MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

On 12/21/2020 at 10:14 PM, youki said:

Thanks a lot!...   It is good for the sprite editor!

 

But i noticed a little bug...  you can never erase the last pixel you have drawn.  (whatever the position of that pixel)

 

 

 

 

Version 1.0.7662.26356 fixes this - good pickup thank you.

On 12/22/2020 at 1:01 AM, Itchy Scratchy said:

This one is nitpicking.

You click on File->Load

Then double click on the file to open it.

It draws on the sprite because the open file box is directly over the sprite grid.

It's not about the positioning of the open dialog box but more because it starts to draw on the second click of the mouse while opening the file.

 

I know, I know...Like I said it is nitpicking and could easily be remedied just by clicking on open instead of the double click but I thought I would mention it because that is a feature of the windows environment since the GUI came to fruition.

 

This editor is a beautiful piece of software that is much needed and I hope you continue making it even more awesome over the coming months.

 

I will do my part by continuing to purchasing your wares including any new chapters of your book series.

Sorry haven't figured out a way to stop this one for the moment.

On 12/21/2020 at 10:29 PM, youki said:

another thing,  not a bug, but something i do not understand.

 

How in the pattern editor , you can control where you send or get from table?  

 

For instant , in the screenshot below ,  i want   1 2 3 4  be transfered to 000 001 002 003  .   I did not find how you control the pattern number in the yellowed area.

Something i miss in the concept here.

 

 

I do find issue with how this works myself  

But what you need to do is click on the first select box (your area in yellow), then select four tiles that are not the current ones and then select the ones you want.  It is not picking up clicking the same tile for the first pattern selected and moving the cursor to the next tile.

Or you can click on each of the selection boxes and then click on the tile you want there.

I need to think of a better way of doing this.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

16 hours ago, youki said:

thanks tony, i have quickly tested, the exceptions are no more here!

 

But the behavior of the sprite editor did not change.

what i would like , is simply when i start to draw with one color , the color do not change until i release the mouse button.:)

 

Ah I only changed the screen pixel editor last time, I have changed the sprite editor to be the same, left draw, right erase.

18 hours ago, AnalogKid said:

My apologies if you've already fixed this Tony, but it seems as though when saving a two color sprite, in some cases the RLE encoding is leaving off the terminator signature, 0xFF, which raises all kinds of merry hell when rle2vram is called 🙂  Other than that though, fantastic tool!  Without it creating multi-color sprites is the definition of tedious and the animation tester is brilliant. 

And yeah, it was outputting two zeros at the end of the RLE data, have changed it to output 0xff,0x00 (just in case some routines are fussy about byte pairs).

 

So version 1.0.7659.41387 has been uploaded  

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

Version: 1.0.7656.40183

Should address most of the issues you both listed.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

2 hours ago, youki said:

I did some test.

The drawing speed now is ok!  Thanks.

• but i still notice that the color change when you pass on another color.  See attached screenshot of the sprite editor.  When i draw a line left to right and go other the black square in the middle, i expect that the part i have yellowed stay black and not switch the pixel to white.

 

• Then i got exception on the screen editor.  If you start to draw something , keep the button down and exit the drawing zone you have an exception.

   System.IndexOutOfRangeException: Index was outside the bounds of the array.
   at MSXSpriteEditor.EditScreen.pbScreen_MouseDown(Object sender, MouseEventArgs e) in C:\Users\tcrui\source\repos\MSX\MSXSpriteEditor\EditScreen.cs:line 69
   at MSXSpriteEditor.EditScreen.pbScreen_MouseMove(Object sender, MouseEventArgs e) in C:\Users\tcrui\source\repos\MSX\MSXSpriteEditor\EditScreen.cs:line 132
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnMouseMove(MouseEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseMove(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

 

• in import char set from clipboard, i got also an exception when i clique "import"

System.IndexOutOfRangeException: Index was outside the bounds of the array.
   at MSXSpriteEditor.ImportCharsetFromClipboard.bImport_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\tcrui\source\repos\MSX\MSXSpriteEditor\ImportCharsetFromClipboard.cs:line 139
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

 

 

Yep the mouse exiting the draw area while the button was held down sounds like the one I mentioned.  I'll put some more exception handling in the import bit.

 

So once you click and hold the button, keep always setting the foreground colour and don't turn any existing ones off?  I might have to make it not invert and you just use left button for foreground and right button for background, I'll experiment and see.

