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t.godot intro
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2022-08-26
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GODOT: AN INTRODUCTION
by Dave Moorman
GoDot is a C-64 graphics converter
and processor created by Arndt Dettke.
This is [not] where you would draw a
bitmap graphics screen. But once you
have a file, GoDot is just the thing
to change its format and perform some
amazing special effects.
The program uses a unique 4-bit
format; each of the 320 x 200 pixels
is assigned its own color from the 16
available on a C-64. The image is
rendered on the VIC II screen in
either Hi-Res or Multi-Color mode. But
the data, still in GoDot format, can
be transfered to any of over 20
graphics formats, including IFLI and
PCX (MS-DOS).
Arndt has also rearranged the
color palette so that the intensity of
the colors is a smooth progression
from black to white. This allows GoDot
to produce 16 step gray-scale print
outs, and to perform some real magic
with the picture.
For example, I took the JPEG photo
of Sheri and myself and resized it to
exactly 320 x 200 pixels using Adobe
Photo Delux. I saved the result as a
GIF file, then moved the GIF to a D64
disk image where GoDot could get at
it.
To load a GIF, I had to first load
a Module (Decode GIF) and a Loader
(GIF) into GoDot. The module concept
allows GoDot to have dozens of
Loaders, Savers, and Effects Modules
within the confines of 64K.
The converted GIF on the C-64
Multi-Color screen used some
unpleasant purple hues for skin tones.
However, I was able to use the Balance
and Contrast controls to nudge the
colors into about the right
combination. I saved the result as a
LOADSTAR SHP file.
The faces still had a few flecks
of light green on them, so I used STB
PRINT to convert the SHP to Advanced
OCP. With OCP, I could change the
light green pixels to light red, and
do some touch-up work on the hair and
such.
In about an hour, I had a
respectable C-64 portrait. Just press
R to Run the graphic presenter and
take a look at my minor masterpiece.
VICE has a great "screen shot"
feature which captures the current
screen image as a BMP file. Again, I
can use Photo Delux to make sure it is
320 x 200 pixels, then save it as a
GIF (for Multi-Color) or a PCX (for
Hi-Res). Then GoDot brings it all back
to the C-64. What a terrific utility!
DMM