Project - new graphic editor - State of Art.

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Текст    :  VIATOR                      
                                        
Музыка   :  COOPER                      
                                        
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   (C) ву VIATOR/AVALON/RUSH I.S.P.A.   
        and AMAZING SOFT MAKING         
    PROJECT SUPPLIED and PRODUCED ву    
    MIGHTY/SMASH/AMAZING SOFT MAKING    
                                        
                                        
            STATE OF THE ART            
                                        
                                        
   Больше  1O  лет прошло с того врмени,like the legendary James Hutchby from O.C.P.
released "ART-STUDIO".           
   For 1985 it was a real she-
devr, which has become an integral part
SPECCY and one of the most popular programs
ramm throughout its history.                
   A lot has changed these years. Most
more high-quality system programs would
whether written in the CIS countries. But no matter how
strange, no one decided to take it seriously
new developments in the field of graphic re-
dactors.                               
   We - the AVALON group - decided to replenish
thread this gap and take a new step in
this direction. ...                   
                                        
 3and the time of working with SPECCY I saw 5-7
graphic editors.  Most of
they were so primitive and un-
so good that they don’t even deserve attention
user information. The highest quality
there are only two editors - "ART-STUDIO" and
"ARTIST-2".                             
   "ARTIST-2" is well thought out.  In it
many interesting ideas have been implemented (possibly
the ability to view part of the image in
real scale, cutting out a window
free form, drawing ellipses, etc.),
but due to very clumsy execution this
the editor is inconvenient and clumsy. Inter-
the face slows down, discriminates everything, controls
It's inconvenient.    For these reasons
most of the artists on SPECCY (and me in
including)prefer to work in
ART-STUDIO.                             
   "ART-STUDIO" implements convenient in-
interface and all the most necessary
functions.  Previously this seemed like the limit
dreams, but after looking at the editors
AMIGA and PC, you understand that the ideal is still
very far away.                           
 The fact is that all versions
"ART-STUDIO", even its 128k version, further
but not perfect.   I worked in
"ART-STUDIO" is long enough for
to notice the many shortcomings and
the inconveniences that it contains. Worth it
remember at least constant switching on
white border in "MAGNIFY" mode.     
                                        
 ...                   
                                        
   Work began in the fall of 1996,
when PANDA is from the Cherkasy group ETC,
complained about the lack of normal
graphic editor and asked us
write something acceptable in this plan
no.  We, being so kind and naive
:-), - agreed to do this for free -
reliable, ungrateful, unrealistic, etc.
project... It should be said that on mo-
ment started working on the editor, our
the group was much more modest. not into it
included such geniuses and giants of thought as
RUFF, ZNAHAR, and SHADOW. At that timepro-
ect was doomed to failure, since
SADMAN and I were simply unable to
complete the entire scope of upcoming work.
At the moment everything is much more real and
COOLbhee!!! AVALON just got bigger
and more professional.  Unexpectedly project
received universal support and attention.
3and this time we received a lot of
ideas and suggestions from various people, and
we can already say that it will be
large-scale and promising project.      
   The main task that we face is
We set up a fight - this is taking into account the shortcomings
all currently existing editors and
satisfying the requests of the greatest number of
number of users.                
   At this stage we are collecting
information and try to find out everyone's opinion
strongest artists on SPECCY (
SHAMAN, TERROR, KAMIKAZE, PANDA,
TRANCER, ROM, and others) . In addition
I am a professional artist myself, and
in this case, this is important.         
   We will try to take the best from
"ART-STUDIO" and "ARTIST II", from the editorial
for AMMY and PC, but the greatest attention
We pay attention to the requests of USERS,
so if you have interesting ideas for
this account, be sure to communicate them to us.
I promise that everyone who contributes useful
offers will be mentioned in CREDITS. 
                                        
   The tentative name of the project is
 -STATE OFTHE ART- (SOTA) (not
think that we have delusions of grandeur! :-)
                                        
   The following is a description of what
planned to be implemented in the editor:    
                                        
