If SlideWrite isn't everything we say and more, return the product to us within 30 days and we'll cheerfully refund your money.
Top of Page Setup
  1. Download SWW7TS.EXE (for Windows XP or Vista , file size 5 MB) to a temporary directory (e.g. C:\TEMP).
  2. Run the self-extracting EXE file (e.g. double-click the downloaded EXE file from Explorer or File Manager).
  3. Follow the instructions on screen. Press Enter at each step for the standard installation.
  4. Optional - Delete the downloaded EXE file from your system. It is not needed once the program has been installed.
Starting the Program
SlideWrite automatically adds an entry in the Start; Programs menu. To run the Trial Size, click on the SlideWrite V7.0 Trial Size entry.
Top of PageThe SlideWrite Tutorials
The following tutorials will give you an overview of how SlideWrite works. The features highlighted in each session are shown in a list at the beginning of the tutorial. We suggest that you actually create the chart at your computer as you read through the instructions.
Top of Page SlideWrite Chart Basics
  1. Open a Chart
    Click on File; Open... The Open Chart dialog box appears. You can choose any file from the list under the File Name selection. For example, click on: figgraph.tc, then click on: OK, to exit the dialog box and open the file.
  2. View a Chart
    Click on View; Redraw Chart to see the chart and primary work area display on the screen.
    To view the entire chart full size on the screen, click on: View; Full Screen Preview.
    Click the left mouse button to return to the work area.
  3. Preview the Sample Charts
    Click on File; Open... When the Open Chart pop-up appears, pull down the Files of Type listbox and click on: Batch(*.BT) In the file selection list, double-click on samples.bt. The Batch form appears, showing all the sample charts. Click on View; Full Screen Preview, or View; Window Preview to view the sample charts as a timed slide show.
Top of Page Creating a 2D Scientific Graph
This example highlights several features of SlideWrite that are especially useful when making scientific charts.
You will:
  • Create a chart with error bars
  • Specify a polynomial curve fit
  • Plot an equation
  • Incorporate a superscript in the legend text.
When finished, your chart will look like this:
1. Prepare to Create a New Graph:
Before you begin, clear previous graphs, if any.  Click on: File; New....  To select the chart type click on: Graph; OK.
You'll see a window resembling a yellow legal pad where you can enter your graph data.
2.  Enter the Data into the Graph Data Form:
As shown in the Graph Data Form below, type the X data in the X Data column, the Y data under Graph A, and the error bar values under Graph B.  Use or the down arrow to move to the next row.  When you've finished, the Graph Data Form should look like the figure below.  (If you make a mistake, move to the cell you wish to change, then type the new data.)
3.  Change the Graph Type to Scatter and Display It:
Click on: Chart; Graph Type; Scatter to change the graph type and return to the Graph Data Form.  Click on: View; Redraw Chart.  The chart displays as a scatter graph.
4.  Set the X-Axis Scaling:
  • Change the X Data Type to Number.
    To display the X data as continuous values, click on: Chart; X Axis Scaling and Breaks...  The Bottom X Axis Scaling dialog box appears.  At the X Data Type field, click on: Label.  The X Data Type dialog box appears.  Click on: Number; OK to return to the X Axis Scaling dialog box.
  • Set the minimum and maximum for the X-Axis.
    Click on the Minimum data entry field. Type: 0.  Click on the Maximum data entry field. Type: 1.  When you've finished, the X-Axis Scaling dialog box should look like the figure below.  Click on: OK. The data displays as a scatter graph with continuous X data values.
5.  Add the Error Bars:
Click on: Chart; Curves, Equations and Error Bars... The Curves, Equations and Error Bars dialog box appears. In the Error Bar field for Graph A, click on: No. The Error Bar Selection dialog box appears. Click on: Display Error Bars for Graph A; OK to return to the Curves, Equations and Error Bars dialog box.
6.  Add the Curve Fit for Graph A:
In the Curve Fit field for Graph A, click on: None. The Curve Fits selection dialog box appears. Click on: Polynomial. Under Polynomial Order, click on: 3; OK to return to the Curves, Equations, and Error Bars dialog box.
7.  Add the Equation for Graph C:
In the Equation field for Graph C, click on None. The Graph C Equation Entry dialog box appears. Type: x^3. Click on OK. When you've finished, the Curves, Equations and Error Bars dialog box should look like the following figure. Click on: OK. The graph displays with error bars, a curvefit and an equation.
8.  Add the Legend Text:
Click on: Chart; Series and Legends... Click on the Legend Text entry field for Graph A. The Legend Text pop-up appears. In the Legend 1 field type Error Bars. Next, click on the Legend Text entry field for Graph C. The Legend Text pop-up appears. In the Legend 1 field type x3. Then hilight the 3 and click on Superscript. When you've finished, the Series and Legends dialog box should look like the following figure. Click on: OK.
The graph shown at the beginning of this tutorial displays.
9.  Edit the Graph Directly
  • Resize the graph.
