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Author Topic: TommyGun Developer Studio (Read 36055 times)

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #30 on: 2007.February.26. 23:04:34 »
Are you saying that in this mode you can only use colours 0-7 and actually need to set a register for the display to show 8-16 colours?
If so does this mean it is really a 8 colour mode and you can switch between colour 0-7 & 8-15?
No, it is really 16 colour mode, you can use any colors from 0 to 15 at anywhere on the screen.
The limitations on the color selections.
For color 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 you can select any colors from the 256.
The color 8-15 can selected in one color block by the FIXBIAS, I writed the method previously.

This color selections is also true for Attribute mode. This is the next bug :-) currently you use the Spectrum method for EP Attribute mode.
It is can be simulated, but you can use other colors than the Spectrum.
(For Spectrum simulation: set the BIAS to 31, this is select 248-255 color codes for col8-15. You can use these as Spectrum Bright colors. And needed to select normal Spectrum colors for col0-7. This is the common method when converting Spectrum games to Enterprise. One problem with the color order, the Spectrum use different than the Enterprise)

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #31 on: 2007.February.27. 04:59:20 »
Ok, I re-read the post about the 8 colors and the extra 8 from the fixbias register.
This still doesn't change the image editor.
It doesn't change the bit pattern of the pixel in 16 colour mode.
It only changes how YOU manage your palette.
The editors job is to show what your image would look like - it doesn't need to use the same techniques used to program the actual machine.
Where and how you access the 16 palette does not change the output from TommyGun, its changes the way you program your images in your code.
My concern with TommyGun is producing the correct image data for you to use - not with how a programmer writes their game - just that the data they need is in the right format.

Ok, the attribute I used the spectrum colors because it is used to emulator the spectrum.
If you want I can make the color configurable and provide a reset button to return the colours to default spectrum colours.
Its not entirely the same as the spectrum however, as the spectrum has a flash bit and the enterprise doesn't - its has 2 bright bits - 1 for foregrounf and 1 for background.

I'm looking into the other issues now - so will get back to you soon :)

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #32 on: 2007.March.01. 11:53:06 »
The editors job is to show what your image would look like - it doesn't need to use the same techniques used to program the actual machine.
Ok, but more usable, if use similiar color selections. Currently if I want to change colors in the col8-15 area, then needed 8 manual color selection operations. I want: the program works more instead the user :-)
My idea: the col8-15 can't be selected from the color palette, and additional FIXBIAS icon, it is can be selected from the 256 colors palette. Fixbias-(Fixbias MOD 8 )=col8, col9=col8+1, col 10=col8+2, etc
For example: Fixbias=45 then col8-15=40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47
This is the same method used by operating system on the Enterprise.
Please, please, please :-) implement this.

If you want I can make the color configurable and provide a reset button to return the colours to default spectrum colours.
Yes I want this, it is good idea!

Its not entirely the same as the spectrum however, as the spectrum has a flash bit and the enterprise doesn't - its has 2 bright bits - 1 for foregrounf and 1 for background.
Yes, the Enterprise not have these special bits. On EP very simple the attribute mode, you have 16 colors, the color selections same with the 16 colors mode (8 colors can be specified by the palette, 8 by the FIXBIAS). At each attribute you can select any of the 16 colors for foreground and other for background.
I you select right colors, then you can simulate the Spectrum Bright bit. It is easy: specify normal colors for col0-7, and bright colors for col8-15. Then the bit3 of the color code will be a "bright bit".
The flash bit: when I converting Spectrum games, then use inverted attributes for replacing the flash, it is good solution for most situations.

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #33 on: 2007.March.01. 11:56:49 »
I found PayPal Donate button in your program, and tested it :-)

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #34 on: 2007.March.01. 23:14:24 »
I found PayPal Donate button in your program, and tested it :-)
Yes I noticed :D Thank you!  :)

My idea: the col8-15 can't be selected from the color palette, and additional FIXBIAS icon, it is can be selected from the 256 colors palette. Fixbias-(Fixbias MOD 8 )=col8, col9=col8+1, col 10=col8+2, etc
For example: Fixbias=45 then col8-15=40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47
This is the same method used by operating system on the Enterprise.
Please, please, please implement this.
I will do this for you. It makes sense and is easy to do.
I will probably just modify the existing palette selection form to show a colour group selector.
Where you can choose a group of colors from the expected ranges (0-7, 8-15 etc) and I will show the expected FIXBIAS value as well in the information area.
Should be available in 2-3 weeks - as I have a few other things to finish for the next release as well.
I'm slowly making my way through your other suggestions as well.