                                        
 1. INTERFACE              
                                        
  Overall the interface is similar to
"ART-STUDIO", but the main menu has been replaced
to pictographic, in order to save
screen space.  Pictogram size-
ramm 2X2 familiar places are selected and we count it
we are optimal.                       
   Anticipating your questions, I will try
explain why we decided to place
menu on top, as in "A.S.", and not on the side,
as in Amiga or pussy editors:
from my personal experience I know that
much more often you have to draw pictures
occupying all 32 familiar places horizontally
more than the entire screen space
verticals.  On machines with higher
screen resolution, much less common
there are pictures occupying it entirely,
that's why the menu is placed on the side, there's more
justified.                              
   All menu items and messages in re-
The lectures will be in English. This
much more familiar and economical. Although,
if there are many objections,heart attacks and
tears, we can make it in native
language, but please note that the native language for
us is - Ukrainian :-)))!!!     
   Much attention is paid
SetUp So, you can change practically
all parameters - arrow speed, factor
acceleration, etc.                        
   There will be well-designed "hot"
Keys are supposed to be:              
 CURSOR - movement across the screen in MAGNIFY, 
 EXTEND MODE - view the entire screen,   
 SS + number keys - change INK,     
 ENTER + number keys - change PAPER,
 Z, X - change sprites (animation) and
etc.                                    
                                        
 CONTROL               
                                        
   Simultaneous control from KEYBOARD:
( O, P, Q, A, SPACE, M (SET), N (RESET) ) ;
SINCLAIR;  KEMPSTON (with availability check)
i).                                     
   If I am provided with the necessary information -
formation, then management will be implemented
tion from KEMPSTON and AU MOUSE. Everyone who is in
interested in this, immediately
write me a letter (address at the end of the article
) . The same applies to print owners
ditch None of the participants in our group
we don't have a printer, so we need everything
information regarding this DEVICE.     
                                        
   All changes can be madewill be recorded on
disk in SetUp.                         
                                        




                                        
                                        
 2. MAGNIFY MODE           
                                        
   Most of the time I work with graphics
technical editor, the artist conducts
MAGNIFY mode.  That's why we try
make it as convenient as possible. Implemented
simultaneous display mode
al window, but, if desired, it can be
disable.  View full screen, no
exiting the zoom mode, you can
pressing one key. Window with fragment
images in real format can be
drive both on the left (TRUE VIDEO) and
right (INV. VIDEO).                    
    In general, there is no division into
MAGNIFY and normal mode will not work.
All editor functions will be implemented
and on an enlarged scale, which is not very
was enough for everyone else GFX EDITORam on
SPECCY. True, I must admit that in
in some cases the editor may
will slow down.Even though I wrote
scaling several times more
faster than in "A.S.", but you understand
that the magnification of almost the entire screen in real-time
real time and with limited volumes
Memory is a pretty slow thing.
For example, if you draw a circle
in ELASTIC mode and the mode will be turned on
MAGNIFY, then I (or rather Z-8OA) will have to
draw a circle in the buffer and then quickly
scale the image to the screen.
Of course, on the Amiga in this case it was
it would be enough to change the screen resolution
on...                                   
   Simple but incredibly useful and
a convenient feature is the ability to change
the size of the pencil used to make
drawing on an enlarged scale. Pros-
by pressing keys 1-5 you can select
one of five built-in pencils: 1X1,
2X2, 3X3, 1X8, 8X1 pixels.            
   The LINE and DOTTEN modes will allow you to
draw solid lines or through one point
ku.                                     
   I think it would be advisable to implement
magnifications are only 2 and 4 times. You can
give your opinion on this matter.
At the same time, at 4x magnification you can
make a grid delimiting the familiar
one that is also incredibly convenient.
                                        
                                        
 3. REALTIME MAGNIFY A very original idea was suggested by SOI
from the group CRYSTAL DREAM. He advised
make the REALTIME MAGNIFY option, and name
but a mode similar to the effect from demukh
"RPSG128" and "7 REALITY" - editing
images under a magnifying glass. Displays on the screen -
there's a whole picture that you can use to re-
move the magnifying glass with the sight
crowbar in the center.  The biggest advantage
society is the opportunity to see the
It's almost the entire screen! True
here there are big problems with attri-
bottles... In my opinion, there is no such regime
on the Amiga or on the PC.                      
  This function has almost been completed by SHADOW.
                                        