    To select the graph frame, click anywhere inside the frame. The status line at the bottom of the screen will display Frame & Series. Click and drag one of the handles to resize the graph. All the Graph elements (including the titles and axis labels) will retain their positions relative to the graph frame.
  • Change the color and line style of the curve fit.
    To edit the graph frame and series, double-click inside the graph frame. The Status line at the bottom of the screen will say "Frame & Series". In the Scatter Graph Options dialog Selection list, click on Curve Fit A. To change its color, in the Color list click on Black. To make the line dashed, in the Type list click on 2. When you've finished, the Scatter Graph options dialog should look like this:
    Click on OK. The graph will be displayed with the new line style.
Top of Page Creating a Graph with a Nonlinear Curve Fit
In this tutorial, you will learn to:
  • Enter data and fit it with a nonlinear sigmoidal curve fit using SlideWrite's Math option.
  • Apply a template to plot your results quickly and easily.
A Note About Curve Fitting...
SlideWrite Plus offers two types of curve fitting:
  • For power and flexibility - Select one or more fit types -- including user-defined fits -- under Math; Curve Fitter. You can control fit parameters such as the number of iterations and tolerance, and perform weighted fits. You'll use this type of fit in this tutorial.
  • For quick and easy curve fits - Select a single fit type under Chart; Curves, Equations, and Error Bars... The curve automatically appears on the chart.
  1. Prepare to Create a New Chart:
    • Clear previous graphs, if any: Click on File; New...
    • Select the chart type: Click on Graph; OK.
  2. Enter the Data into the Graph Data Form:
    As shown in the Graph Data Form below, type the X data in the X Data column and the Y data under Graph A.
  3. Perform the Curve Fit:
    Click on Math; Curve Fitter... The Curve Fitter dialog box appears.
    • Choose the type of fit.
      Under Fit Option, click on Nonlinear, then click on Select... to open the Nonlinear Fit Selection dialog box. Click on Clear All to clear current selections, then click on Sigmoidal to choose only a Sigmoidal curve fit. When you've finished, the Nonlinear Fit Selection dialog box will look like the following figure. (Note: If you choose more than one type of fit, SlideWrite will report the one that gives the best fit for your data.) Click on OK to return to the Curve Fitter dialog box.
    • Calculate the fit.
      In the Curve Fitter dialog box, click on Calculate. SlideWrite calculates the Sigmoidal curve fit for your data.
  4. Save the Curve Fit Equation:
    Without leaving the Curve Fitter dialog box, click on Save... The Save Fit Statistics dialog box appears. Click on Y Predict Equation in the Options list, then enter A in the Destination Col. field. Click on OK to return to the Curve Fitter dialog box. The equation for the Sigmoidal fit has been transferred to the Graph A Equation field in the Curves, Equations and Error Bars dialog box. Click on Done to return to the Graph Data Form.
  5. Apply the Chart Template:
    To see a list of chart templates that can be applied to your data, click on File; Apply Template... (you don't need to save the chart at this point). In the Files list, double-click on sigmoid.tpl. The template sets the options for how the graph will display. Click on View; Redraw Chart. The graph shown at the beginning of this tutorial displays.
Top of Page Creating a Technical Drawing
This example shows you how to make a complex drawing quickly and easily using SlideWrite Plus figures. You will:
  • Add two figures
  • Add a title to the drawing.
  1. Prepare to Create a New Chart:
    Clear previous charts, if any: click on File; New... To select the chart type and format, click on Drawing; Landscape (8 1/2 x 11 in); OK.
  2. Add the First Figure:
    Click on the Figure icon.
  3. Make a bounding box for the first figure: Click and drag to define the box for the chemical structure for cholesterol in the left half of the screen. (See figure above for placement.) In the Figure Style dialog box File Name field, type cholest.tc then click OK.
  4. Add the Second Figure:
    • Make a bounding box for the second figure:
      Click and drag to define the box for the picture of the heart in the right half of the screen. In the Figure Style dialog box File Name field, type heart2.tc then click OK. Note that you can include any SlideWrite chart in a drawing as a figure.
  5. Add the Title:
    Click on the Text icon.
    • Define the bounding box for the text:
      Click and drag to define the bounding box for the drawing title. (See the chart at the beginning of this tutorial for position and size.)
    • Enter the text:
      In the Draw Text Style dialog box, type The Role of Cholesterol in Heart Disease. Click and drag to highlight the text. In the Font list, click on SlideWrite Roman, then click on Underline; OK. The chart shown above displays (without dotted lines).
Top of Page Creating a 3D Graph
This tutorial will show you how to:
  • Enter data for a 3D plot
  • Display the chart as a mesh plot, sometimes called a surface plot.
  • Control the number of nodes (grid lines) used in the mesh.
  1. Prepare to Create a New Chart:
    Before you begin, clear the previous charts. Click on File; New... Select the chart type: click on Graph; OK.
  2. Enter the Data into the Graph Data Form:
    Enter the X data into the X Data column, the Y Data under Graph A, and the Z data under Graph B. The Graph Data Form should now look like the following figure.
