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lazzeri

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Posts posted by lazzeri

  2. Posted

    Gentlemen!

     

    I've just released 4 new .AHD files: Air-sea Battle, Pac-man, Ms. Pac-man and XMan... Enjoy!

     

    Meanwhile, here's what i'm currently doing on AHD:

     

    - I'm finishing a tiny little "How to" explaining how to create .AHD files...

    - I'm on final private testing of COLOR CHANGING... Whohooooo!! :D I'm managing to change color info on the "big, colorful sprites" (by now DK, smurfs and Frostbite), and it seems to be working like a champ... I'm using a reduced pallete though (16 colors) - but hey, it's great! ;) You'll probably be able to D/L in on sun / mo.

    - As soon as i finish the above (paint-a-sprite :) ), i'll start writing an utility that eases the process of creating .AHD files. Since it's have to be done from scratch it might take a week or two to get ready..

     

    Anyway, have fun with it and if you guys managed to create .AHD files PLEASE SHARE! ;)

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

    ahdfiles_01.zip

  5. Posted

    So where are all of the good (or any for that matter, since I've not seen any) DK hacks for the 2600?

     

    Why don't you do it yourself? :D

     

    I mean with AHD (and the appropriate .AHD file, already available for this particular game) this would be piece-of-cake...

     

    Take a look at the hacks session, there's the link for the software in there... ;)

     

    Sorry, just shameless advertisement of my piece of software...

  6. Posted

    ok, works pretty good just tried it keystone kapers love the editing sprites thing.

     

    Nice! :)

     

    one question though: no way to change the color of the sprite your editing? I notice that the color of the sprite you match(ie the cop hat is  

    black and if you add to it it will match that color).

    but so far it's works ok.

     

    As far as i know you have to change an entire line, it is not possible to change one pixel only.

     

    Good news is that i just realized how can i do it - i mean i finally figured out the color info on the "mess" generated by 2600gfx. So now i am able to change colors (private testing, doing manually, has been working well.... I'll first automatize it, then made public)... I guess this will be available pretty soon... :-)

     

    Anyway, hard to promise anything...

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  7. Posted

    so you can only hack bins that have AHD files.

    is there a way to make AHD files.

     

    YES, you can only hack those ROMs...

     

    As i've already told i'll be more than glad to show anyone how to generate those files... Pretty easy if you know what you're doing (i mean if you ever used showgfx or hack-o-matic, which are basically the same thing)

     

    BTW, i'll work in something like Hack-o-matic linked to a "create-an-.AHD" feature... It will greatly ease the process... :)

     

    (at least I still have hackomatic that works pretty well)

     

    ... But B&W and with no animation of whatsoever... :P AND you have to find your own sprites... :D

     

    Just imagine: One day you just pick Tempest 2000 (as quoted), "de-sprite" it and share with the community... Then everyone will be able to do it's own hack... 8)

     

    Wait and see... That's the very first public version... Things will be even funnier... :wink:

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  8. Posted

    The 2600gfx programs are the core of this...which means that filesize should not be a problem.  What is a problem is that you can't use this with a rom that has no accompanying .ahd file to grab the sprite locations from...I think (at least I couldn't see it).

     

    Exactly...

    Actually if you peek .AHD file (on any text editor) you'll realize that it has a pretty simple structure. And in that it is included the romsize (the line immediately under EOF).

     

    Here's a summary of what's on it:

     

    Every sprite has 2 lines:

     

    1st line: starting address + how the sprite is stored (N for normal, I for Inverted - i mean upside down) + color for each sprite line (0-F)

    2nd line: Sprite name. It will only pick the first 18 characters

     

    The EOF line marks the end of the sprites description;

     

    Then there's the ROM size (2048, 4096, 8192 and so on);

     

    Then i've just copy-and-paste the 10 first lines generated by SHOWGFX (just for a raw comparison for compatibility) - nothing 100% errorproof, but helps... :) ;

     

    Then, if you want to, you can add up to 10 lines of comments who will be displayed during the decoding process.

