
G-MSK - Graphical Mode 0 to Sprite Converter
============================================

1. Introduction
===============

Version: 0.39 alpha
--------

This FutureOS program allows to convert a part of a Mode 0 Screen
(use cursor to choose) to the CPC-Plus Sprite RAM. The Converter uses
all 16 CPC-Plus Sprites. You can save the Sprites to disc and use them
in your own Demos, Programs and Games.

Ideas and comments are welcome!!!

TFM / FutureSoft

... and now...


2. Control of GMSK
==================
After launching the program, you can use both joysticks, the CPC-keyboard
(cursor keys and copy) or some mice (c'est le souris). No lightpen support!


3. How to use the GMSK
======================
- Insert Disc named "GMSK.dsk" to Drive A.
- Start FutureOS throug RSX-command !OS.

- Read Directory of the Drive (first tag A-Icon, then use/tag DIR-Icon).

- Tag file "- G-MSK .64K"
- Run Program G-MSK (use RUN-Icon, at down left side).
  (now you should see the CBM-Desktop of the converter).
- Press Copy to activate "File", then
- Press Copy to activate "Load Pict.", then
  (read the message, that no file is tagged until yet).
- Press Space to get back to the FutureOS-Desktop (temporarily).
  (now you see the FutureOS-Desktop like usual).
- Press Shift or Control to show the Directories of tagged drives.
- Tag picture to convert (place it on the disc previously).
- Click at OK-Icon (right side).
  (now you should see the CBM-Desktop of the converter again).
- Press Copy to activate "File".
- Press Copy to activate "Load Pict.".
- Selekt "Y" and press Copy to load Picture.
  (the picture will be loaded, uncompressed and a PAL-file will be loaded too).
  (You can now choose the arrangement of the sprites, but first ...)
- Move "cursor" right to "Conversion" and press Copy.
- Move the graphical cursor to the portion of the screen, which should be
  converted.
- Press Copy again to activate function "Pic. -> Sprite"
- Have a look at the Picture and then press Space.
- Have a look at the converted Sprites!!! (enjoy it for a while *g* or shout!)
- Press Space again go come back... to GMSK ;-)

- Press Copy to activate "File".
- Move down three lines (use Cursor-down key).
- Press Copy to activate "Save Spri.", to save the new Sprites to Disc.
- Hit Return to accept Drive, User and Name (or change it, if you like).
  (don't use little letters, if you want to use the file later with AmsDOS).
- Press Copy to activate Menue "File".
- Move completely down (cursor down key) to the bottom of menue "File".
- Select function "End" (use Copy).
- Select "Yes" and press Copy.
  (now you've left GMSK, you should see the FutureOS-Desktop again).
- Touch Shift or Control key to see the saved Sprites in one of the directories.
  (if not - shout loud! ... mail tfm, kick as and ... then try again).
- Quit FutureOS (... or have some more fun, creating other Sprites).

You can now load the converted Sprites to the ASIC-Sprite-RAM (adress &4000),
to work with them.
The color-palette of the Sprites is located between &6422 and &643F (&1E Bytes,
two bytes for every PEN from 0 to &0F).


4. Supported functions in GMSK
==============================
Menue File:
-----------
- Load Pict. (see 5. Supported graphic formats).
- Save Pict.
- Load Spri.
- Save Spri.
- Close      (same as End)
- Version    (shows actual program version)
- End

Menue Process:
--------------
- Clear (clears loaded Picture and ASIC-Sprite-RAM)

Menue Options:
--------------
- Colour (but only for PENs, not for Sprites until now).
- Language (english, german, french, and others if YOU translate!).

Sprite Format:
--------------
- M0 -> 2(X)*8(Y) (sets 2 Sprites in X and 8 Sprites in Y)
- M0 -> 3(X)*5(Y)
- M0 -> 4(X)*4(Y)
- M0 -> 5(X)*3(Y)
- M0 -> 8(X)*2(Y)
- every 2. line x (only every second scan line will be used)

Conversion:
-----------
- Pic. -> Sprite (the real function of the program).
- Show picture
- Show sprites

Help
----
- Help
- Menue
- -$$$-
- .www.


5. supported graphic formats
============================
- native 17 KB CPC screens (from SAVE"PIC",b,&C000,&4000).
- 16 KB screens (16 KB pure graphic data, without file-header).
- OCP-Screens (uncrunched and crunched) with PALette file.
* If you load an OCP-Art-Studio Screen, GMSK looks automatically for a
  .PAL file. If a .PAL file is present the PENs and Sprite-Colors are set.


9. Messages
===========
Now, I hope that YOU have much FUN creating BIG COMPOSED SPRITES with GMSK.
The ease of being able to use OCP-Art-Studio files (compressed or not, with
.PAL-file support) makes the new GMSK more powerfull.

Comments are welcome!!!

--
Ciao!
TFM / FutureSoft

