MSX Viewer On Line Manual


Main Window




Ferramentas Gráficas (Graphic tools)




  This manual intends to show user how he can best use MSX Viewer for his job.
  But, what MSX Viewer does? It was designed to open all MSX screens mode on PC, in order to edit them. Also, it can convert PC images to any MSX format, logically up to each screen's limitations.
  If you don´t know portuguese, the first thing to do is right click on "imagem" space. Choose english.
  Topics seen here:

  * Opening MSX screen on PC.
  * Converting to Screen 0 and 1.
  * Converting to Screens 2 and 4.
  * Converting to Screen 3.
  * Converting to Screen 5 and 7.
  * Converting to Screen 6.
  * Converting to Screen 8.
  * Converting to Screen 10, 11 and 12.


  Opening MSX screen on PC.

Steps Illustration
  Choose the corresponding screen, on screen panel. Left click on your choice. Screen mode must agree real MSX file format.  
  Turn on or off interlace. Interlace is a MSX 2 resource that mixes 2 screens to raise screen height dimension from 212 to 424 pixels. Of course if you´ll open only one screen, turn off interlce.
  Screen type. Normal means full screen, shape means screen saved by MSX 2 basic copy command.
  Click on Open button. There's a filter who shows only specific files, like .PIC, .GRP, etc. To list everything, choose filter *.*. Chose the file to open. If yo acidentally opened a wrong screen, back to step 1 and  click Screen button instead open.  
  Screen will be shown at the window biggest region. To copy to clipboard, click on copy.  
  Choose one image editor to work. I reccomend Paintshop Pro 4.  


Converting to Screen 0 and 1.

Steps Illustrations
  Choose screen 0 or 1.  
  Interlace defines between 40 or 80 columns. Off means 40, on means 80.
  You must create and paste an image that pixel resolution matches the screen resolution (eg. Screen 0 - 40 must have 40 pixels x 24 pixels). System only recognizes 2 colors: black (0) and white (255).
  To paste, copy the image you draw on clipboard. Paste, by clicking paste button.  
  Write on text box over BLUE word the character that will repalce white dots. Character * is default.
  Click on Save and choose a name for the picture you're saving .  


Converting for Screen 2 and 4.

Passos Ilustrações
  To convert one image to Screen 2 (which is equal 4), you need to reduce color number to 16. In addiction, you must translate to 16 MSX color system.  
  Open Ferramentas Graficas. Right click on image and choose it.  
  This screen mode works with 8x1 blocks (see apendice). So, error diffusion reduction is NOT recommended here. Any way, if you wish to go ahead, choose 8 colors button.
  Click on 16 MSX. This option works with 24 bit color, making each color to be corresponded to MSX 1 color system. If you bypass this step, probably all your image will become black. If you work with given pallete (main window's 16 colors button), this is not necessary.  
  To adjust resulting image to fit 8x1 Screen 2 pattern, click on Screen 2 button.  
  Right click on image and choose return option.  
  Save screen.  


Converting to Screen 3.

Steps Illustrations
  To convert one image to Screen 3, you need to reduce color number to 16. In addiction, you must translate to 16 MSX color system.  
  Open Ferramentas Graficas. Right click on image and choose it.  
  This screen mode works with 4x4 blocks (see apendice). So, error diffusion reduction is NOT recommended here. Any way, if you wish to go ahead, choose 8 colors button.
  Click on 16 MSX. This option works with 24 bit color, making each color to be corresponded to MSX 1 color system. If you bypass this step, probably all your image will become black. If you work with given pallete (main window's 16 colors button), this is not necessary.  
  Remember 4x4 pattern. Read apendice to see this detail.  
  Right click on image and choose return option.  
  Save screen.  


Converting to Screen 5 and 7.

Steps Illustrations
  To convert one image to Screen 5 or 7, you need to reduce color number to 16. In addiction, you must translate to 16 MSX color system.  
  Open Ferramentas Graficas. Right click on image and choose it.  
  If you are working with photos, choose error diffusion reduce method. Click on 8 colors. If it's like common drawing, choose 16 MSX right.
  Click on 16 MSX. This option works with 24 bit color, making each color to be corresponded to MSX 1 color system. If you bypass this step, probably all your image will become black. If you work with given pallete (main window's 16 colors button), this is not necessary.  
  If you wish to work with pallete, forget two steps before. Reduce colors to 16 on the editor you are working (eg. Photoshop). Copy to clipboard and paste on Ferramentas Graficas. Click on pallete 16. The picture turns to something strange. It's normal. A MSX basic program appears in text box. Double click on it to save (you can change program before save). This program cointains the MSX 2 pallete, relationed to this image.  
  Right click on image and choose return option.  
  Save screen.  


Converting to Screen 6.

Steps Illustrations
  To convert one image to Screen 6, you need to reduce color number to 4   
  Open Ferramentas Graficas. Right click on image and choose it.  
  If you are working with photos, choose error diffusion reduce method. Click on 8 colors. If it's like common drawing, choose Screen 6 right.
    Click on Screen 6. This option works with 24 bit color, making each color to be corresponded to MSX 1 color system. If you bypass this step, probably all your image will become black. If you work with given pallete (main window's 16 colors button), this is not necessary. Screen 6 mode works with MSX basic color 0,1,2 and 3.  
  Right click on image and choose return option.  
  Save screen.  


Converting to Screen 8.

Steps Illustrations
  To convert one image to Screen 8, you need to reduce color number to  256. Save without reduce. Nearest color is automatic.   
  Open Ferramentas Graficas. Right click on image and choose it.  
  If you are working with photos, choose error diffusion reduce method. Now, choose any one. You have 256 colors to use! In case of common drawing, don't choose this method.
  Right click on image and choose return option.  
  Save screen.  


Converting to Screen 10, 11 and 12.

  Only save. If you want to reduce colors, follow screen 8 steps.

MSXVIEWER 4
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