     

    Simple. And with the AHD Generator (suggested by a guy calle Nukey something :P ) you will be able to generate it even more easily...

     

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  9. Posted

    Off to a good start :) I like the multiple directory support and test animation function.

     

    Well thanks! :D

     

     

     It looks like the only thing that's missing is an .ahd file generator (so you can create the .ahd files for roms that haven't been defined yet).  That would probably consist of having the user scroll though the rom data manually and selecting start/end positions for the sprites...and the descriptions and "psuedo-color" data - at least until the actual color bytes are found in the rom and the program can access those as well.

     

    MARVELOUS idea... I'll start working on it... It will be quite easy i guess... Maybe a separate program, distributed alltogether...

    I'll start thinking on it on this weekend...

     

    Thanks for the kind words! :)

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  10. Posted

    Where is the link to download this program. You say it works with macs, I would love to give it a test run! Doubt it though! :|  :roll:

     

    Hi Troll... How's everything?

     

    You can download it from here. I took the liberty of creating a new forum for it...

     

    BTW, i said i guessed it would work under DOS emulation in Mac... Don't hold great expectations! :P

     

    I'll truly appreciate any testing and feedback...

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  11. Posted

    Well this is it - i'm finally getting the guts to go public on it... :)

     

    Here's the Zipfile for AHD v. 0.1 - ENGLISH version.

     

    Please note the following:

     

    - You NEED the 2600gfx by Dan Boris, that can be found here;

    - Unzip AHD in any directory you wish, and then unzip 2600gfx at the same place (i mean, AHD_0_1E.EXE, SHOWGFX.EXE and EDITGFX.EXE MUST be on the same dir;

    - If you wish, copy the ROMfiles equivalent to the .AHD files already available to the ROMs subdir - that's optional.

     

    The zipfile will create 3 dirs: AHDs - who holds the .AHD files; ROMs - default directory were it looks for ROMs; HACKs - Standard saving directory.

     

    That's a quite simple layout AND keys used, and they're all listed on the "help boxes" (yeah, right... Very helpful... :) )

     

    All the software is already translated to bad english :D. If you want help translating it also to correct english please show me my mistakes ;)

     

     

    Remember: Turn of NUM-LOCK , CAPS LOCK AND SCROLL LOCK. Otherwise the keys won't work!

     

    A friend of mine said that the program runned flawlessly on his computer under Win2000. So AFAIK it runs in some systems with it and not in others. Still have to figure out why... :D

     

    I still need some betatesting under Mac. It will be GREATLY appreciated...

     

    No manual yet... It will be on the next, i swear! ;)

     

    Anyway, have fun.... If you notice anything strange or unusual, have suggestions, critics or complements, email me! [email protected]

     

    Regards, and good luck,

    Lazzeri

    ahd_0_1e.zip

    • Like 1

  12. Posted

    Gentlemen !  

     

     I've been working for a while now on a new hacking tool for the Atari 2600. And it's on first public beta right now...  :)

     

    Programs like these should be banned!

     

    Hi Andrew... How's everything?

     

    Well that's not a nice thing to say, is it? :wink:

     

    Just kidding... The fact is that my program is just a frontend for a pretty well known software (2600gfx) that already do the magic of allowing easy sprite editing for the a2600... Actually i can almost assure that 90% of the graphic hacks made for the a2600 were made with it or its similars (like hack-o-matic). So sprite editing is already old news, and any dumass like me can easily use Hack-o-matic for changing whatever i want.

     

    My purpose was only to allow even simpler editing for the final user - but don't fool yourself, generating .AHD files is still a hard matter. So if no one is interested on creating them, my program became pretty useless... :lolblue: So for the "not-so-dummy" user, hack-o-matic or 2600gfx are WAAAAY better...