 

Thanks for the testing.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

1 hour ago, youki said:

I'm going to try it!

 

hum... are you working on Kangaroo?    Next Secret Game of Collectorvision Club?

 

Maybe  

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

I have uploaded a new version of the tool: Version 1.0.7653.39096

- Hopefully have fixed the painting speed issues in the Sprite and Tile editor sections (my new laptop is too fast so hard for me to test)

- Import image works reasonable well, suggest you reduce the image to 16 colours 1st for best auto colour mapping - I will tweak the matching tolerances.

- Full screen editor, now has separate colour selectors for foreground and background colours and left and right mouse button functions hopefully make more sense

- Pixel zoom cursor inverts the current colour so should be visible at all times Note: bug when you flick the mouse around randomly - probably exiting the draw area too fast.

- Rough sample here fit in one tileset with room to spare, so duplicate tile matching is working well

 

That will probably be the last release for a couple of weeks, I have added what I wanted for the immediate time.  Back to some game dev for me over Christmas.

Of course let me know if you find any issues.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

6 hours ago, youki said:

I have just quickly tested.

 

Import of Dat file works great!

 

But now on that version i have an issue with the sprite editor.  It is extremely slow to draw.  It was not the case before.

 

And i thought you had modify the fact that when you start drawing with one color letting mouse button down , if you pass on a pixel of the same color it does not erase the pixel but keep the color.  On that version it is no more the case in sprite editor as well in pattern editor.  

 

Thanks!  I 'll continue to do some other tests.   love your tool!

Cool thanks, I made a lot of changes to the underlying classes, might have something going in a loop of screen refreshes slowing things down.

 

Also after I went to bed I remembered I haven't done any re-paint optimization as yet on the new sections (my new laptop is a beast so I wouldn't notice, but it might affect performance on lessor machines).

I also realised you can set the foreground pixels (left click) or background pixels (right click) in the full screen editor, but you can't reset pixels - oops

 

If you have already applied the TMS Palette to your graphics before pasting in, hopefully the colour matching should work, but it might need some tweaks to how it does the matching.

 

The allocation of which colour is the fore colour and which is the back colour in a 8x1 segment is a bit dumb at the moment.

 

More changes later tonight, but thank you for your fast testing, appreciated, I am enjoying this.  And it will clear the blockages (lazy excuses) for me to finish more of my own games  

 

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

Version 1.0.7648.43002 released with the following changes:

- Supports newer file format of ICVGM Dat file

- Pixel screen editor added - works on the current Screen Layout selected, along with it's tileset(s) that are selected.  When it runs out of tiles, it will stop drawing.

- The Pixel screen editor - has an import function that will currently allow you to import from the clipboard (I will add from files later).

It tries to match the colours to the TMS Colour palette, and will optimize the tiles, stopping when it runs out (it doesn't overwrite your current tileset, just uses the space remaining, but it tries to match duplicates).

 

All very new functionality, so I expect a few rough edges.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

3 hours ago, Itchy Scratchy said:

Premature yes but is there plans to ever update this to use JPEG, GIF or BMP scaled down to 15 colors 256x192?

In the Screen Pixel Editor that I am working - yes  

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

4 hours ago, youki said:

Wonderful!!

 

I have just tried, but may be there is something i'm doing wrong.

 

But when i try to import from DAT file... it does not import the color?  All is black & white.

 

Can you PM me your file, I think you have a newer version.  I was only guessing the file format by the sample I had and one I created with the version I have.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

Version 1.0.7645.28829 released with the following changes:

- Screen layouts can have a different tile set per 256 character block

 

- You can import DAT files from the ICVGM tool

 

- Right mouse button clears pixels on both the Sprite and Tile editor, and the mouse button can be held down to continue to draw while moving

 

- You can import a screen layout from well formed assembly code DB statements

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

18 hours ago, Itchy Scratchy said:

Possible Bug?

 

Today when my Windows updated (without my permission) the Sprite program was running but collapsed to the task bar.

However when I received control back to my computer the Sprite Editor did not work.

 

It would work but would never enlarge when clicked on.

So I had to go to the save settings in the local area and delete the cruise research file set.

Afterwards it went back to normal.

 

So, it is go through the process of delete the settings, fix what is a big nothing bug if you want to call it that or just don't collapse the program and leave it running.

Close it out when your done and no issues.

