Re: Mouse Paint Alternative?

[Calibrator <calibrator@freenet.de>]

On 17 Jul., 02:11, "Simon D. Williams" <ad...@retro-net.org> wrote:
>
> Is there an 8-bit Apple II graphics program that allows you to work on a
> full HGR screen without half of it being taken up by menus?

"8-16 Paint", a ProDOS-app that includes programs for the 8-
and 16-bit Apple II's (for the respective hires modes).
It's not "bloatware" but offers all basic functions like a good
"magnifying glass" and the standard file format.
It's also very easy to use (the standard Apple II mouse card works
well) and it doesn't use big menus (only a strip at the bottom that
can be toggled by a key, IIRC).

However, the included "8-bit" application is is one of the few
programs that are not only easy to use but that I found to
"mirror" the way the standard Apple II hires screen is kept in
memory. With this I don't just mean the display of the graphics
(all paint programs do this) but the effects of the tools.
This program helps you learn the way this graphics mode works
and how you optimize graphics on it.

Let me illustrate what I mean with two examples:

A) If you use a 1-pixel-brush to modify a section of the screen
you are able to precisely toggle the color bit of the bytes you are
manipulating (by using a color that requires the color bit to be
toggled). The result is what people call "color clash": Several
pixels (the others in the affected byte) change their color, too,
which is normal for this graphics mode.

The good thing is now that the program leaves the other bits
alone and doesn't artificially try to remove the color clash.
This is extremely nice if you do detail work for games or other
graphics where you need know exactly what results your actions
will have.

B) If you have a predefined shape (like a 16 x 16 pixel block)
and you stencil it on a background - like a game would place
a moving object, for example - you see the effect it has on the
background to the left and right side of the block.
Does this work well or is there color fringing? If you do pixel-
perfect work this is a very good tool to get the answer.

bye
Marcus