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BACKDROP(1) AMIGA Programmer's Manual BACKDROP(1)
NAME
backdrop - adds a backdrop behind workbench windows
SYNOPSIS
backdrop {-a# | -b# | -f | -p# | -q | -s | b1b2b3b4b5b6b7b8}
DESCRIPTION
Backdrop allows you to define a pattern which will then be
displayed on the workbench screen in the normally empty area
behind all the windows. I originally wrote it because I was
experimenting an overscan interlaced workbench, and I wanted
to get that 'workstation' look. The only program I had
which would give a similar effect was DropCloth by Eric
Lavitsky, but this requires Workbench to be loaded.
Backdrop will not cohabit very well with Workbench, which
suits me fine since I hardly ever use Workbench.
The first time you run Backdrop, it detaches itself from the
CLI and hangs around in memory until you tell it to quit.
You can change the current settings by running Backdrop
again with different options. Only those options you
specify will be altered, all the others will remain
unchanged.
The following options can be specified:
-a followed by a number sets the foreground colour used to
plot the pattern to the pen number specified (normally 0 to
3). Similarly, -b sets the background colour.
-f and -s select the window type used by Backdrop. -f uses a
SMART_REFRESH window, which results in fast updating of the
screen, but can use up to 64K of chip memory (in interlace
mode). -s uses a SIMPLE_REFRESH window, which gives slower
updating of the screen but doesn't use up any chip memory.
If you can afford the memory, -f looks much more
professional.
-p followed by a number selects one of the built in patterns
for display. Pattern 0 is the default pattern. Numbers
from 1 upwards select other patterns. If you try to select
a non-existant pattern, you get the default pattern.
-q tells any copy of Backdrop already resident in memory to
remove itself, and restore the screen back to normality. If
Backdrop isn't already resident, then this option has no
effect.
Finally, you can define your own unique pattern by giving a
list of 16 hex digits. These are interpreted as 8 bytes,
with each byte corresponding to one row of an 8x8 grid.
This grid is then replicated over the entire screen to form
the pattern. Try experimenting with random values to
generate some unique patterns.
Any or all of these options may be present on the command
line, and order is not important. You can get a summary of
Copyright Eddy Carroll 1989 -1-
BACKDROP(1) AMIGA Programmer's Manual BACKDROP(1)
these options by invoking Backdrop with -h (or any other
invalid option).
CAVEATS
If you try running this when Workbench is running, Workbench
will disappear (this could be viewed as a benefit :-) You
can quite easily recover Workbench by telling Backdrop to
quit with the -q option.
DISTRIBUTION
Although I retain copyright of Backdrop, it may be freely
redistributed as long as no charge is made other than to
cover distribution costs.
EXAMPLES
Backdrop installs a simple backdrop pattern
Backdrop -a0 -b3 -p1 installs a red brick wall pattern
Backdrop -a2 cccc666633339999 installs dark stripes pattern
AUTHOR
Eddy Carroll
The Old Rectory,
Delgany, Co. Wicklow,
Ireland.
EMAIL: ecarroll@cs.tcd.ie
Copyright Eddy Carroll 1989 -2-