                                        
 4. WINDOWS               
                                        
   Windows in WINDOWS mode, it will be possible
set as accurate to the pixel,
and with reference to familiar places. Except
all window processing functions from
"ART-STUDIO", thicker-
drawing, tracing, scrolling, possibly scrolling
fixing two windows.  If they don't let you down
our mathematicians will be added
3D rotation functions.                    
    The window rotation function is already working
around its axis, with possible displacement
center of rotation.3a will be abolished as unnecessary
LAST WINDOW function, for the reason that
the last one will always be considered current
selected window.                         
   Possibility of choice can be implemented
free-form windows, but not so stupid
as in "ARTIST-2", but with the help of closed
lines (CONTINIOUS LINES).               
   A large number of overlay options
windows: with overwriting the image under
by window, by OR/AND/XOR, by mask.
                                        
                                        
 5. SHAPES               
                                        
   A set of graphic primitives in the menu
SHAPES, includes, in addition to everything
other things, drawing ellipses and arcs. Not bad
it would be nice to implement drawing ellipses
not only strictly parallel to the horizontal
to the vertical and vertical edges of the screen,
but also at any angle.                
   We will try to make it possible to change
line densities for vector shapes and
pencil with which these lines will be drawn
to be found.                               
   Speed of operation in ELASTIC mode
possibilities increased.
                                        
                                        
 6. UTILITES               
                                        
   The package with the editor will include
several utility programs: FONT
EDITOR, SPRITE GENERATOR, SCREEN
COMPRESSOR and others. Apparently, for the purpose
to save memory, you'll have to do them
loadable (without exiting the editor and
without losing the edited image). 
                                        
 FONT EDITOR               
                                        
  I will list just a few (not many
all) features: presence of the UNDO function,
fast scrolling of symbols in all directions
rules, the opportunity to mark the definition
Contained characters and further operations
make only over them, thickening,
stroke, etc. Editing as usual -
FONT and UDG symbols and any
character set up to 256 characters long
fishing I don’t know if the ability to edit is needed
printing fonts larger than 1X1 characters
place?  In my opinion, such symbols are more convenient
read directly from the screen, like sprites...
                                        
 SPRITE GENERATOR           
                                        
 Cutting sprites from screens to create
giving tables and everything necessary. If
you really want it, you canmake a function
sprite compression...                  
                                        
 SCREEN COMPRESSOR           
                                        
   LAZY/ETC/RUSH wrote great
screen compressor.  He wins in
on average 1OO-CHOO bytes on one screen
"ASC SCREEN CRASHER" !  To the additional
significant advantages include
freely fast decompressor and what it
does not prohibit interrupts when outputting
sunka. Some lamers don't have enough hands to
remove DI at the beginning of DEPACKER, and
users have to "enjoy"
inhibiting music at the moment of decompression
coy.                                    
   Perhaps we will implement a function
compression not only of the entire screen, but also
window compression.                        
                                        
                                        
 7. FILE OPTIONS             
                                        
   Implemented a full-fledged disk in-
interface that also allows fast
viewing screens on disk. Initially I
wanted to make it a standard storage format
Files are not ordinary screen files
(6912v.), and packaged screens without de-
compressor.   But, unfortunately, time
compression turned out to bequite significant
This idea is probably not realistic.
lick.                                 
   Compressed screens will be possible
record both with and without a depacker
it, and then remove it with one depacker
all pictures (as with playing music-
ki).                                    
   I can promise right away that I will pervert
we will not deal with disk operations, and
they will work with all standard
versions of TR-DOS. This is what I recommend to everyone
soft producers.                  
   There is also an idea to make it possible
hanging text messages from files
ny.  and quickly view these messages in
editor  Messages can be like:
Russian and English. Than,
I wonder if artists are worse than musicians?
:-) They also have the right to write comments-
ries to your works!                   
   You can read screens from
tapes, as well as from disks in the format
MS-DOS and IS-DOS.                        
                                        