I would say the Windows Update process for some reason, told it to resize (maybe updated your video driver) it then saved that new size, so it was probably only very tiny or even placed off the screen.  You fix to delete the settings cache is the correct one.  Other programs have this problem when you update your video drivers, once again there is probably a new 'standard' for how you deal with the resize messages.  I'll have a look as I am working on other things.

[Demo of my next game for you Colecovision enthusiasts]

Looking very solid so far, colours and action very close to the arcade, keep up the good work.

[new COLECOVISION homebrew game announcement - November 27, 2020]

Ordered

[TMS 9129 question.]

1 hour ago, cdoty said:

It wasn't the TMS9129, I replaced it with no change.

 

I did some testing and found out the chip is only seeing 8k, instead of 16k. It's using two 4416s, so that doesn't make a lot of sense.

But, I was able to move the sprite stuff to either $3800 to $1800, etc. and it works the same regardless of the setting. Moving it to $800 overwrites the screen, so it is definitely seeing 8k.

 

There is something about 8k or 16k memory mapping, but I can't find anything in the documentation dealing with that.

So two 16 x 4 bit ram chips, so yes you would expect that you would have the full 16k.  Have you followed the address lines from the ram chips to the VDU, maybe they didn't wire one of them for some reason or you have a faulty trace perhaps.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

Sorry wife has had me busy painting the main corridor in our house  

I think I understand both requests, and they make sense.  I'll see what I can do.  Plus I have started the full screen designer i.e. that you can draw on and paste in graphics.  It will automatically optimize the tile sets that are created and hopefully will support loading DAT files from ICVGM.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

I submitted my website to Microsoft to review as I encountered the same thing using Edge at my work as well.

Try a different browser (I use Chrome at home).

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

5 hours ago, youki said:

thanks Tony.

 

But for this version , curiously when i try to download it  , it is blocked. see picture.

 

Aside that,  a feature that would be extremely great for me , is if you tool would be able to import  DAT files from newcoleco's ICVGM tool.   then i think i will use only your tool if i'm able to rework my DAT filesof my projects with it.

 

 

 

I have digitally signed every single component, the MSI and all files inside it.  I don't know what Microsoft wants other than maybe they are jealous of great software not made by them  

 

That's not a bad idea for importing the DAT files, I'll see if I can work out the file format and add the import.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

I have uploaded a new version: 1.0.7635.40670 with the following changes:

- C output tidied up and should be useable now

- Added DAN1 and DAN2 compression formats - with a caveat - I haven't tested either yet i.e. tried decompression but I am pretty sure I have followed Amy's original code logic.  But let me know if you find any issues.

- Tidied up the options selections.

 

Let me know if anyone finds any issues, I will continue to work on the other suggestions.

[TMS 9129 question.]

1 hour ago, cdoty said:

I recently picked up a BBC Bridge Companion to see if I could get my code running on it. But, I'm having some issues with the TMS 9129.

 

I am using Mode 2, and the code runs on all known TMS 99x8 based systems, but doesn't run correctly on the TMS 9129, or this particular system.

 

The problem I am seeing is that writes to $2000-$3800 range go to $0000-$1800, but writes to $3800 work fine.

I've been able to verify this by writing the color data first and then writing the pattern data. The sprites work fine, so writes to $1800 and $3800-$3C00 work fine.

I've tried the exact delay they use when writing to the registers and VRAM.

I've also changed the black color, as I've seen that cause problem on one system. The external VDP bit also doesn't make a difference.

The code does run fine under Mame, and I've double and triple checked all of my register settings, and they are correct.

 

The system itself only uses Mode 1 for it's software.

I've tried piggybacking RAM on top of the two 4416 chips and that didn't work. I ordered a replacement TMS 9129. The existing one looks like it might have overheated at some point, and does get fairly warm in a particular spot. The system has no power switch, so it could have been left running for an extended period of time.

 

Is there anything I'm missing, or does this sound like a damaged chip?

The TMS chips can be configured with either 16k or 4k of video ram.  When in 4k mode the addresses get mirrored, that sort of sounds like the behavior you are seeing.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

11 hours ago, Itchy Scratchy said:

Running Win 10x64H1 with all the bells and whistles just forced updated yesterday.  lol

 

Followed the link at top and installed the manifest under 1.1.049

 

Now that I look at the page where it has the giant link to 1.1.046 there is a tiny obscure link above it "The installation link is here:" with the MSI

 

I must of missed it somehow.

 

Thanks.

