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1995-02-13
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7KB
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172 lines
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__________ __. _______ __. ______
.___\__ ____ \/ |_\____ \/ |_/ ___/____.
| / | | \ | \ l / | \ \ |
`----/ | . \ l \ . \ l \-- \----'
\___|__|___/_____/_|___\_____/____/EaZ
-C-o-N-S-o-L-e- -D-i-V-i-S-i-o-N-
presents
TAU-CONV V1.5
*************
The AMIGA to SNES graphics converter
Released in November 1993
Written by STORM (Convert-code) and RAY (System-code)
of TAURUS Germany
What is TAU CONV
----------------
TAU CONV is a tool that enables you to convert IFF pictures into a format
that you can use on the SNES. You are able to convert 4,16,256 color grapics
aswell as Sprites. We tried to make this tool as easy to use as possible,
and so there shouldn't be any big problems in using it.
General Limitations
-------------------
TAU CONV does only run on Kickstart 2.0 or higher. If you still have the
old Kick 1.2/1.3 you should quickly buy a new rom which isn't expensive
these days !!! How can anyone still work with Kick 1.3 ?? Upgrade! It's
really worth it. Or buy an A1200, which is a lovely machine.
TAU CONV needs REQTOOLS.LIBRARY V38 or higher to run.
Note that every IFF-File that you load with the TAU CONV must be 320*256
full picture size. TAU CONV doesn't accept brushes.
Due to the smaller display area of the SNES, TAU CONV converts a square
from your 256*320 Picture that is 256*256 large. You are not able to
select a specific area or a block smaller than 256*256 to be converted.
The resolution has to be standard lores in 4,16 (Sprite and normal) or 32
colors (in mode 7). TAU CONV does NOT support Hires pictures or any AGA
resolutions or colors. So keep to the usual 12Bit pictures!!
Further help
------------
If you have problems in understanding how to use the data that TAU CONV
produces, have a look at the example sources included in this archieve.
If you still need help on any subject concerning SNES coding, feel free
to contact us. If you get confused by the word "CHAR", note that "CHAR"
means the same as "TILE" in this case. But as we were born with the C64
and as such a lot of things on the SNES are similar to the old commodore
we couldn't withstand the temptation to reuse the old vocabulary.
Commands of TAU CONV 1.5 are as follows:
IFF TO SNES (-D-irect)
**********************
Converts a 4 or a 16 color picture directly to SNES tile data.
TAU CONV generates a $2000 bytes ".chr" file that contains the tile data
and a ".col" file that contains the colordata in HEX (not ascii), so you've
to include in your source as binary.
"DIRECT" means that the graphic tiles are being organised in a subsequent
manner, e.g. your screen data looks goes straight $000,$001,$002,...,$3ff.
IFF TO SNES (-C-onverted)
*************************
Does the same as in direct mode, but additionally creates a ".scr" file
that contains the position of the tiles on the screen. If you have a picture
containing a text for example you have of course a lot of tiles that appear
more than once in you bitmap (such as a space-tile for example). TAU CONV
checks for equal tile-data and tries to re-use already converted tiles in
the graphics. You thus save expensive tile-memory ($400 tiles are not that
much!!! Especially when you think of MODE-7!!). After converting you are
told how many tiles have been used up. The rest of the tiles are all set
to zero.
IFF TO MODE 7 (-D-irect)
************************
Same as IFF to SNES, just that it converts the picture to the MODE 7 format.
Although you have 256 colors in Mode-7, TAU CONV only accepts standard 32
color pictures on AMIGA. (I hear the AGA fans cry, but wait for the next
version of TAU CONV).
IFF TO MODE 7 (-C-onverted)
***************************
Same as IFF to SNES (C), now with MODE 7 format. Please note that you can
only convert standard amiga 32colors iff pictures. All tile attributes such
as Palette pointer or X/Y-flip are set to Zero. This applies for all the
convert modes.
IFF TO OAM
**********
Converts the picture into a Sprite Bank of 16 color sprites.
C64 TO SNES
***********
This one is a real oldtimer! As we all started on THE computer of all times,
the C64 (where "C" stands for CULT computer!!!), there might me some who
still have old C64 charsets. Well, if you want to reuse them on the SNES,
use this function. The required file must be a C64 chardata file of the
usual length ($800 bytes). This function was designed so that you can even
use your old 2x2 chars in the knows manner.
INFO
****
Shows the convert info of the last action again.
ABOUT
*****
Guess what...
Future Developments
-------------------
Well as you can easily see, there are still a lot of functions to be inserted
in TAU CONV. But we think that this version is enough to get a quick start
and have the "every-days-convert-work" done with this tool. Future versions
will include the option to convert into hires mode and to have variable char
lengths. If you have some suggestions how to improve this tool or have a
bugreport, feel free to get in touch with us.
We are interested in meeting other people who are working with the SNES.
So if you want to exchange information, or just have fun, call or write!
You can meet us on the following AMIGA/SNES BBSes:
TATOOINE (TAURUS WHQ) +49(0)711-456672
+49(0)711-4579649
INSIDE OUT (TAURUS SHQ) +46(0)346-58697
CD EXCHANGE (TAURUS DIST.) +1-616-669-2363
HEMISPHERES (TAURUS USHQ) +1-904-243-1905 (2Nodes RD)
Or contact us via mail at
TAURUS GHQ!
PLK 1541B
70794 FILDERSTADT
GERMANY
If you will be at THE PARTY III in Denmark this year, you can also meet us
up there. We are the one's with the horns, hehehe...
_ _ _ _
((_)) TAURUS - ONE HORN IS NOT ENOUGH ! ((_))
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