You re neyer
too old to Scribble! Scribble! Platinum Edition
Scribble! Platinum Edition offers many improvements that make Scribble! the word processor of choice for beginning and experienced users. Featuring rapid text entry and scrolling, Scribble! Platinum Edition offers the best of all worlds: power, speed, easy to use. In no time at all, you'll be writing memos, letters, or even a book! SPELLING CHECKER Platinum Scribble! shines in this area with a 104,000+ word dictionary with scientific and technical supplements. The Spell-As-You-Type option checks spelling on the fly. Phonetic spelling, transposed letters, and contractions are no problem for Platinum Scribble! Enter Kasil and castle is suggested, hie finds the and shalln 't finds shan't. Modify the user dictionary by adding, editing and deleting words with the user dictionary maintenance program.
THESAURUS Platinum Scribble! has a 470,000+ word thesaurus, with definitions. As a matter of
fact, the word right displays 21 groups of synonyms. MULTIPLE WINDOWS Open up to 4 windows at once. Display your documents in 2, 4, or 8 color windows.
Change the colors to suit your needs. Platinum Scribble! supports both interlace and non-interlace screens with horizontal and vertical overscan. CUT AND PASTE Copy, cut and paste text within a single document or from one document to another. MAIL MERGE Print form letters and mailing labels. Enter information at print time or auto matically insert information from any mail merge text file.
^
IFF GRAPHIC SUPPORT Print IFF graphics with any compatible printer supported by the Commodore
Amiga printer drivers. CUPBOARD COMPATIBLE Platinum Scribble! is clipboard compatible with Micro-Systems Software products. OVERVIEW • On-screen bold, italic, and underline, with highlighting for super and sub-script. • Support
for laser printer font cartridges • Needs only 512k of memory • Not-copy protected • Easy hard drive installation • Free Technical Support for Registered Users. Committed to excellence since 1978 12798 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 202
West Palm Beach, Florida 33414 Mcr^SystemsSoftware
407-790-0770
FAX 407-790-1341
Dealers and Distributors CaU 1-800-327-8724 See your local dealer for a demonstration. Scribble! Platinum Edition is a trademark of Micro-Systems Software, Inc. Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore Business Machines. Circle 101 on Reader Service card.
A3001
BREMING THE SPEED BARRIER
New 25Mhz 68030 Upgrade Kit from GVP Puts Tomorrow's Performance in Your A2000 Toda -1
Br: 25Mhz 68030 CPU and 68882
FPU with fully implemented BURST mode 32-bit memory. An order of magnitude taster than A2500.
Up to 8MB of State-of-the-art NIBBLE MODE 32-bit DRAM memory averages zero waitstates
during 68030 BURST mode.
Built-in Hard Disk Con troller direct on 32-bit bus keeps ALL A2000 expansion slots free even when our hard disk is installed! Backed up by GVP's unique full one year warranty.
A3001, 25Mhz 68030/68882
Upgrade Kit Technical Highlights: • Asynchronous 68030 design allows high clock rates and GENLOCK compatibility. • Factory installed 25Mhz 68882 floating point processor, twice as fast as the older 6888! chip.
Amiga is a regisiered irademart of Com modwe-Amiga Inc.
• Fully DMA-able AUTOCON-FIGured 32-bit
IMPACT and GVP ate trademarks of Greal Valley Proouds. Inc
wide memory. Up lo SMB.
• Built-in AUTOBOOTing hard disk controller supports up to two 40 or 80MB drives (11/19ms access).
• Selectable 68000 fall-back mode for full floppy-based game compatibility. GREATVAUEY PRODUCTS INC.
For more information, or for your nearest GVP dealer, call today. Dealer inquiries welcome.
FAX (215) 889-9416 • (215) 889-9411 • BBS (215) 88M994 225 Planlc Ave., Paoli, PA 19301
Circle 158 on Reader Service card
Aina
JL
fAMIGA
JL. COMPUTING comp
Your Original AMIGA* Monthly Resource
AMAZING COLUMNS
GRAPHICS & ANIMATION!
New Products...and Other Neat Stuff
Secrets of Visual Synthesis
by Elizabeth G. Fedoriyn
by David Duberman
Muxic-X, Jack Nicklaus Golf, Scannery,
Ray Tracing on the Amiga with Sculpt-
and more!
Animate 4D and Turbo Silver 3-0.
HardCopy
PageRender 3D Review
by M. J. Bernier
by Michael Fahrion
Answers to AC 4.8 HardCopy.
Michael reviews Mindware's 3D rendering package.
Roomers by the Bandito
DeluxePaint III — The Inside Story
The Bandito shares the untold tale of
by Ben & Jean Means
Amiga LIVE!
EA's Dan Silva tells how DeluxePaint III evolved.
Snapshot by Brad Andrews
Scene Generator Review
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,
by R. Shamms Mortier, PhD.
Rampage, BattleTech and more!
A quick and easy-to-use graphics program—and it's free!
Bug Bytes by John Steiner
Fractal Presentation
Bugs in Superbase, upgrades for
by David Hiestand
AKexx, and more!
David shares his presentation experiences
Video Schmideo
Design-3D Review
by Barry Solomon
by R. Shamms Mortier, PhD.
The Layman's guide ro Amiga video!
Mr. Mortier reviews Gold Disk's Design-3D.
C Notes from the C Group by Stephen Kemp
"Keep it Simple" utility programming.
Your Original AMIGA Monthly Resource
•TABLE
OF
CONTENTS* Volume 4, Number 9 September, 1989 AMAZING FEATURES
GRAPHICS & ANIMATION!
Digitizing Color Slides And Negatives
T-Shell
on the Amiga
by Rich Falconburg
by Ron S. Gull
A UNIX equivalent command line interface
A basic guide to macro digitizing!
for communicating with your Amiga.
High Octane Colors
AmiEXPO '89
by Robert D'Asto
by AC'S Managing Editor
Maximizing your colors in AmigaBASIC.
Highlights from the Chicago '89 AmiEXPO!
Pixels At An Exhibition: The Video
Jay Miner Interview
by Shamms R. Mortier
Amiga-generated art is showcased at a University of Vermont show.
Cell Animation In Modula-2 by Nicholas Cirasella
by Steve Gillmor An interview with the "Father of the Amiga".
Memory Squares by Mike Morrison Test your memory with Mike's memory game!
How to walk all over your Amiga.
Improving Your Graphics Programming | by Richard Martin
Richard has the cure for the "Blind Artist's
AMAZING DEPARTMENTS
Syndrome."
Gels In Multi-Forth, Part III by John Bushakra John continues his series in Gels along with a tasty dish!
Amazing Mail
Amiga User Groups
Index of Advertisers Public Domain Software Catalog
.
*-'
.
"I've written the best and fastest backup program on the market."
Amazing
JL JL COMPUTING~C7 For Tfje Commodore AMIGA™ ADMINISTRATION
My name is Walt Soden. I've been a
programmer for thirty years, and I know
how important it is to back up your hard
Publisher:
Joyce Hicks
Assistant Publisher:
Robert J. Hicks
Circulation Manager:
Doris Gamble
Asst. Circulation:
Traci Desmarais
disk. But when I looked for a good backup
Asst. Circulation:
Donna Viveiros
program for my Amiga, I found they took too
Corporate Trainer:
Virginia Terry Hicks
much of my time managing the backup
Traffic Manager:
Robert Gamble
International Coordinator: Marie A. Raymond
disks. I knew there had to be a better way—
Marketing Manager:
so I spent a year writing and perfecting what
Administrative Support: Aurore R. Trepanier
I sincerely believe to be the best backup software available.
EZ-Backup Does what Quarterback can't. EZ-Backup does ALL the work. EZ-Backup knows which files to back up, how many versions to save, which to erase and where they are in the backup set. So you only have to keep one set of backup disks, period. Your files will always be there, safe and sound—in the standard AmigaDOS format.
Ernest P. Viveiros Sr.
EDITORIAL Managing Editor:
Don Hicks
Associate Editor:
Elizabeth Fedorzyn
Hardware Editor:
Ernest P. Viveiros Sr.
Technical Editor:
J. Michael Morriscn
Music & Sound Editor:
Richard Rae
Video Editor:
Barry S. Solomon
Copy Editor:
Aimee B. Abren
Copy Editor:
Derek J. Perry
Copy Editor:
Matt Rita
Art Director:
William Fries
Photographer:
Paul Michael
II lustra tor:
Brian Fox
Production Manager:
Donna M. Garant
ADVERTISING SALES
Advertising:
Jannine Irizarry
Special Assignment:
Barry Solomon
Marketing Assistant:
Melissa J. Bernier
1-503-678-4200
FAX 1-508-675-6002
A special offer.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Buddy Terrell S Byrd Press Bob at Riverside Art, Ltd.
Is it the lowest price and the best value in
Swansea One Hour Photo
backup software? You be the judge. EZ-
Pride Offset. Warwick, Rl
Backup comes with free phone support. If
Mach 1 Photo
you have any questions, just pick up the
phone and you can talk to me personally. I'll send you a working demonstration copy of EZ-Backup (limited only in the number of
files it can back up) for only S5.00. If you like it, then take advantage of the special discount offer explained on the
demonstration disk or you can buy the full version from your local Amiga dealer. If you don't think it's the best, most convenient backup software you've ever tried, send back the disk and I'll refund your five bucks.
Amazing Computing™ (ISSN 0886-9480) is published monthly by PiM Publications, Inc., Currant Road, P.O. Box 869. Fall River, MA 02722-0869.
Subscriptions in the U.S.. 12 issues for S24.00; in Canada & Mexico surface, S36.00; foreign surface for $44.00. Second-Class Postage paid at Fall River, MA 02722 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PiM Publications Inc., P.O. Box 869, Fa! River, MA 02722-0869. Printed in the U.S.A. CopyrightSNov. 198S by PiM Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
First Class or Air Mail rates available upon request. PiM Publica tions, Inc. maintains the right to refuse any advertising.
EZ-Soft, 10668 Ellen Street, El Monte,
CA 91731,(818)448-0779.
Pirn Publications Inc. is not obligated to return unsolicited materials. All requested returns must be received with a Self Addressed Stamped Mailer.
Quarterback is a trademark of Central Coast Software.
Send article submissions in both manuscript and disk format with your name, address, telephone, and Social Security Number on
each to the Associate Editor. Requests for Author's Guides should be directed to the address listed above.
AMIGA™ is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiaa, Inc. Circle 119 on Reader Service card.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Amazing Dealers The following are Amazing Dealers, dedicated to supporting the Commodore-Amiga™. They cany Amazing Computing™, your resource for information on the Amiga™. If you are not an Amazing Dealer, but would like to become one, call PiM Publications, Inc.:
1-508-678-4200 Hue Convof PU» JurBauEharem N»wAg*CDrpul»n
WUlvlCDnElEtr
LtttFlna Frami
Tew
Tfca?ht App« ViTipj Cd-cuhts
Onctjkau &eb*TCoT^iH*Cn
Gul Ccul Co-niiir FjcTurg*
)J;tV.K
5 Cot;l'.«ii.-£V cm Onsen
rirrs ULmBC
Uuaai
*!».<;
■":nii. Ptnvtl I r;;.-.:
•■:;;• 1. ■ StfiviniCaren
OvUlTi
Cnarnaa Scnvn F^OB & C#rif. vSrHrn
J t C flapu
Vh Ode Cctvj e* Sfc»a Uita
B
Hka HamtHn Son-SKl Ytuia it
Chap
hnCffpjjgCni
Mas Til
Bac tors Js SyBHm
Alfl&Aam Urisi Sja-B. Marliu Uhb
Onare Oura
CPU Ire to-^C*MJ C^il iflar 1 Co.
PVtcoTi fu« CorcuHr Cflftar
On
Sown Ofvflt
ClnmHi
WtotA Sotrt
WilMnMtntgn
ftnml
\J-:.T,L*JiJ!-i.ti-£
Ucre'.f-Js
SnlMUJ
Stft"W CornacKfl
IWrack
T:'l.- rB i-:-j:
Cuue
.■y,-::-::';LHHvb.WA
4h
(waJiCUSon
LHar*
rill SB!
TeiHfl*
Daou
Amazing Computing™ is also available in most B. Dalton Booksellers, B. Daiton Software Stores, Crown Books, Software Etc., selected Walden Books Stores, and Walden's Software Store iocations.
.
.
Amazing Mail
Dear AC:
Dear AC:
The articles in Vol. 4 No.4
about is whether or not a program is
I am writing in regard to an article
easy to master, easy to use, and gets the
concerning Amiga hard drives was
in the March 1989 issue entitled "'Fractal
excellent material and helped to make
Fundamentals", by Paul Castonguay. I
this your best issue yet. Please publish
found the article easy to understand and
garnish screens, a bewildering array of
more of these types of articles in the
I had fun with the program and
gadgets whose functions aren't
future.
generating my own fractal designs. I
immediately obvious, or opaque
have found similar articles on computer-
terminology, they will come away
The information presented by
job done.
If they are confronted with cluttered,
Boulle, Twardy, and Morgan will
generated fractal patterns in the Scientific
confused, frustrated, and angry. Who can
undoubtedly whet the storage appetites
American "Computer Recreations"
blame them? For die vast majority of
of Amiga users everywhere. A great
column frustrating because of their
people, a computer is ( and .should be) a
number of Amiga users badly want a
refusal to explain how to generate the
tool, not an end in itself. No one needs
hard drive for their favorite machine but
fractal patterns.
to know anything about chemistry,
cannot spring for the liigh price of a
The article in AC let me program my
optics, or electronics to use a camera.
store bought unit. Others of us refuse to
computer to perform the surprisingly
They shouldn't have to know anything
settle for an affordable but paltry 20
simple operations. The article really
about blitters, bit-maps, orBressenham
megabyte drive and want/need a higher
bridged a gap between the difficult to
algorithms to write a letter or draw a
capacity drive that is financially
apply discussions and the interested but
picture using their computer.
attainable.
easy hacker who wants to see the
Information such as you have presented in your last issue will be of
patterns on his own monitor.
The user interface should be developed first, before any other code is
The article in the March issue was
written. It should not be left until last,
great help to Amiga users who'd like to
billed as "Part I," but I have yet to see
and used to glue together all of the
"roll their own" hard drive system but
Part II. I hope to see the next installment
routines that comprise the program. Fit
need some help to do it. As good as
soon.
your routines to the interface so that
these articles were, there is a gigantic fly
your program has coherence and
in the ointment! Yes. Several suppliers of
Sincerely,
HD system parts and prices are
Daniel Tormey
mentioned, but mere aren't any
Cambridge, MA
addresses or phone numbers that tell us
WHERE to locate these vital parts! Arrgghhhhh!!!! So far, I have combed Computer
consistency. Go ahead and make your
programs powerful, but make access to that power simple. Above all, strive to
make your programs beautiful and a joy -Fractals Part II was printed in AC V4.7
to use, rather than a chore. Spend a
onpage95, arid Fractals Pan IIIwill
hundred hours getting your presentation
appear soon in afuture issue. Paul is
"just so". Then spend another hundred
Shopper for an OMTI 3527 RLL-SCSI
doing a great job, and we currently plan
hours polishing it.
adapter/controller with no luck at
to print up to Fractals Part VI, unless you
all...plenty of slow Adaptec 4070's for
want us to print more. Let us know.—ED
Sincerely,
sale but no OMTI's Also, a price of $149
Paul M. Carlisle Royal Oak, MI
was quoted for the Supra host adapter. The lowest price that I have seen on this is $185. Please let me know where I can
save a few bucks and get it for $149-1
Dear AC:
I thoroughly enjoyed the article by
-Commodore agrees with this philosophy and is including a programmers library
in the VIA release. TheASl.libraiy will
did manage to find Wetex in the CS, so I
James Bayless in V4.2, "A Common User
can get the case/PS but who and where
Interface for the Amiga". His plea for a
include items commonly needed by
are DigiKey and L.S.I. Marketing?
polished, consistent presentation of
programmers, such as afile requestor.
programs must be heeded if the Amiga is
This will make the userfeel comfortable
additional info that you can send my
to enjoy continued success in a broad
moving from one application to another.
way. I'm sure that lots of AC readers
market.
—ED
Thanks in advance for any
would appreciate such additional
For every hacker and hardware-head who bought this machine because of its
information as well.
technical excellence (like myselD there Sincerely, Edward E. Brown Vancouver, WA
are a thousand other people who want a computer that will simply allow them to
get their work done quickly and
Dear AC:
I enjoyed your recent construction
smoothly. These folks don't care about
article for an Amiga Stereo Sound
-We contactedJon Boulle. and he said he
advanced hardware inside their machine,
Digitizer. This was an excellent article,
buys OMTI'sfrom C-Ltdfor about $185.
the amazing algorithm you developed for
especially since a PC board layout was
He suggests that you may want to
text-searching, or how you cleverly
included.
purchase an imbedded SCSI device now
circumvented the operating system to
that the prices are down.—ED
speed up file access. What they do care
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
However, may I make a suggestion? Next time, please make the PC layout
Got The Picture...Get The Works! A
T
I
N
U
M
EDITION The Works! Platinum Edition is true integra tion from the Micro-Systems Software Develop
Picture this: all the productivity applications you need in one easy to use "Starter Kit". Give your
cated calculations. Picture your numbers in any of eight graph types and displayed in eight
Amiga power times five. Give it The Works!
vibrant colors. Us complete Macro language auto
ment Team; pioneers in Amiga productivity
Platinum Edition.
mates complex operations.
products. Experience full Clipboard compatibility,
/WORD PROCESSOR • The Works! Platinum Edition word processor is powerpacked with features that help the serious writer excel, in an easy-to-use environment that makes begin
ners instantly productive. The 104,000+ word dictionary with Scientific and Technical supple ments keeps your spelling picture-perfect. The 470,000+ word thesaurus with definitions keeps your word-images precise. Mail Merge eliminates
repetitive typing. All this, the ability to print IFF graphics, and more! It may be all the word processor you'll ever need.
/SPREADSHEET • The Works! Platinum
(/TELECOMMUNICATIONS • The Works! Platinum Edition is a sophisticated telecommuni
cations program. It is a special part of the outstanding whole. Its multiple terminal emula
tions and ten transfer protocols are the hallmark of flexibility. The script language offers unat tended operation and the user defined MacroKeys reduce complex commands to a single key stroke. Ask about Sadie.
(/DATABASE • The Works! Platinum Edition is a flat file manager with power. The extensive
a common interface, and one user friendly
manual. You owe yourself the Platinum experi ence! Check out The Works! Platinum Editioi at a dealer near you. Committed to excellence.since HITS
M ic to Syslems Sol I ware
12798 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 202 West Palm Beach, Florida 33414 407-790-0770
Fax 407-790-1341
mathematical functions make reports much more
than a simple list of data.
Dealers and Distributors Call 1-800-327-8724 See your local dealer for a demonstration.
Edition spreadsheet is lightning fast — in fact, the
(/SIDEWAYS • The fifth power module in
fastest Amiga spreadsheet. And it supports the 68881 co-processor for even more blinding speed.
The Works! Platinum Edition, stands your print outs on end. Print ASCII text files and IFF
The Works! Plalinum Edition is a trademark of Micro-Systems Software, Inc. All brand and product names are trademarks of
The more than 40 built-in functions do sophisti
Graphics rotated 90-degrees.
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
We use KAO Disks.
PLATINUM EDITION d Programs In One Amiga" Computer
Circle 126 on Reader Service card.
actual size, and print the layout right-side
users can see a significant speed increase
quality fonts that are available yesterday
up (foil side toward the reader). There
in any program using floating point.
and to substitute a measly ten fonts of
was no easy way for your technically
Lattice 5.0 has an option to compile a
dubious quality is pointless. The
inclined readers to easily make a PC
program in this way, and I've heard that
'promise" of more fonts "real soon now"
board from the illustration you provided.
Aztec C also has this option in its newest
is not very comforting.
It would have involved making a PMT of
release.
the page (after properly scaling the
In the graphics arts business the
Using this method to compile is not
quality of the final output is all that
layout) and flipping it over to make a
specifically for the CMI board, but will
matters. When you spend thousands of
board. Also, when you print construction
speed up floating point programs
dollars for printing that is vital to your
articles, please try to get PC layouts for
regardless of what brand of board you
business, you want the best type
the projects. They make construction
have that has a 68881 on it. I have seen
possible. As a professional graphic artist I
much easier.
some of my benchmarks show as much
cannot expect my clients to settle for
Your magazine is a great
as 70 times increase in speed, but a more
second class typography just because my
informational source for the Amiga.
realistic speed increase is three to six
page layout doesn't allow the use of a
Thanks to you, I have an audio filter
times faster for a regular program which
wide variety of quality fonts.
switch installed in my A1000, and will be
does a lot of floating point.
able to manipulate my dog's bark
Until Amiga software developers and
Overall I liked the review and I
Commodore themselves take full
beyond recognition. Keep up the good
certainly like the CMI Processor
advantage of Postscript fonts, Amiga
work!
Accelerator. For anyone interested in a
desktop publishing programs will be just
program which will show the floating
second rate.
Sincerely,
point speed increase, I have written a
Paul Combs
program called galaxy collision simulator.
Dayton, OH
It is on the Lattice BBS and CompuServe
Sincerely, Andre Page
(under the AMIGATECH section).
Sepulveda, CA
-Thank you for these tips. We received other letters recommending the same
Steve E. Riley
ideas. We are one of'the few Amiga
-Here is a response jrom Soft Logik:
Shingle Springs, CA
magazines that still does hardware
In response to the letterfrom Andre
projects and we plan to continue. We will
-Moreprograms are being written to take
use these suggestions infuture hardware
advantage of both math coprocessor chips
misunderstanding concerning our
articles.—ED
and accelerator cards. Sculpt 4D by Byte
product. PageStream is FULLY PostScript
by Byte is a good example.—ED
Page we would like to clear up a simple
compatible. We do ?wt ignore or hide
from PostScript or itsfonts. We in fact strongly recommend its use in Dear AC:
I have had a CMI Processor
Dear AC:
Accelerator with a 68881 running at 20 MHz for about 6 months now and it's
review of "PageStream," I came away
great. I just read the review on it and
with mixed emotions. On one hand, a
would like co make a few comments. It is
review by the person who wrote the
true that the 10-30% speed increase is
manual for the program is sure to be
somewhat minimal, but this is exactly as
informative. He describes all the
advertised.
wonderful features very well. On the
Secondly, Rich Grace seemed a little
After reading Barney Schwartz's
It seems that the misunderstanding stemsfrom a paragraph in Barney Schwartz's article, hi the article he states that "...you are limited to PageStream
fonts within your document." This is trite in that PageStream must have a screen
fontfor everyfont that it prints out, as is true with any DTPpackage, on any
other hand, a person with such close ties
machine. But that does not mean you are
to die manufacturer can be very easily
limited to Soft-Logik's outlinefonts when
works with the 68881 hardware floating
biased in his opinions, as is the case
printing to PostScriptprinters.
point chip. The 68000 CPU does not
when he implies that the limited number
have a coprocessor interface (as does the
of proprietary fonts supplied with the
the 35 "standard"fonts that come in most
68020, 30 and 40) so the 68000 must use the 68881 as a peripheral which is much
program are sufficient for professional
PostScriptprinters. Additionally we offer
use.
unsure of how the coprocessor interface
slower than using it as a coprocessor, but
Currently we offer screen fontsfor
many more downloadable PostScript
He and SoftLogic have made a big
fonts. But even with this wide selection we
still much faster than doing your floating
mistake. In this case, ignoring the
do not have screen fontsfor the several
point math without the 68881.
thousands of Postscript fonts available
thousand typefaces available to PostScript
from respected type foundries such as
imaging devices. In fact, other than for
especially tailored to the CMI Processor
Typeface Corporation, Monotype,
PC's and Mac's, there exist no standard
Accelerator. New programs only have to
Compugraphic, Letraset, Adobe,
screen fonts at all. And that is the core of
be compiled in a way as to use the
Bitstream, etc. These are all typographic
theproblem.
floating point library that comes on the
quality fonts designed by some of the
Workbench disk on 1.3. rhis new library
world's best artists, refined and tested
vendors support the Amiga like they do
will take advantage of a 68881 if there is
over many years of actual use by
other computers. Soft-Logikfor one would
one. All new programs should
professional graphic designers and
be overjoyed if they would. On a
(hopefully) be compiled this way so that
typographers. To ignore this mass of
practical side, ifSoft-Logik were to try to
Programs do not have to be
8
professional settings as Andre cited.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Currently none of the major type
AGA 2000 The flickerFixer
UNLOCK THE GRAP
OF YOUR AMIGA 2000! flickerFixer is an advanced graphics adaptor that eliminates your Amiga 2000's interlace flicker and visible scan lines. The result: super ior quality color or monochrome graphics and text — for such demanding applications as CAD/CAM, Desktop Presentation, Graphic Design, Animation, 3D Modeling, Video, and Word Processing. flickerFixer upgrades the Amiga 2000 with a flicker free 4096 color palette, has an overscan mode that features a screen size of 704 x 470 pixels and drives most of the popular PC Multiscan and VGA monitors, including the NEC Multisync and Mitsubishi XC1429C.
Accolades include: Best of 1988 Award, Commodore Magazine (12/88); #7 Reader's Choice Award, AMIGAWORLD (12/88); "The display is fantastic... It is the best display we have ever seen on any computer system." Amiga GURU (5/88)
flickerFixer fits into the Amiga video slot, is fully compatible with all software, and does not modify the standard Amiga video signals. For more information or to order, call MicroWay Sales at (508) 746-7341 or your Amiga Dealer. Priced at $595, flickerFixer is made in the USA and is FCC Class B approved.
MicroWay... Respected throughout the industry for high quality engineering, service and technical support.
Micro Way
World Leader in PC Numerics P.O. Box 79. Kingston, MA 02364 USA (508) 746-7341 32 High St., Kingston-Upon-Thames, UK, 01-541-5466
USA FAX 617-934-2414 Australia 02-439-8400 flickerFixer and MicroWay are trademarks ol MicroWay. Inc. Amiga is a regisiered trademark ol Commodore. Multisync is a registered trademark ol NEC. Circle 114 on Readei Service card.
'
'T\.--■.'•■''.■
'
V ■
'
Meet a team of the friendliest financial organizers you'll ever run across.
Smart Scrolls for speed. Money Mentor has a truly unique system called Smart Scrolls, that handles a diversity of otherwise tedious data entry functions and clips along saving you up
to 70% of your typing lime. It's a smart addition to Money Mentor, that's wfaywc call it Smart Scrolls.
Money Mentor Features: • Net Worth Statement • 200 Budget Categories • 30 Integrated Accounts such as Checking. Cash. Savings and Credit Cards
• Hlaboratc Search Routine allows editing of transactions according to your specific guidelines • Automatic Check Printing • Automatic Account Balancing • Color Graphic Reports illustrating actual vs. budgeted amounts • Over 50 Reports to choose from!
What they're saying about us! "Money Mentor has to be the nicest look andfeet of any money manager packagefor borne use that I hatv etvr seeti." — Amiga Sentry "Money Mentor is an excellentproduct"
— Amazing Computing
Money Mentor is for everyone! It does more than just keep your checkbook balanced. Money Mentor helps you manage your personal finances which is important to any family or individual.
When you want to manage your personal finances, Money Mentor goes a step beyond. Plug Money Mentor into your Amiga and a vinual teamwork effort takes place in watching over every aspect of your personal finances.
The new "C" version of Money Mentor is the friendliest financial organizer
With Money Mentor, you can be looking better financially. Order Mono' Mentor todav.
Money Mentor sells
for only $95.95!
obtainable today!
Now you can experience super-speed data entry, dazzling graphic output and
VISA'
an extremely friendly attitude!
SEDONA SOFTWARE
SEDONA SOFTWARE/11828 RANCHO BERNARDO RD.. SUITE 128-20/SAN DIEGO, CA 92128/CALL (619) 451-0151 Circle 135 on Reader Service card.
issue! I am considering starting a
real VirusX. Don't help to destroy the
business that will rely heavily on the
future of one of the most important
mentioned, we would be hopelessly
Amiga's music and video capabilities,
utilities in the Amiga community. Let's
swamped. It is our hope to soon make
and this issue gave me a real boost in die
stand behind Steve Tibbetts and show
available a utility that will allow Amiga
motivation department!
him that we appreciate and support his
create screen fontsfor every PostScript
fontfrom just the manufacturers
efforts. Instead of downloading the
users to create surrogate screen fonts so
I was distressed to read John
that they can access the manyfonts that
Steiner's "Bug Bytes" report about the
infected fake from BBS's, lay out the $6
are resident in typesetters and laser
infected fake version of VirusX (known
for a Fred Fish disk containing VirusX.
printers. This would give Amigan's even
as Vx33.arc) that has been making its
That way, you know you are receiving a
better access to the power and beauty of
rounds on the BBS's. It's bad enough
genuine version. More importantly, you'll
font librariesfrom companies such as
when some idiot creates a fake version
be showing Steve Tibbetts that his efforts
]JC, URWand Agfa CompuGraphic. But
of ANYTHING and tries to pass ic off as
have not been in vain.
until these corporations are made aware
an upgrade of a well respected program.
of the power and size of the Amiga
But to intentionally create and distribute
marketplace, and release their libraries in
a program CONTAINING a virus that
Amiga-compatibleformat, noAmigan
users are expecting to REMOVE
will truly havefull access to such fonts.
viruses—that's the lowest form of low I
-The latest version of VirusX is V3.2 and
can think of.
is available on Fred Fish Disk #216. Steve
Mark Wetzel,
Soft-LogikPublishing Corporation St. Louis, Missouri
Steve Tibbett's VirusX is a godsend. I have kept up with the upgrades and
have installed it in the startup-sequence of nearly every program I own. VirusX has saved me a lot of problems and
--
Dear AC:
Thanks for an exceptionally
interesting and informative May 1989
10
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Tibbetts is to be commended for a fine programming effort. I hope that people will ignore the fake version and not shy away from the
Irene C. Kobelski Colchester, CT
Tibbetts is doing a great job at keeping up with viruses as they come out.—ED
HaidFrame/2ooo The Super-Speed, DMA, SCSI Hard Disk Interface for the Amiga 2000
•AutoBoots AmigaDOS 1.3
(Price Includes HardFrame Eprom!)
• Directly Boots the New Fast-File System! (Doesn't Need Old FS!) • Auto-mounts All Hard Disk Partitions (no Mount List Required!) How fast is fast? HardFrame/2000 transfers data at Amiga bus speeds! It's actually faster than the hard disk mechanism itself! And even more important in the Amiga's multitasking environment, HardFrame/ 2000 lias extremely efficient DMA circuitry to get on and off the bus in almost no time at all: 280ns to get on; 200ns to get off. And it's true, dedicated DMA, too! HardFrame/2000 autoboots ami automounts di
rectly into the AmigaDOS™ 1.3 Fast Fiie System (old file system parti tions are not needed!). The core of any DMA SCSI interface is in its SCSI protocol chip and DMA chip. MicroBotics has chosen the new, high performance Adaptec AIC-6250 SCSI chip, capable of up to 5 megabytes per second raw transfer speed, and the Signetics 68430 DMA chip running at 12.5 megahertz. Then we added additional FIFO
buffering
and
enabled
16-bit
wide
data
transfers
for
maximum
throughput. The sophisticated design of HardFrame/2000 provides for automatic SCSI arbitration, selection and reselection. The hardware supports either synchronous or asynchronous data transfer. Hard Frame/2000 can function as either the SCSI bus initiator or the target
• Designed-in.Ultra Strong, Multitasking Performance • High Quality Metal Frame for Stable, On-Card, Hard Disk Mounting
•Power Cabling Directly from Card to Disk • 50-pin Cable Included • Supports up to seven SCSI
hard disks of any size
and can reside in a multiple master environment. Physically, Hard Frame/2000 is optimally flexible: the compact, half-size card comes at
tached to a full length, plated aluminum frame. The frame has mount ing holes positioned to accept standard, 3.5" SCSI hard disk units such
as those manufactured by MiniScribe, Seagate, Rodime, and others (hard disk mechanisms must be supplied by the user or his dealer as a
New!
8-UP! (DIP) FastRAM Another great memory board from MicroBot
separate purchase item). Alternatively, you can cable-connect to a SCSI drive mounted in your Amiga's disk bay or in an external chassis. As
ics, 8-UP! (DIP) is the "brother" of the original 8-UP!
many as seven hard disks may be connected to a single HardFrame/
(which uses SIMMs and PopSIMMs to fill its memo
2000. There is no size limit on each disk. HardFrame/2000 includes a
ry space). 8-UP! (DIP) uses conventional 1 megabit
50-pin SCSI cable and header connectors for either 50-pin or 25-pin
RAM chips in standard sockets to provide your
cable connection. Also included is a current tap to power frame-
Amiga 2000 with 2, 4, 6, or 8 megabytes of autocon-
mounted drives directly from the slot itself. HardFrame/2000 comes
figuring FastRAM! 8-UP! (DIP) is a super efficient
complete with driver, installation, and diagnostic software.
CMOS design for lowpower consumption and high
Available NOW! Suggested list price, S329 (hard disk not included)
reliability. Suggested list price, $239 (0k installed)
Frameless version: S299.00. See your Amiga Dealer. The HardFrame/2000 photo shows the producl with a MiniScribe twenty megabyte hard disk installed. Hard disks are not included in the purchase price of HardFrame. Note that if placed in the first slot, HardFrame uses only one slot even wilh a disk attached.
Join MicroBotics
I ONLINE TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONFERENCE ON BIX
I -
I (The Byte Information Exchange) *
MicroBotics,Inc.
Great Products Since the Amiga Was Born! 811 Alpha Drive,Suite335, Richardson,Texas75081 (214)437-5330 Tell your dealer he can quick-order from MicroBotics directly-no minimum quantity-show him this ad!
I L
-calM-800-227-2983 | for BIX membership information!
"Amiga* is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga. "HardFrame/2000", "8-UP'". "PopSimrn". ara trademarks olMictoBoiics. Inc. Circle 109 on Reoder Service card.
Amazing Users Unite CAUSe
Club Amiga
Canberra Amiga Users Society
Joyce Burek, President
Penobscot Amiga Computer
10002 Kirkglen Drive
Enthusiasts
PACE
John Buttle. Public Relations Officer
Houston, Texas 77089
P.O. Box 596 Canberra City A.C.T. 2601
Phone: (713)48M704
Australia
Club Amiga meets on the first Thursday
Phone: (062) 514141 (home)
of every month at 7:00 p.m. at
Description: Our group has been
27 Cedar Street
Belfast, Maine 04915
MicroSearch Computers, 9896 S.W.
Description: PACE meets once a month,
Freeway, Houston, TX 77074.
maintains a PD library of more than 200
operating since October 1986 and has approximately 200 members.
Michael Weinberg, Secretary/Treasurer
disks, and publishes the newsletter The Clear Lake Chapter of Club Amiga
PACER every two months.
meets on the third Thursday of every Meeting: Second Thursday of ever}'
month at 7:00 p.m. at MicroSearch, 2402-
Meeting: Contact Michael Weinberg for
month at 8:00 p.m.
F Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058.
dates, times, and locations.
Location: Seventh Day Adventist Church
The Willowbrook Chapter of Club Amiga
Hall, 3 Madeay St, Turner.
meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at Software Etc., in
Users Unite
Users Unite
BBS: Phone (062) 551469, 24 hrs., sysop:
the Willowbrook Mall, located at FM 149
A.CE.
Peter McNeil: (062) 545545 (home).
& FM I960, Texas.
Amiga Computer Enthusiasts
BBS: 1200-2400 Baud, 24 hrs., phone:
John Zale, President
(713) 528-7511, sysop: Scott Denham.
P.O. Box 591
Users Unite
Users Unite
O.P.A.U.G. Olympic Peninsula Amiga Users
Users Unite
Users Unite
Oak Forest, Illinois 60452 Phone: (312)687-7788
Group
Eldon DeHart
WAC
Description: We currently have 75 active
717 E. 9th Street
Washington Area Commodore User
Amigaists. The group has a wide variety
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Group
of interests and experience. We
Phone: (206)452-6735
John Krout, Amiga SIG Leader
welcome all those who have an Amiga
7:00 p.m.-?
P.O. Box 684 Springfield VA 22150-0684 Phone: (703)273-6074
or are curious about this wonderful
Meeting: Last Friday of every month at
Location: 717 E. 9th Street Port Angeles,
Description: Serving Amiga users as well
WA 98362.
as C64, C128 and MS-DOS users in the
machine to visit our next meeting. Meeting: First Thursday of every month
BBS: The Red Dragon, 2400 Baud, 24
region around Washington, D.C. The
hrs., phone: (206) 457-3671, sysop: Eldon
public is cordially invited to attend all of
DeHart.
our meetings. We offer a 24-page
at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Percy Hopkins Auditorium at
Christ Hospital, 4400 W. 95th Street, Oaklawn.
monthly newsletter, an Amiga PD/
Users Unite
Users Unite
Twin Ports Area Amiga Users Group
shareware Disk of the Month, and a
video library. Our club is especially eager to receive demo disks and instructional videos from software
Kenji Ogura
publishers. These items arc publicized
30 W. Superior St.
prominently in our newsletter.
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218)722-2641
Meeting: Third Saturday of every month at 1:00 p.m.
Meeting: Second Tuesday of every
Unite
month at 7:00 p.m.
Location: UMD, Room MWAH 176.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Jr..i:e
Ifyou would like your users group info printed here please send us a letter, Tijanks
12
Users
•AC-
The Amazing Computing Freely Redistributable Software Libraiy announces the addition of... New Orleans Commodore Klub's
inNOCKulation Disk Version 1.5
To help inform Amiga users of the newer Amiga viruses and provide them with the means to detect and eradicate those pesky little critters! Boot-Block _Stuff
VRTestS-2
Files and directories on the inNOCKulation Disk include:
Watches memory for viruses; will alert the user and allow their removal if
SafeBoot2.2
found. Can check & INSTALL disks, etc.
SafeBoot will allow the user to save custom boot sectors of all your
VirusJCexts (dir)
commercial disks and save them for such
Various text files from various places
an emergency. If a virus somehow
(Amicus #24, PeopleLink, and elsewhere!) describing the Virus(es) and
people's experiences and their recommendations; TVSB 'The Virus Strikes Back": satirical text describing
CLIJVirusCheckers (dir)
manages to trash the boot sectors of a
AVintsII
will restore the boot sectors, therefore
From The Software Brewery (W.
saving your disk!!
commercial disk, just run SafeBoot and it
German). Disables a virus in memory.
future efforts to rid the universe of the dreaded (silicon) viruses! Interview with the alleged SCA virus author!
Virus _AUtrtV2.0.1 Clk_Doctor3
Yet another anti-virus program with a
Corrects problems with the clock (caused
twist. Once installed on your boot disk a
by malignant programs, perhaps not
message is displayed just after a warm or cold boot notifying the the user that the
really a "virus") (A500 & A2000)
disk and memory are virus-free, and
WB_VirusCbeckers (dir) VirusX3.2
Runs in the background and checks disks for viruses or non-standard boot blocks whenever they are inserted. (Recognizes several viruses and non-standard boot blocks. Removes virus in memory.
Has a
built-in "view boot blocks" & other
Guardianl.l
forcing a mouse-button press before
Checks for attempts at viral infection at
continuing.
boot! Allows you to continue with a normal boot (if desired). Includes a small
Saves and restores boot-blocks. Runs
program on a copy of your Kickstart
from CL1 only.
disk. Antivirus akaAVBB
Includes SEKA assembler source.
KiUVints
features.)
BootBackl
utility program to permanently place the
Removes (any?) virus from memory. XBoot
Sentry
Revision of VirusXl.Ol in Lattice C. ViewBoot
VirusKiUer
Converts a boot-block into an executable
A graphically appealing and user friendly
file, so you may use your favorite
program by TRISTAR.
debugger (Wack, Dis, ...) to study it.
Highly active mouse-driven disk and memory virus-checker which allows you
The inNOCKulation disk also includes
to look at the pertinent areas (useful in
icons and arc files.
case you suspect a NEW virus!)
To order the inNOCKulation disk, send:
$ s~ r\r\
Amazing Computing includespostage & handling
(S 7.00for non-subscribers)
inNOCKulation disk orders
P.O. Box 869 Fall River, MA 02722
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
13
micro (mi'kro) enlarging or amplifying. momentum (mo men'tem) strength or force that keeps growing. -Webster's
Momentum Check
A full-featured checkbook management package that makes checkbook management easy.
Class codes are user-defineable and allow you to track
any expense you wish. own custom reports.
Use the standard reports provided or create your
Reconciliation was never so easy. Momentum Check
prompts you for all outstanding items! You can use the mouse, keyboard,
$29.95
arrow keys, or a combination to move around in Momentum Check
Momentum Mail
An easy-to-use mailing list management program.
Why fiddle with 300-page
manuals and spend several hundred dollars when it can be as easy and
affordable as this? Momentum Mail comes ready to use, waiting for your mailing list! Keep mailing lists, for Birthdays, Christmas, Church, etc.
You
can search by any field and use pattern matching.
User-adjustable label size.
A complete interactive telecommunication tutorial.
Everything about
$29.95
TeleTutor
telecommunications in one place!
Features a simulated BBS to get the feel of
using a BBS before going on-line.
Practice uploading, downloading, using
file compression utilities.
Comes with a terminal program to get you on-line.
You can save each lesson and start where you left off later. of BBS numbers for U.S. and Canada.
Complete listing
Start telecommunicating today!
$29.95
Uzzi Interface
A joystick/mouse interface with an auto-fire rate adjustable up to 30 rounds per second!!
Switch between automatic and transparent mode.
extension cable allow easy connection for A500 owners.
A 4 ft.
Adjustable fire rate
allows you to fine tune the Uzzi Interface for each of your favorite games.
Blow your old game scores away!
Designed on and for the Amiga.
$34.95 All our products arc designed, produced, and manufactured prourily in [he U.S.A.
Available at fine dealers, or order direct. Make check or money order payable to:
V
1r
Micro Momentum, Inc. 100 Brown Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 949 5310
Dealer Inquiries Invited
Please add $1.50 for S&H. C.O.D.s add additional S2.50. All products 90-day warranty. If you've got a product, we're interested. Momentum Check, Momentum Mail. TeleTulor, and Uizi Interface are Irndcmarks of Micro Momentum. Inc. Amiga is a registered trademark of CBM, Circle 125 on Reader Service card.
New Products and
Other Neat Stuff
by Elizabeth G. Fedorzyn
Tune in
Microlilusions has introduced Music-X, a music processor for use with the Amiga and MIDI instruments.
while in the edit mode, allowing you to
works with the Amiga 500, 1000, and
watch notes appear on your edit display
2000 and requires at least 1 meg RAM.
as you play them. Microlilusions
Music-X features keyboard map
17408 Chatsworth St.
Music-X works to create and manipulate
ping, allowing you to control almost any
musical scores, as well as communicate
function of the sequencer—including
with and control MIDI devices.
starting/stopping the sequencer, initiating
Music-X supports real-time
sequences, or changing the keymap
recording of systems exclusive data.
itself—from a MIDI keyboard, footpedal,
Through the menu entries and gadgets
or other MIDI device.
on the Sequencer Page, you can record
Music-X; $299.95 Inquiry #269
Other features include the Librarian
instrument segments one by one, edit
Page, which is used to store programs
them, then play them back together on
for synthesizers, and Patch Editor Pages,
MIDI instruments.
an expandable feature that allows you to
The Bar Editor displays events
Granada Hills, CA 91344 (818) 360-3715; in CA (800) 522-2041
work with different MIDI devices. Music-
TJje missing link
New from inset Systems. The
graphically as icons positioned in a two-
X comes equipped with patch editors for
dimensional time/pitch graph. Events can
the Roland D-50, Yamaha TX-81Z, and
Scannery links your Amiga to an HP
be added to, removed from, and
Yamaha DX 1000.
ScanJet to give you high-quality scanned
repositioned in the graph. The Event
The package includes 1 program
images for your documents.
Simply place your graphic image—
Editor lists all events in a sequence,
disk, 1 Music-X examples disk,
where they can be manipulated with
1 Music-X utilities disk, and a manual.
document, chart, line drawing, photo
functions like Cut, Copy, Paste, Recall,
Music-X is compatible with Microlilu
graph, etc.— face-down on the scanner
etc. The program even lets you record
sions' MicroSMPTE and MIDI-X. Music-X
bed. Select Preview from the options list,
left: Microlilusions'Music-X
Right:
The Scanneiyfrom Inset Systems
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
15
and you can scan and view at a low
program disk, custom cable, and
French version will be made available in
resolution an entire 8 1/2 x 11 image on
documentation. It supports IFF, EPS, PCL,
France as well as the Canadian province
and FAX file formats. The Scannery
of Quebec.
the left side of the screen. With the Clip option, you can
works with the Amiga 500 or 2000, and
isolate any area within the image for the
is compatible with the HP ScanJet or
final high resolution scan. Just place the
ScanJet Plus.
appointment scheduler, calendar, alarm
cursor in any comer of the area to be defined, and click and hold the select
WWW acts as an electronic secretary, its many features including clock, and Rolodex.
Inset Systems, Inc.
button while you drag the cursor to form
71 Commerce Drive
Blue Ribbon Bakery
a box of any size. The clipped area can
Brookfield CT 06804 (203) 775-5866
1248 Clairmont Road, Suite 3D
The Scannery, $250.00
(404)377-1514
Inquiry #271
lnqtdry*272
now be fine-tuned by specifying the dimensions in inches or pixels.
The Scannery lets you customize
Atlanta, Georgia 30030
your images, too. Once the dimensions
of the outline are defined, move the box around the image field to precisely capture the elements as you want them
to appear in the final scanned image. You can crop a picture to fit precisely
into the space allotments of your document. Scale. Resolution, and
What happened to 2?
Qui!, Quoit, QuaneU, Oil'
Blue Ribbon Bakery's quest for
NewTek didn't waste any time with
organization has taken a international
Digi-Paint 2; they've hopped right in with
Brightness can also be manipulated for
twist. Their organizational program,
Digi-Paint 3, the '■Ultimate Paint
greatest flexibility in image output.
Who!, What!, When!, Where!, will soon
Program" for the Amiga that lets you
The program lets you save in up to
16 shades of gray, or select one of four
dither patterns for your output. You can also invert the image in both the Preview
be available in German and French lan
create original artwork using all the
guage versions-
machine's 4096 colors simultaneously.
Beginning this month, the German
The new program features, among
version of WWW will be available in
other things, Texture Mapping with anti
and Final Scan functions. Images can be
Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In
aliasing for smooth 3D effects, Transpar
saved to disk for further revision in a
December of this year, the program's
ency Control; Text Rendering for
paint program, or for inclusion in a
French language edition will be released.
rainbow fonts, anti-aliased fonts, etc.:
desktop publishing application.
(Never again will the French have to
Colorized mode that lets you add color
The Scannery features ARexx support. The package includes the
Digi-Paint3 from NewTek
16
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
worry about missing a one-night-only
to any black-and-white image; cut and
showing of the Nutty Professor?) The
paste with any drawing too!: and real-
Jack Nicklaus1 Greatest IS Holes of Championship Golf
from Accolade
time auto-scrolling on super bitmaps. Digi-Paint 3's interface was implemented by renowned Amiga artist Jim Sachs. It features complete keyboard-
you can play against against a computer
ized Jack Nicklaus who possesses skills patterned after the golfer's game. According to Accolade vice
control options and expandable palette
president Ralph Giuffre, die pro golfer's
selection tools.
expertise was incorporated not only into
Digi-Paint is compatible with
die game's design, but is also extended
ARexx and X-Specs 3D, and requires
to die user dirough both on-screen and
512K memory. The package includes 1
documentation u'ps from Nicklaus.
program disk, 1 Transfer 24 image manipulation disk, and manual.
This is the first computer software product release to be undertaken by Jack Nicklaus Productions. Commenting on
NewTek, Incorporated
the integrity of the release, Nicklaus said,
115 W. Crane St.
"I'm told The Greatest 18 Holes of Major
Topeka, KS 66603 Digi-Paint 3 Inquiry #276
Championship Golf is the most realistic golf simulation ever made for the computer, and I believe it. I think you'll find it visually attractive and a delight to play. You definitely will find that, like the real game, it requires strategic
thinking, concentration, and plenty of practice to master."
The Golden Bear stalks the Amiga
The latest golf simulation by Accolade finds golfs Golden Bear on an
Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes
works widi the Amiga 500,1000, and 2000 and requires 512K memory.
unfamiliar course—the computer screen.
But he appears to have adapted to the electronic green rather well.
Accolade 550 S. Winchester Blvd., Suite 200
Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes
San Jose, CA 95128
Of Major Championship Golf was jointly produced by Accolade and Jack
(408) 985-1700
Jack Nicklaus' Golf, $49-95
Nicklaus Productions, Inc. The game,
Which
hard disks for AMIGA? Curious?
Any
(IBM compatible)
with our A.L.F.! (Amiga Loads Faster)
Safer with CHECKDRIVE. Faster with FASTFILE-SYSTEM. 50% more MB with RLL-CONTROLLER. More economic - even defective hard disks can be used. SCSI-Bus, ST412/ST506-BUS Automount Ver. 1.6, Autoboot Ver. 2.0 Prespect Technics Inc. P.O. Box 670, Station H
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 2M6
Fax: (514)876-2869 BSC Biiroautomation GmbH Postfach 400368 8000 MCinchen 40 W-Germany Phone: (89) 308-4152 Fax: (89) 307-1714 Circle 133 on Reader Service card.
Inquiry #270
which was nominated for Best Sports
views as sessions, and processes the
Program of the year by the Software Publisher's Association, features graphi
images for a variety of analyses. The
cally detailed representations of IS of the
program can be operated via the
world's most challenging holes in
professional golf—all chosen by Nicklaus himself. Some of the more prominent
keyboard or mouse. Get under your skin
Optimum Comparitive Technolo
The Opticomp system is sold as a complete turn-key package, including an
gies has introduced the Opticomp
Amiga 2500, a high-resolution color
courses include Pebble Beach, Augusta,
system, the first image-analysis system
monitor, high-resolution color printer,
and Royal Lytham. Also included are
based on the Inferred-Structure Technol
custom digital signal processor, camera,
Castle Pines in Colorado and the Cochise
ogy (1ST).
custom lights, booth, and installation and
Course at Desert Mountain, Arizona—
two of the toughest and most scenic courses Nicklaus ever designed. Greatest 18 Holes incorporates a
The Opticomp system actually
operation manuals.
allows one to see under the skin of a human being, into the outer surface of the structural component of a person, or
Optimum Comparitive Technologies
5306 Cromwell Court
wide variety of challenging features
die myofascial body, without radiation or
Roanoke, VA 24018
including wind direction and intensity,
invasive techniques. Such a process
Opticomp, S9995.00
course hazards, rolling hills, random pin
allows Structural physicians to make
Inquiry #275
placement, and skins scoring or stroke play.
observations concerning ailments that He beneath the skin.
Options allow you to play with one
to four people or against a variety of
and other radiation-based treatments,
computerized men and women golfers.
that see all the way to the bone, Opti
You can play ar either the beginner or expert level, on the pro, mens' or ladies' tees. Each computerized golfer has their own unique playing style and appear
ance (different plaid patterns?). If you're feeling particlularly handy with the irons,
•AC-
Unlike X-rays, CAT-scans, NMR's,
comp and 1ST lets physicians view the soft tissue and fascia, thus allowing them
to discover the cause of such structural problems.
The easy-to-use Opticomp software
handles all the views neccesary, files the
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
17
(Secrets of Visual (Synthesis
—Ray Tracing with Sculpt-Animate 4D and Turbo Silver 3.0
by David Ditberman
We hold this truth to be self-
I call ray-tracing Visual Synthesis because of the analogy between this
revisions since their original releases,
graphics-oriented computer available to
process and the creation of new sounds
both can be regarded as reasonably
the average consumer. There are literally
using electronic musical instruments. Just
mature products. Each is superb in its
hundreds of ways to create images on
as the skillful programming of synthesiz
own way and, if there is any way your
the Amiga, and new ones are becoming
ers can produce remarkable new
budget can justify it, I recommend you purchase both.
available almost daily. However, many
tonalities never before heard, and
will agree that the most fascinating
perhaps better suited [han traditional
pictures come from ray-tracing programs.
sounds for creating music in a rapidly
Images produced with Sculpt-Animate
4D (top) and Turbo Silver 3.0 (bottom).
I
income from it, and can afford lo pur
tracing—in experi
chase only one package. I will therefore
enced and insightful
present a list of similarities and differ
hands—can produce
ences between the two in an attempt to
seamless photograph-
clarify the situation for the potential user
quality images that can
of either or both.
constitute a new art
form.
TIjcprogram environment
First we'll look at the physical
precisely, ray-tracing is
program environment, starting with
a process whereby
program size. While the Turbo Silver 3.0
three-dimensional
program occupies approximately 25OK of
images and sequences
disk space. Sculpt-Animate weighs in at a
of images or anima
hefty 46OK or so—an important factor for
tions are generated by-
those with the minimum requirement (for
calculating the effects
ray-tracing) of 1 megabyte of RAM.
of rays of light upon a
However, Sculpt-Animate uses an overlay
set of objects repre
system, with sections of the program
sented in the com
puter by vertices, faces
being unloaded and loaded as needed so as to reserve the most possible RAM for
and surface properties.
object storage and image rendering.
By realistically
One of the innovations in the 4D
depicting shadow and
version of Sculpt -Animate gives you
reflective effects, ray-
menu commands to load and unload
tracing programs can
program code (i.e., overlays). If the code
generate startlingly
is fully loaded, less access to the
lifelike images, with
program disk is required, which is good
imagination being the
for users of fioppy-disk-based systems.
only limitation on
But if the code is unloaded, an additional
content and presenta
270K of memory is available for other
tion.
purposes.
Currently
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
But I realize that many with an interest in ray tracing derive little or no
changing world, ray-
Defined
18
Having gone through several major
evident: The Amiga is the most exciting
Sculpt also lets you unload the
there are two major
Workbench to recover a valuable 30K of
ray-tracing programs
graphics memory, an option unavailable
for the Amiga—Turbo
with Silver. Since Turbo Silver loads fully
Silver 3-0, from
when initialized and doesn't use over
Impulse Inc., and
lays, floppy-based users can remove the
Sculpt-Animate 4D,
program disk after loading the program
from Byte by Byte.
and use the disk drive for data.
top or bottom, front or back, and right or
need not contain the same number of
versions that support the combination of
left side), Turbo Silver gives you a non-
points, as in Silver's Skin command.
a 68020 microprocessor with a 68881
manipulable full-screen single view of
floating-point mathematics coprocessor—
the front, top, and right sides only. Also,
sional scenes, you must rotate objects to
an expensive but necessary add-on for
the edges around the Tri-View's window
reorient them with respect to one
the professional ray tracer. While Turbo
contain a variety of useful gadgets,
another. One of Sculpt-Animate's big
Silver is not copy-protected in any way,
which, in many cases, obviates the need
advantages is that you can rotate objects
Sculpt-Animate has a form of copy
to resort to menu commands.
interactively. In Silver, you must set the
Both programs come with free
protection: it often asks you for a word
A major problem with using ray-
Often, in creating three-dimen
new angle on a separate requester while the object remains out of sight.
from the manual upon starting, which is
tracing programs on the Amiga is mat
rather annoying. Of course, price is also
everything takes too long. It is well
an important basis for comparison. While
known that rendering images can
mand lets you instantly cancel changes
Turbo Silver's suggested list is $200,
consume exorbitant amounts of time, but
that do not work out. Sculpt's lack of an
Sculpt-Animate's is $500.
image creation and manipulation can
Undo command is a serious deficiency.
also involve lengthy waiting periods
While both programs' Resize commands
Intuition menus and include keyboard
because of the time required to redraw a
use a requester, Sculpt is more interac
equivalents to many menu commands, as
complex wireframe view whenever a
tive, as you can see the object while
well as the ability to set up your own
physical change is made to an object.
resizing it.
Both programs use standard
keyboard equivalents to any menu command. Silver lets you program the
In Sculpt-Animate's case, this problem is potentially tripled in magni
tude because three windows are always
"Ray-tracing—in
experienced and
insightful hands— can produce seam
Fortunately, Silver's Undo com
Both programs let you move
objects interactively, while offering different methods of selecting parts of
redrawn. But author Eric Graham has
objects for physical and/or surface
provided an ingenious workaround. You
manipulation. While Sculpt gives you a
can simply interrupt the redraw process
box-shaped Selector tool, Silver lets you
to issue any other command—whether
use the keyboard to select contiguous
from menus or the keyboard—and it will
sections of objects for transformation.
immediately take effect. Turbo Silver does not let you issue new commands while the screen is being
To a large degree, objects' surface properties define the nature of the raytraced image, and there are significant
lessphotograph -
redrawn after a transformation. On the
differences between the two programs in
quality images that
other hand, if you abort a Sculpt-Animate
this respect. Sculpt gives you a relatively
rendering, there is no way to save the
limited selection of surface appear
can constitute a
new artform."
function keys alone and in combination with the Esc key for a total of 20 userdefined keyboard alternatives, while Sculpt lets you assign commands to the
26 letter keys. Sculpt also lets you assign menu
commands to letter keys on-the-fly, but there is no way to save these defini tions. Both programs also use request ers, but Silver uses convenient "Super requesters" that let you make a wide range of settings simultaneously. Overall, however, Sculpt's interface has a smoother, more professional feel and
interferes less with the creative process. Object creation
Next we'll compare each pro gram's object-creation environment. The
initial contrast is obvious. While SculptAnimate gives you the Tri-View (three
movable and resizable windows
showing views simultaneously from the
partial image. Turbo Silver lets you save
ances—dull, shiny, luminous, mirror,
any image interrupted during rendering.
metal and glass. Silver, on the other
The two programs let you create
hand, gives you a sometimes dizzying
objects interactively point-by-point and
array of choices. You can set an object's
face-by-face, but Sculpt also lets you
reflectivity and transparency independ
define objects precisely with a list of
ently to any of the Amiga's 4096 colors.
vertices and faces entered into a text file called a script file. Both programs also provide a
Other settings for the programs include specularity and hardness (both related to shininess), as well as rough
means of creating spun (lathed) or
ness. You can apply IFF images to
extruded objects. While spinning is quite
objects, optionally wrapping them
similar with both programs, Silver's
around. Sculpt also lets you use IFF
extrusion is more advanced, as you can
images, but only as backgrounds or
predefine a precise path and optionally
foregrounds that are not really part of the
force the extruded outline to "bend" with
scene. Another surface attribute unique
the path's direction. Sculpt's extrude
to Silver is texture, a user-defined pattern
makes a connected copy of selected
(e.g., checker or brick) applied uniformly
faces and puts you in Grab mode,
to an object. A special type of object in
forcing you to manually define the size
Silver is the stencil, a two-dimensional
and direction of each section of the
object defined externally in a one-
extrusion. On the other hand, Sculpt-
bitplane (black and white) IFF file—the
Animate 4D offers a sophisticated helix
image area becomes the object.
command that lets you create complex
twisted objects easily. Also, both programs let you build
As mentioned, Sculpt allows only one type of transparent object—glass.
While this simulates the surface appear
intricate objects by linking a series of
ance of glass very well, it does not bend
(user-defined) cross-sections. In this case,
light die way real glass does. Silver lets
Sculpt's implementation (Unsiice) is more
you set an index of refraction for a
sophisticated because the cross-sections
transparent object, which causes the light
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
19
to bend exactly as in reality. But even
Turbo Silver, on the other hand, forces you to close the current file before
quite a lot of disk activity involved in
the highly glossy appearance of Sculpt's
setting a new resolution. Thus, to render
rendering an image in Silver. With
glass.
a scene in a different graphics mode, you
complex images rendered in Solid Model
Both programs permit a practically
mode, the process may be repeated
must:
unlimited number of light sources. While Sculpt's light is a special type of object,
several times per minute. When render 1. Write a cell's contents to a disk file.
in Silver, any object can be a light source. Such objects, however, remain
ing to a hard disk or RAM: disk, this is not a problem. But when rendering to a
2. Close the file.
point sources of light—you cannot make
floppy disk, due to current limitations of AmigaDOS and the inherent slowness of
a fluorescent tube by setting a cylinder to
3. Set the new graphics mode. Available
the medium, the process can be pro
be a light source. Sculpt's lights always
choices are HAM/Lo-res/Hi-res, Interlace/
longed significandy.
diminish in intensity with distance, but
Non-interlace, Normal/Overscan, and 12-
Silver gives you an optional sun-type
bit/24-bit RGB, the latter being useful
working in a limited memory situation
light that lights the same regardless of
only with special display hardware.
(i.e., 1 to 1 1/2 megabytes of RAM),
moving toward or away from the viewer.
4. Open a new file.
Both programs only depict shadows—a time-consuming activity in full ray-trace
On die odier hand, if you are
Silver's mediod lets you squeeze out
distance, which is ideal for objects
every last available byte for object data. Since Sculpt-Animate renders in memory
5. Load the cell and render it.
mode. But ali of Sculpt's light sources
(and requires more memory just to run), you must restrict object complexity more
cast shadows, while Silver makes each
While Sculpt-Animate lets you
light's shadow-casting ability optional.
make all these choices without unloading
As for "global" settings regarding ground
data, both programs let you choose full
and sky, an infinite plane ''ground" is
ray-trace or solid model/scanline mode
available in both cases.
internally. Incidentally, this latter
severely. Also, to retain a rendered image
"The two programs
compromise mode, which offers some of
let you create objects
ground pattern, a checkerboard. Silver's
the benefits of ray tracing, including
ground is blank by default, but you can
smooth surfaces with greatly improved
interactivelypo int-
apply textures or IFF images to it. The
rendering times, seems to be faster in
latter repeat automatically in a checker
Silver. Sculpt-Animate also offers paint
board pattern. With the sky, both
and sketch modes that render objects as
programs permit a solid sky, graduated
solids very quickly in lo-res or hi-res
between two colors, or none. However,
with no smoothing or shading.
Sculpt gives you a single optional
Silver lets you set the degree of dithering
by-point andfaceby-face. . .Ifyour budget can justify it, I recommend you
Sculpt-Animate generates images in
in graduated sky and offers an optional
standard IFF format, while Silver uses a
"fog" mode that obscures the distracting
custom 12-bit format called RGBN in all
horizon line.
modes. You can, however, save a Silver
Finally, I cannot leave out Sculpt-
purchase both."
image in IFF format by pressing the S
Animate 4D's new font capability, a must
key while die image is displayed with
with Sculpt, you must be sure to save it
for anyone creating animated three-
the Show command. Consequently,
to disk.
dimensional tides. While libraries of 3D
converting a long sequence of Silver
fonts are available for both programs,
images to IFF format can be a lengthy
creating good-looking words in Silver
and tedious process. Of greatest importance to floppy-
demands a certain amount of experimen
If you are in a big hurry to see
your picture, die programs offer mark edly different compromise solutions. Widi Silver, you are always rendering at
tation with repositioning letters. Using
disk users might be the fact that Sculpt-
full size, but you can use the Set Zone
fonts set up in the proper format for
Animate renders in memory, while Turbo
command to define a rectangular area of
Sculpt requires you to enter words from
Silver renders to disk. The process used
the keyboard that are loaded from disk
by Silver is this:
screen remains blank.
Another of 4D's innovations useful for
1. The image is rendered until a small
render die full image at a range of sizes
precision work is a variable 3D grid with
buffer is filled. Depending on image
snap capabilities.
complexity, diis can be anywhere from
displays die image as it is rendered,
one to several scan lines.
while Silver makes you wait until
and lined up automatically as you type.
Rendering
After creating an object, you must
2. The image file is opened.
render it to view it as a three-dimen
any size for rendering—die rest of die Sculpt, on the other hand, lets you from Overscan to postage stamp. Sculpt
rendering is finished before you can see it (actually, you must load die image file
first). A new feature with Sculpt-Animate
sional solid. Both programs offer a
3. The buffer data is written to the image
variety of rendering modes, but Sculpt-
file.
4D, now die default condition, is that
modes—it's a simple menu choice that
4. Return to Step 1 until die image is
it is ready to be drawn completely,
can be made at any time.
completed.
Animate makes it easier to switch
20
As you can see, there is apt to be
with refraction, Silver does not give you
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
you can delay displaying the picture until
which decreases total rendering time.
THE
PERSONAL COMPUTER SHOW Come See The California Goldrush! October 20-22,1989 Santa Clara Convention Center Santa Clara, CA Over 10,000 Attendees and 120 Amiga Companies Will Be There. STRIKE IT RICH AT AmiEXPO-CALIFORNIA! Admission includes the Exhibition, Seminars, Keynotes & Amiga Artists Theatre! 120 A miga Exhibitors Featuring State of the Art Software and Hardware, at the lowest prices! Master Classes Available in Amiga Graphics, Video, Programming, Animation, Music and Publishing! Seating for Master Classes is limited; callfor schedule and availability before registering. PRE-REG1STRAT10N DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 6,1989 For Hotel Reservations Call the DoubleTree Hotel at (408) 986-0700. Hotel reservations deadline: September 27th. 1989. For discounted airfares, call American Airlines at (800) 433-1790 and give them this ID: S-83536.
Register by Mml, or Call 800-32-AMlGA Nationwide (or 212-867-4663) For Your Ticket to The Amiga Event!
Yes, I want to come to AmiEXPO - California Friday
Saturday
Registration is $5 Additional At The Door
Sunday
One day - $15 Two days - $20 Three days - $25
Master Class(es) - List Class and Time - $60 Each
159
on Header
name COMPANY ADDRESS CITY For
STATE MasterCard or
ZIP
VISA Payment
Expiration Date Account Number
Name as it appears on card:
Signature
Total Amount Enclosed
■ ■'' ■ Make Check or Money Order Payable to: AmiEXPO 211 E. 43rd St, Suite 301 New York, NY 10017
And as mentioned, Silver lets you save a
Both programs allow object
partially rendered image, while aborting
rotation during path movement. Again,
a rendering in Sculpt automatically
Silver's is easier to set up, but Sculpt's
to point out the weaknesses of both
discards the picture.
arrangement is more flexible. Still, Silver
Sculpt-Animate and Turbo Silver, I must
allows gradual resizing during path
again emphasize that I am an avid user
comparison is that of image quality, and
movement in any combination of the
of both programs and recommend them
there are significant differences between
three dimensions. Silver also has a
highly to all Amiga users interested in
the two in this area. The single word that
"Follow Me" command that lets you
three-dimensional graphics. By all
best sums up Sculpt's most attractive
assign any number of objects to follow
means, try to get a demonstration of
images is "glossy". Sculpt's glass and
each other along a path with a single
either or both at your local Amiga
metal surfaces have just the right degree
command.
retailer. If they prove cooperative, show
One of the most crucial criteria for
of shininess and are truly convincing— qualities fairly difficult to obtain in Silver.
However, Silver is quite capable of
If your Silver animations have
there, even if it does cost you a few more bucks than mail order.
tions, and it is the only choice for those
separate disk file to hold all animated
requiring a broad range of surface
objects in each frame. So, if you have 50
characteristics. Of course, you (or your
frames, each containing 60K of objects,
clients) are the ultimate judge of image
you will need 3 megabytes of disk space
quality, so you should preview a wide
just for the object data. You can sec
range of images produced with both
objects to be external, in which case they
programs before making a decision.
are saved only once, and can even be
animated. Sculpt's big animation extra is tweening, which is very important for
basically similar approach to animation
animators trying to recreate natural
generation, there are still marked
motions, such as walking. With tween
differences between the two.
ing, you set the beginning and ending
To create an animation, a sequence
frames of a motion, such as the stride of
of still images is generated. The stills are
a walking person, and the program
then compressed and combined into a
creates all the steps in-between. The
single animation which can be shown
term tweening comes from the early days
outside the program. Thus, if you are
of film animation, where animators
generating many frames, you may need a
would draw frames representing only the
lot of disk space.
peaks of the action, and assistants would
Both programs have the space-
draw all the in-between steps, or
saving option of deleting frames as they
"tweens". Sculpt lets you combine path
go, but if the generation process is
and tweening animation in the same
interrupted, you must restart from
scene, but not with the same objects.
scratch. Each program uses its own
animation script capabilities compared to
format is not compatible with other
Sculpt's limited ability to change only the
graphics programs for the Amiga. Neither
timing of each frame, loop forward, or
program provides internal sound
"Ping-Pong" mode. With Silver's movie
capability. There are, however, a number
script file capability (actually a primitive
of programs available which, given a
programming language), you can set up
sequence of IFF still images, provide
complex sequences from existing
sound-adding capability.
"exposed" frames, complete with
or path animation in which objects are assigned to follow linear paths during the
the animation for a set number of
course of the animation. Silver's paths
seconds, change the frame rate, insert
are easier to use—the number of points
black frames for transitions, and wait for
used to define them bears no relation to
a keypress. Since one of Silver's great
the length of the animation, so you can
advantages is that it's much faster at
set up a straight line animation of any
compressing a sequence of exposed stills
length with a two-point path. Conversely,
into an animation, it is easy to experi
Sculpt's paths permit uneven motion, as
ment with the Movie commands.
subsequent animation frame and you can set points anywhere you like.
22
"subrou lines".
Other Movie commands let you pause
each point on the path represents a
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
•AC«
Product Information impulse Inc.
6870 Shingle Creek Parkway #112 Minneapolis, MN 55430 (612)566-0221 Turbo Silver 3.0, S200.00 Inquiry #273
Byte by Byte Arboretum Plaza ii
9442 Capital of Texas Highway North Suite 150 Austin, TX 78759 (512)343-4357
Sculpt-Animate 4D, S500.00 Inquiry # 27A
Silver offers relatively sophisticated
proprietary' format for animations. This
Both Silver and Sculpt allow global
your suppon by purchasing the program
had better have plenty of disk space available because the program uses a
While the two programs take a
While I have gone to great lengths
many frames and complex objects, you
producing stunning images and anima
Animation
Summary
Tell Them You Saw
Them. When you contact a vendor, tell them you saw them in the magazine that delivers more. Tell them you saw them in:
Amazing Amiga
Amazing Reviews
3(D review by Michael Pahrion
I am a professional graphic artist
Getting Started
supports the X-specs from Haitex Re
Clicking on the program's icon
with twenty-five years experience. The
sources. The tools directory includes a
Amiga was my first and only computer,
module to trigger the X-specs when
causes the Workbench screen to slowly
and DeluxePaint my first software
running a 3D Anim file with ShowAnim.
scroll down off the monitor before
package. I chose the Amiga for its
Page3D appears. When the program
The 220-page spiral bound manual
affordable graphics capabilities, and
abounds with information and useful
loads, you are presented with two
DeluxePaint because it was the only
graphic examples. It could double as a
screens, the work area, where objects are
game in town. Three years and several
guide to solid geometry. In the chapter
displayed, and a small foreground screen
paint programs later, I had still not
Examples, many of the sample scripts
that runs across the bottom. The bottom
gotten into 3D rendering. 1 had looked at
contained on the extras disk are docu
screen contains the tool gadgets and a
other 3D programs, but their apparent
mented and explained. Included in the
small CLI input window. The default
complexity and lengthy rendering time
appendixes is a description of useful
settings start you out looking down at
scared me away.
