CD Native CD32

[AMIGASYSTEM]

I noticed that if you create a native CD32 Bootable CD with Trademark CD32.TM with Workbench 3.1 installed, the Pointer (the arrow) of the Mouse is hidden and you can make it visible only with the "RMTM" command to add in the Startup-sequence.

I also found that if you use the CDTV.TM instead of CD32.TM the Pointer problem does not exist.

I also found that if you use OS 1.3 the Pointer is visible even if you use CD32.TM.

Now I wanted to know why this happens on my Real CD32, but also on WinUAE, Thank you

[jotd]

It happens on both machines because it's intentional/a software feature. Running "freeanim" allows to show mouse pointer and free memory used by the animation.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

So if I understand correctly is it normal that the pointer is hidden when creating a Bootable CD with CD32+CD32.TM+OS 3.1 ?

RMTM or Freeanim to show mouse and and to free the memory ?

So there are no CD32 revisions that don't have this problem.

I noticed that on the CD32 with the Games it is useful that the Pointer is hidden, this avoids having always in front of the arrow of the Mouse which in my opinion is also annoying.

Thank you so much jotd

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Someone can answer maybe in Italian to understand well the concept "pointer hidden" when creating Bootable CD with CD32+CD32.TM+OS 3.1 ?

Thank you

[jotd]

RMTM is on CDTV AFAIK. It probably does the same, didn't check.

If the CD boots & there's the animation, you HAVE to call freeanim or the pointer isn't visible. I'm wondering about the usefulness of this feature. Hidden pointer could be cool, but the memory is also held for the animation, so you have to release it at some point.

[a4k-oerx]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

So if I understand correctly is it normal that the pointer is hidden when creating a Bootable CD with CD32+CD32.TM+OS 3.1 ?

Yes. You can read about the mechanism in CD32 Developer Notes, page 23ff:

While the system is loading a title into memory, there is a small animation playing on the screen. This animation tells the user that the system is busy and will be done shortly. This animation consumes little memory, and exits the system as soon as the title indicates it is ready to run. Your application can control this animation with a special AmigaCD32 library, the freeanim.library. ...

You can find relevant asm source and executable here in an old post, it probably does same/similar as your RMTM command.

Originally Posted by jotd

I'm wondering about the usefulness of this feature.

The anim should play as long as possible during load/init of game to avoid "blank screen" waiting time.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Originally Posted by jotd

RMTM is on CDTV AFAIK. It probably does the same, didn't check.

RMTM is not necessary if you use CDTV.TM and not necessary if you use OS 1.3

The Hidden Pointer is a good thing, in some games or menus the pointer arrow is annoying.

Made two videos with the Golem demo started by CD32 with and without pointer.

Gloem CD32 - NO Pointer

Golem CD32 + Pointer

I'm wondering about the usefulness of this feature. Hidden pointer could be cool, but the memory is also held for the animation, so you have to release it at some point.

In the second video you can see the Pointer annoying, the movement of the Pointer is mine to better show the pointer (the arrow is practically always in front of you)


@a4k-oerx
I know those documents but I'm not a developer and it's hard for me to understand, thanks anyway.

[a4k-oerx]

@AMIGASYSTEM For a CD32 bootable disc use CD32.TM and the executable freeanim from above linked old post and call it in your startup-sequence before you want to display things.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Yes is what I wrote above you need to add RMTM at the top of the startup-sequence, but if you want it can also be run from the Workbench, see video:

The command launched in the video from the Workbench and pointer but it is RMTM renamed

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kz5...YD1VBj60h/view

[a4k-oerx]

You do not need the RMTM command for a CD32 bootable disc. That command is for CDTV.

For CD32 bootable disc use CD32.TM for ISO and put freeanim executable from here directly before LoadWB in your startup-sequence and you are done.

The animation will then nicely move out of screen to the left side.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Yes I know Freeanim, but RMTM does the same job to make the Pointer appear, RMTM on CDTV Remove Trademark Animation from screen.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Originally Posted by a4k-oerx

For CD32 bootable disc use CD32.TM for ISO and put freeanim executable from here directly before LoadWB in your startup-sequence and you are done.

I know CD32-MegaGames and all his files disguised and renamed, years ago I created similar CD32 Compilation for my children

Compilation for my CD32 + SX32 (the animations made by my children, now in their 40s.) in the video you can see the intruder Pointer
[ Show youtube player ]

[a4k-oerx]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

Yes I know Freeanim, but RMTM does the same job to make the Pointer appear, RMTM on CDTV Remove Trademark Animation from screen.

The above linked freeanim command is compiled from free available source as explained in the above post. The RMTM command is copyrighted material from CDTV developer kit.

The correct removal of CD32 anim can be seen in this video, it disappears to the left side, wait until the end...

[ Show youtube player ]

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Okay for copyrighted, but I don't see any difference in animation if you use Freeanim or RMTM.

There are other versions of Freeanim, i have a different one, also here they mention that there are other versions:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?p=559800

[Matt_H]

Freeanim is intended for the CD32. RMTM is an older tool intended for the CDTV. Because CDTV stuff is largely compatible with the CD32, RMTM "works" but the correct tool for the CD32 is Freeanim.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

There's no doubt about that, but it's fair to know that RMTM can do the same thing about the Pointer