Graffiti Emulation on Indivision Scandoublers

[AndyC]

Hi folks,

So I was today years old when I learned that the Indivision ECS provides support for emulated Graffiti modes, which when used with Picasso96, enable high res, 256 colour workbench modes that use little to no chip RAM (unless I'm mistaken).

I've seen a few videos on youtube that demonstrate this, but can't find much information on iComp's wiki to explain how it works.

I'm looking at options for my checkmated A500+, and Indivision ECS is looking really appealing.

Does anyone here have experience of using this and can point me to useful resources?

Also, my A1200 currently has an Indi Mk2Cr installed - does this also support emulated Graffiti modes, and if so is there a guide on how to enable it?

Lastly, as I may upgrade my A1200 to an Indi Mk3, does this newer card support Graffiti emulation?

Thanks in advance!

AndyC

[derSammler]

I think you are mixing up two different things here. Graffiti can not be used with P96. All it does is to allow 256 colors in low-res mode. ADoom e.g. supports it.

The IndiECS V1 had a framebuffer mode for which someone wrote a P96 driver to give 256-color workbench. But it never got very far. The driver was just a proof-of-concept.

Framebuffer mode was axed in V2 and later. Never understood the reason. This could have been a killer-feature, esp. since iComp also owns P96 now.

The IndiAGA works different. It never had the framebuffer mode and it's not even technically possible.

[AndyC]

Thanks for coming back on this.

It was the video below that first alerted me to this:

[ Show youtube player ]

On IComp's wiki, they state that "the functions of Graffiti are now available in Indivision ECS", I gather in an emulated mode.

The video clearly shows a workbench screen in 800x600x256 on an A600 with only Indivision modes, using no chip RAM, hence my question :-)

Cheers,
AndyC

[AndyC]

Good shout - thanks!

[derSammler]

Originally Posted by AndyC

On IComp's wiki, they state that "the functions of Graffiti are now available in Indivision ECS", I gather in an emulated mode.

Again, this has nothing to do with Graffiti mode. Yes, IndiECS does support Graffiti, even the V3. But that is not for use with P96 and Workbench. It is just emulated external "chunky-to-planar" hardware that can be fed with additional bitplanes to allow more colors. btw, IndiECS emulates the whole Denise chip.

Originally Posted by AndyC

The video clearly shows a workbench screen in 800x600x256 on an A600 with only Indivision modes, using no chip RAM, hence my question :-)

That's the framebuffer mode and the prototype driver I already mentioned. IndiECS V1 only. Development stopped in late 2012. Find the last files attached. But let me stress this once more: that was only ever possible with the IndiECS V1 and is *not* the Graffiti mode. Graffiti can not be used for P96/Workbench.

What you (still) can do is using the HighGFX monitor drivers. That allows going up to 1024x768. But no additional colors.

I'm looking at options for my checkmated A500+, and Indivision ECS is looking really appealing.

Install a PiStorm. That gives you not only crazy speed, but also full RTG over HDMI with 16.7 million colors.

[Retro1234]

I've always wondered why this is never mentioned - For example when using ShapeShifer or Doom etc in Graffiti there meant to be much faster?

[derSammler]

Because it is very limited. ShapeShifer does support Graffiti, but only on AGA. Graffiti can only do low-res with OCS/ECS.

ADoom supports it and will give you 256 colors using Graffiti. But if you have AGA or RTG, that is of no use.

Graffiti had almost no software support. I guess most people never saw any further use than the included picture viewer.

[eXeler0]

Pretty sure Nemac IV had support for Graffiti?

[derSammler]

Could be. A handful (literally) of titles had.

[eXeler0]

Originally Posted by derSammler

Could be. A handful (literally) of titles had.

Found this old video
Is Graffiti feature through Individion ECS on an A3000 but still, game supports it. Would be more interesting if it was a comparison video (Graffiti On vs Off) but alas..

[ Show youtube player ]

[derSammler]

Well, you get 256 colors like with AGA. That's it. Not too much to compare.

Trapped, Trapped 2, and Gloom Deluxe afaik were the only other games that supported it. And ADoom, as already mentioned.