                                        
 8. RESIDENT               
                                        
   Work with the resident will be implemented
, with the help of which it will be possible to suspend
send music, timer, etc. to the editor. 9. PALETTE               
                                        
   INK, PAPER, BRIGHT, FLASH functions
united together.  In addition, there is
the ability to quickly change current attributes
boot, using hot keys. Te-
Current attributes are constantly displayed in
in a specially designated place in
main menu.                           
   A very interesting result is obtained
when mixing several standard
attributes.  In this way you can get
many custom colors. This is the one
of possible ways to expand the meager
SPECCY palettes.  Many of the received
There are practically no colors (about 128 in total)
flicker (not blink).  What's most important
so this is that this opportunity has appeared
is possible with minimal speed costs
and memory: The screen becomes longer
only on 768v, which takes up additional
nitral area of attributes. To obtain
FX's use of multi-attributes is sufficient
just re-throw for interruption 768
attribute byte. Connects one by one
first one area, then another. No problem
such pictures can be displayed even under
digitized music by placing drawings in
two 128 screens. At the same time, when switching
The screens will take several hours to wear out
tens of bars. You can also implement the following:   
                                        
   Possibility of animation directly in the mode
screen editing.  Now it will disappear
the need to use spriteedak-
torus                                    
                                        
 When printing texts on the screen, their size
measures can be set from 1X1 to 8X8 sign-
places                                   
                                        
   You can try to implement the mode
"rubber" fonts that can be
scale pixel by pixel and without loss
image quality. It can be done
storing the font in the form of formulas (lines, circles)
gi), then you can scale only the ba-
calling points for these letters. Understandable
reasons, all curves will always remain
to be smooth.  If letters are needed
thicker than one pixel will have to be used
using fill inside letters is possible
can be a rather slow process.
                                        
   You may have noticed that
in "ART-STUDIO" and in "ARTIST-2" fill with
glitches... Don't believe me?! Then try-
those fill the entire screen with a texture in which
pixels are located quite densely but with
spaces between dots. Then try-
those fill the entire screen yetsome
texture... How's that? I know how to do it
fill that will work at 1OO%
correct, but even slower than in
"A.S.", perhaps several times. This is
Mu, apparently, will have to do two things
filling option - one quick, but with possibility
possible errors, the other is slow, but
correct.                             
   You can also implement a function for
the cream is not a texture, but an arbitrary window -
th size.                             
   The filled area can be pixel-by-pixel
scroll in all directions.     
                                        
   If you try really hard, you can
implement BLEND functions. For those who
doesn’t know what it is, I’ll explain:
BLEND is similar to Morphing. That is, you
you can select the start and end
objects and calculate the required number of phases
transformation from one to another, and
then place the received frames according to the op-
defined trajectory.  With this
FX achieves interesting images,
which, when drawing by hand, are taken away
incredibly time consuming.               
                                        
   Also, it might be interesting
FOUNTAIN FILL function (gradient fill)
Livka).  Using it you can fill
closed loop with a smooth transition from
one tone to another. But what's on AMMY
done using a rich palette ofSpectrum will have to do it using
textures                                
                                        
   You can also try to implement
formula graphics functions.  That's who I am
By the way, I haven’t seen it on PiSyuk or
AMMY.  I imagine it something like this:
user enters initial parameters (number
segments, number of phases, X1, У1...Xn, Уп, and
etc., and the program uses formulas to construct a sin-
soids, arcs, etc. Quite easy to implement
call for more complex vector shapes,
such as the ball in INSULT. I
I can quite clearly imagine how this is real-
to call, but I’m not at all sure that I will
do this...                      
                                        
   Of course it was very useful and convenient
I would like to work with knots as in "COREL DRAW".
When in any image it would be possible
identify key locations (nodules), and
then by moving these nodes one could
arbitrarily change the shape of the image, but
again to implement this mode
will require a considerable amount of time (not
processor, but mine!).              
                                        