Thanks Zozosoft for supporting TommyGun and helping to give your Enterprise 64/128 developer buddies something useful to use for development.

Oh and where you found the donate button - try this:
1) Click on the KiwiWare label in the top left. - Your name will be appearing under the contributors and donations sections
2) Also click on the text under the special thanks heading as it scrolls by! Thats me and my little boy when we was about 6-9 months old. :)


Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #35 on: 2007.March.01. 23:34:10 »
Should be available in 2-3 weeks - as I have a few other things to finish for the next release as well.
I'm slowly making my way through your other suggestions as well.
Ok!
And I have more suggestions :-)
1) importing Enterprise image files
2) additional problem with the Spectrum colors in Attribute mode. The Enterprise use different color order (you can select the right order in the col0-7, but can't in the col8-15 because the Fixbias), this means when importing Spectrum screens to Enterprise screen then needed converting the attributes. It is very easy, I can send the conversion table to you.
3) more will coming :-)

Do you see my ASM template? Do you want to be continued?

2) Also click on the text under the special thanks heading as it scrolls by! Thats me and my little boy when we was about 6-9 months old. :)
And your motorbike :-)

Offline MrPrise

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #36 on: 2007.March.02. 00:04:07 »
I found Kevin Thacker's letter on your site. He wrote the first Enterprise emulator. The available EP emulators uses part of his code.

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #37 on: 2007.March.02. 00:30:57 »
Do you see my ASM template? Do you want to be continued?

eh? Where is it?
You mean an asm file or the parameters you set for the pasmo compiler?
If pasmo settings - then yes i have seen these - but the settings are user dependent as some users may not use Pasmo.
So they are only included in a project file as the user defines them - there is no TommyGun default setting applied.

And your motorbike :-)
Yes - but sadly I have sold that motorbike and I'm waiting for the ok from my wife to buy another bike soon. :D
« Last Edit: 2007.March.02. 00:32:48 by Kiwi »

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #38 on: 2007.March.02. 00:34:13 »
I found Kevin Thacker's letter on your site. He wrote the first Enterprise emulator. The available EP emulators uses part of his code.
Yes - Kevin has helped me in the past with the CPC plugins for TommyGun.
Very nice guy! :)

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #39 on: 2007.March.02. 09:51:26 »
eh? Where is it?
You mean an asm file or the parameters you set for the pasmo compiler?
In the reply where I writed the Pasmo paramaters, I attached a asm file, called as EP.ASM
This file is template for generate executable programs for Enterprise. It is generate correct EXOS file header (the Pasmo not have built in support for Enterprise :-( ), define the EXOS function call instruction as MACRO. And some instructions for start and exit program. Between the start and the end is a empty space for your program :-)
This compiled with the parameters what I writed for Pasmo, you got a correct executable program file for Enterprise.

My idea: adding some more routines for this template (memory allocations, setting up screen), for make more easy to start the developements to Enterprise.

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #40 on: 2007.March.02. 10:11:12 »
This would make a good Enterprise example project.
If you could expand it to include simple sprite animation and tile drawing (like the sabrewulf prj) then I would include it as a demo project.
My suggestion would be a simple space invaders level - no bases to keep it simple.

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #41 on: 2007.March.02. 11:21:16 »
For first step, I want to convert the ‘Noughts and Crosses’ tutorial to EP :-)

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #42 on: 2007.March.02. 11:36:30 »
Good idea!
It would also be really cool if you could use some of the same game play code (functions).
Apart from the display/keyboard routines it should all be compatible with the Enterprise.

I look forward to seeing your converted project. :D

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #43 on: 2007.March.02. 11:53:58 »
It would also be really cool if you could use some of the same game play code (functions).
Yes, I want to do this :-)
Apart from the display/keyboard routines it should all be compatible with the Enterprise.
The keyboard routines modifications is about one minute work :-)
The display can be work on two ways:
1. setting up the memory map and screen mode for simulate Spectrum. At this way can be used the original Tutorial images and routines. Only small modifications needed with the attributes for right color selections.
2. Use any original Enterprise graphics mode, for this game I think 320x200 4 colors mode enought. Needed to redraw the images, and new graphics routines.

I want to do both ways.

Offline Kiwi

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Re: TommyGun Developer Studio
« Reply #44 on: 2007.March.02. 12:00:26 »
Sounds like fun ;) and I appreciate your enthusiasm!

I would love to see new graphics that make the enterprise version better :D