AmigaDOS commands, a comprehensive
the midpoint of an X, Y and Z axis, the
Then Mindware International
released PageRender 3D (Page3D), and
summary of ED and its commands for use
center of Page3D's world. Clicking the
as a script editor.
gadgets enters commands for manipulat-
it was a joy to use. It is quick and has a
well thought out user interface that made it easy for me to comprehend. Page3D is an object oriented program which builds complex scenes or shapes from smaller objects, much like constructing a large
Below: Writing utensils with rhythm—
"Dancing Pencils"produced with PageRender 3D
building out of bricks and beams. Each object is built up of facets. The smallest
objects, such as a square or triangle, contain only one facet. A cube is made up of six facets (each side is one square facet) and so on. Page3D comes on two disks, a
main disk and an extras disk. The main
disk is self booting and contains the program and a large library of over
eighty predefined objects. Page3D is not copy protected and can be easily
installed on a hard drive. The extras disk
holds a 68020/68881 version of the program for those of you lucky enough to be driving a turbo charged Amiga. The rest of the space is stuffed with sample scripts that show off the numer
ous features of Page3D. These scripts are a great help in getting started with die program and much preferable to
plodding through yet another tutorial in a manual. For those who want to get deeper into the third dimension, a pair of red/blue 3D glasses is included. Yes, Page3D will work in a true 3D
mode! And if the old red/blue method is not deep enough for you, Page3D
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
I
■
T
ing objects or your viewpoint within this
(object, front, side or top) made it
over 80 objects, ranging from simple
3D environment.
possible to find my way back. Page 3D
squares to many faceted spheres. It also
can be mouse or keyboard driven; or
includes the alphabet and a set of
movement extends under the gadgets.
you can use a combination of both. You
numbers. Most of these can be easily
When you select a gadget, a visual
can also write or generate script that the
accessed from a pull down menu. You
marker on the work area shows you
program will read and create while you
can load objects by selecting them from
where and how far the object will move.
watch.
a requestor that scrolls up from the
A slider to select the amount of
The CLI window on the right echoes
Pulling up die foreground screen
bottom, and you can import objects by
your mouse selections, both from the
reveals a full window listing the com
entering "load filename" (with a full path
gadgets and the pull down menus, in
mands you have been entering. You can
to the file) from the keyboard.
Page3D's script language. I found this
select two other gadgets, SETUP and
feature an immense help in learning how
FACET. The SETUP gadget displays a
merge complex shapes created with
to use scripts.
detailed description of the current
smaller objects into one large object.
settings for screen resolution, page size,
Newly loaded objects from the Page3D
and seeing the script version simultane
light source, observation point, type of
library always appear with their center at
ously is an excellent teaching aide. The
movement, etc. You can configure
the intersection of the three axes. When
CLI windows curser is always active, so
Page3D to your liking and save the setup
saved, new objects will retain their
you can immediately enter commands
for future use. FACET displays a list of
location in relation to the center of
from the keyboard. I soon found myself
current objects in memory, the number
Page3D's world. They will reappear in
combining mouse and keyboard input,
of facets in each object and the object's
that position when loaded. Objects have
forgoing the slider for inputting the
position in relation to the X, Y and Z
their own axis, so they can be rotated
amount of movement. Page3D allows the
axis. The lower screen can be quickly
independently, as well as, around the
user to define four macro keys for their
moved up, down or flipped out of sight
program's X, Y and Z axes.
own use.
with a macro key.
Visualizing what a command does
Adding to Page3D's versatility is
die Create Object feature, which lets you
As I learned my way around
Page3D, sometimes I would get disori ented, but the different view commands
For ease of movement, you can
create your own 3D objects in two
Objects
Page3D comes with a library of
formats, fiat and cylindrical. Flat objects are rendered by drawing the outline as a series of connected, straight lines with
the mouse and then selecting a depth for the third dimension.
Spaceship (top) and doll (bottom) produced With PageReader 3D
Cylindrical objects are drawn as a cross section. You outline the shape on
one side of a vertical center line while the program mirrors the opposite .side. When the cross section is finished, entering the number of sides gives the
program the data needed to render the new object. Objects can be saved for
future use. Using the cylindrical method, my son quickly produced a flying saucer that he was able to send spinning and
turning through space. The best method I found to create new objects was to design my object as a silhouette in a paint program, import it into Page3D,
where the picture can be easily traced over for quick rendering. Colors and Resolutions
The default color of Page3D's objects is blue, but objects can be painted any color in the Amiga's
spectrum. Not only can you have objects of different colors, but individual facets of an object may have distinct colors. It would have been helpful to match colors if you could ''pick'' the color of an existing object using the mouse. Cur rently, you must write down the color
numbers used. If you don't keep track,
24
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
you can end up with a lot of nearmatching colors and a color spread that is too limited for effective shading. While Page3D supports HAM, it
does not support Extra Halfbrite. If you need to conserve memory or storage
space, you can reduce the number of bitplanes. Although this decreases the amount of colors, the excellent dithering
techniques provide the illusion that many more colors are being dispiayed than the palette can hold. Objects are scaled in centimeters and not by pixels, therefore changing resolutions does not effect the size of the objects on the screen. Moving On
Objects can be moved in any direction (you are in 3D). They can be
stretched, pulled and pushed into other shapes with the object editor. You can move freely around and through them. Movement of objects, view point and light source are determined in relation to
the X, Y and Z axes. The commands View Front, View Side and View Top
move you to a position looking straight
down the X, Y or Z axes respectively,
PageRender 3D Author:
Multifaceted Individual
The tool gadgets give you a choice of moving an object up, down, left, right,
One might wonder what kind of person could construct a multifaceted
away from you, towards you or parallel
program like PageRender3D. A multifaceted person, of course. That person is
to any of the three axes. Rotate lets you
Michael Abrams. Michael's background finds him entrenched in both art and
move the object around one of the three
physics. In high school, he had an infinity for art—so much so that he was
axes or spin on its own axis. An object's
going to pursue it as a career. But then..,
rotation is related to its center point and the axis it is spinning around. The object's center point can be
He changed his mind and earned his degrees in physics. He designed
industrial machines for twelve years while dreaming of creating the ultimate 3D graphics program for the computer. Not having a computer, he began by
moved anywhere. By placing the center
figuring out his calculations on a hand-held calculator, then advanced to a
point outside an object, you can change
programmable calculator. By the time Michael selected the Amiga as die
its rotation into a swinging motion. Other
machine to program on, he had good a portion of his work figured out. Of
tools let you move your observation
course, there was the hurdle of teaching himself C before he could create his
point in any of the above ways or
program. The final version of PageRender 3D was the result of over 700 pages
around the center point to the left, right,
of programming.
up or down. You can select Look to
The bulk of his program was done on his Amiga 1000 configured with
change your direction of observation.
only 512 on board and no hard drive. I first saw Michael's early version of
Additional object manipulation tools are
PageRender 3D at one of our monthly Amiga Group meetings. For five dollars
clone, cyclic, size and mirror. Resizing
(the price of the disk and cost of the manual printout) he allowed members of the Cleveland Area Amiga Users Group to try out his program.
can be done in any one direction,or overall.
Page3D can utilize any (or all) of
Being a pioneer at heart, I thought "Why not?", and plunged into the pro
four different systems of movement:
gram. It wasn't very user friendly in those days, but luckily I am an artist who had a high school infinity for physics. Michael really listened to those of us
Cartesian, Spherical, Cylindrical and
hearty individuals who took learning the program on as a challenge. That was
Tetrahedral. Cartesian is the program's
a year and a half ago, and it is amazing how many new features Michael has
default and easiest to understand. It
added since then.
moves an object along or in relation to
Michael is one of those "what if people who never stops thinking of the
the three axes. Spherical moves objects
possibilities. Those of us hungry for good software that expands our machines'
around the surface of a sphere. Cylindri
capabilities are happy about that.
cal utilizes a cylindrical shape that is straight up and down on the Z axis as a
base. Tetrahedral follows the shape of a regular tetrahedron (a three-sided
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
25
pyramid). When you change to a
up and save on disk access. The palette
different system of movement, the tool
used by PageRender 3D is set by the
PageRender 3D, in beta versions and the
gadgets change correspondingly.
object files. You must first create your
finished product, I've still not tried all the
object(s) and save the screen as an IFF
numerous features available. Some of
file, then load this image into the paint
diem, such as the Tetrahedral move
program before rendering the back
ments, I have not yet begun to under
create Anim files. All the movements of
ground to set the palette. Another
stand. There is much more then I've
an animation sequence can be plotted
approach is to import the Anim file
been able to cover in this review. It is
and written into a script. "Save Script"
created with Page3D into DPaint III.
much faster and simpler than most other
will save to the destination file all the
There you can create a background on
3D programs. However, you do sacrifice
commands you enter with the mouse or
the spare screen and merge it in back of
some of the detail that can be accom
from the keyboard. The commands can
the Anim scenes, and detailing can be
plished with other programs. For my
be edited later in any text editor. The
added if you so desire.
purposes, I prefer Page3D's speed and
Animation and Scripts
Scripts offer the best method to
"Save Anim" command can be included
Page3D can do simplified ray
After several months of using
ease of use. Page3D is a excellent
at the proper intervals. When your ready
tracing. Surface textures cannot be
program for those interested in getting
to create your animation, just select
defined nor are cast shadows plotted, but
into 3D rendering, either stills or
"Read Script" and go get a snack while
the increased delineating of light and
animation.
the program renders the Anim file.
surfaces can give spectacular results to
Backgrounds can be created in a
•AC-
the final picture. The effect is most
paint program and loaded into Page3D.
noticeable in complex pictures with
Setting the Autoclear to off causes the 3D
numerous small objects. The ray trace
object to be drawn over the imported
command can be embedded in a script
background. But if you move an object
file to produce amazing animations. Even
with Autoclear off, the old image will
this simplified ray tracing greatly
remain. You must reload the background
increases the time it takes rendering a
to clear the screen of the previous image.
picture, especially in Hi-Res mode. When
Mindware International
110 Dunlop Street, West Box22158
Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4M 5R3 1-705-737-5998
creating animation files, each frame will
PageRender 3D, $159.00
command can be placed in the script. I
be ray traced before being added to the
Inquiry #266
copied my background picture to RAM
file, increasing the execution time
and loaded it from there to speed things
significantly.
This is no problem, as the Load
Amazing on Disk Source Listings and Executables from the pages ofAmazing Computing!
Only $6.00 per disk ($7.00 for Non-Subscribers) Please use the order form on page CIII or the tear out form.
AC #1 V3.8 & V3-9
AC #3 VoL5 & VoL6
Gels In MultiForth Part I & II: Using Gels in MultiFourth.
Digitized Sound: Playing digitized sounds using Modula-2.
FFP & IEEE: Math routines in Modula-2.
'881 Math Part II: Part II of programming
CAI: Computer Aided Instruction in AmigaBASIC.
Tumblin Tots: Save the falling babies a game. Written in assembler. Extra Goodies: Three freely redistributable programs, VGad, MenuEd & Bspread.
the 68881 math coprocessor chip using a fractal sample.
At Your Request; Using the system supplied requestors from AmigaBASIC. Insta Sound: Tapping the Amiga's sound from AmigaBASIC. MIDI Out: A MIDI program that you can add to. Written in C. Diskless Compiler: Setting up a compiler enviroment
AC #2 V4.4
that doesn't need floppies.
Fractals Part I: An introduction to the basics of fractals with examples in AmigaBASIC, True BASIC, and C. Shared Libraries: Using shared libraries in C.
AC #4 VoL7&VoL8
MultiSort: Sorting and intertask communication in Modula-2.
Fractals Part II: Part II on fractals and graphics on the Amiga
Double Playfield: Using dual playfields in AmigaBASIC.
in AmigaBASIC and True BASIC.
'881 Math Part I: Programming the 68881 math coprocessor chip.
Analog Joysticks: Using analog joysticks on the Amiga in C.
Args: Passing arguments to AmigaBASIC.
C Notes: A small program to search a file for a specific siring in C. Better String Gadgets: How to tap the power of string gadgets in C. On Your Alert: Using the system's alerts from AmigaBASIC. Batch Files: Executing batch files from AmigaBASIC. C Notes: The beginning of a utility program in C.
26
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
the* /${a£f/(p
DeluxePaint III An
with Pan oiov-a
by Ben andJean Means
fun,' and ended up paying the price
Every computer has one program that exemplifies its capabilities—Lotus 1-
for over a year since then, trying to
2-3 on the IBM, PageMaker on the Mac,
make it into an actual program.
It's the first step in putting together
and DeluxePaint on the Amiga.
an idea I've had for a long time,
What kind of people have helped
which is simply that paint and
create such an elegant user interface to
animation can be viewed as two sides
delight the computer artist in us all? We
of the same diing. The same tools
wondered. So we put on our trench
you use for paint can be used for
coats, strolled to the telephone and
animation, and vice versa. Paint is
called our undercover informant at EA—
just animation where you don't erase,
Deep Ear.
where you just paint on the same
frame. I'd like to do more in that
"Ya want Silva and the beta
direction. This was just a first step in
testers?" Ear yelped. "No ivay, Jose, yer askin' too darn much! Call me back
a quick experiment, which turned out
ivh en yer sober." Iknew we had only
to be a little more than I bargained
moments before we'd bear his telephone
for. But I was feeling I had to cham
handset crashing into its cradle. So I
pion the Amiga a little bit. We went
decided to call in a few old debts.
through Uiis incredible Amiga period
"Ear, hold on a second. Wasn 11 the one who told you about the backdoor
at EA where it was just all we were
inArkanoid?" "Yeah, but..." "Wasn'tI
doing, and then, frankly, we felt
the one who told you how to get the
Commodore didn't cany die bail as
Babelfish in Hitchhikers Guide to the
well as we would have liked. The
Galaxy?" He hesitated, "Sure, but..." 1
company shifted over toward the IBM
honed in for the kill. 'Ear, you wouldn't
and overreacted somewhat. I felt like, "Hey! die Amiga is still a viable
want me to let it slip to the Bandito about your black market sourcefor Obese
chip set, and DeluxePaint was bom—just
Agnus chips, wouldyou?"
one mondi after the Amiga's release.
"You wouldn't!" he snarled. "Try
A year later, after many nights of
machine', and I wanted to keep support
ing it. Since dien we've shifted back towards the Amiga.
me," I chuckled. There was a long pause.
program-'til-you-drop intensity, De
"I'll call Silva and see if he can spare you
luxePaint II arrived and created even
AC: Do you have a fine arts or graphics
some time," Ear snapped. We were in!
more of a stir than the original. The ''best
background?
of awards poured in again, and Silva Getting our man
After graduating from Stanford with
took a well deserved vacation. But die
DAN: No, but my Mechanical Engineer
true glory of DP was yet to come and
ing background from Stanford was
a masters in Mechanical Engineering,
might not have come at ail except for
definitely valuable training. The courses
Silva worked for NASA Ames, Lucasfilms,
one fateful night of casual hacking.
in M-E design gave me a way of thinking
and Xerox, where he entered the world
Here's how it happened.
about programs as products that a lot of
of computer graphics with a black-and-
programmers don't have. When you
white paint program called Doodle.
AC: How did DeluxePaint III get its
diink about a computer program as a
When Silva and several odiers left Xerox
start?
complete product, it's different than just
in 1983 to form EA, Doodle ported its
thinking of what features you can
way onto the IBM PC, sprouted some
DAN: I'm naive, but I always end up
program. Every programmer should
new features and became Prism. When
getting myself into these diings. Basically
study product design if they plan to sell
die Amiga arrived in 1985, Silva rewrote
in one night of hacking, I created this
their programs. I also have a pretty
Prism to take advantage of the Amiga's
page-flipping stuff, said, 'oh that was
strong background in math. Many
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
2/
AC: How did the idea of the anim Left:
brushes come about3
Fireworks anim title series created by DPaint III beta tester and graphics artist
DAN: That was motivated by the feeling
Kara Blohm
that animation is hard and die average person isn't an animator, so it would be nice to provide an animation library of
programmers don't understand the
clip animation art for people to use. So
underlying mathematics, and that's too
the next question was okay, how do you
bad, especially in graphics programming
create static clip art? With brushes, so the
where it's very important.
next step is to have an animated brush.
What got me started in computer
Hopefully, that's going to enable a lot
graphics is that I really like painting
more people to create animations who
pictures on the computer, and what I'm
don't feel like they can hand draw
trying to do is make that process happen
animations, but they can assemble
for myself. I was influenced by tilings I
elements together and move them
had seen on higher end graphic systems,
around in 3 dimensions to create
but overall I just sat up nights to paint
interesting tilings.
and implemented features so I could finish that painting. If something was too
AC: For those 3D moves, you created
hard to do by hand, I would put in a
the Move Requester. Who gave you
feature to make it possible.
feedback?
AC: Did you borrow any user interface
DAN: That was working with Jeff and
tips from other programs?
Kara. I think you could do a lot fancier moves, but this was an attempt at
DAN: Oh yeah, I'm always stealing any
making the program simple to use.
ideas 1 can. One of my rules is never be
Animation can be pretty confusing to get
too proud to leam from someone else.
into, but what saves it is the preview
Even a program that is basically crummy
function. At least it saves me because I
usually has some good ideas in it.
DeluxePaint III also had some real active beta testers, especially Jeff Bruette
can always preview something in
wireframe to see if I've got it backwards before rendering.
and Kara Blohm, whom gave me a lot of feedback about what they needed in
AC:
order to do actual video production
evolve?
How did the move requester
work. The beta testers were very important on this program because the
DAN: As soon as I got page flipping
animations take so much time to work
going, one of the first things ] tried to do
with that I just didn't have time to be an
was to move an object through perspec
artist testing it out and the programmer
tive by hand. The perspective controls
too.
that already existed in DP lent them
selves fairly naturally to doing that. I'd AC: Did any features come from
slide something along the ground and
incessant whining from beta testers
animate it, and it looked pretty neat, but
desperate to have a particular feature?
it was a definite candidate for automation right away because it was pretty pains
DAN: Yes, a lot of those came from Jeff
taking to do it one frame at a time. So
Bruette (Laughs). He could probably tell
that is how Move evolved.
you some of those. The font requester was from incessant whining, not just
AC: The direct overscan painting is a
from Jeff, but from everyone. However,
very useful new feaaire for video work.
he was one of the main ones, because
Was that a high priority on this version?
he has lots of fonts on his hard disk and
FIREWORKS
28
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
wanted a better way of using them. And
DAN: Oh yes, I put in overscan not long
Kara made sure I got color fonts to work
after DP2 shipped. I'd been wanting to
right, which I think is really good
do it, but it was a matter of figuring out
because it's a very powerful addition.
how to trick Intuition into letting me
People love to make titles to things, and
have a full overscan screen. I finally got
Kara's color fonts just look great.
the inside story on how to do that. It's
not that hard to do, but it's hard to find out how to do. You just type in a few lines of code, but you can never figure it
Right Hollywood'sNeiuBlood, anim titleseries
out by yourself. By talking with the
created by Kara Blohm
people at Commodore, I've been able to do it in a way which was cheating, but
wouldn't become a bug later with later releases of the Workbench. That was the
least a limited set of 3D objects where,
tricky part!
instead of seeing just a flat brush, you
AC: Did supporting extra-halfbrite cause
the brush. That's one of the tilings on my
could see a cube with sides painted to
any special problems?
list—cubes, cylinders and things like that.
DAN: (There were} no real problems. I
essentially, I do have a real 3D model; I could move the brush around in 3D and
had to go through a lot of the code and
I think that would be fun. Because
touch it up so it would work with the 64
easily extend that to include other
colors. But it was pretty simple, which
objects.
was why I put it in. I think it's a pretty useful feature and it wasn't that hard,
unlike HAM, which a lot of people asked for, but [which} would be really hard to put it in the way my model works. Not
AC: It would be great to have dodeca hedrons, tetrahedrons and icosohedrons
flipping around die screens with little pictures on each facet. I'd go nuts with it
that HAM isn't useful; it's just too hard!
anyway! So what is your favorite DP3
So I stuck with halfbrite.
feature?
AC: You've got two more cycle registers
DAN: I'm happy about the way the
now, for a total of 6. What the heck does
paint tools that were already there just
anyone need 6 color cycles for?
happened to work out to be fun to use with animation. It's more the interaction
DAN: The reason is not so much for
that excites me—the combinations of
cycling colors, but for creating color
features that interact in different ways
shade ranges. I found that with halfbrite;
too numerous to understand immedi
boot up the halfbrite 64 color mode is set
ately. It leaves this sort of open-endedness to it. For instance, using wrap fill with animation you can get the effect of
up so there's a whole lot of cycles. If you
balls with paintings on the surface
put together a range of three of the
rotating in space. We were just playing
regular colors in halfbrite, you get a 6-
with that the other day, and that was
coSor range. So it was mainly for shading
something I hadn't realized before. I
that I put them in, not for color cycling.
really don't think in terms of it as a single feature. It's more the interaction of
AC: With that many color cycles going,
the features that I'm pleased with.
I often wanted more. As a matter of fact, the default palette that you get when you
HOLLYWOOD
you could probably crash the machine pretty easily.
AC: Was it scary removing the copy protection?
DAN: In this version, I coded the color cycling code that runs on the verticle
DAN: Yes! Some pirated versions of DP3
blank interrupt in assembly language,
got out eady on bulletin boards. They
and it's much faster. So I think you can
weren't really DP3, they were some
run all the cycles full speed and it still
version that was probably 2.8. Something
leaves enough machine going for the
that the pirates had renumbered as 3.0.
mouse to move around. (Note: We tried
However, sales seem to be real strong,
it It does!)
and it could be that that actually helped
us because it served as advertising. AC: You've gone to 2 1/2 dimension
DeluxePaint III sales are mostly up
right now. Did you consider going to a
grades, but it's been way beyond
full 3-dimensional object-oriented
predictions. It's basically flying out the
approach?
door.
DAN: Yes, I've thought of putting in at
AC: If they talk you into doing DP4,
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
29
what kind of features would you like to see in it?
Quality Clips for Your Quality Art ! Acft Pics tm
DAN: I've got this file full of features. A lot of them are kind of boring, like the ability to convert anims between different
formats. I'd like to have multipoint interpolations, so that you could get curved trajectories. It would be nice to support all the brush transformations for anim brushes instead of just the ones that don't change the size of the anim brush. There's a lot of work here, but it's mostly just fleshing out the current model and filling in the gaps. The main limitation on DeluxePaint has been the lack of memory; suddenly, a 2-meg machine seems small. With more memory on the machine, I can go crazy, so in a way I'm waiting to see how the Amiga
evolves.
Suggested Retail
S49.95
AC: What's next?
DAN: I don't know. I'm going to lei DP on the Amiga sit for
Map Pics - Worldtm Susaested Retail $59.95
a while. One of my fantasies is Eo integrate animation and music in a program that will sync actions and points in the music in a very easy way. That may be too ambitious, but it's one possibility.
Usually programmers are kept isolated from the beta testers, but Dan Siiva wanted to try something different with DeluxePaint III. Instead of existing in a vacuum tied only to the real world by the occasional bug reports, Dan Silva wanted to create "a broad bandwidth of minds," working together on the program design.
Heraldic Pics Sussested Retail
Everyone wanted to be a beta tester, but very few were
chosen to work in this close relationship with the legendary
$34.95
Dan Silva. Their influence on the design of DeluxePaint III
China Pics Suggested Retail
was profound. Here is their story: The Houses DPaint 3 Built
S34.95
JeffBruette stuck hisfootfinnty in Hollywood's door with his own startup Amiga graphics house in 1987. Since then, Prism Computer Graphics has launched Amiga graphics on the national TVshows Max Headroom, Secrets and Mysteries; in
feature movies like Bulletproof and Disorderlies; andfor
Christmas Pics
presitigious industrial clients like CocaCola, Campbell's Soup
tm
and Hills Brother's Coffee. Bruette brought Silva his typical day-to-day problems, which include delivering graphics
Suggested Retail $34.95
yesterday, competing head-to-head against vicious competitors and producing the ultimate impossible effect.
These image-packed screens are in 16- and 32color IFF format for use with paint packages such as Deluxe Paint II on an Amiga 500, 1000 or 2000.
An independent graphics bousefaces stiff odds in LA,
Bird Pics' Suggested Retail
" $29.95
All packages require AmigaDos V1.2 or V1.3, a minimum of 512K of memory and a paint package.
andJeff'Bruette has relied on DeluxePaint IIIfor almost every one of bis projects since last February. Fie says, "If it hadn t
beenfor DP3,1 don't know where my business ivould be light now. DP3 has made that big a difference!" AC: Which features in particular have bailed you out? JEFF:
ANGEJNT To order, see your dealer or contact
what I was doing, which would cut them down to 16 colors. :
Tangent 270
PO Box 38587-A1 Denver, CO 80238 (303)322-1262
Or they could hand move the animation in DeluxePaint II, Deluxe Paint II is a trademark of
which wasn't as smooth. Or {they could] do Videoscape
Electronic Arls; Amiga and Amiga
animation which is very time-consuming. My clients would
Dos are trademarks of Commodore
come in and ask for a graphic of their logo flying in from
Amiga.
infinity.
Circle 154
30
Move in conjunction with the animation was invalu
able. My competition had to use Video FX 3D to simulate
on Reader Service card.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Other Amiga graphics houses take three or four days
DPAINT III
to enter the logo and hand-draw in all the frames. Instead, I could scan their logo in with a Sharp scanner, pick it up as an anim brush, and use the move requester to fly it off into the distance. The whole process took 10 minutes, so I could play it back for the client right then and there. It was a real selling
feature, particularly when a lot of my clients were Amiga users. Simply because I had the beta version, they had to use me. There was no where else to go.
The other feature that has made the big difference for me is halfbrite. I actually don't use it much for painting. Its
real value for me is converting pictures. I'll scan something in with my Sharp scanner with its 24 bitplanes, which then
gets converted to HAM mode. When you convert HAM images down to 32 colors with no halfbrite, they're just torn apart, so I use the Digi-View software to convert the scanner's HAM image to halfbrite. Now the image has 32
colors pius the 32 halfbrites and the dithering capabilities of Digi-View. It gives me a real beautiful picture! If you put the
HAM picture side by side to the halfbrite 320 x 400 picture, you almost can't tell the difference.
AC: You've achieved some very professional results. What
( PLUS MOV1ESETTER USERS)
ANIMATED FONTS
Bring your screens to life with 3D FONT--A full rotation 3D font For effects that will knock their socks off!!
DISSOLVE FONT~Yes it does I
Dissolve on or off screen - Rotate, Shrink, etc.
POUR FONT-Pour in place WOW
Animated paint can pours the font on screen !
COMIC FQNT-Sqq to believe I
Animated characters that bring your title to life
OVER 270 ANIMATED BRUSHES
Thousands of screens that bring out your best
ONLY $ 39.95 DlLddbJ
Check or MTQr p;
Two Disk
can the average home user do with a tool like DPaint IIP JEFF: We're putting together a DP3 how-to video with Elec
tronic Arts. It will cover all the new features like animation, extra halfbrite, wrap brush and tint fill modes, the fill
freehand, the outline shapes, and the new font requester.
WARES ADD $3.12 TX
products named are trademarks of there respective co. Circle
create actual graphics, because a lot of these things are inter
150 on Reader Service card.
You can really simulate the high-end systems.
inspiration to new ideas. We're covering how to do special effects like starfields, streaming stars, flying titles with
PROSSER, WA 99350
aOMMiSOQN-PREHISTORIC AND SCI - Fl
Our aim is to show people how to combine these features to esting standing on their own, but combining them gives
P.O. Box 801
SET.
A lot of the DeluxePaint tools, like stencils and gradient
fills, are similar to the Paintbox. On the Amiga, I don't get the
shadows, and scrolling text for end credits on a video. With
same resolution or the millions of colors, but son of a gun,
those combinations of effects, the average user can easily
with DP3 I sure have a lot of the same tools!
create a very hi-tech look—like Star Trek in miniature. AC: Has DP3 affected your graphic design style? Pen and pencil were Kara Blohm s tools of the tradefor 15 years, and she tuielded them artfullyfor top LA graphics
KARA: You could do animations before with a page-flipping
bouses like Saul Bass andfor the 23rd Olympiad, but the
program, but that's such a slow process. Now you can see how
power of the Amiga mouse launched Kara intoherown
it's going to work right off the bat. DP3 makes life so much
computer graphics house. Kara now earns her living creating
easier. I did an effect for a low-budget horror film called
Amiga graphicsfor Hollywood video production bouses and
"Hollywood's New Blood" that had blood dripping down the
selling Karafonts, two ofwhich are included -with De-
screen to form the letters. I couldn't have done it without DP3.
luxePaintIII.
It would have taken too long.
My aim is to simulate broadcast TV effects on the Amiga,
Hollywood has a stringent eyefor quality, so Kara works mainly in hi-res and her input encouraged Dan Silva
effects like little trails and glints going across logos. At first Dan
to make DP3 capable of effects to please the most demanding
just had the expanded page-flipping mode which didn't let me
clients.
do fast enough glints across the letters in hi-res, but sure enough he got the compressed animation mode running, and it
AC: What do the Hollywood post-production houses think
opened whole new worlds of what we can do with DP3 for
of your DeluxePaint III graphics?
higher level industrial graphics. Now I can do star glints and
little highlights across letters which simulate broadcast TV a lot KARA:
1 surprised one of the editors who was helping me
more.
transfer my graphics to Betacam in a video bay. She wanted to know what graphics computer I used, and when I told
AC: Since you work in hi-res, what do you think about the
her it was an Amiga, she exclaimed, "That looks as good as
new fatter Agnus CHIP with 1 meg of CHIP RAM?
our Quantel Paintbox!" The Amiga is wonderful that way.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
31
LET ACDA open
t« FIIIT
your
real—world
'Yeah, 1 know it would be wonderful.' I felt like we were ma
niindouil
nipulating Dan because Jeff and I would both give him the
FUllT lEtTUBED AMIGA DATA-ICOJIS] 1101 MO MOCttS-COHTXX IDUC 16H.8OI
13-B't JO:
(OKHI Oil
chamll
ttirouahput
J Pros rumble Uln (PC) mptinnt I i; B-t Klitplvlng ("■: Duiputi I 16BH prseraaaubl* tlwri U III cotmiiIiI- Digital 10 mi
C dani tor all fLKltona Digital Bynanicm' SNIP coaDatlbl<
•1795
/ *1BW wit* PC
AmigaView my.
a
irfac* .El tai WNUS.
IBTUIT1OH
include!
joy to work with. He's such a nice guy.
Over
opened new vistas for Amiga artists and animators. Next
100 routine doc
With the input of his intrepid beta testers, Dan Silva has
d>re«!orr.
level hiitogr
IMi par
daliy-chlin atralltl
port.
Com
Irlvir and aany taiajl* anpt
Ctraqruirt.
wirii uilti Diglltop*.
large
■
■Muh
ignif icantly.
MlgaUorld1
hoic* IS*pt/Ocl 79«
vmr, p*Bi.
programirpg
ibraiton lulcch.
it.
eullipl* mndo. [VEIT1. SUEEIS, UTEIS. tlTtUW, (II 1HAS6 I1PES, LOW LEVEL G«*P»1CS, and IFF. Rani and
■e
b LEI Signal
would be possible, but sure enough he figured out how to do
turn around and do il! It was wonderful. He's fabulous; he's :i
Coaxial
Lilllce coapatlbli UBrirlo.
device (In ill Mis" '"> "'■' "■•
airbrush that works with all these tools?" He didn't think it
And my heart would drop, and I'd say, "Anil..,okay.' Then he'd
C
all
luloulir WIlBOVt.
SFH£iT!B',,
call Dan and say "Oh Dan, wouldn't it be nice to have an
know; it might take a lot of rewriting, but I'll put it on my list."
liaroerdlirt
that
typtt (mm enclualon),
how important this was. Jeff would tell Dan about it, and I'd
He was just amazing that way. He would say. "I don't
2.0
OnECTOf [EITED
same input (Laughs). But we just wanted to impress him with
library
month, we'll give you another peek behind the scenes at how
0
the animation demos that come with DeluxePaint III were created by the nationally televised Cris Palomino, Mr. SuaveKevin Sullivan, and Amazing ex-Disney animator Heidi
DigiScope
Tumipseed.
BigiScope it a digital iioragt oiclllotcopc ewlitor (hat mrti ultn
•AC-
all of our data-acquitItion producti and all parallel -purl dlglllten. It oceralea 16 Independent kaer-definsd
captOllItltl and a coaplete tpectrtl eT4lrtit
AmigaFFP
paciag*.
Dlailcopa
Electronic Arts
It
CMpletelr wigaiiitd and >ni leep li» coicetitlon at • alliance tr.r >w tlaa. *13?.« Introductory Prlct
we ilio cir y Mliiublihl
and Sninto Color Printert 1 Or
IQI UltWII!
(HO
SCFIIUIt OEHO DISK
1820 Gateway Drive San Mateo, CA 94404
(800)245-8525;
IACD4 Corporetlan i 220 lellt Heede Ave
.Setautel, «T 117H
lilll ttA-7721
in CA, (800)562-1112
'
DeluxePaint III, S149.00 inquiry #267
tradmarkm ol ACDA Corpsrdlon. mi il frequently updating Itl producti ami reserves to riijht to change »p*c 11 Icat ions and prices at err* tl*e Hilhnjt notice. {OConyrlglil 1"S9 »CD« Corp.
Circle 104 on Header Service card.
KARA: The fatter Agnus will give me the power to work with 16 colors in hi-res overscan and to grab big brushes like a whole logo. Right now, I can only have 8 colors in hi-res overscan, ar.d I often don't have enough CHIP RAM left to grab a whole logo as a brush. When I get a fatter Agnus, it will really open up some doors. And wouldn't you know it, Jeff
Readers!
Attention
Bruette was one of the first people to get one. He taunts me
with it. Everything you can think of he's got on his machine: 9 megs, fatter Agnus, Sharp scanner, everything. (Sigh) AC: How often did you talk to Dan while you were betatesting?
KARA: Probably 4 or 5 times a week. I ran up three or four hundred dollars in telephone bills while testing DP3.1 didn't mind though. It was such a joy to have it in my hands and be
Since we at Amazing Computing™ cannot determine
able to do a lot more of the effects I wanted to do.
the dependability of our advertisers from their ads alone, we want your feedback.
If you hove had a
AC: Did you have a lot of interaction with the other beta
problem with an advertiser in AC™, let us know! Send
testers?
a complete description of yourexchonge(s) with the advertiser—along with the names of the individuals
KARA: Yes, Jeff and I would call each other a lot. "Did you get it' Did you see this new thing? Oh yeah! Wow!" We had a good interaction that was very valuable. When Dan came down here
of things, Ad Complaints
to meet with all the LA beta testers. We put on this IBM
PiM Publications, Inc.
program and showed Dan the airbrush, so he revised the
Amazing Computing
airbrush to be center weighted, just like a real airbrush. Later Jeff and I were talking, and he said, "Wouldn't it be
nice if the airbrush worked with all of the tools?" And I said,
32
involved—and we'll do our best to get to the bottom
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
P.O. Box 869 Fall River, MA 02722
Amazing Reviews
Scene Generator
Freely Redistributable Graphics Enhancement
review by R. Shamms Mortier, PbD. I know, it's out of the ordinary to review a freely redistrib
utable disk. After all, if it were truly a commercially viable
plea thai this be done with Scene Generator. Freely redistrib utable is not shareware, where the author asks for a minute
product, wouldn't the author Cake the steps necessary to market
contribution, it is freeware. But I'm going to bet my booty that
it and make a bundle of money? Well, Scene Generator, a soon-
Version 1.1 will be marketed for sale.
to-be-released freely redistributable program, will leave you
After using this wonderful graphics tool for about seven
breathless. But first, a word about freely redistributable prod
hours. I called Brett and chastised him for not marketing the
ucts.
product right away. His response humbled me. He said he was Freely redistributable usually means free to the user. The
so thankful for the volumes of shareware he has had the good
user can also copy (distribute) die original for others. The
fortune to use, he simply wanted to pay back the community.
author of Scene Generator, Brett Casebolt, actually makes a
How's that for cold, hard, American business sense?
I
competitive Amiga graphics marketplace, and it really has no
As it now stands, the disk could easily fetch $30.00 in the Top: "Dragon"
Bottom:
"Worldzend"
competitors. Right now, it addresses only lo-res without overscan. However, plans are already in the works to upgrade Scene Generator to other resolutions, and to include overscan as well as other features I'll mention later. Before I get into the
nitty-gritty, though, allow me to give you a brief bio of Mr. Casebolt.
It's always nice to know a little about die history of these backyard geniuses. I guess we almost crave it, keeping in mind the sacred garages of the "rwo Steves" (Wozniak and Jobs, the Apple Wonderkinds). Brett is a thirty-one year-old systems
programmer who works for Systems Integrators in California. A Sierra backpacker in his spare time, his job for the last four and
a half years has focused on writing and maintaining assembly
code for the M68OOO (also the Amiga's central processor chip). He has had his Amiga since 1983. His favorite Amiga work
involves taking CPU-intensive algorithms and translating them to assembly code. It is this "hobby" that shows up so beautifully in his Scene Generator, with rendering lime being reduced to a bare minimum. He originally sent the program to Fred Fish in January of 1988, and later had it published in JumpDisk (a well respected Amiga disk magazine). When he does take Scene Generator to market, he will join the honored ranks of other
developers who have followed this same path from freely distributable to marketable product. As an Amiga artist, I find this program essential for some
of my recent work (exemplified by the electronic paintings that accompany this article). With Scene Generator. Brett has set yet
another new directional path that others will surely expand and comment upon. Brett originally got the idea from another freely redistributable program which generates wire frames of fractal landscapes. These types of programs have received considerable press over the last few years, largely as a result of the related work being done by such notables as Lucas Films. By following the mathematical input of the artist, these programs are able to generate very believeable and natural
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
33
scenes. Impulse Inc. in Minneapolis makes a 3D scene generator
to enter parameters from the CLI, so you can generate multiple
for their TurbD Silver package called Terrain, but the feel and
scenes and save them to disk for 2D-animation purposes.
use of it is very different from Mr. Casebolt's gem. For one thing, Brett's Scene Generator is very randomized, so you
cannot really tell what you are going to get until you actually
Wish list
Naturally, I have my own fantasies. For one, I'd like to see
see it. It works so fast, though, you will actually enjoy the mystery. The Impulse program is meant for an entirely different
Amigans are all speed junkies. Even in non-overscan lo-res, an
purpose (3D :inimation), and it can take hours to render a
entire scene takes about two plus minutes to render.
design. The Terrain program, to be honest, also offers many
an option that would utilize accelerator boards (68020/68881).
A future version might also compute the snow lines of
other parameters (texture mapping, reflectance/refraetance,
certain altitudes. There should be a setting, perhaps a slider, that
etc.), so the two are not really comparable.
allows for various rough (the Rockies) and smooth (the Appala
As it now stands, Scene Generator has a full Intuition
chians) renderings, perhaps by nothing more than a dithered
interface, and you can multitask with Workbench or anything
effect. For those of us requiring fuchsia backdrops for some
else you have the memory to run. Also, because this program
interplanetary scene, a color palette choice would be nice.
will not remain in the "free" category for long, working with it
Lastly, I've got an idea for his next product. It's called Caves. It
now gives the user/artist community a chance to provide Mr. Casebok with some feedback before a righteous version hits the
would allow users to render multifaceted stalactited, stalagmited interiors. The artist never stops wanting more!
And speaking of art, the main reason I wanted to share
streets.
There are five easy-to-understand pull-down menus,
this discovery with you was to show you some of the results
including the Height Menu and the Project Menu. The Height
I've been able to obtain. The paintings shown here were
Menu has six options: 800, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 and Other,
rendered with Scene Generator as a background tool, and
which allows you to set the height of your mountains from 100
combined in a PhotonPaint (Microlllusions) environment. In
to 9999. (It is best, in my experience, to stay between about 500
PhotonPaint, I worked in the Video-Res mode in full overscan,
and 8000, but let your experimentation guide you.) You can
meaning all the Scene Generations had to be manipulated in
light your scenes from over your right or left shoulder, from the front with no shadows, from directly overhead, or via backlight ing. You can view the finished work from low, normal, or high vantage points. Also, you can add a dark blue pool of water at
some fashion to fill out the space. Usually I just enlarged them
low, medium, and high levels.
anyone interested. Meanwhile, get a hold of Casebolt's Scene
The scene generation is turned on in The Project Menu.
as a brush, but sometimes I employed other choices. I am
currently at work on a whole series of paintings of this type, and would be willing to discuss my other techniques with Generator, and happy creativity!
The Title can be hidden, the scene redrawn with new options,
•AC-
and the process can be stopped midstream (in case your favorite lines ;ire being randomized out). The finished work can be saved on your chosen path. I have saved about sixty scenes so far, with twenty to a disk. Brett hopes to add overscan and other resolutions in the near future (I'm sure your rapid response would encourage
this). He has also been researching SIGGRAPH publications to add textured water surfaces, clouds, and trees. Plans are also underway to add a batch mode of operation, making it possible
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Brett Caseborr 4603 Slate Court RockliaCA 95677
(FISH # 155; JumpDisk March 1989) Scene Generator, Version 1,0, Absolutely Free
Fractal Presentation by David Hiestand
The comforting silence was shattered by the sudden query of my wife, Jo. "Are you ever going to do anything
into demonstrating to the group the
drive. I had DPaint II, some public
many uses for their computers.
domain and shareware software that
These memories, coupled with my
generated fractal graphics, several of my
wife's query, induced me to volunteer (a
own compiled BASIC programs that
word seldom heard by SIG leaders) to
created intricate geometric fractals, and
speak at one of the SIG meetings and
stacks of magazine articles and books
home position for Amiga users (one
present a slide-show-like demonstration
explaining fractals and displaying their
hand clutching the keyboard, the other
using the club's Amiga 500. By present
intriguing patterns. A copy of AEGIS
clenching the mouse) while I mulled
ing dramatic pictures of fractal genera
VideoTitler (borrowed from a friendly
over the word "useful." I rolled it around
tions, I would be able to inform the
SIG member) rounded out my inventory.
my tongue, savoring it. "Useful." I
members about fractals and their uses.
muttered, "ummm ... yessss." I turned
Naturally, Jo would be able to sit in on
a total lack of personal experience in
toward Jo, who was trying unsuccessfully
the meeting and judge for herself the
creating a video presentation. I did have
to suppress a smile, and brightly
"usefulness" of my speech.
useful-w'wh thai thing?" My hands froze in the standard
remarked, "What a novel idea!" Relative terms
"Useful" is a relative term. Appar
I totally underestimated the impact
Perhaps my greatest deficiency was
some experience making viewchart
presentations to managers, but these
of the calk. What began as a SIG "show
consisted mainly of three or four
and tell" evolved—via numerous
viewcharts of text, which could usually
speaking engagements around Seattle—
be reduced to: '"We are over budget and
ently, Jo and I had different perceptions
into a full-blown presentation, resulting
behind schedule." These would be
about the usefulness of the "thing." I,
in an invitation to address the Annual
followed by three or four more charts
had never questioned it. The Amiga is
Northwest Math Teachers' Conference at
saying something about why the
the principal instrument in my quest for
die Seattle Center in September. I do not
problem existed (e.g., "The idiots on the
a knowledge of fractals, which have
doubt that the relatively hot subject of
proposal team didn't allow for enough
been my obsession for the last eighteen
fractals had something to do with mis.
money or time.1). The last two to three
months—or maybe more (ask my wife).
However, much of my presentation's
chans recommended the problem's
But her question triggered memories of
success must be credited to die Amiga
"solution," which was usually a glossed-
w"hen I was chairman of the Boeing
and its software.
over version of "Give us more money
Commodore SIG (Special Interest
Carrying on the theme of "useful
Group), attempting to cajole, coerce, or
ness," the rest of this article will review
blackmail (whichever worked) members
the development of my presentation.
and time." Picture acquisition
Early in the project I realized that
You may be surprised at One of manyfractal images presented
what can be accom
there was no way to create new pro-
plished with a modest
grains for all the fractals I wanted to
array of software and
show. So, without compunction, I made
hardware.
liberal use of public domain and
shareware programs such as MandFXP Having made the
V3.0 and FRACTGEN on Fred Fish 188.
decision to do the
These programs not only had "save"
original talk for the SIG,
features for user-generated fractals, but
I checked my resources.
an IFF treasure chest of gems already
(Arguably, the order of
generated. My compiled BASIC programs
these two activities
had no such "save" features, so I relied
could have been
on the screen-dump program provided
reversed.) In a word,
on the Workbench to move screens to
they were unimpressive.
disk.
My hardware consisted
I made another important realiza
ofa512K Amiga 1000
tion during this period of "picture
with a color monitor
acquisition." I was connected to a
and an external floppy
previously overlooked, but very power-
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
35
ful, resource: the Amiga community,
completely widiin the video—as I often
midpoint of the top line of the rectangle,
whose presence was felt in the form of
did—and generate colorful 3D titles with
clicked die left mouse button, and
pertinent public domain and shareware
subdued backgrounds that seem
dragged the line toward the top of the
programs anc helpful SIG members. For
suspended in space.
screen. Surprise! The bottom line of the
the fractals for which no programs
With limited RAM (512K) some
rectangle remained fixed while the
rectangle's sides stretched to follow the
existed, I petitioned one SIG member
features of VideoTitler, like "undo" and
who generously donated his time and
"background", are lost. AEGIS seems to
top line. Even more interesting was the
equipment to help with digitized pictures
have designed die program so that, as
fact that the letters, affixed to die top and
from magazines and books.
RAM increases, features are added. But
bottom lines, stretched to follow this
even with 512K, a core of the most
action. Dragging the bottom line toward
useful functions remain. It was a bit
die bottom of die screen produced a
disconcerting when I first loaded
very elongated "FRACTALS."
Limited RAM concerns
A half meg of RAM isn't much for
Continuing this manner, I moved
processing images. In order to conserve
VideoTitler. Immediately, a requester
memory for both DPaint and AEGIS, I
appeared with the warning, "ATTEN
die cursor to die midpoint of the right
closed all windows (saving 6 to 12
TION!!! NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR undo
and left sides of die rectangle, pulling
Kbytes) before loading the program. If
buffer. Undo buffer will be deleted."
■'FRACTALS" to the respective edges of
the icon of die program is dragged out of
Two buttons were provided to choose
the screen. Voila! I had created a tide
die window, die window can be
from. The left button said "OK" and the
whose letters occupied almost die entire
eliminated by clicking on the close
right button said "OK." "Let's see/' I
screen.
gadget. The icon remains and can be
mused, "if I click the left one, I lose. On
As an experiment I moved the
double-clicked to load the
cursor to die upper right-hand
program. Also, I scratched my
corner of the rectangle and
digital clock (another 10K) and
dragged toward die right side of
my virus checker (about 7K). In
die screen. The rectangle
general, I deleted any extraneous
skewed to a kite-shaped figure
background asks to squeeze out
(parallelogram), the letters
all the extra bytes of RAM I could.
dutifully mimicking this behav
ior. I now had italic-like letters. While experimenting on a
AEGIS VideoTitler
different title, I learned diat if
The pictures I collected rep
resented a variety of different
you click and drag the top line
kinds of fractals. As a result, I
of die rectangle downward,
needed tides to explain and
passing through the bottom line
separate them. AEGIS VideoTitler,
and continuing, the letters
which is made up of AEGIS
formed will appear with a
VideoTitler and AEGIS VideoSEG,
reflection effect. The same is
performed this function admira
true if you pull eidier die right
bly. Both component programs
or left side of die rectangle
are excellent examples of useful,
through its opposite side.
user-friendly video tools.
Clicking the right mouse button
AEGIS VideoTitler is replece
fixes the word on die screen,
with delightful features to aid in the
the other hand, a right-button click
makes the rectangle vanish, and allows
creation of titles. A parade of fonts
will..." All I could picture was an AEGIS
die selection of a new font. It's interest
(diamond, ruby, topaz, garnet, sapphire,
programmer sitting in a dimly lit room,
ing to note diat each block (word,
opal, brick, and others) in various
the glow from the monitor reflecting off
phrase, or sentence) created this way is
pitches can be combined with a number
his face as he chortled demonically while
treated as a separate object, meaning diat
of styles (italic, bold, underline, camou
programming this requester. I threw
one block can be laid over another. If
flage, emboss, 3D block, neon, outline,
caution to the wind and clicked on the
desired, die two blocks can later be
and others) to yield an almost endless
left "OK".
selection of graphics lettering. When
separated easily by clicking anywhere
and selected Polyfonts. I dien loaded the
widlin one block and dragging it away from the other—-like shifting and
separate color palette for background,
"Swan:i polyfont and selected Entry. A
shuffling graphic overlay transparencies.
pen, cap, and shadow, almost any con
small rectangle appeared near the top of
ceivable lettering effect can be achieved.
the screen. I typed the word "FRAC
polyfonts. Depending on how busy my
these selections are coupled with a
As if this were not enough, AEGIS
Next, I pulled down the text menu
I really enjoyed working with
TALS." As I entered die letters, the
graphics were, I was able to load diree
provides a separate set of four fonts
rectangle stretched to accommodate
to four fonts before VideoTitler started
called "polyfonts," which constitute a
diem. Working die cursor to die center
screaming, "Memory dangerously low!"
whole new approach to graphics
of the rectangle, I pressed die left mouse
lettering. Of course, you can import any
button and dragged the rectangle—letters
IFF file of your choice—for example, one
and all—to the middle of the screen. So
from DPaint—and apply any of the
far, so good.
polyfonts to title it. Or you can stay
36
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Next I moved die cursor to the
AEGISVideoSEG At this point, I had pictures, titles,
and explanation "slides." (In general, dtling was done in AEGIS VideoTitler,
but my explanations usually involved figure drawings as well. These were done with DPaint, which had the tools
for this purpose.) Somehow, all my individual slides had to be put together into a coherent whole. Here is where AEGIS VideoSEG shines. VideoSEG allows you to build a script file that
defines not only the order in which the slides are to be shown, but also how each is to be "wiped" from the screen to make way for the next. The process of building a script is
relatively straightforward; the program is totally menu-driven. Click on the EDIT
selection and then point to a filename
listed in the displayed directory. Point again to any of the variety of wipes
available (dissolve, fade, flip, dribble,
Fractals Defined
Fractals arepatterns that repeat themselves on ever-diminishing scales. The multiple inflections ofan object placed between two mirrors is an example; each
"frame" is an exact replica—except in size—ofthepreceding one. There are several varieties offractals.- geometric, random, and chaotic. Geometric fractals, like the mirror reflections, are exactly the same on each scale, exceptfor size. Random fractals are slightly different on each scale, like the branches ofa tree or river, the y-shapedpattern is repeated on different scales, from trunk, to branch, to twig, orfrom creek, to brook, to tributary, to river. Nature is replete with random fractals. Take a close look at afern frond: it
repeats thefrond shape in all the branches, which are themselves repeated in their branches. A new theory ofdynamic systems called CHAOS usesfractals to explain the surprisingly complex behavior that has been discovered in systemspreviously thought to be quite simple. CHAOS also offers the hope ofdiscovering that complex systems long thought to be random—like weatherpatterns or the stock
market—have an underlying order that can be explained and exploited.
random, burst, checkerboard, zigzag, spiral, etc.). This information is trans
ferred to a numbered record (called a "frame") appearing in a list in the script
reformat all my fractals to lo-res. As it
horned my entire presentation (55 IFF
turned out, this wasn't a bad thing.
files) onto one disk. I had no desire to
editor. Continuing in this manner a script
Several places where I made my
expand to more disks, even if I was able
file is created, each frame containing the
presentation had only RGB video
to run animations. The thought of
filename and the wipe. A time delay in seconds can also be entered into the frame. This would be used if you chose autoloop while laying the script.
projectors, the bandwidth of which is
fumbling around changing disks in the
insufficient to project anything but eight-
dark in the middle of my talk was not
color !o-res. Lo-res works infinitely better
appealing.
with these projectors; most hi-res
Pseudo-motion, however, was
pictures become a smear of shapeless
within my reach. Much can be accom
deletion or insertion of a record into the
color. Lo-res has the added advantage of
plished through the cycling of colors. I
script list. When the script is finished it
taking up much less disk space, allowing
never discovered how to set the cycling
can be played using a menu selection for
me to put my whole presentation onto
in AEGIS VideoTitler, but DPaint can be
either manual or autoloop. I used the
one disk.
The editor also provides for the
manual setting, since it allows the mouse
Another way to conserve disk
applied to the same task. AEGIS VideoSEG has a CYCLE mode that
buttons to control the direction in which the script is placed—left for forward and
space is to chop bitplanes. Most of my
right for reverse.
a palette of 32 colors (5 bitplanes)? I
DPaint, used cycling to simulate a
used DPaint to reformat my lo-res titles
swinging pendulum (five positions
The giant "FRACTALS" title I built
titles use only 4 colors. Why, then, carry
"plays" DPainfs cycling. One slide that I created with
with polyfonts is the lead-in title for my
into 2 bitplanes (4 colors) with no loss—
forward and five backward). Just below
talk. It is preceded by a blank (black)
except for the excess bytes. I tried to
the pendulum was an x-y plot of the
screen so that the "dissolve" wipe is
keep the number of colors I used for the
pendulum's displacement and velocity.
more effective. With a striking sparkle
titles and explanation slides to a mini
At each successive pendulum position a
effect, "FRACTALS" forms slowly from a
mum. At times, however, more than A
corresponding point on the plot would
black background. As they emerge, the
colors were necessary. But that's O.K.,
light, indicating die pendulum's displace
letters scintillate randomly—like sunlight
because I never carried more than the
ment and velocity. The points on the
shimmering on waves—before eventually
necessary number of bitplanes. The
perimeter of a circle that was drawn on
settling into a neon-blue color. The effect
saved space let me add slides as the
the screen appeared to move clockwise
presentation evolved. If I stumbled over
as the pendulum swung back and forth
a concept or forgot to mention an
(very effective).
is enhanced if the room lights are off and the letters are projected onto a large movie screen. On several occasions I
important idea, I added the appropriate
have heard "oohs" and "aahs" coming
slide(s). The slides became my notes of
from my audiences.
sorts, jogging my memory and giving the
select a range of color cycling. The result
talk a smooth pace.
was somewhat psychedelic, appearing like a rainbow of different colored waves
Squeezing disk bytes
AEGIS VideoSEG will handle lo res, video-res, medium-res, hi-res,
interlace, and haifbrite (as well as
On another slide—this one of a fractal pattern—DPaint was used to
Pseudo-motion
Although AEGIS can handle
crashing onto the shores of an island. I accidentally discovered another
animation, I did not attempt it, fearing
technique when I showed two slides of
that with my limited RAM I would be
the same fractal pattern which had
played a script containing any hi-res or
asking for trouble. Also, animation is no
slightly different color palettes. The slides
medium-res files, I received a GURU
toriously wasteful of disk space, and I
were displayed one after the other using
was smugly satisfied that I had shoe-
a "dribble" wipe. The resulting undulat-
cycling). Much to my dismay, when I
visit. My limited RAM forced me to
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
I then connected the images using
MIDI-Mice
widiin the AEGIS VideoTitler manual,
the two-picture technique: The original,
there is probably a reference that
Software allows you to control
unaltered picture was followed with a
describes a keystroke that can be used to
virtually ANY VIDEO, MUSIC, or PAINT program from your MIDI
"flip" wipe, and then by the exploded-
force the cursor to reappear during a
view picture. (The flip is an instantane
script play. I never found that reference,
ous switch from one screen to another.)
but 1 did discover (somewhat uninten
The magnified piece seemed to leap out
tionally) that AEGIS Video Titler does not
instrument • Transform MIDI events
into mouse events and
from the original. This effect, while not
handle HAM IFF files (which several of
quite as startling as a yo-yo springing
my digitized fractals were). This led me
keyboard events
from a 3D movie screen, was at least
ro discover a way of forcing the cursor to
emphatic.
reappear during a script play.
Some pointers onpointers
load during a script play, a requester
• Fully programmable with
When a HAM IFF file begins to
instant recall and edit
• Multitask on any model
I am convinced that all speakers
immediately appears stating: "ATTEN
Amiga®, MIDI interface
should use a pointer to direct their
TION!!! IFF Width/Height/Depth trunca-
required
audiences' attention to interesting aspects
tion.'1 Because you have to select either
of the current slide. Pointing is no
the left "OK" or the right "OK" (visions of
problem when the speaker is standing
a sinister AEGIS programmer again come
beside the monitor (fingers work very
to mind), die cursor appears. Interest
well), but it becomes more problematic
ingly enough, after a selection is made
when the slide is projected on a movie
and the script begins loading the next
screen four feet above the speaker's
IFF file, the cursor does not disappear.
Please send your check or
money order of $85.00 to (CA residents add 6% tax) Tensor Productions
280 Mathilda Drive No. 9 Goleta, California 93117 Tel: 805-685-6245
If nothing else can be said of me, I
head. The cursor, of course, can make an
Fax: 805-685-2994
VIDI-M ce (Visual interface)
also available for $85.00 Dealer inquiries invited
leam from my mistakes. To take advan
excellent pointer in either scenario.
tage of my discovery, I created a
Unfortunately, once the VideoSEG script
perfectly black HAM picture, which is
file begins to play, the cursor—no longer
now the very first slide in my script. Each
needed for any menu selections—
rime it loads at the beginning of my
vanishes. Now, somewhere buried deep
presentation I receive an error message
and—more importantly—a cursor. So much for the pointer problem. It isn't
Clrdi: 141 on Reader Service card.
often that mistakes work in a program
Multi-Forth
ing effect looked like the rippling of a
The
wheat field in a soft breeze. Of course, the effect lasted only as long as the
Language of Innovation
If you haven't tried Multi-Forth™ you
duration of the wipe, but it was interest
may not have yet unleashed the full
ing.
mer's favor, but this one does. Spreading the word
My presentation has been welireceived. If my audience is not an Amiga SIG, I try to stress that the whole
power of your Amiga. This compre
presentation was made on an Amiga with
different patterns—one immediately after
hensive development environment
Amiga commercial, public domain, and
the other—has the effect of accentuating
includes:
shareware software. Typically, there is a
Showing two slides of slightly
bit of good-natured fun poked at my
their differences. One of my fractal
•Local Multi-Tasking
pictures shows multi-colored ivy-like
•Built-in Assembler
"game" machine, especially from the
leaves twining around the screen's
•Turnkey Compiler (royalty free)
IBM-clone and Mac types. But after the
diagonals. Outlining the edges of the
•Sound Drivers •AmigaDos & Intuition Support •Complete Set of Include Files •CompuServe Public Forum
leaves are reduced replicas of the same twining, leaf-like pattern. On the edges of these smaller replica leaves are even tinier leaves, ;ind so on—as deep as I
•Extensive Documentation
care to go.
•PowerWindows Option
I programmed a magnified (about
•New price - $99 Call for a technical data sheet or
30x) view of one leaf to show this
recursion. Then I decided that a piece of
check out our online services on CompuServe at GO FORTH.
the magnified view, overlaid on the original (using DPaitif), would make a
presentations, I usually hear thoughtful questions like, "How can I do that on my computer?" to which I respond, "You
can't. Buy an Amiga." Before one presentation to an MS-DOS group, a
member was asking whether fractals were some new Amiga adventure game.
About a week later, I found out that the same member was telling everyone that I
had used an IBM-AT for my presentation. How soon they forget...
more dramatic picture. An added drop 4701 Randolph Rd. Ste. 12
shadow made the piece appear to float
Rockville, MD 20852
above the original, while arrows showed
301-984-0262
where it came from. This created a
1-800-FORTH-OK (367-8465)
picture with an "exploded-view" effect.
Major credit cards accepted Circle I44on Reader Service card.
38
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
•AC-
Amazing Reviews
DesignSD by R. Sbamms Mortier, PhD.
3. Bad stuff, not worth the time or
There are basically three categories into which Amiga 3D rendering/
middle category, offering a new slant on work that other packages already accom
money.
animation programs fall:
plish, but providing little else to motivate
1. Top of the line serious stuff (e.g.,
Class 2 releases come in a wide
the buyer to rush out and grab the
Sculpt, TurboSilver, Caligari,
range of qualitative levels, from software
package at all costs. Design-3D falls
PageRender3D).
that's just shy of meriting Class 1 status,
securely into this cubbyhole.
2. O.K. stuff without the full function
to middling good releases that don't offer
alities of Class 1. These packages
Design-3D is a pretty package, and
much new, to packages that are hanging
the accompanying manual, written in
are sometimes marketed by
on by their fingernails to keep from
part by Nick Poliwko of PixelLight fame,
companies to "flesh out" their
falling into Class 3. (Thank goodness this
is short but adequately clear in present
Amiga product lines, or to address
last category is rare in Amigaland!) Most
ing what you need to get going. There
other companion products.
of the Class 2 releases fall into the
are three short tutorials that allow you a
modicum of discovery- in Design-3D's realm of action, and the tools are defined with friendly language. The index,
~
however, is incomplete, in that it fails to
* i t I » k a i
(.mini
like "AN1M" (related to the Design-3D
using thefont editor.
animation format), "resolution," and
■
-
i
y
i
»
i
t
.
) l
« I
t
r
{
i /
:
I
F
f
<
i
"coordinates" (relevant to the finer details
x I
;
f a \ i r
>
of object placement).
'
c 8
include certain key words and phrases
Redesigning thefont set
[
I ■ I t *
i
t
J
> I
I
.
j
i
>
4
>
I
■
k
•
i
The software is not copy-protected,
(
but you must enter a codeword from the manual to access the work screen. The
opening screen comes up divided into the normative three sections, represent
ri*x:[TJY:[Trfc,ti:[5
m
ing the X, Y and Z planes of sight. In addition, there is a fourth division that gives you a perspective view. Each of these separate views can be expanded to
full screen. Only two Amiga resolutions, Thex.y, z, and
med-res and hi-res, are addressed (in 2,
perspective views in
4, 8 and 16 colors) and neither HAM nor
Design 3D.
overscan are available. The workspace is surrounded by gadgets and menu bars which border the
drawing space on all sides. On the left you find the palette requester, several "clear" tools, an UNDO gadget, and two other tools, "New Object" and "Nodes,"
which should be transferred to the right side with their logical neighbors. The latter, which manipulate various render
ing parameters, are the actual operators: Rotate, Solid Model, Fill. Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Arc, Clone, Text, Connect, Spin (the normal 3D lathe tool),
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
39
THINKER for AMIGA
in the manual on how the lights actually
in combination with the two solid modes
function, and their placement and
can allow for some interesting shading
arbitrary brightness are left up to you.
variations. The rendering module needs
This requester also allows you to set the
extensive revision to bring it up to the
points per circle, and the number of
standards dial Amiga visual artists expect
sectors used in the spin operation. The
and deserve. Hopefully, these inadequa
".^tunning capabilities..simple to
scale system (mm, cm, m, km, inches,
cies will be corrected in a future up
operate.." "..superbly crafted.." Gary Gehman, Amiga Sentry, 6/89
and feet) can be selected, and the scale
grade.
Hypertext and Outline
of the drawing can be set. One 3D font comes with the
package, but no information about
Processing combined.( Powerful Hypermedia application combines
Animation
I have no idea what ANIM standard
accessing other 3D font disks is pro
this package addresses, and the manual
vided. A nice addition offered is the
provides no hint. What I do know is that
inclusion of a font editor screen, which
it works by a simplified scripting system
word processing and
allows you to redesign each character in
that can be written with any text editor.
database ideas into an
the alphabet in an easy-to-understand fashion. You can also set the depth of
The scripts allow for rotation around
applications, pictures, text/
extrusion, sculpting your 3D alphanu-
movement on the XY plane. If you do
The latest technology for organizing information. Use Thinker
merics in ways that best suit your
not select "full screen" from the options
applications. For example, you can clear
menu, the tool icons will be saved with
the letters out of the spaces altogether
your animations. Now, why would this
and replace them with your own
even be an option? Who needs to save
extruded object and icon pieces.
tool icons in an animation? Your
Idea Processor. Link
for writing, designing, documenting, or as a database. New Features No Credit Cards p.
CA res. add tax
Disk $5
Add S5 for COD
Demo Poor
3Q dav guarantee
Person
Software
3721 Starr King Circle, Dept 5 Palo Alto, CA 94306 (415)-493-7234 Circle 151 on Reader Service card.
A few miscellaneous notes: Your
XYZ axis, zooming on the Z axis, and
animations can be rendered and shown
cursor can be either an axis or a
in real time for preview or saved out to
crosshair (for finer work). "'Section"
disk for replay, and can be rendered in
directs that the first polygon entered after
wireframe or solid form.
selecting this item will become the
We are no longer living in a time
section of an object (only in the Solid
when Amiga users greet the release of a
View mode). "Copy 3D" allows the
package like Design-3D with cries of,
perspective window to be copied to any
"Thank God! An Amiga 3D software
XYZ view.
package!" Happily, that era is behind us.
There now exists a wealth of innovative, Point Select, Polygon Select, and Object
Select. Some of the icons representing
Renderings may be aborted by
professional packages to choose from, with more visual "miracles" on the way.
these attributes are not designed
pressing the escape key at any time. The
intuitively, so you may need to refer to
quality of the renderings is poor in this
Disk producing a 3D rendering/anima
the manual until they become familiar to
version of the software. By far the best is
tion package, I am inclined to purchase
you.
in the hi-res mode, but even then the
it, largely because their Amiga track
Creations can be saved out as
objects take on none of the magic mat so
record Is excellent and established. And,
Objects, Parts, VideoScape Objects,
many other Amiga 3D packages promote
although I would rather have poured
Screens, Wireframe drawings, and Solid
and allow. There is a "fast" option that
accolades on the efforts of Gold Disk
drawings. A very nice feature is the
renders quickly, but does so somewhat
and an obviously talented developer, this
ability to dump your work to a Hewlett-
sloppily. Who needs this? Under "Wire
package, in its present state, is not going
Packard plot:er; Design-3D has a
frame" you can decide whether or not
to help sell any Amigas. It needs to
translator that addresses the HPGL
you want to see the edges in a solid
undergo serious reworking to bring it up
language. Workbench printers are also
model or not by selecting either "Solid"
to par. I hope the revision process is
supported. The palette requester is far
or "Highlight." Under "Polygons" there
from the standard that Amiga users have
already underway.
are four choices: Wire (renders in
come to expect. It has no controls for
wireframe mode in the palette color you
copying eolers to other color pots, no
choose); Solid (with no shading; the
undo function, and no color cycling.
images resemble a solid color matte of
by Arnaud Ribadeau Dumas
the object); Solid 1 (shading using the
Distributed by:
The "Parameters" requester under the Preferences section allows you the
palette colors); and Solid 2 (shading
most control over various Design-3D
using dot patterns). Each of these
placement functions. From here you can
choices can be used with visible or
alter the XYZ rotation angles, the line
invisible wireframes.
width of the rendering grid, and the
40
Solid model menu
None of these rendering options
placement arid brightness of four light
give professional or even visually
sources. There is little instruction given
suitable results, although selecting hi-res
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
When I see a company like Go!d
'AC*
Design-3D
Gold Disk PO Box 789, Streetsville, Mississauga. Ontario
Canada L5M 2C2 Suggested Retail Price: 599-95 Inquiry #261
The Command Line
A UNIX-like substitute command line interface review by Rich Falconburg
AmigaDOS is a capable and flexible operating system that provides features not found in other personal computers. But after you become familiar with the various commands and learn some of the power they provide, you'll eventually come up against the system's weaknesses. Even with all the help given by the numerous public domain programs written to fill the gaps, you'll soon find that you may need to write a program to do seemingly simple tasks. For most Amiga owners, this means
using AmigaBASIC, but because of the overhead AmigaBASIC
the UNIX equivalent. This means that ROOT is now a "real" root directory, in that each of the devices are seen as subdirectories
of the single ROOT (/), rather than as individuals. There's more to this than meets the eye. You can now move files with a single command, even between devices. Here
is a list of the commands that are included:
Tshell commands
requires, this is rarely an acceptable alternative. assign
break
cat
cd
clear
continue
cp
dot
df
dlmme '
echo
envs
exit
fnote
help
kill
Id
Is
mem
mkdir
mv
file load path
pri
print
printf
ps
pwd
read
receive
return
rm
send
some of the excellent features available in AmigaDOS. In the
shift
sleep
stack
strlen time
strsub
tail
street tasks
strcspn
next few issues I'll examine a new program that gives Amiga
tsh
vars
we
Having spent much of my time writing and using com mand scripts in the VAX/VMS and UNIX environments, I
naturally wanted the same power and flexibility on the Amiga. AmigaDOS comes so close it's frustrating. Seemingly simple tasks are impossible to do. I've been hoping that someone
would come up with a suitable improvement without sacrificing
users an alternative command environment.
chmod
test
Metran Technology of Tampa, Florida sells a program titled Tshell. This gem provides a substitute command line
Let's examine these one at a time. I'll list the equivalents
interface similar to the various shells available for UNIX. As you
to AmigaDOS commands where they apply. If you have never
have learned, the CLJ on the Amiga lets us use a variety of com
been exposed to UNIX, you are about to learn why many
mands to communicate with the system's low-level functions.
people call it a "programmer's operating system" or "user-
This is a limited "shell" that protects you from the grim realities
unfriendly." Granted, some of the command names are a bit
of trying to communicate directly with the Amiga's hardware.
unusual, but you do get used to them in time, and perhaps even
The level of sophistication and methods of doing things vary
grow to prefer them—especially if you hate typing.
from one shell to another, but each gives us access to the heart of the system. A shell is an environment allowing the user to manipulate the machine's various resources. Those of you who are familiar
As with UNIX shells, Tshell commands are case sensitive
(more on this later). Most of the commands listed above are built into the Tshell environment. That is, they are ''in memory" and are only called in from the disk drive once before execu
with the UNIX command set will find Tshell a comfortable envi
tion. From then on the command will remain resident in
ronment. The primary UNIX shell commands are available along
memory. Now before you start mumbling about that being "just
with a few that are specific to the Amiga. There are some subtle
fine" for someone with lots of memory, you should know that
differences here and there, but overall you'll find equal—and in
this shell was designed with the user in mind. The ability to
some ways greater—power available to you. Those who have
configure the environment to our preferences is something we
wanted better decision branching, file access, and access to the
Amigans have come to expect. With Tshell, this ability to
Amiga's graphics or Intuition interface without having to
customize reaches a new level of sophistication. If you don't use
purchase a C compiler will be delighted to learn that Tshell "can
a command it isn't loaded into memory. If you don't want
do." Although the programming syntax used by this shell has
commands that have been used to stay in memory, you just
been designed to follow closely chat of the C language, I think
have to set a value in one or both system variables, TLBIN and
anyone with even a little programming experience will be
TLSYS. On the other hand, if you have memory to spare, you
comfortable with it. Tshell is an enhancement of, not a replacement for, the Amiga's environment. It allows full access to the normal AmigaDOS command set and resources, as well as its own environ
can bring the entire command set into memory once with the load command. I'll cover this in more detail later. Now to the commands. The assign command is identical to the WB 1.2 ASSIGN
ment, so you don't give up anything by using it. In fact, the
command. Because the shell keeps track of things separately
distribution disk includes the ARP commands for you to use.
from the operating system, the Tshell command must be used
Tshell redefines the normal device/volume structure to that of
instead of the AmigaDOS command.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
41
The break command is not the same as the one in AmigaDOS. Instead of killing a CLI, it is used to exit a block of
The current directory will be the ROOT directory containing
subdirectories of dfO, dfl, dhO, dhl, etc... For AmigaDOS users this will be frustrating untii you get
statements in a shell scrip:. The cat command is the same as the TYPE command with
some nifty features added. Tshell has a built-in paging capability
used to it. UNIX users will feel right at home. Yes. the period (.) for the current directory and the double period (..) for the
(similar to the PD "more" command) that most Tshell com
parent directory are supported. To move "up" one level in the
mands use when displaying text. The cat command takes this a
directory tree you must enter
step further with the following keys that are active while the file is being read:
cat key pommands d
Down: similar to pressing RETURN, which causes the next page to be displayed. Pressing d wili clear the display first, making the update faster.
h
Half: continue down for a half page.
f
Forward: skip a page and continue.
