How To
Questions about the lowres program
GAMELEGEND 2020-03-22 03:45
Hey timo I have noticed a kind of misty lookin trail when a sprite moves around fast enough is that just my eyes or did you put that in lowres
was8bit 2020-03-22 05:12 (Edited)
Are you refering to something like this?
It "appears" that i have over 200 sprites... truth is that NX runs its graphics at 60 frames/second, and if you do your animations at 30/second the animation blurs together as if both were solid as one (albeit abit blurry or fuzzy)
https://lowresnx.inutilis.com/topic.php?id=84
I switch the position of each sprite between 2 positions, so that each sprite appears in 2 places at the same time...
GAMELEGEND 2020-03-22 05:37
Yeah that kinda what im talking about
was8bit 2020-03-22 10:24
Timo taught me the trick i used in my program..
If you don't want that effect, then slow the animation down abit, and or make movement greater, as in 2 spaces per move instead of one ... tweak things abit until it looks right to you :)
Timo 2020-03-22 11:00
No special effect here, it’s just the device’s screen.
GAMELEGEND 2020-03-24 03:58
timo Will lowres nx coder always be used or will there someday be a 3rd lowres or will time only tell
GAMELEGEND 2020-03-26 20:38
Was lowres galaxy 1 in the first lowres
Timo 2020-03-26 21:33
Yes, here is a video https://youtu.be/iTXmUtvWzmc
GAMELEGEND 2020-03-27 06:47 (Edited)
Timo i dont know if these is just my ipad screwing up or a bug iwhen i hold my finger on a program some times the thing that pops up that says rename duplicate delete some times it whould go to a diffrent program ussaly nowhere near the program that i held my finger and it thinks that i was holding my finger on that program and not the one i held my finger on
Timo 2020-03-27 08:23
If you don't have other problems with your touch screen, then maybe it's a problem with LowRes NX. I had some issues with loading and updating the file list from iCloud, so maybe the data gets mixed. Maybe restarting the app helps (so you see the intro animation again).
GAMELEGEND 2020-03-27 08:26 (Edited)
Nope dont have any other problems with my touchscreen
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 03:13 (Edited)
Is there anything in the lowres program that needs it to be called
Main bg
Main pallets
Main sound
And main characters
Or will nothing bad happen if i change the name
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:02
@gamelegend about other program names (not the one i touched) happens to me quite regularly... nearly half the time i want to rename a program, it goes to some other random one... sometimes it will do that do me a few times in a row until it finally takes the one i actually touched... NX has always done that to me.. i am just used to it and i actually assume it will do this and first read the file name in the pop up to verify before i do anything with it....
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:04 (Edited)
It does it to me about half of the time and do you know the answer to my most recent question
Wait if you knew the answer you would of answered it just me not thinking again
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:11
I kinda didn't understand your last question...
If you are talking about the data file names, it doesn't matter what you call them... but remember that NX assumes that the current file types at the current file # is what NX by default will assume... that is NX goes by file #'s not names, and will look things where you see them automatically set up as...
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:14 (Edited)
the data file names, it doesn't matter what you call them is all i need to know
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:17
There are different file TYPES (and you can even create your own TOOL that uses its own custom type) and loading a file that is a different type than NX was expecting can cause either an error, odd things to happen, or even a crash of your program....
So, best practice is to name the files so that you remember which file is for BG DESIGNER, which one is for CHAR DESIGNER, etc...
You may have multiple BG files, multiple CHAR files, etc.. but be sure to name each file so you don't get their types confused... :)
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:22
NX assumes the following...
File#0 if left empty is where NX will secretly load its default font set... if you USE FILE #0, and do not add your own font set to page 4 of CHARACTER set, TEXT and NUMBER and everything else will cease to work...
FILE #1 is where NX asusmes the palette data is..
FILE #2 is where NX assumes the character data is...
FILE #3 is where NX assumes the background data is..
FILE #15 is where NX assumes the sound/music data is...
