7800 Character and sprite mapper now test ready.

[Gorf]

Beta 11-18-2008 test release version.

 

CharMapper78Beta11_08_2008.zip

 

The read me will explain it's use. You will know what the mouse clicks do

for each function as the app will display a quick summary of its functions

on the center left side of the screen. Some buttons have several fucntions

depending on the mouse click.

 

Its a pretty feature rich editor. It will output asm code maps for sprites

up to 8 bytes in width x 16 rasters high. It will output asm code for palette

setup and even for palette EQU's.

You can lable the sprites and palette EQU's as you go along.

 

Careful though, there is currently no checks for duplicates labels

and if you have a dupe, you will get asm errors(just edit the label

to something different, via the app or by hand for now)

 

It will also allow the import and export of single sprites as raw data

or text data for use in other systems homebrews that use similar 2bpp

mode graphics, such as Vic-20 and C-64 and others.

 

It will also output data in raw file format for single sprites. Will eventually

add a feature to output an entire map of raw data for the entire block of

sprites.

 

Included is a sample '.spr', 'example.spr' sprite/character block mapfile.

 

Please let me know if anone has crashes or problems.

 

I hope you all find this a useful tool for creating 7800 graphics.

 

Most of all...enjoy it and please make some more excellent 7800

apps for us 7800 fans to play!

 

 

EDIT: It seems a release version of this on my OS(win2k) crashes

when trying to use the mouse. I'd appreciate anyone else with win2k

to report any issues that they might have using this. The debug build

does not crash and I could post that version as well for those that cant

seem to get it to work right on Win2k.

 

Let me know folks,

 

Thanks,

 

Gorf

Edited November 18, 2008 by Gorf

[+Allan]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

[Gorf]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

It seems you can still use the keyboard to navigate but for some reason the darn thing crashes

when using the mouse commands.

 

It works fine as a debug release. MicroSoft strikes again! According to JagMod(my coding partner),

Its works fine on Vista. Maybe someday MS will learn how to develop an OS where there is TRUE

backward/forward or whatever ward compatibility!!!

 

Perhaps I should upload the debug version and see if that is causing others issues.

 

GRRRRRR!!!!

 

anyway, thanks for the report Allan.

 

Steve

Edited November 18, 2008 by Gorf

[jwierer]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

It seems you can still use the keyboard to navigate but for some reason the darn thing crashes

when using the mouse commands.

 

It works fine as a debug release. MicroSoft strikes again! According to JagMod(my coding partner),

Its works fine on Vista. Maybe someday MS will learn how to develop an OS where there is TRUE

backward/forward or whatever ward compatibility!!!

 

Perhaps I should upload the debug version and see if that is causing others issues.

 

GRRRRRR!!!!

 

anyway, thanks for the report Allan.

 

Steve

I tested it on Vista and it works fine. What is it written in? You're probably just calling a library that isn't installed by default in XP. Looks like the default MFC icon?

 

-Jeff

[Gorf]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

It seems you can still use the keyboard to navigate but for some reason the darn thing crashes

when using the mouse commands.

 

It works fine as a debug release. MicroSoft strikes again! According to JagMod(my coding partner),

Its works fine on Vista. Maybe someday MS will learn how to develop an OS where there is TRUE

backward/forward or whatever ward compatibility!!!

 

Perhaps I should upload the debug version and see if that is causing others issues.

 

GRRRRRR!!!!

 

anyway, thanks for the report Allan.

 

Steve

I tested it on Vista and it works fine. What is it written in? You're probably just calling a library that isn't installed by default in XP. Looks like the default MFC icon?

 

-Jeff

 

 

Yeah, Scott(JagMod) said it worked fine in Vista. I think its the MFC42.DLL. That is the compalint I get in the IDE when I run it in

release mode. In debugger mode it works fine.

[jwierer]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

It seems you can still use the keyboard to navigate but for some reason the darn thing crashes

when using the mouse commands.

 

It works fine as a debug release. MicroSoft strikes again! According to JagMod(my coding partner),

Its works fine on Vista. Maybe someday MS will learn how to develop an OS where there is TRUE

backward/forward or whatever ward compatibility!!!

 

Perhaps I should upload the debug version and see if that is causing others issues.

 

GRRRRRR!!!!

 

anyway, thanks for the report Allan.