 Almost everything that is in the editor
for “large” machines it is possible to implement
to talk about SPECCY, but one thing is absolutely not re-
alno: There is only one thing in the pussy
"COREL DRAW" which is impossible, even
with all my desire and skill,real
calling on the Spectrum is a step-by-step process
saving the image. Namely: for example-
Mer, you are at the very beginning of working on the drawing
com drew a circle, then you completed
dozens of other actions, written in
the top of the circle is a bunch of texts, and so on, and
then, at any time, you can choose
this circle and start moving it under the axle
real images, delete, or,
for example, change its color... You can also
but do UNDO right up to the very first step-
ha.                                     
   All this is possible because the screen
it is not stored there in the form of a sprite as on
Spectrum, and in the form of a sequence
formula.  On SPECCY this is absolutely not re-
just like 3.SmHz. and 128kb. insufficient
exactly for such luxury.  But it's not worth it
be especially upset! Imagine how
pisyuk takes a long time to rearrange the picture,
each time bringing her out from the very first
actions to the last. If on the screen
a rather complex image, then even
the most sophisticated PENTIUM will be creepy
slow down  Of course for PC users
This is a normal and common occurrence, but for
us, who are accustomed to working on SPECCY, are
unbearable mockery.   :-) !!!
                                        
                                        
   All this is by no means a complete list.
innovations that are planned to be implemented
in the program.  Also, there are some
ideas,which we consider inappropriate -
and, apparently, we will not underestimate
their implementation, namely, the possibility
the ability to edit screens with size
rom is larger than 256 X 192 pixels (this is
Of course it’s very convenient, but I’m afraid it’s memory loss
we barely have enough even if there is a screen
standard size); built-in editor
tors of MULTICOLOR and BORDER pictures
nok.  Interesting user opinion about
the need for these functions.             
                                        
   Being an artist, I could not help but notice
pay due attention to software design
we.  Hope you like the look
editor.                              
                                        























                                        
   When creating the program, we try
use the most advanced demushnye
coding technologies. If possible there will be
the speed of all editing procedures has been increased
ra.                                     
   Of course you may think that
everything we want to do in SOTA is using
It’s easy to fill up. That's how it is, es-
whether to do everything separately, but when
trying to cram it all into 128kb when
it is necessary to connect all procedures between
yourself, that's when a bunch of
huge problems. Cool of course in demos
roll out one effect to the entire 128 kb.
We have to select the most optimal
optimal option in the ratio RMS-
GROWTH/MEMORY. Therefore, if it shows you -
I think something could be done
faster,think about how much it will be
children to occupy memory...                  
   We already had to highlight in memory
the place where the screens will be placed in turn
highlight the most time-critical ones
procedures.                              
                                        
   At the moment the interface has been written and
some functions, but the bulk
there is still work to be done.                     
                                        
 Currently working on the editor:     
 RUFF, SHADOW, SADMAN and me (VIATOR).   
                                        
 Useful advice was given to us:       
 PANDA, SOI, IMP, SMASH BAND,      
 DIGITAL REALITY, VBI, ROB F.      
 Huge TNX for all of them!         
 Personal thanks to LAZY from
ETC for an excellent screen compressor!  
                                        
 We especially want to receive feedback and
specific advice from the following: художников                              
                                        
                KAMIKAZE                
                FIL GFX                 
               Бобов Иван               
                  ROM                   
                 TRACER                 
                                        
программистов                           
                                        
            Медноногов Слава            
                STALKER                 
                 RST-7                  
                  ALEM                  
                NICODIM                 
                                        
групп                                   
                                        
                 PETERS                 
               XL-DESIGN                
             OUTLAND corp.              
              BLACK SHARK               
                  NEW                   
                 FLASH                  
              GOLDEN DISK               
                                        
дистрибюторов                           
                                        
                ИНФОРКОМ                
                ЛОГРОСС                 
               MAGIC SOFT               
                 и др.                  
                                        