  3. Change the Graph Type to 3D Mesh:
    Click on Chart; Graph Type; 3D Mesh to change the graph type and return to the Graph Data Form. Click on View; Redraw Chart. The chart redraws as a 3D mesh, or surface plot.
  4. Change the Mesh Plot Display Settings:
    You can control the grid size of the mesh plot and the number of grid lines (nodes) used to calculate the mesh. Click on Chart; Mesh Gridding... The Mesh Gridding dialog box displays.
    • Set the grid size.
      Click on the X Minimum field, and type 0. Click on the X Maximum field and type 5. Click on the Y Minimum field and type 0. Click on the Y Maximum field and type 4.
    • Set the number of grid lines (nodes):
      Click on the X Grid Lines field and type 25. Click on the Y Grid Lines field and type 25. Then, click on OK.
      The graph shown in the figure at the beginning of this tutorial displays.
      Press F1 Help for more information about options available, such as surface colors and viewing angles.
Top of Page Creating a Chart with Multiple Graphs
This exercise will demonstrate how to:
  • Set up the page for multiple graphs.
  • Enter data for the graphs.
  • Select the data to use for each graph.
  • Change the Graph Type for one of the graphs.
A Note About Chart Formats
When placing two graphs on one page, you should select the Chart Format and layout so that you get the best use of the space on the page. In this example you will select a Portrait chart format for adding two charts aligned vertically.
  1. Prepare to Create a New Chart
    Click on the New button on the toolbar. The New Chart dialog box is displayed. Under Type, click on: Graph Under Format, click on: Portrait (8 1/2 x 11 in) Under Graph Layout, click on: Multiple In the Rows box enter: 2 In the Columns box enter: 1 Click on: Preview to see a preview of the layout and then on OK to exit the dialog box and display the Graph Data Form.
  2. Enter the Data into the Graph Data Form.
    Type the X data values in the X Data column and the Y values under Graph A and Graph B as indicated in the Graph Data Form example below.
  3. Select the Data to Use for Each Graph.
    On a chart with multiple graphs, the active graph is displayed on the Title Bar at the top of the screen. Currently, it should say Bar Graph1.
    • Select the data for Graph1.
      Click on: Chart; Series and Legends In the Series and Legends dialog, in the Graph Type field for Graph B click on: Bar. In the Graph Type dialog that appears click on: None, OK, OK to turn off series B on the active graph (Graph1).
      You'll notice that the data in the Graph B series is now grayed, indicating that it is not used on the active graph. Note that you can still edit all the data, including the grayed entries.
    • Choose Graph2 as the active graph.
      Click on: Chart; Graph Selection. In the Graph Selection menu, click on: Graph2.
      The active graph name on the Title Bar should now say Bar Graph2.
    • Select the data for Graph2.
      Click on: Chart; Series and Legends. In the Series and Legends dialog, in the Graph Type field for Graph A click on: Bar. In the Graph Type dialog that appears click on: None, OK, OK to turn off series A on the active graph (Graph2).
    You'll notice that the data in the Graph A series is now grayed, indicating that it is not used on the active graph.
  4. Change Graph1 to a Line Graph.
    When the graphs are displayed on the screen, you can select the active graph easily by clicking inside the graph frame. You can also get quick access to the graph's Chart menu options by right-clicking on the graph.
    • Display the chart.
      Click on the Edit Drawing button for graphs.
    • Select the Graph Type for Graph1.
      Click inside the frame of the top graph. The Title bar will say Bar Graph1 Right-click. In the pop-up menu click on Graph Type then click on: Line. The graph will be automatically updated showing a single line for the graph data in the Graph A column. When you've finished, the chart will look like the example at the beginning of this tutorial.
Hints for Charts with Multiple Graphs
  • Once you select the active graph, you can use any of the options in the Chart menu to change the style, axis scaling and other options for the graph.
  • You can change the layout as you desire by moving and sizing the graphs.
  • To select multiple graphs, hold down the Shift key and click on the graphs. (Selecting all the graphs and re-sizing them together helps keep their sizes consistent.) You can mix 2-D and 3-D Graph Types on the chart.
  • To select the data to plot on a 2-D graph:
    • To eliminate columns of data from the active graph set the Chart; Series and Legends; Graph Type option to None for the unwanted series.
    • To use only certain rows on the active graph, use the X Axis Scaling and Breaks; X Row Range option to specify which rows to use.
  • To select the data to plot on a 3-D graph:
    • To eliminate columns of data from the active graph set the Chart; 3D Series and Legends; Display Series option to No for the unwanted series.
    • To use only certain rows on the active graph, use the X, Y and Z Axis Scaling and Breaks; X Row Range option to specify which rows to use.
Top of PageHow to Order SlideWrite
To order SlideWrite Plus and the Science Figure Packs Collection, call us at: 800-795-4754 or visit our web site: www.SlideWrite.com for complete ordering instructions.
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