F
Forward: skip two pages and continue.
b
Backup: go back a page.
B
Backup: go back two pages.
)cd
To move more than one level, you must provide the delimiting slash. For example, if your current directory is dfO:devs/ clipboards, to return to the root level of the volume in dfO: you would enter
The colon (:) is still considered the volume root level so you could use it instead. The Tshell cd command adds some switches to make
moving around flexible. The u-t" and "-b" switches let you save your current location and then recall it easily. For example let's say our current directory, GRAPHICS: PAINT/PICTURES/LORES/ HAM, is several levels deep. For some reason we must change to a subdirectory in a different path, but we need to come right
t
Tag: remember this location.
9
Goto Tag: jump directly to the "tagged" iocation.
typing, but using the following syntax we take some shortcuts:
R
Rewind: return to the beginning of the file.
) Cd -t GRAPHICS:PAINT2/BRUSHES/LORES/H AM
c
Continue: no more paging in this file.
This will save our current location and change the directory to
q
Quit exit this file (same as pressing ESC). If more than one fife was specified, display the next one in the list.
back to our present location. Normally this would mean a lot of
that shown above. The cd command will place each path in a "last in, first out" buffer, also known as a stack. The pwd
command will display this stack showing the first entry on the top and the last entry on the bottom.
If no filename- is given, cat will take input from the keyboard. Full redirecticn is supported. The cd command is similar to its AmigaDOS counterpart
but closer to that found in the UNIX shells. As with UNIX, an environment variable called HOME may be set. This informs the cd command where to go if no path name is given. For example:
) pwd
GRAPHICS:PAINT/PICTURES/LORES/HAM GRAPHICS:PAINT2/BRUSHES/LORES/HAM
Only the paths given with the "-t" switch will be placed on the directory" stack, sort of a marker saying "remember this direc tory/ To return to the last directory saved this way, enter
) HOME = WP;Documents/Mail
(The ")" is the default Tshell prompt.)
)cd-b One other switch is provided for the cd command, but I was never able to get it to work. This is the "-p" or "previous
Entering
directory'" switch. In theory, it is supposed to remember the last directory visiced and return you to it.
)cd
And last, but not least, die system variable DEFCD
will now set the current directory to WP:Documents/Mail. This may be verified with the pwd (print working directory) com mand.
determines whether or not the "implied" cd function is opera tive. With this option enabled, simply typing the path name will
cause the current directory-' to be changed to that entered. The chmod command emulates the PROTECT command.
)pwd WP:Documerts/Mail
As mentioned earlier, the ROOT directory is the "daddy" of
The real advantage here is that the cp (copy) and mv (move) commands will use all of die appropriate protection bits. The chmod command also supports wild-carding.
The clear command is used to unset various variables and
every directoiy in the system. In UNIX, this directory has the
procedure definitions. It may also be used to clear the contents
unique name of"/". If you enter
of the window.
)cd/
loops.
The continue command is used in scripts to step through
42
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
The cp command is a powerful COPY command. One major difference here is thai no status information is printed
unless you request it with the "-v" switch. If the "-f' switch is aot given, all protection bits are respected. The "-u" switch ma>
TIjE TfffiQT Bring tbe ancient art of tbe Ta?0T to your
be used to update files. Using it will cause cp to overwrite only those files that are newer than an existing destination fiie, and i you prefer a menu type of copy utility, you could specify the
&
°-i" switch. This will cause a request to be displayed showing the file name and an arrow showing where it will be copied to. At this point you would enter one of the following:
MCWMI T
OAL
y
Yes: copy the file
c
Continue: copy this one and all the rest
n
No: skip this file
q
Quit: don't copy any more
The cp command will attempt to copy the entire source
directory structure to the destination directory, unless it is overridden with the "-t" switch. This can be troublesome, and I
Tbe Ta?0T tpaSTE?
entertains you and your friends mitb it's autbentic Tarot readings, but it
displayed. Wildcards may be used.
The echo command provides a few swatches that will be
also the "-B" switch. With it you can cause numbers to be displayed as: -Bb -Bo -Bd -Bh
= = = =
Binary Octal Decimal Hexadecimal
The envs command will list all currently defined environ ment variables.
The exit command is used to quit out of a script immedi
tbe
animated A\ajor J\rcana
Reaches definition/interpretation of alt cards Instructs users in proper laying of cards Experience fisk
or
NKil
your
today,
for
Tbe TaiJOT ipaSTE?
check
or
money
EMPIRE
P.O. $2.00
for
order
for
SZ9.9S
to
GRAPHICS
Box
Union,
Send
future
retailer
NJT
964
d«no
07083
disk
and
coupon
flmiga is a r«3lsr«red trademark of CcmmocJore-Rmisa, Inc. Circle 151 on Reader Service card
welcomed by many programmers out there. In addition to the "-n" switch, which suppresses the "newline" character, there is
you in
Classic 3£f 1G card spread personal readings
command. If no device or path is specified, the statistics of the
current default disk (the one the current directory is on) will be
also guide
fult disks of graphics and animations
)dat Tue 17 Jan 1989 19:24:02 pm
The df command is functionally identical to the INFO
mill
interpretation of tbe mystic Tarot.
to the absolute destination. command. Its output looks like:
Empire firapbics is tbe
first fully animated fortune telling software package for tbe amiga. Tbe TaiJOT IpaSTE? not only
would prefer if the default ignored the padiing and just copied The dat command i.s an alternate form of the date
from
-CJLfi
If the "-r" switch is used. The file command accepts a single file as an argument and will return a numerical code that identifies the type of file. The documentation contains a
complete list including codes that identify die Manx version of the object module and indicate whether it is a Manx or Lattice library file.
The fnote command is equivalent to the FILENOTE
command. It's used to attach a note to the files directory entry and may be listed using the Is command. The help command is an extremely useful and welcome addition to die Amiga command repertory. The Tshel! distribu
ately. If it is entered at the shell prompt, the shell and window
tion disk contains directories of text files used in conjunction
closes as though you had entered ENDCLI. Unfortunately, there
widi this command. There are two ways to use die help
seems to be no way to exit a shell script and close the window
command. The easiest is to simply press die HELP key, which
at the same time. A numerical value may be included; it wil! be
produces a formatted listing of the commands with Help
used as the return code of the program.
available. The first time you press HELP, there will be a
The file command is one of the nicest ones included. True to its UNIX counterpart, this command will read die first
noticeable delay while the entries are read into memory. This occurs in each shell window. You then type in die listed name
100 bytes of a file and try to guess what kind of file it is. It
of die command or subject that help is needed on, and press
prints a short description such like:
the HELP key once more lo print an abbreviated list of the
Workbench icon position file Workbench version 1 tool icon Workbench version 1 project Icon Workbench version 1 drawer icon Workbench version 1 disk icon text file Amiga load file (executable?)
command's syntax and usage. If more explanation is needed, press HELP again. The other way is to type: ) help "command"
where "command" is die command you are interested in. You can add your own help files to the directories and use die help
directory
command to recall die information.
...and more.
The design of the companion command Is makes this command
The Id command is used to list die contents of a directory.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
43
A
H 12
9-
i ■
H c
I
o
MM
c
I
c
P
s
0
I
a
u
n
r
i 5
o
O
i
s
n
i
a
c
a
o
s
i
e
2
e
[77
r
B
0 s
o
1
g|b|
u
:
i
o
n
k
1
d
o
o
i
n
c
k
s
k
C
h a
n
o
s
n
c.
C
o
n
d \22 f
_a_
r a
r
20
e
x
B
n
1
r
X
%
y
V
i
n
k
ro[7
7
2 ■
t
V
1
-
t
-S
~b"
Jc
a
1
b
r ■^
&
a
23
5
p
c
c
_e
u
r
5
NNAPMO OZ)
ient (and common to other UNIX style shells) to be able to
n
f
c
Answers for August, 1989 V.4#8
almost necessary. The only functional difference tiiis user could
i
r
o
y
r
I
n
P
i
1
y
IL
c
find was with wild-card usage. It would be much more conven
m
S
o
r
i
o
L
h
m
e
m a
mv parameters -f
Force write: using this switch will cause mv to ignore the protection bits.
enter:
) Is dfO:
-v
Verbose: tells what is going on. Without this switch no output about the operation is displayed.
-i
interactive: watts for you to acknowledge the operation by entering one of the following:
y n
Yes No
c
Continue (no more prompts)
q
Quit
dfO: With the Tshel. implementation, this simply prints as shown
above. The same thing occurs with any device or director)' that is specified. To see the contents, substitute the Id command or use a wildcard as in: )lsdfO:*
There is one function of the Id command using the special wild card "@" which is similar to entering DIR opt a (or DIR ALL in
-u
Move the file oniy if the source file is newer than the destination file (if it exists).
1,3). I'll discuss die wild cards, redirection, and other special operations in our next issue. The switches that may be used
with Is and Id ire: -1
Long listing—similar to the output from LIST
-c
No directory highlighting
-p
Include the complete path in the listing
-e
(Is only) U:,ed to print an error message (useful in scripts)
The mem command will display the amount of memory available and allocated. Information for CHIP and FAST memory
When a file is moved from one device to another, mv will
first copy it to the destination and then delete the source file. This is an important distinction of the ''move" command which
is easy to forget. It seems I've run out of space this issue. Next time I'll cover the rest of the commands, and we'll look at some of the unique features that Tshell provides to the command line environment. Tshell may be purchased from:
are shown. The mkdir is used to create new directories and is similar
to the AmigaDOS MAKEDIR command. As with most of the commands shown, multiple names may be entered following the command. If any of the specified directories already exist, or the name given is illegal (as defined by AmigaDOS), mkdir will complain.
The mv command performs most of the functions of the
Metran Technology P.O. Box 890 WestOneontaNY 13861
(607) 432-4836 Inquiry # 268
RENAME command but gives us more flexibility in moving and renaming files and directories. As you may have guessed, mv is short for "move," and it does this operation very well. You may even move a file or group of files between devices. Several optional switches influence the operations being performed. These include
44
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
•AC"
by Ron S. Gull
Amiga to be handled by the powerful
people do not make much use of this setting simply because it's very difficult to get light on a subject without seriously
image-manipulation programs. However,
backlighting it. But backlighting is the
as anyone who has spent any time at all
very key to good digitizing with slides
behind the color wheels can tell you, it's
and negatives.
Digitizers are a handy way to squeeze real world pictures into the
job for me (another program, Electronic
Arts' DeluxePhotoLab, will also do the trick with its "Colors" program). Setting up
The first step in successful macro
tion. And sometimes, it's a case of
digitizing. First, you'll increase the
digitizing is to get complete and even backlighting. All this requires is a light
WYSANWYG (What You See Ain't
perceived resolution. (In my case at least,
table. Normally used by photographers
Necessarily What You Get).
there is definitely less haloing in my
to view u-ansparencies and negatives,
macro files than in my conventionally
light tables are available at any photogra
involves lighting and camera placement.
produced ones.) Second, when you
phy supply store.
Even with the currently available copys-
digitize from negatives instead of
tand/lightstand setups providing "opti
finished photos, you save a generation of
(like I do), you can easily build your
mum" placement, and hours of careful
image degradation. Finally, you'll likely
own light table using a sheet of translu
setting up, the dreaded "halo effect" can
receive a lower electric bill at the end of
cent white Plexiglas, a florescent lamp
still rear its less-than-lovely head, espe
the month because you'll no longer be
(these can be bought for as little as $10),
cially when digitizing to 32-colors. Also,
running two bright, hot lamps.
some type of frame (I built mine into an
not always just a point-and-click opera
One possible area of difficulty
consumer color video cameras do not
There are several benefits to macro
We are, of course, assuming you
If you favor "rolling your own"
old-but-sturdy table), and a pane of
provide the best available resolution and,
have a digitizer. I use SunRize Industries'
let's face it, most of us who already own
Perfect Vision system. The principles
35mm slides and negatives; however,
a color camera are usually less than
explained here will work with Digi-View
more than one may be necessary if you intend to digitize from larger formats.
glass. One lamp should suffice for
eager to shell out at least two more C-
by NewTek as well. I simply bought
notes to cover the cost of a dedicated
Perfect Vision because of its ability to
black-and-white camera.
pull pictures from moving video, but
First, it holds the negative flat (more on
(possibly) sacrificing some sharpness
that shortly). It also provides a smooth
Digi-View would have provided.
surface for the Red-Green-Blue filters to
Macro digitizing
Enter macro digitizing. Most consumer cameras provide a "macro"
When digitizing from negatives,
The giass is useful for two reasons.
move between the target and the lens.
one additional software requirement is
You'll need this, because there will be
setting on the lens which allows the
needed to convert the negative images to
just enough room to get the filters in.
camera to take a picture of something
positives. A program called PIXmate,
that is almost touching the lens. Most
from Progressive Peripherals, does die
A flat negative is an absolute necessity for macro digitizing. When a
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
45
1
Terfiplicity 64 Ready-made Templates for Your
Amiga Spreadsheet! Available for Analyze!, MaxiPlan. Superplan, and VIP Professional Personal Financial Planning Real Estate
Federal Income Taxes Loan Analysis and Amortization Home and Business Budgets
Accounting and Bookkeeping Many other unique worksheets included! Full User Support
30 day, no risk, money-back guarantee!
Complete pkg. of 64 templates $29.95
is either locked down tight or at least positioned so the filters can be slid
consumer cameras are not usually color-
between the lens and subject without
noticeable difference in the focus when
touching the camera itself once it's focused. You should also consider the
swapping between the filters. Focusing
type of foundation your working area is
seems to work best.
built upon. If your house or apartment
has wooden floors, or if you live in a
Berkeley, CA 94704
Specify which spreadsheet you have.
To order by phone,
call (415) 655-2355
Mastercard and Visa accepted. CA res. add 7% (S2.10) sales tax. (Offer good till 12/31/89)
^»_ _ _ <— — — —« — — i— Circle
157
on Reader Service card.
lens is set to ■'macro", the depth-of-field (the thickness of the in-focus portion of the camera's view) is very shallow. Even a slightly curled negative can mean that as much as half the frame will be badly out of focus. This curling can also present a problem when attempting to
digitize color slides, particularly older heat-mounted slides.
Focusing the relative placement of
Shoot!
Go through your filters, hit the Draw button, and voila!—a digitized
as close to a corner of the room as
negative (hopefully a reasonable
possible, so as to minimize the vibration of, say, someone walking across the floor. When you're working this tight,
facsimile of the one you've got on your
every little move is magnified, and can
with the negative?"
spoil a good shot.
Well, now that we have our light table set up, our tripod locked down
tight, our negative under glass, and the
light table). Congratulations. "OK", you ask, "now what do I do Once a file is saved, go to PDCmate.
In the Image Processor, you'll find a logic operation entitled "EOR"(the "Negative" operation in PhotoLab's
Amiga is humming away happily, it's
"Colors" progam does the same thing).
time to shoot, right?
This turns the negative into a positive,
Not quite. Patience.
just like the photo processor you send
That negative needs to be masked
your film to.
with dark pieces of paper, leaving uncovered only the frame we wish to snap. The reason for this is simple. Consumer video cameras usually have an
If you are digitizing a black-andwhite negative, Complement, under PIXmate's Color menu, does die same thing in real time. Naturally, I tried it out
"auto-iris", which is an electronically-set
on my first color image. I was rewarded
aperture setting. An auto-iris can be
widi a very psycbedelic/'sohirized"-
fooled into thinking the negative is just a
looking photo!—very handy for special
heavily backlit person. Thus, it will "close down" to prevent overexposure.
effects!) PIXmate's Contrast Control, on the "Color Bias" panel under die "Color
You can get a shot this way, however it
Menu", can also help tweak the images
will always appear washed-out in the
for better highlights. Experiment!
final product. It's better to take another
Well, there you have it—a basic guide to macro digitizing. I've found it to be a very useful addition to my graphic
30 seconds and mask the frame. If you are digitizing a mounted slide, die slide carrier is usually masking enough.
Bag o' Tricks.
One final step before shooting is to
•AC-
briefly swap your composite video cables to your monitor to show what your camera is sending into the computer.
Don't use Y-adapters to split the signal for the luxury of not having to swap
cables. Splitting this way will degrade the video signal noticeably. My wallet
the camera to the light table is also
dictates I use a Commodore 1702
important. They should be as perpen
monitor (a hangover from my C64 days—a Mimetics AmiGen genlock provides composite video output). I keep the monitor's tint, color, brightness, and contrast controls set at their detents, and set the camera's white balance so the output most closely matches the actual
dicular to one another as possible. I go to the extreme of using a small torpedo-
style level to assure everything is in line. I'm also assisted by the fact that my
camera (an RCA CKC 020) has a flat back parallel to the focal plane. Most other cameras have some kind of contoured case. Just keep trying until you get it
straight. A little time spent on this will definitely pay off. One more factor in the basic serup
is to get eveiything as mechanicallystable as you can. By this I mean making sure the table holding your light table doesn't wobble. Also, be sure your tripod
46
through Green is the compromise that
mobile home, place your camera setup
To order, serd check or money order to:
Templicity Box 4850
corrected, there will usually be a
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
color of the target. So far I've been very lucky. I've put my digitized IFF files on a
friend's Amiga with a Commodore 1084 monitor, and things are usually very
SunRize Industries
3801 Old College ltd Bryan, TX 77801
(409)8-16-1311
Perfect Vision, S219-95 Inquiry #262 Progressive Peripherals & Software
464 Kalamath St. Denver, CO 80204
(303) 823-4144 PEXmate. S69.95 Inquiry #263 NewTek 115 W. Crane St.
Topeka, KS 66603 (913)354-1146
DJgl-View, S199.95
Inquiry #264 Electronic Arts
1820 Gateway Dr.
close.
OK, we're finally going to shoot.
Dial in your camera's "macro" setting and focus on the target through your Green
filter. Due to the fact that the lenses of
San Mateo, CA 94404
(800)245-8525; in CA, (800) 562-1112 DeluxePholoLab, S14995 Inquiry 9265
High
Octane Colors Maximizing Your Colors in AmigaBASIC
by Robert D'Asto
One of the first things AmigaBASIC programmers learn is
run it. You will see
how to add colors to their programs through the use of screen
three white rec
depth. If more colors are desired, one simply increases the
tangles, one filled
number specifying the bitplane parameter in the SCREEN
with red, the other
statement. One to five bitplanes gives us two to thirty-two
with blue, and the
flavors to choose from, and that's all there is to that, right?
third with a shade
Oh, I almost forgot—for the more adventurous souls,
there's extra-half-brite and HAM modes which can produce 64 or 4,096 colors respectively. Now that's absolutely all the color programming variations possible on the Amiga, right? Not necessarily. Just as a painter can mix two or more
pigments together to produce a new and different hue, so can the programmer "mix" pixels on the Amiga to substantially
of magenta, all with a black background. If you count all the colors now visible on the screen you should have five—black, while, red, blue and magenta. That's five different colors on a 2-
bitplane screen, which is supposedly only capable of 4 colors. The fifth color, magenta, is a mixture of the red with the blue background, and is known as an "apparent" color.
As you can see, it is a convincing effect, especially since
expand his palette choices. This is done with a technique called
we are using the default hi-res (640 x 200) screen. The smaller
dithering.
the pixels, the better the colors seem to blend together. Tiy this
Dithering is the process of combining pixels of different colors on the screen to create another apparent hue. It's a sort of optical illusion. As any color photographer knows, if one
same code on a lo-res (320 x 200) and an interlaced (640 x 400) screen to see how pixe! size affects the illusion. The bit pattern is created using the PATTERN keyword.
were to mix red light with blue light, the result would be
For those unfamiliar with the use of this statement, I will give a
magenta—a combination of these two colors. Likewise, mixing
quick description. The PATTERN keyword is used to create a
red and green produces yellow, a green-blue combination gives
"bitmask" for all graphics rendering including lines, text, and
us cyan, and so on. We cannot actually combine colors on a
area fills. A bitmask is like a stencil. If you cut some holes in a
computer screen, as every pixel must be of a single color at any
piece of paper and lay the paper down on a surface, you can
one time. We can, however, "mix" pixels of different colors in
then apply paint to the paper and produce a pattern on the
close proximity on the screen to create the same effect. For example, a tight grouping of pixels which are alter nately set to the colors red and blue will appear to be a single
surface which matches the holes. A bitmask works the same way, but with pixel colors instead of paint. There are two applications for the PATTERN statement:
patch of magenta pixels. The effect is quite convincing, espe
line patterns or area patterns. To create a line pattern, the
cially with higher resolution modes where the individual pixels
syntax is
are smaller and more densely "packed."
Let's review a few fundamentals and see how this can be
PATTERN Iinepattem%
worked out from a programming standpoint. Imagine a repeat ing pattern of pixels which are alternately red and "no color" (the background color), like this:
where linepattern% is a short integer value defining a 16-bit bitmask, which will act as a stencil for all lines drawn. You will have to think in terms of binary numbers to determine this
1010101010101010
value. A solid line would have a bitmask which looks like this:
0101010101010101 1010101010101010
1111111111111111
0101010101010101 ...etc
Each digit represents a single pixel. The digit 1 represents the red pixel. The digit 0 represents the pixel pertaining to the background color, which is blue in the default palette. Notice that the lines are "staggered" so each 1 has a 0 on each side, as well as above and below it. When viewed, a pixel arrangement like this would appear magenta—a combination of red and the blue background. This sort of setup is easy to program with the PATTERN statement and will produce a dithering effect all by itself. I will review the use of this keyword in a moment. But first type in Listing One at the end of this article and
This is a 16-bit binary number with all bits set to 1. which is equal to a large decimal number. The AmigaBASIC interpreter will not read binary numbers directly, so we have to convert the value into a numbering system it can read. We could convert it to decimal, but that's a time-consuming and error-prone method. The hexadecimal system is much easier. This system counts from 0 to 15 like this:
0,l,23,4,5,6,7>8,9,A,B,C1D,E1F To convert from binary to hex, first break the binary number up into groups of 4 bits. Each of these 4-bit groups will have a Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
47
value from 0 to 15, so each group can be converted to a single hex digit, like this:
corresponds to a single horizontal line of the pattern 16-pixels long. We could then imagine a simple checkerboard pattern like this:
1111
1111
1111
1111
F
F
F
F
1111000011110000 1111000011110000
Now put an "&H" in front of the hex number (&HFFFF) so the
0000111100001111
interpreter will know what we are talking about. To create a
0000111100001111
dashed line, th
0000
11] 1
0000
F
0
F
0
DIM P%(3)
P%(0)=&HFOFO The PATTERN .statement would then be used like so:
P°/o(l)=&HOF0F P°/o(2)=&FIFOFO
PATTERN &HF0F0
P/o(3)=&HOFOF PATTERN ,P%
and all lines drawn will now be dashed. To return to the default solid lines, we would use the PATTERN statement again, like
Each l6-pixel line of the pattern was converted from a
this:
binary number to a hex value and assigned to each element of the array. All area-filling operations, such as PAINT, would now
PATTERN &HFFFF
be rendered in the above checkerboard pattern. To return to die solid fill pattern, dimension an array to 2 elements and assign
and we're back where we started from, drawing solid lines.
both the value of "&HFFFF". Then call PATTERN again, using
Listings One and Two both use area fill patterns rather
than line patterns to create dithering effects. Creating area fill
diis new array as the parameter.
Now, if all we could do with dithering was mix existing
patterns with die PATTERN statement is done a little differently.
palette colors with die background, it wouldn't be al! that
The syntax would be:
exciting. We would just end up with an additional shade for each color on die existing palette. Fortunately, there is more to
PATTERN ,PatternAn-ay°/o
be had from dithering.
In this case we must provide the name of a short integer array
mix 2 or more of any of the palette colors to produce a com
as the argument, and there must be a comma after the PAT
pletely new color. For example, if we could mix any 2 colors on
Didiering really comes into its own when we can actually
TERN keyword, as shown.
The array, of course, must be defined first. It can be as
a 2-bitplane (4-color) screen, we would have an apparent
palette of 10 colors to choose from: 0, 1, 2, 3, 0+1, 0+2, 0+3,
large as necessary, as long as the number of elements it
1+2, 1+3, and 2+3. A screen with a depth of 3 would give us 36
contains is a power of 2 (2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). Array elements begin
colors, a deptii of 4 would produce 136, and a 5-bitplane screen
their count at 0, so the actual DIM statements would use vaiues
could provide us widi a total of 528 colors. Carrying this even
such as 1, 3, 7, 15, etc.
further, in Extra-Halfbrite mode (normally 64 colors) we could
The values assigned to the array elements are determined in the same way as the line patterns above. Each element
48
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
derive 2,080 choices, and a HAM Mode screen could theoreti
cally produce 8,390,656 variations of color!
Besides the increase in the number of displayable colors, dithering also offers a savings of memory resources which might be put to better use for other purposes. Bitplanes do consume RAM—from 8 to 32K or more each, depending on the resolution
Omnitek Computers
AMIGA
mode used. Also, this RAM must be CHIP RAM—the lower
512K, regardless of the amount of expansion memory provided. This same area of RAM must also be used for all image data oth erwise required by your program, like graphic arrays. As good as AmigaBASIC is, it is not the most memory-efficient language,
FULLY AUTHORIZED SALES AND SERVICE FOR ALL COMMODORE PRODUCTS
and graphics-intensive applications can eat up that CHIP RAM
SOFTWARE
and accessories for the AMIGA.
ments of an extra bitplane. How is dithering done? There are probably many ways,
listing produces 136 apparent colors on a 4-bitplane, hi-res screen which is theoretically capable of only 16 different coiors. The rest are dithered combinations of colors 0 to 15. There are no LIBRARY calls involved, no arcane PEEKs and POKEs or
SALE
We carry a complete line or software
extra colors to a display without the added memory require
but Listing Two gives a relatively easy method. This demo
CLEARANCE
20 - 75% OFF
quickly. Dithering allows the programmer to add those few
Come to our Salem, NH location and
pav NO SALES TAXI
1300 Main St.
Tewksbury, MA 01876
78 Main St. Salem, NH 03079 (603)893-9791
(508)851-4580 Circle 128 on Reader Service card.
fancy footwork—just straight AmigaBASIC.
requires more complex coding. I wanted to keep it as simple as
Enter the listing and have a look at the results. This is not the fastest running program ever witnessed. Certainly it could be
possible.
better optimized for quicker execution but, as its real value is as
Even so, having a choice of 136 colors on a screen you thought could only squeeze out 16 is a definite improvement.
an instructional demonstration, I did not invest much time in
You would probably be hard pressed to find a place for them
greasing the rails. If you own the AC/BASIC Compiler from
all in most applications, except perhaps a paint program. I
Absoft, it will compile directly as written and speed things up.
Some of the shades displayed are quite similar. All the apparent colors are formed by combining pairs of the true colors. In order to produce the maximum of shade variation
when the colors were dithered, I tried to create a basic palette
showed this demo to a friend who is a devout C programmer,
without telling him how I did it. I told him only that it was a 4bitplane screen. Talk about a double take! He was convinced I had somehow tricked him with an EHB or HAM mode display. As stated earlier, the method outlined here is only one
consisting of colors that were as dissimilar as possible. I do not
possible technique for creating dithering effects on the Amiga.
doubt that someone with a better eye for color could come up
Use of the PATTERN statement works well for simple area fills,
with a more suitable starting palette for this purpose. In actual
but not all graphics are drawn this way. You might want to
practice, though, I do not think color displays are enhanced by incorporating a lot of dissimilar colors. Subtle variations of
experiment with routines that render one pixel at a time with
existing hues provide a more pleasing and artistically "coherent"
ground color between each PSET execution. A sort of airbrush
effect in my opinion, but feel free to experiment. Changing only
effect can be created this way.
one PALETTE statement will affect a number of the resulting apparent colors. Try it. Once you've gotten the hang of using the PATTERN
die PSET statement in a loop, which also switches the fore
Of course, dithering is not limited to the mixing of just two colors. Pixels of several different hues can be combined
widi very good effect if grouped closely togedier on a hi-res
statement, dithering any two palette colors is very easy. All
screen. And don't forget text applications. Unlike most other
that's required is an alternating bit pattern, as shown in the first
machines, the Amiga treats text displays as graphic objects, so
example, and the COLOR statement to control the current
they can be didiered too.
foreground and background colors. The foreground color will occupy the "1" bits, while the "0" bits will be of the current
When combining different colors, how do you know what color you will end up with? The art of combining two or more
background color. Any two colors can then be combined to
colors to produce a different hue is a rather complex subject in
produce a new apparent color.
itself. More information can be obtained from most any basic
The actual dithering in Listing Two is done by two sub
text on color photography. Some art texts also have information
programs called ColorCycle and DitherFill. The former cycles through all the foreground/background color combinations
on this subject. But be aware that combining different coiors of
possible with 16 colors. DitherFill does the actual area filling
colors of light, as is done on a monitor. Make sure the reference
with the PAINT statement.
I chose a 640 x 200 screen with a depth of 4 for this demo. It seemed to be a good compromise in terms of the dithering effect produced and the complexity of the source code. Going to a 5-bitplane screen would require changing the resolution to a lo-res (320 x 200) display, thus increasing the pixel size. Larger pixels degrade the "illusion" of dithering, causing the colors to take on a polka-dot appearance. A lo-res interlace (320 x 400) screen would solve this but would also introduce flicker. Stepping up to Extra-Halfbrite or HAM modes
pigment produces an entirely different result than combining covers the latter.
To get started, all you need to know is that red + green = yellow, red + blue = magenta, and blue + green = cyan. Also, any color can be darkened by adding dark gray or black, and lightened by adding light gray or white. See if you can come up with a dithering routine of your own. It's an area of Amiga graphics which has seen only a smattering (pun intended) of software application. Be the first kid on your block to come up with an S-million-color HAM doodle, and the world will beat a path to your door.
(continued on page 74)
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
49
Amiga Art
Pixels At An Exhibition: The Video
Amiga-generated art is showcased at a University of Vermont art show by R. Shamtns Mortier, PbD.
Pixels at an exhibition.
ography will take their respective places
my use. Several thousand dollars later, I
May I offer my rendition
alongside all other media, to be judged
had a system that could produce sixteen-
Of a digitized suspicion
solely on the basis of their aesthetic
color charts and graphs (whoopee!).
That we share a common mission
merits.
Unfortunately, it was of little use in
To uneanh our superstitions
For the moment, however, there
bringing to fruition the more extensive
Via ocular submission?
still seems to be resistance to accepting
instructional graphic designs and projects
Pixels at an exhibition.
computer-generated imagery as "serious
mat I had in mind.
art." It's taken me a long time to get The short poem above was printed
even this far.
on handouts th.it accompanied the exhi
Eight years ago, as the manager of
Then in 1985, after a serious eye operation forced me to argue my point from a darkened bedroom. I was finally
bition of my Amiga videographics and
the graphics service at the University of
able to persuade die skeptical media
electronic paintings at a November, 19S8
Vermont, I could feel the revolutionary
director—who was of the opinion that
show at the Coburn Gallery on the
changes in graphics design coming. To
Commodore made only game ma
University of Vermont's Burlington
prepare for these changes, I began to
chines—to authorize an investment in an
campus. To mv knowledge, the event
study the new technology by taking
Amiga 1000. (Unfortunately, Commo
represents the first time that microcom
several computer programming courses.
dore's lack of advertising has never made
puter work—much less Amiga-generated
One of these, in which students were
it easy for those of us in education to
work—was shown in a traditional gallery
asked to design software for children
convince those who hold the purse
setting in that part of the Northeast.
with learning disabilities, gave me my
strings to buy Commodore products.)
first exposure to microcomputer graph
Not long after purchasing the Amiga for
ics. I was hooked immediately.
the office, I took funds from a personal
I see the acceptance of this
medium into what has often been an all too exclusive setting as a groundbreaking
The first systems that I worked on
business venture and bought an Amiga 1000 for my home studio.
step. I'm confident that ten years from
gave me no hint as to the pace at which
now shows containing computer
changes in graphic design would really
graphics work und videographics will be
take place. In class we worked on
its own, enjoying a number of place
available to the public all over the
Apples, whose jagged, eight-color elec
ments on the campus. It has even
country. Computer paintings and vide-
tronic graphics—"drawn" on the attached
invaded the sacrosanct halls of UVM's art
graphics tablet—were magic to my eyes.
department, where—with the help and
Not long after that, I bought a Commo
support of a number of individuals—I
dore 64, and began my honeymoon with
was able to secure a Fal! '88 showing for
Commodore graphics.
my personal Amiga work.
Left
The legend ofSleepy Hollow
and reputation of "Big Blue," the Univer
Right
Taking an Amiga video trip
SO
Meanwhile, attracted to the name
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
sity consented to purchase an IBM for
Since that time, the Amiga has held
My show consisted of two parts: a videotape (which is the subject of this article) and a collection of seventy-five
prints (which I will discuss more com
The Bit Bucket
pletely in a later article). I wanted the video to run continuously during the show, demonstrating to the audience the wide range of graphics possibilities on
COMPUTER STORE
the Amiga.
Here is a description of the techniques I used to make the videotape, along with a list of the processes and
We Want Your Business!!
software necessary for each...
We Have the Best Prices!!
Titles and Credits
1 used Caligari (the professional pre-release version) to create interesting
Oldest Commodore Dealer in the Area!!
backgrounds for all of the titles and credits. Caligari has a fascinating objectdesign interface that gives you a state-of-
2 Locations to Serve You
the-art view of the 3D universe. I turned
* Software
on my VCR and just played around with
1294 Washington Street
* Hardware
it on the screen, grabbing 3D structures
W.Newton MA 02165 617-964-3080
* Service
with the mouse and saving everything
* Information
for later editing.
The Caligari images are nice, but
621 Boston Post Road
the Hi-Res flicker is a bit bothersome. However, considering that this was going
Amiga Dealer and Com
background for tiding text animations.
I then incorporated the drawings,
one by one, into Video EFX 3D (from Innovision). This is one of my favorite tiding EFX programs, because its results are very smooth and professional. With
this software, it's easy for you to spin graphics up from infinity, or even give
them 3D depth as they fly along. Video EFX 3D does have one drawback, however: If you use it, be prepared to wait as long as several hours for your final renderings. Each of my interspersed titles and final credits reached its resting place on the screen differently. Some spun
around die Y-axis like swiveling doors; some flew up from the infinite back ground, spinning and flopping ■wildly; and some drew so close to the screen that the pixels became tremendously
exaggerated. In one particularly long editing session, I genlocked each of them
against segments of the Caligari back drop. The result was a collection of very interesting titling segments.
modore Service Center
Circle l-i2 on Reader Service card.
I first drew die titles and credits in
Res.
Authorized Commodore
Authorized Dealer
to the piece, and made an interesting
flicker almost unnoticeable, even in Hi
508-443-9731
AMIG'
to be geniocked into the background, I found the results satisfactory for my purposes. The spinning and rotating 3D primitives gave a certain high-tech look
DPaint II—mostly with the Kara Color Fonts. This technique gave them an almost classical look. By choosing the proper colors, I was able to make the
Sudbury MA 01776
C O M M n 1> Q R I
The Paintings
After the opening titles, the next
segment on the tape was a "slide show" of some of my electronic paintings. Some were duplicates of prints hanging
on the wall; others were shown only on die videotape. Lasting about twelve minutes, this segment drew much atten tion. Swirls, wipes, slides, fades... One
into ANIM files—though I didn't use it
for that purpose this time around. Sleepy Hollow
I was fortunate enough to have
been asked by Richard Ramella, the editor and founder of JumpDisk maga
zine, to illustrate a series of Amiga paintings for Washington living's "The
by one the static images transformed
Legend of Sleepy Hollow." These ten
themselves from one form into the next.
paintings, along with Irving's text, were
What I hoped to do with this
segment was to alert people to the fact that the works hanging in the gallery
marketed by JumpDisk in October of 1988.
To fit die images, die text, and a
were indeed produced using a digital
viewing program onto my disk, I had to
medium. It was also interesting to
render them in Lo-Res non-overscan,
contrast die physical prints widi dieir
making them quite different—in both
original videographic parents.
I also wanted to take advantage of
concept and design—from the odier works in my exhibition. Usually, my
the excellent slide-showing tools
works are multi-diematic and rendered
available in Lights/Camera/Action (by
widi PhoconPaint in HAM interlace. The
Aegis), die most versatile and user-
contrast between my paintings and die
friendly slide-showing program I have
relatively linear story of Ichabod Crane
been able to find. The interface is
was so radical that I decided to incorpo
carefully designed, widi options diat only
rate Irving's masterpiece—and my
an experienced media artist could
thoughts on it—into die video.
conceive of. Yet, at the same time, it's
Again, I used Lights/Camera/Action
friendly enough diat sporadic users don't
as die slide-show utility.
have to reference die manual constandy.
made sure that the music for this
Naturally, I
The program also allows you to segue
segment was different from that used in
Amazing Computing V4.9 ®1989
51
MASTERPIECE PROFESSIONAL FONT COLLECTION9 20 DISK SET The largest collection of fonts and clip art available in a single package for the AMIGA.
video that I shot from the pickup truck. The results were something between state-of-the-art video EFX and—from
what I'm told—a strange substance-abuse experience. For example, in the middle
of a shot of passing trees and houses, the sky suddenly turned green and the whole scene mirrored itself on a horizon tal axis. Then reality intervened again.
110 DIFFERENT FONT STYLES
This doesn't mean 10 sizes of 11 fonts. It means 110 DIFFERENT fonts.
The main problem that I encoun tered in this segment was that live reacted poorly to some of the InVision
LARGE SIZES
interventions. Once in a while the
Specially designed for video work. are over 100 pt. tall.
With Live connected and InVision
loaded up, I started to manipulate the
95 % of the fonts
Easily resized smaller.
vertical hold would let go. However, it
did work well as a background piece for
PATTERN CLIP ART
the wandering audience. I further
141 hi-res DPaint II pages. There are thousands of
objects and examples.
enhanced it using an Amiga musical composition from the soundtrack.
ALL FONTS ARE HI-RES
I probably could have been
arrested for overusing EFX, but I wanted
BRUSHES - 2 disks full of color brushes.
to do more than fust hold a storyline
COLORFONTS - 4 full disks.
together: I wanted to demonstrate to my
100 PAGE MANUAL - Full size font printouts.
20 DISK SET - ONLY $199.00 Contact your local AMIGA dealer or order direct from AROCK Computer Software, 1306 E. Sunshine, Sj3ringfield,MO 65804 1-800-288-AROK
audience the breadth of the possibilities diat these tools offer. Admittedly, this segment may have been somewhat over
run, coming in at around thirteen minutes.
DPainl II is a registered trademark of Electronic Arts.
Mandates
Circle 107 on Reader Sendee card.
The mandala is a traditional visual
the others. This segment was about two
Amiga Live unit (from A-Squared), while
device used in many cultures to help the
minutes long.
the other I connected to the "video in"
mind concentrate during meditation.
on my SuperGen genlock. By using the
Using the Amiga, I was able to design
sliders on the genlock, I was able to fade
and animate mandalas to my heart's
Taking a Trip The title of this segment, "Taking a Trip," is somewhat of a double-entendre. (My peers from the sixties should readily
in and out of various digital EFX
content. The faiits of these labors made
produced by Live.
up the next segmeni of the video.
Unfortunately, Live has never really
I cho.se DeluxePaint II as my
grasp the mor? figurative of the two
made good on their pledges to provide
painting tool, using it in a way diat I like
meanings.) If the tide itself didn't make
software support. They promised to
to think is original-—although hundreds
this fact clear :o some at the show, then
make available—at a price of fifty
of odier Amigans have probably used it
the visuals invariably did.
dollars—four upgrades in one year's
in the same way. With the menu bars
time. So far, they have delivered only a
and die cursor hidden, I turned on color-
this segment together. First, widi a
Beta test of the first upgrade (and it's
cycling (with die TAB key) and the Sym
borrowed video camera sticking out the
between almost two years since they first
metry Tool (from the Toolbox). Then,
window of a 76 pickup, I filmed the
made the offer!).
using various brushes, I alternately
It took me several weeks to put
thirty-five mile journey from Burlington,
Luckily for Live, a company called
painted and erased areas on die screen.
Vermont (where I work) to my home in
Elan Design has twice saved their
The results have to be seen to be
Bristol. I held the camera as steady as I
skins—first widi InVision, and more
believed. Widi die proper sitar sounds
could, and fust let it run. The result was
recently with Elan Performer. InVision is
added to the soundtrack, a truly medita
one of the niftiest packages available for
tive experience was produced.
quite interesting, and made me realize that I hadn't really looked at everything
EFX work. It's designed to work with
Some experimentation is warranted
the Live digitizer, and it interfaces in
before diis process is recorded, but I
each day. Next, with the VCR running, I
ways that music-video producers really enjoy. If you have enough memory, the
believe any Amiga artist can produce
hooked up "video out" to a video utility
touch of a macro-key can give you any
alone, you should save your DP II—even
of the eighty EFX: digital mirroring, pix-
if you upgrade to DP III. As far as I can
elattng, colorizing, framing, and poster-
tell, DP III doesn't allow you to hide die
Northvale, N.J.). This unit allowed me to
izing. In short, InVision really brings
cursor, which you must do to produce
split a video signal to two targets. I took one "out" line and connected it to the
Live to life, making it well worth the
animated mandalas.
investment.
that I pass on my way to and from work
amplifier (a CVA2B4 from the Compre hensive Video Supply Corporation in
52
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
wonderful results here. For diis reason
The Family The fifth segment of the video was
More than just a Hard Disk Backup Utility
called "The Family." It's basically a fiipbook animation sequence using frames taken from a videotape of my familyinteracting at the breakfast table on a
Sunday morning. To film the original video, I just turned on the camera and
Rapidly copies directories and files to floppy disk TT ACT
with files in less time than it lakes AmigaDOS to formal a new disk!
sat down in front of it with my wife and my children (who wandered in and out
i Other Hard Disk Backup Programs this fast create NON standard disks (that can only be used by their program. NOT ExprcssCopy! Express-
of the room periodically). After a little
Copy creates STD DOS disks that look just as if you had done a copy
while, everyone forgot that the camera
from your Hard Disk to floppy. If your Hard Disk failed, the backup disks
was on, and some nice vignettes ensued.
can be u.sed NORMALLY! This gives you a SAFE and EASY way to accesss important files you backed up.
After viewing the tape, I edited out sections and digitized what was left using DigiView. In total, I kept about sixty frames, which I dumped into DigiPaint
for further editing.
I left the human
figures black and white, but colorized the background and foreground, giving
the frames an almost surreal look. When my editing was complete, I used Pageflipper+FX (from MindWare
International) to piece the segments together. I use PF+FX constantly as an animation editor and consider it one of the most valuable professional videographic tools in my Amiga library. With it, I
was able to splice together my single frames freely, as well as store to and play
isk at up to 1
Me'gaByte per minute. Oin formal, verify. AND fill a new floppy disk
Select files by iheir DateStamp. pattern
matching. .Archive Bit. and by source directwy. All file attributes (DateStamp. Pro tection
Bits, and FileCommenl) an: re
tained. Options for setting the Archive bit
Utility, or by ExpressCopy's Restore pro
written to floppy disk, and estimating the
gram.
number of disks needed for the backup. Up
to 4 copies of the backup disks can be cre ated at a lime, or disks can be pre-loaded in up to 4 disk drives. New disks are automatcially formarted and verified Easy recov ery if a bad diskette is found. Parameters to be used for backups can be saved in con
ExprcxsCopy has no copy protection and
can be used from both the CIJ and Work bench.
Fully documented with a 65 page manual which includes a 25 page section wiih help and ideas on how you can better or-
ganke and manage your Hard Disk.
All these features and speed for ONLY:
Express-Way Software, Inc. PO Box 10290
$44.95
US
Columbia, MO 652054005 (314)474-2984
Requiiei an Amiga wah at least .112k ram and Version i .2 of higher of AnigaDOS .Amiga. AmigaDOS. and Wortbcnch are irarignarks of Commodore-Amiga. Inc.
Circle 122 on Reader Service card.
The end result of my two weeks of had the look of a futuristic penny-arcade
Backup restoration can be done using any file copy program, your favorite Directory
for incremental backups, verifying the data
back from RAM at very high speeds. labor was a two-minute sequence that
figuration files. Either Normal or Fast Rle compatible disks can be written. Specifi cally designed for effective multi-tasking.
odier recently released programs had
it into the segment.
been out at the dme, I definitely would
I taped die background alone,
movie. Although somewhat abstract, the
toggling color-cycling on and off at
have used dieir capabilities.) Releases in
images definitely told a story about
intervals. I played diis back as a
die last six months have been very
breakfast at the Mortiers.
genlocked background, running the
exciting for Amiga animators and videots
spaceship around die foreground with
like me, but if I wait until die latest
the help of PageFlipper+FX. By fooling
software or hardware is out before
3D
No Amiga video demonstration is
widi die sliders on my SuperGen while
starting a project, I'll wait forever. The
the time of the show drew near, I knew I
all this was going on, I was able to
time to begin is when die spirit talks.
had to produce at least one short 3D
create an interesting 3D piece that lasted
piece.
about two minutes.
extravaganza. It was really well received
Tfj- Til- Tfjat's Alt Folks/
video always had onlookers, and to my
complete without something in 3D. As
I decided to use Forms-In-Flight— which has some of the best shading
In short, the show was an Amiga
throughout the two-week interval. The Well, that's all diere was to iL
surprise, I received as many favorable
images. With it, I sculpted and spun a
When I finished, I had a forty-four-
comments on it as I did on the prints.
smooth, spaceship-like form. Adding a
minute video to run at die gallery. The
Many Amiga people stopped by, and
light source produced finished images that were both "touchable" and believ able. The results are most pleasing if rendered in Hi-Res, but it takes a while to get comfortable with the program itself. With FIF, I rendered and saved about twelve views of my sculpture. Then, with pieces of this same form, I used DPaint II to fashion a floating space station on an asteroid. While turning on color-cycling, I noticed that the drawing cycled the smooth colors in a very unique fashion. Pleased with the effect, I decided to incorporate
soundtrack on the tape was made up of
routines I've ever seen—to render my
diose non-Amigans who were not
a host of compositions, each created and
converted were at least tempted.
recorded widi Amiga sound-generating software. I recorded the tape on 1/2"
learned an abundance of amazing new
For my part, I came away having
VHS, and someday I'll tape it again onto 3/4" tape for better clarity. The monitor I used to show the video was not die best; next time, I'll take more care to get the
best playback equipment. In a welcome reversal of die circumstances of a few years back, new Amiga products are now being intro duced constandy, and old ones are being upgraded. (If Dpaint III and some of die
videographk techniques. (Nothing expedites die learning process like a
deadline hanging over your head!) I watch die video every month or so, and I'm still amazed at what can be accom
plished in a few sleepless nights with the Amiga. The next galleried showing of
my work will benefit widely from this experience, and my next tape is already in production.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
»AO
53
200 Armstrong Road
Las Cruccs, NM 88(X)1
BBS: 505-523-4405 24 Hours/Day Voice: 505-526-6243 M-F8AM-5PM MST Abacu: Software ToolBox
18.95
AssemPro
55.95
Accolade
Professional Page
221.95
Land of Ledgends
Professional Draw
112.50
Photon Paint 2.0
Design 3-D
56.50
Photon PtSurfDsk
56.50
Photon Vid Cell Anm....84.50
Grandma's Software
Fast Break
NAG 3.0
Muslc-X 44.95
Haitex
Antic Software GFA Basic
78.95
SIM CITY.
25.50
28.50
33.95 16.95
Right Answers Group The Director. 39.50
MindWare Page Flipper F/X
89.95
Director ToolKit
Page Render 3-D
89.95
Soft Logic
Atredes 1.1 BBS Pro....84.50
Charon 5
22.50
Page Stream
Kingdom's of Eng
New Horizons
42.50
Incognito 28.50 112.50
ProWrlteil
70.50
Flow
56.50
Dungeon Master.
112.50
ProScript
28.50
Software Visions
168.50
ProFont (each)
19.95
56.50
Broadcast Titler.
84.50
Interactive Softworks Calligrapher 2.0
72.95
DIgi-VlewGold
Forms in Flight II BAD
67.50 28.50
Studio Fonts
26.50
Digl-Droid
Newsletter Fonts
26.50
Oxxi
World Atlas
33.95
New Tek 112.50
44.95
Falcon
28.50 19.95
Supra Corporation
50.50
ATalk3.0
56.50
Supra Modem 2400
50.50
Maxtplan 500
84.50
Taito
Quarteiback DOS 2 3OS Disk to Disk
39.95 30.95 28.50
Novelty Fonts (Callig)..39.50
MaxiPlan Plus
Interplay
Nimbus
Lord of Rising Sun
28.50
The Accountant
King of Chicago
14.50
DeslgnLab
Fine Print
28.50
Discovery Software
VIP ZOOM
28.50 16.95
Sword of Sodan
28.50
Digltek Hole in One Mini Golf...22.50 Epyx
500 XJ Joystick
Gold Disk
Comic Setter.
28.50
Easy Ledger Project Manager.
HiSoft Basic
39.95
HiSoft Dev Pack
56.50
Precision SuperBase Pers
Michtron
Micro Search
84.50
Perfect Sound 50.50 Micro Systems Softwre
22.50 22.50 22.50 22.50
PrlntMaster Plus
22.50
Art Gallery (each)
16.95
Fonts & Borders
19.95
William Hawes 27.95
TV Show.. TV Text
8.50
The Works
84.50
The Works Platl
165.95
56.50
Excellence
168.50
19.95
Qlx Rastan Renegade Sky Shark Unison World
Zuma Group
Psygnosis
Supra 2400 Baud Modem 99.95
22.50
Progressive Peripherals
84.50
14.50
22.50
Operation Wolf
27.95
56.50
Microillusions
44.95
22.50
ARexx
Scribble Platinum
33.95
78.95
166.95 109.95
Bubble Bobble
Gladiator
W-Shell
Online Platinum
Fire Power.
16.95
99.95
Pro-Sound Designer.....89.95
SuperPIan
28.50
56.50
189.95
SuperBase Pro 3.0 ....196.50
InlroCAD PixMate
Inside Atredes 1.1
VHS
Magic Johnson
Micro Systems Software
CS Data Disks (ALLJ....19.95
PageStitter
Express Paint
28.50
City Desk
84.50
Par Software
Mastertronics War in Middle Earth
RAW Copy.
Fuller Computer Systems
Project D
16 MM lens
12.95
Free Spirit Software
Ami-Align
168.50
112.50
Panasonic Inc WV-1410 w/lens
KFS Software
56.50
Tetris
Lion's Fonts
Cinemaware
22.50
MicroFIche Flier.
Asha's Fonts
28.50
22.50
Spectrum Holobyte
Central Coast Software
Battle Chess
112.50
Software Heaven
Innovlsion Technology
Anlmat9 3-0
22.50
PS Fonts (each)
Video Effects 3D
Sculp! 3-D Centaur Software
112.50
Dragon's Lair.
22.50
Opticks
Byte by Byte
Captain Blood Indiana Jones Tmpl
GOMF 3.0 Button
Broder 3und Software
ReadySoft A-Max
69.95
Hypertek
28.50
11.95 25.50
Ganymed
78.95
Bethesda
UMS Sim 2 Carrier Command
28.50
Zoetrope Anim Sys
W Gretirky Hockey
11.95
Harrier Combat
X-Specs3D
169.95
...68.50
MindScape
8.50
UMS Sim 1
34.95
50.50
Dual Sor Port
6.95
Universal Mil Sim
Haicalc
Phasar ASDG
4.50
Movie Setter.
Jack Nickalaus Golf....28.50 25.50
28.50
Barbarian Obliterator Terra pods
84.50
4.95 39.95
Epyx Joysticks
22.50 22.50 22,50
RainBird
The Guild of Thieves....25.50
Star Glider II
25.50
Epyx Joystick
500XJ
Circle 108 on Reader Service card
56.50 56.50
12.95
500 XJ
12.95
GVP
Call!
Electronic Arts All brand names
Calll carriedl
For the hottest specials call theArrakisBBS#!M
ASDG Dual Serial
Board
169.95
AmiEXPO
Cheapo: Jafy 28-30, 1989
Security Matters
The Amiga has often been called "The best kept secret in the computer industry." At
AmiEXPO in Chicago, some users felt that this title was going to be strictly enforced. AmiEXPO attendees and exhibitors were scrutinized closely by powerful looking men and women in conservative suits. As the Amiga visitors moved through the lower halls of the Hyatt Regency, they passed dozens of uniformed officers and
quite stern looking personnel with earphones and two way radios discretely hidden beneath their suits.
The reason for these special security precautions became clear as Amiga enthusiasts passed by the Grand Ballroom, a floor above the AmiEXPO. The National Governors Conference was being held at the Hyatt that weekend and the following week President Bush was scheduled to appear on Monday, a day after AmiEXPO closed. The reason for the security was suddenly obvious, yet it did not make it easy on Ms. Kim Morey, who was dressed in camouflaged combat fatigues and sporting a name
tag that read "Mrs. Uzzi." She had to explain several times to the officers upstairs that
she was demonstrating a new product at the Micro Momentum, Inc. booth downstairs, and that she posed no threat to national security. Speakers and Classes
Seeing an Amiga celebrity or attending a special class on your favorite Amiga
application are the highlights of any AmiEXPO. This show featured Jim Sachs, Computer Artist and Programmer; Dr. Henri Rubin, Chief Operating Officer of Commodore International Ltd.; and Tim Jenison, President of NewTek, Inc. Mr.
Jenison entered the Saturday morning hall with roller skates on his feet and a gaspowered propeller on his back! (Mr. Jenison is known in his local community for commuting in this style at speeds of up to forty miles per hour!)
No exposition of Amiga enthusiasts would be complete without workshops, lectures, or displays. Once again, Joe Lowery and Steve Jacobs lined up an interesting assortment of Amiga notables for panel sessions and lectures. Some of the best three-dimensional art, animation, and special videos were effectively displayed, in an
effort to excite more artists into the Amiga medium. AmiEXPO is the closest thing to a national Amiga users group, and our best opportunity to witness the achievements of our fellow Amiga users.
AmiEXPO attracts
Amiga users
of all persuasions!
Amiga Pioneers Amiga Trendsetters Jay Miner
Tim Jenison
assisted at the
NewTek, Inc.'s
Intuitive Technologies booth.
President shares his thoughts.
New Amigans
New Amiga Companies
Alexx Morrison, at
Todor Fay,
Paul Montgomery
nine weeks old,
of Blue Ribbon Bakery
With NewTek, Inc.'s
appears to be die
kept everyone well fed
newest hardware?
youngest Amigan.
with homemade cookies.
Amiga Hardware?
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
55
Show Floor Excitement
On the show floor there was enough excitement to keep all the Amiga entliusiasts happy. Hardware vendors sported faster and larger hard drives, new accelerator cards, and special networking equipment, while software developers rolled out
their newest games, development languages, and productivity packages. Several dealers were offering better-than-average prices on software and hardware. Great Valley Products Inc. once again occupied one of the largest booths, with a very classy, high-tech look. GVP was demonstrating numerous hard cards, including their removable media drive and two of their '030 board models (16 and 25 Mhz.). Company officials announced the new 68030 board with a 33 Mhz chip
for delivery in 1 to 3 months. A 32 Mhz version was demonstrated which completed generating a complete hi-res ray-tracing in under 15 minutes. (The
wireframe popped up in 3-14 seconds, while the scanline paint mode took a blazing 1 minute flat.) Also shown was their 150 meg streaming tape drive, which
runs at 6 megs/minute and has three backup modes, including UNDC/tar.
The excited people from Ready Soft, Inc. were demonstrating their AMax Macintosh Emulator™ and showing demos of their new Amiga game, Space Ace, due for release by year's end. They also talked about Version 2 of the AMax which is scheduled to have hard drive support and possibly even AppleTalk support. (For additional AMax information, please refer to Interactive Video Systems.) Interactive Video Systems demonstrated their Trumpcard products, as well as a shareware AMax patch that gives hard-drive support with their Trumpcard (utilities should be available for this in about a month.) The package looked extremely smooth during their demonstration on a 2000 with hard drive, flicker
Fixer™ and a Zenith fiat-screen monitor. This set up can run most Mac programs
including HyperCard. They also showed a RAM card for their TC 500 which will take 256K or 1 meg Simms for a total of up to 4 meg. NewTek, Inc. had a pre-programmed demo of their Toaster™ running during all
three days of the show (still no hands-on demos.) With their Demo Reel 2 and the new Digi-Paint 3, NewTek had one of the largest and most impressive booths.
The newest "unofficial" release for the Toaster™ is the first of the year. Micro Momentum, Inc., manufacturers of the Journeyman (the first portable Amiga), demoed their telecommunications tutorial software, TeleTutor, along with Momentum Check, a checkbook management program. For Amiga gamers
there was the Uzzi Interface; a joystick adapter that accelerates the firing rate for some of the most exciting game action we've seen.
The nice folks at the Zuma booth were demonstrating their new TV Text Pro™ which will probably be released by the time you read this. We were shown some
remarkable titling effects including embossed wallpaper which can be locked into place so you can title over. Fonts can be extruded in 3D to adjustable depths. Other effects include glint, cycling, cast, drop, and transparent shadows. It can use any fonts, including Colorfonts. Daniel Ten Ton of Digital Animation Productions in Boston, Mass, demonstrated his Amiga-based video transputers. According to Daniel, once
their is a finished manufactured board, a special version of Turbo Silver will be written for his machine. The processing speed of the transputer can be increased
by adding more processing boards. Rendering speeds of one frame per minute can be achieved with the proper ray-tracing software.
Elan Design had a small booth, but they drew a big crowd with demos of their Invision video effects system and Performer.
56
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Sierra on line was showing Space Quest HI, Leisure Suit Larry n, SUpheed, Police Quest n, and the newest King's Quest all of which will be released for the Amiga in November. Perky Melissa Grey, President of Blue Ribbon Bakery, and Todor Fay put on
their baker outfits and roamed the crowds with large baskets of home-baked cookies, blowing the diets of all. At their blue-ribboned Amigas, they demonstrated their Who! What! When! Where! organization software. Melissa, a musician herself, demonstrated and discussed their forthcoming Bars and Pipes (due in October), which she describes as the first object-oriented music system. She says that it deals with music, not MIDI-information. According to Melissa, "you provide the creativity...we provide die musical knowledge!" CMI showed their processor/accelerator board, as well as their new multiport
networking board, which is AppleTalk™ compatible. The engineers on duty in the booth said that a few file-protocol software handlers were needed to make the network fully compatible with Macintoshes, but the system was working fine with direct connections to Amigas. Mindscape, demonstrating their various games, announced the August release of their newest Fiendish Freddy's Big Top o' Fun.
Sylvester Lee of Lee Software seemed to draw a lot of attention with his new Total Control Diet software, which not only helps Amigans keep fit and trim, but keeps track of the calories and nutrition of what you eat, with the help of a database of over 2400 foods. Supra Corporation was showing their RAM boards, modems and hard drives. VidTech International demonstrated their new Scanlock genlock, announced
as a broadcast-quality output device at a consumer price.
Central Coast Software, makers of Quarterback, showed their latest: Mac 2 Dos, a file transfer utility which lets you read and write Mac disks on your Amiga.
A real standout of the Expo was the Intuitive Technologies booth. Mike Lehman, creator of ULTRACARD, was showing off his product all weekend with the help of Jay Miner, who seemed truly fascinated by the program. Lucky
attendees were able to have their ULTRACARD purchases autographed by Jay. Two of the largest booths at the show belonged to retailers. Dr. Oxide was there with his Comp-U-Save team, while Frank Khulusi was there with his crew from Creative Computers of California. Both booths were packed for most of the show.
Bob Maudzinsky from Mindware, makers of PageFlipper Plus F/X and Page Render 3D showed these products and discussed their upcoming Page Sync a music synchronization program.
Psygnosis Ltd. made a few whispered promises about future Amiga products to
be made available in October and November. Their booth was crowded with the array of titles they currently publish.
Thank You Chicago!
Amazing Computing collected $5/4.34 in contributions (in exchange for the current copy of AC) to be given to the American Cancer Society of Chicago. For more information on vendors' products or announcments, please use the inquiry numbers on pages 60 and 6l, and circle them on the Reader Service Card
by page 96.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
57
Amazing Interviews
with the, rather o^tke, Amfa
A Conversation with Jay Miner by Steve GiUmor
the Amiga's pioneering hardware design,
ing of it as anything else than an artists
a study in contrasts. The number of
Jay Miner, was stationed. Waves of fans
machine.
vendors seemed down a bit from the
clustered around "Padre" (as he is known
previous show in New York, yet the
on Plink and other networks), getting his
AC: Do you fee! it can compete effec
attendance was strong. There were a few
autograph and words of wisdom on the
tively at the wori\-station level?
new products exhibited, including
state of the Amiga. Afterwards, Jay and I
several hardware and software develop
sat down and tried to put things in
Jay: Certainly, it is architecturally a
ments that filled crucial holes in the
perspective:
superior machine. We still don't have the
The 1989 AmiEXPO in Chicago was
software base of the others, but that is
Amiga's supersuijcture.
AC: How did this AmiEXPO feel to you?
rapidly catching up.
release of Digi-Paim 3, the first presenta
Jay: It seemed a little smaller than last
AC: Are the others catching up to us in
tion of Mindware's TASS ARexx-driven
year—physically that is. I didn't really get
hardware?
application operating system, and the
time to wander around. I was too busy
launching of UlTaCard. Much will be
in the UltraCard booth.
The advance of ARexx in the Amiga environment was signalled by the
Jay: In specs and appearances they are, but from what I hear the graphics and
written and discussed about UicraCard and hypermedia in the coming months,
AC: I am certainly interested in your
animations and sound are all bottlenecks
but AmiEXPO Chicago '89 will go down
UltraCard thoughts. But before that, T'd
that are slow and cumbersome.
as the event at which the promise of an
like lo know how you feel about the
easy-to-use, multitasking, ARexx-friendly
current state of things on the Amiga?
Nowhere was this driven home
AC: What kinds of programs would you like to see advertised more?
Amiga was real zed. Jay: I still think it's the best computer
more clearly than at the UltraCard booth,
around in the home PC class. However, I
Jay: They need to show programs like
where the architect and team leader of
am still bothered by the lack of advertis-
PageStream, City Desk, Superbase and
I
WordPerfect as being used, and better on
The "Father of the Amiga" was on hand at AmiEXI'O Chicago to meet with Amiga zealots
the Amiga, because of the superior windows and multitasking.
AC: What is your basic configuration? Jay: I have a 2000, with a GVP SO MB
hard card, and an 8 MB memory7 card, with 4 MB loaded. Also, I have a flickerFixer, which I can't overrecom-
mend, and a beautiful Zenith flat-faced
monitor that has the most lovely colors and contrast!
AC: Where do you see holes in Amiga software? Jay: Oh, good question. [Pause] There was a big hole in the HyperCard area but that is now being filled by UliraCard. I hear that the desktop publishing is
slightly inferior to others, but it is still very useful.
58
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
AC: Okay, let's talk about the HyperCard
Jay: I feel Commodore should try harder
area. Why do you feel that's such an
to support die developers, and not to
important type of program?
using UltraTalk dian C or M2. AC: More powerful dian HyperCard?
compete with diem so much. Also, I am very concerned widi die present trend to
Jay: Because it allows "non-program
advertise die Amiga solely as an artist's
Jay: Yes, much more powerful. Hyper
mers" to construct Graphics "shells" that
machine, and neglect the great programs
Card has neidier multitasking, nor ARexx,
can access and control other programs
in desktop publishing, word processing,
not to mention color and multiple
without having to learn a language like C
spreadsheets, and database management.
resolutions.
orM2.
They are building up die impression of die Amiga as a graphics computer only,
AC: So instead of a subset of several
Going back to the subject of flickerFixer
and that hurts die long range marketing
programs' features, you can have the
for a moment, I would like to recom
of the Amiga very much.
access to a superapplication of the best of all worlds—
mend that Commodore install one with the Zenith flat-faced monitor in every
I like die hardware work diey have been
dealer's store in the United States—
doing, the 68020 and '030 cards, and die
Jay: Yes, that's right. One application 1
especially at shows.
new machines. I just hope they are
would like is to use it to design a
working on a complete revision of die
graphics controller for a dialer diat pulls
chip set, done in CMOS, with full 32-bit
data out of MicroFiche Filer (another
chip address range. It can be done now
ARexx-interfaced program) and does
Jay: Really! UltraCard should be given
widi the new chip design rules, and
autodialing for me.
out with each Amiga like the Mac does.
would result in a chip set tiiat would
It makes a tremendously good-looking
make a lovely portable downstream.
AC: With UltraCard as a front end?
AC: It's available! [See 'Adventures In
ARexx" in Amazing Computing V'4.6.] I
display, and will sell more Amigas than anything else I can think of.
will send you the ARexx macros—
AC: Can you give us some examples of what UltraCard stacks can be, and need
AC: How did you get involved with
to be, constructed?
Jay: Great, thanks.
UltraCard? Jay: There is one example that comes to
AC: After I rack UltraCard on top of it,
Jay: I was at a FAUG [First Amiga Users
mind. Imagine an exhibition hall filled
unless you do it for me, jay.
Group] meeting a month ago. and Mike
widi Amigas (well, 10 to 20). that each
[Mike Lehman, author of UltraCard]
show a map of all die exhibits, with
demonstrated it there. After the demo, all
icons for dieir locauons (among die
Jay: So you can do a custom dialer controlled widi UltraCard. Also UltraCard
anyone could ask was, "Yes, that's nice,
potted palms.) Now imagine clicking on
has built-in UltraTalk, like HyperTalk.
but what does it do?"
an exhibit icon and having a picture of die exhibit pop up, widi speech describ
AC: Yes, Mike Lehman kept the two
I could see he needed some help, so I
ing die exhibit, and dien clicking on the
languages similar enough that UltraCard
offered to help him improve his Demo
people in the picture, and having the
users could take advantage of the many
and tutorial. Then he said he needed
summary of die person shown, and
books and stacks available using
help at die AmiEXPO booth, so I worked
clicking on boxes, that bring up details
HyperCard.
with his program for a week, to become
of die exhibit,
familiar with it, and went to Chicago to help in the booth.
Jay: Yes, diat similarity will allow
AC: What do you tell people are die
someone to do a future translator.
advantages of UltraCard? AC: What feedback or comments did you
AC: On a personal note, how is your
get from people at the show about
Jay: The main advantages of UltraCard
UltraCard?
are also die advantages of die Amiga,
healdi?
such as real multitasking, ARexx interfac
Jay: I am generally in good health,
Jay: Most people said it was about time
ing and, of course, also the color
the Amiga had a version of HyperCard.
except for this darned cold I caught here
graphics, speech, and sound. ARexx is an
Others still complained about the demo, which we didn't have time to improve
in Chicago. Completely lost my voice. My
Amiga Rexx language diat allows
new kidney that my sister gave me is
programs like UltraCard to talk to each
much. It was hard to explain that the
working fine, I have been swimming and
other and control each odier. If you have
graphics were only an example of what
water-skiing on my boat in the delta for
die ARexx libraries in your Libs directory
could be done, and not part of the
months now, and feeling great.
dien UltraCard can act as a Graphics
program itself.
shell to control and exchange data with
AC: Do you anticipate being more active
any other program running simultane
in the Amiga community again?
AC: Jay, you have been quoted in die
ously. This is why ARexx and the
past as being quite concerned about the
Amiga's muldtasking make UltraCard
continued survival of the Amiga. As the
Jay: Oh definitely. I hope to find work
such a powerful tool, and it's much
"Father of die Amiga", how do you feel
one of these days in diat community, and
easier to program a graphics controller
I am presendy very active in networking
today?
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
59
Zorro II Prototyping Board * Over 4400 Plated Holes on a 0.1" Grid. * Gold Plated Edge Connector.
* "D"-type I/O Connector Pattern. * Accepts 64 Pin DIPs and 14x14 PGAs. * Low Inductance Power and Ground
AmiEXPO
Pattern for High-Speed Designs. * Designed for Maximum Flexibility.
* Includes Mounting Bracket. To order, send: check or money order lor S49.95 ~ local sales tax (California only) +
shipping & handling (US: S3.00. Foreign: S6.50) in US dollars to:
ABACUS SOFTWARE 5370 52nd Street Grand Rapids, MI 49508
CHICAGO COMPUTER SOCIETY P.O. Box 8681
Inquiry #206
Inquiry #216
A.C.E.
COMP-U-SAVE
(616) 698-0330
Celestial Systems Suite #165 Box J Manhattan Beach. CA 90266 (213)372-1229
P.O. Bos 591
"What kind of next, computer would you buiid?" and I say, "If I had such a great
Inquiry #207
Inquiry #217
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY LTD.
6894 Palm Avenue Burnaby, BC V5J 4M3 Canada (604) 434-7274
design in my head (which I might have)
Inquiry #208
why should I tell the world?"
