You can create any type of character. The only restriction is that the characters you define must follow the same rules that govern the rest of the characters printed by the Apex80. They must fit into an 11 x 9 matrix, no dot can overlap another, and either the top or the bottom row must be empty.

Designing Process

Suppose you want to print the scientific symbol for the planet Mercury. Although the Apex80 has a number of special symbols, that is not one of them. First, use a grid like the one in Figure 5-1 to plan ‘where to place the dots.

Figure 5-1.

Grid for designing draft characters

Because the last two columns are reserved for the space between characters, they are not included in the grid. And since most characters do not use the bottom two rows, there is a heavy line to indicate the usual lower limit for an Apex80 character.

When you place your dots on this grid, remember that dots cannot go on horizontal lines, but they can go on vertical lines so long as they do not overlap any other dots. As you design your characters, draw

5 . 2

User-defined Characters