 

That's what I thought, I will edit all the articles and make them point to the new download and make the installation link into a nice button so it's more noticeable.  But good to know you have the right version now.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

26 minutes ago, Itchy Scratchy said:

Disabled Security and Firewall

 

This is what I get

PLATFORM VERSION INFO
    Windows             : 10.0.19041.0 (Win32NT)
    Common Language Runtime     : 4.0.30319.42000
    System.Deployment.dll         : 4.8.4270.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
    clr.dll             : 4.8.4250.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
    dfdll.dll             : 4.8.4270.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
    dfshim.dll             : 10.0.19041.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)

SOURCES
    Deployment url            : https://www.electricadventures.net/MSXSpriteEditor/MSXSpriteEditor.application
                        Server        : Microsoft-IIS/10.0
                        X-Powered-By    : ASP.NET
    Deployment Provider url        : http://www.electricadventures.net/MSXSpriteEditor/MSXSpriteEditor.application
                        Server        : Microsoft-IIS/10.0
                        X-Powered-By    : ASP.NET
    Application url            : https://www.electricadventures.net/MSXSpriteEditor/Application Files/MSXSpriteEditor_1_1_0_49/MSXSpriteEditor.exe.manifest
                        Server        : Microsoft-IIS/10.0
                        X-Powered-By    : ASP.NET

IDENTITIES
    Deployment Identity        : MSXSpriteEditor.application, Version=1.1.0.49, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=d5312bdb642110c5, processorArchitecture=x86

APPLICATION SUMMARY
    * Installable application.

ERROR SUMMARY
    Below is a summary of the errors, details of these errors are listed later in the log.
    * Activation of https://www.electricadventures.net/MSXSpriteEditor/MSXSpriteEditor.application resulted in exception. Following failure messages were detected:
        + Application manifest has either a different computed hash than the one specified or no hash specified at all.
        + File, MSXSpriteEditor.exe.manifest, has a different computed hash than specified in manifest.

COMPONENT STORE TRANSACTION FAILURE SUMMARY
    No transaction error was detected.

WARNINGS
    There were no warnings during this operation.

OPERATION PROGRESS STATUS
    * [11/17/2020 4:37:41 AM] : Activation of https://www.electricadventures.net/MSXSpriteEditor/MSXSpriteEditor.application has started.
    * [11/17/2020 4:37:43 AM] : Processing of deployment manifest has successfully completed.
    * [11/17/2020 4:37:43 AM] : Installation of the application has started.

ERROR DETAILS
    Following errors were detected during this operation.
    * [11/17/2020 4:37:44 AM] System.Deployment.Application.InvalidDeploymentException (HashValidation)
        - Application manifest has either a different computed hash than the one specified or no hash specified at all.
        - Source: System.Deployment
        - Stack trace:
            at System.Deployment.Application.DownloadManager.DownloadApplicationManifest(AssemblyManifest deploymentManifest, String targetDir, Uri deploymentUri, IDownloadNotification notification, DownloadOptions options, Uri& appSourceUri, String& appManifestPath)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.DownloadApplication(SubscriptionState subState, ActivationDescription actDesc, Int64 transactionId, TempDirectory& downloadTemp)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.InstallApplication(SubscriptionState& subState, ActivationDescription actDesc)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.PerformDeploymentActivation(Uri activationUri, Boolean isShortcut, String textualSubId, String deploymentProviderUrlFromExtension, BrowserSettings browserSettings, String& errorPageUrl, Uri& deploymentUri)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.PerformDeploymentActivationWithRetry(Uri activationUri, Boolean isShortcut, String textualSubId, String deploymentProviderUrlFromExtension, BrowserSettings browserSettings, String& errorPageUrl)
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
            at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.PerformDeploymentActivationWithRetry(Uri activationUri, Boolean isShortcut, String textualSubId, String deploymentProviderUrlFromExtension, BrowserSettings browserSettings, String& errorPageUrl)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.ActivateDeploymentWorker(Object state)
        --- Inner Exception ---
        System.Deployment.Application.InvalidDeploymentException (HashValidation)
        - File, MSXSpriteEditor.exe.manifest, has a different computed hash than specified in manifest.
        - Source: System.Deployment
        - Stack trace:
            at System.Deployment.Application.ComponentVerifier.VerifyFileHash(String filePath, Hash hash)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ComponentVerifier.VerifyFileHash(String filePath, HashCollection hashCollection)
            at System.Deployment.Application.DownloadManager.DownloadApplicationManifest(AssemblyManifest deploymentManifest, String targetDir, Uri deploymentUri, IDownloadNotification notification, DownloadOptions options, Uri& appSourceUri, String& appManifestPath)

COMPONENT STORE TRANSACTION DETAILS
    No transaction information is available.