 

Steve

I tested it on Vista and it works fine. What is it written in? You're probably just calling a library that isn't installed by default in XP. Looks like the default MFC icon?

 

-Jeff

 

 

Yeah, Scott(JagMod) said it worked fine in Vista. I think its the MFC42.DLL. That is the compalint I get in the IDE when I run it in

release mode. In debugger mode it works fine.

You're probably better off creating a setup project that packages up all the dependencies. With MFC42.dll I believe there were different versions so an XP user might have the DLL, but it be an earlier version of it. It also might be the first of a series of dependent libraries that XP doesn't have by defaul.

 

-Jeff

[Gorf]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

It seems you can still use the keyboard to navigate but for some reason the darn thing crashes

when using the mouse commands.

 

It works fine as a debug release. MicroSoft strikes again! According to JagMod(my coding partner),

Its works fine on Vista. Maybe someday MS will learn how to develop an OS where there is TRUE

backward/forward or whatever ward compatibility!!!

 

Perhaps I should upload the debug version and see if that is causing others issues.

 

GRRRRRR!!!!

 

anyway, thanks for the report Allan.

 

Steve

I tested it on Vista and it works fine. What is it written in? You're probably just calling a library that isn't installed by default in XP. Looks like the default MFC icon?

 

-Jeff

 

 

Yeah, Scott(JagMod) said it worked fine in Vista. I think its the MFC42.DLL. That is the compalint I get in the IDE when I run it in

release mode. In debugger mode it works fine.

You're probably better off creating a setup project that packages up all the dependencies. With MFC42.dll I believe there were different versions so an XP user might have the DLL, but it be an earlier version of it. It also might be the first of a series of dependent libraries that XP doesn't have by defaul.

 

-Jeff

 

You're probably right but keep in mind, I am by no means an Windows coding expert, nevermind

an MFC wiz. Im wondering if there is an option to statically link in MFC via a header file? That would

probably be a bit more portable.

 

Im going to have Scott build it under MSVC 8.0 (or what ever the latest is) and see if that helps

at all. Again, if I have to I'll just release the debug version and see if that works for everyone.

 

Scott is much better with the debugging and knows his way around windows debugging rather well.

It's just possible it will take a very long time for him to get to it. I for one do not have any desire

to upgrade to a new OS at this moment in time so hopefully its something I overlooked or like you

have said, an outdated lib. If I do upgrade it will be to Vista....all the current Jaguar dev tools reportedly

work perfectly under Vista.

[gambler172]

Hi Gorf

How can i load the Example SPR?

greetings Walter

[Gorf]

'L' key for load

'S' Key for save

 

See the CharMapper78.txt

It has all the keys commands.

[+Stephen]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

Same thing here. I am running XP SP3.

 

Stephen Anderson

[Gorf]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

Same thing here. I am running XP SP3.

 

Stephen Anderson

 

 

Thanks Stephen. Can you try the Debug build version and see if you have better luck?

 

I appreciate the report.

 

Gorf

[+Stephen]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

Same thing here. I am running XP SP3.

 

Stephen Anderson

 

 

Thanks Stephen. Can you try the Debug build version and see if you have better luck?

 

I appreciate the report.

 

Gorf

 

PM sent

 

Stephen Anderson

[Gorf]

I just tried it on Windows XP and it crashed on me twice. Basucly by clicking the mouse on a couple of places including 'Load'.

 

Allan

 

Same thing here. I am running XP SP3.

 

Stephen Anderson

 

 

Thanks Stephen. Can you try the Debug build version and see if you have better luck?

 

I appreciate the report.

 

Gorf

 

PM sent

 

Stephen Anderson

 

Reply returned.

[+Stephen]

Thanks Stephen. Can you try the Debug build version and see if you have better luck?

 

I appreciate the report.

 

Gorf

 

Well, I just tried searching those DLLs on my Vista box adn they are also not present. What is your dev environment Gorf? I have VS2005 Professional on both machines.

 

Stephen Anderson

[Gorf]

Thanks Stephen. Can you try the Debug build version and see if you have better luck?

 

I appreciate the report.

 

Gorf

 

Well, I just tried searching those DLLs on my Vista box adn they are also not present. What is your dev environment Gorf? I have VS2005 Professional on both machines.