AMERICANPEOPLE/UNK
165 N. Canal, Suite 650 Chicago. IL 60606 (312)648-0660
AC: But you'll tell me chough—
(516)977-6707
CREATIVE COMPUTERS
4453 Redondo Beach Lawndale. CA 90260 (213) 370-2009
Inquiry #218
DIGITAL ANIMATION PRODUCTIONS 79 Mount Vernon StreeC
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 720-2038 Inquiry # 219
Inquiry 1209
Jay: Maybe not the truth!
AMUSE, NEW YORK AMIGA USERS
AC: So help you God?
151 1st Avenue, Suite 182 New York, NY 10003
Jay: Isn't thac the same as telling the
Inquiry #210
(212)460-8067
world?
AC: Of course. Is there anything else you would like to pass along to the Amazing Amiga Community, Jay?
BLUE RIBBON BAKERY 1248 Clairmont Road, Suite 3D
Atlanta, GA 30030 (404) 377-1514
723 East Skinner
Jay: Oh yes, I would like them to "advertise" the Amiga. Do this by buying
an extra copy of an Amiga magazine, like Amazing, and leave one—only one per Amiga fan is needed to saturate—in
every doctor's office and waiting room in the country. If Commodore won't do it, we have to. Or use your old copies of such magazines if you can bear to part with them. OK?
Wichita. KS 67211
(316)267-3807
keep in touch, OK?
1747 East Avenue Q, Suite A-3
Palmdale, CA 93550 (805) 273-0300 Inquiry # 213
CENTAURSOFTWARE
and PORTAL.
•AC-
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
ELAN DESIGN, INC. 11 Upper Terrace, CH
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415)621-8673
Inquiry #221
FOX VALLEY AMIGA USERS GROUP
1408 West Briarcliff
Bolingbrook, IL 60439 (312)887-2303
Inquiry #222
P.O. Box 9222 Mesa, AZ 85204-0430
(602) 835-5018 Inquiry # 223
GATEWAY AMIGA USERS GROUP
P.O. Box 811
14040 Tahiti Way, Suite 528
Bridgeton, MO 63044
(213)821-5995
Inquiry # 224
CENTRAL COAST SOFTWARE
GRAFX COMPUTING 1140 Posl Road
424 Vista Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
Jay: I sure will—on Plink, CompuServe
Inquiry # 220
FULLER COMPUTER SYSTEMS
CALIFORNIA FREEWARE
Inquiry # 214
AC: Jay, thanks for talking with us, and
711 Army Trail Road
Addison. IL 60101 312) 543-9000
Inquiry #212
Marina Del Ray, CA 90292
AC: OK.
DIGITAL WORLD
Inquiry #211
CLTD.
60
414 Maple Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
ADVANCED GRAVIS
in Che Amiga community. People ask me,
(312)794-7737
Oak Forest, IL 60452
(312)687-7788
Circle 112 on Reader Service card.
Chicago, IL 606S0-S681
(303) 526-1030
Inquiry * 215
(314)739-5181
Fairfield, CT 06430 (203)255-5166 Itujuiry # 225
'89 GREAT VALLEY PRODUCTS
225 Plank Road
Paoli,PA 19411
(215) 889-9411
.:;
Inquiry #226
HAITEXRESOURCES
208 Carrollton Park, Suite 1207
Carroilton, TX 75006: (803) 881-7518
Inquiry #227
INNERPRISE SOFTWARE, INC. 128Cockeysville Hunt Valley, MD 21030
(301) 785-2266
Inquiry # 228
INTERACTIVE VIDEO SYSTEMS
15201 Santa Gertrudes #Y102 La Miranda, CA 90638 (714) 944-4443
Inquiry #229
LAKE FOREST LOGIC, INC.
28101 E. Ballard Road Lake Forest, IL 60045 (312) 816-6666
Inquiry* 230
LATTICE, INC.
2500 S. Highland Avenue
Lombard. IL 60148 (312)916-1600
Vendors, Distributors,
and Users Groups
MICRO SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAI,
SIERRA ON-LINE
Carleton, MI 48117
P.O. Box 485 Coarseeold, CA 93614
Inquiry #236
Inquiry # 246
MICRO-SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
SOFT-LOGIK PUBLISHING CORP. 11131 F South Towne Square
1143 Monroe Street
(313) 654-8402
12798 Forest Hill Blvd, Suite 202 West Palm Beach, FL 33414 (407)790-0770
(209) 683-6858
St. Louis, MO 63123 (314)894-8608
Inquiry #237
Inquiry #247
MICROSEARCH
SPIRIT TECHNOLOGY CORP.
9896 Southwest Freeway
220 W. 2950 South
Inquiry #238
Inquiry # 248
MICROTECH SOLUTIONS, INC.
SUPRA CORPORATION
Houston, TX 77074 (713) 988-2818
991A Aurora Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801)485-4233
1133 Commercial Way
Aurora, IL 60505
Albany, OR 97321
Inquiry #239
Inquiry #249
MINDSCAPEINC.
TRANSACTOR/AMIGA USER 85 West Wilmot ST, Unit 10
012) 892-3551
3444 Dundee Road Northbrook, IL 60062 (312)480-7667
(503) 967-9075
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1K7 Canada (416) 764-5274
Inquiry # 240
Inquiry #250
MINDWARE INTERNATIONAL
VEDTECH INTERNATIONAL
110 DunlopW Box 22158
Barrie, ON L4M 5R3 Canada (705) 737-5998
2822 NW 79th Avenue Miami, FL 33122
(305) 477-2228
Inquiry #231
Inquiry #241
inquiry # 251
LEE SOFTWARE
NEWTEK 115 W, Crane Street
VISIONARYLTD.
Inquiry #232
Inquiry #242
Inquiry # 252
MEMORY AND STORAGE
PSYGNOSIS.LTD.
WORDPERFECT CORPORATION
2881 Stoneridge Drive
Garland, TX 75044 (214)530-5337
Topeka, KS 66606 (913)354-1146
45 Whithorn Crescent
North York, ON M2T 3B1 Canada (416)497-0833
TECHNOLOGY
P.O. Box 483 Addison, II 60101 (312)620-4444
(916) 342-6278
Inquiry # 243
Inquiry # 253
READYSOFTINC.
XETEC, INC.
3881 BenatarWay, Ste. E Chko, CA 95928
Inquiry # 233
MICRO ED ENTERPRISES, INC.
444 N. Orleans Street Suite 250
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 245-0066
Inquiry #234
30 Wertbam Court, Unit 2
(801) 225-5000
2804 Arnold Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1B9 Canada
Salina, KS 67401
Inquiry #244
Inquiry # 254
(416) 731-4175
SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
MICRO MOMENTUM, INC.
Sharp Plaza .
Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 949-5310
(201) 529-9500
100 Brown Avenue
1555 North Technology Way
Orem, UT 84057
Mahwah, Nj 07430 Inquiry #245.
(913) 827- 0685 ZUMA GROUP
6733 North Black Canyon Highway PhoenLx, AZ 85015
(602) 246-4238 Inquiry # 255
Inquiry #235
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
61
Walk All Over Your Amiga
Simple Cell Animation In Modula-2
by Nicholas CiraseUa
When people refer to graphics and animation on the
image data between RastPorts. These routines can all be
Amiga, they invariably refer to blitter operations. The blitter is
imported from die Blit Module found in the M2L directory
the workhorse for many graphics library routines like Bobs and
supplied with your Benchmark Modula-2 system.
VSprites. Instead of accessing die blitter directly, many programs
utilize the Gel graphics routines, which in turn make use of the blitter.
Cell animation
For those of you who do not know what cell animation is.
I find that many beginning and intermediate programmers
a quick explanation is in order. In short, it is a method of
would like to incorporate moving images or animation into their
animation in which multiple images are quickly overlapped on
programs, but they are put off by the many complicated aspects
top of one another. Since each eel! image is slightly different
of Gel routines. The thought of initializing Gel structures, setting
from the one before it (e.g., an arm may be raised slighdy
Bob pointers and flags, and sorting and drawing Gel lists is
higher), an illusion of motion is produced. The most common
enough to discourage all but the most ardent of developers.
examples of this type of animation are cartoons and children's
As an alternative to the more complicated Bob animation routines, there are some very simple blitter routines in the ROM
books in which a picture is drawn at the top right corner of
every page. Flipping through the pages generates a short
graphics library which allow direct access to the blitter's ability
animation sequence. This method of animation is perfectly
to transfer data. Taking advantage of this fact, I would like to
suited for the Amiga, as the blitter is designed to move images
present a programming example in Benchmark Modula-2 which
quickly.
will show how the blitter can be used to produce simple cell
To run the sample program, you will first need to create
animations. This sample program illustrates techniques you can
some cell images with a paint program. Start by turning on the
use to make the animated figure of a man walk across your
Coordinate Display feature of your paint program. Then, on a
screen.
320 x 200 resolution screen, draw a hollow rectangle in the upper left-hand corner with dimensions of 300 x 91 pixels. Next, draw vertical lines through the rectangle, spacing them
About the blitter
The blitter is a special graphics processor designed to
exactly 75 pixels apart. This should leave you with four adjacent
(drawing area). The blitter routine BltBitMapRastPort (which will
boxes (cells) of equal area. Before continuing, check the coordinates of each one. The coordinates of the top left corner of Cell 1 (not to be confused with the top left corner of the
be discussed later) will do this job for you nicely. Other useful
border you drew) should be (1, 1), while tfiose of the bottom
move data around in memory. In this example, you will be moving data (pixel images) from a bitmap to your RastPort
blitter routines include BltBitMap, which is used to copy image
data between bitmaps, and CHpBlit, which is used to copy
I
Figure One:
Bodypositions that make up a simulated walking motion.
right corner should be (74, 90). To create your animated figure, draw it first in Cell 1. Next, cut this image, copy it into Cell 2, and alter it appropri ately. Repeat these steps, copying the newly altered image into Cell 3 and altering it yet again. After performing the same
operations between Cells 3 and 4, you should be left with a different image in each of the four cells. Be sure to leave at least 5 pixels of blank background to the right of the image in each cell; this spacing will be necessary when you later animate your figure. Figure 1 illustrates the body positions that make up a simulated walking motion.
You may either save your set of cells as a picture file or, to conserve disk space, cut the set and save it as a brush. The sample program requires the file to be named Cells.pic and expects to find it in the current directory at execution time.
Figure
\.
The source code
The sample program CellAnimations.mod consists of only
three procedures. The first procedure, Initialize, is used to load your cell images into a bitmap (CellBM, in our example) for
62
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
storage. It also opens your screen and window. The RastPort
cycles back to Cell number 1 when the last cell is reached.
and ViewPort pointers are set to point to die proper places while die LoadRGB4 routine is called to load the palette of our
SourceX:= CCellPos-1) • CellLength + 1;
cell-image file into the current ViewPort.
The second procedure, DrawMan, is the routine that handles the actual cell animation. It renders each cell in
calculates the X-coordinate of the start of each cell. CellPos contains the number of die cell to be drawn.
sequence, proceeding from Cell 1 to Cell 4, and then back to Cell 1 to repeat the cycle. The important variables in this
procedure are CellLengdi, which is set to a value equal to the width of your cells (in pixels) plus one (remember, if you change die size of your cells you must change this value accordingly); CellPos, which holds the cell number currently being rendered; SourceX, into which the calculated X-coordinaie of each cell rectangle is placed; and Xoffset, which is the X-
WaitBOVP(vpA) is called just prior to the calling of the blitter routine. This routine is used to synchronize the reading of your image with the screen-updating feature of die Amiga. Calling this routine will help prevent the image of your ani mated figure from flickering.
Finally, there is die BltBitMapRastPort routine. It takes the following form:
coordinate of die current cell to be drawn. The Drawman procedure begins with a loop that moves your figure across the screen twice.
BltBitMapRastPortCVAR SourceBM : BitMap; SrcX, SrcY : INTEGER; VAR DestRP : RastPort; Destx, DestY : INTEGER; SizeX, SizeY : INTEGER; minterm : MinTermFlagsSet);
SetRast(rpA,O);
SourceBM is our source bitmap which we will load into
renders background pen 0 into ever}' pixel of your screen,
our image containing our animation cells; SrcX, SrcY is the X-Y
effectively clearing the viewing area.
coordinate offset into the source bitmap; DestRP points to your
destination Rastport; DestX, DestY is die X-Y coordinate offset
FOR i := 1 TO 36 DO
into your RastPort; and minterm is the value defining the type of image drawing you want (a value of 192 decimal will Droduce a
is the loop that controls how many times your cell images are
vanilla copy).
drawn.
Now. take a close look at each parameter as it is used in !NC(CellPos,l);
the program. Descriptions are contained within brackets:
loops through the number of the current cell to be drawn.
BltBitMapRastPort(CellBM [the bitmap you loaded your cell
INC(Xoffset,-5);
source bitmap], 1 [die Y-coordinate of cells from your source
into], SourceX [the calculated X-coordinate of cells from your bitmap], rpA [the pointer to your RastPort], Xoffset [the counter subtracts 5 from the X-coordinate of the last cell drawn. To experiment with varying die increments of your animation, try
subtracting values higher and lower than 5. IF CellPos=5 THEN CellPoS:=l; END;
of the X-coordinate to place the current cell onto your RastPort], 50 [the Y-coordinate to place the current cell onto your
RastPort], 74 [die length of each cell], 90 [the width of each cell), and MinTermFlagsSet(192); [function that does an exact copy of source onto destination when given a value of 192].
El/en magic. Fourframes of cell animation drawn in yourfavorite paintprogram.
Amazing Computing V4,9 ©1989
63
When this command is used, it creates a vanilla copy the same size and shape as your cell rectangles. The background color
A number of errors and inaccuracies appeared in the
article Exploring Amiga Disk Structures 0/4.6). The article's author, David Martin, provided us with the neccesary corrections and clarifications. The following are the corrections were brought to our attention;
A math error: 4,294,967,295 is the maximum value that can be stored in a 32-bit word (p. 59). AmigaDOS disks use 1760 blocks, not 1758. Blocks zero and one are reserved by AmigaDOS for the AmigaDOS boot blocks. The first disk block available for user data is
block two (p. 59). Unused slots in the bitmap table are set to one, not to
zero (p. 59). The bitmap information is not stored in die root block, but in separate disk blocks. The bitmap portion of the
root block contains pointers to these blocks (p. 60). File notes are stored in a file header block and each subdirectory's user block. They cannot be squeezed into
the user directory blocks (p. 60).
(pen 0) of each cell is drawn over any image on the screen, totally "erasing'' it.
In this example, each cell is drawn 5 pixels to the left of the previous cell. This shift gives the illusion of motion, whereas the cycling of cells gives the illusion of animation. When you created your cells, you left at least 5 pixels of background data on the right side of each cell, so that the only part of each cell not overlapped by the overlaid cell would be imageless background data. The last step in the DrawMan procedure is a loop that
slows down the cell renderings long enough for you to view each image properly.
ShutDown, die third—and final—procedure, simply frees the memory allocated for your bitmap, which contained your cell images. The window and screen are then closed and the program terminates.
Possible enhancements
This sample program is a simple one, and it could easily be modified to include routines for background restorations. In many instances, a background picture—which should not be altered by your celt renderings—will be drawn into your
screen's bitmap. In order to retain background image integrity,
copy the rectangle of background data—where your first cell is to be placed—into a temporary bitmap. Your first cell is drawn into the rectangular screen area you just copied. To animate
Each block's checksum is used to tell AmigaDOS whedier the data is good when it is read later. It can be
your figure properly, the background data is dien rendered back
calculated easily: sum all the words in the block, ignore
cells of the animauon. (If you animate an object that does not
overflow, and subtract the result from zero. The resulting value—which should be zero if the data is
good—replaces the initial zero in word five (p. 59)The Archive bit, which tells the user that a file has been changed, tells backup programs whether the current version of a file has been backed up. The Script bit allows an AmigaDOS batch file to be executed without the user having to issue the EXECUTE command from
into the screen's bitmap and the process is repeated for all the require your moving it across the screen—such as a rotating
planet or a windmill—then you need not be concerned with background restoration.) This small sample program provides just a glimpse of how you can use blitter commands to perform various types of graphics animauon. I suggest experimenting with this source code to learn more. Try changing the values of the minterm in
the BltBitMapRastPort routine to see what they produce. Before you know it, you'll be walking all over your Amiga!
CLI (p. 60). Parent directory pointers are used by AmigaDOS for stepping back one level toward the root directory. Word 124 in the file header block points to the next entry in the hash chain. Word 125 in the same block points to the
Listing One
parent directory of the file (p. 60). Cell Animations
In the Inside ULTRACARD article (V4.7) and in subse quent references to it in later issues, we referred to ULTRACARD as the first HyperText for the Amiga. We were incorrect in that THINKER, distributed by Poor Person Software, was actually the first Hypertext for the Amiga. Although both programs use Hypertext, the
Compiled with Benchmark Modula-2 This is a sample program ro illustrate blitter commands
MODULE
to animate
We apologize for these errors and any difficulties or inconveniences they may have caused.
64
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
a
figure across
our
screen
CellAnimation;
main difference between them is that THINKER is text-
oriented, while ULTRACARD is graphics-oriented.
Nicholas Cirasella
FROM
AmigaDOS
FROM
Blit
IMPORT
IMPORT ModeOldFiie.FileHandle,Open,Close; BltBitMapRastPort,MinTermFlagsSet;
FROM Graphics
IMPORT
BitMap.BitMapPtr;
FROM
IFF
IMPORT
IFFDone;
FROM
Intuition
IMPORT
Screer.Ptr,
CloseScreen,
CloseWindow,WindowFlagsSet, ScreenFlags,
FROM Rasters
IMPORT
RastPortPtr,SetRast;
FROM ReadPict
IMPORT
ILBMFrame,
(• ReadPicc is a module
Dedicated to the AMIGA
ReadPicture;
from the IFF Libraries •)
FROM RemAlloc
IMPORT ChipAlloc,
FROM SimpleScreens
IMPORT CreateScreen,
ScreenBitMap;
FROM SimpleWindows
IMPORT
WindowBitMap;
Nothing but the best!
RemFree;
CreateWindcw,
(* SimpleScreens/SimpleWindows are Library Module
Remember...
WindowFlags,
ScreenFlagsSet;
from the Simplified Amiga
*)
FROM SYSTEM
IMPORT ADR;
FROM Terminal
IMPORT WriteString,
WriteLn;
FROM Views
IMPORT ViewPortPtr,
LoadRGB4,
waitBOVP;
CONST
{*
main window flag
WinFlags VAR
(*
definitions
*)
- WindowFlagsSetfActivate,Borderless);
these are
Global variables
*)
winPtr : WindowPtr;
(* pointer to window structure
*)
CellBM : BitMap;
(• bitmap to contain cell images
*)
:
scr
ScreenFtr;
["
: RastPortPtr; : ViewPortPtr;
rp
vp
PROCEDURE
pointer to
screen
396 Washington Street WeUesley, MA 02181 (617) 237 6846
structure
[* pointer to Rast Port structure *) (* pointer to View Port structure *)
Call the AMIGA Experts! Authorized Amiga graphic design dealer. Our crew has over 30 years total combined
Initialize;
FHandle frame
: FileHandle; : ILBMFrame;
experience with the Amiga! We ship UPS Mon. thru Fri. Store hours: 10-6 Mon.-Thr. 10-8 Fri. 9-5 Sat. Commodore authorized repair in store. Low flat rate plus parts. Warranty service.
(• contains info to open our file") 1* contains info about our file's ColorMap •)
BEGIN
(**
Load cells
FHandle IF
of walking man
*")
:= Open(ADR("cells.pic"),
FHandle
#
NIL
ModeOldFile);
THEN
IF ReadPicture(FHandle,
CellBM,
ChipAlloc)
■
frame,
IFFDone
Circle 143 on Reader Service card.
THEN END;
Close(FHandle)t ELSE
WriteString("Can
not load IFF
file");
WriteLn;
<•
this
calculates
X coordinate
for
each cell
")
HALT;
WaitBOVP(vpA);
END;
scr
:- CreateScreen(320,200,5,NIL);
winPtr
(•
low res
(*
this
reduces
flicker of image *)
screen*)
:= CreateWindow (0,0,320,200,NIL,WinFlags,
BltBitMapRastPort {CellBM, SourceX, j.,rp", Xoffset, 50,74,
NIL,scr,NIL);
90,MinTermFlagsSet(192)};
rp
:~ winPtr*.RPort;
vp
:= ADR(scr".Viewport);
(*
set (*
up RastPort pointer")
FOR loop
set up Viewport pointer")
:■«
1
TO 20000
DO F.ND;
END; END;
LoadRGB4|vp", (•
this
sets
colors END
as
ADR(frame.colorMap),SIZE(frame.colorMap)); our viewport to used in the
contain
cell
the
IFF file
END
DrawMan;
same pen
•)
Initialize;
PROCEDURE
ShutDown;
BEGIN PROCEDURE
DrawMan;
RemFree(CellSM.Planes[0]); CloseWindow(winPtr");
VAR
CloseScreen(scr");
SourceX,i,loop,CellPos,Xoffset,j
:
INTEGER;
END
ShutDown;
CONST
CellLength =
75;
(*
width of each cell + 1
")
BEGIN
('
MAIN
BEGIN
FOR j
:=
1
TO 2 DO
(* move
SetRast(rp",0);
CellPos:=0;
{"
our man across
clear
our
RastPort
screen twice")
call
routine
cells,
and
to
set
set
up
screen,
window,
load
up RastPort and Viewport
")
Xoffset:=220;
INC(CellPos,l);
("
CellPos
contains
current
cell
INC (Xoffset,-5);
(*
move man
CellPos=5
SourceX:=
(•
our
FOR 1:- 1 TO 36 DO
IF
Initialize;
*)
THEN CellPos:»l;
(CellPos-1)
*
to
left
the draw
5
cf
DrawMan;
(•
call
each
loop
routine
ShutDown;
("
de-allocate
to
draw
our cells
*)
memory and close
window/screen
* END
+
to
the
*)
pixels
END;
CellLength
t
CellAnimation.
1;
•AC-
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
•)
Packages for A2000 Series I Packages for Amiga 500 Seagate 8T-1STN ti MEG
„
ST-177N 80 MEG 8T-277N-1 60 MEB.
519 Da
ST-157N-49 Meg ST-177N-60 Meg
.749 DEL 81B Da
„
8T-2B6N 80 MEG
M9 DEL
Quantum 629 DEL
BOMEG SCSI PlD DnVo IDOMEGSCaProDflvo
949 Da 1029 DEL
ST-157N49M»g
519 Del
ST-177N-60Meg
749 Del
Quantum
ils Inclmk IV8 TnmpcinJSCSI laid driw ctrl.
1J\b IsrolitUMombVkli I It
679 DEUVERK
cttfQ ctcully - 25 pin SCSI conr.. dH. utltWa
xetcc
$419 DELIVERED!
_
699 Del
$899 DELIVERED
ST-177N-60 Mug
919 Dsl
Fr*» C»h«y In Itw Conttauoo* 46 9dM
Seagate super sale
539DEL „
7fl9 DEL
Quantum
ST-125N ST-157N ST-177N ST-225N ST-251N ST-277N ST-Z96N
649 DEL W3DEL IIM9 DEL imunMng
20 Mug - SCSI 49 Meg. - SCSI SO Meg-SCSI 20Mag-SCSI 40 Mag - SCSI 60 Mug - SCSI 50 Mag - SCSI
Quantum
279 349 569 265 375 415 479
99
Avalsx 1200E Avalax 2400
ICOMsg SCSI Pro Ditve
I319DEI
PwawnfcUSO NEW nEW NEW.
180
Pinmont 1101 NEW NEW NEW
..._.. 2Z»
Pinraonlc 1124 NEW 24 Pin StarNX-IOOO
3» 165
Star HX-1000 Rainbow (color)
229
StarNX-2400
299
Supra 2400 Ext. Modem & Cable Free Delivery to ibe 48 Contigumu Suiei
$129
COMMODOIE
IVS INFINiT 40 B«nwwobl* M»dki'
69 139
Avatax 2400E AvaJt* 9600 External NEWI Supra 240Od Internal (A2000)
BI9DEL
1139DCI
AUTHORIZED
Quantum
Modems
40MogSCSI Pro Otvo
80 Meg SCSI Pro Drtvo
TVjnuaF RntTnJtifakwHh utitt™ ft ihottad SCS cabb
bfK. cW. Mfiwjra. wd FREEtWFvwy In tie cont iguous U8A.
Amiga 1680 Modem
GOLD DISK SCANNER
Seagate
Seagate
IhwounW [nciii* IVS TrumrtirdcClr
DIGIVIEW GOLD
fosf Card System
ST-157N-49Mag
Trjmpccrd 500 Ron Expand*! avalla 511k ■ 1 MEG- 2 MEG. 4 MEG
ICO MEG SCSI Pro Dilvo
16MM LENS WITH VARIABLE IRIS COPYSTAND Wm UGHTS
Hard Diiv» Pack-
H;.rd Drive Cards (A-2000)
JOMEG SCSI Pro Drive BOMEG SCSI Pro Drfv©
PANASONIC 1410 CAMERA
1029 DEL
Cod fmtimt XoWcl DM An t™d, ogtatmH ROM.outo-
Thai* PochoewircbdoTrwrpcord 500 one blunt. IVS
l
VIDEO PACKAGE
40MegSC3P[oDnvo ......
ICO Meg SCSI Pro DnVo
A -I Or
•ft«« D*tv*fy to 1S» CorH Iguo-ji Stctw
eOMegSC3ProDrtVo
80 Meg SCSI Pro Drive 999 DELIVERS 100 Meg SCSI Pro Drive 1079 DELIVERED
uMe. sottware jndU:iwry in Ihacontlguoui USA
BT-157N «MEG
579 Delivered! 799 Deliveredl
40 Meg SCSI Pro Drive
1010 Compatible
Seagate
Quantum
40 MEG SCSI Pro Dnvo
8T-177N SO MEG
HatdDtivmPackagmt tor Amiga 2000
Seagate
109 839 139
40 Meg SCSI Pro Drive
529
INFINIT40/1
1199
80 Meg SCSI Pro Drive
S99
INFINIT4OS*
1299
100 Meg SCSI Pro Drive
929
INFINITdOD*
1399
DEALER
Poqilmi tmrnoconj or rnirTpcard 5C0
AMIGA SOFTWARE :
,
_
3! 95
21.96 CnmoocumT
Ci-,Doik2.0 .
11495 .. 31 95
totTracb.—
2*96 38.96
IvalFnmulal
137 96 .59.95
Alf Dlfla (s
2a 9Q
94.05
44.96
19 06
V2.0
61.96
»«
linsPlW .^...^^.^
Anlm 4-0
!•»&»
d
19.96
..... 2*95 52.95
179-95 2495
Artmoltor
ofEr-aland
22 95
■V
21.96
B795
Arim Edtoi
How™. fvminirtf
. ...
Fwmolton .
57 05
i 2.. 4495
PhntonVWeo
CoiAnkn
.31 9b
PHaton Vkkn Wiporf .
.31.95 .31.96 31.95
Plnmi e* but
.,
....
PnjtiVi,
lo!.,
Ak HtK tural D>| »i OUt,.
DWuioMu.fcConlt'2
Aim
OtJkfxv Pant lit
Aunt Artc Ad^v
Ckkm Pmt"
1S.1
....
12895 .
so
8496
. . . 2695 24.95
. . ..59.95 39.96 .19.9S
Bod
....
.
OAhnetO GcUcfVwI&K
„ 31.95
. 28 05
.....31.95
, 25 95
-.24 95
.31 05
6995
.2495
3295
4195
.... 22.95
. 54 06
J0 9S
1B4.96 ...2295 »95
ImuwSuULg llftrdOvf logo-ofe
..9996 177 06
"cr":- Mu-w* .....,^.._
LnnJiaMhvg
31.95 ,, - 31.96
VhnWoc ton B-ijWe lion . . 2S96
B79S
■/->--.:■„-■
.69.96
SfHSCvOufKt 1 c* 7 ... _ _ . 31.96 SparaQu«Ht3
CAU
Vk»a«)
87.96
1995
WSh»l
29.96
IbfnanDngnOkli
riudcmi
112 '5
.13.95
Mehton HI Dhk #1
InMbn Pin
.2005
30BS
M&sferCard
J(^hNt«ajtCioff JVCoun«iall9*9.
Jo'
.
! 1 k2
.114.95 .. .22.95 MldlMaoe ...
,M95
MldnKj
.21.95
UdV>»
.
CAU.
...39.95
VI i
5cnwurLcid ^hebAh .__.,.._.
SpazaPaCB'
....23.96 I, i *4 96
.__._.
V ik3 Up Molw
._1995
Moo***
... 38.95
.
Uuic I ....
HrrA9\tyl<
'i Oaten PutJohwPlui
31.90
. ..
.
StnGMsfll
2S95
——
25 06
WtiQiOFu*v
...37.95
.. 41.95
1B9 05
. 22.95
. «795 Supwila to htactoy .. 4-crt c< Sedan
..2446
TV.SooriiBakBlbal TV Soorii Fottfbcfl
49 95
.2696
l.V Ts>t Pnrintonal
.3195 ...11.95 .
Ho- Ccey
3ft95
17.95
RwdHlfrft
.21.96 29 95
.31.95
2B95
RonoooOo
22.95
. 24 55
.48 95
Rohimlo/
1195
Toti* IcpriEdPkji..
26 05 2406
.28.95
CnlM.Pl
.5B.95
WotfWtct
36.95
—
26.96
■--.-
.26.96
WdM Platinum, Tha
13.95
I-SpKi
-U95
7-~i ,■'- i
3«,95
.. 3195 .3196 .2095
—.
..41196
.28 95
24.95
. 1495
MISC. HARDWARE Ami GEN
_
136
SupwGEN ._
669
J «M Gwikck
459
24 05
.. 1495
Bood Qaidtf ..
.24 06
-22 05
114.9S
.TO .
2*06
57 95
CNnnttlUhl □*-»
31 06
Cdor Splltar
3106
2496
Cm* Jwyilcla
.3106 25 95
.1 '.■■
WGScon
31 05
Owt*
.2395
28 05
31 05
Ojfcv*.
.31.96
T4 05
PcxnElfi
CALL
Bomcrii^ Ere" O [
Since 1982
Bind*
13B9
ftetof RnK
Bead C^atonn
.S2.9S Opt*!
CA1L
Wrvtd lour &o>
.S9S.9G
CAU
134.96
..«7 95
184.95
IS.9S
64.96
_
.3195 3195
59.95
.24.95
Wtto-
Supw&
... 2596
OHSta*
Who. What. Wwi
WVid Walw
14 06
CbH~Dl<:
24.95
2996
Sub SaM^Sh
.I3M
31.95
tHWDnnt
.24 96
. 25 05 .. 114.96
6995
Wo In Ukfdto Earth
Sla-Wan
.25 06
-.4295 ...32.96
VP Pictambrd
StaiRay
Slrt> PotoHl.
.6995
31.95
- - - 18 95
...25 05
.. 64 05
Punto Stcnytiooli Qk
...3Q05
-
129 OS
.... n\95
hlifdd
. 22.95 .3195
4&9S
.21(6
...2195 ....".95
22.95
.. J6O5
3195
...J2.SS
75 05
.2804
Vv>ana Jnr*i trrtmi 5pm
WiDCotT...
18 95
.32.98
Ptojwit Mmtw
4i.O5
2696 11695
36.95
... 19.95
■!■!. .■
11396
VU»Scop»3Dzn
31.96
PiDJoctOi- BactaJD
HBlo^OrB-CouiioDi*.
2B95
. 2flO5
...21.95
79 06
.
ViJ»ofonti
.
31.95
.31 05
Vfcloo Efoch »O
62.96
IMdn Oip Art .. .
5B.95
FA/l»li-*-r»plex
13.96 22.96
31.95
2495
.20.95
_
Mav» BvcKon Typng .
144.95 74.96
19.96
StyShtrt
.3S.95 .29,95 .31.05
MmFont
.
Sky Fm II
.2405
. 38.95
2496
31.95
PiHMtilwnn
.IMS
HrnivyM.iaJ
...31.9«
-.24.95
36.06
EtanPorfarmm
.
SkyChrao
-.3195
Huntor Combo! Simutafcn
...2496
. ■ ■ ., -.'- i Coovnta .__._..,. 31.96
Manduntw - Mbw Vwii.
Horpoon
_
Urifvenaf M Italy S^YUjtitor ,.31.05
Spin*D»tl
...31.95
.
UnMo»3 .. ..
S^uWflj^i.__._._..__._.__,_. 24.90
IB05
fartWacfv«fBajvbc4 ....... 31 95 CornnBrnronDH. U96 ULBPAStah.. 14.95
31.96
.228 95
25 05
31.96
Bmrnw
Skato Wot
_
2B 96
29.95
Bfaod
Utttnai
.. 21.95
...
6496
..6495 24.98
24 96
.24 95
Gunjhip.
TVT«d !««,/* I»
24.96
..31.95
Ciobb» -
11495 _
SJIsnl Sorvt»
Vjqs Janmcm 1 Mag .
.. .. 32.95
um_.
31,96
t9.96
Sitwv30 IMig TV Snow
Std» Arrrm
Moqjc Jahr«on512 .
..
i2Da
. 26 05
.31 95
-
32:95 .
_ 17.95
. -2595
2496
.31.95
Baud Bert*
imuTiluilla
_.._
67 05 .26.96
—
41.96
i nbnor
.26.96
.2496
3195
BatlohK fvTho C< Ht he. .
LEOStann
«9.96
dpk
.CAU
.2496
, IB.96
«at*s Xawla I9C
22.95
t __ *-T_ta-.-...- 22.95
GcMRuih .. .
.81*6
.2196
SnoQU"
19 95
.31.96 69.96
SNnU
S9.«
.11 9i
.2496
Gctrf[tur™2
Ctfw31.l
.31.96
. 87.95
31.95
24.95 "vifli* Rom* ArttVkui
Ptotr«m
. IAO 96
.24.95
.2096 24.0S
S495
3195
.24.96 . .. .17.95
Pan Pol
3195 U96
Arimaltcvi M jl
s Shscsn .
31.95
Pwtnct Sogrd
69 99
-.-•» 3I.W ™_
114
Order Toll Free
800-558-0003
Wl ORDERS AND INFORMATION
[NO CREDIT CARD SURCHARGE
I'lmV^t CO.D. chvgaajv* M.0Q, In Cjmrir.»nWi UG>. TncLdo W.O0 taf
INFORMATION; t
!^ '0
-
■
■
414-357-8181 FAX414-357-7814
ML AK r r"O
• ;
Circle 115 on Reader Service card.
APOJ'Lrarb Ftco and CariBdlin wdm. pl««l« a.Jd 5*V l" OP "5- mlnlmm
Roomers by The Bandito
to work on—refused to do so, fearing it
dore, though it's not really enough to
presented in "Roomers" are rumors
would delay its release) But the designer
cover the lost market opportunity.
in the purest sense. The bits of
they had working on LIVE! left, and more
information are gathered by a third
time passed until they found a new
no payments have yet been made toA-
party sourcefrom whispers inside
engineer.
Squared, and the ruling is currently
[The statements and projections
By this time, Digi-View had been
the industry. At press time, they remain uncomftrmed and are printed
on the market for quite a while. Things
[Editor's note: According to Commodore,
under appeal.] In many ways, the whole
story is a warning of the pitfalls a small
were in turmoil at Commodore, what
company can encounter when it tries to
ingly, the staff and associates of
with changing chief executives and
work with a giant manufacturer? Some
Amazing Computing™ cannot be
shifting marketing plans. Poor LIVE!
times it's better to just stay in the garage
held responsiblefor the reports
kept getting shunted aside, being shown
and putter away.
made in this column,]
at trade shows, but never with any idea
for entertainment value only. Accord
of when it would ship.
1989 Developers' Conference Report
Of course, die Bandito's agents
Finally, A-Squared managed to get The Amiga UVEr story
It's been a good year for inside
Commodore to give them back the LIVE!
were in full force at DevCon '89- By
design (much altered by this time) so A-
carefully bugging the water glasses and
stories—first Epyx's secret project, and
Squared could bring the product to
now die previously untold talc of how
market. After some further development
Amiga LIVE! came into existence.
(which consisted mainly of undoing
Our story begins long ago, before
Commodore's engineering attempts),
the Amiga was released. A-Squared
Amiga LIVE! for the Amiga 1000 finally
"The word overheard is that
Systems came up with a design for a
went on sale—just in time for Commo dore to stop producing the 1000 and
theA3OOO is more than just
real-time video digitizer for the Amiga. They envisioned applications like video
announce the Amiga 500 and 2000,
performance, publishing, and so on.
Commodore thought this was a
a 68030 dropped into an
neither of which was compatible with
A2000. Other sources hint at
Amiga LIVE!
higher-speed custom chips
So A-Squared had to redesign the
great idea, especially since it promised to be cheaper and better than any IBM or
product yet again, and after many
Macintosh digitizers. So Commodore
months Amiga LIVE! was finally in
made A-Squared a deal whereby
marketable form. [Editors note: Accord
Commodore would market the product
ing to A-Squared, Commodore was
and enhancement of the Amiga's sound capabilities."
through its own distribution channels as
obligated by contract to produce the
a Commodore-labeled device.
Amiga 500 and 2000 versions ofLIVE!
planting microphones in die ceilings,
When it did not undertake this develop
they were able to gather much valuable
types were shown at trade shows, and
ment, A-Squared took it upon itself to do
data.
much interest was generated. Then Digi-
so.)
Everything seemed fine. Proto
View came out, and when Commodore
Perhaps the biggest news was the The latest story development is that
non-news. No major new products were
saw one of the HAM images created with
A-Squared has won more than $890,000
shown. There was no unveiling of die
Digi-View they said, "We want LWE! to
in a lawsuit against Commodore. A-
Amiga 3000, aldiough Commodore
do this!" So Commodore took over the
Squared charged that, by failing to
confirmed that it is in the works.
design of LIVE! and proceeded to work
market Live!, Commodore failed to live
Commodore did say they would be
on it in their own labs.
up to the terms of their agreement, and
spending a lot more on advertising and
[Editor's note.- A-
Squared claims that the initial idea to
an arbitration board (confirmed by a
marketing—news which was well
incorporate HAM software into LIVE! was
judge) ruled in A-Squared's favor. So A-
received by weary developers tired of
its own, and that Commodore—which
Squarcd will finally get some recom
explaining what computer they work on
had already been given the LIVE! design-
pense for die years of battling Commo
("Omega? What's an Omega?").
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
61
work just fine, though they may not
the MS-DOS File System for the COMMODORE
work with some of the new graphics modes. Of course, there are many pro
grams that didn't follow the rules, like most games. Another example is DeluxePaint III, which allows you to paint in the overscan border—a no-no
AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE LOW PRICE OF
$3
MS-DOS® DISK ACCESS DONE RIGHT!
CrossDOS1
In ADDITION to reading and writing my file on
The first MS-DOS File System for the Amiga* • Reads or writes any 36OK or 72OK MS-DOS or ATARI ST* disks
an MS-DOS disk. perform ihe following
(Version 2.0 or higher) with optional lexl file fillet*.
DOS functions on files
• Transparently accesses MS-DOS files from any utility or application
under 1.4 Expect many revisions to appear when 1.4 ships sometime in 1990.
Commodore did confirm that they
are coming out with the A2630, a 68030 board for the A2000. And they did officially announce that the A3000 exists, but nothing more. The word overheard is that the A3000 is more than just a
68030 dropped into an A2000. Some
and directories.
people say it has been redesigned for
• Fully integrates itself into the Amiga operating system.
* Scan any directory
higher system throughput, with faster
• Automatically readjusts to different MS-DOS/ATARI ST formais.
* Create di reel ones
memory chips and faster DMA. Other
• Can be removed after use to reclaim memory.
* Renime
• Provides an easy installation program.
* Delete
sources hint at higher-speed custom
• Available in i READ-ONLY version from the Public Domain or
* Set dales
chips and enhancement of the Amiga's
* Set protection bits
sound capabilities. More mutterings
* Seek file positions
indicate the Amiga could move up to 16-
(including file requesters).
directly from CONS ULTBON for only $5.00. For orders placed through CONSULTHONadd S3.00 shipping and handling (S8.00 outside the U.S. and Canada). Michigan residents must add Ihe correct sales lai. C.O.D. add S3.00 Send check or money aider lo:
* Gel disk information * Add cache buffers
CONSULTflCW
Please allow up lo 2 weeks to process your order
11280 Parkview
Dealer inquiries welcome.
Plymouth. Ml 48170
Technical Support (313)459-7271
bit graphics, where you could display
256 colors out of 32,768—even a superHAM mode with all 32,000+ colors available at once.
What about backward compatibil ity? Some software may need revision. And will there be replacement chip sets
Circle
Commodore also said they are
hiring marketing managers for specific vertical market areas. That's good, because they were significantly under staffed in marketing by all accounts. The plan is to push the 2000 family into vertical markets like publishing and video, and push the 500 into the home
and education markets. By hiring people to manage this process and be respon
sible for it, they have shown that it's more than just Up service this time. What else is going on with
Commodore marketing? Better advertis ing in vertical market publications, with ads targeted at graphic designers, video producers, and music professionals, and more involvement by Commodore at appropriate trade shows. Taken
together, all these moves signify that Commodore is finally marketing the
Amiga the way they should. Commodore is also promising a
better effort in selling Amigas to the education market. Better discount
structures and more help for educational software developers are among the key
68
for older Amigas? Quite possibly.
155 on Reader Service card.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
elements. Amigas have already become indispensable in the graphic arts departments of some major universities. The challenge now is to get Amigas into K-12 schools.
What's the latest on 1.4? Good
news and bad news. The good news is that 1.4 will have plenty of bells and
whistles—many conveniences for programmers and users, and a slicklooking Workbench designed by a professional graphic artist. The bad news? If you think it will arrive by Christmas, you must believe in Santa Claus. (Even believing in the Easter Bunny might be too soon.) However,
many developers were distressed to learn
that the Guru Meditation Error will be changed to something clever and catchy like System Error. Some programmers
were muttering about a public domain utility that would bring back the Guru. We'll see. The astute reader may be asking
how compatible the current software applications will be with the new 1.4 software. The official line is that
programs that followed all the rules will
Com
modore should know the value of keeping the installed user base happy. And when will this dream machine be available? Not until 1.4 ships, so don't look for it before 1990. The price has
not been set, but the target figure is well under $4,000 list.
Now Commodore plans to provide hardware solutions for die high end. An
important element is breaking the 4096 color barrier. They have shown a 256 out of 16.7 million color card. Now they have to ship it and get software support. Is Display Postscript in the Amiga's future? It would be a bold positioning
move that would open a lot of eyes,
especially in desktop publishing. Of course, you really need powerful graphics coprocessing to make it work, but the Amiga has that (though a faster blitter would help). In other news, Commodore magazine is history. Why was Commo
dore supporting a magazine anyway? Seems like a silly way for a computer company to waste its time. Maybe it was a good thought when nobody else was
doing one, but they should have quit a
long time ago. In a somewhat unusual
TAKE A BYTE
move for Commodore, the staff has been
OUT OF HIGH PRICES!
shifted to other jobs rather than being fired.
There are fabulous savings on all these goodies
Speaking of personnel, reports
from West Chester indicate that many
FREE mouse pad with orders
employees are nervously feeling their
overS100.
necks. If big changes are made, some of the good ol' boys (and gals) may be hitting the road. It's time for everybody
25.95
Aunl Arctic Adventure Battle Chess Battle Tech Baud Bandit Blood Money Deluxe Music 2.0
to show their worth or show their heels. The best news of all from DevCon
34.95 36.95 32.95 29.95 72.95 109.95 69.95 29.95 41.95 27.95 37.95
Deluxe Paint III DigiPaint III
was not official, but it was overheard in more than one spot. As the story goes,
Double Dragon Dragon's Lair
Commodore plans to drop the A500
price to perhaps as low as $399 by
Dungeon Master FA/18 Interceptor
Christmas time. Of course, this goes
Kind Words
36.95
Falcon
59.95 29.95
Licence To Kill Lords of the Rising Sun OutRun
hand-in-hand with the plan to put the
A500 into the mass-market stores. The
Phasar Pioneer Plague
Bandito doesn'c have any names yet, but Sears would be a good place for an
Publisher Plus Rocket Ranger
Amiga, don't you think? With that pricing, 1990 might be The Year The
Rush N" Attack Smbad & Throne of Falcon S mCily Sonix
Amiga Gun Downs The Bad Guys! A complete system (monitor, computer, 1
34.95 34.95 63.95 26.95 49.95 35.95 29.95 19.95 31.95 56.95
Spellbound Super Scramble Sword of Sodan
28.95 29.95 35.95
Triad
29.95
Test DrivB It The Three Stooges Total Eclipse TV Sports Football
V.I.P. Virus Protection
Where in World is Carmen
29.95 35.95 29.95
34.95 29.95
32.95
Who Framed Roger Rabbit 32,95 Who' What! When! Where! 65.95 Enhancer Amiga DOS 1.3 20.95 Accessories & Hardware
Epyx Joystick ErgoStick Joystick
Internal 31/;" Floppy Drive
for 2000
California 3.5" drive
Supra 2400 Baud Modem
14.55 19-95 99.95
139.95
129.95
Spirit SC 501 Vi Meg.
Trapdoor internal expan sion with clock/calendar
for Amiga 500. «K 63.95 plus shipping and handling
Don't see it here? We've probably got it. Call us.
meg, 2 drives, and printer) for under
:&!
$1000—a magic price point at die most magical time of the year. After all the good news coming out of Commodore, it's almost reassuring to
Your Amiga Source PO Box 575719
Murray, Utah 84157-5719
COMPUTER
the Bandito to hear a rumor about some
1 800 347 8004
Circle 110 on Reader Service card.
truly epic stupidity. West Chester sources say that a prototype of a 6502based machine that runs at 4 MHz and
$69.95
AudioMasterll
The rising value of the dollar
sound hot: 386SX processor, DVI chipset
produces 4096 colors is in the works.
changed profit into loss for Commodore
for near real-time video, a digital signal
And it's 100% incompatible with either
during the last quarter. Since three-
processor for great sound and built-in
the Amiga or the C64.
quarters of their sales are overseas, the
9600 baud modem, MS Windows and a
exchange rate really hammered their
mouse, and a built-in CD-ROM drive.
true, or if it is, that they take the proto
profit picture. The pressure is building
The price will probably be in the $2500 to $3000 range, so they may be slanting
The Bandito can only hope it's not type and burn it (or better yet, send it to
10 make good sales numbers for the rest
Atari. It'll never come out then).
of the year. If Europe slows down, then
it more towards the home office rather
Doesn't anyone there remember the
the US division has to pick up the slack.
than the home entertainment market. It's
Plus/4? If you had to dream up the
(A baptism of fire for Mr. Copperman.)
certainly a target for Commodore to take
worse possible product for Commodore
Even though nobody asked, the
into consideration. The Amiga should
to introduce, it would sound just like
Bandito thinks Commodore could make
that.
have ail of those features by then, and
a big splash by being the first computer
with a better installed base, too.
manufacturer to offer a CD-ROM drive Number crunching
The 1988 figures for computer sales
Commodore hopes to capture the
built into a computer. Offering a low-
interactive video market with die Amiga.
cost CD-ROM option for the A500 (or
in the US are worth a look. Apple was
Their first target is interactive point-of-
other models) would also be dynamite.
#1 with 1.271 million units, edging out
sale video systems—basically, a laserdisc
How about a retail price of under S500?
IBM's 1.229 million units. Who was #3? Commodore, with 665,000 units. That
player hooked up to an Amiga inside a
It's possible. Of course, it would also
kiosk, where customers can go up and
have to play CD audio disks. C'mon
select items they want to see. The
figure includes C64, C128, PC clones, and Amigas. Of course, MS-DOS com
patibles, as a whole, are the biggest market of all (about 75% of all PC's sold in the US are MS-DOS machines). Those
numbers may change if Commodore can learn how to sell Amigas.
Commodore, get with it. Even IBM is
Amiga's advantages are NTSC output
talking about CD-ROM and multimedia
compatibility, making genlocking cheap.
these days.
The entire Amiga interactive video
Speaking of multimedia (or as the
Bandito thinks of it, "desktop
buzzwords"), IBM's "Home PC" is heading our way in 1991. The specs
system would go for under S3000 with
laser disc player and genlock. A comparable IBM-type system
would run at least S1000 more, and a
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
69
l6t> on Reader Service card.
Make Clai
livers.
those areas as well. The Bandito figures that games and work-type software just don't mix.
The Bandito is considering regularly setting aside a part of the column for legal issues, since they're so common these days. The latest: Xerox
has prevailed upon Metaphor to pay a licensing fee for using windows, icons, and a mouse in their interface that IBM has licensed. Xerox may demand licensing fees from everybody using a windowing interface. That means Amigas, and maybe even GEOS. What it
Fast, Compatible, Complete!
• Two high speed RS-232C serial ports for the Amiga 2000. • IBM PC AT style (full 7 wire plus Rl and DCD) connector for each port. • Send and Receive at 110 to 115200 baud. • Complete Amiga system software (both Exec and DOS). • Using our exclusive Serial Dispatcher, any program which uses "serial.device" can use any port without patches. • Public domain and shareware software on the distribution
diskette. • One year warranty.
they?
Hottest items in die stores: the AMax Macintosh emulator from ReadySoft. Also the 1 meg Agnuses are still in very short supply, but all A25OO's and 2000's are now shipping with them installed.
The situation may have cleared up by the
ASK YOUR
ASDG
really means is good news for lawyers, who stand to make a lot of money. The whole thing seems sUly to the Bandito. Xerox has never copied anything, have
time you read this. Certainly die dealers
DEALER!
925 Stewart Street Madison, Wl. 53713
Incorporated
(608) 273 - 6585
Amiga Is a trademark ol Commodore-Amiga, Inc. IBM PC AT is a Irademark ol IBM Corp.
Macintosh system similarly configured would be around $7000. Commodore estimates this to be a billion-dollar-a-year market in training, sales, and education. They are working on an authoring
hope so. At about $150 each, they're
doing a good business in upgrades. On the software scene, PageReader 3D looks hot. The Bandito sees more 3D software on the Amiga than on the Mac and the IBM combined. And the results are far
better on the Amiga.
system to make it easier to create
develop one that really takes advantage of the Amiga's sound capabilities. Let's not let an outmoded file standard hold us back from getting die best sound possible from our favorite computer. DeluxeVideo III may be the last
expects a megabyte of memory to be
interactive videos. No word yet on
Amiga creativity product from Electronic
under $100 by the end of the year, if not
Arts. [Editor's note: Electronic Arts insists that it "is and will continue to be
before. Good news for animation fans. The Bandito's colleague in the
dedicated to Us Deluxe line ofprod
Macintosh market keeps hearing that
ucts. ..']
Apple plans to breathe life into the corpse of die IIGS by including its chip
whether this technology might reach the average user.
Developments and non-developments
Musicians take note: MasterTracks
The word is that Electronic Arts has
If you haven't noticed lately, RAM prices are dropping faster than Mediagenic's profits. With the new 4 megabit
chips being introduced, prices are sure to be driven even lower. The Bandito
Pro and die rest of Passport's music
killed plans for Instant Music II. [Editor's
set in the new low-cost Macintosh under
software line is currendy being ported to
note: Electronic Arts would not comment
development for next year. Wishful
the Amiga; expect software to arrive this
on Instant Music II, as it is an unan
thinking.
fall. More and more music software
nounced'product] Most of the people
publishers are developing for the Amiga
involved with producing creativity
the cost up too much. Apparently Apple
as the machine is increasingly being
products have been reassigned, trans
just wants to keep the schools happy by
accepted as a serious music machine.
ferred, or otherwise departed. Seems
giving diem an upgrade path for dieir
One important reason is the Amiga's
like they want to concentrate on games,
old software. More believable is some
video capabilities, which are more
which is really where the company has
sort of add-in card that gives IIGS
important to music videos.
always put most of its effort.
While we're talking about music,
Interestingly, both Epyx and
Adding those chips would bring
compatibility. Either way, an Amiga 500
under $1000 will make the Cheap Mac
Mediagenic have had great trouble
look pretty sick. Another crab apple, if
sounds without the incredible limitations
making their creativity products divisions
you ask the Bandito.
of SSVX? A standard is a must, but let's
profitable, and they're cutting back in
how about a new IFF format for sampled
70
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
•AC-
Amazing Game Reviews
SNAPSHOT
Four Amiga Game Reviews by R. Bradley1 Andrews
Play begins with your MechWarrior
playing game (RPG) for your gaining
BattleTech An era is at an end. Many computer
training in the training complex on the
pleasure—BattleTech: The Crescent
planet Pacifica. This training, while
users are familiar with Infocom, the
Hawk's Inception.
company that produced a myriad of text
possible series of computer games based
It is the first in a
simple at first, becomes increasingly
adventures for many different computers.
on a board game produced by FASA.
grueling. It is designed to refine your
While their adventures were rich and
The backdrop for the game is futuristic
skills completely before you are finally
detailed in their time, text adventures
robolic combat, as popularized on
put in charge of one of the galaxy's most
have become much less popular with the
television, in comics, and in board
potent fighting machines, the mighty
advent of more powerful computers with
games.
more graphics capabilities. Unable to
Mech. The technology to build new Mechs has been lost, so the existing ones
You begin the game controlling the
generate sufficient profits, Infocom has
character Jason Youngblood, the son of
been bought out by Mediagenic
an illustrious family whose origins can be
they hold the key to swaying die battles
(formerly Activision), who reportedly
traced back more than 1,000 years to the
fought in occupied space.
closed their offices. So ends an era.
early 21st century. Since your father is
Fortunately, ail is not lost.
are guarded with extreme care, since
In addition to your Mech training,
Under
Captain of Security Forces for the planet,
you have other opportunities to sharpen
the Infocom label, Mediagenic has just
you have added pressure to successfully
your personal skills—at a price.
released a new, graphics-based role-
overcome the obstacles put in your way.
Fortunately, money is periodically "sent
from home" and deposited in your account. By budgeting properly and
playing the stock market successfully, Figure One:
you can make these small sums blossom
Vie opening screen to
quickly Into sizable amounts. You
BattleTecb
should maximize all your skills while you're in the training city, since once the entire planet has been opened to you, only your medical and repair skills can be increased. A good strategy for multiplying your money in the stock market is to put all of
it in the high-risk BakPhar company. Save die game before investing, so if you
lose money you can restart and try again. If you gain money, re-save and continue the process over. I have found that the optimal amount to invest in BakPhar is Figure Two:
Lizzie the Lizard and George the Big Ape
stalk the city streets in Rampage
about 8000 C-Bills; more always seems to lose. Though you can invest your money only a limited number of times while in the training area, once in the spaceport, you can invest as much and
as often as you'd like. The only limiting
factors are your patience and willingness to watch your money grow in little chunks.
Unfortunately, your preparation is interrupted before you can finish
completely. If you can maneuver successfully, you will find yourself
wandering around the planet's surface, searching for the starport and a way out
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
71
of trouble. While there, you will come
Second, I found the ending of the
Rampage
into contact with your new team, the
game to be extremely anti-climactic. The
Crescent Hawks. After gathering all the
closing speech announces that the
Rampage from Mediagenic (under their
members, you need to fix a damaged
universe is now open to your group, but
Activision label). This game is an
holodisk and then locate a hidden
the game ends before you can explore it.
adaptation of the coin-op version notable for its mayhem and destruction. While
weapons cache—which you will turn
Third, it is possible for key members
Next on the list this month is
over to the leader of your side of the
of your team to be traitors. This
the game does have a high-score feature,
conflict. Once these tasks are
possibility would not be so bad were it
your primary goal in playing it is simply
completed, your quest will be over.
not for die fact that you need all your
to destroy as many cities as possible
team members later in the game. It is
before your energy level runs out.
The entire game is menu-driven and features very nice looking graphics with
advisable to save the game before
a smoothly scrolling background. The
picking up new team members, since
sound is adequate and complements
traitor status is apparently decided
the meanest punch; George the Big Ape,
game play. Although you can play the
randomly at the time you pick them up.
who's the best at scaling buildings; and
entire game from the mouse, I found that
The first combat should flush out any
Lizzie the Lizard, who's the fastest thing
the keyboard worked better, since either
traitors. If you do pick up a traitor,
on four scaly feet. Originally simple,
the keypad or the arrow keys could be
restart the game at the point before you
ordinary human beings, they a!l came in
used to move on-screen characters.
picked him up. Otherwise, you will not
contact with a strange chemical
While only a limited number of actual options are available during play,
Three monsters are available for use
during play: Ralph the Wolf, who has
be able to finish the game.
substance that made them the
Fourth, the segment in which you
monstrosities they are today.
game play is fairly fluid and not too
unlock the arms cache is rather tedious—
limited.
a lot of busywork that doesn't really add
out their infrastructures until they come
at any time, though only six slots are
to the quality of play. And finally, a lot
crashing down. Effective demolition
available for doing so. Frequent saving
of playing time is spent simply roaming
involves punching both sides of a
is important, but die disk-access delays
around the planet's surface from one
building, which requires you to use your
can be a bit annoying. Hard disk users
spot to another. It would have been
creature's scaling ability. If you're adept,
should have fewer problems in this area
useful to have a way of automatically
you can even jump from one building to
since the game can be loaded onto and
sending the team to a desired spot.
another, accelerating the process.
Games can be saved or loaded
played from a hard disk. Despite its nice points, BattleTech
I would rale BattleTech as a
You destroy buildings by punching
Most playing time is spent on the
reasonable entry-level adventure, noting
city screen, which displays a side view of
does have several flaws that mar its
the above reservations. I actually did
the buildings you are attempting to
otherwise excellent exterior. First, the
enjoy my playing time, though I do
flatten. Once one city has been cleared
advertised theme of the game, robotic
regret that the ending did not live up to
(or "renovated," depending upon your
combat, plays a small role during play.
the level of effort I invested to reach it.
perspective) it's off to the next for more
Sure, you participate in a few training
If your RPG tastes are on the
fun. Between cities, news flashes
missions and some battles on the planet's
sophisticated end of the spectrum, you
appear, chronicling the adventures of
surface, but the initial thrill of combat
might want to avoid this one. Given the
your monsters as they blaze a trail of
soon wears off. I had the computer
relatively few competitors in BattleTech's
destruction across the U.S. Be warned:
perform most combat to avoid the time
genre, however, it may be your only
These messages make liberal use of puns
delay associated with its resolution.
choice.
and other forms of '"humor."'
Figure Ttjree:
You play the whip-wielding Indy in
{ndianaJones and the Temple of Doom
72
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Figure Four:
Use yourpoiver crystal to cut out the screen and expose the underlying picture in Powerstyx
priest Mola Ram. While a whip may not
Sometimes problems do arise because of imprecise positioning. For example, I
energy supply; when it runs out, your
seem like much, Indy's proficiency with it makes it more than enough for the task
monster shrinks back to a "normal"
at hand.
The chief hindrance to your cross country rampage is your ever dwindling
and knock him out while he flailed away with his whip. It can also be difficult to
Each segment of the game is played
human form and beats a hasty retreat off
have had guards walk right up to Indy
the screen. Soldiers, tanks, and
in one of three different areas: the Mine
align Indy with ladders, often resulting in
helicopters are constantly firing their
Caverns, the Mine Tunnels, or the
nasty falls that cost a life.
arsenals at you., speeding up your energy
Temple of Doom itself. In the Caverns,
loss and bringing about your demise.
Indy must work his way up a complex
"maneuver, kill, and free the prisoners"
Fortunately, eating humans or any of the
arrangement of ladders and ledges to
arcade theme. Once you master the
other "goodies" that are uncovered when
reach die entrance to the Tunnels. This
mechanics of it, however, the limited
you demolish a building can restore
first area is also where the captive
number of screens do not provide much
some of your lost strength, prolonging
children are imprisoned. Indy's whip
of a challenge. While The Temple of
your life. However, you must be careful
will make short work of their bonds, but
Doom may be a worthwhile acquisition
not to put everything you see in your
each is held in a different area, and it
for some, die infrequent buyer should
mouth. Some things are harmful to your
may require some hunting to find them
probably look into some of the better
health, such as active light bulbs, which
all.
action games available on die Amiga.
can really send some "bad vibes"
The game is a good rendition of the
After the Caverns are completed,
Indy jumps into the mine car for the ride
through your system.
The graphics are acceptable, but as
Powerstyx
Finally dlis mondi there is
of his life. The Tunnels are basically a
you might expect, they do fall short of
maze of rail-car tracks which has to be
Powerstyx. Based on die arcade game
those in the arcade version. Some of the
successfully navigated all the way to the
Qix, it goes a step further, resulting in a
objects are somewhat block-like and
bottom. Some tracks end abruptly,
game diat is bodi enthralling and slightly
difficult to recognize.
sending our hero plummeting into the
bizarre. Programmed by Magic Bytes
but 1 think that Mediagenic could have
darkness. Once you learn the pattern for
and distributed by DigiTek Software, it
done a little better job in this area.
each track, the Tunnels are relatively
follows the somewhat off-the-wall theme
easy to complete. (For the safest route,
begun wiuh dieir other release, Hole-In-
simultaneously, controlled by joystick,
keep to the right.) Speed is also
One Golf.
mouse, or keyboard. Since the active
important. If Indy takes too long, he will
controls can be changed, nearly any
encounter a massive fire at the end of
power crystal (controlled with die
possible configuration is possible. One
the tracks and lose another life.
joystick) to cut out sections of the screen,
I'm not certain,
All three monsters can play
drawback, however, concerns my
The goal in Powerstyx is to use your
exposing the underlying picture. When
At the end of the Tunnels lies the
favorite controller for this type of game:
Temple itself. This is by far the easiest
the joystick. Both jumping and punching
area, as Indy must simply maneuver his
exposed, die level is over, the entire
are controlled by the fire button. This
way around the fire pit, stunning any
picture is displayed, and the next level is
configuration can often cause you to
guards that get in his way. Then, once
loaded.
perform the wrong action. The
he reaches the Sankara Stone, he can
programmers aren't necessarily at fault
steal it and enter a new cavern to free
here: What we really need is a two-
even more children.
button joystick. Rampage is a reasonable adaptation
a sufficient amount of die picture is
Of course, there are several enemies provided to complicate this task. One is a kind of energy monster who randomly
After this, Indy must find and cross a
zips around the interior of die
rope bridge for a face-to-face encounter
unexposed area. While it's pretty to look
of the arcade game, allowing you to
with Mola Ram himself. If Indy defeats
at, don't touch it! Any contact results in
destroy major urban centers from the
the high priest, he then enters a bonus
immediate death. Odier monsters—
comfort of your own home. The Amiga
round to rack up as many points as
equally fatal when touched—roam
version, however, is missing some of the
possible. Unfortunately, this bonus
spark that made its coin-op progenitor so
around die edges, but diese move at a
round seems to end only when Indy runs
enthralling. For this reason, I highly
fixed speed and can be temporarily
out of lives. As a result, intentional
recommend that you try before you buy.
stunned if surrounded with a newly
suicide appears to be the only way out
exposed area.
of this phase. IndianaJones and the Temple of Doom
Next up is Indiana Jones and the
Temple of Doom, another adaptation of an arcade game—this time from Mindscape. As you may have guessed, this Is the "official" game based on the
second movie in the Indiana Jones series. In it, you guide the whip-wielding Indy
through an attempt to rescue the
enslaved children of Maya pore, recover the stolen Sankara Stones, and put an end to the evil reign of the ruthless high
The game features a total of three
Several objects that can aid you in
your task periodically float across the
Caverns-Tunnels-Temple sequences, each of which can be played at one of
screen. The heart gives an extra life, the
three difficulty levels: easy, medium, or
more time, moneybags add to your point
hard. The two higher levels feature spikes that pop up at various locations in the caverns, as well as more aggressive guards in the Temple.
The graphics in the game are very crisp and clear, comparing favorably with
those in the coin-op version. The joystick is used to control Indy during play and generally works well.
tube gives more speed, the clock gives total, and the door immediately transports you to the next level. The cross is to be avoided, however: it will
end your current life if you catch it. Sometimes a question mark will float
across the screen. The only way to find out which object it represents is to catch it—and hope for the best. Letters also appear periodically in
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
73
the playing area. As each is captured, it is placed in the
("Palettes", continuedfrom page 49)
word-holding area. When the entire word describing the
Listing One
current picture is spelled out. you are advanced to the nex level.
The graphics in the game are well done and match the a
theme quite well. The background pictures are also drawn
simple
nicely, albeit with a rather bizarre motif. Some of the more
LISTING
source code by
Robert
interesting designs include a haif-plane, a half-bird, and a two-legged alien eye—definitely something to see.
1
example of dithering D'AstO
DIM P%{1)
Uncovering new pictures does add something to the quality
PALETTE
of play, and can keep you coming back even after the game
LINE LINE LIKE
mechanics are no longer challenging. This is not to say that
PAINT
the game ever becomes easy. The speed of die opponents
PAINT
gradually increases widi each level, adding more and more
3,1,C,0
(100,50)-<200, 150) , l,b (25O,50)-(3SO,15O),l,b (400,50)-(500, ISO) ,l,b (1,1), 2,1
[101,51),3,1
P%[0)=SHA5A5
P%(1)-6H5A5A
complexity.
PATTERN
Powerstyx is probably the best of the three arcade games
,P%
discussed this month. It's a game that's sure to be enjoyed by
PAINT
(401,511,3,1
all who purchase it.
P%(0)=£HFFFF P%(1]=SHFFFF PATTERN
•AC-
,P%
Listing Two
produces
Mediagenic/Infocom BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception 3885 Bohannon Drive Menlo Park. CA 94025 (415)329-0800
on
a
LISTING
2
136 apparent
I6-coior source
colors
screen
code
by Robert: D'Asto SCREES 1,640,200, 4,2 WINDOW 2, , (0,0)- (631,
Price: $49.95
3EFINT
Inquiry # 256
,0,1
a-z
DIM PatArray(11
Mediagenic/Activision Rampage
3885 Bohannon Drive Menlo Park. CA 94025 (415)329-0800 Inquiry #257
10, .7, .7,.7
PALETTE PALETTE PALETTE PALETTE
12, 1,0,0 13,0, .6,0 14,0,0>l 15, 1,0,1
'starting colors
LINE
629 STEP
'create display
37
(x,0)-[x, 1S4) ,2
'grid
NEXT
Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom
\
3444 Dundee Road
Northbrook, 1L 60062
(312)480-7667 Price: $49.95
TO 184 STEP 23 (0,y)-(623,y) ,2
FOR y=0
LINE
NEXT
FOR x=l
TO
PAINT
37
556 STEP
(x,l),c,2
'display starting 'colors
NEXT
Inquiry #258
PatArray<0)=£HAAAA PatArray(1)=SK55S5
DigiTek Software
Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 933-8023 Price: $34.95
PALETTE
FOR X=O TO
Mindscape
Powerstyx
4, .6,0,0 5,1,1,.13 7, .4, .4, . <",
PALETTE 11,.3,.3,0
Price: $39.95
104 West Seneca, Suite 4
PALETTE PALETTE PALETTE
PATTERN
■
Inquiry #259
'create
bit
'pattern
,PatArray
DitherFill
593,1,0,1
'start
dithering
WHILE count <= 111 ColorCycle Cl,c2 DitherFill
x,y,cl. c2 593 THEN
x=x+37lI? x > y=y+23:IF y >
162 THEN
x=l
y=24
count=count+l KEND LOCATE
I ,2
23,21:COLOR
PRINT "136
colors
on
a
'brag a 4-bitplane
PatArray{0)=SK??FF
'reset
PatArray(1)=SHFFFF
'PATTERN
PATTERN
little screen!"
fill
,PatArray
END
SUB DitherFill
Be an Amazing Writer! Get paid for what you love to do... using your Amiga! Contact ^Cfor a Writer's Guide.
(x,y,Clrl,Clr2)
COLOR Clrl,Clr2
STATIC
PAINT Ix, y), Clrl, 2
END
SUB
St!B ColorCycle(cl,c2) c2=02+l
IF
C2-C1+1 END IF If c2 > 15 END
STATIC
c2 > IS THEN Cl=Cl+l IF Cl >= 15 THEN cl=0 THEN
c2-0
SUB
AC
74
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Bug Bytes
The Bugs and Upgrades column
by John Steiner
A-Max, the Macintosh emulator for the Amiga, is a unique product that
chip. From your original Workbench disk, run the Clock and Lines programs
The second problem in Superbase is that the forms editor generates
addresses some Amiga users' desire to
simultaneously in the Demos drawer. If,
incorrect code in a report program when
run Macintosh software on their Amigas.
after letting die two programs run for
you attempt to use die SUM function to
A revision to the program has been made
about a half-hour, you find diat the
that corrects a problem with the Setpatch
Clock program behaves in an unusual
command found in version 34.25
fashion, or that the Lines program starts
Workbench systems (the latest available
drawing lines outside of its defined
how to fix the incorrect code—I wili use a fictitious file named CLIENTS, which
Workbench).
window, you have a defective Fatter
has two fields, Salesperson (a text field)
Agnus chip. Commodore will replace
and Totals (a numeric field). Open the
floppy drives properly if the new
diem under warranty via an authorized
file and select Group from die Repoit
Setpatch command has already been
service center.
menu. You will get a Select Group dialog
The original A-Max fails to operate
To demonstrate the problem—and
box containing a list of fields. Select
issued. An upgrade is available which
Salesperson to group on and click on
fixes not only this problem, but several
OK. Three boxes will appear on die
other minor bugs, including a problem with the print routines.
subtotal a group or total a report.
There is an ARexx update available
form, labeled "Before group Salesper
from William Hawes. If you did not
son," "Select," and "After group Salesper
have the latest version, simply check the
request notification from ARexx—eidier
son." From die Set menu, choose Field,
Readme file on the master disk. If the
by postcard or by their automatic
click in the Select box, enter the field
Readme file mentions HyperCard, you
upgrade policy—when you registered
you want subtotaled (Totals, in our
have the latest version. If you do not
your software, you can now request an
example), and then click on OK. Select
have the latest version, you can send
update to version 1.10. It costs $5.00, and
Function from die Set menu, click in the
ReadySoft your original disk, and they
can be obtained by contacting Mr.
"After group" box, and select SUM from
will replace it for you by mail.
Hawes (see address at end of column).
To determine whether or not you
die requester. Then click on die Totals field chosen earlier.
To have die program total die report, select Report from the Report As reported last month, the Fatter
I received several letters this month
menu, adding two more boxes—"Before
Agnus chip is being installed in earlier
from readers with bug reports. Jacques
report" and "After report"—to die screen.
model A2000's and A500's around the
Chatenay of Fargo, ND reports a few
Still using rhe function tool from die Set
country. The major reason for the
bugs in Superbase Professional. Both
menu, click in die "After report" box and
upgrade is to be able to run Professional
problems have been worked through by
select Sum and Totals in the same
Page and Professional Draw simultane
technical support at Precision Software.
manner you did earlier.
ously.
