***************************************** * Vectorama V 1.3 * * Written by Troglobyte/Darkness * * Original by Spanish Archer/Darkness * * Last Version Updated : 19/Ago/95 * ***************************************** Contents ======== 1. Introduction 2. Requirements 3. Instructions 4. Vector Data Format 5. Problems and known bugs 6. What is OriginalWare? 7. History 8. Credits 1. Introduction =============== The use of 2D (two dimensions) vectors is very common in a lot of new productions, mainly due to design reasons.This vectors may look very simple sometimes but the creation of this vectors aren't so easy because just a few pixels distance can be very important, and edit the vectors until they are perfect can be really boring (as lots of coders, graphicians and coder's slaves will know).To ease this, Spanish Archer created his own 2D vector editor, and later I recoded his program with lots of new options. Sure that a lot of coders did the same but I haven't seen any of them released so I decide to release my vector editor, called Vectorama. I worked part-time on it during the last year, testing, adding and improving things.During the last days I worked to make it more intuitive for the user, maybe you will find it hard to use at first, but with a little of practice you will fully understand it; just use it to create your 2D vectors work and save your work to use it in your own productions. The resulting vector data file could be used only by coders in his own programs but everybody can use Vectorama to create vectors for the coder. The only limitation of Vectorama are the 2D, because you can use it to create or edit vectors, lines and dots. Some features of Vectorama that you will find useful is the possibility to load IFF files and a Genlock mode to draw over them, the data is saved in `my standard' vector format, it's 100% coded in assembly and have lots of options to draw and edit vectors. You will find funnier and easier to use it than read the instructions, so look at the keys and give it a try right now. 2. Requirements =============== The only real requirement is the `ReqTools.library' by Nico Francois (yes, Nico is his first name) that is used to save and load files. There are two versions of ReqTools.library, one for KickStart 2.0+ and other for KickStart 1.x users.Remember to copy the version you will need in the LIBS: directory of your boot disk. This program must work in every AGA/nonAGA Amiga with at least 512K of memory. (So this must include every Amiga) 3. Instructions =============== Vectorama is mainly controlled via Mouse and Keyboard, the fire button of a Joystick conected in port 2 is optional. At the botton of the screen you have a panel with all the info about your current status.There are some icons indicating the selected options and some text and numbers with additional data. Remember that the Panel is only to provide information and the Mouse to operate in the main screen, so you can't Select/Activate nothing in the Panel with the Mouse. In the main screen you can see your current vector figures. You can move the screen with the cursor keys, so your vectors aren't limited by screen size. The controls -[key],(Mouse),{JoyStick}- are : [ESC]= Exit Vectorama (Confirm with LEFT Mouse, abort with RIGHT) [F1] = Clear Vector Data (Confirm with LEFT Mouse, abort with RIGHT) [F5] = Load Vector Data (Vectorama.VM data file) [F6] = Save Vector Data (Vectorama.VM data file) (While the current Poly have only 1 or 2 points the save option is disabled) [HELP]= Info Panel (On/Off) [F10] = Select between Filled vectors/Line vectors/Single Lines/Dots [F9] = Invert Fill [F8] = Closed/Open Polygons. [F7] = Line to Pointer (On/Off) [BackSpace] = Select MODE : DRAW / EDIT / MOVE DRAW: (LEFT) = Draw New Point (RIGHT) = Delete Last Point [Right ALT] = Start New Polygon {FIRE} = Start New Polygon [Left SHIFT] = Fix X axis [Right SHIFT]=Fix Y axis (DPaint style) [CURSOR Keys] = Move screen. EDIT: (LEFT) = Edit Mode On : (LEFT) = Select new coords. (RIGHT)= Restore old coords. (RIGHT) = Select Next Point [Left AMIGA] = Select Next Point [Left ALT] = Select Previous Point {FIRE} = Select Previous Point [Left SHIFT] = Fix X axis [Right SHIFT]=Fix Y axis (DPaint style) [Cursor Keys] = Move screen. MOVE: [Cursor Keys] = Move vector points coords. IFF commands : use a IFF picture as background [F4] = Load IFF picture [CTRL]= IFF On/off [F2] = Darker IFF colors [F3] = Lighter IFF colors [DEL] = Swap Mouse Colors Vector Light Table commands : use current vector as background [TAB] = Light Table On/Off [~] = Clear Light Table (Confirm with LEFT Mouse, abort with RIGHT) (The `~' key is under the `ESC' key) [CAPS LOCK] = Genlock On/Off A printed copy of this keys would be useful to use Vectorama. 