Loadstar 128 #14/q14.d81/t.review 14

Text File | 1990-01-01 | 5.7 KB | 105 lines

                         Review: I PAINT by Rick Kane

                           Reviewed by Dave Matthews

 Available from Software Support International
 2700 NE Andresen Road,
 Suite A-10
 Vancouver, WA 98661
 1-800-356-1179 or 1-206-695-9648

 C-128 80-column Interlaced (640x400) Color Paint Program $34.95


     When the C-128 was first introduced, we were told that the 8563 VDC 80
column video chip was used for text only.  Shortly thereafter, the dynamic
duo of David Darus and Lou Wallace pioneered 80-column monochrome bitmap
graphics.  Next came color graphics and the incredible BASIC 8.0 graphics
extension language.  Before long, overscan and interlace were added to the
C-128's 80-column graphics arsenal.  In fact, in interlaced, overscan mode,
the 128 has higher resolution than the Amiga!  And yes, it flickers just
like the Amiga's screen when in interlace mode!

     The culmination of all this work is Rick Kane's IPaint.  Billed as
"Earth's Only C-128 Interlace Paint Program", IPaint is unquestionably the
cutting edge of C-128 graphics.

     IPaint pushes the 128 to the outer limits of its capability, and
requires 64k video ram (either a C-128D or an enhanced 128), a 1351 mouse
and a monitor capable of displaying the 640x400 screen.  I have successfully
used the Commodore 2002 and 1084s, and IPaint should work with the 1902 and
1902a monitors as well.  IPaint works with the 1541 drive, though I
definitely recommend a 1571 or 1581 drive.  Another very useful item is RAM
expansion, 1700, 1764 or 1750 or compatible units.  Finally, and this sounds
weird, but I recommend a pair of sunglasses, the kind that polarize light.
These really do cut down on screen flicker.

     But what the heck is interlacing, why does it cause the screen to
flicker, and why should you care?  Interlace is basically a method of
compressing time.   A TV or computer screen is painted on the screen one
line at a time with an electron gun.  When you look at a screen, it looks
like a solid picture, because the lines are painted so fast.  Normally, the
gun is fast enough to paint about 200 of these lines before the human eyes
can detect the process.  Interlacing doubles the number of lines by breaking
the picture into even and odd lines called frames.  First, the even frame is
painted then the odd frame is interleaved with the even frame, giving 400+
lines in the complete picture.  Unfortunately, by the time the odd frame is
painted, the even frame has begun to fade.   This is called flicker, where
the picture seems to vibrate up and down.  This is most noticeable on thin
horizontal lines, the kind often seen on computer screens.

     If you have used the paint program shipped with BASIC 8.0, or Peter
Marions' PAINT 128 (published on LS 128 #8 and #11), then you will find
IPaint very familiar.  All the features artists have come to expect are
available -- freehand, line, shapes, flood fill, cutting and pasting of
brushes, text and zoom.   The Rylander 3D solids are here as well.

     IPaint can import BASIC 8.0 'pict.' and '.brush' files, though due to
differences in resolution and handling color, results can be mixed.   I have
found that importing in monochrome mode and then using IPaint colorizing
features to recolor the picture works best for many cases.

     Color usage on Commodore's 8-bit line, including the 40-column 64 and
128 graphics modes and the 128's 80-column mode, are generally a pain.  For
comparison, the Amiga and IBM style VGA graphics both display 16 colors at
640x400 resolution, just like IPaint.  The C-128's 80-column chip, however,
does not have the ability to provide each and every pixel with its own
color.  The real trouble lies in the fact that color 'cells' are used, like
in the 40-column hi-res bitmaps.  VDC color cell sizes range from 8x8 to
8x2.  IPaint uses an 8x8 cell.  This means that all the pixels in a cell
must share a common color.  Although this method of color usage saves memory
and processor work, it definitely detracts from ease of creation.

     IPaint, due to its high resolution and interlacing, allows just a bit
more freedom.  You have the option of using the interlaced 'frames' to use a
different color.  Plus, because the pixels are so small, two colors placed
side by side tend to blend into a third.  This allows the illusion of many
more than the original 16 color palette.  You are still limited to a cell of
8 pixels, but an 8x8 IPaint cell is a quarter the size of a 40 column hires
color cell.  So, although color usage is not perfect, you can make
outstanding colorful graphics.  You have to plan for the limits of the
medium.  I guess you could say that about any artform, traditional or
computer.

     One nice feature much improved from the earlier 80-column paint
programs is that the mouse stays visible, regardless of what's on the
screen, as long as the background and foreground colors are different.   On
the other hand, IPaint uses the 1351 mouse buttons rather differently than I
have ever seen before.  This took a bit of getting used to.  The bigger
problem is lack of response.  IPaint requires every ounce of computing
horsepower the 128 can muster...and maybe a little bit more.  Response can
be a trying experience with large brushes, the Rylander 3D solids and when
filling an area.   Sometimes the program simply won't respond to the mouse.
Patience will be required to finish your great masterpiece.

     Even with these problems, which are probably unavoidable due to the
128's 80-column video architechure, IPaint is definitely worth a look.  If
you are serious about graphics on the 128, and you have the 64k video RAM,
then IPaint is without peer and I highly recommend it.  Heck, for $34.95,
it's worth it just to say you have the same resolution as an IBM with a VGA
card!

DM
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