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:23
I was wondering if there was something in lowres that looks for the name #MAIN BG
and the other ones and if anything bad would happened if it did not find it because you changed the name
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:25 (Edited)
oh ok im just used to other programmin languages searching for a file name instead of a the number of the file thats one reason in asked
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:28 (Edited)
When i added my own font to character page four it worked but i put everthing in the same spot is that why it worked i have the feeling i dont quite understand what you typed there but i dont see how i whould misunderstand that
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:35
FONTS can be tricky...
If you ignore fonts, NX is set up to give you default fonts so you can be "up and running" and use NX without having to worry about fonts...
It does this when you leave file#0 alone and leave it empty... when NX sees file#0 is empty, NX loads up and used a default font automatically...
This allows you to use NX with out ever worrying about fonts...
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:37
Got it ill remember that
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:41
BUT, lets say you want different fonts... then another asusmption NX makes is that page 4 of the character data is where you will put a custom font...
You can test this assumption and draw thing on page 4... NX override its default font set with anything drawn on page 4... try it ;)
To create a full set, NX offers 4 different fonts using the FONT button in The CHAR DESIGNER... (be sure you are on page 4)
... NX assumes page 4 for your custom font set... IF for whatever reason you want it, say, on page 2, use the command FONT 64 which tells NX to start its font set with char 64
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:42 (Edited)
Did this also happen to you just to you and you could not get into the lowres webstie
Fatal error: Uncaught PDOException: SQLSTATE[HY000] [2002] Connection refused in /homepages/21/d490412826/htdocs/domains/lowresnxbeta/includes/functions.php:9 Stack trace: #0 /homepages/21/d490412826/htdocs/domains/lowresnxbeta/includes/functions.php(9): PDO->__construct('mysql:host=db75...', 'dbo757163173', 'LowRes.82') #1 /homepages/21/d490412826/htdocs/domains/lowresnxbeta/index.php(2): require_once('/homepages/21/d...') #2 {main} thrown in /homepages/21/d490412826/htdocs/domains/lowresnxbeta/includes/functions.php on line 9
It happened to me twice
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:45
Now, lets talk about using multiple palette files... the initial palette set will be file #1 but lets say for whatever reason you want to change all the colors later in the game... as there is no command for this, it has to be done manually.. use PALETTE DISK button to save a new palette set, say in file#4... so here the code that changes the palette memory using the new file you created :)
PRINT "TEST1"
WAIT 60
COPY ROM(4),$20 TO $FF00
CLS
PRINT "TEST2"
WAIT 60
#1:MAIN PALETTES
053F2F0000383400003C0C00003F3C00
003F2A15003F2A15003F2A15003F2A15
#4:PALETTES 2
00303C0C00383400003C0C00003F3C00
003F2A15003F2A15003F2A15003F2A15
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:46
@gamelegend error.. yep, we crashed it ;)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:47
Oh good i was wonding about the multiple pallete files
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:50
Same thing with multiple character sets...
BG FILL 0,0 TO 19,15 CHAR 1
WAIT 60
COPY ROM(5),$1000 TO $8000
#2:MAIN CHARACTERS
00000000000000000000000000000000
6C92926C92926C000044280028440000
#5:CHARACTERS 2
00000000000000000000000000000000
6CFEEE44EEFE6C000000103810000000
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 04:52 (Edited)
I only have done the bg source rom(4)
I will have to experiment will these other ones
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:56
Here is how you do it with multiple backgrounds, using the command BG SOURCE...
was8bit 2020-04-01 04:59
Basicaly i am using this chart at the bottom of the help file..
Hardware Reference
Memory Map
$0000 - Cartridge ROM (32 KB)
$8000 - Character Data (4 KB)
$9000 - BG0 Data (2 KB)
$9800 - BG1 Data (2 KB)
$A000 - Working RAM (16 KB)
$E000 - Persistent RAM (4 KB)
$FE00 - Sprite Registers (256 B)
$FF00 - Color Registers (32 B)
$FF20 - Video Registers
$FF40 - Audio Registers
$FF70 - I/O Registers
And ROM(#) tells NX to get data from file#
COPY takes data from either game memory or file and copies it into game memory
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-01 05:21
Pretty cool why does this happen when you access active game memory
was8bit 2020-04-01 05:33 (Edited)
NX runs entirely off of game memory... all graphics are actually rendered from data stored in the Character Mememory... all internal settings and such are stored in game memory...