     

    Anyway, i guess you're a little pissed because your are a *real* author of a2600 software. So please allow me to assure that i do guarantee to you that - if you wish so - i will not generate .AHD files for your games, respecting your intellectual property. Also if you wish so i can add a "lock" feature on it so it will NOT open your ROMs. Just ask, and i'll gladly do it - i don't want to disrespect your rights as an author.

     

    But what i would like you to think about (please take only 2 seconds on it) is that my goal here was to allow "Dummies" like myself, who know shoot of ASM, to "create it's own" atari 2600 games - basically for domestic use. I mean, i've just received an e-mail from a Brazilian fellow called Pablo Rozados who said, and i quote, "What a wonderful software! I was talking to Edu that thanks to your program i was going to accomplish a child's dream"

     

    I mean, isn't the best thing a programmer could wish - bringing joy for other people? I can bet that Pablo is going to play around a little with it, generate a few ROMs and play it at home - and maybe send it to 2 or 3 friends - and that's it. Harmless, and it can bring the joy of accomplishing a child's dream. And no ASM knowledge needed! :)

     

    I mean, i'm proud of it.

     

    Please feel free to disagree with me on any of the above, and please share your opinion - it's really important to me.

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  14. Posted

    Then again, Pitfall! is one of the "easier" ones...since a labelled disassembly already exists that points out the location of the tables ;)

     

    I do not used any disassembler... Do you know why? I can't program on ASM - it's just plain greek to me... :D

     

    Once again: For now i'm manually passing color info for it. Line one: Pitfall's hair. It's brown, isn't? So it's color x. That's the only table i'm using...

     

    About finding color info: I'm using Dan Boris' 2600gfx - and THAT'S IT. As i told early my program is just a GUI / Frontend / Shell to it and that's all... Unfortunately i am NOT a ASM programmer - i'm just a very curious guy who decided to try something different. :D

     

    For finding color info just look for some "giant cottonsticks" on the TXTfile generated - they are the color info... :) E.G.: Smurf (on ROG'sC) color can be found @ 1100 on the .txtfile ...

     

    And if you find that boring or useless you can always leave the color fields empy - then you'll have a lovely white sprite, just like in all the other hacking tools... :wink:

     

    You should try the program and peek at the .AHD file structure. I'll be more than glad to show you how it works and how can you generate your own's...

     

    Actually i'm trying to figure out how in hell the "interlaced" sprites (A.K.A. bloody River Raid! :x ) works so i can put that feature on the following versions... If you could help me on that i'll swear i'll be grateful for everafter... :) I guess that the help of someone that "talks" assembly could be extraordinarily handy... :) Gee i know that might sound disappointing but i'm really not more than a .TXT decoder... :P

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  15. Posted

    It being able to "intelligently" pick out a color table belonging to the sprites might be a pretty difficult chore for it to accomplish without using a database

     

    Nah, i guess i couldn't make myself clear... Sorry! :sad:

     

    What i meant was that for now i'm having to say manually (on the .AHD file) to the program: "Sprite one: line 1, blue; line 2, blue; line 3, red" and so.

     

    Next versions will be simpler: They might keep saying the above OR say "Sprite one, color info are on the following address: " on the .AHD file. It a bitch for whom generates the .AHD, but will be great when ready... :)

     

    And if every atari fan who knows what he's doing decided to generate one .AHD file per month or so, we'll cover the entire library on 6 months tops... :wink: I'm getting so used to it that it took me (literally!) half an hour to generate Pitfall!... :)

  16. Posted

    Where would this preliminary version be?  How do we try it?

     

    Where? Dunno.

     

    I've offered it to AtariAge folks some time ago but my guess is that they're still waiting for something more "plausible", like a public beta version :D .

     

    I can hold it on my personal page until i solve that - and also keep that page as an "depository" for .AHD files and hacked ROMs. Still wondering.

     

    If people like the program and wish to became it's "official distribution site" i'll be truly more than glad. After all i've been woking on that babe for some time and now i want people to use it! ;)

     

    The english version (the same as the portuguese - v.0.1b) will be available on monday. I'll finish translation this friday and will start working on a readme.txt or any sort of a manual ASAP, hope can finish it on time.

