How do you measure framerate ?

[KanedaFr]

I have to draw  about 100 sprites on screen so, of course, framerate drops.

I'm on progress to optimize it but apart looking if sprites anim are smooth or not, I don't know how to measure the improvment.

So, is there a way to measure the framerate ?

 

I found this post but I'm not sure how to use clock() with tgi_busy()....

Edited February 29 by KanedaFr

[42bs]

In the VBL increment a counter.

After switching buffer, load and clear it.

Then you have your frame rate.

Edited February 29 by 42bs

[42bs]

BTW, a good method to see if you can run with full FPS, "dec $FDA0" after switching buffer and "stz $fda0" after rendering.

[LordKraken]

 

tweaking the green palette? whats the expected effect? (yes i know I could try myself but at work now )

[42bs]

Most games have 0 as background, so setting color 0 to $FF and later to 0 you can see (if you have visible background) the amount to "time" (scan lines) your loop takes.

It if flickers, then you need more than one frame.

 

[LordKraken]

thanks, my games run at half the frequency, so around 30ish fps, except ody has a few slow down at 20 (using a "real" timer) but I should try this trick, thx!

Edited February 29 by LordKraken

[42bs]

Do you use collision buffer? I noticed clearing it is also a performance killer. I mean, the poor SUZY has to write 16Kb to clear screen and coll-buffer

[LordKraken]

no i dont use the collision buffer, and checking collision is def. a performance killer. On the other hand i wouldnt have enough ram with the collision buffer activated

[KanedaFr]

I use a full screen 1bit full size scaled sprite for the background

My point is not to see if it slows down (I know it does) but to 'profile' my actual rendering method and to measure if my future optimizations let me gain some cycles or not

[42bs]

1 hour ago, KanedaFr said:

I use a full screen 1bit full size scaled sprite for the background

My point is not to see if it slows down (I know it does) but to 'profile' my actual rendering method and to measure if my future optimizations let me gain some cycles or not

That's what setting FDA0 for, I usualy have a scotch tape besides the screen where I make marks. But if you are already < 60FPS, you may enable HBL interrupt for fine grained time or VBL for a coarse measurement.

[KanedaFr]

where is the need for a profiler when you have scotch tape !?

GREAT idea! I'll try it tomorrow!