So, data is data... random data produces random results...
Oh, and now i have posted 2.0 ;)
1.0 is pure random... 2.0 is more artsy ;)
was8bit 2020-04-01 05:43
If you are really interested, the HELP section covering the memory map goes into detail for each section...
... so, rather than a random approach for fun, you can read each memory section in detail and be purposeful.. you can read data, copy data, and write data, with specific intent...
.. i would STRONGLY suggest getting comfortable with NX from a normal approach first, see what you can do at that level, and only dive into the memory stuff as an advanced topic to explore later :)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 01:58 (Edited)
I like the gamepad in the first lowres better if i want to use it in lowres nx coder whoud i have to make it myself well a pixelated version of it or is there somthing i can do to replace gamepads easily
was8bit 2020-04-02 03:14
I agree, the gamepad controls in NX are abit more finicky than in original...
You "CAN" make your own drawn controls... however, for windows users, such a set up would be way worse...
However, i just now got an idea that might work... look for me posting a CONTROLS CHEAT program that might get around that ;)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 04:32 (Edited)
how if you use the gamepad does it make where people on the computer can connect a controller?
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 04:35
the time if found out about the first lowres lowres nx already came out what were the game controls like i just like the look of the first lowres gamepad controls better
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 04:44
I remember reading about making your own button may make it unplayable for computers hopefully you idea will work
was8bit 2020-04-02 05:06
Hmmm... nope, my idea didnt work... :/
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 05:07
Oh dang it
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 05:07 (Edited)
How badly did it not work what happened
was8bit 2020-04-02 05:09
Technically, hand made controls CAN be played on a computer, BUT they are controlled by using a mouse, pointing the mouse to the drawn button, and clicking the mouse... for a faced paced game, this would be unplayable as they couldnt access the different buttons quick enough with their single mouse pointer...
was8bit 2020-04-02 05:12
I was needing UP(0) code to be allowed while still in TOUCHSCREEN mode... but NX wont run, but stops and displayes an error message...
Also, i tested variations of code on my windows tablet, and could NOT get the keyboard to work at all while the program is running in TOUCHSCEEN mode..
was8bit 2020-04-02 05:15
You may find this code interesting... it allows your PROGRAM CODE to activate any gamepad arrow or button without the player touching the gamepad...
GAMEPAD
CU=1
CD=2
CL=4
CR=8
CA=16
CB=32
ARROWS=$FF70
DO
POKE $FF70,1
REM IF PEEK($FF70)=1 THEN PLAY 0,90,1
REM IF UP(0) THEN PLAY 0,90,1
WAIT VBL
LOOP
just remove a REM to experiment... codes are included for all gamepad settings...
was8bit 2020-04-02 05:21
(Hint) button combinations are simply the total sum... so UP,RIGHT,Abutton would be 1+8+16=25
So IF PEEK($FF70)=25 THEN
Would be the same as, and easier than..
IF UP(0) AND RIGHT(0) AND BUTTON(0,0) THEN
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 05:23
Got it
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-02 05:23
Im going to be doing a lot of experimenting with this
was8bit 2020-04-02 06:00
:)
NX sure is fun :D
Timo 2020-04-03 14:15 (Edited)
Okay, I'm actually working on an improved on-screen gamepad with two sizes. The current one will be used for two-players on iPhone, but in most other cases there will be bigger buttons.
