Converting HYDRA specific programs to other boards

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-16 14:17

This thread is started for those that are considering buying the HYDRA or just the HYDRA book, this thread will give hints how to convert programs that are on the hydra CD and in the text to make sure they work on other propeller based boards.

Some guidelines:

If you are posting a how-to conversion of HydraCD programs, please do not post the entire .spin code as these are copyrighted works. Instead post the 2-5 lines that need to be addressed, or areas where code needs to be added.

This would be a good thread to discuss the differences in pin configuration between Hydra and other propeller products.

Thanks to Andre for encouraging this thread and discussion.

Oldbitcollector

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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." -Albert Einstein

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-18 02:22

Assuming you have the Hydra gaming book, there are several demos that demonstrate the propeller/hydra's basic graphics ability.
(These are before the discussion of the HEL driver)

They can be altered slightly to make them run on other propeller-based boards.

Make the following changes: (Example /sources/hydra/screen_saver_10)

Near the top of the file: [noparse][[/noparse]clock settings]

Change:

  _clkmode = xtal2 + pll8x            ' enable external clock and pll times 4
  _xinfreq = 10_000_000 + 0000        ' set frequency to 10 MHZ plus some error

to

  _clkmode = xtal1 + pll16x
  _xinfreq = 5_000_000

Now, look a little further in OBJ section.
(Use the graphics.spin & tv.spin from the Propeller Library)

Change

  tv    : "tv_drv_010.spin"          ' instantiate a tv object
  gr    : "graphics_drv_010.spin"    ' instantiate a graphics object

to

  tv    : "tv"        ' instantiate a tv object
  gr    : "graphics"  ' instantiate a graphics object

Now scroll down the nealy the bottom of the file and look for this:
(Change video pins)

Change:

tvparams                long    0               'status
                        long    1               'enable
                        long    %011_0000       'pins

to

tvparams                long    0               'status
                        long    1               'enable
                        long    %001_0101       'pins

These changes can be done to several of the demos in the introduction to the "graphics" driver

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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." -Albert Einstein

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-18 04:36

[noparse][[/noparse]NOTE: Not coming from an expert! I'm still learning how this does what this does and why!]

If you want to play with the HEL_GFX_ENGINE* files, I've found the following changes get things up and running,
and makes the /sources/hydra/pacman_tile_demo* a lot more interesting. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Open HEL_GFX_ENGINE_040 (Used in /sources/hydra/pacman_tile_demo_005)

Find in the CON section

 VIDEO_PINMASK    = %0000_0111    
 VIDEO_PINGROUP   = 3             
 VIDEO_SETUP      = %0_10_1_01_000
 VIDEO_CNTR_SETUP = %00001_111

Change it to:

VIDEO_PINMASK    = %0111_0000 
VIDEO_PINGROUP   = 5          
VIDEO_SETUP      = %1111_1100 
VIDEO_CNTR_SETUP = %00001_111

Find (near the bottom) (Thank you Andre!)

tvport_mask    long      %0000_0111 << 24

Change it to:

tvport_mask    long      %0000_0111 << 12

(Proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!)

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The comments and code above are proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!

Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 4/19/2007 2:31:15 AM GMT

fred2 · 2007-04-18 22:00

This is a superb idea!

I find the DEMO board more instructive at the moment and it is wonderful that all those

HYDRA programs can be ported over -- or at least many of them.

I have a problem with the HEL conversion listed, the suggested change of VIDEO_SETUP

to a new value has 9 bits instead of 8 -- discovered after I tried running it.· Could be

the problem???

Fred2

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-19 02:31

Ouch! Thats what I get for doing this late at night.. (I'm EST BTW)

I've correctly the entry, and it *should* work correctly now. <fingers-crossed>

Oldbitcollector

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The comments and code above are proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-19 02:41

One of the most impressive demos on the Hydra book/CD is the Xracer Game, A 3d driving game which demonstrates
clean crisp multicolor sprites as well as music. I have this running using my Atari Joystick (on the VGA header) but I'm still working on cleaning up my joystick code. Anyway, here are some simple changes to get the graphics & sound up and running.

/sources/hydra/JTC_Xracer_010

Inital changes are very much like the first demo in this thread...

Change the clock settings to:

CON                           
                              
  _clkmode = xtal1 + pll16x   
  _xinfreq = 5_000_000

and the tvparms (pins) to (near the bottom of JTC_Xracer_010.spin)

tvparams                long    0               'status  
                        long    1               'enable  
                        long    %001_0101       'pins

For sound look for the following:

  'start sound driver
  snd.start(7)

and change the 7 to a 10

This should get it up and on the screen. More later on controls..

Oldbitcollector

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The comments and code above are proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!

fred2 · 2007-04-19 09:24

Modifications worked fine -- got a beautiful picture from the DEMO board. No joystick control
of course but it is neat just showing the static scene!

Had to do some searching through the code, but it is a fabulous program -- could be studied
for weeks....

fred2

AndreL · 2007-04-19 21:52

Yup, took months to make. Lots to learn by studying it.

Andre'

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-20 04:07

Time for some joystick controls! Virtual Hydra NES controls. Version 1.0

One bit thing that the Hydra has over us Demo/Proto users is those nice NES ports built in.
Here's our chance to "come up to the Jones"

This file contains a drop-in snippet of code for those Hydra demos which use a PUB section
for reading the NES controls as well as a replacement gamepad_drv_001 for those that call
on it.

