Welcome to Picasso96!

First, a brief note:

Picasso96 is still kind of beta in that it might not work as expected in all configurations out there in the wild Amiga world. So please read the documentation before installation and always keep in mind that the software is not finished. It is a good idea to back up your current environment before installation, too, just in case you don't like the results. It is completely different to the Picasso software shipped with the PicassoII(+) cards, so you might to think twice before using it.
However, there are already quite a few users out there who are happy the way it is now, despite the minor problems that are still left.
If you do not like beta software, you should better stay away for the moment.
Thank you for your interest and appreciation!

The main distribution archives:

Please take into consideration that your proxy server (if you use one) might give you an old version of these pages and the archives!

The latest beta user archive Picasso96.lha. What's new?

Version 1.16, size 323369 bytes, last updated April, 1st 1997.
Please read the FAQ and the documentation included!
If you are using Picasso96 I recommend that you join the Picasso mailing list.

The latest archive for developers: Develop.lha.
Size 96196 bytes, last updated April, 1st 1997.

Latest fixes!

Currently none...

Additional stuff

You may want to look at the test version of PicassoModeTNG (version 1.24, uploaded April, 15th 1997) a nice alternative for Picasso96Mode,too.

A small tool to change the display refresh rate of the PicassoIV flicker fixer: FliFiTool
Warning: this is a hack. New Version, must be used with Picasso96 version 1.8 or later!

Various stuff.

Introduction to Picasso96

Picasso96 is a modular and system friendly software environment for many different Amiga graphics cards. Its main intentions are to provide a solution which is as system and software compatible as possible, transparent and reliable. To be that compatible, only the really necessary functions were patched. This results in very high level of compatibility.
Another feature of the Picasso96 system is the ability to use several graphics cards at the same time, even cards of the same type.

Hard- and software requirements

Kickstart 3.1 (V40),
Motorola MC68020 processor or better,
at least one of the following cards:
- CyberVision 64,
- Domino,
- Merlin,
- oMniBus,
- Picasso II,
- Picasso II+,
- Picasso IV,
- Piccolo,
- Piccolo SD64 (note: this driver is still beta) or
- Spectrum.

What kind of software will work with Picasso96?

All programs that handle their graphics using standard system calls and do not modify the graphics memory directly bypassing the operating system. Direct software support for applications is available namely for:

'Art Department Professional' (by ASDG),
Photogenics (by Almathera),
ShapeShifter (Apple Macintosh emulator by Christian Bauer),
XiPaint (24bit paint program by Thomas Dorn and Herbert Beilschmidt).

Further modules are being developed. Programs using the CyberGraphics API or the vilintuisup.library work with Picasso96, too, e.g. CyberWindow or ShowGIF.

Developer support

The current developer archive is available here. Please leave a notice that you develop a driver so we know about it in case someone asks. We would like to get a sample of your product for evaluation purposes, too. Thank you!

You have got problems getting Picasso96 up and running?

Please read the FAQ, which will be updated whenever I think that there is something missing in the documentation.

You'd like to get a ready configured preset for your monitor?

A WWW page with setting files is currently in the process of getting set up, if you already have one, please mail it to me.

Notes from the development team

Please! When sending bug reports, always include a description of your system, especially what kind of graphics card(s) and which version of the software you use!
The drivers for the CyberVision 64 and the Piccolo SD64 are quite new and not entirely completed yet. Please give us some time to finish them. If you experience severe problems, send me a mail.
Do never send mails with a size of more than about 200kB without being told to do so!

Latest changes

Version 1.16, April 1st 97:

PicassoIV problem with flicker fixer trashing other screens hopefully fixed (was introduced with 56kHz audio playback),
Amiga video output now always produces 31kHz signal when displaying Picasso96 screens (ECS and AGA),
BltMaskBitMapRastPort() behaviour corrected for non-Picasso96 source bitmaps,
inproved PIPs: introduced YUV Bitmaps, fixed clipping on autoscroll screens,
CyberVision64: removed some bugs, especially concerning small display modes.