 

Stephen Anderson

 

 

See this is a problem to answer. I haev so many apps on my machine that it is very possible, one of those

overwrote the non-debug DLL. I am using Win2k and it is MSVC++ 6.0.

 

I suppose I could post the DLL but there is no telling the trouble it might cause someone else on another OS.

I'd have to write a lenghty disclaimer.

 

[gdement]

I just saw your comment about this issue in the "7800 Development 2" thread.

 

I am using Win2k and it is MSVC++ 6.0.

I haven't actually tried this program, so I haven't seen the error. But I was just now installing VC++ 6.0, and when I went to look at my archive of old service packs/updates I noticed this article that I kept a copy of:

 

FIX: Visual C++ 6.0 Optimizer May Generate Code That Experiences Access Violations

View products that this article applies to.

Article ID : 329594

Last Review : October 11, 2005

Revision : 1.3

This article was previously published under Q329594

SYMPTOMS

If you turn on optimizations before you compile code (typically in release mode), Visual C++ 6.0 Optimizer may generate code that causes an access violation when it is executed. The same code works as expected if you turn off optimizations before you compile the code, or if you compile the code by using Visual C++ 7.0 and you turn on optimizations.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Visual Studio 6.0 service pack that contains this hotfix.

 

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

 

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

 

Date Time Version Size File name

-------------------------------------------------------

26-Sep-2002 01:11 12.0.9691.0 737,329 C2.dll

 

 

 

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

 

Sounds like maybe you're having this issue - caused by the optimizer which isn't used for debug builds.

 

This is listed as fixed in the release notes for SP6.

However, SP6 precludes using the "processor pack". I'm not sure if that means no assembly or only losing SSE/SSE2 support.

If you don't do assembly then SP6 could fix this.

Otherwise, I suppose you'd need SP5 with the hotfix, which they apparently only give out on request. I don't have it, but wish I did.

Edited March 20, 2009 by gdement

[Gorf]

I just saw your comment about this issue in the "7800 Development 2" thread.

 

I am using Win2k and it is MSVC++ 6.0.

I haven't actually tried this program, so I haven't seen the error. But I was just now installing VC++ 6.0, and when I went to look at my archive of old service packs/updates I noticed this article that I kept a copy of:

 

FIX: Visual C++ 6.0 Optimizer May Generate Code That Experiences Access Violations

View products that this article applies to.

Article ID : 329594

Last Review : October 11, 2005

Revision : 1.3

This article was previously published under Q329594

SYMPTOMS

If you turn on optimizations before you compile code (typically in release mode), Visual C++ 6.0 Optimizer may generate code that causes an access violation when it is executed. The same code works as expected if you turn off optimizations before you compile the code, or if you compile the code by using Visual C++ 7.0 and you turn on optimizations.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Visual Studio 6.0 service pack that contains this hotfix.

 

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

 

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

 

Date Time Version Size File name

-------------------------------------------------------

26-Sep-2002 01:11 12.0.9691.0 737,329 C2.dll

 

 

 

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

 

Sounds like maybe you're having this issue - caused by the optimizer which isn't used for debug builds.

 

This is listed as fixed in the release notes for SP6.

However, SP6 precludes using the "processor pack". I'm not sure if that means no assembly or only losing SSE/SSE2 support.

If you don't do assembly then SP6 could fix this.

Otherwise, I suppose you'd need SP5 with the hotfix, which they apparently only give out on request. I don't have it, but wish I did.

 

 

Cool that you saw this......

 

I already have 6.0 though, so unless I read the above wrong, I should not be having that issue....oh wait....

I dont think I ever installed the SP for 6 though......mwahahahahahaha! Hold on....I'll be back.

 

 

I'll see if this helps.

 

Thanks.

[Bradsco]

I just saw your comment about this issue in the "7800 Development 2" thread.

 

I am using Win2k and it is MSVC++ 6.0.

I haven't actually tried this program, so I haven't seen the error. But I was just now installing VC++ 6.0, and when I went to look at my archive of old service packs/updates I noticed this article that I kept a copy of:

 

FIX: Visual C++ 6.0 Optimizer May Generate Code That Experiences Access Violations

View products that this article applies to.