 

At least up until this last version, it was fun while it lasted.

Sorry you disagree but I feel that your measures to deploy such a small program is way over the top.

Compressed it would fit on a digital data pack.

 

I'll get the update whenever it gets fixed, there are no hard feeling or animosity.

 

So from the error message, right at the start it says you have common language runtime 4.0.30319.42000, you need to install 4.6.1 or greater, which I am surprised hasn't installed due to a Windows 10 update.

Well that's what I thought when I first read it, but that sounds like the manifest from the old version of the application, I would say you are trying to run the old version.  I have gotten rid of it's reliance on Click Once and having an Internet connection completely and use Wix to make a stand alone installer.  It does mean updates are manual of course.

You need to uninstall it completely and probably remove the directory.  So remove any versions of MSX Sprite Editor in your Settings->Apps, there may be more than one, if you still have the Click Once version and one of the newer MSI versions.

Then download a fresh copy from the installation link here: https://www.electricadventures.net/Pages/Category/24, which should download a single MSI file.

Then basically install that (double click), depending on your version of Windows 10, it will either mention something about needing something from the Windows Store (my new laptop), just say Yes, or it will give you the Blue screen (hopefully light blue now), and you have to click 'More Info' and then 'Install Anyway'.

Any new versions you download after that will just update the application and won't make duplicate copies.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

44 minutes ago, youki said:

Thanks a lot for all these updates!.  i did not have time to dig into now.

 

But on my side, i have no problem with the installation process , it is really smooth.   Of course i have to bypass all the warning of windows security ... but it is just 2 or 3 clicks..

 

Looking foward to have also a music composition tool of this quality!

 

 

Thanks, will be doing some work on the audio side of things soon.

 

Just uploaded another version, I have individually signed the .exe and the two Dlls inside the MSI and the MSI itself.  It still comes up with the warning but it is a different colour.

 

Microsoft are a pain in the backside sometimes, constantly changing things.  I'll do some more research, but it should not get picked up by the virus scanners now (as long as they trust Go Daddy of course).

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

1 hour ago, Itchy Scratchy said:

OK, so please tell me how to get past the Application validation did not succeed so I can try out the new version.

 

Windows 10 x64

 

You could always do both, have the install which is giving hash errors.  Maybe just me or the portable version for those with the know how.

 

That Tile Editor .MSI you first posted installed just fine, even that is 5 steps less than a direct download from your network and setting up firewall rules.

 

Even when I disable my firewall altogether I still get the errors when there is no need.

 

My friend I am not complaining, you are a valuable commodity that I can not beat but I am just stating my experience.

Others may differ.

 

Once you have downloaded the file you shouldn't need to be connected to the Internet at all (it does not use any network features). 

As long as you have .Net 4.61. or later installed you are good to go.

If you have Windows Defender enabled, you might have to click 'Install Anyway' the first time. After that it won't ask.

If it complains that the new download is not newer than the old one, uninstall the old one and then install from the new file.

I did that on a different computer and it worked.

Latest version is 

And easy to tell if you double click on the colour selection of the first page the palette should look like this:

i.e. transparent is shown as the lightly dotted white.

 

I am now using a Application Signing Certificate from Go Daddy:

I was unable to renew my previous Thawte Certificate (as basically the USA doesn't believe in the rest of the world) and the process I had to go through to get the Go Daddy one was onerous to say the least.  The WIKs installer is what Windows 10 is picking up now, maybe I can sign that with my certificate as well.

[MSX/Coleco Sprite & Tile Set Editor]

12 hours ago, Itchy Scratchy said:

I built a cabinet once and over engineered it that you could park a car on top and it would be fine but at the end of the day it was just a cabinet to store books.

 

Point being, and I know this is your baby, you only use 5 files totaling around 900k with less than 250k rar'ed

All other files are created at first start.

 

You can rar all 5 files then drag and drop it in a post.

 

Could you at least think about giving people a choice to have a portable version especially when this great program changes a lot.

😀

Yes I know it is only a small app, but Windows 10 and it's security are a pain in the ... Even though it is a signed app (at great expense by the way), it will still get picked up as a potential rogue app if it is not installed by a trusted installer. So it is safer for it to be installed.