First, there is a problem with some
After performing the necessary
Now save your completed form.
kind of contention between the PRINT
When you select Open Form from die
surgery on my own machine, I immedi
and LABEL commands. If you use the
Project menu in Superbase, answer die
ately started work on a newsletter. But
PRINT command for printing text, printer
requesters as you normally would.
before long, I encountered all kinds of
codes, or even just a blank PRINT
Eventually, an error message reading
problems when I ran the two programs
command before using the LABEL
"Can't Do This, Invalid Parameter" will
together. It turns out that the problem
command, die LABEL command will not
appear and die report will stop. Click on
was related to a specific document (my
work correcdy. The symptom is diat the
OK to enter die program editor. The
empty newsletter template), not to the
appropriate linefeeds are not issued,
upgrade. Once I corrected the problem, the two programs worked together very
cursor will be on die line where die
causing each field in die label to be
program failed, but die error is actually
nicely.
In the process of tracking down
printed on the same line. To work around this problem, instead of using die PRINT command,
that problem, however, I discovered that early Fatter Agnus chips could have a
which outputs to die printer, use Set
defect. There is a simple test you can perform to determine whether there is a problem with a specific Fatter Agnus
which outputs to die current output
Printer On followed by the ? character, device. This allows die LABEL command to operate properly.
before that line. Look above it for a line
that begins with AFTER GROUP Salesperson.CLIENTS. Then look further up for a line that reads GROUP, followed by die same fieldnames. At die end of the GROUP command, add a comma, and dien the fieldname of die field diat is being summed. For example:
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
75
GROUP Salesperson. CLIENTS,Totals
still in the Amiga software business), please pass along the information.
Next, find the line that contains REPORT.
Mark Hellman of Wheatridge, CO
The program's price has been increased to $149.00 list. More fonrs will be available soon. Registered owners of
Alter the word REPORT, leave a space
writes with a bug report for version 3.11
version 1.0 can call or write for details
and then enter the field being totaled.
of B.A.D. He accidentally discovered that
on upgrading to Pixelscript 1.1.
For example:
B.A.D. locks up the Amiga irretrievably when it encounters two disks with the
REPORT Totals
same name. There is no Guru message; the computer simply locks up. The
Now run the program again. It should
problem is easily solved: Before running
work properly.
B.A.D., simply be sure that no two disks
have any workarounds or bugs to report,
have the same name. If some do. use the
or if you know of any upgrades to
:.;■:.
:
.:
.
RENAME function in either AmigaDOS,
commercial software, please notify me
CLI or the Workbench to change one (or
by writing to:
both) of the names
Jim McCabe of Upland, CA reports
Box 869
1.8g and 1.9b. Version 1.8g crashes
Fall River, MA 02722
frequently when he attempts to make charts, requiring him to reboot. The
I received an upgrade notice from
program has also crashed randomly
some very pleasant folks at Blue Ribbon
when he scrolls through a large spread
Bakery, publishers of Who! What! When!
sheet with the screen arrow gadgets.
Where!, an appointment calendar and scheduling program. The list of improve
problem with the chart functions, but it
ments to the latest version (1.3) includes
still has a problem with random crashing
an ARexx port, a new "Kill Timer"
when he scrolls through the spreadsheet.
program, printing to disk, faster disk I/O,
Jim is also having problems printing a
the ability to repeat appointments on a
chart larger than a quarter of the size of
certain day of the week every month,
a 8.5 x 11-inch page. He also reports that
and several other enhancements. To
the program redraws a chart if the right
upgrade your program, send in your
mouse button is pressed, causing a delay
original disk and a check or money order
while the screen is redrawn. It seems that
for $10.00 payable to Blue Ribbon
Maxi Plan spends too much time doing
Bakery.
screen redraws. Now that Maxi Plan has been
According to the people at
riie new Plan/It which I discovered
Pixelations, version 1.1 of PrintScript is
relates to saving IFF picture files. The
ready. Actually, PrintScript has been
graphs saved in low-resolution 320 x 200
renamed PixelScript because of a
mode are just fine, but graphs saved in
trademark conflict. The 1.1 version has
640 x 400 mode all contain a black box
an Intuition-style user interface that
in the center of the image where the file requester box is located just prior to the
allows you to start from an icon and use
IFF file creation. Since the resulting IFF
CII). The font-loading code is now
graph is useless, Plan/It should redraw
roughly ten times faster for our fonts,
the graph once more, just before it writes
and about two times faster for other
the graph to disk.
fonts. This improvement doesn't make pages print that much faster, but the
a file requester (without dealing with the
startup time is reduced significantly.
Memory usage is also improved. Curves in graphics are much faster and Ron Battle of Albuquerque, NM allow Music Studio from Activision to run under Workbench 1.3. His attempts to
contact Activision have yielded no results. I do not have an address on file for them. If anyone knows how to
contact these people (assuming they are
76
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Publisher on People Link or
73075,1735 on CompuServe.
•AC«
William S. Hawes P.O. Box 308 Maynard, MA 01754
(508) 568-8695
Blue Ribbon Bakery
earlier Bug Bytes, some of these prob
writes to ask if there is an update to
...oi by leaving EMail to.-
(Inquiry #200)
upgraded to Plan/It, as reported in an lems have been fixed. One problem with
John Steiner
c/o Amazing Computing
on a couple of problems with Maxi Plan
Version 1.9b no longer exhibits the
That's all for this month. If you
require much less memory. Support for both WordPerfect .ps files and City Desk 2.0 is also in this version. PageStream
EPS import can be handled, so you can use PageStream to import EPS and print
it with PixelScript. You can also add Pixelscript to the list of many programs that now have added ARexx support.
1248 Clairmont Road, Suite 3D Atlanta, GA 30030
{404) 377-1514 {Inquiry #201)
Pixelations, Inc.
Box 547 Northboro, MA 01532
(508) 393-7866 (Inquiry #202)
ReadySoft Corporation
30 Wertheim Court Unit 2
Richmond Hill, Ontario, CN L4B 1B9
: (416) 731-4175 (Inquiry #203)
Precision Software 8404 Sterling St., Suite A
Irving, TX 75063 (214) 929-4888 (Inquiry #204)
Amaz
JL
muGA
JL COMPUTING
Your Original AMIGA* Monthly Resource
Documented Evidence Amazing Computing has been providing solid support for the Commodore-Amiga for over 3 years with helpful, informative issues and we have the documents to prove it! Since February 1986, Amazing Computing™ has been providing users with complete information for their Amigas. This store house of programs and information is still available through our back issues. From the Premiere issue to the present, there are insights into the Amiga any user will
find useful. AC was the first magazine to document CLI, tell its readers how to connect a 5 1/4 IBM drive, describe a 1 meg upgrade hardware project for the A1000, and many more. And AC is doing more everyday to help Amiga users be more productive and entertained.
If doing more with your Amiga is what you want, subscribe to AC today and if you do not have a full set of back issues, order soon. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and the availability of some of our Back Issues is definitely limited. Complete your Amazing Computing™ library today, while these issues are still available, by completing the order form in the back of this issue.
Back Issues are $5.00 US, $6.00 Canada and Mexico, $7.00 Foreign Surface All paymems musi be made by check or money order in U.S. funds drawn on a L'.S. Bank. Visa and MasterCard accepted oh orders of S20 or more.
1-800-345-3360 Volume 1 Number 1 Premiere 1986
Volume 1 Number 4 May 1986
Super Spheres By KsUy Kauffman An A9asiC Grapnfes prog. DateVirus By J Foust A disease may attack your Amiga!
SkyFor and Arttcfoi Reviewed
EZ-Tem
by Kelly Kauffman An ABasic Temuu! program
MijaMania
byP. rOvok?i^Fioc.ranmrigfiiesimousec2.'e
InsideCU ByG.MuswtasudedinaghthtolheAmgaDos1" CLJSummary byG Musserjr. AtstofCLIcommards ArrigaForum by D. Lubkin Visit CompuSBrva'S AmigaSIG
Commodore Amiga Development Program by D. Hicks
Amiga Product)
A IKirvj of presant and e'pectod products
Volume 1 Number 2 March 1986 Electronic Art* Come j Through A rewevi of sofrwre from EA
Inside CLI: paftiwo G.Musse: ^vestcaes CLUED
A Summary of ED Commands
Live! by Rich Miner A review of trie Beta version cfU»e' Onllneand the CTS Fabile !«4 ADH Modem b/J. Fwst
SupertermV 1,0 By K. Kauffman Aim. prog, in Amiga Basic A Workbench "More" Program by RckWirch
Build your own 51'4 Drive Connector By Ernest Viybtos
Amiga Basic Tips byR3chW.Tfi
Scrimper Part One by P. Kivolown progoprht Amiga screen Microsoft CD ROM Conference oy Jim OTCeare Amiga BBS Numbers
Volume 1 Numbers 1986 The HSI to RGB Conversion Tool
byS.PettJwcz Color maripulataiinaASIC
Amigirlotesfc/awaae The f»S o! the A.-rrga music columns
Sirjrar A Firs! Look by John Fous: A fisi 'under me hood" John Foust Talks vrith R. J. Heal at COMDEX""
How does Sidecar affeel the Iran slormer an interview wih Doujlas Wyman ol Simile
The Commodore Uyoffs by J. Foust A (cok Conmotore 'cuis" Scrimper Part Two 3y Perry Kivolowiu
Amigj BBS numbers
Marauder reviewed by Ridt Wiich Building Tools by r^ruel Kary
Volume 1 Number 3 April 1986
Volume 1 Number 6 1986
Analyis! a remew by Emejl Viverioj
Renews of Ratter, Barataccas and Mindshadow
Forth! The fLrsi of cur on-going tutorial
Del uie Drawl! by R. Wren AnAmiga Basic art program Amiga Basic, A beginners Mortal
Inside CU: part 3 by George Vusser George eives us PIPE
Temple of Apsfiai Trlology rewevn] by Stephen ^etrowicz
The Halley Pioject: A Mission reviewed by S Rewvna Row: reviewed by tiv Bobo
TeitctaftPlusaRrstLook byJoeLowery How to jtan your own Amiga User Group by Wiiliam Simpson Amiga UserGroups
Mailing Lilt by Kelly Kauffmana basic mail list program Pointer Image Editor rjyS:epnen Pieiowisi Scrimper; part three ij Parry Kivolowriz
ScreenSaVer byP.KivotonitiAmonilorproleciionprog.ifiC Laltice MAKE UBHty reviewed by Seen P. EwmSen
Fun With the Amiga Disk Controller by Thon Swing
A Tate of Three EMACS by Sieve Pcfng .bmap Rle Reader in Amiga Basic by T Jcnes
Volumel Number71986
Instant Music Reviewed by Steve Pietrowcz
OpSmize Your AmlgaBasic Programs for Speed by PeMwici
Aegis Draw; CAD comes lo the Amlgi by Kelly Ada™
TrySD byimMeadowsanincoductionio30graphiC5 AeslslmageVAnlmator
arevie*byErvBobo
Ddjie Vloeo Conilructton Set
raiewed by Joe Lowery
Wiraew reflueslers In Amiga Basic by Steie lAriiel
HOT byCol.nFrere.1a3DsraBltcsed;W TCWfiallThink" Son Pe2t=oi win a few C graphc pregs Your Menu Sirl by B Cabey prog^.-nAm>5a Basic menues IFF Brash fo AmigaBasic 'BOB' Basic eoisof by U Swinger
Volumel Number91986 Mfndwilker Reviewed by Richard Kneppe'
The Alegra Memory Board Ro/.uwM by Pich Wirth
TiEd Rev«*MbyJanandCiLflKenl
Amazing Directory A gi>de »]f» soyces aro resoutes
Amiga Developerj Als*j^dSuo(ilie'sara3ei,-e!opefs
Public Domain Catalog A isngofAmiSiSsrd Fred Fish POS
Oos2Dos reiew R.KnepperTranslefkatranPCHS-DOS
MaiiPlan review byRchardKnepperTheAmigaSpwidEheet
Unking C Programs with Assembler RouUnes...by Gerald Hull
Glzmoi by reviewed by Pe:erWayner Amiga exits' The Loan Information Program by Brian Catley
Volumel Number81986
Starting Your Own Amiga Relaltd Builnesj by W. Simpion
TheUnlversityAmigi ByG.GamBeAmigaaiWashirgjoiEiate MkroEfl a food at a one man a.xy !or ihe Amiga
MictoEd,TheLewljandClarkEipedition rewewed Fnzeie
Scribble Version Jo aieve*
Computers In the Classroom by Robert Fniefe Two for Study by Fn;&Je D.Kcvey 1 TheTaiking Cdoing Bock TrueBaslc rBviewedbyBradGr«r Using your printer wilft Hie Amiga Martie Madnes*re^s*ed by Stephen PiolroMci
Using Fonts from AmigiSasic by Tm Jcnes
base prog, lo lor your financial ooiions
Keep Track of Your Business Usage for Ta«J by J Kumner The Aosofl Amiga Fortran Compiler revewed oy R A. Real*
Using Fonts liom AmigaBasic. Part Two by TIt Jones
66000 Macros on the Arrtga tyG.rWAdrarceyourabiity TDI Modla-2 Arriga Compiler renew by S Fainuze
Volume 2 Number 11987
What Dlgi-Vlew Is... Or. Whal Genlock Should Be! by J FouH AmlgaBaslc Delaull Colors bj 3rym CaSey AmigiBasic Titles Dy Bryan CaDey
AC Provides Amiga Support! A PuNIc Domjln Modula-2 System revered by Warren Btodc One Drive Compile by Dctglas Loved La^CS C wrji one t*ive
LaglsBi A review by Hcflard Kneppet
A Megabyte Without Meg abut ks by Ctms Irving
63000 Assembly Language Programming on the Amiga
An Internal Megabyte upgrade
Dig I-View reviewed by Ed Jakoce' Defenders! the Crown renewed by Keith Conlori Leader Board revawsd by Cnjck Rajtoris
HoundWII Computer System'* PANEL reviewal by Ray Larra Digl'PllnL...by New Tok previewed by JefcnFcuS Deluie Paint II ...from Electronic Art* preweined by J. Foust
Volume 2 Number 21987 The Modem by Josph L Rahman efforts ol a BBS Eysop M*eroMo«em reviewed Oy Sieprwi R. Pierrmrez GEMINI or It takes two to Tango" By jra Meadows Gaming between rrjchnes
BBSWreviewecliySlefyienR.PietrDKicz
The Trou We with Xmoflem ty Joseph L ftahman The ACQ Project-Graphic Teleconferencing cn \ht Amiga
by S. R. PieWwici
Rigti 1 Simula lor 11....A Cms Country Tutorial by John Ratlery A Disk Librarian In AmigaBASlC by Jtfm Kennan
Creating and Using Amiga WnrkMnch Icons by C. Hansel AmijaDOS version 12 by CSffed Kenl
The Amaang MICH Interface build your own by flichard Raa AmlgiDOS Operating System Calls and
Disk File Management byO. Kaime
BASIC Teit by 6fia,T Calley Pnel perfect ted posftiortng
Onjanlze'by AlevewRicrardKnepperdaabase.
SoundScape Part 111 by To*r Fay VU Meier and more-
by Ctuis Martin Superbase Personal Relational Database 0j Ray McCabe ANRRdAl y F Commodore Show* tfte Amiga WOO and S00 at the Boston Computer Society tr/HMayteck Tdty
Volume 2 Number 12 1987
Volume 2, Number 7 1987 New Breed ol Video Products by John Fousl.. VeryVlvldl by Tim Grantham...
Video and Your Amiga by Oran Sands 111 Amigas & Weather Forecasting try Bienden Larson
A-Squared and the live! Video Digitizer oyJrtm Foust
Aegis Animator Scripts and Ce! Animation by John Foust Quality Video from a Quality Computer by Oran Sands IIL Is IFF Really i Standard? by Join Feus:..
Amaiing Slortes and the Amiga1" by John Foust All about Printer Drivers by Rehard Sielak
Intuition Gadget) by Harriet Maybe* Tollay. Deluie Video 1J by Bob Ete Pro VW«o CG1 ty Oran Sands III.
Digi-Viem 10 Digitiier.Software by Jennilef M. Jaik Prism HAH Editot Irom Impulse by Jennifer M. Jank
Fun with Amiga Numbers by Alan asmstl File Browser by Bryan Catley—Full Fealure BASIC File Browsing Plusa great collection ol monthly columns..
The Ultimate Video Accessory by Lany White The Sony Connection by Stewart Cobb TS'PuziJelnAmigaBAaC byZoHsnSiepil Ufo, Part I: The Beginning by Gerald Hull
The ultra-com^ei runo Wit solution to the "Game of bio.' AmlgiVirus! byJohnFouit
Modula-2 by S. FarwtsiewsU Pai 1: cor,n\anl ine calcia»
AmigaNotesby F-ckRaeaidochangesmadeiniheAaM
Man.
AnimationlorCRookies:Partlll by M. Swinger double-
tuflering.
The Big Picture by Warren Ring Assembly language programming
Karate Kid flsvlewby Stephen R. Pietriowlci GO! 64 review by John Foujt, James OKeine. and Rick Wirch Ttiee C-64 eiperts nvejtgaB a ne* Amqa 6* emulata.
Volume 2 Number 3
Animator: Apprentice Review by John Foust
5peco5aticn on the New Arnicas
Gemini Part II by Jim Meadows
The concluding article on two-player games
Subscripts and Superscripts in ArrigaBASIC by ivanC. Smith The Wlntw Consume r Electron le s Show by John Foust AmlgaTrii by W. Bkxk Amiga1" shortcuts In!uton Gadgets by Harnet MayMck To . A journey through gadget-land. lAng C
Shanghai reviewed by KeiJi )J. Contortr
Chessmaster IKfl I Chessmati rovewedby Ewn V. Apel, Jr.
Zing! from Meridian Software reviewed by Ed Berceviu:
Forthl by Jon Bryan Gel stereo sound into you1 Forth programs. Assembly Language on the Amiga™ by Chris Martin Roomers !>-/ the5andi» Genlocks are finally shipping, S MORE'!!
AfrigaMotes by R. Rae H-jm Bia»s._'Kn aereo? Y nol?._ The AMICUS Network by J. Foust
CES. user group issues and Amiga Eipo'
Volume 2 Number 4 1987 Amazing Interviews Jim Sachj by S. Hiil Amiga Artist
The Mouu That Got Restored by Jany Hull and Bob Rhode Sluethlng Public Domain DiskswlthCLI by John Fousl HlghlgM*; the San Francisco Commodore Show by S Hul Speaker Sessions: San Francisco Commodore Show H Toiy Household Inventory System in Amiga BASIC tyBCatey Secrets of Screen Dumps ty Natkun Okun Using Function Keys with MicroEmacs by Greg Douglas Amijatni II by Warren Blcck Mas Arnica shortajts Basic Gadgets by Brian Catfcy Creaio gadget lindens Gridiron ro/e*ed 0/ K.Conlort Real football for trts Amiga
StarFleetl Version 1\ reviewed by J. Tracy Amigam Space
The TIC reviewed by J. Fousl Binerypcwed Clock Caiercfar Metascope review by H. Toly An aasy-fc-use debugger
Volume 2 Number 5 1987 The Perfect Sound Digitizer review by H. Bailie
The Future Sound Digitjter by W. Sleek Appfed Vision's SD Forth! by J. Bryancomparing JForthamdMulli-ForJi. Basic Input by B.CaWy
AmgaBASIC input rouire lor usain
ai; your prcgrams.
Volume 2 Number 5 1987 consnued Writing a SoundScape Module :n C by T.fay Prcqramming with MIDI, Amiga and SoundScape by SoundScape auStcr. Programming in 68000 Assembly Language by C. Martn Continuing with Counters S Addressing Modes.
Using FutureSound with AmlgaBAEtC ti J. Meadow Am«9ASiC
PiD?amm
AmijaNotes
Hch Rae renew SoundScape Sound Sample/.
More AnUgsHotei by H. Rae A turtherOok a: Perfect Sound.
Waveform Workshop in AmigaBASlC ty J. Shews edit & save waveform lor use in oJwr AmigaBASlC programs. TheMimellcs Pro MIDI Studloby Sutivan.Jetlery A review of Mime&s' music editor/player. IntmtionGadgelsPartllby H.UaybeckTolly Boolean gadgets
provide the uses wah an or.'cfl user irterfata.
Volume 2 Number 6 1987 Forth! by J.Bryan Access resources in the ROM tonal. The Amazing Computing HardDlJk Review byJ.FowtiS. Lwnon
Ifl-oBOlhloolisatSiaCLld.Ha'd Drive, MiODboMS'MAS-
Dn"v920. Byla by Byte's PAL Jr., Supra's 4>4 Hard Drive and Xebec's
9723H Hard Drive. Alw.a Irak at disk driver scfwaie currently under devtopmesU
Modula'!AmlgaDOS*"UliIiBeJEyS ^aiivszewsk A Cate to ArrigaDOS an) the ROM kens,'.
Anigi Eipansion Peripteal by J. Fcust Eiplanaton o' Arn^a eipansoi peripherals. Amiga Technical Suppon by J. Fousl How and where to gel Amiga tmh support
Goodbye Los Galos by J. Fcust Closing LosGatos. TheAmicus Network by J. Fousl West Coast Corr.piiMfFj;ra. MetKumcoSheaandToolkllbyJ.Foust Areview
The Magic Sae by J. Feus; B-ji Mac programs on your A^ga. What You Should Know Before Choosing an Amiga IB) Eipansion Device by S. Gran
7 Assembler f« the Amiga by G. HUl Choose yeur assentler
Shalieup Replaces Top Manajement at Commodore by S.Hull
Peter J. Baaofby S. Hull Managsr at CBM gives an inside look
Volume 2, Number 8 1987 Ths mon* Am atng Canpusrq'" tocuies cn entertainment packages for tt» ArrLga. Ajnajrej game reviews..
SQI, Earl Weaver Baseball, Portal, Tho Surg c People. Siriad.ElarGikier.King'sOuesl I, lEarxJ III. Faery Tale Ad venture, Ultima II. Facets cl Adventure, Video Vegas aM Bard's Tale.
Playing Dynamic Drums on the Amiga by David N. Blank WordPerfect Review By Sieve Hul
Insider Kwikstart fleview By Ernest P. Viveiros Sr RAM I ROM ei&anSio'i. Ccnmertsandhstallationtips. Forth! by Jon Bryan DunpRPort u;i;y lor your HJa-Fom
befeox AslSeelt by Eddie Churchill Dqi-Paint. Portal. SVideoscape
JO, The Commodore ShowandAmlExpo:New York!
The Color Fonta Sandard by John Fousl
The Big Picture by WarrenRrig
The Consumer Electronics Show and ConnJeiby J Foust
"Create a muto-cot* screen wihoul using Intucoon routnesr Modula-2 Programming by S-FaridszewsliAnewmodjIa-E!
Impact Busirwli Graphics review by Chuck Rau&ns Microfiche Filer review by Harv Laser Pagtsetlar review by Rick W»ch
C Animation Part IV by Muftael Swrioer
Danngassemblerlarguage
programming; CU systam calls and manipulating disk files. 6BO0OASssemblyLangueageProgramming byChnsMartin
AmicusrJ«womSpedalR(portFallCOMOEX by J. Foust The ultimate Video Accessory: Part n by Larry Vmrte
Modula-2 Progrimming S Fa.wis;ewsfci Han Caisole Dev. Evens
Directory Listinjj Under AmigaDOSDyDa'eHaynie AmigaBASlC PatHmsbyBran Catley Programming with SoundScapeTodor Faymaripulales samples
HalcalcReview by CnutfRaudoniseasytouw.spreadsheet. Manage rock pafdio
Honey Mentor Review trf S-Kssn? Persona; finafsesysen. Investor's Advantage Review by Kdvni Knepper
plus "Foor Ma;'s Gutds to the SKtk Market.'
Plusa great collection of monthly columns..
Volume 3 Number 21988 User Ughl Shows wilhtht Amiga by PaUttkMurphy LasersandtSeAmiga ADazzing Tandem Trie Ultimate Video Accessory: Partfll by Larry Write
Take Lie f,r& stepstoward oes^nng your own vCeos.
Bill Volk, Vice-Fresident Aegis Development, by Steva Hul
Photo Quality Reproduction with the Amiga and Dig)-View
Volume 2 Number 10 1987
Hand ycur checkbook womes over to the Amiga. HoreBasicTtrt by BryanCaWy easrer Sit on 11 A-rqa screen
Mii Headroom and the Amiga by JotaFoat Talunfl me Perttcl Screen Shol by Ketfi CcrJort Amiga Artist: Brian Williams by John Foust
Amiga Forumon CompuServe™.- Software Publishing Conference Transcript by Richard Rae All About Online Conferencing by Rchard Has dBMAN revevwd by Ctiflwd Kent Amiga Pascal reviewed by Miohael McNeil
AC-BASIC Corepikf tevwwed by Bryan Caiey
65000 Assembly Lang u»g# by Ctms Martin Amiga Prog nmming;
Hooked on the Amiga with Fred Fish interview by Ed Bertevv. by Slopren Letoans
Balancing your Checkbook with WordPerfect Micros by S Hul
Ufe:PWItl by GeraUHufl Sries winds up wSi timed nne-D'it calculatcn I source to UrcR.
InterKtive Startup Sequence by Udo Pemisz The Command Une pin Iby Rich f&saiMQ
AmigiTrii IE oy Warren Bio*—Tips ane tdMs 10 ease Amiga He Amiga Product Guide: Hardware Edibon
Proletariat Programming by PQuaid—Public domain compilers The Companion by P.Gosseim Amiga's Eveit HaiU:rg capability. Mind Light 7 reviewed by David N. Slanj VitJeoScape 3-D 2.0 renewed by Da/id Hcpkins
Extend revewed by Sryan D. CaSey—An AmioaBASIC eitension
CBTflEE reviewed by Michael Lhiman
A My coBeclon of lunaions to aid tha C programmer. The Big Picture by Warren Roj The Btee-pad Unfed FieMTtsay wndiwi Modula-2 by Steve Fi-wisei-Skj
TeiT.inaticn Tiodules lor Benchmark and TD. com piers. 68000 AssemWy Language by CKra MarBi Peding away the compi.ca:cn of display 'outines. Plusa Qreatcollection ol monthly columns...
Volume 3 Number 6 1988 Bear Time Reviewed by Steve Carter Wra: males ri;r9icemrveATKCtaa«y-baiAedct>:k tick1 Acquisition Reviewed by David N. Bianli A low made the Siest reease ol a pcwafji ieia:onai database.
Butcher 10 Reviewed by Ge-ald Hull A My collection ol iSverse image p"ocessing utilises. Reassigning Workbench Disks by Jcftn Kenran Ena^is as*, swapong comes 10 a mefeful end. ProductGuiee: SoftwareTr>cJsEdition A listing of ai the prwucs you new :a pjt yc« Amga to wort
SoluBons is Linear Algebra through Matrix Computations
An IFF Reader in Mulli-Forthby Wanen Bbch
by RopbertD'S Simplify mslri< algetxa with base operations & routines.
Creaia an easy 10 use IFF reader in WUt-Forth Basic Directory Service Program Sy Bryan CaCey A p ogramn-irg alerasve to the Gim m esZsroZKa windows.
Modula-2 Programming hi Sieve Faiwsiewsfc Calching up w.lh Cak:-a source (oltawijp.
68000 Assembler Language Programming by Chris Martn Graphics- Pan II ol Assemgnm.
Aruok'sTomb mterviewby KennethE.Schaeler
AIRT by S. FawsiewiVi lrjxivasveiccn.bastidep'oyjm.lar^.
Amiga BASIC Structures by Steve McheJ
Fomisin Right by S.PierowiciRenderi Anmate3Dob]ecis Silicon Dreemj and the Jflwel ol Darkness by K E.$chaeler
Directory Listings Under Ainiga-DOS. Part II by Dave Hayrte Fast File I/O with Modula-2 by Steve Fai«i
Leisure suit Larry
Quick »nd Dirty Bobs by Michael 5,v -._: ■
Making music wtttx.'. Iftng a fjigerlrcm na mouse.
Amiga-Tat Canadian Version review bf Ed BercoviB
APL68O0O reviewed by Roger Nelson Book Reviews by Richard Grace—Three "C programming leits.
BSpread by Brian Galley ful featured Am^aflASIC spreadsheel!
ToSy
Plus a greal collection ol monthly column!..
MulKMouse review by J Henry Lowngari
Put Bash language to work on the drudgery ol disk lormasmg.
Our First Desktop video ty La-iyWhte 3:ep-by -slep sude to ogaiji'q I presemng voj' Am ga video.
JimGoodnow, Devekoper of Man<'C intervew by Harriet M
Hardwarerijtii ...Toasted video... Ihe drean Amiga... and more! In me Public Domain hyCW.FIane Time Bandit review by Keith Con-'cft AudioMiiler reviewt/ 3 LarsonRsa:-:-.3sou 11 sj~s'es
Opening a door to assemWy language r/sgramming.
VIP Professional Review :.: '.'■■.-
AC-BASIC roviened by Eheldcn Leemon AC-BASIC Complller a> atema^ve conpanton by B Catley
Roomers by The Bandito
AssemPro reviewed by Siephen Kemp
Dlga TeiKommunlcibons Package review by Steve Hull
Mam 3.1a Update reviewed by John Foust
Bug Bytes tyJohnSleiner
TheBlgPicture byWanenRingPartll UnfiedFekJTheory.
FonnalMaster: ProltMlonal Dirt FonMtitng Engine byC.Mann
AmigaForum Transcript ed by Rick Hae Amiga's Dave Haynie.
Mouse Time and Tlmeiavef review by John Foust Insider Memory Eipansion review by James CKeane Mkrobotics Sla,-boart-2 review by S. Farwsiewsta Leather Goddesss of Phobos by Harnet Maybeck-Toly Lattice C Compiler Version 110 reviewed by Gary Sarif
AmgaNolsi byBickRaeA Wsclwri Anija aada. TheUltimaieVideoAccesory.PartV tyLarry'Whse
Ufe:Partll by GeraJdHuTTheArsisaHitter.'
Gizmo; Productivity Set 2.0 re- ew by Sob Ellar Kickworii review by Karv Laser
Amiga Audio Sources The folks behind til Uwse audio products.
TakeFlve! OySleveHuflliveArnflagamesrevewed.
Volume3Number51988
Forth by John Bryan Sorting OW Amiga CHIP and FAST memory
Analyze 10 reviewed by Kim Sehaftet
language programming.
Volume 3 Number 11988
Disk-:-Di %k by Matthew Leeds
Volume 2 Number 9 1987
Modscations b help your A1000 make sveet music, toe' Amiga Audio Guide Using of all Amiga auc.o products. Gelsin MulB-Forth by John Bushakia Macrobatlcs byPal/icVJ.Horgan Ease the trauma ol assembly
Plus a great collection of monthly columns,..
AmigaNoles by RlchardfeeA.Tgacgitalmuscoene'aaon.
Skinny C Programs by Robert Riemersma, J". Hidden Messages In Your Amiga"' by John Foist
Upgrade Voui A1D00 to A500 2000 Audio Po*er-cy H Bassen
A Canadian ncome lax planning, preparaion, J analysis package. SAM BASIC review by Bryan Catley Anew BAS'C wnfch een mere unique Am^a featues.
Plus Amulng monthly columnJ.. Amiga Holes. Boomers.
Modua-2.58X0 Aiserpbly Languaje and TW Amicts Network.
Plusa great collection of monthly columns..
Volume 3 Number 41988
A-TaIk-Plus Review by Brendan Larson Calligrapher Review by John Foust
;
AmgaNWes byR.RaeAinoO'So^ia'e-swttfiaoleouTpu;filter.
Roomers tjTheBantoAm.Eipo.tOcfcstafl l.i.Connottore The Big Picture OyWarrenRrvg.-UrBtied field Troory!l
Highlights from AmiEipo, Los Angeles at Sieve Hul Writing a SoundScape Patch Librarian ". Fay SyEem Exclusive
Easy! drawing tablet by John Fousl CSA's Turbo-Amiga Tower b) Allied Abuno GW00 Assembly Language by Chris Marui.
An Analysis ol the New Amiga PCs by J. Foust
Flow reviewed by Pamela Rothmanbrairswmsintoniental art
Benchmark Wodula^ Compiler reviewed ty Ridie Bielak Modula-2 Progranming b/S^eFalwisjewslu The ga.Tteoo.1 device ard impie spnKS in acbed
WnigalOuQ-ST|leMnii;Bfiacescanfit A2000S or £O0s
MIDI Interface Adapter by Barry Massonl
Volume 2, Number 7 1987 cendnoed
The Amlgi 500™ Sy John Foust
Doioiriy Dean 514 BBS pneoe numbers in the U.S. 1 Canada. FACCIIieviewed byGranam Kinsey Speed your noppydrives. Unlnvlled reviewed by K E. Schaeler
CU Arguments In C by Paul Castonguay
Working with the Workbench by Lois A. Manukas Prog m C
TheAmljtJOIM^byJFoua A F/st lock at the new. rugn end Amiga11
TrwA.M.U.G. BBS UsteompfledbyJtBRdfmin, Che! Solace t
by KerneSi E.Schaeler
C Notes from the C Group by S:ephen
Son of Seven AssemWets Renewed b/ CSeraJd Hull A cempsraWB baia Between seven nat™-code asiemblerl. The 1988 Commodore Amiga Developers Con I ere nee
Two New Entries From Microbiotjcs by JohnFcust
A loo* ins'Se ths confererees held in Washington, D.C. Amiga Working Groups by Perry Kivolowitz and Ere LavLtsky
Plus a great collection ol monthly eolumns.-
Mlndtight7andPeopleMetet by JohnFcun PnantasieKen £. ScnaelerAmairg Phantasie Character Editor.
An wfliredlsirrovaV/eATJjaWoft re Grcups concept.
Volume2Number11 1987
Plus a great collection of monthly columns...
Won) Processors Rundoim by GeoM 31" ■-■
Volume 3 Number 31988
ProWtiw, Ecnbble1. and WordPerleci compared
LPD Writer Review by Manon Demand
ViiaWrite Review by Harv Laser Aedit Review by Warren Bleed WordPerfect Preview by Harv Laser JeiSan Interview ty Ed Berccvc—Sta.-Glde:aL-Jvor speaks! Do-il-yoursetflmpfovemenlstotheAmiDjGenlotA
Dkji-Paint Review by Harv User Sculpt 3D Review &y Sieve Pietrcwci Shatiowgate Review tt Linda Kaplan
TeieGsmes Review by M>chael T. Cattal Reason Preview: an intense yammar e'aninaton apptcatbn
AslSeelt byEddeChurchil WordPeriecGiirroiVJ.OiSngl ArngaNotes ty R Rae 4 elccnortc muse books
Modula-2 Programming by Sfa-mszewtto devees, 10. serial port 6S000 Assembly Language By Cms Marcn &spSy rofinss
TheAMICUSNetworkbyJohnFousl-OeslaopPubSEring.Seitcfd C Animation Part II by Mite Swinger ArsmitcnGreets
MEOI EiparscnS Starboard II Mtitru-clicnboard.
DesktopVldeo,PartlV byLarryWhrta Put all the pieces tooeifief-M oesWop video commerca.
The Hidden Power of CLJ Salch FJe Processing by J. Rofliraan Make your Am9a easier 10 Jie wi*i CLI Bach fits A Conference wtlfi Eric Graham edffid Dy Jchn Foust The mastemina beftrd Saipt 3D a.id Anms» 33 Perry Bvolowlti Interviewed by Ed Bercovlte Arnga nsghts
The Command line by FLch Fatontxrg EirWrtiglhemirti-talenedUSTccimnd. Plus a grett collection of monthly columns...
Volume 3 Number 71988 Look. UpOn the Screen, It's an Ami.. It's a Pro... If! SuperGen reve*ed bj L2rry Wnie—Genlock com ^arsons Anlntefviewwi1h-AnlmMan,"GiryaonhamSy3 Larson
An anmasfl convtrsaiion «rth Lie rran ben'id r* fcmsl The Amigi at Spring COMDEX In Atlanta Dy EC Bexcvitz
from a majcf devefc^w arw personalty. Jean "Moebius" GIrsud Interviewed oy Edward L Faogan Avant-garde art comes to the Amiga-in ttaulmg lean, PALHelp by Perry Kvolowtz A1000 eipansonreliability.
Amiga Product Guide: VideoGrJpriicsEdition
A useU digital desffiloa rAmigaBASC. Amiga Serial Port and Midi Compatibility lor Your A200Q! ty L Rioer and G. Rent A
Welcome 10 aie dandy. derasrWirg wond of OeilCOp pubLstwg1
Boolean Function Mini mlwtlon by Steven U. Hart
Bectric Hetwort Soiutioru the Matrii Way by Roben Eiis
Engineers! PraMde routines lor using masii algebra.
Thirteen pages devoid to '.he Amiga's daaliq strong suit. The Developing Amiga by Sieve Pie»owi:i
Developerj'noBs: PQ vj. s-"iare*are vs I'eeiy ciEinbuafeete
Roll Those Presses! by Barney Schwim
UnkeO Lists In C Oy W, E-GammtJ Put dynamic memory to worW
FrameGfittcer Prsview by Cran Sana
Capturing an /r.age can now be as fesi as punching a singie keyi
Amazing Volumes! A Hril Look il Interchinge reviewed by David Hopkins
Game Pluan by J. Hal jam nj ttnts. tips, high-sew* secrgti.
Oueitron If reviewed by Jeflery Scon Hall
Sync Tip* by Oran J. Sands
Bndpe the gap between thosa inconpa&aie a/wnaUon packages
Structure* In C by PaJ Caslonguay C prcqrarriring t\ an rutsnel. On The CrafUng ol Progrtrni by 0. Hankins speed up your progs.
Questron II - ifs a pumev back in trne Pointer!, Function Po.nicu. tnd Pointer Oaclaiatloni In C
Oran presents a dearer octure of video and computer resolutiens.
Unaveiffl tns cofrpteoty et 30 lor you video weapons.
by Forest W. Arnold Redudng datatype dependencies
etpbiR) jiep-by-step how lo pass data Ircrr no CLJ lo AmigaBASiC
Lai Vegai Comdii Riper: by Lcuse ;■-■".'..
C Note* tiom ine C Croup by Stephen Kernp
Conmodore's new 2500. S5O0 JX. and mere! PKladelphi* World of Commodore by Ors Darson 4 Rol Rae
A runorous view ol the wacky world of programmers.
Perfect VlUon reviewed by Bryan Caley
Capwe. dgrtae and uve pictures turn any video scores. PioWrfte2-0ReiftewrMei<«J by Pamela Redman A graphe wort processor speoafaiig in efieiert eottng.
Desktop Video VI: Adding the Third Dimension by Larry White
A2O0O Hart Drive Round Up 6y SneiOon Leerrcn
Doug* lUffl Aquarium: The An c( Uaffiemttc* by R. Beiak
KeydiC* bf Hit U. Duppong a typewrjei cfck in you keyboard.
Bear Product* UegiRa II Eipansion RAM by Sieve Carte
lion Linked LUii In C: Technique* and Appic«ion) by Fores
Th» Command Urn By 3tn Fataitx/g
W. AmcW Procures kx managing tss, sung itarse data types
Amiga Notei by Rick Rae
in te same isL and puong Lsts to wrt;- your prognmi.
The Oner Guy«' Synttia: A dgiial synthesizer featues won Sep.
BASIC Linker by Briu lijfM Com bine iidividual rouines l/om
Piwlng Argument* by Brian Zupke AnikjiBAStC subprogram
Creating a Shtrad LJBrary by John Baei Prayam for ncrewed Amge cioducMy.
STELLARYX Review by Stephen Kemp EiMngicralengina1 Temncoerea and sound eflecls ArkanokJ Impostefi: Unnrnklng the Impojton. reneved by
MulUSorl by Sim Fai-rtuwsh Put ynxdaa
New Produdt tnd Other Nee! Stuff by Michael Creeden Face-oif with Gretsky. play Pessw wth Saiic Art Encoder, balance your Desktop Budget, plus more.
CNoltl from the C Group by StefJwri Kemp
yoir program itrary lo create an eiecuBble prcgram.
Jefiery Scon Hill
Weathering ro unknown "C" ol base object and dan t jpt;
The Developing Amlgi by Steven F ■_ ■-/■;;
A ixk at Arkanoid look-alikes
Plm • ami collKdon ol monthly columns...
A lookat myitariesand sjoonses benhd efficient beta les&ng.
Modeler 3D Pre*Ww reviewed by Dawd Hopkira
Bug Byte* by John Steinei Bugs and upgrades
A peek inside a new. cpen-ended 3D ps&aojB.
Death ol i Proceu by Mark Cashman
four eiMng Arnga games *e reviewed. HoomersbyTheBandio Amiga deveicoBrs go tar the bucks.
APreDriw Grtpnlct Tablet reviewed by KenTi Conloiti
Deveisp an onw handing mod* in Modula-2
Conanodore nodtup. i Part Wan.
Volume3Number81988 The Command Urn bf Hid FaScontug Tha jamey in» ins CU eontnues.
The Developing Amiga by Eleprien R. Pielrrwx A eaggie of a/m prqrarnmrg imIl Moduli-2 Programming b, S:co Faiwisiewjki
C Now from the C Croup by Stephen Kemp Arrays and pdmers unmasked.
Dirt Castle reviewed by Keith ConfcM—The Black Krigrt Wu PortscfCallreviewedbyOuJeLanJry Leatherneck reviewed t, Michael Creeden-Rambo's not 10 cughl
Caponerfftfewed by Joyce and Flobbytfcks-UghiGuntbtaM Casino Few reviewed by Mtfaa T. Cabral—Vegas on Am^a
Atsa' Heel the tuue « Amiga graphes. SUfGMerR reviewed by Jerten/Seoc Hal Those httiig Eroom n btck lor »notw User-lasning. WShel remwed W Lawrence Uchtman CU subsuue,
Hot on tfit Shelves by U. Cabra! viruses, muse, microficne mastery
PD Serendipity by C.W. - •-. • Fred Fsfiasks H9-1S2.
Roomers by The BendM Golden RAM, 16-tit vdeogames, CD-I, anolhet HAM skirmish... wnal caid possbry be HaXTT
Volume 3 Number 121988
Volume 4 Number 21989 UcvieSenef: The Neit G mention by Sieve Gi ~u A rew level n Amiga an rrattn
AmJFonim by Steve Piebtmla Tha Amiga pays a md-wdler visit is Mickey's hometown.
Mai Itaehwd Iniervlew by Rchard Rae Hick taks lo me creator ol Uwetener. A Common User Interface for Ine Amiga by Jm Bayieu
Snapshot by P.. Brad Andrews
Bug Byte* by John Sieiner < s PajeSvc-i-. and mere.
Volume 4 Number 5 1989 The Business of video by Steve G i .tc Get started n V* wdao tusness. An Amiga Adventure by Larry White Trie gJobeMKng Amiga m Cdogne. Germany.
Dees the Amiga need a knMr. jeralet rtertace?
UnintetTupUUg Power Supply (UPS), Part I by Steve Bender VotQjo spies, wges. power taiuret? Are Wy i/wmmen?
SuperDase ProtetUonal by Manon Oettnd
The Amazing Audio OtgHMr by Andre Theberge
Quaiity Arija ij3o tor lesi—buBdng fxt 5wn siern oigaur.
Hoi on the shelves by U. T. Cabral Graphic adventure, contra ovw Praierences. a Postscnpt pm
A usefs look at SLcertase Pro. Mtrofiche filer P1u» by HorulS Courier
EtoonMr by Keith Gonkjrti -Mack hole Bekjng.
utlty. seQuenx Lve »son arur.atcn, a ne* deal lor user groups and the Sgute ctwirurtai s«L
A nub-taslung database that uses AReo lo woik wnh ofwprogrt Tore h 20«1 by Jefiery Scon Hal
-^■jitProducBonsrevt-wod by harv Laser—Video wmrOry
PDSerendpltYbyC.W.Flane
Fafl aacn, and smcah grapfKs
Game Wan by JederyScoa Hal—Register vcuro^estons here. TrackMouu by Dairy Joyce Ccnven a standard Alan trackball -.: a :■=::/ A.r ;: TrackMouse.
Fred Fish tiskj 156-162
SPY by Steve Fanm«ewjta
Bug Bytei by John Storw
Prcqramming irwgue n UooJa -2
The secrets hoden oeneah Bie ticker mode.
A3 me latest from the wot) ot bugs and upgrades. Roomersby The Bardti
Sync Tipsby Oren Sands
On the Crafting ol Programs by David J. hankins
Amiga Interlace
An ingeri^irSertaee that cpenslhe Amiga to even more users'
At Ej?3. CD. fw latest fromCoroicbae and more.
On the Crafting ol Programs by D J. Hankins
Insta Sound In AmigaS ASIC ty Greg STnjleSow
Video In the SunsMne Slit* reviewed by Stephen R. Pietrowa
AmiEipo Caltforrta By Slepnen Kemp
Do we need a common sandarf fcr C program ruing? Loc* ANSI. C Notes Irem the C Group by Steven Kemp
The sounds you m« lc« your proyam—ci an hsttnt!
Fernwi reviewed by Jetlery Soon Has—Stan yew engne
ArtanoM reviewed by Gf*h»m Kinjey~"blocMwsW
RGB Vdeo Creatom horn a Mdeo umvftig1
Hot-Al the new*.
Gectrg inside the oerKck.
A MDT Out inttrface by Br. Serspnm Wric« Haphjl ix for rappy lamming. DlglUnd Sounds In Modula-2 by Len A. fthsa Produce impressive sound eftects with sampled sounds. SyncTipibyOfanJ Sands
See how Lance C 5 C 2 n easures up.
Who are you. I*. Gumi By David Martin
Amiga Product Glide: Garnet Edition
EMPIRE reviewed by Slophen Kemp
An inooOuaion to unjow
David exposes tfis Amiga deviant tor what he nMflyii.
TumWin' Tobl by Da vd AsNey—assonply language program.
EWF.RE. trio gamoorconguesi. has finalycome W the Amiga. Virus Infection Praltctlon (V LP.) renewed by Jeffery Scod Hail
The Command Une by Hch Fjlconourj
GoW E.sks ProfCSllontJ Draw by R. Snanns ','..'
ED. yojr We*kbench Screen Eoar
Whai makes a oomgutar sick and me cure.
The lalest in croteiSiona: Orlwng aos Irom GcU Disk.
An Introduction to ARen progntfnming by Steve Famniewild
Electronic Arti' OelinePaInt II by Da/rJ OuOerman
The Comnand Une by IWi Falconburg Vita:to aa wren me commands cf Amk^Dos fei Convert ng Patch Ltoirtan Files by Pti Saunderi
CSmbing re Towets ol Hanoi.
Plus a jrtil collection ol monthly column*,..
Volume 3 Number 91988 The KIdeo Ttpet by Jotn Oandurand A Georgia elementary senod puts desktop video la m*. Speeding UpYour System by Tcr^ PiesMn floppy dak caching
Amiga Product Guide: Educi lion Edition Evsryihng you need to tend your Anija »the head ol tne Out. Computer Aided Induction by PaJ Casttnguay Aushcring sysiem in AmijaOASIC. Gelt In MuW-Fcnn, Part I: Screenplay by John Busnakn
Maka te FF crnver!« horn Pan 1 easy »us»gadgets. menusjlc.
AmiEipo Midwest '68 b/ Meted T. Casai Atefcxingihecoaw by storm.theAnija wows Crxacfl Intel!! type by Ham Laser—Learnng to type rrade easy., and Hjt7 Shakespeare by Barney Schwartz-OesWcrj pubtsftjno. n U coW.
XSpec: 30 a/ Sieve Hul—A new dmenaan in Amiga graprics.
AmlgiNoiei bf Rtfard Rae-How IFF sound sample* lie stored? Take Five! by Sieve Hut-Beat the back-torched bluet' The Command Une bi Hen Falcortijrg—canning tow or CU. Hot on Ui* Shelvt* by Michael T. Cabral & M,chaol Craedan
What do you get when jou cambme interae war jfalesy «i9i a mcreawmemonccranddeMCwcresefiaicfi? Cneekloul Bug Bytes by John Stener
C Notes from Km C Group by Stephen Kenrp Operaws. eioresiiorK. and Bawiwits in C Lncovwed
floomer* by The Barxlto Can Apple lies Pts keep Amga away'
Volume 3 Number 101988
AFirstLookAi DeluiePtiotoLab revieiredbyDavidOuOemin
A par.: package, poilw -miker. and anaja preceding program □iskUaiier reviewed by Steve Hull -file manaoemeni uBity. OSU: A MC680000 DtMinmbHf revewed by Qeraid HA Lxkrq tot easV rrotfJattt. assemiier-rBady code?
FBasic Lingiagt SytMn reviewed by Palndi Ou*d BASIC comptvanl dtvMcpment syWm.
Ho« U get yax sanfo ftom there B here.
Aiinga-spedic C programming. Sifter Bug ByWi by John Sieiner
E.CT. SampiaWarg by Tm Mohansirgh
A double dose d bug ropeUam
The E.CT. um plat contain several gems.
The Creation ol Don Bluth'i Dragon's Lair by Randy Linden A bok behind tne stones Easy Menus In JForth by Phil Bufc
HELLO WORLD. Eitending ArngiBule by Mr Kennan The usa ol aniy c»li from wOm AmigaBASrC. Betiet Deed Than Altai reviewed ay Jeffeiy 5cat Hal
Dail he unU you see to Teens of their eyes. Getbng Started In AtsemWy by JeB Giaa
Ar, imoductCTi lo Amiga asumbly la.iguage programming AC.BA9C 13 nwHd by Bryan Calley RslBise 1J d AOtorTi AC/BASC compilef lor to Amiga. Thexdtr reviewed by Bnjco Jordan
naming.
Volume 4 Number 11989
The Wonderful World of Hasftnlque reviewed by Snamms Ucnet A review of tie Am^a soSwam pndjca c* Hasfi Erteipnses Desktop «deo by HtfardSarr
NEWCLJ: A pairtess w*y to ereaB a new consola window.
Second Gwiemtlon !D Anlmabon Software by Godfrey Wjiams CeJ Animates and Key Ffarao Animators,
Industrial Swnglh Hwiut oy «oben fJAflo Add some snaay litnuoui c ywt AmigaBASIC cuoing
NewWave Software'i Dynamic Studio by Ou&Rsudar.i New Wave's on a rod win tns foiowup n Dynamic Drumi. Dr. Ti MIDI Recording Studio by Tim Mohansingh
A Ngh-perlormance. low-budget remedy lor youtMIDI II Snjpihot Of R Biad Andrews
Roomers by The Bsndito Sg resignaion al Commodcre. and tie Bandto's fearless
Alen Synhne and Teins we among the new Amiga games.
prsdctOTS
New Product! and Other Neat Sh.11 by M
Ceroal Coast Scfrmare ca^i hjdde over phony Qeaek.3.0. daVna rr*ea Bsfwy wfin DPart III, 3ba flttcn Bakery serws up
Volume 4 Nuaib^r 3 1989 Falaxi nwiewed by Joo DCara Latest Irom Spectrum HoloOyte's nargar Air Warrior reviewed by '.'..;■'',';--:
Hd* up via modem and bate n cui wih imemationa! opponenis! Carrier Command ruuwed by Lawrence Lcfttmann
Fractal Fundameniilj by PaJ Casorguay Eiperiment on the et^a a' i new ttxree. cnaa yotr own twii Image Proctuing with Photosynthesis tyGeiaidliJI Art eqsnmenl wCi a rtpstxe d Al image-prooeisng lechrigLei
C Note* From The C Group 6y Siet«n Kemp Program cr fircton cooed ccO*ig; tne case rislory. Amiga Dot, AttemUy Unguagt, And FiltNotil by Dan HuSi Weapons in the war againtl Ale wefload: zeewe, descnptnn f.;u
-1-"
WhaTs New? Deluxe Prnt II, The Taking Animaic, 3 *gt Wi,
The worlds of arthaal dWigerce oxies O S-a AU^GA in ihe Ibib ol A.I. sysffira software.
:r;::;;::^-,i-^ write cmtk IfrtlAH Aegif* AudUlulKl by PM Saunders
Aegiss newest renotai of sound sampfcig J etfSng is reviewed.
mere.
Adrnral Lcncman signi up lor amet djty
Firasic Sound, and smnnng Graphcs. UagdJan: The AMIGA Gelt Smart reviewed 6y S»w GJmcr
Thrtdng about gewrj no Video? Here's whs you! need tt know.
The Developing Amiga by S. P-etro«icz Usene!~24-H
New Producti by Mchael Creeden
TheiQer turns out tc be a real screamen Aoi&n, Adventure,
Hot on tm STwOtt by U*a* T. Caoral-Oe«ani dee. grippoa
gray scates. cote canogrjphy. maiJog modem j. and moCT more. The Command Line by Rich Falconbuy
Cnmdty Frog by Jvn Ficre
World of Commodore Toronto by £d 3erkovO Ed Ses his repot from Torero
Gteiw 2.0 by Steve Carter
Sieve Caner reviews versoi 2 0 of Oigi&J Creawis' boi o' fun AmgaTEX by Barney Schwarv
A page deswpton language Iron Radical EyE sofiware lllckefFliM by Sieve Bender Steve gives us a Our psrspeone en MfcroWays flckerfiier
orga.t zaSsn. 0 js more.
Bug Bytes by John Sterner VrjsX 3.3 an evil twn some flickering tern Nag PIjj 3 0, plus.
RoometbytritSandiw TheBa.'UiosiaMAmiEXfONY.Aiarv
Nintendo ansui eiparris, i re Beatius gel a Irttlo rt-o fiom the lan POSeitndipitybyC.W.Fatle C.W.covWS Fred FuM from IB9-200. C Notes from me C Group oy Ssphen Kemp Fomaaed Wput tunoens.
Volume 4 Number 61989 New Products 1 Othe
Adventures in AReu by Steve Gilmor Emer the world of mutiitaikmg with a powerful super-applet ton, NAG Review by Marion Deiand An eiectnrtc appointment calendai mth a sense ol humor.
Dji-Ve* Gold - It't Cc'.i-.. :-.:■; Jordan
Berehmark1:FulryuDI«ngtheMC88Bai by Read Predmore
A ,-ev«w of *»Wi wdee csghsng syssm.
BMttag Bm Bimp Boritr by Roben CTAss Stnamin* your AmfljflASC ttrtry access win Quck-Uj
Bug Byte* by John Swner A 'cok a; some praters wdi» A2090 conroner card and r>grwesolL,Kn 1 nare.
Pan I: Turbotfargng o» savage bendmart
DovUePUir by Rotnt D'Ast)
AmigaBASIC program yaldi double vs.cn. C Note* From tha C Group by Slepnen Kemp A walk through preprocesor control Ines
KindlfVordi2.D-«v«* by Ua,ion Deiand
High-qjalty lomi plus grapha, al tne eipense ol speed. P»g tStream tutorial Part I by Bamy Schwaru
A look atSofiLojk's luil-lealurod ftxument processor. Video Preperatlon by Otto Focus How » plan your vkJeo before yco go on vacawn Rootneis by Th» BanJla The Barrfn ta!tes a bok at Cc^r«we s f-jure and me end al the Aptw il.
C Notts Irom tna C Group by Slephen Kemp —loops
how they dffler and a kx* irno their use.
PD Serendipity by C.W. Rane-Fred Fsh ccfecxroasses 150. Companson or libitScan Monitofs ty Steven Benoer
A review of Lanka' I Conpier Conparion
Record Keeping tor Fm-linceri:
kr liewng of drann; xm ivge gncfte seas. Alve in 30 by Shamm t Moraw
Amiga tra sw Kr W«Pir!ec! 6.0?__an3» HAM pmtwar).
AiwewdCaijari.a H^EMSOsaiptirgSarmiatonpiekage. SyncTlptbyOranj Sanmill
Volume 4 Number 41989
Dot crawl, tie Amjga and composite «5eo device). How May I Animate Theel, Lgl Me Count The Wiyv by Sham ms Homer
Amiga takes a bie ojt o( the Big Apple.
Boost ine perfermanwol your Amiga atarow cost. £3
Winrers ol [he liisi-evet Arr.iEXPO a.1 e/ent Adding the Nol-So-Hard Disk $j J P. T«ardy Srorcfimenory' fia i^ a Ha*3 Dnve »a; neve- so easy. Hard Orivet-an Introduction cyJonA.Baile A sngttcnva. -re- 3i Je' corrpanson ol Hi-J D^ves.
easy wid COUP'Le. atuN-leawed programTOr's wotoencn (UPS),PartllbySteva3eneer StflverarnrueshisSscLSK^on the tKhnca' asoicts a.T! deals * varow types ol U.3S ma
The Mai Hard Drive Kit By Donsld W. Morgan A Had Dnve installatwi projeci, i*ng Pawnart Mai tat Menace reneiwd by Jeffrey Scco HaU Blastaliens & destroy the evil Draconia.
sara-n es-s bet *een rurcront
Roomers By The Band to WP wars, gncminious imertacos. 4 mae Five mj&can iTematvei wuj;b off en tie desl«p.
A Supervise ProteiiWnal TutoriM by Ma.ien Deiand Reeoa keeping jyjierp br free-Unca photographer! and otTeri
On Th« Cr»ttng of Proswni by David J. Hankins-A k»k ji
c(jt;m:ia!ion tekj oil a senes ol aracWs on pragratuming sa/vy.
Bob and Ray Meet Fnnkenililn by Robert D'Asto-Crealg,
animate, and metamorphose jraphics objects in AmijaBASIC
Digital Signal Procesilns In AmkjaBASIC by Roben B,s Pertan vow own dijtal eipe^T«nts wtt Fast Founer Tfjnslcnnj. HAM S Amiga B ASIC bj Bryan Catey—Pack ya» Am giSASC ercpami wdi rnany o( W Am^a'i «96 Siadesf CA(—Computer AkWd Inimcton: P»rt II Oy PtJ Caxongutr
The &*W prcgram wipi up WIJTomj sysam n Am^aBASlC
Volume3 Number 111988
Dejktop Publishing with Provisional Page by Bamay Scfwanz tutorial h obcument creaion, pus sorre jaizy ennancements.
What's The Diff? re/ewed by Gerald Hut
ScfoBng Through EupeiSIUiUp Windows by Read Fredmoe How to inpierrera SiperBnMaps
An overview of art nation »chraques.
Stop-Motion AnlmiSon On The Amiga by Brian Zupke A hands cti ixmad to xwafcn and de Ainiga Roomen by The 3*tSB
Con modcre ideal, RAM cop cr«, and mere1 C Hotn From the C Cmup by SiefVitfi Ksnp
St-LCjrM - A powotjl feature of C On the Drifting of Progrirnt by David J. Hankmi WhalFcmatisngntbryraj Tha Command Une by fijcn Fatonburg
A took at re* and improved Assembly Language awmands
Hew Products. Jnd other Net I Stutf by Michael Creeden 3-M-dous' Tha latesi Irom MichTron. MicroEd and MiMscape
The Video Desk by Larry WrKe
The ATiiga meets N*w Camera
Roomera by The Ban*o Majret^cpcaldsksonineHonion?.
ArriEXPO NY '8S6y Sieve Gdlmur
AmIEXPOA/tandVideoConletlWinners bySle/a Jacobs
Tai Break by ■: - Schan«r OXX'S new :n program.
Al Your RequMt Oy John F. Wederhm
Desgn yew own regutsten in AmgjBASIC.
Ejptormg Amig i a sk Smxturts S, Oa«l U*n»
AloodatihthMioflheAmfla: AraigaXS. 58 CM1 Accelerator Procewof review by Rch J. Grace
Diskless Compile In C by Chuck Hauc!o-,is Make development
Programming tht "M1 PM I fcy Una Predraore
A dtcusscn on h?w b cakWate Wanjerarot J JiM sea
C Notes from m« C Croup by Swnen Kemp
&e™ Ssasses itfne »a>-s to avert problorni when ptiieig
PD Serendipity ty C.W. Rate
C.W. covers FredRsn disks ffll-210. Tobecensnued
SchmideO by Barry Solomon
It all started with my friend, Simon.
interested in graphics. In my younger
worked on NTSC video. Now to be fair to the other salespeople, they all knew
video store. We got along right off the
days, I had even gone so far as to make a few attempts at film animation. I
bat. I loved listening to him talk about
suppose I never followed it through,
were just thrown by the question,
his computer. At the time he had an
because I never really considered myself
because all VCRs in this country are
Amiga 1000 and was about to trade it in
an artist.
We met while working ai a fancy audio/
for a 2000. I guess I wasn't the only one
By now I could hear the wheels
that our VCRs were NTSC. I guess they
XTSC. In a sense, it was kind of like
asking, "Does this hair dryer plug into
he mesmerized with his tales; two other
turning inside my head. I could almost
the wall?" or "Is this peanut butter made
guys in his department had recently
smell the smoke I imagined must have
from peanuts?"
purchased Amiga 500's. They loved to
been pouring out of my ears. Hadn't I
I ran upstairs and introduced
talk about their Amigas, but when Simon
always been fascinated by colors and
myself to a very pleasant-looking feilow.
spoke about his... Well, there was a
shapes and motion? Hadn't I always
I explained that all our VCRs were NTSC
certain gleam in his eyes. He was like a
wanted to be creative? Didn't I have a
and that, in fact, all American television
sixteen-year-old boy who had just
brother-in-iaw who ran the video
of any type or format was NTSC. The
convinced that special girl to accompany
department at a local hospital, and did
customer quickly informed me that what
him to the prom. Whenever we had a
video work of his own on the side? And
he really wanted to know was whether
moment to spare at work, he would
couldn't he, just perhaps, use some
the VCRs had an NTSC video input jack.
tantalize me with stories about his
computer graphics???
amazing machine. He talked about computer graph
I spoke with my brother-in-law after work that day. bringing the subject
My curiosity was roused. "If you don't mind my being nosey, why do you ask?" My heart began to race as he
ics, animation, and ray-tracing—all of
up oh-so-carefully. It turned out that,
which I knew little or nothing about.
yes, he thought it was a great idea and
explained that he had a computer set-up
Each time we spoke, I became more and
he could probably budget some money
with an NTSC output and he wanted a
more curious about this mystical device.
into his projects for computer graphics!
good VCR to record some graphics.
He brought in a few issues of Amazing
Well, that was all I needed to hear! I was
Computing. I became more fascinated
off and running. I began to purchase my
each day and was soon borrowing
own copies of Amazing Computing. In
'"An Amiga/' he answered.
copies to read at home. I began to
fact, I bought every Amiga magazine I
"Oh, which one?"
question him daily about articles I had
could find. Not wanting to make any
read. He could not supply me with
mistakes, I even bought magazines on
a couple of 500's, a couple of 1000's, and
enough magazines. In a few weeks he
PC's and Macs. My questioning-rurned-
a few 2000's."
was bringing them to work in bundles, and my questioning, I'm afraid, turned
grilling of Simon became a regular inquisition, but he took it like a champ.
Then one magic day Simon
He laughed and said, "Well, I have
I must have been staring. "Just who the hell are you?" I stammered.
"I'm Don Hicks, Managing Editor of
into grilling. Always the good sport, Simon took it in stride.
I think my voice must have cracked as I asked, "What kind of computer?"
I was about four months into my quest when I received my second omen.
Amazing Computing. Pleased to meet you."
brought that infamous Amiga demo tape
I was roused from my lunchtime reverie
into work. I must have watched it at ieast
one day to help answer an unusual
20 times on our best monitor with my
question from a customer. It seems
that was it! The gods were definitely
someone wanted to know if our VCRs
smiling down upon me. like Steve
mouth hanging open. I had always been
80
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
If I needed any further convincing,
^ THELAYMAN'5
6U/PE TO AMI6A VIDEO
Martin in The Jerk, I had a 'Special
into this for the money anyhow (but I
or even to make a little money. What
Purpose." I began in earnest the Quest
you do need to know is, "How do I do
for Funds. Friends, neighbors, relatives—
still have hope!). I have written all this for a couple
no one was safe. I begged, borrowed,
of reasons. First, it seems that too many
does it just work okay, or does it work
weaseled, and cajoled my way into a
of the articles I read have been written
exceedingly well?"
modest 2000 system.
by people burned out on the Amiga.
this?" or "Does this work?—and if it does,
These days, when every revision of
They are disappointed in this one's Jack
a program becomes a "dazzling new
was that, not being independently
of support, or that one's lack of support;
product" and every genlock from $150
wealthy, this would have to be a sideline
they are upset with this program or that
up produces "broadcast-quality output,"
for me, at least for a while. I realized that
company, etc., etc., ad nauseum.Thai's
beginners can become confused. I know
most of the video professionals who had
not me. No sir, I love the Amiga. The
I was (and still am!). What I will try to do
authored the many articles and columns I
honeymoon is far from over for me and
in future articles is give you the
read were indeed professionals and had
my dear electronic friend.
The first thing that occurred to me
Second, the articles I read always
been in the video business for quite
beginner's-eye view of professional video. Or the professional approach to
some time. The Amiga may have been
seem to be written by two types of
beginner's video. Or... well, you get the
new to them, but video was not.
people—those who don't know video
idea.
Basically, I was starting from scratch,
from a hole in the ground, or the super-
although I did have the distinct advan
professional video types who only use
simple, useful hints for the types of
tage of having a connection (my brolher-
the Amiga while their Crays are in the
problems you are likely to come across.
in-law) to whom I could pitch my
shop!
services.
Almost a year passed between the
I will do my best to give you
Please write if you have questions about In the last two weeks alone I have
video or video-related graphics that
met two people who recently purchased
require practical solutions (not charts,
day my interest began and the day I
Amigas with the idea of producing some
graphs, and formulae). I will do my best
picked up my Amiga. Until that day I
sort of video graphics. Both of them are
to answer your questions in simple,
had never actually seen an Amiga. I had
rank amateurs, fresh out of the box.
practical, down-to-earth terms so you can
researched it up, down, and sideways
Strangely, both are middle-aged (the
continue to enjoy your Amigas as the
but had never really touched one. I
onset of a second childhood, perhaps?).
gods intended.
would venture to say that of all the
They had both read many Amiga
people on this planet who have never
magazines and many articles on the
used an Amiga, I knew more about it
Amiga, but neither one had a clue! It
than anyone. I have been in business as Viewtopia Computer Graphics for about nine
months now and have completed six
seems half these articles told them
nothing of any value, and the other half just confused them. Neither of these men appear to be lacking in intelligence. It's
projects. (I am now working on numbers
just that no one is writing truly informa
seven and eight.) What I have learned—
tive video articles for video beginners.
mostly by trial and error (with emphasis on the error)—could fill a book. What I
still have to leam could fill volumes. What I have earned... Well, I didn't get
•AC-
Barry Solomon, Video Editor
c/o Amazing Computing P.O. Box 869 Fall River, MA 02722-0869
If you want to know about subcarrier phase, vertical switching, and
horizontal sync, great! But you don't need to know these things to be creative,
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
81
Memory Squares
by Mike Morrison
Memory Squares is a game I wrote in AmigaBASIC. It started out like most of my programs. I was playing around with a certain aspect of the Amiga, like sound or graphics, and the next thing I knew, I had written a new game. That is one of the aspects of programming that I find very exciting. You are limited only by your imagination (and the number of hours in
be wrong. It is used in case the high score file doesn't exist. When the 'file not found error' occurs, the error is handled by skipping to the label 'skipit'. ON ERROR GOTO skipit OPEN "memory.score" FOR INPUT AS 1
x=0
WHILE NOT EOFC1)
the day).
Memory Squares is a complete program in the sense that it
is functional. The number of enhancements that could and should be added are limitless. Loosen up your tie and let your
x=x+l
INPUT #1 ,names$(x),scores(x)
WEND CLOSE #1
mind wander! Modify, change, add, delete, cut, paste, append,
If everything went OK, set the error handling back to the
criticize, modernize, and expand this code to your hearts
system, or else the next time any other error occurs, it will jump
content. Get into the nuts and bolts of the code and make it a
to the 'skipit' label. Then go directly to the 'start' label and get
real learning experience. How many times do you think the
things moving.
Amiga beeped at me with syntax errors while I was writing this? Gameplay
The game play is basic, and I have found it to be some what addictive. The game board is made up of a large square that is divided into four smaller squares. The game starts out by lighting two squares randomly and then waits for you to repeat the same sequence. As the game progresses more and more squares are lit, and you need to remember the sequence and repeat it.
To add interest to the game play, the sequences pick up speed as the game progresses. If you complete the sequence correctly you are rewarded with a small 'victory' display. You
have four 'lives' to use before the game ends. If you have a good memory, you could be added to the high score list. The Source
The nice thing about programming a game is that you can experiment and learn while you go. You also end up with
something fun that other people can enjoy and leam from. Coding the program
Set the seed for the RNDO function so it will return a
different sequence of numbers when the program is started again.
ON ERROR GOTO 0 GOTO start
We end up here if there is no high score file, so fill it with 'Empty for now'. skipit:
FORx=l TO 10
'namesS(x)="Empty for now"
NEXT
We first go to the 'endyet' subroutine because it waits for a
response from the player before moving on. No need to write code that already exists in our program. start:
GOTO endyet
This is where it all happens. The 'x' variable keeps track of die
number of rounds that will be played. Currently it is impossible to get through 10 rounds, the program moves to quick by then. You could slow things down by messing with the variable "d'
which controls the delay along with the 'pause' sub program described below. main: GOSUBInlt
FORx=lTO10 GOSUB board d=d-.l round=round+2
RANDOMIZE TIMER
The 'z' loop is where the computer randomly picks the next
Reserve space so we can keep track of square sequence the
square. We store it in array 'whereO' so later we can
program chooses, including the high score list. DlMwhere(10),scores(l l),namesS(11) The ON..ERROR allows us to capture any errors that may occur
when the program is running while trying to fix whatever may
82
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
check to see if the player picks the correct square. FOR z=l TO round
r=INT(4*RND(l))+l
where(z)=r
'Pick a number from 1-4.
ON r GOSUB bxl ,bx2,bx3,bx4
NEXTz
'Draw the box picked.
: - -■■'■i-S&S*
GOSUB tum
IF didlt=0 THEN GOSUB minicelebrate
IFnoleft=-lTHENendyet NEXTx
If you made the list the appropriate space on the list is cleared, and you are asked to enter your name. The new list is then saved.
If you make it through ten sequences, the program would end here. Currently it goes to the 'endyet' subroutine. If you modify the code the program can be completed ten times, and you may want to add a grand victory celebration here.
hiscore: CLS:here=0
GOTO endyet
old name out.
Set up a few odds and ends here. The three pieces that repre
FORx=10TOl STEP-1
sent your number of turns left are drawn here. init; CLS noleft=3:sc=0
FOR ml=l TO no!eft
^ „
COLOR 2,1 :LOCATE 2,28:PR1NT "Memory Square Aces :COLOR 1,0
Find out where in the list your score belongs. Then blank the
lFsoscores(x)THEN
scores(x+l)=scores(x):namesS(x+l)=namesS(x) scores(x)=sc;names$(x)="' :here=x
END IF NEXTx
'Draw number of turns left.
