+DZ-Jay Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) I tried animation for the main character , I was curious at how it would look like Looking good. However, how many MOBs are you using there? I would imagine that the trick to animate a composite avatar that way would require not only cycling GRAM, but updating the relative positions of the individual MOBs on each frame. I can see the animation data split into two tables, one for graphics data per frame, and one for the positions. That's using the naïve animation method I used in Christmas Carol, which includes a graphic tile for every single frame in the animation sequence, even for frames where the graphics do not change. This could be compressed by including only unique tiles in one table, and the sequence of tiles in another (offsets to the first table). So, if I were to animate this, I would use three tables: GRAM Data - contains unique graphic tiles for the animation sequence, for each MOB (sub-object) in the avatar. Relative Positions - grouped by sub-object, includes the X, Y offsets from the avatar screen position for each unique graphic tile frame. Frame Sequence - grouped by sub-object, includes an index to the GRAM Data and Relative Positions for each graphic change, and the number of frames it should remain until the next change, or frame delay. The animation engine then uses the differential analyzer algorithm (similar to Bresenham's line drawing algorithm) to manage the animation speed and on every animation tick it decrements the frame delay, and when it reaches zero, it reads the next frame in the sequence and updates the frame delay counter; it then gets a pointer to the graphics data for the next frame and prepares it for loading it into GRAM on the next ISR; it adjusts the MOB positions for the new frame using the avatar's absolute position and the relative sub-object positions, and prepares them for updating the STIC on the next ISR. It repeats this for all MOBs. Definitely possible. -dZ. Edited April 13, 2014 by DZ-Jay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share Posted April 13, 2014 That looks like 5 or 6 GRAM tiles, the rest can be found in GROM. I'm sure you can add more detail, and still have some left over for MOBs, text boxes, and other overlays. -dZ. You're right I tend to forget about all the paterns available in GROM Looks like I need more practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Don't really need those patterns if you're working in FG/BG mode so don't worry. It only accessible in color stack mode. The screen shots are looking good. I would reserve about 16 cards for the MOB. The animation cells can be written to from ROM. Edited April 14, 2014 by Kiwi 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DZ-Jay Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Don't really need those patterns if you're working in FG/BG mode so don't worry. It only accessible in color stack mode. The screen shots are looking good. I would reserve about 16 cards for the MOB. The animation cells can be written to from ROM. That background can definitely be made in Color Stack mode and then use GROM for most of the patterns. It then comes down to 5 or 6 custom cards. But even not using GROM at all, it only uses about 10 or 11 cards right now. Add 16 for MOBs, and you still have over half the GRAM space left for more detail. -dZ. Edited April 14, 2014 by DZ-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DZ-Jay Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Looking good. However, how many MOBs are you using there? I would imagine that the trick to animate a composite avatar that way would require not only cycling GRAM, but updating the relative positions of the individual MOBs on each frame. I can see the animation data split into two tables, one for graphics data per frame, and one for the positions. That's using the naïve animation method I used in Christmas Carol, which includes a graphic tile for every single frame in the animation sequence, even for frames where the graphics do not change. This could be compressed by including only unique tiles in one table, and the sequence of tiles in another (offsets to the first table). So, if I were to animate this, I would use three tables: GRAM Data - contains unique graphic tiles for the animation sequence, for each MOB (sub-object) in the avatar. Relative Positions - grouped by sub-object, includes the X, Y offsets from the avatar screen position for each unique graphic tile frame. Frame Sequence - grouped by sub-object, includes an index to the GRAM Data and Relative Positions for each graphic change, and the number of frames it should remain until the next change, or frame delay. The animation engine then uses the differential analyzer algorithm (similar to Bresenham's line drawing algorithm) to manage the animation speed and on every animation tick it decrements the frame delay, and when it reaches zero, it reads the next frame in the sequence and updates the frame delay counter; it then gets a pointer to the graphics data for the next frame and prepares it for loading it into GRAM on the next ISR; it adjusts the MOB positions for the new frame using the avatar's absolute position and the relative sub-object positions, and prepares them for updating the STIC on the next ISR. It repeats this for all MOBs. Definitely possible. -dZ. By the way, that's how the Christmas Carol sprite driver works, except that instead of compressing the sequence by keeping only unique GRAM cards, it explodes it by repeating the cards as a lame form of frame delay. At assembly time, each sprite object is "registered" with the driver, creating a data record for the animation, which includes a pointer to the sequence, the speed, and the current