4. Vector Data Format ===================== The format used to save the vectors is a very standar vector format, maybe it will be different to your own format, but it will be very easy to make a converter from my format to your own vector format in Basic, C, Amos or any language you like.In the last resort you can contact me to support your vector format in future releases. All the data is saved in WORD size (2 bytes) as a binary file (use IncBin). When saving the last polygon will be automatically closed too. The origin is (0,0), so you never will find negative values as coordinates X and Y of a point, if you use negative values, simply substract or use the MOVE mode (but this isn't recommended) The VM suffix and a number is added at the end of the name when saving the vector data, just to remenber you that it is a VectoraMa data file. * Format used to Save/Load the vectors : * VM = Vector Data (Coords + Polys) dc.w N.Points ; Number of Points (of all Polygons) dc.w Point0x,Point0y,Point1x,Point1y..... (Coords of all the points of every Polygon) dc.w N.Polygons ; Number of Polygons dc.w N.Points of Polygon1,Point0,Point1,....,Point4,Point0 (Every Polygon finish with his first point) dc.w N.Points of Polygon2,Point5,Point6,....,Point9,Point5 dc.w ......Rest of Poligons dc.w 0 ; End of Vector Example : 1 cube (4 points) and 1 triangle (3 points) dc.w 7 ; 4+3=7 Points dc.w 0,0,0,10,10,10,10,0 ;Coords X,Y of the cube dc.w 50,50,40,60,60,40 ;Coords X,Y of the Triangle dc.w 2 ; 1 cube+1 triangle = 2 Polygons dc.w 4,0,1,2,3,0 ; Cube : 4 points and which 4 points. dc.w 3,4,5,6,4 ; Triangle: 3 points and which 3 points. dc.w 0 ; End of Data 5. Problems and known bugs ========================== The `SAVE Vector data' only works when all the polys are complete polys(i.e. all the polys have at least 3 points).If the last poly have less of 3 points the data won't be saved.If your current poly have only 1 or 2 points the save file requester won't appear and you can't save your data. Vectorama isn't a 100% system friendly program so I recommend don't use it while running other Amiga programs with important unsaved data to avoid any data loss of importance in case of any problem. The Genlock mode isn't real, it works with Genlocks but using the LACE mode.If you have a Genlock and you want the real Genlock version just contact me and I will send you it. You can only load IFF pictures of 320x256 pixels (or 320xY, with Y<256) and the maximun number of colors is 32, if you want to use other type of picture, reduce the size and number of colors with your paint program. I recommend saving to RAM: or RAD: because sometimes floppy and hard drives aren't validated until you exit VectoRAMa.To avoid this problem use RAM: and RAD: drives, and at exit copy the VM data to your drive. If you load a file that isn't a real Vectorama.VM file a GURU could be the result, so don't try to load `Hired Guns' as a VM file. This version was finished a few hours before it was released, I did an intensive testing to remove all bugs, but be sure there are some very well hidden bugs waiting inside.If you find any of them or any other problem send me a detailed report of the error and your machine, and I will try to fix it and send you the new version. 6. What is OriginalWare ? ========================= This utility is OriginalWare.That means if you like this program you must buy an original Amiga program or game or send the money to the author of any ShareWare(if you don't send it already) program or game you are using often. There are lots of great Amiga software like `DiskMaster', `Hired Guns', `Syndicate', `Goal', `Cannon Fodder', `Pinball Fantasies', `Stardust', `Elfmania' and a lot more that you won't never regret to spend your money. If you do this you support Amiga and if you support AMIGA you support US. For more information or suggestions about the OriginalWare concept, contact me, please. Support OriginalWare software and you will get more and better software. 7. History ========== Version 1.0 (23-Jul-94) : - First released version.Released at The Southern Party 2 in Spain. Version 1.1 (26-Jul-94) : - More command Keys added : In DRAW Mode : [Right ALT] = Start New Polygon In EDIT Mode : [Left ALT] = Select Previous Point [Left AMIGA] = Select Next Point - Bug fixed : a nasty (Guru Meditation) error when deleting points. Version 1.2 (23-Nov-94) : - Single Lines Mode added to the [F10] key. - Vector Light Table added : copy current vector to the background [TAB] = Light Table On/Off [~] = Clear Light Table Version 1.3 (19-Ago-95) : - Bug fixed : sometimes coords numbers looked corrupted. 8. Credits ========== `Vectorama' was coded by Troglobyte / Darkness, based in the program `Vectorizador', original idea and code by Spanish Archer / Darkness. Send me JOB offers, BUGS, comments, improvements, ideas, suggestions, disks, mags, advices, complains, nice PD stuff (like Demos, Games or Utilities), and any kind of production where Vectorama was used : M. Martin Vivaldi Av. America 60 Madrid 28028 SPAIN Or NetMail me at : Internet : bitabit@servicom.es (Faster and safer) FidoNet : 2:341/28.55 Manuel Martin AmigaNet : 39:192/2.55 Manuel Martin To Magazines : You can give away Vectorama v1.3 on your coverdisk, but please send me a copy of the magazine. Amiga, keep the dream alive.