UNEC10+(mi*60),160H60+(mr60).180),2,b
Display the list with the blank spot for the new name.
UNE(35+(mr60),160X35+(mr60),180),2
UNEC10+(mr60).170)-C60+Cmr60),170),2
NEXT ml d=1.2:c=3;round=0 RETURN
This sub routine plays a tune and then asks if you want to play
UNE(128,32)-(464,144),2,bf COLOR 1,2 FORx=lTO10
IF x=here THEN COLOR 3.2 ELSE COLOR 1,2 LOCATE 6+x,20:PR1NT names$(x)
again. If your score is good enough to make the high score list,
LOCATE 6+x,50:PRINT scores(x) NEXTx
then tile 'hiscore' routine is called. If you want to play again the
Put the cursor in the correct position and ask the player to input
program starts over. If you want to quit, the high score list is displayed and the program ends. endyet:
FORs=300TO500STEP20 SOUND s,l
SOUND 500-s.l
NEXT
his/her name. COLOR 3,2
LOCATE 6+here,l 8:INPUT ";namS
nam$=LEFT$(nam$,20)
names$(here)=namS LOCATE 6+here,18:PRfNT' LOCATE 6+here,20:PRINT namS
■;COLOR3,2
IFsoscores(lO) THEN GOSUB hiscore
LOCATE 6+here,50:PRINTscores(here) COLOR 1,0
GOSUB board
Save the new high score file to disk for future reference.
LOCATE 3,25:PRINT"Select with mouse to play again." COLOR 3,11OCATE 7,25:PRINT"YES'
OPEN "memory.score" FOR OUTPUT AS #1
COLOR 2,1 ;LOCATE 7,55:PR1NT"NO":COLOR 1,0 GOSUB fnterpit
LOCATE 2,25:PRINT" IF pt=l OR pt=3 THEN GOTO main
CLS COLOR 2,1 :LOCATE 2,28:PRiNT "Memory Square Aces":COLOR
1,0
LlNE(128,32)-(464,144),2,bf
COLOR 1,2 FORx=lTO10
LOCATE 6+x,20:PRINT namesS(x) LOCATE 6+x,50:PRINT scores(x) NEXTx
COLOR 1.01OCATE 1.1 END
FORx=lTO10
WRITE #1 ,names$(x),scores(x) NEXT
CLOSE #1
A routine that will pause the program until the player clicks the mouse.
LOCATE 20,25:PRlNT"Click mouse to continue," m=MOUSE(0) WHILE MOUSE(0)=0 WEND CLS RETURN
This is die routine that draws the game board. I left the ability to cheat in the code. 1 initially put this in the code so I could debug it. See if you can figure out how to engage 'cheat mode1.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
83
board:
IF my<75 THEN pt= 1 ELSE pf=3
m=MOUSE(0): IF MOUSE(1)<5 THEN cheat=l
ELSE
UNE(5O,25)-(590,125),l,b
END IF RETURN
LINE (50,25X590.125).0,bf
LINE(320,25)-(320,125),l LINE (50,75X590.75).1
COLOR 2,0:LOCATE 1,3O:PR1NT "MemorySquares by Mike Mo"
COLOR 1,0:LOCATE 2,8:PRINT 'Score=";sc COLOR 3,11OCATE 2,60:PR!NT ~HI-Score=";hs:COLOR 1,0 SOUND 550,5:GOSUB blgpause
LINE(50,25X590,125),2.b
IF my<75 THEN pt=2 ELSE pt=4
A graphic and music display that rewards the player for remembering the entire sequence.
UNE(320.25)-(320,125),2
minicelebrate;
RETURN
FORp=l TO 4 ON p GOSUB bxl ,bx2,bx4,bx3
UNE(50,75)-(590,75),2
Now we see if the player remembers the sequence.
c=2:d=.2
NEXTp pause
turn:
didit=0:dum=d:d=.3
LOCATE 20,35:PRINT"GO!r IFcheatTHEN LOCATE 10,1 :PRINTwhere(q)
See where the player is clicking the mouse. If the player clicks
the wrong square then we set the 'didit' flag to 1 (didn't make it), put the round back to the last round, and decrease 'd1 so the next time the game goes faster.
GOSUB bigpause RETURN
Erase each 'man' dial is used, leaving the number of 'men' that remain displayed.
FORml=no!eft+lT0 3
didit=l:round=round-2:d=d+.l SOUND 170,10 LINE (50,25X590,125),2 LfNE(50,125X590,25),2
Decrease the number of 'men' left and then gosub to "menleft' to see if the game is over. noleff=noleft-l
UNE(10+(ml*60),160X60+Cmi-60),180),0,bf NEXT ml RETURN
The next four sub routines draw the four squares and play a sound that is exclusive to each square. bxl: UNE(51,26X319,74),c,bf
SOUND 440.3
GOSUB menleft GOSUB bigpause
pause
IF noleff=-TTHEN GOTO Ipl
END IF IFdlditTHENIpl
If the correct square was picked, then flash it. ON pt GOSUB bxl ,bx2,bx3,bx4
Update the score and check to see if the new score is greater than the current high score. If it is, the high score is updated and printed on the screen. sc=sc+(10*round):LOCATE 2,8:PRINT "Score=";sc IF sons THEN hs=sc:COLOR 3,11OCATE 2,60:PRINT ■Hl-
Score=";hs:COLORl,0 NEXTq
d=dum RETURN
d=dum:c=3
menleft:
GOSUB interplt IF ptowhere(q) THEN
LOCATE 20,35:PRINT'
ON p GOSUB bxl ,bx2,bx4,bx3
NEXTp
FORq=l TO round
Ipl:
FOR p=l TO 4
UNE(51,26)-(319,74),0,bf
RETURN
bx2: LINE(322.26X5S9,74),c,bf SOUND 493.88,3 pause
LINE (322,26X589,74) ,O,bf RETURN bx3:
UNE(51,76)-(319,124),c,bf SOUND 523.25,3 pause
UNE(51,76X319,124),0,bf RETURN
bx4: L!NE(321,76)-(589,124),c,bf
"
SOUND 587.33,3 pause
LINE(321,76X589,124),0.bf RETURN
A routine that causes a large pause.
There is only one sub program used in this program. Sub pro grams allow us to add commands to AmigaBASIC. Here we add
bigpause:
FOR dd=l TO 3000:NEXT dd RETURN Check where the mouse is being clicked and convert it into the number of the square that is there.
depending on the value of 'd'. As you can see, the variable 'd' is SHARED. This means we can set the value of 'd' somewhere else and the sub program can still 'see' it. All other variables
used within a sub program that are not SHARED are exclusive to the sub program.
interpit:
WHILE MOUSE(0)<>0 WEND
WHILE MOUSE(0)=0
WEND mx=MOUSE(l):my=MOUSE(2)
IFmx<320THEN
84
the command 'pause' that delays for a ceratin amount of time
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
SUB pause STATIC
SHARED d
FORx=lTO10O0'd:NEXT END SUB
•AC-
This Fall see all the
best of the Amiga
AC GUIDEAmiga When the nights turn crisp and your thoughts return to your Amiga, let AC's Guide To The Commodore Amiga be your guide.
A Harvest of over 2100 products
by more than 400 vendors! During the summer, Amiga developers throughout the world have been diligently preparing Amiga products
for all your needs. Now showcased in this, the larg est Amiga-specific publication ever, is the harvest of their labors. Your guide will be an indispensable tool to doing more with the Amiga. Don't miss it!
Notes from the, u y/
Utility programming
by Stephen Kemp
Last month I ended the column with a listing of a sample
a history of revisions under the program comments. A date,
"skeleton" for many utility programs called "generic.c.7' One of the things I like about programming in C is that if you need a
initials, and a short sentence or two about the revision can
little program to do some specific task, it usually isn't coo
assume that you are, or one day will be, involved in writing
difficult to write one yourself. This is especially true if you
programming with others.)
already have a sufficient number of tools to help out and
provide a nice audit trail. (If you have not yet realized it, I
A few new variables that were not in the original have
skeletons from which to start. This month, for your perusal and
been declared in this listing. First you will notice rwo variables
my discussion, I have included a small utility that was devel
declared with the type "FILE", *ifp and *ofp. As you may guess,
oped from die simple program provided last month.
these are pointers to a file. The FILE type is usually defined (as
For diose of you who may have missed last month's column, don't despair. The entire source is included, and I will
a typedef) in one of the standard C header files. It defines a
try to point out what is skeletal and what isn't. This should
and/or output stream. You may recall that an I/O stream can
enable you to recreate the basic program, so it can be used in
include the console, printer, or almost any other device or disk
your own utilities. Anyone who did type in last month's column
file. At this point it is not really necessary for you to know
can begin the experiment.by copying the code to a new file.
exactly what is contained in the FILE declaration. Just recognize
(Note: I recommend working on a copy of the file because you
that it is used to accomplish "buffered" input and output.
may need to start over, and you may want to start other programs from the same file).
You may recall from past articles that I believe a utility
structure that maintains information about the status of an input
Standard C libraries normally provide buffered I/O. This method (as opposed to its unbuffered counterpart) means that the system will perform I/O by physical blocksize. A blocksize
program should have one specific task. Now this does not mean
is that amount of data which is usually the most efficient for the
that a program cannot have a multipurpose function, but a
device to move during a given event. Using a disk drive as an
program that must support multiple Casks will usually be cum
example, it is usually more efficient for the drive to read more
bersome to use. "Keep it simple" is a good motto to follow in
than one byte in a revolution. The actual blocksize used is
utility programming.
usually some multiple of 256 or 512, depending on die device.
Listing 1 is a "case" program—alphabetic case, that is. It simply changes all the alphabetic letters in a text file to upper or
the buffer regardless of how much data you requested. Subse
So if you are reading from a stream, the first read will fill
lowercase letters. As a teaching aid, this program also demon
quent calls do not have to read from the disk again until the
strates a few things that newcomers to C should learn. Elabora
buffer is empty. Naturally, if you ask for more data than a buffer
tion on these topics will occur as the listing is discussed. First note that the comment block at the top of the
can hold, the device will continue transferring data until your
program was changed from that included in the "generic.c"
request is met. Any data left in the last buffer will be used in the next call. In the case of text files, where lines will be of varying
listing provided last month. It is important to keep your comment blocks up to date. Yeah, I know, you want to get right
lengths, buffered I/O is especially useful.
to the programming. But a few extra minutes of typing may prove useful if you have to look at this code again in a few
have been declared. The first is a "flag" which will determine
months, or years. This could be especially true if some other poor soul ends up having to maintain the source. I like to keep
86
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Two other variables that were not in the original source what case (upper or lower) to apply. The second is simply a character buffer large enough to hold the longest line we expect to read.
The flag setting is expected to be found on the command line. The source to determine this state can be found after the program's "error" exit code. (The exit code should also be kept: up to date.) This program assumes that the flag setting can be
We take a ^ out of the price
identified on the command line by a leading hyphen (-)
followed by the letter U or L, meaning UPPER or LOWER. The letter following die hyphen is the command of choice and is placed into the variable flag. (Note: When you parse the command line for switches or flags, be sure to "index" into the arguments. If you change the argument pointer, you may
interfere with references to that variable which occur later in the program.)
Also note that this program loops through all the argu ments and, if multiple flags are discovered, only the last flag
ONE BYTE
takes effect. This is something you can handle any way that you want. You might say this would be an error, or you could even
P.O. Box 455
change the program to use one flag for a while and then change
Quaker Hill, CT 06375 (800) 441-BYTE, in CT (203) 443-4623
in midstream. To simplify, this program will use the same setting throughout. After the arguments are examined, the flag is changed to an uppercase letter to reduce the code requirement
Authorized dealer for Commodore-Amiga Computers, Great Valley Products (GVP), Memory & Storage Technology (M.A.S.T.). Authorized Commodore-Amiga Service and Repair. Authorized Amiga Graphics Dealer.
later in the program. However, if the flag has not been set or is
set incorrectly after each argument is examined, control is sent to the error exit.
The next new code occurs after a file name that matches the command line is found. When starting from the generic, c source, this will be where most of the utility's code will be
found. Notice that the file is opened twice—once for reading
and once for update. Now the question on your mind is, "Why open the file
Circle 129 on Reader Service card.
twice?" Well, we could have opened the file once, but when
AMIGA IS A REGISTERED TRADEMAHK OF COMMODORE-AMIGA, INC.
you are using buffered I/O to do a job like this, it can be a little tricky. The reason is that this program changes the characters
encountered. Another would be to assume some default flag.
"in place." It is not writing a new file, but rather expects to
Let's face it, if you are changing the case of an entire file, what
place the buffer (after alteration) right back where it was found.
is the worse that could happen? If you get the case wrong, just
Buffered streams do not provide a straightforward method to
nan it again with the correct flag. Try a few experiments. You
accomplish this task. To draw an analogy, think of a river
never know what you might discover!
stream. Streams flow in one direction. The same is basically true
Listing One: CASE.C
for these buffered streams, which means that extra code is required to help keep the direction identified. Now I don't want it to sound worse than it really is. It doesn't require a lot of
/"
CASE.C
code. It's just that the source provided here is more straightfor
/*
cards
/*
case.
ward. There is no problem in opening die file twice like this.
/*
switch.
The first file pointer keeps track of the reading, and the second
/*
upper case.
-L
/*
lower case.
Only
the writing. Since we are putting back exactly what we have read, the two file pointers will not conflict. The actual case change is handled by one of two func tions provided at the bottom of the listing. These are fairly
simple functions that can usually be found in the standard
library provided with many compilers. Manx, however, did not include these two, so I wrote the functions myself. Each uses a pointer to move through a string, altering each character by calling another standard function. When you put it all together, compile and link it, you
should have a working program. Test it out on a few docu ments. DO NOT use it on your source code or you'll be sorry.
Remember, C is case-sensitive. Try it on other documents or batch files, etc.
That's it. CASE will alter the alphabetic letters in each file that matches the command line criteria. If you have a little extra
time and energy, take the program and try to make a couple of your own modifications. One possibility I mentioned earlier
would be to switch flags in midstream when a new flag is
is
a
program
and will The
read
state
-0
of
that
accepts case
that
indicated
/•
If
a
/*
This
".txt
"standard"
one
is
the
finciude
"stdlo.h*
Sinclude
"fcnti.h"
files
that
flag
la
the
by
a
should be
files
used
filenames
or
program altering
for
fails
written
on
for
files.
*/ */
look like this:
■/ */
a
file
it
the MANX C
is
skipped.
•/
compiler
•/
extern char
-scdirO;
directory function'/
access <) ;
file
accessable
function"/
main (aege, argv)
/"
program start
short
/*
argument
counter */
/*
argument
variable
char
*/ •/
changed to
extern
short
*/ •/
line
changed to
should be
all
wild-
the
corrjnand
file.c docs."
open
program was
of
determined
indicates
CASE -u
List
each
the
/• An example command line might /*
a
and rewrite
argc; "argvd;
"/ pointer(s)*/
( char short
*fpcr;
/* pointer to a
filename*/
cnt;
/*
counter
short ndx;
/"
index
char
flag;
FILE
-ifp,-o£p;
/• /"
case flag file io pointers
■/ ■/
char
lbuf [2561;
/"
line buffer
>/
if
(argc <=
2) I
/*
files
*/
•/
if not enough argur.ents provided */ /■
errout:
for
for arguments
exit point if error discovered */
printf("Change the alphabetic case of a file \n"),-/" announce printfC CASE -flag [file pattern] ..,\n"); /• example -/
princf(" printff"
where flag
is: or:
-U for upper case\n"); -L for lower case\n"l;
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
■/
/■ upper •/ /* lower */
87
July 1989 Volume 4 Number 7 exiclD) ,-
/•
Check =
flag
for
flags
and
exit
switches
the program
=>
if
1;
ndx
<
argc
[argvEntixj [0]
special Amazing
;ndx++)(
»-
Did you miss this
here
'\0';
for(ndx
*/
'-•)
/*
indicate
/"
examine arguments*/
no
Issue?
flag"/
/■ found an indicator*/ /• score the flag •/
flag - argv[ndx|[1];
Don't miss
) flag = toupper(flag); if
(flag
!-
'U'
a
/•
flag
!=
goto
Co
%s
case
another issue,
case*/
errout;
/* printf("Convert
alter
\n", ( (flag
—
no
Subscribe today!
Indicators — exit*/
'U')?
"UPPER":"LOWER"));
Back issues are available forlndx
■
if
1;
ndx <
argc
[acgv(ndx] [D]
;
ndx++)(
==
/■
examine arguments"/
/*
flags already
/*
so skip to next
•-')
continue;
while supplies last.
found"/ ■/
AC EXCLUSIVE!
for(cnt"0;[fptr=scdir(argv[ndx]}};cnt»+)( /•
if
{accass(fptr,O> printff*""
/"
Utility
-- OH
*a
program specific
••*\n",fptr) ,cade goes
ifp «
fopen (fptr, "r~l ,-
ofp
fopen(fptr,"r+");
if
■
loolc
(ifp -- NULL printf(*
||
-
ofp
(or wildcards
/•
If file
/•
display filename
is
•/
found •/ */
here
■/
/• open
file
/«
file
open
— HULL)(
/-
if
an analog joystick.
C Notes from the C Group by Stephen Kemp
fail*/
Ufp)
fcloselifpl;
/* close if open ■/
if
(ofp)
fclose(ofpi;
/■
close if open
/■
continue
1
if
/■ (fgets(lbu£,256,ifp>
*/
looping*/
loop through file
== NULL)
(
/-
EOF
•/
•/
fclose(ifp):
/"
close file
fclose(ofp);
/*
close again*/
break;
/•
end
/•
if
[flag
—
"U')
strupr (Ibuf); else
/■ strlwr Ubuf) ;
fputs (Ibuf ,ofp) ;
Part II of the Fractals series addresses the basis of computer graphics. 1989 Spring Comdex, Chicago by Ed Bercovitz AC EXAMINES AMIGA GAMES! Is the game as great as the name?
loop •/
Western Games review by Stephen Kemp
flag
"/
Quid spittin', cow milkin', beer shootin1, and watch those belches.
the string
*/
The Duel review by Joe DiCara
upper
/"up
Good planning for good programming. Using Coordinate Systems by Paul Castonguay
Wayne Gretzky Hockey review by Bob Borgen
"/
) if
A behind the scenes look at the Amiga's first HyperCard style program. Adapting Analog Joysticks to the Amiga by David Kinzer David Kinzer shows Amiga game buffs how to arm their machine with
for update-/ opens
skipped — \n") ;
continue;
An Inside look at UltraCard by Steve Gillmor
for read*/
if
) for(;;)
Amiga's version of Apples HyperCard With COLOR.'
otherwise
•/
/"
lower the string"/
/"
put
the
line back*/
Joe blasts down the highway in this sequel to Test Drive. Baal review by Derek J. Perry-
Derek straps on the gear and goes after the war machine. DataStorm review by Paul Cosia lelsef
/• printf {"Cannot
if
find %s\r.", fptr) ;/•
not
found */
indicate
•/
Defender's mulants invade the Amiga. Lords of the Rising Sun review by Derek J. Perry Samurai fighting in Shogun japan.
if
lent
==
0)
/*
printf("Cannot
find
no matches
%s\n",argvEndxj);/"
for
this
Dungeon Master review by Graham Kinsey
*/
argv
*/
Enter the dark hails of Lord Chaos' dungeon. Zany Golf review by Joe DiCara
/•
strupr
/■
all
a
function
alphabetic
strupr{ char
is
str
that
characters
indexes to
upper
through a case
string and converts
•/
•/
1
Putt putt will never be the same. Deja Vu review by Bruce Jordan
-str;
Have I done this before5??
Battle Chess review by Jeffery Scon Hall
I
fort
Plaid pants aren't the only crazy thing on this golf course. HoIe-in-One Miniature Golf review by Stephen Kemp
.-"ate
!-
•scr ■
stc++)
/"
search until null
toupper ("str),-
%\0';
/■
call
upper
case
An action-packed version of an old classic.
is found -/
function
Snapshot by R. Bradley Andrews
■/
Three arcade games, and a day at the lake. /■
strlwr
/•
all
(
a
function
alphabetic
strlwr( char
is
str
that
characters
indexes
to
lower
through
a
string
and
converts
case */
Amazing Amiga Games Listing
Over 450 Amiga entertainment products listed!
)
-str;
for(
•/
AC MONTHLY COLUMNS!
;*str "str
str-t—)
/"
search until null if found •/
New Products...and Other Neat Stuff by Elizabeth G. Fedorzyn
tolowert'str);
/*
call
Mac emulator, Electric Crayon, & Where Is Carmen Sandiego?
!» ■
*\0';
lower
case
function
•/
Ask AC AC'S tech editor answers your questions. The Video Desk by Larry White Larry looks at where Amiga video has been and where it's going.
•AC-
PD Serendipity Fred Fish 211 to 220, latest in software philanthropy. Bug Bytes by John Steiner Upgrades from Gold Disk. B.E.S.T. & more. Roomers by The Bandito More personnel clianges at CBM. HardCopy by Melissa J. Bernier and Paul Costa AC'S new games page.
HyperCard is a trademark of Apple Computer. Inc.
88
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Amazing Programming
Improving Your
rap/vice Pro by Richard A. Martin
You work for hours on a hot new program for your
As a result, many programs look odd on my Amiga, with
Amiga, slaving over every graphic detail. All your gadget
highlights appearing where shadows ought to be. This tech
imagery is immaculate, your IntuiText tasteful. It's jusr beautiful.
nique gives die display a sort of Bela Lugosi-style - iit-from-
You're so thrilled with your work, you call up a fellow Amigoid
the-boitom" look. You can avoid Blind Artist's Syndrome by tailoring your
and invite yourself over to show off your efforts. When you
arrive, you eagerly insert your disk into your host's drive and begin to run your program.
But what's this? Your fellow Amigoid's Workbench colors
graphics routines to utilize the current Workbench colors more
intelligently. Once you know which colors you have to work with, you can choose those most appropriate for your graphic
are entirely different from your own. Since your program opens
purposes. Here is one method for choosing the most appropri
its window on the Workbench screen, it uses those colors
ate pen, no matter which four colors are being used at the time.
selected by Preferences. The program that looked great on your screen at home now looks dreadful on someone else's Amiga.
How it all ivorks
Since the Workbench screen employs only four colors, I
As you try to explain this to your now skeptical (and unim pressed) Amigoid host, you realize that you have just been vic timized by '"Blind Artist's Syndrome."
The Blind Artist draws very well, but it doesn't know color from a hole in the ground. It will draw with any old color,
sort them from darkest to lightest, giving them generic names like Shadow, Subdue, BackGround, and Hilite. 1 keep these names handy by creating the following global structure of the Palette type, which I name \VB_Palette:
paying no heed to die fundamentals of light and shadow. The Blind Artist reaches out, grabs pen number three, and draws Hke crazy, caring nothing about which color ink the pen contains. Not surprisingly, nobody buys the Blind Artist's drawings.
If you write programs which open their windows on the
struct BYTE
Palette
[
Shadow;
BYTE Subdue; BYTE
BackGround;
BYTE
Hilite;
)
WB_Paletce;
Workbench screen (or on any other screen which you did not
open yourself), you run the risk of contracting Blind Artist's
Each of the four elements contains the current Workbench pen
Syndrome each time you use arbitrary pen numbers to do your
numbers that best suit the color value. The Shadow element
graphics rendering. Since each user has the option of choosing
contains the pen number of the darkest color currently dis
a unique set of Workbench colors, you, as the programmer,
played on the Workbench, Subdue the second darkest pen
make a rash assumption if you presume the default Preferences
number, and BackGround the third, leaving Hilite for the
palette is unchanged. It's a pretty safe bet that using color 0 for
brightest available pen. By selecting the darkest and brightest
background and color 1 for line drawing will result in a
pens available (Shadow and Hilite, respectively), I can render
readable display. But this is an Amiga, not a Mac. With four
crisp, easy-to-read text by printing a Hilite color over a Shadow
colors available on the Workbench screen, your renderings can
coior, at a slight offset.
be enhanced by highlighting important items, subduing lesser material, and shadowing graphics with the appropriate pens. Simple ^defines such as
The nitty gritty
Intuition provides a function named GetPrefsO which allows you to examine all the settings you have made with the
idefine MED_3LUE
0
Sdefine WHITS
1
Sdefine
2
BLACK
#define ORANGE
3
Preferences tool. A call to GetPrefsO will yield an abundance of user-defined data, but the focus here is on only a small portion
of the Preferences data structure. Nearly halfway through the list
of settings are four 16-bit elements named colorO, colorl, color2, may work fine on a factory-fresh Workbench disk, but out there
and color3. Each of these contains the Red, Green, and Blue
in the real world, many users are abandoning that hideous color
values of the current Workbench pens. By sorting these colors
scheme left and right.
from darkest to lightest, you can be sure that your shadows are
If you're like me, you spend a considerable amount of time laboring over attractive display graphics with such "3D"
dark, your window background is muted, and your text is bright
and easy to read. A call to GetPrefsO takes the following form.
elements as drop-shadowed text and realistic looking buttons. Personally, I prefer to make color 1 BLACK and color 2 WHITE.
Gec?refs(Pref3v:ffer,
Size) ;
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
89
PrefBuffer is a pointer to a memory buffer that you want
for die Preferences data and proceed to the next step: sorting
filled widi Preferences data, and Size is the number of bytes you
die colors. sonWBenchValuesO is only a slight modification of
want filled in. It is up to you to allocate the memory needed to
die shell sort routine found in Chapter 3 of The C Programming
hold the Preferences data. Intuition groups die more common
Language by Kernighan & Ritchie. I simply customized it to
settings at die top of die Preferences structure, so reading the
handle die specific task of sorting an array of four
whole thing is rarely necessary. For example, to check whether
Color_Register structures from darkest to lightest, according to
the user has selected 60 or 80-column text mode, simply call
the cr_Color.Value element. Once this sort is done, just copy die
GetPrefsO with a Size argument of 1L, since FontHeight is the
original pen numbers into your Palette structure, deallocate your
first element in the Preferences structure. When it returns, your
array of Color_Registers, and begin drawing.
litde one-byte buffer will contain a value of either TOPAZ_SDCTY or TOPA2_EIGHTY, depending on the current
Putting it to use
setting. In die case at hand, you will read 118 bytes of data, just enough to get die current colors.
To hold your color data, you must allocate memory for an
Once your WBJPalette is initialized, you can render freely in your window, reasonably confident that your images will look as good as diey can given die available colors. If you
array of four Color structures. Each Color structure contains four
desire a dark color, you can specify WB_Palette.Shadow or
elements, each of which is 4 bits in size. You dien utilize a
WB_Palette. Subdue. You can utilize the brightest color by
special feature of the C language known as a bitfield to hold
specifying WB_Palette.Hilite. The final chapter of Style, die
each nybble-sized value. Using bitfields, you can access tiny
Intuition manual, mentions that Intuition's Pointer is designed
objects packed into a single word. Intuition packs the Blue,
with die light source coming from the upper right. To uphold
Green, and Red values into the three least significant nybbles of
this convention, I have assigned color values in die demo
an unsigned SHORT. You will want to take advantage of the
program accordingly, with shadows appearing at die lower left.
unused fourth nybble for your own purposes.
Note how this can be used to create die illusion of both raised and recessed surfaces within your window.
struct
Color
Drop-shadowed text can be rendered easily using a linked
{
unsigned
Blue
:
4;
unsigned
Green
:
4;
unsigned
Red
:
4;
WB_Palette's Shadow color for the FrontPen and the
unsigned
Value
:
4;
WB_Palette's BackGround color for the BackPen. In Drawing
pair of IntuiText structures. First, draw your text using the
Mode JAM2, these settings will bodi erase any existing back Bitfields look and behave much the same as ordinary
structure elements, with a few differences. Most obvious is the inclusion of a colon in the element definition, followed by the field size, expressed as the number of adjacent bits. Also notice that the fields are listed with the least significant bits at the top
of the list. This is done because die Amiga assigns bitfields from
right to left. On odier computers, they might be assigned from left to right, so bitfields do not lend themselves well to portable
code. Also, since each field is only a portion of an int, you cannot take die address of a bitfield. However, in other respects you can treat bitfields as though diey were regular integers. Once you assign die RGB values of your Coior structure, pass diem to getValueO which makes a rough approximation of die color's brightness by averaging the Red, Green, and Blue values of die Color in question. The result is dien placed in the most significant nybble of die Color structure. This averaging algoridim is an oversimplification of actual perceived brightness:
it discards any R, G, or B value Jess than four (values diis low contribute almost nothing to the color's brightness) and takes an
average by integer division. Widi most Workbench color schemes, it seems to do die job. When I tested it on some more exotic palettes, however, die color assignments came out less than perfect. (Incidentally, anyone who cares to improve die reliability of this function is heartily encouraged to do so. Kindly send me a copy when you are done.) Your freshly assigned Color structure is actually die first element of a slightly larger structure I call a Color_Register. The
second element is simply a SHORT integer used for storing the pen number. Since you will be shuffling these structures, you will need to know die original pen numbers when it comes time to do some actual drawing. Once your Color_Register structures are completely filled out, you can free up die memory allocated
90
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
ground and draw the text. Next, draw your text again using the
\VB_Palette's Hilite color—not directly on top of our shadow, but offset slighdy upwards and to the right. This time, use Drawing Mode JAM1 so only the letters will be drawn over the shadow. The following sample program opens a simple Work bench window, displays some text and graphics using the WB_Palette mediod, and waits for eidier a mouse click in its
Close gadget or any keypress before exiting. Note diat die IDCMPFlags of this window include the NEWPREFS bit. If, during die course of die program's execution, you choose to alter Workbench's Preferences structure, Intuition will send an IntuiMessage of class NEWPREFS. You can then reexamine die current colors and redraw your graphics accordingly. You can
experiment by running SortColors and Preferences simultane ously, watching SortColors redraw its window after each invocation of Preferences.
If you are satisfied that your graphics programming is safe even in the hands of the most colorblind Workbench user, you can include sort_colors.h and sort_colors.c in your own
programs. All you need to do is call ChoosePensO after opening the intuition.library and before you begin rendering in your window. If Intuition is doing any amount of rendering for you— Gadget imagery, Menus, or IntuiText—you will probably want to call a routine which initializes those colors before you open your window. Widi a WB_Palette handy, impressive graphics
are automatically managed for any Workbench color scheme.
Listing One: sort_colors.h /*
sort_colors.h
tifndef
SORT
*/
COLORS
H
SHORT *pref_bu£; struct Color_Register
Amazing on Disk
void
if (1 (pref_buf =
Source Listings and Executabies from the pages ofAmazing Computing'
'reg_buf;
•AllocMemO;
(SHORT
")AllocMem(118L,
ME!
{
return(OUTTA_KEXORY);
)
Only $6.00 per disk ($7.00 for Son-Subicriben)
if (!(reg_buf - (struct Color^Register AllocMemtsizeof(struct Color_Pecister) MEKF FAST)))
FreeMem(prefJBuf, return
/* we
118L);
|OUTTA_MEMORY);
only need the
first
113
/* to find the color data
GetPrefs ipref_buf,
for
(i-0;
i<4;
*) "4L,
(
bytes
*/
*/
118L);
I++)
i
(reg_buf+i)->cr_Color = "(pref_buf (reg_buf+i)->cr_Colcr.Value =
+
55
+
i)
getValue(RED_PEN,GREEN_PEN,BLUE_PEN); /*
save
the
pen
(reg_buf+i)->cr_Nuraber
See the compleie listing on page 26.
FceeMem(pref_buf,
-
nuiriber
"/
i;
118L);
/* sore them from darkest to lightest •/ sortWBenchValues(reg_buf);
♦define
♦ifndef
SORT_COLORS_H
EXEC_TYPES_H #include
#endif
EXEC
TYPES
struct
Color
H
for
/• we use bit-fields here
{
unsigned 31ue unsigned Green
4;
unsigned
4; 4;
4;
Red
struct
brightness
/■ /'
because that's tne Intuition stores
/'
the color data use last 4 bits
/•
way
*/
*/
•/ */ */
cr_Color; cr Number;
WORD
Subdue; 3ackGround;
/*
scheme.
r,
i
#define
this
is
our
global Palette
/*
used
in
all
our
tendif
SORT
display
Palette
structure,
routines
/* This
(tifndef
dendif
g,
*/
*/
b;
AVG_VALUE(a,b,c) ? ?
0 0
: :
r; g;
?
0
:
b;
(AVG VALUE(r,g,b));
is a modification of the shell 0
listed in K
fi
R.
It
specifically
/*
Color Register structures
Color
Register
sorts
function ■/ 4
•/
"/
v[];
cr Color.Value
♦define VAL WORD
gap,
struct
"sort_colors.h"
i,
j;
Color_Register temp;
SORT_COLOSS_H
for for
EXEC_MEMORY_H
#include EXEC_MEMORY_H OUTTA_MEMORY
1
SUCCESS
0
/■
4L)
sortWBenchValues(v)
*/
♦define
/* this
ChoosePensd
end
{
♦define
struct
(SUCCESS);
/"
/"
SORT__COLORS_H
#include
return
Color_RegiEter)
*/
struct
#endif
sizeof (struct
)->cr_Number;
WB_Palette;
COLORS H
sortcolors.c
(reg__buf+3)->cr_Number;
return
Listing Two: sort_colors.c
difndef
■
Palette.Hilite
b - b<4
/■
struct
WB
r - r<4 g = g<4
*/
BYTE Hilite;
extern
(reg_buf+2)->cr_Number;
getValue(r,g,b)
/• we use this to store the */ /* color register numbers which */ "/ /■ correspond to our shading
Palette ( BYTE Shadow; BYTE BYTE
(reg_buf+l) ->cr__Number;
-
/" perceives brightness is beyond me. •/ /* So for now, we just take an average •/
i
Color
SHORT
struct
(reg_buf
"
/■ This routine could stand some improvement. /" A true evaluation of how the eye "/
*/
Color__3egister struct
=
HB_Palette.Subdue WB_Palette.BackCround
FreeMem(reg_buf,
unsigned Value /*
HB_Palette.Shadow
Palette guy
temp
looks
at
them
/*
pen numbers
the current
from darkest into
to
a
#define RED_PEN tdefine GREEN'_?EN
tdefine BLUE_PEN SHORT
i;
(
WorkBench colors,
lightest,
global
and puts
Palette
sorts
the proper
Listing Three: demo.c
struct.
ChoosePer.s 0
1
j -= gap) = v[j];
v[j] = v[j+gep]; v[]+gap] = temp;
WB_Palette;
computes the brightness value of each,
/*
(gap = 2; gap > 0; gap /= 2) ( i = gap; i < 4; i++) for (j - i-gap; j >- 0 SS (v[jJ.VAL > v[j+gap].VAL)
(reg_buf+i)->cr_Color.Red (reg_buf+i)->cr Color.Green
(reg_buf+ij->cr^Color.Blue
/« demo.c "/ t
fr.de:
INTUITION_INTUITION_H
*include
Amazing Computing V4$ ©1989
91
}; struct
About the Author
{
Rich Martin graduated from U.C.L.A. in
0, 0,
the raised look
5,
button_hi_vects,
0,
0,
*/
/* Left, /* pens,
JAM1,
NULL
in MIDT and electronic music and has been
Top */ mode */
/* next */ /* Left,
Top •/
/* pens,
mode
V
},
/* these two get the recessed look
10, 13, 0, 0, JAM1,
With a
5,
10,
Rich has been able to use his Amiga as a
0, 5,
powerful tool in making music.
/* Left, /* pens,
title_sh__vects,
Sborder[3]
knowledge of C, BASIC, and AmigaDOS,
1,
/•
/* Left, /* pens,
WINDOWCLOSE SMART
When
free from his duties as Amiga manager of
EEXT window titlef]
Do_While Studios, a computer arts coop
struct NewWindow new
160, 320,
the help of Deluxe Video, Sculpt-Animate-
=
I
I
ACTIVATE
I\
HINDOBDBPTH
I\
REFRESH
{" Window Sweet Window "}; window =
{
50, 100,
/* Left,
!- width,
-1,
Top
Height
'/
•/
/■ Pens
CLOSEWINDOW J KINDOW_FLAGS,
3D, and DeluxePaint III.
Top •/ mode "/
},
WINDOWDRAS
-1,
Top -/ mode */
"/
13,
#define WINDOW FLAGS
erative in Boston, he indulges himself with
next
0, JAM1, title_hi_vects,
NULL
Rich's passion for animation is almost
{
0, 0, JA.M1, S, buttcn_sh_vects,
sion. A musician all his life, he specializes
as old as his dedication to music.
0, 0,
=
/* these two get
fiborder[l7 },
1978 with a B.A. in Motion Pictures/Televi
recording for the past decade.
Border border[]
RAWKEY
|
NEWPREFS,
/• 1st Gadget */ */ /* Checkmark
NULL,
NULL,
window_title, NULL,
Screen
NULL,
BitMap
0,
in
^include "sort_colors.c" Kendif SORTCOLORSH first,
a couple of
100,
WBENCHSGREEN
tifndef SORT_COLORS_H
/*
0,
320,
fendif INTUITION_INTUITION_H
IntuiTexts
struct
Library
*IntuitionBase;
struct Library /
Struct Window
/• for drop-shadowed text "/ struct IntuiText text[] = [ (
1,
0,
JAM2,
0,
0,
NULL,
NULL,
&text[l]
i
1,
0,
JAM1,
2,
-1,
HULL,
NULL,
NULL
},
),
*OpenLibrary() •window,
*OpenWindow() ,■
char "strings[] = { "'Twas brillig and Che slithy toves, "■ Did ayre and gymble
/*
a
few drawing vectors
♦define BUTTON WIDTH fdefine BUTTON'_HEIGHT
48
#define TITLE WIDTH tdefine TITLE_HEIGHT
300
WORD button
1,
hi
15
DoTextIrp) struct
f
30
vects[]
in the wabe.",
•/
/* set up the colors */ text[0].FrontPen = WB_?aiette.Shadow;
0,
3UTT0N WIDTH-1,
/* plug in the first
c.
line */
text[03.IText = text[l].IText =
BUTTON WIDTK-1, BUTTON HEIGHT-2 3UTT0N WIDTK-2, BUTTON HEIGHT-2 BUTTON WIDTK-2,
"rp;
text(0].BackPen = WB_Palette.BackGround; text[1].FrontPen = WB_Paiette.Hilite;
i
=
RastPort
PrintlTeKt(rp,
1
text,
18L,
{UBYTE »)strings[0!
20L);
/" plug in the second line •/
1;
text[0].IText = text[1]-IText =
WORD button_sh_vects[]
=
{
BUTTON_WIDTH-1, BUTTON_HEIGHT-1, 0, BUTTON HEIGHT-1,
0, 1, 1,
PrintlText (rp,
0, 1,
18L,
(UBYTE *)strings[l]
30D;
DoBoxes(rp) struct
RastPort "rp;
BUTTON_HEIGHT-2
\t
LONG x,
WORD title_hi_vects[]
1,
text,
=
(
0,
TITL£_WIDTH-1,
for
0,
y;
/* set up the colors */ (x=0L; x<4L; x+=2L) ( borderjx ].FrontPen ■ WB_Palette.Hilite; border[x+l].FrontPen = WB
TITLE_WIDTH-1, TITLE^HEIGHT-2,
Palette.Shadow;
TITLE_WIDTH-2, TITLE_HEIGHT-2, TITLE_HIDTH-2,
1
1; WORD
title_sh_vects[]
=
TITLE_WIDTH-1,
0,
0,
1,
1,
92
/• draw the title box DrawBorder(rp,
( TITLE_HEIGHT-1,
TITLE_HEIGHT-1,
0,
1,
TITLE HEIGHT-2
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
£border[2),
0L,
*/ 0L);
/* and a bunch of fake buttons for
(x-36L;
x<320L - 3UTTON_WIDTH;
*,'
X+-5CL)
for (y=46L; y<100L~- BUTTON_HEIGKT; y+«16L) DrawBorder (rp,
border,
>:,
y) ;
DoBackGround(win) struct window "win; /* /•
if
Gotta color
fill 0 is
the not
background if acceptable */
(WB Palette.BackGround
!- 0)
•/
{
SetAPen{win->RPort,(long)WB Palette.BackGround) RectFill(win->RPort, 2L, 10L,window->Width-3L, win->Height-llL); BectFill{win->RPort, 2L, (long)win->GZ2Height,
win->GZ2Width+3L,
Drawsome(win) struct Window
win->Height-2U;
*win;
struct
BastPort
"rp
= win->RPorc;
DoBoxes(rp);
*win;
struct LONG for
x,
RastPort
rp
*Complete For Serious Programmers *Direct IFF File Support *Record Structures and Pointers *Ultra Fast Floating Point *Sample p Program g Disk 100 Examples El •Snobol-Like Pattern Matching
The F-BASIC Language System 2.0—Only $89.95
■ win->RPort;
y;
(x=0L;
• SO Fast-Beats C! • Recursive Subprograms •Over 350 Powerful Commands • Easy Access to Amiga Libraries • Comprehensive Users Manual • Easy Access to Amiga Windows, Menus, Sound, Events & Animation
• Debug F-BASIC '"'Programs at the Source Level—So Easy. • Intuition Interface—Windows for Source, Registers, Memory, Variables. •Comprehensive Users Manual—Full Documentation.
DoATrick(win) Window
*Easy For Beginners
The F-BASIC'"System Also Has A Source Level Debugger
DoText(rp);
struct
F-BASIC is an Enhanced, Compiled Basic Language System.
x<36L;
x+ + )
F-BASIC™ System and Complete SLDB-Onfy $149.95
i
WaitTOF(); SetRast(rp, WaitTOF () ,-
(long) (WB
SetRast(rp,
(long)(WB Palette.Hilite))
Palette.Shadow) )
Available Only From The Manufacturer!
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:
DELPHI NOETIC SYSTEMS, INC.
1 OoenShopO
Post Office Box 7722 Rapid City, South Dakota 57709-7722 Credit Card or C.O.D. Call (605) 348-0791
if (NOT(IntuitionBase SeolyMsg(message);
F-BA5IC ond FoitCom are registered Irademarki of DNS, Inc. AMIGA is a registered trademark of Commodore/AIMGA Inc. PunchOuc(code) WORD
Circle 116 on Reader Service card.
code;
if
(window) Closewindow(window)>
if
(GfxBase) CloseLibrary (GfxBase) ,-
MOVING?
if
(IntuitionBasel CloseLibrary(intuitionBase); exit (code);
SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS?
main () struct
IntuiMessage
"im,
"GetMsgO;
OpenShop() ; FOREVER
{
/*
sleep
'til
Intuition
WaitPort (window->UserPort); /* get all the latest while(im ■
if
comes
news
*/
GetMsg(window->UserPort))
(ReadMail(im)
==
FALSE)
{
|
a-
Please don't forget to let us know,
If you are having a problem with your subscription or if you are planning to move, piease write to:
TidyUo(window);
Punchbut (0);
Amazing.Computing Subscription Questions
PiM Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 869 Fall River, MA 02722
AC Please remember, we cannot mail your magazine to you if we do not know where you are.
Please allow four to six weeks for processing.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
93
INSTANT <5EL Gels In Multi-Forth, Part III However, even that program proved to be too hard to
byJohn Busbakra
I usually make this tasty dish in the morning while I vacuum:
hallucinations, in which the program asked me to delete its
executable image, as well as its own source code. The time had come for me to rewrite the program, using the ultimate lazy-
Ingredients:
10 3-5-inch blank, floppy diskettes 1 bottle of tabasco sauce
1 roll ofPeppermint LifeSavers Several pieces of broken glass
1 bottle offine wine 1 dozen carrots
1 piece of burnt toast 1 egg, rotten
1 ballpeen hammer
Place all ingredients except disks, LifeSavers, wine and hammer on pastry board. While drinking wine, pound on board vigorously with hammer until all ingredients are thor oughly pulverized. Pour powdered debris into blender, includ
ing hammer for good measure. Set blender to "puree" and let run for 3 minutes. After blending, pour contents into one of your disk drives. Insert disks one at a time and type FORMAT
use. I knew it had outlived its usefulness after some late-night
DRIVE DF1:
NAME
JUNK-FOOD NOICONS
man's user interface: Intuition. For those uninitiated folks who may be unfamiliar with
exactly what the program does, here is a short explanation. The converter program allows the user to draw Gels using one of
the myriad paint programs available. The image is men saved to disk as an IFF Brush file. Using the converter, the user may enter information pertinent to Gels—such as x- and y-positions, collision masks, all the various Bob flags, and the zillions of animation object flags—so that it may be stored on a disk. The program then converts the IFF image to the format needed by the Amiga when it is time to display the Gel (see part one of Gels for a detailed explanation of this process). Using special
ized functions, these numbers, flags, and converted image data can be read directly back into Gel structures at run rime. This is much easier than having to store all the information by hardcoding.
The file format used by the old program proved to be too clumsy for larger programs, so it was also redesigned. Now, the converter program stores more than one Gel in a file, so an entire animation sequence can be read in one shot. Below are
Place formatted disks on silver platter, garnish with LifeSavers,
the layouts for the new files, beginning with the layout for a
and serve chilled.
hardware sprite:
1.) When listing my faults as a programmer, I have to rank laziness right up there in the top five. The whole Gels In MultiForth project was conceived out of laziness. I just cannot stand
Number of Gels stored in the file: a long integer (4
bytes).
2.) 3.)
SimpleSprite structure (defined in graphics/sprite.f). Sprite image data. Note that the converter program
typing in image bitmaps by hand. Even if you use the public
automatically pads the first and last two words of image data
domain IFF routines, you've still got to do all that terrible
with zeroes.
initialization the hard way—fay hand. Anyone who has ever had to do this will tell you that it takes inordinate amounts of time.
The two blocks above are repeated for each sprite stored in the
The resulting code is not only ugly but wasteful, as it is typically
file. For Virtual Sprites, the file structure is as follows:
executed only once by the main program. 1.)
Number of Gels in the file (4 bytes).
mined that nearly all Gel initialization could be done through a
2.)
Virtual Sprite structure (defined in graphics/gels.f Sprite
single function, if the necessary information were stored in a
Image Data).
After reflecting upon the problem for a while, I deter
disk file. The information was already there; all I had to do was convert it into a usable form—IFF files. I immediately began writing a program to convert IFF files
The Virtual Sprite structure and its corresponding image data are repeated for each Gel in the file.
made with DPaint II into files I could read in from the disk,
Next, the file format for Bobs:
storing the information directly in Gel structures. The result appeared in Part One of Gels In Multi-Forth, which appeared in the April, 1988 issue of Amazing Computing.
94
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
1.)
Number of Gels in the file (4 bytes).
2.)
Virtual Sprite Structure.
sized field called "sprRsrvd." For example, bit 0 corresponds to
3-)
Bob structure.
hardware sprite 0 (the Intuition pointer), and bit 7 corresponds
4.)
Bob image data.
to sprite 7. The manual suggests that storing a 1 in a bit
position will reserve the respective sprite. The manual goes on Once again, the Virtual Sprite, Bob, and image data are repeated for each Gel in the file.
to suggest that storing a 3 in this field will reserve sprites 0 and 1. In fact, the opposite is true. Storing a 0 in the bit position will reserve die sprite. Thus, you must store 252 to reserve
For Animation Objects, the file format is as follows:
sprites 0 and 1 (11111100 binary = 252 decimal).
1.)
Number of Gels (4 bytes).
Intuition's AllocRemember function. '"Remembering'' solves the
2.)
Animation Object structure
problem of having scads of ugly memory pointers lying around
3.)
Virtual Sprite structure.
which you'll have to free up one at a time when you've
Notice that all dynamic memory allocation is done using
4.)
Bob structure.
finished. For arguments, AllocRemember wants to see three
5.)
AnimComp structure.
tilings:
6.)
Image data.
Remember structures it creates; 2) the size of the requested
1) an address where it can store the addresses of die
memory block; and 3) flags indicating die type of memory being The Virtual Sprite, Bob, AnimComp and image data blocks are repeated for each animation component in the file.
requested (CHIP, FAST, etc.).
The first item, the address of an address, might cause
Note that
the Animation Object structure is not repeated, since only one
some problems. Intuition calls this magic address a "key."
such structure is needed.
(We'll run across these again when we get to Animation
There is no colormap information stored in the Gel files. The converter program Still writes out the colormaps to a
Objects.) In Forth, we can set up this key using old-fashioned VARIABLES. Declare a variable like this:
separate file. Now take a look at Listing One, which is called "gels.f."
VARIABLE mykey
This file contains all the Forth code required to read in files made with the converter program. For non-Forth readers, I've included Listing Three, "gels.c," which contains the functions
0
mykey
1
Later, when we need to pass the key to AllocRemember, we just say die name of our variable and its address is pushed
written in C. Listing Two is a short demo program that contains
onto die stack.
Forth code for placing a hardware sprite, virtual sprite, bob, and
so:
For instance, we might call AllocRemember like
a joystick-controlled animation object on the screen.
The first items in "gels.f are global variables, which are used by all the functions. Why not just include them as "locals"? That was my original intention, but when I got around to writing the function to make an animation object, I ran into some serious trouble. Multi-Forth allows the use of only 10 local variables inside a definition. The "makeaob" function was using 15, so I had to factor these out and make them global.
mykey
size MEMF__CHI?
AllocHemember
to memptr
This statement calls the function and stores the result in the local or global variable called "mempir." If, after calling diis function, we were to type mykey
@
One of these global variables, "gacarr" (global AnimComp array), is a two-dimensional array that will hold animation components as they are read in from disk. After they are read
in, they will be linked together (more on that later).
The first function, "readygels," initializes the Amiga's Gel system and is lifted pretty much intact from
its C counterpart in the ROM Kernel Manual. The Gel system keeps track of tilings using (what else?) a linked
list. In this case, it is a list of virtual sprites. In order to use the system, you must allocate dummy head and tail Virtual Sprite structures. All virtual sprites will be inserted into the list between these two. Another necessary structure is called Gelslnfo. The leftmost, rightmost, topmost and bottommost fields in this structure are most important. These fields define the size of the screen for collision-detection purposes. Also of interest is the "sprRsrvd" field. This field reserves certain hardware sprites, thus making them unavailable for allocation. Experience has shown that these hardware sprite functions should be reserved in a manner exactly opposite to that described in the ROM Kernel Manual.
There are 8 hardware sprites available for use, each of them having a corresponding bit in the byte(continued page 97)
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
95
August 1989 V 4.8
Missing
something
Index of Amazing Advertisers Discover something interesting?
special?
Don't miss another AC,
Subscribe today!
For back issues, see page CIII.
Special! AMAZING Video Supplement
Need more information? Use the Reader Service Card in every issue of AC to contact those advertisers who have sparked your interest. Advertisers want to hear from you. This is the best way they have of determining the Amiga community's interests and needs. Take a moment and contact the companies with products you want to know more about. And, if you wish to contact an Amazing Advertiser directly, please tell them you saw their advertisement in:
Amazing Amiga
M
XcoMPUTrNCf7#
Getting Started in Video by Richard Starr Part I of everyman's intro to greal Amiga desktop video!
Magni 4004 Genlock by Oran Sands III Amiga hardware for video professionals. Pro Video Gold by Oran Sands III An Amiga program for video pros. MediaPhile by Larry Krieff An affordable Amiga video editing system.
Broadcast Titler by R. Shamms Mortier, PhD. Broadcast-quality titling on the Amiga.
Page
Reader Service Number
ACDA
32
AmiEXPO
21
104 159
Anivision
31
150
AROCK Computer Software
52
107
Arrakis
54
108
ASDG
70
160
Superplan by Marion Deland
B & B Computers
69
110
Grafox's new spreadsheet and time manager.
Celestial Systems
60
112
Intruder Alert by Mike Morrison
Computability
66
115
Consultron
68
155
Creative Solutions
38
144
Display the Guru within BASIC & create your own messages.
Delphi Noetic Systems
93
116
Snapshot reviews by R. Brad Andrews
Empire Graphics
43
151
Expansion Technologies
97
120
Express-Way Software
53
122
EZ-Soft
4
119
V1.4: A Pre Preview by Mike Morrison
Great Valley Products
1
158
A pre-release look at Amiga OS 1.4.
Micro Momentum, Inc.
14
125
DevCon '89 by Mike Morrison
Micro-Systems Software
Amazing Reviews
A new kind of Amiga monitor.
On Your Alert: Using System Alerts from BASIC by John F. Wiederhirn
Hostage Rescue Mission, Combat Course & Thunder Blade. International Soccer reviewed by Derek J. Perry
A weathery look at the game in the Amiga atmosphere. Amazing Features
DevCon '89 in San Francisco, Mike tells all!
126
Micro-Systems Software
CII
101
MicroBou'cs
11
109
MicroWay
9
114
NewTek
CIV
102
Omnitech Computers
49
128
One Byte
87
129
Poor Person Software
40
131
Prespect Technics Inc.
17
133
Safe Harbor Software
103
134
Sedona Software
10
135
Software Advantage Consulting Corp.
101
138
Bug Bytes by John Steiner
Tangent 270
30
154
A new Fat Agnus chip, Dlgi-Paint upgrade & more!
Templicity
46
157
C Notes
Tensor Productions
38
141
The Bit Bucket Computer Store
51
142
The Memory Location
65
143
Hardcopy by Melissa J. Bernier
More puzzles to ponder for the Amiga enthusiast. Amazing Programming
Lattice 5.0
by Gerald Hull
Experiences with the Lattice C Development System.
Executing Batch Files in AmigaBASIC by Mark Aydellotte Executing AmigaDOS commands within AmigaBASIC programs.
Building a Better String Gadget
by John Bushakra
Smooth data entry using string gadgets. Amazing Columns
New Products and Other Neat Stuff by Elizabeth G. Fedorzyn
Elan Performer, IMG Scan, Dual Serial Boards, Archipelogos, Momentum Mail, TeleTutor and even The Three Bears!
by Stephen Kemp
Directing programs via the Command Line. Roomers
by the Bandito
Whispers from Epyx, Atari, and the approaching hoard of European software products.
96
Advertiser
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
the address of "mykey" would be put onto the stack, and the "@" symbol would fetch 32 bits at that address. As a result, the number left on the stack is an address itself—or, more specifi cally, the address of an address.
Voild! What exactly is that
magic address stored at "mykey"? It's a pointer to the first Remember structure in a linked list of Remember structures. Each node in the list keeps details on the size of the allocated memory block, the actual pointer to the memory, and, of course, a pointer to the next node. In C, we would declare a variable and tell the compiler
something about its type. In this case, the variable is a pointer
Use A2000 Cards With Your Amiga 300 or 1000
to a Remember structure: struct Kemeniber
"mykey
= NULL;
When we actually call AllocRemember, we use the ampersand
(&) to give us the address of this variable (the address of a variable that holds an address): memptr
= AllocRemember{smykey,size,MEMF_CHIP);
We need to make three more allocations before we can
use the Gel system. The "lastColor" array hoids pointers to Virtual Sprite color tables. There are eight cells in the array, one
Tool Box
IDOL
EXPANSION
SYSTEM
for each hardware sprite. Here the system stores the address of
Don't get left behind in the ever growing market of
the color table last used to display the respective sprite.
expansion cards for the Amiga 2000. With the Tool
The "nextLine" array again has space for eight numbers.
In this array, the system stores the next display line at which it may re-use the corresponding hardware sprite.
The last table we need to allocate is for collision handling.
A "collTable" is an array of 16 pointers. Each pointer is the address of a routine executed when the system detects a certain kind of Gel-to-Gel collision. Using pointers to functions in Forth is difficult, because the routines must be written in machine language. The reason for this is that the Gel system executes these routines as machine language subroutines, and the function must end with an RTS instruction. Normal Forth definitions return through addresses left on the "return" stack. The only thing left to do is store the address of our Gelslnfo structure in the RastPort and call InitGels. At this point, the Gel
system has finally been initialized and is ready to use. The first—and by far the simplest—in our array of
functions is called "makehardsprt." As its name implies, it
box 2-slot card cage you can use A2000 cards in your
Amiga 500 or 1000.'
GUARANTEED COMPATABILITY Since we're the manufacturer we guarantee compata-
bility with your machine. If there are any questions you make one phone call...the buck stops with us.
SAVE ON COMPLETE SYSTEMS Since you buy direct from the manufacturer you save
money. And complete systems save you even more.
A SELECTION
OF
PRODUCTS
Toolbox - 2-slot card cage with a 9amp power supply and bus pass-through. Memory Card - A2000 type card with 2Mb of in
stalled RAM, expandable to 8 megabytes.
creates a hardware sprite—given the name of a disk file, a
Hard Card - Autobooting SCSI DMA A2000 con
Remember key, and an array to store the hardware sprite
troller in 32/40/48/60/S0Mb sizes and more.
pointer.
Since these functions will be using the AmigaDOS file I/O
Systems
A
6
ToolBox
259.95
259.95
2Mb Memorv
699.95
routines, you might want to include the Forth file, "libraries/
dos.f," which contains the various file-access flag definitions. In my system, I've included both this file and a file defining Forth
32Mb HardCard
AmigaDOS calls. I have also made a snapshot, so that these
48Mb HardCard
definitions are ready to use when Multi-Forth loads. This file, "dos.calls," has been listed in the previous Gels articles, but for completeness, I've included it again as Listing Four.
The function "makehardsprt" opens the file and then reads the number of hardware sprites it contains. It then enters a loop, in which it reads each of the elements in the file. You
might want to refer back to the file format for hardware sprites, which I described above.
The first block in the file is a SimpleSprite structure. The function allocates space for this in memory and reads it in from the file. Remember that in Multi-Forth, when you say the name
D 259.95
259.95
259.95
699.95
699.95
749.95
749.95 799.95
959.90
1009.90
Your Price
mk
799.95
1709.85 1759.85
Call Today
EXPANSION T
E
C
H
N
0
L
0
44862 OsgoodRoad,Fremont,California94539 Circle 120 on Reader Service card.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
97
of a structure in a definition, the size of the structure in bytes is
by "i"—which tells us how many iterations die loop has done.
pushed onto the stack.
If only one Gel is stored in the file, the function assumes die
From infonnation already contained in the SimpleSprite
user passed the address of a variable at which it can store the
structure when it is read in, the program determines the size of
address of this Virtual Sprite. After reading all Gels, die loop
the data block that makes up die sprite image. The formula is
terminates, the file is closed, and the function returns. The next step on die Gel function evolutionary ladder is
as follows:
called "makebob," and by now you should be getting the hang size
=
(height
+2)
*
2
•
of how these diings work. The number of Gels stored in die
2
A value of 2 is added to the height because sprite data is actually padded with 2 additional rows of data. One row
proceeds the actual image, and the other follows it. The first multiplication by 2 compensates for the fact that each line of die sprite image is made up of 2 words of data. The next multipli cation by 2 gives us the size of die data block in bytes. For
file is read in, and the funcdon enters a loop. In the loop, space is allocated for a bob, as well as, for a Virtual Sprite. From numbers already stored in the Virtual Sprite structure (using the converter), die size of the bob's image data is calculated. The formula is (Width
■
Height
*
Depth)
*
2
example, if die sprite were 9 lines high, we would add 2 to get 11, and then multiply by 2 for a product of 22. This result
The depth variable is, of course, the number of bit planes
represents the number of 16-bit words that make up the sprite
in the image; once again, the multiplication by two gives the
image. We multiply by 2 again to get 44, the number of bytes
size of the image data block in bytes. The bob. virtual sprite,
that make up the image. We then allocate a block of memory
and image data are dien read from the data file. The pointer to
to hold die image data and read die data from the disk.
the image data is stored in the Virtual Sprite, then the two Gel
Next, we have to store die SimpleSprite in the user's array.
Structures are linked together. The bob drawing flags—
The function looks at die number of Gels in die file. If die
OVERLAY. SAVEBACK, and SAVEBOB—are all saved with the
number is greater dian one, dicn die address passed to this
converter and need not be set again.
function is assumed to be an array of pointers. The array is
The function then performs the same allocation as
indexed by the loop index, multiplied by four (a pointer is four
"makevsprt'' for the bob's collision mask and borderline image.
bytes long). If there is only one Gel in the file, dien the Gel
In addition, the same pointer to the collision mask area is stored
structure is assumed to be the address of a variable, and die
in the bob's ImageShadow field. These two data areas are die
pointer to die Gel structure is stored at die address. The loop
same size.
condnues for each sprite stored in die file. When the loop
then the function will allocate the necessary memory area for
terminates, die file is closed, and the function returns.
saving and restoring the background when the Bob moves.
The function "makevsprt" is similar to its hardware sprite companion. The main exception is die additional memory
If die SAVEBACK flag was set widi the converter,
If die user requests a double-buffered bob. die converter
stores a non-zero value in die bob's DBuffer field. When
allocation that must take place in a virtual sprite. Specifically,
"makebob" sees this non-zero value, it allocates a data structure
the virtual sprite's collision mask and borderline image—bodi of
called "DBufPacket" and stores its pointer in the bob's DBuffer
which are used to detect collisions—must be retained. The
field. Also, "makebob" will allocate another memory block
following formulas are used in determining the size of these two
exactly the same size as the original biock used to store the
blocks:
bob's image data. You can see that double-buffered bobs have a voracious appetite for memory—use them cautiously.
CollMask_size
BorderLine
=
Width)
(Height
size = Width
'
From these formulas, it is evident that die collision mask must be as big as one plane of die sprite itself, and die border
line area must be as big as die sprite is wide. Therefore, if the image is 2 data words wide (16 pixels), we need to ask for space to store 2 words of data. Both sizes are multiplied by 2 to give the size in bytes, rather than in words. The collision mask is the logical "or" of all the bit planes diat make up die sprite image. The borderline image is the horizontal logical "or" of the collision mask. Think of the image bit planes as pages of a book. To make the collision mask, all the pages are put under a magic iron diat squishes diem into a single page. To make die borderline image, diis page is dien folded like an accordion, and put back under die iron. The iron squishes die accordion so diat it becomes a single, narrow strip of paper. After these memory areas have been allocated, "ma kevsprt" calls the Gel system function InitMasks, whicli performs the squishing described above. Again, if there is more dian one Gel in die data file, it is assumed diat die user passed an array to the funcdon. The current Gel is stored in die array—indexed
98
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
A call to InitMasks creates the masks for collision detec tion. The same mechanism described for hardware and virtual sprites stores the resulting Bob. When all bobs have been read and initialized, the data file is closed and die function returns.
The real star of this show is the funcdon called "makeaob." As advertised, it reads in an animation object stored on
disk and does die dirty work of linking it togedier. It turns out that linking die animation object is not half as bad as decipher ing die reams of variables and flags that control diese beasts. I'll go into a little more detail on how to control animation objects when we examine Listing Two. For now, let's concen trate on reading in and hooking together an animation object. An animation object can be made up of several different
components called AnimComps. A classic example of diis is the "RoboCity" demo diat nearly every Amigaphile has seen. It features a lanky bean-pole robot strolling along a city street. The demo also features a buxom female being, of sorts, a hopping creature, and, of course, the (in)famous dog diat endlessly terrorizes a hapless fire hydrant. Let me explain how animation objects are put togedier, using die robot from RoboCity as an example. The robot might
be made up of six different animation components: one head,
There is a limit to the number of components you can
one body, two arms, and two legs. The position of each component is specified relative to the position of die Animation
store in a data fi!e. If you look at the declaration of the array
Object itself ([AnX, AnY] in the animation object data structure).
"gacarr," you will see it has been dimensioned to 10 rows by 10
In each AnimComp structure there is a pointer to the next
columns. This means that the animation object must not have
AnimComp in the list (NextComp), as well as a pointer to the
more than 10 components, and each component can have a
previous AnimComp (PrevComp).
maximum of 10 different views. It's important to remember just
Each component may have several different views. The
how memory hungry Gels actually are: Each component takes
robot's head might have two views, ■while his arms and legs
up 130 bytes of RAM: 60 bytes for the Virtual Sprite structure,
might have three views each: forward, middle, and back.
32 bytes for the Bob structure, and 9S bytes for the AnimComp
Each
different view of a component is itself an AnimComp and is
structure. Ten such components would total 1,300 bytes. If
linked into the list by pointers called NextSeq and PrevSeq.
each component had 10 views, you would be looking at 13,000
Think of the entire structure as a two dimensional array with the
bytes of memory, and that does not include image data,
different views of each component in the columns and each
collision masks, image shadows, borderlines or the buffers
different component (head, arms, legs) in the rows. Figure 1
needed for saving and restoring die background. In short, Gels
illustrates this concept.
can be very useful gadgets, but you must be frugal in using
The array "gacarr" is used to hold AnimComps as they are
diem. They have a voracious appetite for RAM! Now let's take a look at the short demo program in Listing
read in from the disk. The rows and columns are indexed by
local variables w and x, respectively. When animation objects
Two. The demo uses images drawn with DPaint //which were
are created with the converter, each IFF image converted is
run through the converter program. The hardware sprite is a
assumed to be the next view in a sequence. In order to signal
pinball diat bounces around in a star pattern; the Virtual Sprite
the end of a view sequence, the R1NGTRIGGER gadget is
is a little stick figure that does jumping jacks; die Bob is a
selected. The flag is stored in the AnimComp structure and
spirograph pattern; and the animation object is a Centipede-like
written to the disk. When reading back components, f'mak-
spider controlled with the joystick.
eaob" looks for any component with the RINGTRIGGER flag set. When the function finds the flag, the row index, w, is incrimi
At the top of die program you will find all the variables needed to pass to the Gel functions. Two of the less obvious
nated by one, and the column index, x, is set to zero. The next
constants are "stickchip" and "sticktrig," which are actually
AnimComp in the file is then assumed to be the initial view of
hardware addresses. While shunned in die Amiga's early days,
the next component making up the animation object. Figure 2
reading and writing direcdy to the hardware is now all the rage
illustrates the hypothetical contents of the two-dimensional array
among programmers. (Ever the fashionable computer geek, I
after all components in the file have been read in. Note that the
naturally follow diis trend.)
components have not yet been properly linked together.
Linking the components is performed by the second do-
The array "myvs" will hold the two virtual sprites.
Each
cell must be big enough to hold a four-byte address, so I ALLOT
loop in "makeaob." First, the column index is set back to zero.
space for eight bytes. The remaining variables hold the pointers
The function then enters a loop that executes once for each
to each Gel created by die functions. The array "sprpadi" holds
component making up the object.
the coordinate values of each point along die padi followed by
Inside the do-loop is a while-loop that links up each view
the hardware sprite.
of the current component. To do this, we must look in die cell
The function "reademap'1 reads in the coiormap values
that follows the current view. If we find a zero there, we know
from the disk. The file was created with the converter program
the current view is the last one for this component, and we
and has the following format:
must start on the next row of die array. If the value at the next cell is non-zero, we store that value in the current view's
1.)
Number of color registers (4 bytes).
NextSeq pointer. We then store the current view in the next
2.)
One word for each color register, stored in 0RGB form.
cell's PrevSeq pointer, increment the column index, and perform the next iteration of the while-loop. When the while-loop terminates, we need to set the
Space for the color table is allocated using AIlocRemember, and
a block of sized (numregs * 2) bytes are read from the file.
NextSeq pointer of the last view to point back to the initial view—thus creating a circular list We then set the NextComp
"Readstick" uses a quick and dirty method of detecting the
pointer of the initial view (x - 0) to the AnimComp at the next
direction in which the joystick is pointing and moves die
row in the array.
animation object accordingly. We are interested in the \6 bits
We will also store the current component in
the PrevComp pointer of the next component in the array. The
residing at memory location SDFP00C—specifically, bits 9, 8, 1,
do-loop then continues with die next row of the array.
and 0. To inspect the state of these four bits at any moment in
There are only three more tilings to do after the do-loop
time, we must AND the contents of location SDFF00C with 771
terminates. We need to store the AnimComp at row zero,
(0000001100000011 binary = 771 decimal). Any of the four bits
column zero in the HeadComp pointer of the AnimOb structure
diat are set in location SDFFOOC will also be set as a result of
(the first component in the array). Then we call GetGBuffers,
this operation. The following table summarizes the possible
which handles allocation of the CollisionMask, BorderLine and
results of diis AND operation (bits are numbered zero to fifteen,
ImageShadow for each component that makes up the object. A
zero being the bit on die far right):
final call to InitMasks finishes the job. The data file is then closed and the dynamically allocated animation object is left on
0000000000000000
=
o
stick
centered
the stack for the calling program. Figure 3 illustrates an
0000000000000001
=
i
stick
down
0000000000000010
-
2
stick
down,
0000000000000011
-
3
stick
right
animation object that has been completely linked together.
right
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
99
Bobs must be added to the Gel list. Before drawing the Bob,
0000000100000000
=
256
=
stick
0000000100000011
-
259
=
stick up,
right
0000001000000000
=
512
=
stick up,
left
0000001100000000
=
763
=
stick
left
0000001100000001
=
769
=
stick
down,
up
left
die list must be sorted widi SortGList. The pattern is tiien
drawn and removed from die list, since it is only a backdrop over which die otiier Gels move. The spider is created widi "initaob." The pointer to the
The spider is controlled by storing appropriate values for its velocity. For example, if the stick is centered, the spider is
resulting AnimOb is stored in die global variable "aob." Again,
not moving and has a velocity of zero. If the stick is pointing to
stored with die converter but proved unsighdy in this demo.
the right, the spider will have a velocity of +3, which moves it
The values of XVel and YVel are set to zero so that die spider
to the right by 3 pixels. Recall from part one of this series that
does not move when it first appears. RingXTrans and Ring
all values pertaining to animation objects—pixel values,
YTrans are used to move the animation object when the system
velocities and accelerations—must be specified in fixed-point
detects a component with the RINGTRIGGER flag set. When
binary fraction notation. The decimal point is fixed in die word
the flag is found, die system uses die NextSeq pointer to point
at bit location 6. This means that all whole-number values must
back to die initial view in die sequence, and the values at RingX
initial values of XVel, YVel, RingXTrans and RingYTrans were
be shifted 6 places to the left before they are stored. The Multi-
and RingY are added to die object's AnX and AnY values. I
Forth word "scale" does this for us.
didn't want the spider to move when the RINGTRIGGER flag
Opening up the screen is done by the word "demoscreen." The screen is opened, the colormap is read and
was found, so I had to store zeroes in RingX and RingY. To add the animation object to the list in exacdy the same
loaded (LoadRGB4), and the Gel system is initialized using
fashion as AllocRemember a key is used. The contents of die
"readygels."
variable "aobkey" are a pointer to die first AnimOb in a linked
The hardware sprite is read in by the word "initss." The
call to "makehardsprt" has the following form:
list of AnimObs. Now die fun begins. The word "demo" uses die initializa
tion routines above to build die Gel demo. All Gels are created, 0"
dfl:pinball.sprite" mykey myss makehardsprt
0" dfl:pinball.sprite" puts the address of the NULL-terminated string onto the stack. The variables "mykey" and "myss" are used for Intuition's memory and storage of the pointer to a SimpleSprite structure.
like all other resources the Amiga uses, hardware sprites
must be requested and allocated. The call to GetSprite does
this. A -1 passed to GetSprite indicates that any old sprite will do. If we wanted to be very specific, we could pass a value of 7 for instance, and GetSprite would try to give us sprite number 7. If it failed, it would return to us a -1.