step. The driver has a byte-size bitmap that serves as a "dirty flag" for each of the registered objects. During game-play, the program can call any of the animation-related routines, e.g., to switch animation sequences, etc., depending on game state. Also, on each game cycle, the animation records of all registered objects are cycled through their sequences as necessary. This happens outside the ISR context. Calling any animation-related routine results in setting the "dirty flag" for the object. Then, on each ISR, after updating the STIC, the sprite driver iterates through the "dirty flag" bitmap, and updates all "dirty" objects by de-referencing their current animation frame data and blasting it into GRAM. Et voilá! Fast and somewhat efficient animation graphics. It helps that all animation and graphics routines use common interfaces, and that all object records have a standard format. -dZ. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Not sure why I keep working on this one as I'm really not sure If I will do it but hey, It's all about fun and gain experience with the INtv graphics Edited April 14, 2014 by retroillucid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Does the INtv is capable of paralaxal scrolling? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Does the INtv is capable of paralaxal scrolling? Yes! But it requires pre-shifted graphics data. So you use precious GRAM cards to permanently allocate them or reprogram them as required on the fly. Your approach depends on what else needs to happen in your game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intymike Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Does the INtv is capable of paralaxal scrolling? Take a look on space Patrol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nqEi_IATWI 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Yes! But it requires pre-shifted graphics data. So you use precious GRAM cards to permanently allocate them or reprogram them as required on the fly. Your approach depends on what else needs to happen in your game. Oh yes! Awesome!! Thanks for the quick answer It's only about the mountain in the background Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DZ-Jay Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Does the INtv is capable of paralaxal scrolling?If by "parallax scrolling" you mean using MOBs or pre-shifted cards to simulate the effect, then yes. There are no multiple planes of scrolling, if that's what you were looking for. However, take a look at Space Patrol for a very effective parallax effect. dZ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Take a look on space Patrol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nqEi_IATWI Holy cow!!! The INtv is definitely capable! This machine have alot of powers under the hood! And now, i bet this one is already soldout, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cmart604 Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Holy cow!!! The INtv is definitely capable! This machine have alot of powers under the hood! And now, i bet this one is already soldout, right? Joe has promised that he'll release more copies eventually. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Joe has promised that he'll release more copies eventually. awesome! I'm in for 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intymike Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 awesome! I'm in for 1 It's one of the most impressive homebrew games so far. Including the possibility to use the ECS for more sound channels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DZ-Jay Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 It's one of the most impressive homebrew games so far. Including the possibility to use the ECS for more sound channels. Fun fact: Christmas Carol uses the same sound effects engine; it's just that there aren't as many things happening at the same time that require the extra channels. Space Patrol is very impressive indeed, and it pushes the hardware to some of its limits. I believe Joe has mentioned that he had only a few cycles left over on each game loop. -dZ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Another one that would be fun on INtv 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+grips03 Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Another one that would be fun on INtv Can you make Contra or Metal Slug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 (edited) Can you make Contra or Metal Slug Not sure about Metal Slug.... Meanwhile, here's my INtv wip of Jungle Hunt Edited April 15, 2014 by retroillucid 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 I decided to swap some colors and I also add the title screen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonlikesINTV Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Another one that would be fun on INtv I would love to see this one. Antarctic Adventure, right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 I would love to see this one. Antarctic Adventure, right? Yep, exactly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DZ-Jay Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Not sure about Metal Slug.... Meanwhile, here's my INtv wip of Jungle Hunt Ugh! No. I decided to swap some colors and I also add the title screen Much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Tarzilla Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Not sure about Metal Slug.... Meanwhile, here's my INtv wip of Jungle Hunt I'd prefer the original Jungle KING version, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 I'd prefer the original Jungle KING version, I would like to include Pirate Pete as well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.