                                        
   Как  видите,it's going to be very big
project  At this stage, in his implementation
event, everyone can take part
whoever wants. Write to us and tell us yours
opinion. With all the distribution offers
Byuzii contact me - VIATOR, and
also, naturally, to the MAIN PRODUCER
_AMAZING_'a to MIGHTY/SMASH.            
   We want to say right away that it will be
NOT A SHAREWARE product.                   
 Time spent writing SOTA
simply grandiose. Of course we are also semi-
We enjoy coding, but
Believe me, writing effects is no less interesting
It’s a good idea to write an editor. Moreover,
demos are pure creativity, and making
editor we will be forced to perform
a lot of routine and monotonous work.
We will write the editor in any case
, but the question is whether we’ll add it...         
   I think everyone understands that $5O
(namely, this is how much Inforcom pays for
proprietary programs) will not suit us.   
   Of course I understand that distributors
unable to pay an acceptable amount
mu for the program ( $ЗOOOO-SOOO ), it
It just won't pay off.  Needs to be changed
the software market itself...
By the way, this problem is more important for
SPECCY than everyone else.              
   For example, dear STALKER,
whose dolbager is used by thousands of programs
rammists, also received for each ver-
that's allthe same $5O! But if everyone
the user of his masterpiece paid though
would be $1 (let someone say that
STS is not worth it and I personally
I'll eat it together with the computer :-)!!! ),
STALKER would have received more than one thousand dollars
ditch  It's stupid to think that he will buy himself
POWER AMIGA and forget about the Spectrum, because
they won't pay him there! He will sit down immediately
for writing even better ones
programs!!!                            
   I'm sure that Speccy users will...
smart people will understand sooner or later
that they are sawing the branch they are sitting on.         
   But this is a topic for another conversation
and we'll talk about this in another article.
eh... And we ask you to seriously suffocate
swear over this issue.             
                                        
 Based on all of the above,
growth of progress on the project
depends largely on the feedback received and
from specific distribution proposals.
                                        
    And one more important note (!!!):  
   Since we are now not responsible for any
no obligations, and we do SOTA
only on personal initiative, group
AVALON reserves all rights
change any provisions set out in this statute
e points, does not guarantee the implementation of ab-
absolutely all functions and capabilities of re-
dactora.                                
   When concluding specificcommercial
agreements we will discuss all the details and
Even then we will stick to the data
obligations.                           
                                        
                                        
   With responses, wishes and suggestions -
contact us about this project
to me (VIATOR).                      
                                        
   And also for all questions related
with any developments of the association
_AMAZING!_contact MAIN PRODUCER
(MIGHTY/SHB)                            
                                        
                                        
Addresses for letters:                       
                                        
 2SOOOS Ukraine,           
 Chernigov,               
 Kievskaya st.,              
 6, apt. 34.              
 Onishchenko Victor             
VIATOR of AVALON from          
RUSHI.S.P.A. and            
          AMAZING SOFT MAKING           
                                        
         3З5OЧO  Украина, Крым,         
           г. Севастополь-ЧО            
         ул. Генерала Хрюкина,          
             д. 3, кв. 44.              
           Косыченко Анатолий           
          MIGHTY of SMASH from          
          AMAZING SOFT MAKING           
                                        
                                        
Телефоны:    /O4622/    5-36-O8    (Вик-
тор/VIATOR)  (Легче  всего  застать меня
дома на выходных, по праздникам и т.д.) 
                                        
       /O692/ 57-57-8O (Анатолий/MIGHTY)
(Круглосуточно,  но лучше звонить поздно
вечером,  после  23-х  часов, но в любом
случае    оставьте    сообшение:    свой
тел.+етс...!)  96/97 With best wishes       
VIATOR of AVALON from RUSH       
 MIGHTY of SMASH from          
 AMAZING SOFT MAKING           
                                        
                                        
Phone numbers: /O4622/ 5-36-O8 (Vik-
tor/VIATOR) (Easiest to catch me
at home on weekends, holidays, etc.) 
                                        
 /O692/ 57-57-8O (Anatoly/MIGHTY)
(24 hours a day, but better to call late
in the evening, after 11 pm, but at any time
in case, leave a message: your
tel.+etc...!)                           
                                        
                                        
 96/97 With best wishes       
VIATOR of AVALON from RUSH       
 I.S.P.A.                
                  and                   
          AMAZING SOFT MAKING           
________________________________________