     

    Following versions are supposed to have a help key (F1)... Another feature standing in line... :D

     

    When it became publicly available i'll send the link to this forum.

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  17. Posted

    Something puzzles me.  In the editing/animating screens, it shows proper color data for the sprites of DK, MM, etc.  How was the program able to identify these?  A database?

     

    For now, yes.

     

    For now all the sprites colors are passed manually (via the .AHD file). But some games (actually almost all i've peeked) have the color info for most sprites (specially colorful ones) pretty clear on the "decoded" (showgfx.exe) file.

     

    I mean, for the following version my idea is that the program might itself "seek" for the sprite's color info on the ROM itself. And also will be able to change it and to generate the re-colored ROM.

     

    Still lots to do on that, but that seems to be really "accomplisheable".

     

    Now imagine the fun: Stamp-a-sprite the Mario on DK (including color info) and paste it instead of the Smurf character on Rescue on Gargamel's Castle. What do you got? Super Mario Pangea! (actually i'm already working on it ;) )

     

    Just hope i can keep my focus in one thing at a time... I've got literally dozens of ideas and i fear i get lost... :(

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  18. Posted

    WOW! Is this the first hacking tool to display the sprites in color? Man, can't wait to give the program a shot! Looks great!

     

    AFAIK, yes... :D

     

    For now you can only VIEW the color of each line - i mean, you can tag / untag pixels anywere, but not change the line color.

     

    But there's a little inside info for you: I'm starting to figure out how to change it - already made a white smurf and a blue policeman on Keystone Kapers... Maybe v. 0.3 or 0.4 might allow some color changing... It would really be nice... ;)

     

    Anyway, still lots to do... Thanks for the kind words, and don't forget to D/L this beauty when the english version became available (maybe on monday)!

     

    Regards,

    Lazzeri

  20. Posted

    Gentlemen !

     

    I've been working for a while now on a new hacking tool for the Atari 2600. And it's on first public beta right now... :)

     

    It's called AHD - Atari Hacking for Dummies. :P It's actually a frontend / GUI for Dan Boris' suberb and well-known 2600gfx utilities. What it does is to use an "index file" (with all major sprites location) to decode / compile ROMfiles. It easily (really) allows any user to edit any sprite (pre-defined) by using the arrow keys and spacebar... Man you should try it... :)

     

    The portuguese version is being distributed for the Brazilian atari community. I'll translate it to english on the following week and will post it on...

     

    It currently have 2 modules: Edit-a-sprite (for editing - duh!) and anim-a-sprite (it allows you to tag a few sprites and ANIMATE them - to see if there's a synchro problem or something equal). I'll be working on the next two modules for the following versions: Merge-a-sprite (for merging large sprites, especially texts and horizontally huge graphics, like the girls on Universal Gamex's X-men ;) ) and Stamp-a-sprite, who will allow you to pick one games' sprite and paste onto another... Cool uh? Hope the last two works... :roll: :)

     

    Allow me to say: It's currently working like a champ... It is a DOS-based software and it was tested and worked 110% on Win 9x / ME / XP. Also worked great under DOS-in-a-box for Linux. It was NOT tested under DOS emulation on Mac but i guess it will work just as smooth (WILD guess, need some beta-testing on that). It is NOT working under Win 2000 / NT, but i've already "isolated" the bug and will work on it. :D

     

    I've already generated 8 .AHD files (index files), for Berzerk, Freeway, Frostbite, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Keystone Kapers, Pitfall! and Megamania. Already mapped a few more games (XMan, Pacman, H.E.R.O., Frogger, Smurfs Rescue on Gargamel's Castle) and i'll start generating .AHD files (and teaching how for the interested) right away...

     

    Check the screenshots above to see what's the program all about...

    post-2976-1055463328_thumb.jpg

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