To get die sprite ready for display, we call ChangeSprite,
which expects as its parameters a ViewPort, a SimpleSprite, and a pointer to die sprite's image data. Notice that we had to fetch die address of our SimpleSprite with
added to die list, and displayed. The program dien enters a loop, which continues to execute until the fire button on the joystick is pressed. First, the hardware sprite is moved. When the program
detects die zero at the end of the path array, it resets the local variable "path" to point back to the beginning of die array. Otiierwise, die sprite is moved to die current pixel values. To move die hardware sprite we must use the Intuition routines MakeScreen and RediinkDisplay. These two routines must also be used to display and move Virtual Sprites. Next, the joystick is read and the program calls die Animate function, which moves the spider to its new location. Note diat the spider is not actually drawn at this time. Animate
processes every object in die list, so even if we had five animation objects, we would only need one call to Animate. The animation system uses a simple mechanism to switch between views of an object.
myss
3
When you create an animation object, you store a non
since "myss" is a variable. Initializing the virtual sprite is similar. The sprite's color
table is stored in SprColors. There are two sprites stored in die file, so die same color table is stored in die second sprite as
well. We can get at the second sprite widi myvs
4+
This value is copied into anotiier field called Timer. On each call to Animate, die value in Timer is incremented by negative one. When die value reaches zero, die system uses die NextSeq
and PrevSeq pointers to switch to the next view of the compo nent. The next view might have a TimeSet value different from diat of die previous view, but tiiis is perfecdy legal. Remember
@
that even diese TimeSet values must be "scaled" or shifted six
We must do 4+ before fetching the address of die virtual sprite from "myvs."; otherwise, we'll be storing a pointer in the wrong
place. Before we can use die Virtual Sprite, it must be added to
die system's Gel list, with AddVSprite. In order to keep diings simple, I add only die first virtual sprite. To change the sprite's image I swap die image data pointers back and forth between the two sprites.
"Initbob" reads die spirograph pattern. Initial x- and ycoordinate values were stored with die converter program but did not work well with tiiis demo, so I simply change tiiese values after die Bob has been created. Like Virtual Sprites,
100
zero value in die TimeSet field of die AnimOb data structure.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
bit-positions to die left. Before die Gels can be drawn, the list needs to be sorted. SortGlist does die sorting for us. Finally, one call to DrawGList draws die entire list of Gels.
The hardware sprite is tiien moved a second time, and the Virtual Sprite's image is toggled. Why bother to have two Virtual Sprites around if only one will be added to die system list? In tiiis program, botii sprites are die same size, so die
question is quite valid. However, what if tiiis weren't die case? In die real world, it is very likely that different views of an object will be different sizes. Even a difference of one or two
pixels could cause problems, because the image data will not be
Even Up The Score!
interpreted correctly. In all probability, if you were using these functions in a
real graphics application, you would have one virtual sprite (or bob) that is actually added to the list and the array that is passed to the appropriate "Make" Gel function. When it came time to display a different view of the object, you would have to copy the width, height and depth values—as well as the image
Let your Amiga give you the Advantage
data pointer—into the virtual sprite data structure that you
in making better investment decisions!
actually added to the list. To check for the joystick trigger, we examine eight bits at location "sticktrig" ($BFE001). When the value at this location is
Color graphics of Individual Stocks and General Market Trends help you make more profit in this volatile market.
124, the trigger has been pressed, and the loop terminates. Before exiting, we must remember to return to the system
High Low Close, Moving Averages, Centered Moving
all those resources the demo program was using. The hardware
Averages, Volume, Relative Strength, Stochastics, Wilder's
sprite is returned with FreeSprite, the Virtual Sprite is removed
RSI, Cycles, Trend lines and Momentum. Powerful re ports such as the Relative Strength Report help you pick
from the list, and the screen is closed. Also, we mustn't forget the memory that is tied up in the spider's CollisionMask,
frees up this memory. A zero is passed to FreeGBuffers to
the best performers. Use the Market Barometers to help you time your market entries. Update Stocks, Mutual Funds and Commodities manually or automatically. Easy
indicate that the spider was not double-buffered.
to use communications included.
Borderline, and ImageShadow. The function FreeGBuffers
Finally, we free up all remaining memory with FreeRemember. The Remember key is passed, along with a non-zero
Only $99.95
value, to indicate that we want all memory freed. If we pass a value of zero to FreeRemember, the function deallocates only
See your local Dealer or Call:
the space for the link nodes (the Remember structures) and
Software Advantage Consulting Corporation
leave the allocated memory blocks intact.
37346 Charier Oaks Blvd
Well, this concludes the Gels in Multi-Forth series. I hope
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 (313) 463-4995
I was able to pass along some knowledge in an enjoyable,
Amiga and Iho Invettor's Advantage ar6 trademarks o( Iheir rwpadiva
comprehensible way. If you are interested in using the updated converter program, look for it soon on an Amicus disk!
Listing One: \
All programs
gels.f
were written using Multi-Forth,
\
Circle 13B on Reader Service card.
Creative
from
1701
\
Rockville MD
Randolph Rd.
+rpBitMap 0
+gibottoramost
rkey
Solutions
\
rport ginfo
4
ginfo suite
B*
+bmRows
Globals 10
10
fileid 4
global data
0
to
fc-r
0
to
|
AllocRemember
!
12
20852
rkey
2
8* MEMF_CH1P MEMF_CLEAR
|
AllocRemember
1
Gels.f
fileid
2array gacarr idata
1-
MEMF_CHIF M£KF_CL£AR
+gilastColor
ginfo +ginextLine global
w@
w!
idata
\
File handle
\
Will hold AnimCornps. . .
\
Address
of
returned by ImageData
dosOpen
rkey
collTable
MEKF_CHIP MEMF_CLEAK
!
AllocRemember
read
from
ginfo
+gicollHandler
ginfo
rport
!
files
global
size
0
to
size
\
Size
global
numgels
0
to
numgels
\
Number
initializes
readygels
(
rport
■ address
of a RastPort structure
(
key
= address
of a
:
readygels
rport
0
0
rkey
0
/
Gel
of gels
1
(
the
in bytes
system
locals I
in
ImageData.
the data
file.
)
head tail
)
ginfo
rkey
rport
VirtualSprite MEMF_CLEAR AllocRemember
makehardsprt - reads
(
name
I
» address
;
in hardware sprites
of a NULL terminated
head
tail
MEMF
CLEAR AllocReir.ember
address of a variable
key
to
Gelslnfo
I
!
InitGels
from disk
filename
string.
)
rkey VirtualSprite MEMF_CLEAR AllocSemember to rkey
+rpGelsInfo
head tail ginfo
)
Remember key variable key —
of the
to
(
ssarr
enough
= to
(
ginfo
either
an
address
of
for Remembering. a
variable,
or
an
array big
)
hold all
sprites
in
the
file.
) : 252
ginfo
+gisprRsrvd
c!
\
Reserve
sprites
0
and
makehardsprt 0
locals|
(
ssprt
name
/
ssarr
key rkey
/
ssarr —
name
)
I
1. 0
ginfo
+gileftmost v!
0
ginfo
+gitopmost
name MODE_OLDFILE fileid addr.of
rport
+rpBitMap
ginfo
+girightmost
3
dosOpen
to
fileid
w! +bmBytesPerRow w@ w!
8»
numgels
4
dosRead drop
1-
numgels
0
do
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
101
rkey
SimpleSprite
MEMF_CLEAR
AllocRemember
to
0
0
locals 1
lbob
vs vsarr barr
rkey name
)
ssprt
fileid ssprt rkey
ssprt
SimpleSprite
+ssheight
w@
2+
dosRead drop
4"
to
nanu
MODE_OLDFILE
dosOpen
to
fileid
size
size MEMF_CHIP MEMF_CLEAR
|
AllocRemember
to
fileid addr.of numgels
4
dosRead crop
idata
fileid idata idata
ssprt
size
dosRead drop
-t-ssposctIdata
numgels
0
do
!
rkey VirtualSprite MEMF_CLEAR AllocRemember to vs rkey
numgels
1
>
if
Bob
MEMF_CLEAR AllocRemember to
lbob ssprt
ssarr
i
ssprt
ssarr
!
4*
+
!
fileid vs VirtualSprite dosRead drop
else
fileid lbob Bob
then
loop
dosRead drop
vs
+vsHeight
«3
vs
+vsWidth
w@
*
vs
+vsDepth
w@
*
2*
to
size
rkey size MEMF_CHIP MEMF_CLEAR fileid dosClose
;
|
AllocRemember to
*
2*
idata
fileid idata size dosRead drop V
(
makevsprt — reads
in virtual
sprites
from disk.
)
(
name
(
key
-
address
of
a
NULL terminated
address
of
a
variable
for
filename.
Remembering.
! !
tbobBobVSprite
!
lbob
vs vsarr
either an address
=
or an
array
to store vsprites
a.z.
+vsHeight
MEMF_CLEAR vs
makevsprt 0
(
locals I
name
lvsprt
/
key
vsarr
/
vsarr
ricey
-
name
vs
rkey
)
:
nrsImageData +vsVSBob
vs
) (
idata vs lbob
)
w6 vs
+vsWidth w@
MEMF_CHIP
+vsCollMask
lbob
|
AllocRemember
dup
AllocRemember
vs
!
+bobImageShadow
!
1
rkey name
MODE_OLDFILE
dosOpen to
fileid
vs
+vsWidth
MEMF
fileid addr.of numgels
0
numgels
4
dosRead drop
+vsBorderLine
vs VirtualSprite MEMF
CLEAR AllDcRemember
to
+vsFlags rkey
lvsprt
VirtualSprite
dosRead drop
co
:
we
SavebaCK and
size MEMF_CLEAR MEMF_CHIP
|
AllocRemember
!
then
lvsprt +vsWidth
w@
-
lvsprt
w3
*
+vsDepth
CLEAR
lbob +bobSaveBuffer
lvsprt +vsKeight w@
rkey
2"
if
lvsprt fileid
w0
MEMF
!
do rkey
CHIP
size MEMF_CHIP
2*
to
size
MEMF_CLEAR
bob
|
AllocRemember
+bobDBuffer
0
if
idata
rkey DBufPacket MEMF__CLEAR AllccRemember fileid idata
size dosRead drop
Iv3prt +vsImageData
idata
!
lbob
+bobDBuffer
rkey
size MEMF_CLEAR MEMF_CHIP
lbob +bobDBuffer rkey
!
8
|
+dbpbufbuffer
AllocRemember
!
then
lvsprt
+vsHeight
vQ
lvsprt
MEMF_CHIP MEMF_CLEAR lvsprt
+vsCollMask
1
+vsWidth w@
*
2*
AllocRemember
vs
1
InitMasks
numgels
1
>
if
vs rkey
vsarr
lbob
lvsprt
+vsWidth w0
MEMF_CHIP
lvsprt
2"
i
4*
barr
+
!
14"+!
else
MEMF_CLEAR
|
tvsBorderLine
!
AllocRemember
vs
vsarr
lbob
!
barr
!
then lvsprt
InitMasks
numgels
1
>
loop
if
fileid lvsprt
vsarr
i
lvsprt vsarr
!
4*
+
dosClose
;
!
else
)
(
then
makeaob —
read in
and
link together an
animation object.
)
loop
(
name
NULL terminated
■
filename.
i
)
fileid dosClose
;
{
key
address
of
a variable
address
of a RastPort
for
Remembering.
\
i
i
(
{
1
makebob —
read
bobs
in
from
disk...
(
)
(
name
NULL terminated
key
address
barr
address of
filename
a variable
for
remembering.
TRUE
an array
for bobs
vsarr
:
makebob
102
"
■ (
name
/
" key
/
barr
■ /
■ vsarr —
■
" }
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
or FALSE
the AnimOb makeaob 0
0 0
0
locals 1
)
(
(-1)
[0)
flag
indicating whether or
is
double buffered.
)
: a variable or
structure.
)
(
of
)
(
=
db
not
)
(
rport
)
vsprites
( 10
( 0
lac lvs
w = row, 0
do
name
/
key
/
rporc
/
db -
aob
)
0
x
=
lbob col
)
laob w x db rport
key nane
1
10
0
do 0
j
i
gacarr
Great Prices! Shipping
!
based on weight and zone.
loop loop
For Informaiion & Catalog Call
Voice 414-544-2066 name
MODE_OLDFILE
key AnimOb fileid
dosOpen
addr.of
0
Pursuitable BBS 414-544-6567
fileid
MEMF_CLEAR AllocRemember numgels
4
dosRead
fileid laob AnimOb numgels
to
to
laob
Video Page TaleSpin
drop
dosBead drop
Software
do key VirtualSprite MEMF_CLEAR key
Bob
AllocRerr.ember
to
MEMF_CLEAR AllocRemember
co
MEMF
to
Ivs
CLEAR AllocRemember
fileid Ivs
VirtualSprite dosRead drop
fileid
lbob
Bob
dosRead
fileid
lac
AnimComp
dosRead drop
ANIMagic ARexx
lac
B.A.D. Baud Bandit
Blood Money Caligari Consumer
drop
Ivs +vsWidth we
Ivs
+vsHeight we
Ivs
+vsDepth w8
*
key
size MEMF_CLEAR MEMF_CHIP
2*
co
*
size
I
AllocRemember to
idata fileid
idata
size dosRead drop
idata
Ivs
+vsImageData
!
lbob
Ivs
+vsvSBob
1
Ivs
lbob
+bobbobVSprite
!
lac
lbob
-tbobbobComp
1
lbob
lac
*acAnimBob
!
laob
lac
+acHeadOb
!
lac
w x
x
to
1+
lac
gacarr
Hardware
Price
501 Clone, Supra 8-Up Board OK AMAX Fast Card 2000, Xetec
125.00 179.00
flickerFixer
475.00
Floppy Drive (Int) Floppy Drive, Unidrive Han- D- Scan Harddrive, ST296N
115.00 140.00
165.00 159.90
Copyist
Cygnus Ed Prof
64.69
Digi Paint 3 Digi-View Gold Elite Jack Nicklaus Golf Jet Master K.C.S. Kristal Lattice C 5.0 Music X Organ izel
61.99
32.99 61.99 145.00
32.99 190.00
42.30
to
0
to
x
Joystick, Gravis
120.00 39.99
Midget Racer
350.00
Modem, Supra
135.00
MIDI, ECE SCSI Con., Kronos
50.00 220.00 185.00 215.00 215.00
Orders Only Please
36.99
Outside Wl: 800-544-6599
185.00
Inside Wl
Visa/MC/CODs
414-544-6599
2414 Pendleton Place ■ Waukesha. Wl 53188 ■ 9 AM to 5 PM M-F
RINGTRIGGER and
Clrdc 134 on Reader Service card.
if 1+
550.00 250.00
Spirit Board OK Spirit Board, SIN OK
47.90 90.00
x
w
320.00
SCSI, Supra 500/2000
195.00
!
+acFlags w@
170.00
IMG Scan
25.99
PIXMate Populous Pro Video Goid
135.00
HardFrame 2000
140.00
Pen Pal
33.99
200.00 31.10
34.00 36.00 59.99 31.10 33.00 33.99 27.99
3D Options Ami Alignment Kit
lbob key AnimComp
Price
87.09
Superbase Prof 3.0 WShell
w
fileid laob
then
dosClose
;
loop 0
to
w
0
Listing Two:
x
demo.i
do global
begin
i
x
1+
gacarr 9
i
x
1+
gacarr
9
gacarr
9
map.
global
while
i x
{
->
I
->
+acNextSeq
|
->
I
->
0
x
i
x
x
1+
1+ to
gacarr
3
gacarr
-+acPrevSeq
(
0
global
'. <-
<-
|
<-
|
<-
{
Holds
sc
(
For
address
of
dynamically
allocated
color
easy
access
to
the
address
of my
screen.
)
)
by i
cmap
)
hardsprite
) global
x
(
The
number
(
GetSprite.
of
the
hardware
sprite
returned
)
aob
Address
of
the
AnimOb
returned by
makeaob.
)
repeat
hex i
0
gacarr
@
i x gacarr @ 0
to x
1
1+ x gacarr
i
x
gacarr
(
+acNextSeq
Point
circle
)
dffOOc
constant
stickchip
(
Joystick
hardware address.
bfeOOl
constant
sticktrig
(
Joystick
fire
(
Holds
i
+acNextComp
create
!
myvs
8
myvs i
1+
x
gacarr
variable x
i
1+
8
allot
erase
two pointers to vsprites
9
if
i
button.
decimal
@ 0
around the
gacarr
x gacarr 8
myss
0
myss
(
A
variable mykey
0
mykey
(
Variable
for
variable aobkey
0
aobkey
(
Variable
for AnimOb key
variable isybob
0
mybob
(
Will
variable mybobvs
0
mybobvs
(
Holds
(
The
SimpleSprite
9
+acPrevComp
!
spot
to
store
the
) Remembering
then loop
0
0
gacarr @ db
laob
laob
rport
laob
initGMasks
+aoHeadComp
!
hold
the
address
of
a bob.
GetGBuffers !
the bob's
vsprite
struct,
drop struct
NewScreen ns
demo
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
103
J
screen■
ns
initscreen
(
Initialize
the
screen
m
) #
hex sprcols
create
cable
(
The
virtual
color
sprite's
)
0 M,
Oeca
w.
OfOO w ,
OffO
Path
for
the hardware
sprite
create
sprpath
160
c.
19
Cf
159
Cr
22
c.
158
c,
25
Cr
157
Cr
28
c,
156
c.
Cf
34
Cr
154
Cr
37 c.
153
c-
40
Cr
152
Cr
43
c,
151
c,
31
c
155
46 51
Cr
147
Cf
58
c,
146 c,
70 Cr
142
Cf
73
c,
141
c,
c,
B5
137
Cf
SB
c,
136
c,
133
c,
101
Cf
132
Cf
104
c,
131
c.
128
c,
115
Cr
127
c.
119
c,
126
c.
Cf
49
Cr
149
Cf
52
c,
148
c,
Cf
64
C,
144
Cf
67
c,
143
c
c,
79
Cr
139
Cr
82
c.
138
94
Cf
134
Cf
98
c,
55
c
145
,
76 c 140 91
c
75
c,
133
c,
75
c
Cf
75
e,
129
c,
75
c,
125
Of
75
c.
123
c,
75
c
121
c,
75
c.
119
c,
75
c,
115
c.
75
c.
113
c,
75
c
111
Cf
75
c.
109
c,
75
c,
105
Cr
75
C,
103
c,
75
c
Cr
,
135
c.
107
Cr
130
Cr
c,
110
Cr
129
Cf
113
125
Cr
124
Cf
128 c ,
123 c ,
131
Cr
122 Cf
134
C,
121 c.
140
Or
119
Cr
143 c ,
118
c,
146
Cr
117
Cf
149 c,
116 c,
112
Cf
164
122 Cf 125
c.
137
Cr
120
Cr
Cf
75
c,
89 c,
75
c,
Cf
75
c,
83
75
c,
84
Cf
75
c,
86
c,
77
c,
B8
94
Cf
82
c,
96
c,
84
C,
98 c,
90 C,
106
c,
91
114
Cr
97
116
c,
98 c ,
103
Cr
124
Cf
110
Cf
134
Of
117
Of
144
Cr
125
Cr
154
Cr
164
Cr
139
Cr
174
Cf
146
Cf
184
Cr
154
c.
Cf
112
Cf
165
Cr
114
Cr
164 c ,
116
c,
163
Cr
118
Cf
161
Cr
120 Cf
160
c
122
Cf
158
Cr
124
Cf
157
c,
126
c,
155
Cr
128
Cr
154 Cr
130
Cf
153 c
132
Cr
151 Cr
134
Cf
150 c ,
136
c
,
148
Cf
138
c.
145 c
Cf
147 Cr 144 Cr
140 Cf
142
144
Cf
142
c,
146
c
,
141
Cf
148
Cf
140
Cr
150
Cf
138
c
152
Cf
137 Cr
154
c,
135
c,
156
c,
134
Cf
158
Cr
132
Cr
160
Cf
131
c
162
Cr
129
Cr
164
Cf
128 c ,
166
c,
127
Cf
168 Cr
125
C,
170
Cf
124
o
172
Cr
122
Cr
174
Cf
121
c,
176
c
,
119
Cr
178
Cr
lie
Cr
1B0 Cr
117
c
182
Cr
115
Cr
184
114
c,
186
c,
112
Cr
188 Cr
111
Cr
190 Cf
109
c
192
Cf
108
Cr
194
Cr
106 c ,
196
c
,
105
Cr
206
c
,
98 Cr
216
c
,
91 Cf
c.
226
c
,
83 Cr
Of
236
c,
76 Cr
Cr
102
99 c.
208
Cf
96
C(
210
Cr
95 c,
212
Cr
93
c(
214
Cr
92 c,
218
194 Cf
Cf
220
Cr
88 c,
86
Cf
224
Cr
85 c,
228 C(
82
c,
230
Cr
81 C,
232 C(
79
Cr
234
Cr
78 c,
237
Cf
75 Cr
235
Cf
75
c,
233
C,
75
c,
231
Cr
75 Cr
229
Cf
75
c.
227
c,
75
c,
225
Cf
75
Cr
223
Cf
75
c.
221
Cr
75
Cf
219
Cf
75
c,
215 Cr
75
Cr
213
Cr
75
c,
211
Cr
75
Cr
209
Cf
75
c.
205 Or
75
Cf
203 Cf
75
c.
201
Cr
75
Cf
199 Cr
75
c,
195 Cr
75
Cf
193 Cr
75
c.
191
Cr
75 Cr
189 C(
75 c.
185
Cr
75 Cr
183 Cr
75
181
Cr
75
Cf
179
Cr
75 c,
175
Cf
75 Cr
173
Cr
75 c,
171
Cf
75
Cr
169
Cr
75
c,
165
Cf
75 Cr
163
Cr
75
c,
161 Cf
75
159
Cr
75
c.
155
Cf
75 Cr
153 Cf
75
c,
Cr
75
Cr
149
C(
75
c,
145 Cr
75
Cr
143
Cf
75
c.
141
75
c,
139 Cf
75
c,
151
Cr
Cr
c,
75
c,
207
c.
75
c.
197
c,
75
c,
c,
75 75
c,
167
c.
75
c,
c,
75
c.
147
c.
75
C,
108 C ,
93 c,
118
100
c,
c.
75
92
c,
87
c,
102
Cf
94
c.
81 c,
112
Cr
88
c.
Cf
96
120
c.
101
c,
122
c
,
c,
126
c,
106
0,
12B
c,
107
c,
130
Cf
109
c.
132
c.
111
c,
136
c,
113
c,
13B
c,
114
c.
140
Cf
116
c.
142
c,
119
c,
146
c,
120
c,
148
c,
122
c.
150
c,
123
B,
152
c.
126
c,
156
c,
127
c,
158
c,
129
c.
160
Cf
130
c,
162
c.
133
c,
166
c,
135
c,
168
c,
136
c,
170 Cr
138
a,
172
c,
140
C,
176
c,
142
c,
178
c,
143
Of
180 Cf
145
c.
182
c.
148
c,
186
c,
149
c,
188
c,
151
c.
190
Cr
152
c.
192
c.
155 c ,
196
c,
156
c,
198
c,
158
c.
200
Ct
159
c,
202
c,
c.
203
c.
198
o,
c.
207
Cf
164
c,
206 c,
161
c,
205
c,
153
c,
204
Cr
155
152
c,
202
c,
149
c,
201
c,
146
C,
200
c,
142
c>
199
Cf
139
136
Cf
197
Cf
133
c,
196
c,
130
c,
195
c,
127
c,
194
Cf
124
c.
193
c,
121
Cf
192
Cf
118
c,
191
c,
115
c,
190
c,
111
c,
189
c,
108
c.
188
c.
105
Cr
187
Cr
102 c ,
186
c,
99 c,
c.
87
c.
181
c,
84
c,
180
c,
80
c,
179
c.
77
c.
178
Cf
74
Cr
71
c.
176 c,
68
c,
175 c ,
65
c,
174
Oj
62
c.
173
Cf
59
Cr
56
c,
171
c,
53
c,
170
c,
49
c.
169
c,
46
c.
168
Cf
43
Cf
40
c.
166
c,
37
c,
165 c ,
34
c.
164
c.
31
c.
163
Cf
28
Cr
25
c.
161 C,
185
cf
96 c
184
c,
93
c,
is:
90
c,
c.
c.
n
i-
(
-
(
readcmap -
20 c
\
i
read in color map values
:rom
disk.
)
readcmap
0 0"
0 locals|
fileid
dfl:article3 .cmap"
mykey
numregs
numregs
numregs
1
MODE OLDFILE 4
dosOpen
to
fileid
dosRead drop
2 * MEMF_ CHIP MEMF_CLEAF
1
AllocRemember
cmap
fileid cmap
(
-
(
readstick —
numregg
2"
dosRead
drop
1
■
examine take
c.
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
110
c
contents
of
SDFF00C,
)
137
c,
80
c.
101
fileid dosClose 157
Cf
101
164
to
c,
90
c,
G,
177
c,
85 c,
206
1 104
c.
fileid addr.of 187
78
c,
:
c,
c,
c.
162
162
217
75
Cf
167
89
a,
204
172
Cr
87
Cf
177
222 Cr
75 c,
161
182
C
e,
132 Cr
161
C(
c,
97
c.
,
204
B,
c,
c
200
c.
85
113
Cr
75
91
158 c ,
Cf
c,
c.
Cr
101
107
c,
114
104
c.
75
Cf
Cf
75
75
155
Cf
c,
93 C,
c.
198
117
99 C,
Cf
202
75 o.
c,
152
C,
c,
75
115
c,
75 c,
127
95 Cr
104
c
150
Cr
131
101 Cf
Iff
decimal (
135
appropriate
action
ANE
with 771
anc
:
readstick
map
stickchip w9
)
(
771 and
table.
Add the
vsprite to
the
list.
)
case
{
stick
0
of
is
centered.
)
:
initvs
0
aob
+aoxvel w!
0"
0
aob
+aoyvel
sprcols
w!
endof
dfl;stickfig.vsprite"
sprcols myvs
(
stick is
1
of
pulled back.
0
aob
4
6
is
back,
right.
)
3
6
scale
aob +aoxvel
w!
(
4
6
scale
aob
w!
)
+aoyvel
:
of
is
right
3
6
scale
0
aob
stick
256
of
! ;
t
bob,
spirograph,
draw it,
the
change
x
S
y values,
add the
) w!
0
dflispiro.bob"
50 mybobvs
w!
is up.
it,
so
it
doesn't
clutter
list.
110 mybobvs
aob +aoxvel
+aoyvel
and remove
initbob
mybob
endof (
+vssprcolors
'
initbob — read the
0"
stick
3
9
)
endof (
4+
sc +scRaatPort AddVSprite
■
( (
of
myvs
makevsprt
!
)
stick
2
+vssprcolors
[
aob +aoyvel wl
endof (
@
)
+aoxvel w!
scale
9
mykey myvs
myvs
)
9
sc
mykey mybob mybobvs
@
+vsx
w!
@
+vsy
w!
+scRastPort
AddBob
sc
+scRastPort
SortGList
sc
+scRastPort
3C
mybob
9
sc
makebob
tscViewPort
tscRastPort
sc
DrawGList
+scViewPort
RemlBob
;
aob +aoxvel w!
-4
6
scale
aob
+aoyvel
w!
, 1
endof
(
\ I
initaob -
read in the
spider,
set its
velocities
and
ring
\
)
(
stick is up,
259
of
right
)
(
3
6
scale aob +aoxvel w!
)
-4
6
scale
:
aob
+aoyvel
w!
translation values
makeaob to (
stick
of
is
up,
left
(
)
0
aob
+aoxvel w!
scale
aob +aoxvel w\
0
aob
+aoyvel w!
-4
6
scale
aob
0
aob
+aoRingXTrans w!
0
aob
+aoRingYTrans
stick of
w!
is left -3 0
6
)
scale
aob
1
stick
of
aob
+aoyvel
down,
left.
)
demo — open
(
-3
6
scale aob
+aoxvel w!
)
4
6
scale aob +aoyvel w!
:
endof endcase
0
aobkey sc
w!
+scRastPort AddAnimOb
;
w! (
is
sc +scRastPort
aob +aoxvel w!
endof
769
dfl:spider.aob" mykey
6
endof
768
0" aob
-3
taoyvel
add the AnimOb.
initaob
endof
512
to zero,
the
screen,
joystick
initialize
fire button
is
all
Gels,
loop until
pressed.
demo 0
sprpath
locals|
path
vstoggle
|
;
demoscreen /
^_
(
demoscreen — open up
\
~
initialize
the
.„__
\
i
screen,
load
the
color map.
)
initbob
(
the
gel
system.
initss
)
:
initvs
initaob
demoscreen
0 ns
-t-nsviewmodes w!
SPRITES
ns
ns +nsType dup w@ ns
begin
+nsviewmodes w! SCREENQUIET
path
|
swap w!
c@
0-
if
sprpath
openscreen
currentscreen 6
to
sc
to path
then
readcmap
sc
+scViewPort
cmap
sc
+scRastPort
mykey
32 LoadRGB4 readygels
sc
tscViewPort
path c@ ^
(
—-
initss — read
hardware
the pinball
image
path
j
from disk,
sc
sprite,
and get
the
sprite ready
9
2+
path to
1+
c@
MoveSprite
path
allocate a
)
(
myss
;
for display.
MakeScreen
RethinkDisplay
\
i
:
initss
readstick
0"
dfl:pinball.sprite" mykey myss makehardsprt
myss
0
-1
GetSprite
sc tscViewPort ChangeSprite
myss
aobkey
Animate
sc
fscRastPort
Sortglist
9
sc
+scRastPort
sc
dup +ssposctldata 6
+scViewPort
Drawglist
; path
/
\
\
(
sc +scRastport
to hardsprite
initvs - read in the
stick figure,
c9
0=
if
j
store pointers to color
sprpath
to path
then
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
105
sc
+scViewPort
myss
G
MEMF MEMF
path
c9
path
2t
path no
1+ c8
CHI?
I
CLEAR);
MoveSprite
path
ginfo
-> nextLine
(WORD
*)
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(WORD) MEMF CHIP
sc MakeScreen
RethinkDisplay
MEMF
+vsimagedata
myvs
0
+vsimagedata
myvs
4+
@
+vsimagedata
@
myvs
4+
@
tvsimagedata
!
->
collHandler
-
(struct
9
collTable
•>
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
myvs
collTable),
'.
MEMF^CHIP
vstoggle
not
to vstoggle
not
to vstoggle
rport
c9
1 124
-> Gelslnfo •=
ginfo;
InitGels (head, tail, ginfo) ,-
then
sticktrig
|
MEMF_CLEAR);
else vstoggle
B,
CLEAR);
ginfo
vstoggle if
*
I
/*
ReadyGels
*/
=
/*
until
•/
/* harcsprite FreeSprite
>
MakeHardSprt(name,key,ssarr)
myvs
>
Synopsis:
sc
B
RemVSprite
aob sc mykey
+scRastPort -1
Reads
>
CloseScreen 0
>
FreeGBuffers
FreeReraember
;
up
Inputs:
name:
NULL
>
key:
pointer
>
ssarr;
stored in the
user's
file,
sets
sprite.
terminated filename. to a
Reme:r.ber
struct.
either an array of SimpleSprite pointers,
>
or if there is only one gel
>
the
>
Returns:
address
of
in the
file,
a pointer to a
an initialized SimpleSprite,
> Functions
in data hardware
SimpleSprite.
Listing Three : gels.c >>
a
for initializing
or an array
of
SimpleSprites.
*/
Gels —
void MakeHardSprt(name,key,ssarr) char
*name;
#include
struct
Remember
#include
struct
SinpleSprite
#include
f
(include
(include
BPTR
(include
struct
(include
WORD
(include
int
(include
long
numgels
(include
long
size
/*
*/
**key; "ssarr;
fileid = NULL; SimpleSprite
*idata
"ssprt
= NULL;
- NULL;
i; -
0;
/*
number
of
0;
/•
size of
sprites
the
image
in
the
data,
file.
in bytes,
'/
/* >
ReadyGels
>
This
>
Manual...Except
is
prepares
the
lifted pretty
system much
all my
for
intact
allocation
use. from
is
the
done
Rom
Kernel
fileid
with
= Open(nair.e,MODE_OLDFILE);
AllocRemember().
Readlfileid,(char
V void
*)finumgels,4L);
ReadyGels(rport, key)
struct
RastPort
-rport;
struct
Remember
**key;
for(i
=0;
i
ssprt struct VSprite
*head
=
struct VSprite
*tail
- NULL;
struct Geislnfo
'ginfo
- NULL;
<
■
numgels;
(struct SimpleSprite
=
(struct VSprite
SimpleSprite),MEMF_CLEARt;
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct =
(struct VSprite
*)ssprt,(long)sizeof(struct
SimpleSprite));
-)
VSprite),MEMF_CLEAR);
tail
")
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
NULL;
Read(fileid,(char head
i++)
size
=
( (ssprt->height
idata
-
(WORD
+
2L))
*
4L;
*)AllocRemember(key,size,HEMF_CHIP
I
MEMF_CLEAR);
*)
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
Read(fileid, (char
")idata, (long)size);
VSprite),MEMF_CLEAR);
ginfo
=
(struct Gelslnfo
ssprt
*)
->
posctldata
-
idata;
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct Gelslnfo),MEMF_CLEAR); ginfo
->
ginfo
-> leftmost
sprRsrvd
=
■ 0;
ginfo
->
topmost
=
ginfo
~>
rightmost
ginfo -> bottommost
-1;
/*
If
there
is more than
/*
otherwise,
we're
storing
■/
0; =
rport->BitMap->BytesPerRow
=
rport->3itMap->Rows
-
*
1;
,
-
1;
iffnumgels
>
1)
ssarr[i]
=
ssprt;
el3e
ginfo ->
lastColor -
(WORD
**)
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(LONG)
106
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
"ssarr
=
one gel,
ssprt;
in
we're
storing
a pointer.
in an
array,
}
/•
for */
Close (fileid); )
/"
MakeHardSprt
*/
>
key:
pointer
>
barr:
array
to
>
of
>
the-file.
>
vsarr:
>
Returns:
a
Remember
of pointers
a pointer
same
as
initialized
to a Bob
above,
bob,
struct.
to Bobs,
only
if
or an address
only
one
gel
in
VSprites.
or an array
of bobs.
*/ void
>
MakeVSprt(name,key,vsarrf
>
Synopsis:
Reads
in
>
Inputs:
name:
NULL
>
key:
pointer to
>
vsatr:
data
stored
in
terminated a
a VSprite
file
name.
Remember
if more than
file.
one VS
struct.
in the
file,
an
array
MakeBob(name,key,barr,vsarr)
char
*name;
struct
Remember
struct
Bob
"barr;
struct
VSprite
'"vsarr;
**key;
{
of
>
pointers to VSprites,
>
address
>
Returns:
An
of a
pointer
initialized VSprite,
otherwise, to
it's
an
a VSprite.
or array
of Vsprites.
•/ void
"name;
struct
Remember
""key;
struct
VSprite
*"vsarr;
Bob
"bob
■ NULL;
struct
VSprite
"vs
= NULL;
WORD
"idata
bptr
fileid = NULL;
int
MakeVSprt(name,key,vsarr)
char
struct
i;
long
numgels
= 0;
long
size
=
fileid
1
■
0;
Open (name,MODE_OLDFILE);
Readlfileid,(char BPTR
fileid
= NULL;
•)finumgels,4L);
- NULL;
struct VSprite
"vspr-
WORD
NULL;
-idata
=
for(i
= NULL;
lnt i; long
numgels
■
0;
long
size
=
0;
=
0;
vs
=
i
<
numgels;
i++)
t (struct VSprite
*)
AllocRemember(key,si2eof{struct VSprite),MEMF_CLEAR); bob
=
(struct
3ob
*)
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
Bob),MEMF_CLEAR);
fileid = Open(name,M0D£_OLDFILE) ; Read(fileid,(char
for(i
=0;
i
*)Snumgels,4Lf;
< numgels;
i++)
Read|fileid,{char
")vs,(long)sizeof{struct
Read{fileid,(char
*)bob,(long)sizeof{struct
size = idata
( vsprt
=
(struct
VSprite
*)
(vs->Height =
(WORD
*
vs->Width
*
VSprite)); Bob));
vs->Depth)
•
2L;
*)AllocRemember(key,size,MEKF_CLEAR
|
MEMFJTHIP);
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
Read |fileid, (char
*) idata, size) ,-
vs
->
ImageData
=
idaca;
vs
->
VSBob
■
bob;
VSprite),MEMF_CLEAR);
Read(fileid, (char *) vsprt, (long) sizeof (struct VSprite}),"
bob -> BobVSprite size
■
(vsprt->Height
idata
=
(WORD
*
vsprt->Width
• vsprt->Depth)
*)AllocRemember(key,size,MEMF__CHIP
*
|
vs->CollMask
MEMF_CLEAR) ;
(WORD
Readffileid,(char
*)idata,(long)size);
vsprt
-
■ vs;
2L; = bob->ImageShadow
=
*)AilocRemember(key,vs->Height MEMF_CLEAR
->
CollMask
(WORD
vs->BorderLine =
(vsprt->Height *
|
-
vsprt-
->
MEMF_CHIP);
(WORD
*)AllocRemember(key,vs->Width MEMF
BorderLine ■
(WORD
I
MEMF_CHIP) ,-
*)
MEMF
MEMF_CLEAR
|
*
CLEAR
|
CHIP);
if(VS->Flags
AllocRemember(key,vsprt->Width
*
2L,
2L, MEMF_CLEAR
vsprt
vs->Width *
*)
AllocRemember{key, >Width)
*
2L,
2L,
&
SAVEBACK)
bob->SaveBuffer
=
(WORD
*)
AllccRemember(key,size, MEMF_CLEAR
M£MF_CHTP)
MEMF_CHIP>; vsprt
->
imageData
■
idata;
if(bob -> DBuffer initMasks(vsprt);
bob if(numgels vsarr[i]
>
!= NULL)
{ -> DBuffer
1)
=
(struct DBufPacket
« vsprt;
DBufPacket),
else
MEMF_CLEAR);
"vsarr
=
bob -> DBuffer->BufBuffer =
vsprt;
(WORD
)
/•
")
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
for
'/
*)AllocRemember(key,size, MEMF_CLEAR
|
MEMF_CHIP);
Close (fileid); t
/*
MakeVSprt
)
*/
InitMasks(vs); if(
■/ /*
MakeBob(n=me,key,barr,vsarr)
>
Synopsis:
> >
Reads
in
vsarr[i]
and initializes
a bob,
bobs. Inputs:
name:
numgels
>
1
)
I or
an array
of
barr[i]
= vs;
= bob;
) NULL terminated
file
name.
else
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
107
"vsarr
*barr
=
vs;
ac
->
AnimBob
■ bob;
ac
->
HeadOb
= aob;
= bob; acarr[j][h]
)
/*
for
if( ac
Close (fileid);
/* MakeBob */
■/ /*
MakeAOB(name,key,rport,db)
>
Synopsis:
>
Creates
Inputs:
>
-> Flags
and links
together an
animation
file.
name:
NULL terminated
file name.
key:
pointer to
rport:
>
db:
pointer an
int,
a Remember
to
a
TRUE
}
object h -
/•
RINGTRIGGER )
h
=
FALSE Returns:
returns
>
for
for(i
RastPort. if user wants
to
start
*/
row?
*/
new
*/
= 0;
i
<=
j;
i++)
f
double
!= NULL)
(
an AnimOb
via
a
acarr[i][h]
'return'
acarr [i] [h
statement.
-> NextSeq = acarr[i][h +
1]
+
1];
-> PrevSeq = acarrfi] [h] ,-
h++;
•/ struct
AnimOb
I
"MakeAOB(name,key,rport,db)
acarr[i][h]
'name;
-> NextSeq - acarr[i][0];
struct
Remember
"key;
h = 0;
struct
RastPort
*rport;
acarr[i][h]->NextComp = acarr [i
int
a
0;
otherwise.
a pointer
time to on
0;
while(acarrfi][h+1]
>
/• /"
struct.
buffering,
char
S
J
from data stored in a
>
>
ac;
(
j++;
>
=
h++;
*/
if(acarr[i
db;
acarrfi
1
struct
AnimComp
"acarr[10][10];
struct
AnimComp
/"
+
1][h] l][h]
->
PrevComp
■ NULL;
*vs
= NULL;
struct
*bob = NULL;
GetGBuffers(aob,rport,db);
"aob
= NULL;
InitGMasks(aob);
*idata
= NULL;
struct AnimOb 3PTR
fileid = NULL;
long numdone
■ 0;
long
= 0;
size int
10x10 array
garbage.
j
=
->
HeadComp = acarr[0][0];
return(aob); /■ various
0;
= acarr[i][h];
Close(fileid); }
int i, k; int h =
aob
1] [h];
for */
*ac
Bob
+
!= NULL}
struct VSprite
WORD
/* The
}
+
0;
/»
of AnimComps
j
loop control
= row,
needs
vars
h = column
to be
/•
MakeAOB
-/
*/ */
Listing Four: dos.calls
cleared of
*/
for(i
=0;
for (k
=
i < 0;
k
10; <
acarr[i][k] fileid
aob =
=
i++)
10;
k++)
= NULL;
■***
dos
•"
I've
function
calls,
**
confusion with Multi-Forth's
prefaced
each
as
per
Multi-Forth.
function
with
'dos'
file
(struct AnimOb
*)
dosOpen
!d2
dosClose
!dl
!dl
call.lib 1
5
call.lib
6
dosRead
!d3
Id2
Idl
call.lib 1
7
@dO
;
dosWrite
!d3
!d2
!dl
call.lib
8
@dO
;
1
call.lib
Read(fileid,(char
*)aob,sizeof(struct AnimOb)};
dosDelete
!dl
dosExamine
!d2
Idl
call.lib
1
17
@dO
;
dosExNext
!d2
Idl
call.lib
1
18
@dO
;
CurrentDir
!dl
call.lib 1
21
ParentDir
!dl
call.lib 1
35
dosLock
!d2
dosUnlock
Idl
<
numdone;
i++)
{ = ■
(struct VSprite
*)
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
VSprite},MEMF_CLEAR);
bob =
(struct Bob
*)
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
ac
=
(struct AnimComp
Bob),MEMF_CLEAR)
*)
call.lib
Idl
1
;
12
call.lib
call.lib
1
15
;
@dO 9dO 1
Idl
call.lib
1
24
;
Idl
call.lib
1
25
@dD
dosUnLoadSeg
Idl
call.lib
I
26
;
Id3
Id2
Idl
; 3dO
;
;
dosLoadSeg
!d4
;
14
dosExit
dosCreateProc
AllocRemember(key,sizeof(struct
@dO
;
dosIoErr
i
22
@dO ;
*)snumdone,4L);
=0;
1
1
Read(fileid, {char
vs
avoid
Open (name,MODEJDLDFILE);
AllocRemember[key,sizeof(struct AnimOb),MEMF_Clear)
for(i
to
functions.
;
call.lib
1
23
@dO
;
AnimComp) ,MEMF__CLEAR) ;
Read[fileid,(char
"}vs,sizeof(struct VSprite));
Read(fileid,(char
*)bob,sizeof(struct
Readlfileid,(char
*)ac,sizeof(struct AnimComp));
size
= vs->width *
idata
=
(WORD
vs->Height
*
•AC-
Bob));
vs->Depth *
2L;
*)AllocRemember(key,size,memf_Clear
|
Be an
MEMF_CHIP);
Read (fileid, (char *) idata, size) ,-
vs
-> imageData
=■ idata;
vs
-> VSBob
= bob;
bob -> BobVSprlte = vs; bob
108
->
BobComp
-
ac;
Amazing Computing V4.9 ©1989
Writer! Call or write Today for our Writer's Guide.
The AMICUS & Fred Fish Public Domain Software Library
This software is collected from user groups and electronic bulletin boards around the nation. Each Amicus disk is nearly full, and is fully accessible from the Workbench. If source code is provided for any program, then the executable version is also present. This means that you don't need the C compiler to run these programs. An exception is granted for those programs
only of use to people who own a C compiler. The Fred Fish disk are collected by Mr. Fred Fish, a good and active friend of the Amiga. Note: Each description line below may include something like 'S-O-E-D', which stands for 'source, object file, executable and documentation'. Any combination of these letters
indicates
what forms of the program are present. Basic programs are presented entirely in source code format. ABasic programs: Graphics
3d solids modeling prog. w/sampie data flies
a C crass-reierence gen., S-= eit-a-haJf-bright chip gf> demo,S-E Iruncate (chop) Rtss down to size. S-E removes Strange cnaraciers from text lies
draws blocks draws cubes draws pictures in the style of Durer
speech utiity draws spheres draws color spirals 3d function plots artificial topography draws circa graphics draws fractal planet landscapes ABa sic proq rams: Tools
AdcressBook Cardfile Deno
simple database program tor addresses
KeyCodes Menu MoreColors
simple card fj'e database program mubwindcwrjemo shows keycodes lor a key you press tun many ASasic programs Irom a menu way lo get more colors on Ihe screen
shapes
simple color shape designer Soeaktt
at once, using aliasing
speech and wrator demo
ABa sic prog rams: Game s BrickOul classic computer brick wall game Olhello also known as 'go'
Saicer
simpleshoot-em-upgame
ToyBor
selectable graphics demo
Spelling
simple talking spelling game
ABasic programs: Sounds Entertainer plays ihattunB HALSOOO Police SugarFlum Cprogianis:
ATerm
pretends it's a real ram cuter
simple police siren sound
plays "The Darce of the Sugarplum Fares' Simple terminal program. S-E
aid to compJirra MB Lafoce C
decvnt
oppose ol CONVERT la cross developers
Doty echo* lasterfp FixDale
sturcs rode to the 'do&y w.ndowdemo unii-styie Uename eipanskm. partial S.O-D explains use ol last-floating posii maih Hies luMe dal;s en e:I f les en a C.sk, S-E
freedraw GfiMsrn
simple Workbench drawing prog..S-E graphic memory usage imicator, S-E
Grea
searches (or a given strirai in a life with docs,
ham shows off the hold-and-moclly method ol cola generation
tBW2Amiga
Mapdel
la 51 para! le! cable Iransters between
anIBMandanAmiga
Mandelbrotsetprograra.E-E
moire
patterned graphic r/emo, S-E
quick
visible to Wact. S-E quick sort saings routne
objfe
makes Lanice C object file symbols
raw
examplesampfewndowl'O
setlace turns on interlace mode. S-E spate qii-type graphic demo. S-E Other executable programs: SpeechToy speech demonstration WhiJiFonl dispfaysallavaSabtBlonls
Tens:
68020
describes 68020 speedup board from CSA
Aliases Bugs
explains usespltheASSIGNccmmand known bug list h Lanice C 3.02
CLTCard
CLCommands
Commands Ector.rnsnds Filenames HallBright MocemPins RAMdisks ROMWack
Sounds Speed
retererKacard'orAmigaDOSCIJ guide lo using ne CLJ
shorterguide :c AmigaDOSCU commands midelotheEDeditor AraigaDOS filename wildcard convenScns eiplins rare graphics chips that can do more odors description ol rheserialportpinoul t^as on settrng up you; hAMj disk tipson using ROMWack
fliplanabonol Instrumentdemosound fie lormat
refutation ol Amiga's CPU and aisiom crip speed
WackCmds
tips on using Wack
alb ar
AmtaaDQS otjecl librae manager, S-E teafilearchrve|xogram.S-E
sq, usq
YacttC Make
EmECS
auirxhops executable files simple CUshel, S-E
He compression progiams, S-E
a famifiar game, S-E
a Smple 'make'programming us Irty. S-E
an early rerewnof the Amiga tenleditor.S-ED
Assembler programs: bsearch.asm birary search code qsoitasm Unix compatible qsortO function, source and C test pmam
seSnp^sm
SVprinB trees.o
seljmpfl code For Lattice 3.02
Urn syslem V ccnpaiiblB printfO Unii compatible treefl function. O-D
(This disk formerly had IFFspeofcaStnHes and eiainples. SL'Ke this spec is consianily updated, the IFF spec fi le s have teen moved to iheir own disk in the AMICUS collection.) John Draper Amiga Tutorials:
Animals Gadgets Menus
cesenbes animates aigontnms tutonal on gadgets laam about bikition menus
vi.iupdae
1st of new features in version 1,1
instructions, intiai-aaoncode. E BrushJton conreis IFF brusJi lo an con. E Dazile graphics c^o. tracks :d mouse. E DeciGEL assemo'e'prog'a'n to ;tspD.rg6S010 errors. S-E-D
game port spec
serial
serial rxil spec
no terminal mode, E-E sound demoplays scales, S-E flubik cube demo in hi-res cdors, S-E Amiga BasicProgs(dir)
tor historical purposes. They indude tew ties and C source etamples.
Te.ts: FncmKeys
CrazySighs
dick of an icon, The pctues itttt a e:-e?i ban ArtcFoi,a Degas
PrinterTip
lighthouse, a screen Irom vlarbe Madness, the Bugs Bjnny Martian, a
XfrmrPeview liStol Transtorma programs that work Printer Drivers: Printer drivers for Ihe Cancn PJ-1C80A, the C rtoh Prownter. ar impro\«1 Epson drive that elimrna!es streaking, the Epson LQ-
addscompilaerrorsloaCfite, E window ei. from the RKM.S
generic Kermii implementation, flakey,
v1.1h.hi
'dilf ol irelude lile changes from versbn
Files for buicing your own primer dnvers, inducing dospecial.c, epsondata.c, imusm, printers, prmter.link, prinletlag asm, rendet.c, and waitasm. This disk Does oonan a number ol files describing the IFF specification. These are not tha latest and greatest files, but reman here
The latest IFF stec is eiKvifere in this l.brary. AMICU;0istj6
IFF Pictures
Automata
cellular automata sirmJatnn
This disk induces the DP Side prog'£ti, «Sch can view a given series ol IFF pictures, and Ihe 'showpic' progra m, which can viewearji t1 e slthe
Graph
function graphing programs
dancer, de guys at
card game
WtohingHour a game ABa sIC programs: Casino games ol poker, blackjack, dee. and craps Gomoku also known as 'oihelio'
Sabotage
sortolanadvenwegame
Eiecutable programs: Osassem a E8QO0 cfsassembkv. E-D DpSSde shows a given set of IFF pities, E-D
Arrange
atedlormatting program. E-D
Assembler prog rams: Argotem terminal program with speew and Xmodem, S-E AMICUS Diik 4 Files from the original Amiga Technical BBS
Nole lhal some of ihese files are ctt. and refer lo older versions of Ihe
operating syslem. These f(es came from the Sun system that served as Amiga technical supper; HO fotmos:on9BS. These I'esdoro: carry a warranty, and are for educational purposes coy. Of course, rhatsnotlo say they doni wok.
Corr.p&te and neaily ip-io-date C source lo 1naoe.ed\ an early vessbn of the Icon Editor. This is a Itie U:
bobtGst c
example of BOB use
creastdi.e
create standard to requests
diskb.c
e.arrf s ;! ;-
consolelO.c creaport.c
Eonsofe 10 example aeaie and delete certs
creaaskc
creatirq lask examples
dony.c
source to ihe 'dotty winSpw1 deir.o
dualplay.c
dual playfdd example
freemap.c
old versbn ol'lreemap'
fJooAc
'.oois for VSpiiles and flOBs
E'mem.c
graphic memo™ usage indicator
window eiarnpfo from RKM
kj.c
inpuldev.c joystkc
adding an input tiandlef to the inpul stream reading she pysSck
keybdc
layers examples
mousportc
owntb.c, ownfib^sm paralesLc
:est mouse port
eiample ol making your own Ibraiy with Latfica :ests parallel port osnmands
serilest.c
tesls serial port commands
serisampc piirintrj; prtbaso.h regmies.c setlace.c setparallel.c
C programs: Browse view teit files on a disk, using menus S-E-D Crunch removesco.Tirrent5and*h4espacelrom Cliles,S-E IConEiec EXECUTE a Seriesoi commands l:om Workbench S-E
SmalClock
a small in-", ccc.ii = v,irc;.v menu bar
Sdirrper
the screen printer ii the fourli AC S-E
Amiga Basic Programs:
(Note: Many ol these programs are peseffl on AMICLJS Disk 1. Several Of these were concerted lo Amiga Basic, I induded here.)
set the attributes (parity, data tots) of the serialport single pJayfeld example source lo narrator and ohoneics demo simptetimerdemo
eiec support timer functions more e*ec support timer functions
1st of (defines, macros, luncoons
mpjtdev.M
preliminary copy of the inpul device chapter
License information on Work&enci d-stribuion Ik^nse
viifd.M lciffoL:dflecha."igeslromveisioni.0!o1.1 of include file clmnoes from version 28 to 1.0 AMICJSDisk5 FilesfronitrieAmigalJnk;
v28v1.diff'riff'
ArnigalrrfoimatlonHehvork Note that some ol these fJes are old, and refer to older versions ol the opeialiig system. These files are from Amiga Link. For a time, Commo dore supported Amiga Link, aka AIM. for online developer technical
mydev^sm
mylbasm mytbJ
mydevj asmsuppi macros.i Texts: amigalriris
rkttuirentdeKri.rg t-.e :n=ta 'swn process.
AVtCLiS Disk 10
Insirumemsounddemos
tr-.esojudsolanacojslcgjiar, c"iScrn,aCsn,o,5b=s=5Jta'.
abort,ac3"i3pe.3c=;:l-c-Ti iaiss.wsercs'e'eKr.cgutai.E
ftutefaharparpeg^o, akii^drum.amfinTba.actganmincrchord. people taw rig. pigs, 3 pipe organ, a Rhodes piano, a saiophone a star, a snare drum, s steel drum, Sells, a vibrophone, a violin, a guitar, a fwse wtinny. and a whislle. Irauli on -based, CLI replacement manaosr S-E
shows and adijstj pnor:!y of CU processes. S-E
shcwsinfoonGLI processes, S-E display; Ccmpu5=r*e ^L; o;cs, S-E AniigaBasic programs pointed pointer and sprite ed":or program oplimiie opIimiulQn ei apple irom ACarsOe
h.lben
art drawing program
grids
Eliza
converge';Sr.e •tsr^i'e: c;ychologist
madlib maJ!a!i meadowsJD
the drawing program in the 3rd AC, S-D
thegame.asknownas'go' 3Dratmazegarne bojgtng graphics demo draws 3D pictures of the space shunb simple speltng program
YoYo
wierd zero-granty yo-yo demo, tracks yo-yo lo the mouse
mousstrack
slot bctactce
switch weird
date bock progran
BOB OBJECTS
draw and play waveforms draws Hilbert curves mad Ib story generator ta'kiig rrailirg list program
20 graphics program "from AC™ article mouse fa:'nr;eiarr;p'enh res mode
slot machine game
the game pachaiko-l ike game makes strange scunds
Execirabie programs
SDcube Modula-2 demo ol a rotating cube Aftlcon setsasecondiconimage.displayed when the icon is cfcted AmigaSpsil a slow but simpe speil checker, E-D
cp
Bertrand
Assen Ker prog rams
arc
dsks^vage
the ARC IBs compression piog must lor telecom, E-D
srapfacsdemo
prog. !o rescus trashed disks, E-p
a quick M nasty disk copy program: ignores errors. E-0
fists hunks in an object lile E-D
cfs diff pm
els Modufa-2 traits
uni>-ikecopyccn,niand,E
screen ctear, S-E urai-fikestream ed,:c;uses'diif outputtofiifiies chart reorder pe-crms^es aidcator
lChl
noving-worm graphics demo
saves any screen as IFF pic.E-D ?? ScreenDump
caseconvert
converts Mndula-!ke/wo;dsto uppercase
version 2.0. lerm pegram. XmodemE-D
Analyze
12t9mpiaieslorthespreadsheel AnalyM
l^s on fiang _main.c in Lattice
files. They can uanslate Koa'a Pad, ftxxSe.Pnni Shop and
shareware screen dump prog, E only
Forth
Texts; LatcceMain
Th Tliere are lour programs here that rsad Commodcre 64 pence
GDiskDnve
GuruUed Lat3.0abugs MFcroeRev Prints pooler .BlUPfiles:
make your own 51/4 dnve expa'ns :re Gwu numbers bug fiil ol Latice C version 3 03 timers view of the MicroForge HD
EXECUTE -based print spool prog.
libraries. To iake advantage ol the Amiga's capabilities in Basic, you need these files. BMAPs are induded for'disf, 'console', 'diskfonr. 'eiec'. loon', inturtion'. layers', 'mathlfp'. m athieeedoutjas', 'malhieees ■ Amiga Basic Programs: Sim We figtrt simulator program explains Hue, Saturation, S Intensity ex. ol requesters from Amiga Basic Demonstrates scrolling capabilities sound program draws a map of the world
find a FJe sea-xhing afl subdJreca.'ies BOB programming example sound synthesis example
sample device driver
sample library eiampe
assembler indude Bes tps on CLJ commands
For PDS orders, please use form on page CHI Visa and MasterCard is available on orders of $20.00 or more.
latest Soing! deno.witti selectable speed.E converts an IFF brush loC data
instructiois, initialization code. E converts :FF brush to an icon, E
graces demo, tracks to mouse, E assembler program lor stopping SC10 errors, S-E-D menu-bar dock and dale dispey, E the game of life, E Intuitjcn-based way lo set the time S dale
Sreshehan circle algorithm eiarr.pfe
News Rocm graphics lo IFF l«mat Seiti>9 ihe files from your
C-64 to your Amiga is 3ie hard part. Jf.'CL'S Disk 12
ExrxUBD icoc/ams Walk 'aBr^compat.blefnker, birtfas^r, E-D
dean
epsonset
snowtg
speaktme
undelete
cnvapldhm
menued quick qiickEA Bed 1.3
C programs Spn3
spins the disk for disk cleaners, E-D
sendsEpsonsetOncsloPAftfrommenuE-D
viewti.respicsinfaw-ressuperbffiiap, E-D te! the lime, E-0
undeletes a fie. ED
converts Apple ][ bw, med"rum and
taghrespicturestolFF.E-O menu eoior prodices C code lor menus. E-D quick disk-io-disk nfcbie copier, E-D copies Eleororac Arls disks, removes pfoteclo.i, E-D demo ol text editor from Uicrosmilhs,E-D
rotating blocks graphes demo, S-E-D start a new CLI al the press of a
Eiecutabli; programs:
not to say they donl work. A dernool Intuition menus called 'rrenudemo', In C source
Assembler f les:
Panasonic KX-Pi On fam.ty,and treS.Tin-CoronaD300.wnhs
DetuieGraw
carry awarranty.andareforeducafaial purposes only. Ol course, that's
sweep.c
BOO, the Gemini Slar-tO. the NEC S3?5A. the OEiiata Ml-32. tie
CotorArt
support. It was only upand running lor several weeks. These files do not
whereis/: bobtesLc
sendingescapesequencesloyour prTnter
tps on seting up )Ou: startup-sequeice file
loan a mort Ml ons convens srr.sll l-r trusses 13 A.-nica3asic
incbas', 'nia'Jitrans1, Tjctjo', 'imer' aro Translator',
Mfunc.M
eiplains hew to win tie game 'hacker'
guttle to install,ng a 6EO10 in your Amiga
large, animated caleridar, oary and
d:skfont.tit
warning ol disk Ion] loading bug
explains how to read funaion keys Irom Arnica Basic
amortize brusfiBBOB
These are the necessary inks between Amiga Basic and Ihe system
copy ofthe RKM console VO chapter
Stc t^iTip
wad processing. S-E-D
a CLI shell, works w.thou! the Workbench, S-E-D
caiencar
WtschFont-C bads and displays aN avataUe syslem fonis process.i and pnbase.i assmener include files: autorqstr.W warnings ol deadlocks will auiorefluesters
consolelO.iit
HackerSIn
men'j-Circc:-:i"-=iJ.?dsplay, E the game Ol life, E intuition -based way lo set Ihe time date, another Emacs. moieonenled to
Add.'essSook a simp'e address book database Ball draws a ban Cload program to conven CompuServe he> files to binary, S-D Clue Ihe gams, Intuition driven
EtarTerm
set the anributes of the parallel port
MyCU
PDScreen Dltccl^cs R^si:;;r: c h '.h^ji ^cre^n tottfimef
SelMernate sets a secrxd nnace Ic an icon, when dcked once S-E SetiVrdo^ makes windows for a CU program to run under Workbench S-E
SavelLBM
region test program source to interface orvolf program
jmer.c (mrstuf.c
program, to turn any screen into an IFF picture.
libDir
printer device definitions
speechtoy.c tim ecely.c
robot and Robert. This I'dude; a prog-arn a vis™ each picfue separately, and al I tooefte as separa'e, sloable screens. The 'see?bm'
KwikCopy
example of serial port use sampe printer interface code
SetSerial.c singpiay-c
ThisdiskhaspiciuresfromtheDigiViewhold-and-mDdily video digitae'. t! includes the lades with pencils and loilypops, Itw young girl, file btildozer, thehc«eand buggy, t^e Bytecove'. trie dctwa^y page, tne
Eiecutabls prog rams:
direct keyboard reading
Iayenes.c
Eteronlc Arts, a gorilla, horses. Kirn Tut, a
still from an old movie, the Dire Straits moving company, a screen from Pinball Contruct-on Set a TV newcaster, the PaintCan, a world map, a Porsche, a shuaie mission patch, a tyrannosaurusrei. a planet new, a VISAcard.anda ten-speed. AMICUS Disk 7 DicjViewHAMOemoplcturedlsk
Othelki RstWaze ROR Shuttle Spelling
ftaod fil example
printer pie-release copy of the cfiapter on printer dnvers. from 11 KM 1.1
fiobj shell
paratei »1 spec
Kfock life TimeSet EMErracs
converts carriage returns lo line 'eeds in Amiga files. S-E
3D drawing ptojram. w/ hidden ire removal simple paiffi program draw several op:cal illusions
drawstneShuttl9in3dwi/elrame graphics nemo
eternal tfiskspeciteation
paraEel
gameport
1.0 to 1.1
draws fractal landscapes
Simple pain; program
enoisk
vsprJla
AmigaBSS g
button, like Sidekick. E-E-D VSpr.te eiampe code from
Commodore, S-E-0 Amiga g Basic bulletin board prog., S-D
Assembler prog rams Abl stariO makes star fields Ike Star Trek intro.S-E-D Mourn Wanddbrot 3D view of Mandelbrot set Star Destroyer hi-res Slar Wars; sarship
Robot
Texts
robot arm grabbing a cylinder
word processing. S-E-D
a CLI shell, works withoul the Workbench, S-E-D
vendors
read function keys from Amiga Basic
dndude mindwalker
Amiga vereMrs. names, addresses faes lo early Cartfco memory boards cross- rolerenca ;o C include files clues 10 playing Bis game wel
another Emacs, more oriented to
eipiainshowlowinthegame tiacker' guide to ri stating a £8010 in you Amiga
latest Bongldemo.wifhsetedablespeBd.E
cardco
sii-ieshow
make your own slrieshows from ihe Kaleidoscope disk
conrerts an IFF brush lo C data
Amazing Computing V4.9© 1989
109
Amiga BasiCprDgrams Rarines Iran Carolyn Sdieponer o! CBM Tech Support, to read and cisplay IFF pirtures Iwn Amiga Basic. Wilh documentation. Also
incfuded is a pnjo/a.-n » do screen prins in A/niga Basi. and the newest BMAP f.las. with a corrected ConveriFD program. With ex ample pctures. art the SaveJlBU screen capture program.
Routines to bad and ptajf FutureSound an] IFF sound Be* irom Amiga Base, by JoltiFousltefApplBdVisons. With oceunentaton and C and assembler source far irtfio your own Ifcrares. and
MerticingC 10 assembler in ittahes. Win eiampfe sound. Executable programs gravity So Amer Jan BSflravtaten graphic
simulation. S-E-D
Texts MIDI
rale fxr nr, MC r^r-nect irrerfase, Oocumentatcn S a H-res schematic.
Logo
AmiganersbnolthepapJar Compuier
language, win eiamp^e prograns. E-D
TvTest
Demo version of the TVTeit character generator Hddbfhdtd
go p^
Dekfsk
CLIu«Ky»re^ssionanew
Calendar.WKS
Lrtus-oompatieiewrwheatiai makesca'enaais
SelKey
HP-10C SetPrefs
Dan Kar/s
PETrans
translates FET ASC:i f iesto ASC.1 files, S-E-D
WnjowBlhe'fsysSTilSfCLl comirenSs, S-E-D
quefyWB
asks Yes or No from to user returns eirscc*. 5-E
WSCOPy K
VisCatelypsspreMsheW.nomoujeamol.E-D
l
Bora1 style Oemcs. S-E-Q CUCIodi.sCiO*, wCkxHare window tenter docks. S-E-0
Decays"« CU window no Oust, m MMuia 2. S-E-D y
j-ccS"icC«22
AldhWrtbhdED AdoslayeredshaccwstoWortibenchwindows.E-D p^gpg
picttres on Ife ri* indu3e t."« An g a Visa part Tsrtrt fcgo. a sineen-co*! hi-res mage oi Andy Grif
Bryan Cat'ey's An-gaSas.: [utonal. SO
Housenold
Sryan CaW/s AmqaBasic househefc) invemcry program, S-D
Waveform
JimEh*:cs1Wa^cfmWcAs.iop:A1ii^aHasi;,S-D
Disklia
John Kenan's Am igaSasic rift
yf
a So printing utility, which can prim Files n tho backgrouno. and with line numbers and control
COMALh
displays a chart of the blocks allocated en a Ssk.
AMonl.1 BTE Siie
Cha/aaerfiEBring.
W
quesiorts an 'execute' SB. returns an
error code ta control the eiecutiai in that batch He
making smaB C c
Make C look like COHfc header file. S-D
EmacsKey
an enhanced version ol AmigaDOS
Dissolve'
random-dol dissolve demo displays IFF p*ture
Ccr:Mc!or. Decc*r Steffi Michel AmigaBasic tools, S-D BobEd BOB and sprite editor written in C.S-E-D SpnteMasterll Sprite edilcvandanimaDr by Brad Kiefer. E-D
Form'
program Birough lha Be Formatting lor
QskCaf
'PSouncT
IconmaSier"
primer driver loseiect prim styles
catalogs disks, maimans. Eortsjnerges
lists oftfisn lies Eunflne Industries' sampled sound editors recorder makes icons lor most programs
■Fractals' draws great fractal seascapes and mounts scapes. 3DBreatouT 3D glasses, create breakout in a new dimension
'Amiga MomW displays lisa o! open files. memory use,
tasks, devices and ports in use.
Cosmoroids'
version of asierokJs' tor Ihe Amiga.
Sailers' high resoMon graphics demo writteN in Moduta 2. Tail*: ansltit' eiplains escape sequences the CON: device responds lo.
TKey1
includes lemplale for making paper to
sit in ihe tray at ihoicpol the Amkja keyboard. programmer's document Irom Commodore
Spawn'
Amiga, describs ways to use the Amija's mul tasking capabilities h
CU window uSitv resizes current window, S-E-D
dsWrs 1^ poire, and prims fl. program aseies and reWrts C siucares and
vanabies l-;;-a m the Ar 33 include fie sfSec
RKkZ
F-c^Jset
Ere Piano
CelScripts
jFiiHuf*'
Iff
InaramanlE UstWSTR Musi: O
"addmem"
'arc1 "arcre"
210
c5sk coitans t« music payers, songs, instni-
Dc*2aa-n
Sound" on ywi Amiga a coGecion d S "nsmimerts lor pla/03 and creatng music. The ccftxtxn ranees from Cannon n Manmba program to SstfieinstiumaitsOMCSwIlnot load as wen as tst the origins lor any instrunent. acoCeoonoll4CiassjcaJp>eces The1Eminu!edasscalleawr8Com>e»wi!hCan-
Lexical
Iconoe
TSne
AnalyiesaienfileandgivesiheGuiring-Fog,
Ftescfi. and Kircad iraSees whicn measue
HeiDump
Utnua
BneaHotK
1. SetLace pr^ a S">v^h irsaslace onlofl.
2. Why. replace Am gaOOS CU Why 3. Loac" i frog a l^ii F.e lto memory uml a reboot (Only the moa esoteric hackeis wi find Moicface
removes r^itiase ctaracteis Irom
LaadB useful.)
CLJprcgram resets FWerences to several colors of monochrome I intertace screens. C souce is
included, works wfti DisplayPref. a CU program
modem received files
BomgUachiie
Daisy
utach dspfays the current Preferences secings. A ray-traced animation of a perpetual motion Boing-rnaking machine, Includes [he latest versoi of te Movie program, which has the abJily to play
sounds aiong will the anmaton. Bv Ken Offer Example e( using the trarsletcr ana natfaor
rjevces» make the Amiga Kk. HiswntteninC.
Amazing Computing V4.9 © 1989
A lew CU utSSes. indiSivj seme tuTctcialy
Sim Far io tie UNIX ut-irres oi the same raoes. Induced are: Wc.Head.Tari.Tee. Deab.
Aprograrr,.-ners1Wor1(beficri'. Alcwsycuto easJy and ccovenenly move. ccpy. rename,
and delele ties & crecsaies fteni a CLI
onvfcomenL ASoprewdesamethodio
eiecuW ether Workbench a CLI p/ograms. GeoTime
GPrmt
Vl.e.uodate 10 FFI34, binary oriy. By Peter da Siva Acoude of irteresing "lAick' lyre prcyams basea en tre "Geochrcn". COserva ihe earth's shadow scroll across a map or globe in realime. based on (he system cWk. VI 0. binary only, shareware. By Mke Smithwick A black 1 while srsfh ;s pintuiMy lor Epson
compare onrters. Command-lirieoptons allow several diflerent print qualities and
densities. Includes a coupfe ol sample IFF ties forprinung. V2.03. binary only, s'lareware. 9y Jed
NoVlrus
RepSlmg
Peter Chema Ariwly dene, ntu sian-based M*or [hat is oile useT-lnenoly. Fea^es word-wrap, aulo-irxtent, newclr.atl buffer, Mia-YiinCow. keyboard maao, help, pnntmg, and more. Vl.O, binary only,
shareware. By Dan Burris
Another Anli-Virus utility. This one lealwes known and new virus deleclon. view beet block, save and restore boo;blocks, several 'inslairoptionsandmore. Written In assemblv.
