MASK kernal with Zones question

[Ecernosoft]

Yeah, I ask way too many questions... 😃

I want to use a MASK kernal for ICT2 on 2600, BUT-

1. MASKING takes too much ROM if you're sprites are various sizes

2. I want to use Zones but don't really get how I'd implement them efficiently

3. Is there a way to use MASKS without zones more efficiently?

 

Thanks!

[+splendidnut]

If your sprites are relatively close in size, you can get away with padding out the shorter sprite graphics with zeros to make them all equal in size.  Then you would just need one mask.

[Ecernosoft]

Yes.... but I figured out an even smarter solution.

1. Instead of using a MASK pointer, make your graphics as big as a Zone..

2. Have zones so that you save GFX data. 

3. Have a variable you can set to $FF when you enable a sprite and $00 when you don't need it.

 

Trade off is=

Faster kernal

MORE GFX!

[Ecernosoft]

Never mind. That solution isn't smarter. Just more complex in the kernal.