I've tested the snippet on the Xracer demo, the fire button alternates between START/SELECT
so it works with the button limitation. The additional gamepad_drv_001 has been tested with
the pacman tile demo and seems to work perfectly.

It's a little building, but for less than $10 worth of parts, in an hour you'll have game controls.

Let me know about bugs when you find them. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Oldbitcollector

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The comments and code above are proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!

Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 4/20/2007 5:11:27 AM GMT

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-20 05:19

Ok, got that Atari Joystick adapter working? Time for some Hydris.

/sources/hydra/RB_Tetis_010.spin

There are several things to do here, so take your time and knock them out one by one.

First as always, convert the clock settings in CON to:

  _clkmode = xtal1 + pll16x
  _xinfreq = 5_000_000

Drop down to OBJ and adjust them to use the Propeller Library items, as well as Mike Green's comboKeyboard Driver.

  tv    : "tv"          ' instantiate a tv object
  gr    : "graphics"    ' instantiate a graphics object
  key   : "comboKeyboard"    ' instantiate a keyboard object
  'mouse : "mouse_iso_010.spin"      ' instantiate a mouse object

Next dig out the key.start(3) and change it to: (It's in PUB start)

  key.start(26)

[noparse][[/noparse]Note the remerked mouse driver Hmm..]

Just when I thought I had Andre figured out on the NES controller thing,
I discover some of the code was only written for a single NES controller.
No worries, this one works fine.

Here's a replacement PUB that works well..

PUB NES_Read_Gamepad : nes_bits   |       i

'This is intended as a replacement for code which contain
'an embedded NES_Read_Gamepad function.  Simple overwrite
'the entire 'PUB NES_Read_Gamepad' with the contents of this file.

'Adjust remarked entries as required.
'This is designed for the adapter: 'atari_vga_schematic.jpg"

  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]16] == 1 'Read Fire alternate between Select & Start
     nes_bits := %00010000

  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]17] == 1 'Read RIGHT show as NES_DPAD Right
     nes_bits := %00000001

  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]19] == 1 'Read LEFT  show as NES0_DPAD Left
     nes_bits := %00000010

'  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]21] == 1 'Read DOWN  show as NES0_B button
'     nes_bits := %01000000

  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]21] == 1 'Read Down  show as NES0_DPAD down
     nes_bits := %00000100 

  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]23] == 1 'Read UP    show as NES0_A button
     nes_bits := %10000000

'  if ina[noparse][[/noparse]23] == 1 'Read UP    show as NES0_DPAD up
'     nes_bits := %00001000 
nes_bits := (nes_bits & $FFFF)

One more thing to change, tvparms...

tvparams                long    0               'status
                        long    1               'enable
                        long    %001_0101       'pins
                        long    %0000           'mode
                        long    0               'screen
                        long    0               'colors
                        long    x_tiles         'hc
                        long    y_tiles         'vc
                        long    10              'hx timing stretch
                        long    1               'vx
                        long    0               'ho
                        long    0               'vo
                        long    0      'broadcast on channel 2 VHF, each channel is 6 MHZ above the previous
                        long    0               'auralcog

Controls, joystick L/R to select level, button to start. L/R, UP=rotate, DOWN

There is keyboard and sound support, but for some reason I haven't gotten them right yet.,. more later

Oldbitcollector

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The comments and code above are proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!

Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 4/20/2007 6:19:40 AM GMT

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2007-04-20 06:29

Hydris Keyboard Support.....

Ok, so you didn't build yourself an Atari Joystick Adapter yet.. Here's some additional code to get the keyboard working.

Look for this section:

  ' Keyboard (mapped onto NES buttons)
    if(key.keystate($C2))
      nes_buttons|=NES_UP
    if(key.keystate($C3))
      nes_buttons|=NES_DOWN
    if(key.keystate($C0))
      nes_buttons|=NES_LEFT
    if(key.keystate($C1))
      nes_buttons|=NES_RIGHT

Add the following two controls...

    if(key.keystate($0D))
      nes_buttons|=NES_START
    if(key.keystate($20))
      nes_buttons|=NES_A

Right/Left Cursor = Select Level, Enter to start, SPACE to rotate.

Enjoy
Oldbitcollector

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The comments and code above are proof that a million monkeys with a million propeller chips *could* write Shakespeare!

JT Cook · 2007-04-20 23:41

One thing you might want to try for X-Racer is to control the gas and brake with the fire button. So if you hold down the fire button it will act as gas, and if you release it, it will act as brake. I remember playing a lot racing games on the C64 and I was never fond of the up for gas and down for brake (at least not after I got my NES).

laurent974 · 2017-03-28 19:16

resurrecting an old thread from the grave, is anyone has tried to port that hydra game to VGA? i failed to adapt those tv params to their VGA counterpart. I wish to try pacman on my PropBoe

RS_Jim · 2017-03-28 23:28

If you have the source code for the pacman game, you may just be able to substitute the obj for the vga port for the obj for the tv port.
Jim

laurent974 · 2017-03-29 20:23

i wish that would be simple as you said, but the code relies on HEL_GFX_Engine. Porting this engine to VGA is really out of my reach.

it's sad because these source codes are really a marvel to read, but no more hardware supports that.

Converting HYDRA specific programs to other boards

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