V1.56.ainary(Xily. By Nie Wilson
NiosliireCLIuula* to replace any type of sting
in any type ol nie wilh another stnni ol anv
tyce. Vl.O, binary only, sharaware.ay Lucsno TrrtThvia
AMXLISP
Bally
MUD
Very nfce mouse
Star Trek fans. Conlahs 1C0 questons win atfcftenal Wvia disks available Irom the author. Einaiyonly, shareware. By Georoe Brojssard
DIiHSl
Amiga-ned version of [he XLisp (liaprelsr
originally by David Betz. V2.00, includes source. By David Beti; Amiga wcrt oy Francois Rouab; Amgapoiioftriebmiera.'cadeoamenamEd
Clck. Lacks sourvj effess-porTVEed for later updates. VO.i, binary only, shareware. By
Tracker
Diver Wasner UseU debugging -oulries sirnEa,- m hjicScfl but more versa; le 'o these tf "MemTrace' on FF163 WilDaiand/eporionca.1510
AlbMOFllllliddtl1!
sorrCJina else is happening in ne Amqa, as your
Amga is ooocrg, fcf eianple.
backgrDUid.
CU program changes your parity to 3 c^ven poinBr.
Sira far to CB'rjnstsigs"
ptogiams de'e'ored by Bmxod Amiga EcSmap
enthLsasts. Vlu. binary enfy. By Fc*sr Hal Akejwapetftor. Aiowsyoutofeadnan enstng keymap lie. nod.fy it to suit your
needs, tx sa« it as a /easy-to-use keyrrap.
SORRY...
VI0. inOudes sounz. Airra: HR136
Do to the ever increasing size of the Fred
Fish Collection, AC will no longer be able
to maintain a complete catalog of Public Domain Software in every issue. However, AC will continue to update this abrievated
catalog with new additions to the library. A full catalog of every disk and program in
the Amicus and Fred Fish Libraries is available in the current issue of:
AC* At your local Amazing Dealer
QltlBlfflHtl
An FF He oontanng a chart stming every
pessate mawe cl we siileen base paieae
ccforl. Also irdjded are cptmiied and monochrome patenes along wffi several tps
to Wcxffierdi icons, m ike icons took i ke
Wcrtbench hack makesfie same fly wak across itiesaeenairaridomrwvals. Otherwise. com pfeWy ham less. Three eiamfies ot assemofy languaoe code Irom
support pcgr2ns criy. By Jorn RusseS
inOuded '.doc' Fes. By Gary Brant
HodJa-2 program 10 d-spiay mewy \axccra in
structured dmce. recover hies from a trashed hard dsk. By David Joiier ol MwoHissfis Hea*»sthes)ieo|[FFiraageE,comparBon program. ReccWr, remaps the pa'elte ctfors ol we
scrolling earn pie
Features a pop-up mtuitan
Ertab. and Trure Descptions ara given m the
drow^er
AdsksectoedtrlofinyAraigaDOSfie-
WccUa-2 prccram comen; assemrj^r object SEs toWne CODE fiaErogiis. Cones wrti a saeeo
uMS and fjTCMos
AmgaBasc: design Tanan plaids. DiSkcaalMCfogram. flaisBSVX sampled souids in tie badtg'oiAJ whifc
picture to use ttepaiene colors of another. Using these programs and a tool ta convert IFF blushes
Ccce3eno
and does it m a m u* ctener fesJico tf-«i Sie analogous mines n SysV. tnJiraes source. By h«iry Spencer Vtrynee'cutaodtasie'ljpeuliilywrtniotsol
cw-peof uMly programs. Vi.4a,source lor
heiadeomaL
prccramtocssplavthem
miriatuES o( Be pOiies.
A neany-pucAc-cbnam reipftemenafon cf te VB regerolS) package. G
recognition, dfttard and >oe si^port and 3
rc-ii ■.
Tartan DirMaster BMP
scute. By Pe*rd»SJ«
ecntrel p«r«. muftpie fort and Mor
AM rCUS 26 also has a coOeciicn d mouse pointers. S WcrtJjench
UugfcSiDdUtSyUS Srzr.vtT.i
FiB makes screen BOcoOmn) wide ollert in ihe Sc£*le! word processor.
Struts prcsran shon-ng how you can toad
abitytotseecfecsij.e regular eiiessicns.
2pragrarnstoi!iavethaScnbbie!spe":ngd.csonary to aid from ihe RAM disk.
EhowPt
MusicCrsteSUUS
BNTcois
(or raakeinj arc' Hes E.G.
Workbench program tiat sends 1 DrskChango Signal
System config
j
WDiCffl)portcOreUnixC-Kermit
eiecoeaSe versed let use witfl mem eipansicr. anide in AC v2..1 fJe documentation and a base ajtcria! en \n 'arcing Bes
soninAmijaBasic
to !te cperalmg system: instsad or typing "diskchange OK* over and over again, just ct;k on the con. C source included
auUSby
TWhitlJaW based on t» VT-100 prog. V2.3 and census laest 'arc' SB conpresscn
to be read by the Amija E.G.
5 Ml melt drive as an AmigaDOS Aoppy. A
Three Amca Music PSveis:
DaveWedei-ivT-IOOemulatorwrth XmoOem, Kemit, and senptmg
litters teil Sles Irom other systems
DC
mcise button events. AhandvprcTram br people whou58 an Amiga 1020
TCB
Latesi versai of a pnniei oVwer oenerator
meffls. and plsyeis to bing Kve Ihria of playing "Big
Aj-.3jo
eipansren memory necessity
FluBu;
Hanldisk backup prog with Lempel-Zivcompression to reduce the necessary number of disks. Prints information about tasks ard processes in the sysiem; assembler source is inckxled. Letsa function key actikea rapd seriesol left
pyB
4skwhuoh cofiBms s« lemfra! programs. tern prog. mrthXmodem.WXmoden.
V0.9 for CompuServe, mdudes FILE graphics aaltes s CIS-B file Bans
l.:c-s lor printing on laser printers
EDBackup
■SumKick' program. By G'eg B"owre
(nwonrent then -etum to tie CU. Includes Regeip
here, along with Iho eieculable modulel. UpOalo ol prog to convert IFF images to PostScript
ViOeoScapa aramaiicns ol pianos and bong bal Makes fractal gardenscapes Examples of binary search arti insertion
term pmg. reWJes Super Kemil
'Amigartosr
Claz2
screen
game, a rumber of interesing bcaioRs are preset *so Sw FSqw
■fcrnoaKarmt* ■VTek'V23.1
A.T1 iga Base
Makes cet arimawjn Scnpts lor Aegis Animator, in
LJgiitcvdeoame.E-D Views and prints IFF pictures, irduding larger than
insertng n in ihe Oive after pettoming a speoai command in thb AJcanz. *hie another pots »ou n Central Pa*
Todor Fay s SoundScape module code from his Amazim Computing a/coles. ThesourceWEcho.CrDrd.Tx.andVUis inclWDd Tha Lattice and UaniC source code is
program, included here.
Ths oHk also contains several Ses of scenarios kx Amiga FigM Sraiator II. By puOng one of these seven fes en a Wai* rfc*. and Siroiiaior program. Foreo-Tiple. one scenario places ycurpians on
medations; C source included.
orapnics.S-E'D simple piano sound pro;ram
diskslW80. TheyareviewedwiihtheDiskCat
long songs, but A works in rnosl cases.
Amioa version of Ihe V. w a CommancT vxleo game,
margin settings and font types. ACLIprog/am, prints oul ptobablQ causes for Guru
Harries MajbBckTcJi/spiopoittjnalfladgei
eiamrie, S-E Checks to see il you have eitia-half-brighi
This disk has dedrone caalcgs for AMICLJS disks 1 to 20 and Fish
memory
'Missile1
Makeseachmousedk*iOund[Jaagunshot,E-E-D
Simple game ol sand thai lotas the mouse pointer, E-D
repairs an eiecuaae program Slelor expanded cc-.-tti'.'j;;;v;;i 55:3 =- stSTdird ■SHUS' tomai I have heard trts cfogram migh1. have a tew Bugs, especial)'in regafls C vety
PW_Uffi7
Mail m list daiaMse Maintain softca I siaiistics/ team records. Short Modu:a-2 program mmes tie Wwkbench sciean atound aCer a period cl [me, prevems morjtor burn-in.
aa?pQypg
Eitcutable Proflramj:
Ths program flips between Ihe normal and extended screen heighis. A shareware utliiy ta ProWnte users, changes
ihe tcpaz Ion1, en the tockstart disk w«i a fort
and eiecure a au/sm n sw irar»exh
Ufin
The LaceWB prcoran changes beween imertace ard non-imeriace Wa^iencn. Pievicuslv. you were forced to retool alter chanjng Preferences to an interlaced screen.
Wist Sofioallstats Dodge
Sand
Uunch
lasHir' fifes from each direaory. b^ CLImate'i
AmqaBasic makessnoviflakedesgns.
■awes' demo 3/ En; Greha.it. a :c4ct jjogter bouncing three mmrnsd ba!s. •* sand eSects. Twen^-lotr fra,Tes o! HAM
tJerf
each deeeto^ on a disk *ti:h ccnuins the filerma»on abcut the dies, mil also remove an the
Sro«
"try ta g-ab all the bags ol money that you can.*
binary He «dtng program
and save rres sages Speed up teesay accesj. 11 oeiles a small l.le m
Flcutfiessuchas no mere memory, fie W open, readvie era... etc. V0£. incudes source. By Gersa T Hewes For A-10CC owrets, wi petnaneniiy replace
caJied "took'. lnci-j«sasarr-pieintrietormof anIFFpttm. V30.bmrfOrtf ASo rrJviea a Bcna-T.in Fuller's fteejy redutrrsutaa?
tu:;K:n board software. Moves ihrough the :.■-;.■-:■
Latestlrom Software BstiJery. reircrjes Jlesfrom □5rectories or disk drives, much laslerlhan'ielele.'
Target
KickFont
forma) of the ra'-final networks ard several types cl K.ll.lasld.r
By Mai DJ.CTi Eicepton rs a set d error handing rouwes K nance ofen a f^cut a impSmen; rautres.
transcript to another Sfl. understands ±e message
DiskWipo
and saves IFF images, changes Owm with several lecfnques. E-D Bankn Co^pfetelic(iiebarSjngpro9..balanceyourcheckbookiE-D
wiiters from the ice pUnet in Star Wars, and a picture ola cheetah.
paroaas Of the coven ol Amga Wond and Amaiirg Cor pot.15. C pfOQtvni Ithf1 eiamc'eofniakirqaninputnander.
Vessage-maraga-ig p;oo;am IcBteommutticalions, lets you save messages from an orine
V2 I, binary on!/, by Teny GnS
ppgyy
ctswys mem on she sceen, tim lar a the samenamed Una pragma.
Keep 1.1
lists of ingrefterts (recipes' and autOTatcalfc cctnputecaicretcals.e!:. Uj>3a:eFF36,
wldcard suDpon. aTd rnve. Wudss soiree
Eicptoi
Con«rtsbnjs.iesa«^ns(twnoccs}. Graprmg prog reads [>.y] va'ues fran a f« ana
Image processing program by Bob Bush loads
AMCUS 15 also includes two beautlul IFF pictures, ol the enemy
iFFpMBM
lor Ms new Workbench.
Brusnlcon Egraph
Fpic
program io cafculale baoino averages
speed ol the jugging. The aaJic's Documentation tires Bal Bus might soneday be avilabie as a product
ModSes Ihe Workbench so three bptiTes are used, icent can have e^h! cctors. irstaad of bur, eighicolc cons are reWed. PiAle donaos proj'am "lipicon' c tmstiZcofi' converts e9ht-colc« IFF brusies lo icons, to use Delu« Part 10 make icons
Guru
ByTomasRoteki,SE-D
draw sound waveforms, and hear them alayed. aversimtftlieTronlijht-cyclevideogama. agameofsoSla™.
Vofay1
6CoicrtV3
alitsr chip eiplaatonC program
Amy g a Basic programs:
Slaii'
KeyBrt
BitLab
your own programs.
■Grids' bow MigaScf
cftecksun oi me JOAstart di sk. BASCprogedKke^maps.asjusiineWortberch keycaps a create your am.
Makes Eraacs iuncacfi tey
definiions by Grag Douglas, S-D Enoopaisystemresouiceusa.E-D BairfsTa)ecraraaereolKir.E-p CLJnogramshoHsSeweolaowensetolfles.E-D
■Staf
slowly, dot by dot. in a random fashion. nvokenewCLIwrriowallhepressol akey. PopCLl? Theewcutabl* programs Include:
cfiar^eJiepcus of the ■Insert Workbench' hind A prosram is also incijded t« festcr.rq me conect
Hatriel Maybeck Tolly's Itutwi tulonais, S-E-D
WnSce
'status' command.
fa o
ea.1 C programs ard eieculacies for Hob RiemersT.as eum^le for
Beta r^easecfUaisverswiol the UNIX make uMrty. FeSues mLrtiote depends noes,
oners « chance is automwcar.y 00 an AD DM E U
Uyaranpfogran.S-O
Skinny C
Dmake
p5
IvanSmWsArriga3a«subscript eiampie.S-D
hushes oiocdsf-.apesnDeLiePaiTi.arKl recommendations on icon
EWtpHErtu ii J Io e-Ic*1 the user ra compile
KnAsiand.sk. Fo
Unsarequawn solver jnassemttylanciage. S-E-D
Gadgets
An article Ml long-persisarce cfiossor mmrors, Bpa en making
itis Cprosrjmi IncluO*:
Gracfuxsdeio cans wougfi space awards the ~jT ca' sa.'-. :*-n of the sun with wenderiu! music and space o/aahics y hWlm:
fith, and frve Amiga Live1 pictures torn the Mairg Stcnes episode that leased the Anga.
Solve
DetAid
s in memory, which caid inter: other disks.
mouse.t-Q
E)K
Fred Fish Public Domain Software Fred Fi^fi Disk 179
Workbench 6$k; S19 tecefid proTam creeks kx tha
Like ing. wndons on screen fun awy from te
Text*
ed. Ons pfcgnm checks tor the software vims on a
otjeas, Upto24tra™io!aninat!oncanbe ceiled and espiaved E-D
proSCtcn.E-D
slider caoget E;D Ding, Sprain), yawing, Zoirg are spnte-based
software virus -hal came la the US Irom prales n Europe as delated in Amaung Com puling V2.1!. Bin Koer.ers ki. eipanitcn of the wus Code is inciud-
Demo of keytoart key re-programmer, with IFF e'fflre 10 make tuncson key labels. E-D deo panem generaw tr algnrn moriws. E-D HlPidlffc!KED
ppg
adds or remove; carnage retains (ran Ess S-E-D decrypts Ddiae Pa ".. remo
The Virus Check diroccry hdds severa1 prbsrams -eiati^ 10 the
and dsfiays poiygens to oeaie three dmenscnal
American. Sqa 36. S-E-D
erf dpdecode
based prog lor assamt^ng and p-ntingi grocery 5sl
C wreicn of Cofm FrsnBis AmoaBasic ROT pro-
FFarush£BOB byMlujSwnger DOSHelper
wtrv phrases user defnabie. Deline Grocery Constiu»on Set Simple Intuitcn-
operswi1fiamooseresemb[engBal.wnk!esaying
lor Ainga aid JJS-OOS. S-E-0
Amiga Basic programs. BMAPRaader byTimJonw eiarr.pie
DGCS
e/anffom Amating Cwpuing. ROTeits
C slructure rtiei program. S-E-D
AuKHcojestsr
Workbench d-sk. S-E-D
Moose
Scripl-dr.ven animation and ilideshow program flips throtgh IFF images. System mcnlcf Aro;gaBasic program iperlorm 5im>e manpdalions Ol memory. HarWora background program, a snia'l HimJom
BMon
E-D
Sewra! progrrar: from Amazng Compiling issues:
Teds
^ pg
FuhWncOw Resizes any CLI wndowL-sJgorti'ClJ commands, E-D Life3d 3-DversiCTiofCcniay'sDFEprDgram.E-D
Cj.j'H 1
andteehricjestertsnjftera wthvarous
pairs piograrns-B) Rck Bonne Icmr.erger Iniution-Oased prog-am Io Bke any two bosri Hes and merpa ^«n into an afemate-^aoa type icon. ViO. bnary orVy. fly Terry Ginu Sam Another IFF sound plajer with several cemmand'kneoptons. tidudes several samples V'fl.bi'Miyorty.ByNicWIson SetFont Allows you to change the system font with various command line opsons. Cleans upal knwwi bugs m FF75. va.5, includes sewee in
C--. By Dave Havrie
Fn?d Fish Disk 183 roFd A uSIity for A.1193 assanrjiy prcgrammers. FiiFd wil read a' FD1 file and n.injl a Ke Pat can be INCLUDE ed rather Dan having » to*
wtfimecoassal'Amijali!!. Vi.D.indodes '.'■>' b
scores in asseTiOy. By Peier WyspansU
Another e'ampteol ti'ci a stiared I brary
thatewilvedlrom'FJifi'FFs? Also included is a Sbrary.Edlib. whelseonains several luncaons not included m the Mam siandard tbranes.
includes source. By Ecmn Hoogerbeets witi CImcticns ^o^ se.era: dilVenl authors
For PDS orders, please use form on page CIII Visa and MasterCard is available on orders of $20.00 or more.
p^
Pncal ampler. Supports rcLiJc f.Its. atonal references, records, ervnefalBd types, pomten, arrays, stmgs and mons. Fteserxty does not support range types, Jw ■«*' sKdement or sets.
NelHxfc
tut on Be used n any cart game thai uses tie
standard H cart <)«*. V10. binary only By Terry
DPS
Ota Dana version of a program fiat wil allow you lo
late airy IFF Ho and save it as a WBSy sell-
Print
IFF-wewre. V10. binary orty. By FosEr Hall
Intfton based preplan :o alb* you to mango ycur
moose speed withcul laving lo go Brough preferences. VI.I.nckKJesassemblysource.By
shiieware. Update 10 FF173 Author Ht* Sites
dsptapg t» ■eraae behg printed, bnah, and I
status tar showing percerrl compteBO. Also Vzicench
Wold
ncludes an aoal gadget. VI.O.brafycnfy.By LucanoBertato
pFnnPW OJlarj
regrsters Of ire bbfler, and anew you to manipulate
inoniual rogisKis and peitomi bits on a majnSed
clutwed1 firary only. By Randy Jouelt
Bh
Commadore IFF dsfc Al re fles in tie ■documents'd»ectory are iiioo fie
manyerhmcaiierts. includes souue. Autior Stuart
1S6S ard convened o C by Crate G*b n 1967. Hu been convened o accept mesnucccompatible assemoter souce code and D generate
programs iteDtS or DSM. mdudes source n Spd
AmigiobiectE. hdides soura. Ths s V212. ar
upSa« lo FF110. By Brian Anderson; C transtalon
■ndAoipawark. byCharieGob
CardsOHama
SmCPU
Asmptegiriejhatlersyoupushyoui
peopleacualydo, itTsnaartyjento tie'. mdudM source in asambty. By Ctarte G*b
ACP.WsnulaiarlarthtAmiga. SiU g
Sws and more reiaBe measurHnenB o( tie (astor
read and write speeds avaiBtte unto the new Fail
rdmethnjwas.tialniustbeavwied. Has three leveb ofdrfficulty.easy.rnedajni.and hard. Sounds can be
Icggledonaorl. Keeps a record of tie lop !en scores. Shareware, binary orfy. Author Sieve Jacobs and Jim Boyd
ReSoucflDomo
ygypSM
UDisort Pyro
dsplay m eder. VI.1. binary crty. Author Sieve
Aiwysmal praam fotisprfaymg IFF peuesof arry resdjbon. This one is wnBon m assemWy oade and ts airy 9ES biles bng. Binary crty.
Author HiaMcKtti*
ErrtjtiBUm rMBonaAgan
Dr. Gardafs entry far tie Fnt knot
BadgeKterOaroCatKL trsannerjeed
K^anmafcxiwchncB»yrtegrjlBd sound
enecn.lt is igrealnsuai pun on thecngnal Bong demo, bm b say anymore would run rha tfled
mprovtd caUetumsiandard. Me VI 2. m up
compantio wrti ttB A6* assera Uer Vom F F196 and a
Frtd Hah Dirt TO
fromFFi7i. I hat been nooHM d generate code
mocifi wrious parametgnt nsbted to 321* CPlij
new fromend corool program imM I mtt M DM Bs the UNIX -D:'fror*iri3. VI.01. ndudes source, by: jDham Ruegg; Amiga work by ito Uonnomery Uona
supples, weapons, armor, and "arjgj devices by banemg witi various shep owrcn. bebfe descendng
Mdr compatBS tne aneiss of tw tJreoones. iBporDng on dderences such as 8a present n crty
message wan imomodo. as wef as ether
on dwetty, dflenM medkakn oaes, Ba fagi
sues.caninenB,etc. V10.indulessource.By UarkHnfrsC A cteassemfei corninent genemor program lor the I^KkAsaitflOMeiecayaryimaae. G&neraiesa ammemed dbassenW* d lie eiec lirary. V10.
tmary oniy. By Hartus Wandel Alraajlprojram.oniialrqMusicnLimilMl AMrsaifonlDLA] as descriDed in tfe December 19B8 Soentitc Amencan h Die Computer Reoreatanscdumn. Tboprogramis about an
Fbcterd Henderson and others. Fred Fish Pisk 1K Version 3.10 Ol Oariel Lawrence's varian! of
DaveCoroysmcroemacs Ths s an update lo the versonreleosodenasXIIS. Newkuucsirciude
new hooks lor macros, a command lo strip tain
scroftng, much raster search akjerthm. Amiga ireibon
piourwlreni 'seeds' Dal you create. This is unite anyoliheotherfracalgenerators'fveseen. )
supooaandmae. tidudcsscutteandensnsive
Orine documentation Author: Dave Cortoy, MANY HamPics
Fiwl Firti DiHi 197
Clags
■NIL*.»is a real hanler. Tire na^s n useU in
loB of ttakn »n»re "ML* cama be used. V 0 0. (dudes source. By (knEr tertnarii
Fntd Hih ffisi, iB9
AvwsaWeciinactc-teytitoar based on P0PCL1 wflaunquemethod3fscrBCfi-bla.-h.Tg'. Iwcni
Fnl
At
^tH
Create a 2gs Be Irani tie specfed C. Pascal. Foman, YACC, Ira. cr ia sources A Bgs He can be used by ltowk«l^*di3 pi m i program'I scuta cate. Berkeley V4.7. indudes source. Autior Ken AmokJ. Jn Mecbw. aid Bi Joy PonedloAmijabyG B (Fred)Water
FirB is * uB>|l ■Wanwrclm lor Mestal satisfy a
9 vefi boolean eipntssici of atctues. stanng from a
nM pattname and sorchng ttaist&f dam ttiae^
the Iwrarchy of (he tie system. Very much Us the Um trd prcgram VII,includes source Update B FF134 Author: HodneyLews
s found on Che more popular handheids.
^prrnnifnpfirpTrthnhaiiilfwiiiHi^hfftf aji
etc The pboer portion wil plot equatens. Otier leeMw ndude t6 nernones, U mouse or v^f toi'd coeratcn, pJ'down merts. and
LabdPrinl
Nuhand
teiage-Ed An shanrwi-e on edtr sutniftBl by Im Mhor lor mdusoi n tie Hrary. Suggesled slwewan donatonof(£0. Version 1S.tmaryonfy.Autnr JtP JPCIo* t9pp
s souce. Author Jonatian Potler
McuseSounce A sfoi hacWjame thai mates your nousa porter bource around tie screen The objea is lo
dose the UoussBcuvaMndow and ent tne game.
For PDS orders, please use form on page CHI
Visa and MasterCard is available on orders of $20.00 or more.
•annxt. V 3 0. bnary crty. by: Jr.my Yang A program that alews you u easJy pmt labds for
yourdsks. Version 13, shareware, tmary only
(MUCtlvahUa Irom author). Autior: Andmas Krate Ananniatcndahandw^l^noerriajsscrapenj on a oesttop. ndilnrj sound effsas. Ths is Bryan's entry lor ihe 198S Badge Kfcr Deno :■> .:: E -.-.-,..-.,:, r.-.^rCirs. J: ^-,
DtTli
Esperanto
inage-Ed
s a AJen's entv n te 1988 Badge Oer DemoComest. tsinanma3cnw«isound eflecK by. Afcn Hastings A keyinap mcofcafcfl to usai nrfich, in con-
juncbon witfi tie suppied slataJonL wi aba one b type
BCnawxi o! S2D. VI9, binary only. Faes a E«]nFora
sacus bug (i VIB on FF204. by: J. Potler
Akeymap iiJ lom tiatwJ aliaw ttB user obe
abfe to type n American Sign Lancua ge, provided thai one Knows Ihe bnL Auticr GtynGcwmg VrusCcntrd A new wus detection and ccrr.-ol proyj-i thai chocks disks during insertion, protects tfom Irt. vruses. shews too»x* on i screen,
pgrbduly checks "ysBn vectors, consols access lo lies with a recfjeaEr, at V15,
■rdudes W assemWy language scum code. Autfor- PN
DiMiSalv
Amga. hcUes source AuTcr: Jonaton Poser
q
C(*r3lcn$ m* ^UpL LSI, AND. Ofl, XOR,
ThooepprcigramffomthoGNUprojett Roclacos grepTrjrrp.Egrpp.andbmgrap- Cunendy does not
hittto a Custom copper fed tor the currertactve view (usualy nottiencfii tul contaraal ta caicurs tot OiOCOttOifl!. A neal dec and an frrffy Ty fri ^*irf ^ tlft"fi*nrrytfrliWH nf tv
'
Awryncdydonei '. The soertAc person has mosl of tie
GnuGrep
Anderson, hvn Spencer
program, a commercial PostScript iiterpreWr (or Ihe Amqa,toprovrjeapagspreviewer. Vl.l
Ate
HAUCu
AprogramdesqnMlowcrtwitilhePrinlScripl
EattaajsaLZi0
Ihe author lo see how easy it wcuU tu fit wasn't).
omscan HAM mages, ndudts source tor the cEspiay
above a miTOred bout. Rendenncj Be animation look aboul 2 weeks. Distributed n zoo tomai because of us sze (zoo prcoam induded for easy unpackkicj). Author: Vem Slaals
and includes source by: Wlen"
A simple fie requestor, written as an eioose by
are Aspbyed mtfii specol C9U leader tvi hsdes pT
Dps
svsioms uangtelndea SequenWAccea
(trpand Atntai ttyto wUcra. to H you wish to ■can mubple Hes you wai rued lo usa >
THsaVom's
OemoConML tatScutot-ArimaEarimaiion
ffai shows tiree cctared baCs lying m crcles
ffefleg
scaled, and converM to Amiga IFF HAM aes. They
A smote ARen rtetbx which can be rasty
653
only. Aulhcc Kai Oiver Ptoog
1 *35 stde scanner, crapped, gurmt coniwed.
ndA
(paMWc mjertace/non.inlerlacE.et). V 1.1 .Wary crty. By Roger Fiscnm
These are song of tie mosl st/ning ifgitited pictures yettortheAmiga They "ore scarmod at a resolution of 4096 by 2B0O puds. 36-tnti per pad. on an Etaiii
pm Rah ait MM
Ai^aryofrautnastoaccessretaKnaiaHbtM
Includes source. Author: Jonathan Potler
Genes crtrytD the 1963 Badge KHa Demo
contssi. A very cule (and large) arnnaxn. Requres ^out 1900 bbds of is* space, so it ti cjstnbuled • 'art faoiaT. Aiithcr Gene drawn
AsleroOhekl Thnis yg Kfer Demo Contest Q rs a larce anrascn o< a spacecraB lyoj mafly through an asarad idd (chased by unseen hes) tiat rdudes a ca&s of nearnsses Autw- ttcfaeiPowel
FfCd Fish Dttf ZW
ermanccmems by Daniel Lawrence
MemoryCloiA A dock nrooom thai shows trie amount ol tree last ram. Ires thp ram. as we* as tie tme ant dale. Includes source «i assembly code. By Roger
Eicc. Author: Carl SasserraKi
MundoattHea, Bnarycnry by: Torus
Fnjd j Rtf Rtfi Disk ?pe
Ik-nod (ISAM). Ths is boa versed 0 9. Mtary
larguaoo message njpeort. hoiuonM window
AtacBlnnenuorBcaanihalgeneralKtracal
Teitftsplay A *ii dicUy program, fte 1m' or less', but about hall the sin ard handes al screen fcnr.ats
gp)y
ban
wMnnce. nemaicnalution features ike foregi
pnd-jdM sues. By Doug Hcuck
source. By Toraas Rotocta AnewOco device r«t tenavBs fte'KL'bUurfe
Sassenratfi, the artfaect of lie Amiga's bw4evot
mulipio marts, mom hmcton lay support, a bettor crypi atgcullm. and end-of word command, a
programdescnbedirSoeriiilicAmerican. VIA
patched irtoatnost any progran. IncUesasan eiamcielietreocraiiprDCjramtrcmFFi. Includes
oiarnple of creatng a subtask. a rewrite t\ assembly ol R. J. Ifers He requesior, an example dnsalng a custom input handu ahead of inwten, and more. Autw: Jni Fare t Jofl GUI Th source Hes tor a3 eiamptet pubtshgd fi Iw uG«,*dax:DupsbyCa SG«P*dtl'bCt
Roben Alan Koeneka and oKieis. Amiga «reion by
command ino swiBi lor scung enworiTieni variables,
Assentry and C cede eamjies, nckdng some
3 demos of some ol the tenga's yaphes and
ui
Covole
cMlavciaes(itespeecr«ctafidy»citc3. ^ddnbyt ho
binary only, requires at least 1Mb of memory. Autior.
order of magrwude tester than the 'SlO GRO'
can bo used lo toad ard display previously created Iractal pctures, rncttty cv.sang fractaJs. n create your own fractals. Via.tinaryonly.updatoto FF1«. By Doug Hou*
Ejamptes
[LUAwry
Fn>d FWi Piik M7
bnary crty. Author: nVyLange^U
rnodricatiors to unprcve cvcral pLayaUr^ and to take
Amiga. Autior LWmowi |no documentation
classes t> view, ndudes: scutes. Author David
Tnpe
anABenpon. XHOOEHIItCRCydKenK proDcol supped also rdjtied. Version 3 656,
FnidFttfiDht ^g
memoryusage Bnlryonty by: JimWebSler A oemo o( avj va.iOLS grapnes capacJKrs of Iw
relucted) PctureGarden Anofieidemo. apparEnByn compiled base Author LnknewR (no dccumencalon rduded) SisreoDemo A detno of stereoscope grachics. uten •i assemay language. Requires red-green sens
Daw Hector a aL's VT100. many enhancemenls were made. The fraara rocjuires ARP. and *has
lewi tt&t tB dngeon. where you may acqwB
225 chMOen. VI .0, binary crty. By Roger fiid*
Provides son: of a griphcal picture of reur
PeX
VLTitbcftaVTIOOemulatDrandaTeKrDrn
(40M plus sutut of 4105) emulato-. cunrty n LjseatSLACfStartcrtLnearAcceteralorCenior). AVnugh re VT100 part was origntj oHed on
gane it 10 MM tM Bakog, wnich kjrks in tie
ncjude pul donn nerxo, graphics Jbcde.pcfe|i mode, a continuous move mode, a real kme mode, a
part of a bnpliina msC-j a wsph-ts ctsplay.
Verton l .0. Au!«r: ftcbn LaJ'asha
VI
motion. hcWesscuce.AuTcr innM.OIsen
A stereo mage of a hawX Reqares red'green slerrogWEWStovien. Author U*nowi[no documemauan mduded) MemFick Treats al the memory si your Amiga Ike K was
bnarrorty tutor. EncLaittXy
SUvicFcfts A whote bunch of new tens from Robin LjPUIa.
oeepest levels of the dungeon You begin at tie town
chaiadera. The scrcAng laU porto) can be up &
Hawk
•nuprtaKtoversian2.2onddi12B. Sraremare.
AsrglepbyeraurigoonsniuUacn. ThecCiectdtrie
nBta dungeon to d0OWI». Aro^a onhananerts
Version 2 0 upgrades by Atred Kairfmann
Branman A demo based on bsti freclal iheory and Ucwn an
to FF76. Hequres oCcumasattn from fF77 B
AproymdeeionadttalcwtieusandMcltrd
Thj s an upttae 10 FF161. By Tomas RcMcti
Sur*a». ported to Amga by Bob Lennan
Update » Cms Gra/s Draco tistnbulion lor tie AiEJtall ^pp pomr, rccjstcr vanabkfs. more opunmnn.
version30l Aulhcr ftalphHeed A pori of a chess ga™ posted to Usenet Thsis
FiwIFtanOlsk JK
Ths is Vincent's entry lor tie Frst Annual Badge
Draco
Cbct. Ths version now has sound effects.
an upaats w the versw fist (xkjded en ask 96 II ta ceen upgraoM lo use an Amiga htuMn ineriace. Verson 2.0. binary crtj. Author. John
Gandif (L^ J. Rescher, MDi
Kilor Demo Contest n is an anmalon of a "fishlar*: sinvlalor', willi sound olfocts and a cute twist. Binary only. Autior Vncent H. I oi Fred Fish Disk 201
Amoa pen a re torner arcaae came named
mwooUrt,roboH*eMachoies. Bnary crty,
Chess
Binary only, requres If* of memory Autfior: Dr.
Tank
memory. V2.9,rdufessoutee.bfJ.Poner
Versonll.anupcaieuFFlSI. Braryonly. shareware, by: Owe Wagrer
J«i Hodgson
Htiauiquemetiod ofscnwvtiartbng". I won! say monj, just »ji! V1.i3.relude3S(j(ra.
AwraadecUnacroJeynbaErbasedonPOPCU
djtk to booths. Theheacinecanbeupioa)
Macte
CesareDicri A program bvanslBr sound sarnptosbctiveen £b Amiga and a Roland S-ZZO. V10. bnary crty. Ausra: IWerBruiS A screen Uantng program ttat ooos beyond Sv normal tlanlung process. Anen ffiere ars no rpJ events, pyto UWs over jod slatt a W» fsmorVs
complete the dsmtufcn W. Bnary crty. Author: ChraGray DropCioih DTjpCfctnleisywp^apaitBm,a2t«WrieifT rnage or a corntaato of a pattern and mage, rtj tie Workflereh Backdrop. Ths
Ttis ptmrarn enmes a smal rto en ffe cccOo o( any dak, irtch wl appear ato you raerl tie
HJ
Author: Man CUx. Same at*. Carlo aateo,
Tha is a U teued ebcr pnwdng support tor ncrricl. tsiig and dud toys. The keyboard rrprestraed a ton an A2XXVA500 But il is fuly coripataew*A1uOTI*yOoarB. V1.D2. ncksles scuds Auticr inFs..: Thars a moaied version ol the Scaooon C compte
BofcnlMn
paramMsr* when cated hm a sort VI .4.
Urfiea
y
oommands.sanebugfiiai.etc
V036. binary only, by: QenMcDiarmd BU 183
ttfadMKirce BEteH
FraoQen
AdomonjrsonqfHeScucu.anirrteraaive
disassembler tor the Amiga. This is a compfelo version eacopl Dial me 'saw' loatures have been oUaUed.
Thso re laiesuwsicn Lie Anfla pond Hack. wti lob of Amioja specile ertfincGmons and nsa] graphs. No* ndudes an easy a use instalation wcqta.^- ThtsiiHacUJteVI.Dil.tinaryonly.By
ta»n 32-bi memory, and tt report vahcus
FastGro
Csh
feaues AsfmdB,atthgknwes. electn: arcs and
Joanne Do*
data cicnei, swtth en oroC tre'030 bunt cache Ins ■ request. uMtM UUU U run a ROM mag*
EiecDis
scfving linear programs, ligsw tt« standardised MPSX-lormillorinpuldalafilcs. VI.2.irdudos source Auto: Etetan Faster V3.D23 of a a*i l« she! deiivm lion Mjtl [>!kxi's
Vewa
rjfirjenu&on. 1 also does tome base sfnpiications (based on paBem maewg] Id nake to resut of a dtleronhatDn mere presentaote. Includes source. Autcr Dam! Gay PacUarflT Bnisancelnle'pacminbks'^ariieiiRhsomerew
Indudei command)»en»bi« or (fcado to ma
OKk
An rnpfcnenatcn Of Ihe Si.-nplei algonlfin lor
ISwritoMesrunbered 1 trough 15 and an empty
s pacOge atom you to manpiiato eipressims.
File SyOam. By RickSoartauer, entanceraerts by
SeCPU
ASrnpkti
ntonrurtcn about Ihe stats of rour devices S
BaMaForca Ancefydonesnarewaregame.siimiDedbylhe author. :ia: snulasss com Dal between two or
Fred Fish Disk m
Charon is Bradtey's enOy to" Ihe Rrsl Annul Badge KHer Demo Conest. The tea of tie demo was wntfen by Lord Dunsany (long before the Amiga). Bractey created te iustatens and anmawn. ThesoundracklsatrMtbcrulScinjsh tuneTheAnanSoal'.by: Lord Dunsan) (1915), Bradk)ySchend<(13e8) Fred Fish Pi" 1W
the contents cV a pfflcUardiBCtcrycfidi-nirvl Verson 1 4. ncbdes source by: Joratian FotW
Autnr Jonathan PoBar
Charon
chalenonj since you can! sctffi il by just prying out
OWtfy its hn man fijicKns are nakjascn and
A disk benchmartiixcgram which runs on both Urii
and tie Amiga. Uis is an updas to FFJfl. win bug
Aput^dOniaincloriaolthsUNIJl'vi'odilor. Support wwckw-sizng, arrow keys, and tie hdp key. V3J5a.«*Jdessc«ceUpdatDloFF166 Author: Various, Amiga work by G R (FrDd) Waller
Jacobs and An Boyd SnpDenw Domo version 1.23 d sqnal prcoHSiiij pajim sdd by data Dynincs Bnary crty. Aufhor:
the pieces, rdudes source. Aunor Me Hal
jaal S lo po up as njny pars as yen can. un8 ncre are no cardslel en tie screen. V1JJ, ndudes eoutds. By WerHier Pirani
Kusche
MadJB
aeried,rteractve,sc«*ngchcc*er.lJprJal=toFFy. w*enhancem«rObyTomjiFn»oc*j. V20JJ2. ■ndudos source. Autior Pace Wfeson; ertancements by Tomas flokou
then displayed al fie beoyrv^ of each game. Your
A cule progran 3a ows ne Sme Tie way many
Usenet by Alan Vymelaik Marty enhancements by
A smaluWy which -pops open" Bhe* you Krk n
FnW Fnh Disk TO
Baty
gUSri
SBvia
VkV
5Cfiareria4by4iiungemert This one is more
Fmi Fsh Plak 1E7
HactUo
AfU
memory. II is flayed wsn a deck of 32 cams.
saxes. Tlw a V2JJ. an update b FF109. By Jrn Cathey; Amiga pal by Charie Gbts and MS Dskperf
assembly code, by: W
Cconier nernon o< those cheip plastc puides ■*
grouped m 16 pars. The cards are shitted and
OC
Includes source. Auticr Unknown, posted lo
Ftrascn
can be run [hejvm !ort»fl a chassenUed by
A6B& assembler origjnalywnlleri in ModuH-Sn
Teacher is a -fion. Smpte hac*. t wool spo* ne lun by Mfng you nhat il does, ttidel sourte.
codes tor bod. Cafccs, and underlne. more than
FileBcocSUok Tins smple We progtlra reads bfccW 0 arO 1 of a boctable dsli and saves rem as a prcgram fietfd
Fred nj Dim 1K
Ao»
titnap. V 1.-t.anupttitoioFra4 Induces source. Author: Tomas Rokidu A recueslorrimlung lod unploy/ig various reojsve algoithmsndudng a recursw parser. It late input lew Mes ind corwortl them » C-sOureo lor inckidng as requester dedarmoni UfdaiotoFF1S2.»ili
Fn!dflsftDi»kia5
CcnvredorelF?Thsisa copy of Hie official November i 968
b&ttf. U your hearts contenl. m relatve safety. B
opens a workbench mndow wth aadgeis (or al the
^^ WcrtBwich screen lor you wren it gets ts Do
A «« adventure c^esmtarlo the Wocom adfflntiresolPlanettalanilSla/cross. OuBbrjt witha twnwidous variety of responses. V1.M. Includes source. By Doug McdoraH, Amiga port ty EncKemedy
BtttaD is a pruam urudi Ms you eipeemeri tmf\ te
Teacher
ens tonnaDng command on E l*», kmgc macro names, end many more formating commands.
wtich can be compied and Inked witi ytxir program lo tisplay the pctoe with the mturtcn Drawlmaje Ths is pan 1 ofa lure part dstntxjfcn of NetHacfc. nvfwJi was BO large to It on a sngte cfak. even when EOD*d. Part 1 is on disk 163 Bcfh parts, abng wjh coo to unpack them. are roqured to use or nstuU HofHadr. V22 tndudeiMures Amnor: Various; Am^a work by OBI SatBl
A small UttSf wTCi "paps open" to girt you
15. an upcae to tie version rebated on dsk 79 New features ndude oannuin ol ANSI ISO
LBM2lmage Takes an IFF picture and generates a C source medie
(unefai. Binary crty. by: Demi Green
PopMo
bad m merrory. SLppcn tor cnerlayi. suppcrl for
Autior: GaryHosuran
NelHack
mode to setas where eaOi DATA a BSS hur* wi hunk types as used by-bM'. V2.1.brarycrty. UprtttB to FF36 AUhor: 0J. Jnet Anotherrofld/eleutonaaw. thnsvorson
Mn
speed! up. Includes sauce by JonitunPona
PopOir
AC BASIC osmpied poorams. and stnport lor new
(5ytoraAc3Ecton of rnorfl rmestna, and useful icons.
LucanoBeruto
Snul prat utieyttegnetlB replace Kk "copy <8enarne>loprl:" command. Opens a window
V2.4g shareware edto. Has Mm mode, a commandlanguege, menu cusfcmaaon. and other user axiguraoityand cunonxabtoy feakses Bray only,
N lorces •> DATA ind
BSSrirtsntie Heo be loaded noCUP
memoy. CODE hunks wi sW toM m FAST ram JfiU Ntotd
F-rrt Ran tts* 190
caiBined eieaitabe Re. mffxw Die need lor any
WounLM
TO run n eucntl mamwy
NeHacfc. va houdesscuce. AUhon Vantus: Uedk
Each time you dick tie mouse button, tie ponwr
A program to modify eieouBMilw lo JowNm
ao to unpack them, are requred lo use or reQufcl
Paw* Quad
A anal brush a to C-code nags converter. rleoOM lobe used tar, CU VI0. binary crty By Tarry G«; CanMaker A programmer's aid lor eeiBTj card naga aaa
Fnltnk
BxUPanZisontfiskiSD. Both parts, akngmh
Vi.o. retries souree and ample programs. By SI
say mere, usl try a1 Verson 1.20, indudes source. upcaiBOlFFia7.Aufhor:TomasnolucW Tfisrs partial a two pan cWributicn ol NetHacfc. which was too large to ft on a soglo Ssk. even when
Tftsanmaton is Carey's erffytone 1338 Badge
Kiler Domo Contest Author Carey T.Pello
A risk recovery pugram for al Amiga fJe system
dances Ihil use citfer the Amioa Standard Flo
SyttM or the Amiga Fast FJe Syswn. Ksksarv creales ■ nir" Knyslen sfructurv en another
device. ■* as much data saMged Iron the
cngnal device at ponUe. Update»FFi77
Bray only. Author: DaveHaynie ThiChi' y Badge Wor Demo Contest by: Charles Voner S arvnaton of Ds
p^
Users Gtxo logo was subn-flecf to
meigeaBadoeOHOerroConestbyEd Serbe by- Ed Serin Al300i
^(]
ipecal prcgram is gel an eight ccto wavtwc-i lo display Ihese icons, which were made wsi
DPamtllandleonGcn Most icons are mnaiirei of the main screen of the* corresponing programs, or aie pcu.-e thev show. ma3e with
1coiiee"and7eeolor"lrxiFF£5 br- WM-Peler Dau*
Amazing Computing V4.9 © 1989
111
Frad Hah Diafc Z14
A Ittaryola&toonai functions fcr Mom. ItaiS VI .1. an upcaK to VID from FF1S3. hdjdes scurce. AuJdc Edrni HoogerbeeC witi O
ppp
archiva wth arc ot any othei prog-si tha rani scan (rough dfleront directories and/or harde long Heroines. VZ1, includes sura. Auhr. Garry Gtendnm UarrfeTVroom AUto p
and pieces d cede ftoro C. Haati and RJ. UicaL cmninargii aft.more ttue rio uvod wm a
mflBd ananbly tor nnonum spMd, onln& mouss wtecUtw hefci for al tundons, generation
[he otwtaatxss ndude aom. magnify, cofcrcv*n.coitouing.airlr>ccmour.rg.hislagnm, statistics, presets, eto-tafrbrte support, overscan, orbits, pan mode, ana mora. Reqiires 1 MO or more ofmemory. TTis is tha toutcs ID V2.0, an update WFF78. A cooipied binary, along vritti help Hes
PcPath
and eunple images, can be found on FFZ15. Autor Kevin Clasue UemDag
A memoty cSao/oSc pctgam to «3oft!y aWKses
■tidi prMuco man ory orots. and a memory o^aanbna pro/am mnen raiiwEs such deieo™
addresses torn HnsysRm's tea menoy 1st urtl
Scanner
ViistoU.incfuitessourai.Dv: FaSban&ioe
AroOsr lie? m the evolution office- Pa*1!
ftrBackGrourd J»Q5»ra, tan dsks 73 anfl 15Z.
Atom you 10 sart a new CU prorjram and lun (in
thebaclujDurd.ltiBnckisesfienewCLL This
varaon has betn ertoncerf to use tie NULL device by Gunnar Nordmafli fmduded], mhidi is a Tearduviat to it sotvos prettens wiih previous
versions of RunBai* wricfi used Kb Hi: take' device, causing many crashes, ktiudos scurco. Author Hob Peck. Daniel Barren, Tm Marten SmariJcon TTissiwcw™ program, iiimifiodiiir the aaJw, Ji ViO
Bmrled lo fcontfymg mindows. mrtch is si very
War.
prcgram rtt teatres he nunefical oenetaixs
oaBed jjjemUy fcr manm in speed. onfta mouse sefeeutfe hap tar al functions, generated
ol nmtfpto pictures smJtaneouSy. a sopri.sSca!ed
style wikicards, supports mores acossrebnes. honors the delete tn. V 1.1. includes souv-i Author Edwin Hcogertjeets
the other lealures "nclude ram, magnify, odor-
A ink fioiccdttai provides essentalfy an
unlLmifid number of niiabb connections between processes on two machines, where rach end of Ihe Hi can be esher an Arnica or a Unu (BSD4J)
eyeing, conlouiing. auto
ofmemory. Tho rs V2.0, an update to FF78. SiUUFra*. by: KsvnOague
Cloud
*en be dnptaywfon tie wrtoeren screen in lie
source. AulW; EdOy Carcol
A program tialgereratos and onlays fractal
surtaoMftat took ramait^W/ Irks dcuds Based on ideas IrtXTi ire book'Fractal;-by Jens Feder. ADOShaii*er,a[«irtprogram,andaconild
utgeam that mj*ir.ent a pnnt spcdiig sysSern.
Lke PRT; me DOS hander waits kx stufl lo be
Wanderer
ANSIEd
source. Autum Jonathan Podet SetCPU
Irdudes commands to enaUe or tSsaoB the terf data caenss. swlcfi on or off t» '030 burs) cache
ire B request, use to UMU n run a ROM image parameters when caled from a senpL V\£. an
upd5StaFFi£7. Lxijjejsarce teJwr: Dave
CUnai
Fo alftoSB(«ople who wish that their CU windows had 25 hncj of SO characters [ust ike an
S-. U DEVS; UBS; and FtWTS:io a new vdume ■iti one simple *pure'command. Includes source. Author PaulKieritt
KickMem
ApoTambrAlOOOhardwarehackerstalhave
Suiivan'5 •Reserfe" arbcb in Amiga Transactor, lor
done the Amazing Compmng 51ZK upgrade.
ccnwiing tie amount of both Cho and Faa msnwry available to the rest of the system. rti> very usefri 'or testing applications in low-memory
KickMem *a path your 12 or U tocksiarl risk lo
warm tool surviveabilty ol ram dsk devces and
situations. D also has a snapshot leaturc to report
elmlnates addmem commands Iron your sfirtup
dllerences in available memory before and after runrtnganawfeaSon. V1.17. tinary only. Author:
sequence. V2.0,includessource.Author: Dave
pericm addrncm during luok start. This allows
WilEaro JAjrelsSeler TheselwohactsmakeMOFIEmDreuseful.
One is called V: it's a smal "pure" CU cemmand
it a. ta hslance. use ConMan feiires to create a IxrierteswindowixitwWnos saeen (very usekiwrthCUmti). Indudessciree.Author:
source, fcjtior: Gairy Glendown
demo iwacri has lie save leaues dsabled.
V120aD,biriaricrly.Autior Gregory Epley
anywhere, as though ycu had typed il on ihe
keyboard. You mark fie law you wan to 'snip* uaig the mouse, and then use the rrcuse to
■paste" Ihe test sn*ped BH in» tie acsvew^fcw. requeswr.orarywnera. Version 12, includes source. Author: Scott Etemden SonnPuT* AuSrtylsletyoulislaltheBatfUiientsusedbj
levels, ridded wiih porcupines anootier haiards,
Binary only. sharewa
to rescue Oar^ne. to Kwe of your ile that has
Aullilytrathdpsyoolocreateanimaiodbobs. It
been kidnapped by the cnrJ Brutus. Versionl.D,
Includes scuce. Author: George Uusser. rv«rte Xebec
have Xebec rard risks. One makes it more pessbtt la Mcun a Xebac hard dsk Mth t» Fast
crty. Autior Gregory Epley SiernscnUgAiefflsAegamelSEirtschagrr.earts'Faang
Ro*T submitted by the author. VI5. binary enry.
Az
and very Amiga'iced. VI .40, tinary onlyAjtficr Gib
and SMTP protocols asapplicaooiis. Itrunson IBM PC and ttorm. to Apple Maciniosh, and tie
This We program is in the long tradition ol 'display
Amiga, trckjdes source. Author: Bdale Garbee,
hacks'. BuseslheinputjlevicaiOperloiTn various
Phil Karn, Brian Uoyd MyMenu
Jsan-lfchBl Fcrojas Ateflscnjenwierfledibrananandecaortcr
SyntTB, Supcsrts toe TX8I2, DX100. DEP5. DW9O0O, anrj K-5. !nclu*s source. Auiho: Tm Thompson. Sieve Faleo. and «an Bland JauBench Aofop-^rnuritaskingreplacerTioTtforWo'kaerich It has more '■:-.■■■;; trut WcrVBench and ■; liily
miiOBjking (no more waiting for ZZZdouos). It anon ycu to emnd it. add your own moms. Uy snortcuts.eK. This is alpra version OAbriary onty. Aulior David Navas Xopar
Very ccrnprefiensrve pror/am to rconior irii
eornrolsysten acrrty. Uondorcpu,memory usage, ports, fierrupts, devices. Close wrtows,
screens, show loaded fonts or bsl Guru coo* ruTter. Clean up memory, flush urwsed Riranes,
Oevces. tons. as. and a whole tWKh more! Spawns its own process. A very handy background Osk to have loaded. V1.3, an update to FF171. Assembly source inciided. Author: WemefGurrihet To Ba Continued
In Conclusion To the best ol cur knowledge, the materials ir this library are freely distributable. This means they were either publidy posted and placed in the public domain by their authors,
or they have restrictions published in their files to which we have adhered. If you
become aware of any violation of the authors wishes, please contact us by mail. IMPORTANT NOTICE!
This list is compiled and published as a service to the Commodore Amiga community for informational purposes only. Its use is restricted to non-commercial groups only! Any duplication for commercial purposes is Computing"*, this list is inherenlly copy
as base services, and implemoTts the FTP, TekW,
root iradcries. V1.4. includes souree. Autwr. OUatsr/Barfeel
A rice Etde tm ecflcr that a last, simple to use.
strictly forbidden. As a part ol Amazing
package supponj IP. CMP, TCP, UDP. and AHP
MemGaiog A ad lo olspay the current memory wage, vary much I Jo the usage bar Workbench displays in
acts of mischief. tidudessoun».Authc<:Olal ■Osen-Bartiel
Author W.GJ. Ungevekt Fr»rJFIsftDtilt2a
proa/am, ndudes scuce. Alto PaiJ Kientz AmigaTCP The KA30 titemst Software Package. The
Mischief
avalable n ARen. VU aid U. binary crty.
File System, t» nt» ts a eempact head partinr)
Autnx Peer Handel
MyMenu aTknrs you to add your own menus to the Work3ench menu stnp. D run coir.morty used ccrnmands UyMenuwEalkMycutoeieculeboth
righted. Any infringement en this proprietary
copyright without expressed written permis sion of the publishers will incur the full force of legal actions. Any n on-commercial Amiga user group wishing to duplicate this list should contact;
en to Amiga. The ibrary is lance C compaible.
CU and WorkBench programs, and is ocnfiguaj
PiM Publications, Inc.
Cental pkfflng. tree oVnensional prawq, ans
wrfi a rorma] nut fit hdudes source. Authcr:
P.O.Box 869
checkingal sara Ses in each drectfy. The
dsptayed on a menflor a sent to a graphics He fcr
have present in otter to be abte to [jay the
Author: Tony Ricnanftm
are a few of FlploTs features. Tte plots can be
cutput is a lei ot an do instruments you need to
aisecuetf printing. VI to. includes scuts.
Supports window-suing, arrow keys, and the hdp key, V3.6. mcWes Ba/ce TWs s an updats io VZ353 Ml FF197. Author Various. Amiga wcrk by G.R.(Fred)Watler
substantially more olabonm information about tie tasks arwrtf runrmg (or waiting) a\ ycu Amiga. byPaJKJenc A couple of hacks te make fife easier far Itose who
rdnija ffes. or seatdione or more rireaories.
A public domain clone of the UNIX V edrtor.
tinary oriy. Author: David Meny A rewnia of *who", horn FFJ9, which gives
ksertvx Technctcges M2AmiQ3 Mcdula-2 system. Indudes a version ot VerrlBM (with source) that
one or more Aagis Sonii scora ties. It can scan
Eddy Cane*
Who
DamoversionofanlFFsuppcrirncduielcr
rK»L-ncn, log-leg plottng and multiple subpagjes
indicated score lilss. Includes source. Author:
foSowing a trad ol hearts through a world of 20
uses Ihe IFF suppon routines. VIHDD, binary
screen flash™. The Ptayflbep luncnon mis as a
DonWHhey An input tenter weogs wnch alows you lo c£p ted horn any wndow and then paste tiat tea
Tris cute game has you, the intrepid Peter,
seme minor bugs. VI h, an update to FFZ05.
y>i-: V102.tuwyonlyAihor JanBuitenrus
that an FF 8SVX sound h riayeri rnurad ol the
down. Vdudes a couple ol sample sound files. Versbn 1.1. binary oriy. Autho-. Tim Fnest and
PeiersOuest
instals itself in DPant II. after which you can draw
hBaSMp Thi proaan rapracst tie Dr»toBeep Punaion so task in ihe backoround and runs asynchronousry so Ihe length ol ihe sound does not sbw anything
residenU ThecCwtiFenestraK.whrtsvgial)
A ESr^-y n^Jth r.av.B$ vancts hrgh level
math lunctjons such as sr. &ngert log. es,
throwi in is MoveSys. wfich reassrjns SYS; C;
srtrsthe CON: wt-oow spec rsido Wore enabling
IFFM2
BFF176. Binary only. Auton IrV.GJ. U-igeveld
answer a here. CUnai creates a bcrdeness
sore ample rrfing and rnwing hrttons. Ths
though it b qute rid. by: leo Bols Efrhac1 Schwab Asmalti^acwTierrtlctthaAmrgapOSccho^t mi do soma specal lunewns, such as dear the screen, delete u becom c* senxn. scrol Ihe screen, place the Cursor al a pa-lcuta/IccaSon. and set Ob Wd styta andtx txkr. Indudes
windew, wildcard sipander, etc. V2.3, an update HenV-a*LS
Kayrie
boldacB, uidertned, itaScl are provided, ilmg wti
la Feel tis needed widespread i&fajion. even
envrenment variable functions, simple message
Irom 32-W memory, and to report various
backdrop CLI window on » custom screen. Also
each bob ti DPaint II Hitm its own frame and check tv anination by raSng OFiame from mfin
fie requester, string/boslean requester,
A program desgneds alow tie user to detect and mooVy various partrnelrjrs reWM lo 32 bt CPUs.
magenta, cyan, whrte) and ten styles (plan.
AiTk njxtng fte nnscnpl I «as angered auugh
112
memory. V3D.anni)aietoFF;w.Indudes
wusessinceirieaiOrtfsicnoiFFWS. hdudes source. Auftx: SUM Ttiben A neat Me jams mth graphics and sard, poled rrom tie Unu «raan. cnaraly urtlen en a Sun wcrtstaSon. The idea forWa/oeei came tram games such as Bodderdash, Xor, and the Ftepton games ftom Superior SoRwara. Includes a tuttin
DFramo
functens, containing over 50 lunctions including a
inlornation about Ihe status of you devices and
UNIX w* try and socket devices. Adiievst belter Kan 95% average throughput on He transfer*. mVZ0JFFM5 ,p hAd icuites fcr ccti the Amiga and Urn versions.
Amiga port of the former arcade gams named CBck. Thisveraonaddsa"cheal'modearWSies
has also become an interface to various niiiion
AsmaDutilywtich'popsopen'irjjriBycij
VefS«xi3 2Dc'twpcajla(Yin)sai*a=fv1
coveragoo' Ihj hacko'j Ccntorcrico Si Ocl SB.
Stevie
Poplnlo
create its own window. Hake Vard More boti
Balyll
John Toettsand Doug v.'j '■ ■ ■
Hotfman
Hal acts as a front end for More, causing it to
rtccnaKmpfDjram. Featres a lea for 8 ten
using HckPacket VI.D, indudes source. Author
ReoAipLib A ibrary nticft criginaly was supposed to be an Aflenmerface Bthe ARP Horary. However.!
editor. VI0, shareware, bnary onty, Aulhoc Dirk
prooram harxies abirnstranva rundions- E*iary
oriy. Auflior OaniaBanens
taking oVeaty u tie fife syslem harder rvotved
A pacman tionu *iSi sound and a gams screen
ANSI-style lert'graphics on tie Amiga. The sBndard ANSI cdor set (red. (reen. jeftow. blue,
SNpwav and Mtiers. Amiga poo by Alan Bland Fird FHh DUk 217 iVaCBS Ananmalon cooked up by Leo in prolest ol CBS's
Snpt
source. Autwi Richjrd Frosl Paccer
albws you to easily create and modfy a screen of
edrtor kx eiwnding the jame by addng aOJtional screens. V2.2. incKides Source, Author: Eleven
Echo
tfe one runs wi to Amiga. V1J1, includes
sent to il lo bo enmed. The printpragram does fine
njntemg and page headers. Theopnnd VhtsX
Ihe ICSunprDTarn also on this dsk. However,
old lashbncd nco whdowing corrputer. to
JohnGertachJr. Demo vwsion of an ANSI screen file rxBor. It
data, Eiamine or EiNext beta, art so fonn. al by
This aojam takes a standard IFF forms image
machine. Works on the Amiga >rth any EXEC
AkcMasw Alocmasier "s a program inspred by Nick
lets you see Fe resits. You cm actually pertain hanSer ooeraSons such as open Bes, read or wife
and transtaBs it rto a SUN rastarUe tormat, Re
Authcr MaSDflon
Binaryorty.Author: MkfiHaB
PrtSpcd
FFbSUN
devceirmlooks its tosenalflevice. WoiWon
fiacMrtc altowj you ta oVne a pafiem when w3
Binary Cnly (source fcr eiamples and fxiongs however), Author BiB Banco PckPacket PickPadielo^syouavisualdisplayofthe DosPackel strucures that are sen to handteri, an
HAM modo.add tome bug fuio. Source enfy. as
penniscni. OBes. aorj cmmerB, supporB «rp
user interlace •* stated gadgets, efc. Some of
and updated unities, documentation and etamplet
aSun.Autiors: Steve Berry. Mark Thompson
orrainortstiles- incljdes neracnvo node,
recusive mose. and Ecrce uu^rncOOr Cccies lie
eitiancemercs. new utiSSes lo (toy with WIDI Hes,
tne prcqrani needs to be reompied and nn fsrai
A Umayieim^filniprDTanitial mores, copes,
fmoer. dp. we, 020. and (BOT81) n rand-
CSIErnii
Be and converts it to a Sun rasterOe tam Update >D FF1H. wti better paring, support for
AsrtnrjnyCut)
A MardetroWkii-ajYO generating
md ftrary SB'U! "Sfly. and more. V2.D, an update
Author Richard Frost AsTtialutitytwtioseolyouwhomayhava access to a Sun wakslatoi. Takes an Amiga IFF
Scanner makes ammon»d C cods «al ruton strudures in memory. The struo/es wl receive
1.2Mbateearacficn. V5.0. War. Saguaro
lnascurcecode.Auticr GauSKr Grout
normahf empty area behind al tie windows. Simian concept to DropCloln, but Sis ere does net require wrtbaxh » be loaded (aTd *hs not cohabit very met wth worUeneh). Includes source, hmr. Eddy Candl An Apci Fods spool that l/ns your Amiga rt) a CW. oral tout mates t look thai my. mckjdes
IGSun
wns dwarts. red sets, binaries, etc. "me
version as retesed on FF134. but now routes
md messages lo the console, a routng ulity, a to FF101. and includes significant speed
trajectory a! each mass. VI .50, indudes source.
WSmerGuenm
database is dstiSjuted in wotomai. and a about
utMes induce a m d morilor to ovspay incoming
program them steps Ve arimaSon through bne, ptooing and dsclaying tie new position in to
double stars. 70 stars fcr settng cictes, and rise
rtsa-iar:ntie.iT ay. TTissthesare
Ktal pan by UlOr aopftatorts through a UOI message rouSng and processrgsyjlem. The mid
velodty can be dewmned by the use/. The
Palches fcr PCCopy and PCFomai Irom tie
and length ol Ihe worms, and the number of worms. Includes source. Author: Brad Tavlcr. Am iga port by Chuck McManis FrciJFisM DiafcgiB DeepSky steacobjKts.GOudvxrawgev
handy, ndd'tdi'toeach
EaiSDrcp
A proctam that lee jojhik) maws and then solve
dsciertficAmeixaa YoucanspediVlhesiiB
A croyam » amrj'e up a 6 pUreary rwses. al
other. The planoWy maues cwi be plvsd anywhere on to screen, and their mass and ntal
Ihan. Mazes can be trivial one level mates to wry drlfcut! three level mazes. Version 12. reijjes source. Auticc ToM Lewis
stans looking al RirtonBase. ond loUows al pemters, slcrmg them in ncnofy. When wuTttJi il writes al the smefcies ta the sandardouiput. Verscn1£.incides sours. Authcr: Stefan Parmart; An Amiga impfemenBfcri d tie dassc "wems' tsj-jt. based on an t-tde in the Dec 1987 issue
Langeveld A risk based Bnry fiat permits strong of to
d which cost a mutual gravrtalional tares en eaSi
comet formers Emards each otier. Scanner
such imc is tie hnwa-c errors can be corrected.
RunBack
GravSim
OHMM
EXIHAS **, to akrw reading, wnting. and iorniati^ot any rJnd of MS-Dos styo daw. including 720K 3 5" SskoMs. Binary onli. TTu is an irpdaB to the maon m risk 1E3. Autur
indburjfaes. Srary Only. Auticr: Wly
Mza
WorerGuwifisr
prctue, bstJi Ses, pfogramrnabre hjxtons. and more ptoCjng options, rrcudes toured. AuffiOT
Maza
bftnaps to the printer. Marry other erfa-Tcerens
rtjrtwiHertaa. VersioniJl.tinaryanfy.Autia:
ThboVU.anupdaietFFIli, ftewfeatures
and InpnMcnenG nAjdean Afleo rnlerface.
savtig IFF Has. PostScript Ses, and pnntng
rinxtty sJudurB. undeirfle Bes. copy or show Ses, U carupied d/octay porters, etc Fii
gpg
frwger, ffc me, 020. and C2IV881) n hand-
"chaT mods. Improved behavior on the Workbench. TefcWrii emulation now alow
A;<;. : :-;f.-.^i*asmuc defective dsk. n can sometimes recover damaged (unreadahe) tacks, check He rtegrrty, ohet* the
lunctions from several (Statin! aunors
g
ol muSple pom nnutanaousry. a stpfijfcattd user ntorfcee wtti shaded gadgets, efc. Sara of
FoOisk
Fall River, MA 02722 VLTisboehaVTiOO emulator andaTektrcna (4014 plus subset o1 ii Os.i emulabr. cunentty in use at SLAC (Stanfod linear Acosterafr Center).
PiM Publications Inc. is extremery interested
Although the VT100 part was originalfy based on
in helping any Amiga user groups in non
V3.03a ol a csh like shell derived rrorn Matt Dillon's
Dave Wecker et al.'s VT100. many ertiancements
she!.version2.07. TNsisanupdalstoFFl99.
commercial support for the Amiga.
Indudes a couple of new Hler oommands, now dr
were made. Tha prog/am requires ARP. and it has anAPeuporl. XMODEMIKfCRCandKermit
opKm, new editing opton, scvidng ol a standard
protocol suppon alto nduded. Vt.036. won many
startup He. and some bug foes. Includes source.
enhancements over the previous wrsnr. 3.656. on
Author Matt CtTai, Steve [tew. Carb Boreo.
FF202. New teaans include support for other
CesareDieni
serai ports, eitemal He transfer protocols, and
Amazing Computing V4.9 © 3989
o
For PDS orders, please use form on page CIII Visa and MasterCard is available on orders of S20.00 or more.
r
~i
Amazing Deal! NameAddress. City-
State
Charge my QVisa
QdC
Zip-
_ Expiration Date
.Signature
dial 1-800-345-3360
All Charges are subject to a $20.00 minimum
PROPER ADDRESS REQUIRED. In order 10 expedite and guarantee your order, sll large Public Doma n Software orders, as well as most Back
issue orders, are shipped by United Parcel Service. UPS requires thai all packages be addressed to a street address (or correct delivery.
One Year OfAC
Please circle the appropriate item: New Subscription
Renewal
Our regular renewal now includes 12 monthly issues of Amazing Computing
plus the Spring edition of AC GUH)EJ&MIGA
□ S28.00U.S
□ $44.00 Foreign Surface
□ $36.00 Canada and Mexico
(air mail raxes available on request)
Our New SuperSub! 12 monthly issues of Amazing Computing plug AC* GUIDEJvlMIGA 3 Product Guides! Spring, Fall, and Winter! A savings of S32.25 off the newsstand price. Please remember, the Product Guides alone retail for $6.95 each!
□ S36.00U.S
□ $52.00 Foreign Surface
□ $44.00 Canada and Mexico
(air mail rates available on request)
Subscription:
S_
Back Issues:
$
PDS Disks:
$
Back Issues: S5.00 each US, S6.00 each Canada and Mexico, $7.00 each Foreign Surface. Vol1.1 Voi2.3 Vol3.2 Voi4.1
Please circle your Back Issue choices beiow:
Voll .2 Vol2.4 Vol3.3 Vol4.2
VoH.3 Vol2.5
Voll.4
VOI2.6
Vol3.4
Vol3.5
Vol4.3
Vol4.4
Voll.5
V0II.6
Vol2.7
Vol2.9
Vol3.6
Vol3.7 Vol4.6
Vol4.5
Voll .7 Vol2.9
Voll .8
Voi2.10 Vol3.9 V0K.8
Vol3.8 Vol4.7
Voll.9
Vol2.1 Vol2.12 Vol3.11
Vol2.11
Vol3.10
Vol2.2 Vol3.1 VOI3.12
Public Domain Software:
$6.00 each for subscribers (yes, even the new ones!)
$7.00 each for non subscribers (three disk minimum on all foreign orders) Please circle your Public Domain Software choices below: Amazing on Disk: A#1.. .Source S Listings V3.6S V3.9
A#2.. .Source 4 Listings Vd.4
A*3.. .Source 4 Listings V4.5 4 V4.6
A#4.. .Source 4 Listings V4.7 & V4.8
InNOCKulation Disk: ]N#l...Virus protection
AMICUS Fred Fish
Disks
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
1
2
3
4
6
7
10
12
15
20
21
18
19
22
23
25
26
29
31
34
37
39
40
41
38
42
44
45
48
50
53
58
60
56
NA
59
61
63
64
67
69
77
72
78
79
NA
75
76
82
BS
86
NA
91
H
94
r
98
99
95 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114
115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183
127 128 129 130 131
132 133
146 147 148 149 150 151
152
165 166 167 168 169 170 171
184 185 186 187 188 189 190 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 (NA Denotes disks removed from the collection) 191
Please complete this form and mail with check, money order or credit card information to: PiM Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 869
Fall River, MA 02722-0869
L
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery
Total:
Variable Dither Computed internally at 30 bits per pixel (over one billion colors). Gives you over 100,000 appar ent colors on screen.
Unmatched
Super BitMaps with Auto-Scrolling - Real
time scrolling on up to 1024 pixels high or wide image with full overscan display.
Sophisticated.
Flexible. Colorize - Play Ted Turner and add color to black-and-white images or change colors on already colored images.
Flexible Text Rendering Allows for anti-aliased fonts, Rainbow Fonts and Transparent Fonts and more.
Powerful.
Revolutionary.
Texture Mapping with Anti-Aliasing - Gives you super-fast warping and stretching of any image.
User-Controllable Transparency - Allows real time control of the amount of transparency and the location of the light source.
Unlimited.
Intuitive. Transfer 24 - Digi-Paint 3 comes with Transfer 24 image processing soft ware to give you support of all Amiga resolution modes and the same advanced image proces sing found with NewTek's best-selling Digi-View Gold Video Digitizer.
100% Assembly Language - Makes DigiPaint 3 the fastest HAM paint program ever!
The Ultimate Paint Program: DIGI-PAINT For more information call NewTek at 800-843-8934 or 913-354-1146 Digi-Paint 3, Digi-View Gold and Transfer 24 are trademarks of NewTek Inc.
NewTek
INCORPORATED
Circle Reactor Service Card No. 102
