Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Share graphical tips, notes and queries related to our favourite screen layout and its editors.
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hikoki
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by hikoki »

Another Java tool, the sprite editor which comes with zxpoly : https://github.com/raydac/zxpoly
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RMartins
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by RMartins »

hikoki wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:50 am Another Java tool, the sprite editor which comes with zxpoly : https://github.com/raydac/zxpoly
Did not knew that project. Looks interesting.
Was there ever a plan for the hardware ?

Uses several Z80 CPUs , executing the same code (not very efficient), but how the graphics/colors are accompished, doesn't seem to be explained anywhere.
Nomad
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by Nomad »

I was shocked, through some black magic the guy was able to make the spectrum look like a MSX. :lol: I tried to find out more about the project but all the google links seem to go back to the same github.
hikoki
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by hikoki »

I told the author of Zesarux about zxpoly. I don't think this computer had been implemented with circuitry. Dunno if this could be configured with fpga nano-computers like the Next or ZX-Uno. Its author can be contacted by email, facebook, twitter, skype, etc
Why do you find it interesting? If I'm not wrong, the idea behind this computer is adding just multiprocessor from back in the day in top of the original machines, to have been able to compete for longer with the likes of the NES
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by Ralf »

I made a quick check on this zxpoly.

It looks that indeed it is an emulator emulating an non-existing machine ;)

The idea behind this machine is to use 4 Z80 processors which would works in a parallel way. Each of them would have own separate 64kB of memory. So there would be 4 screen memories which would be combined by some kind of new ULA to produce a final display. Each pixel would be coded not by one bit but by 4 bits, each coming from a different processor. It makes 16 possible combinations = 16 independent colours without attributes.

All 4 CPUs would have the same game code in their memories. There would be just a difference in graphics. This way in theory you don't need to change a single byte in game code, you just alter graphics. Attributes are still present, copied to proper memory and tested by game logic if necessary but not displayed to screen.

I would say it's a very interesting idea but as it wasn't done in hardware it will remain a curiosity.
hikoki
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by hikoki »

Ralf, I'm not sure if ZX-Poly would require a new ULA.. also I think it's 128K per CPU.
The author colourised a classic game just with the sprite editor without hacking the code!
some elements of third level were not colorized because their colorization broke game process and made desynchronize CPU modules, it looks like that there is some optimization in graphics processing for those elements and presented some check for empty areas to optimize speed.
which is nice because you'll find untouched elements to remind it's an original game :)

I've opened a thread in the ZX-Uno forum. There could be some interest since a russian is making a Spec256 core and someone else checked if another multicpu clone (for a bigger fpga project from the russian forums) would fit in the ZX-Uno
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Seven.FFF
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by Seven.FFF »

That's amazing!!
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hikoki
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Re: Is there such a think as a linux SCREEN$ editor?

Post by hikoki »

^^^
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