This episode, I'm going to look at the latest 24 bit dataypes, as well as some other goodies available on Aminet. I'm also (see the sidebar) going to cover some (erk!) Windows 95 programs, which ironically, can make your Amiga computing more pleasant.
In a previous episode, I covered Ralph Schmidt's 24 bit Picture datatype. Since that article, this datatype has undergone several revisions, and the latest version is available on Aminet. While this datatype no longer expires after a certain period, there is bad news for some of us, however; the author has dropped support for AGA machines, and this datatype is strictly for Cybergrafx users.
Short: Picasso96 system for Amiga graphics boards
Author: Tobias Abt <[email protected]>
Version: 1.32
Aminet: gfx/board/Picasso96.lha
All hope is not lost, mind you! There is a 24 bit picture datatype with support for AGA available, in the Picasso graphics system. This software is similar to the Cybergrafx software, an attempt to create a retartgetable graphics standard which frees programs from having to write separate code for different graphics hardware.
You don't need to install the entire Picasso96 package (in fact, if you don't have a supported grafx card, the installer won't even let you.) All you need to do is copy picture.datatype from the classes/datatypes drawer in the Picasso96.lha archive to Sys:classes/datatypes. You should probably make a backup copy of your current picture.datatype, in case you have any problems.
While most (all the ones I tried anyway) datatypes will work with the Picasso96 datatype, not all will support 24 bit picture data. There are several datatypes which do support 24 bit datatype images. In general if a datatype says it is compatible with the v43 picture datatype, or claims to be 24 bit, it should work with the Picasso96 datatype. You might want to try the following.
Andreas Kleiner has release several datatypes which are compatible with the 24 bit picture datatype. These have some many features, numerous otpions, and a nice GUI for the preferences programs. See Figure 1 for a screen shot.
Short: Generic Keyfile for LZX authorized by Jonathan Forbes
Author: [email protected]
Type: util/arc/lzxkeyfile.lha
It's good news bad news time in regards to LZX. The bad news is, any further developement, particularly for the Amiga, seems unlikely. The good news is the author has released a keyfile on Aminet which allows all Amiga users to use the registered version for free. It's sad to see developement on this excellent compression program cease, but at least we all get to take advantage of the registered version's extra functionality. The registered version supports unpacking LHA as well as LZX archives, and features better speed and compression. And hey, it's free!
And now for something even more completely different:
This is one of those cool little things that make owning an Amiga worthwhile. It isn't terrible practical, but it is quite fun to see, and to show off the Amiga. This program allows you to use an animation as the Amiga's Workbench backdrop. It does take a little bit of work to make it happen, you have to map your animation to your WB palette to get it to look right, and save it as an animbrush. The Author recommends Personal Paint (excellent program!) but you could also use Brilliance or Dpaint. An Animated backdrop also uses up a fair bit of processor power and chip ram, so you may not want to use it all the time, but isn't it nice to know you can now animate your Workbench, if you want to? See Figure 2. (I know, I can't show an animation on the printed page, but trust me, it looks cool!)