Not sure yet, how much time I will need for this though...
was8bit 2020-04-03 15:02
Ooo, cool.... take your time... it's just good to know it is "in the pipeline" :)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-03 16:11 (Edited)
How much bigger are the buttons going to be or has that not been decided
Timo 2020-04-03 16:52
Same size as in the original LowRes Coder, about 1.5x the size of the current NX buttons.
was8bit 2020-04-03 18:13
Original lowres buttons are much better :)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-06 21:49 (Edited)
i know what DATA is but why whould you use it
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-06 23:27 (Edited)
One more question is the WRITE keyword in the help section that has no function yet is it going to be used to write DATA while the program in runnin instead of typin it in when your codin the program
was8bit 2020-04-07 00:04
DIM NAME$(3)
FOR I=1 TO 3
READ NAME$(I)
NEXT I
DATA "PETER","PAUL","MARY"
was8bit 2020-04-07 00:15
all commands in the RESERVED list are commands TIMO has reserved for NX use as NX commands.... the ones with asterics may never get used (as the original lowres has) and only TIMO knows what they possibly may be used for, IF they ever get used....
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-07 03:56 (Edited)
Oh iss see so DATA is used so you dont have to do
DIM NAME$(3)
NAME$(1) = “PETER”
NAME$(2) = “PAUL”
NAME$(3) = “MARY”
So is DATA used to save time when coding because you dont have to type has much amd you dont have to repeatedly type NAME(N) = “NAME”?
Timo 2020-04-07 06:15
Exactly, DATA makes it easier to assign a lot of data to variables.
NX has some reserved keywords (like WRITE) because I’m not sure yet if I want to use them for commands. If they wouldn’t be reserved, people could use them as variable names. But then if one day NX gets them as commands, old programs could break. I want to avoid this.
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-09 16:23 (Edited)
Why does lowres use BASIC instead of Visual Basic
was8bit 2020-04-09 17:00
Timo actually crafted/created his own basic ;)
.... there are lots of programming languages out there, everyone makes them... sometimes a few become popularly or commercially used...
Lowres NX language is strictly for lowres Nx :)
was8bit 2020-04-09 17:21
I started with an APPLE2e computer with applesoft basic
http://www.classiccmp.org/cini/pdf/Apple/AppleSoft%20II%20Basic%20Programming%20Manual.PDF
Then i moved on to msdos qbasic
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-14 13:18 (Edited)
Hey timo is the token limit 16384 because after that the file is to big or is there some other reason
was8bit 2020-04-14 17:17 (Edited)
It is a number Timo set as LOWRES stands for Low Resolution, meaning lowres emulates older hand held gaming systems, which had limited resources.. limited screen resolution, limited sounds, limited memory, and limited file space...
So lowres not only simulates PLAYING an older gaming system, it simulates PROGRAMMING an older gaming system :)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-14 17:25
I see
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-15 18:51
if a program gets featured will that person get a notification
Timo 2020-04-15 19:04
So far no notifications for featuring. Could make sense, but it's not on my to do list yet.
was8bit 2020-04-15 20:35 (Edited)
Not neccessary, in my opinion... since all programs posted to the featured section are shown in order, that is any done today will be put to the top of the list... so then simply check out the featured section occassionally and see what has been posted there recently...
For myself, these active boards, and people posting here, are far more important to me :) ... as we get notified on remarks to our chats, and notified on game updates on games we have LIKED, so that is all I need...
FEATURED section is primarily to attract people who are visiting but have not yet downloaded lowresNx... it gives them a wide example of what you can do with lowresNx... so it makes sense not to post a lot of same stuff there, but rather a wide array of differernt things to spark interest and download lowresNx so they can check it out for themselves ;)
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-24 05:50
In the help section in the app as the font size for the code examples ever increased and then you went back into the help section and the code examples were back to normal font or am i just going crazy
GAMELEGEND 2020-04-24 05:54 (Edited)
Oh never mind i figured it out it happens when you rotate the ipad vertically and then back to horizontal and vise versa
Timo 2020-04-24 06:15
Yes, this is how the iOS web view works (the manual is an HTML file). Seems to me like a bug, but maybe they made it so you don’t lose your scroll position when you rotate. Otherwise the text layout would change completely and you could get lost.