Article ID : 329594

Last Review : October 11, 2005

Revision : 1.3

This article was previously published under Q329594

SYMPTOMS

If you turn on optimizations before you compile code (typically in release mode), Visual C++ 6.0 Optimizer may generate code that causes an access violation when it is executed. The same code works as expected if you turn off optimizations before you compile the code, or if you compile the code by using Visual C++ 7.0 and you turn on optimizations.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Visual Studio 6.0 service pack that contains this hotfix.

 

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

 

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

 

Date Time Version Size File name

-------------------------------------------------------

26-Sep-2002 01:11 12.0.9691.0 737,329 C2.dll

 

 

 

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

 

Sounds like maybe you're having this issue - caused by the optimizer which isn't used for debug builds.

 

This is listed as fixed in the release notes for SP6.

However, SP6 precludes using the "processor pack". I'm not sure if that means no assembly or only losing SSE/SSE2 support.

If you don't do assembly then SP6 could fix this.

Otherwise, I suppose you'd need SP5 with the hotfix, which they apparently only give out on request. I don't have it, but wish I did.

 

 

Cool that you saw this......

 

I already have 6.0 though, so unless I read the above wrong, I should not be having that issue....oh wait....

I dont think I ever installed the SP for 6 though......mwahahahahahaha! Hold on....I'll be back.

 

 

I'll see if this helps.

 

Thanks.

 

Alternatively, you could save yourself some pain and develop your project using a compiler with far fewer problems.

 

I would suggest Visual C++ 2008 Express instead, but it requires XP or newer. However, Visual C++ 2005 Express is nearly the same, works on Win2k, is still free, and an infinitely better environment than 6.

[Gorf]

Alternatively, you could save yourself some pain and develop your project using a compiler with far fewer problems.

 

I would suggest Visual C++ 2008 Express instead, but it requires XP or newer. However, Visual C++ 2005 Express is nearly the same, works on Win2k, is still free, and an infinitely better environment than 6.

 

Have not gone near the 7800 stuff for months. I'll eventually get back to it, hopefully.

[Z80GUY]

GORF, Just wanted to say you program works great thanks for making it.

 

I have had no errors running it on the following spces:

 

OS: Vista Home Premium.

 

RAM: 2048

 

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (old but faithful)

 

 

well I won't keep have a great day.

 

Carl

[Gorf]

GORF, Just wanted to say you program works great thanks for making it.

 

I have had no errors running it on the following spces:

 

OS: Vista Home Premium.

 

RAM: 2048

 

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (old but faithful)

 

 

well I won't keep have a great day.

 

Carl

 

 

Thanks for the looking out!

Dont feel bad about the CPU. Im still running on an Intel p4 single core.

Edited May 25, 2009 by Gorf

[kamakazi]

Works well with Vista, haven't tried it on Windows 7 yet. For that matter, I haven't tried anything emulator or other Atari stuff on Windows 7.

[uglyclone]

i'm a little late to the party but i just downloaded this and am currently tinkering with the program. I'm running it just fine under Windows 7

[mr jones]

Hi!

 

I wanted to play around with the sprite editor a little bit. It comes up for me in Windows 7. Pretty slick.

 

My questions are:

- How do you change the color that you want to use? The default four colors are red, green, blue, and black (the background color, I assume). How can I change it to one of the other colors listed?

 

- How many colors can a sprite be?

 

- How many frames of animation can a sprite have?

 

Thanks!

[JagChris]

From Gorf:

Hi!

 

I wanted to play around with the sprite editor a little bit. It comes up for me in Windows 7. Pretty slick.

 

My questions are:

Thanks!

.

 

- How do you change the color that you want to use? The default four colors are red, green, blue, and black (the background color, I assume). How can I change it to one of the other colors listed?

 

Left or Right click the palette value to the left of the '=' to move up or down through all of the 256 available colors for any color register of that particular palette. The colors are from left to right for the available colors of each palette.

 

The palettes are are top to bottom...you can select the different palettes using the '<' and '>' keys. If you click on the color name to the right of the '=' you can change the name to anything you desire as long as it complies with a proper assembler label as this will be the name that will be output using the 'EQUS' menu function.

 

- How many colors can a sprite be?

 

In this particular mode, 160 x 4 colors, it can be one of four colors out of any of the 8 palettes.

 

- How many frames of animation can a sprite have?

 

As many as you can fit into the 4096 bytes of sprite/font space available.

Edited May 28, 2012 by JagChris