Using the Wordpak2+ and the CoCo-PSG on the Dragon

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pser1
Posts: 1655
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Barcelona (SPAIN)

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by pser1 »

Hello John,
thanks for sharing it ...
I have been working on the test game Foggy so that now I am able to draw the pannel surrounding the play area
and can also give colour to a sprite and the key, just how they show on the original game.
This is almost the end for testing purposes. Now I need time to analyze seriously how to convert the AGD engine
to this little monster: Dragon-6309-MSX2+ and then decide if I dare to begin (and finish) that project ;-)
Will keep in touch.
On the other side I have three more image converter programs to test. I have downoaded them, so I should devote
some time to convert the eight test images in order to discover which is the best converter on all the resolutions
I have been using.
And now, here you are a video showing this very last version and two screenshots too.
cheers
pere
SpritesObjectsPannel.zip
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imagen01.jpg
imagen01.jpg (71.34 KiB) Viewed 10845 times
imagen02.jpg
imagen02.jpg (71.81 KiB) Viewed 10845 times
Pernod70
Posts: 122
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2017 10:06 pm
Location: Croydon, UK

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by Pernod70 »

Does the Wordpak2+ need emulating? Could someone post some floppy images to test with?
pser1
Posts: 1655
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Barcelona (SPAIN)

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by pser1 »

Pernod70 wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 1:29 pm Does the Wordpak2+ need emulating? Could someone post some floppy images to test with?
Hello,
the Wordpak2+ is a video module that uses the V9958 chip (MSX2+) with 128k VRAM
It has a lot of modes to work. Two of them for text and then a lot of graphic modes that use
from 256x212 @16/256 colours
I am using the HD6309 CPU to have a bit more speed along the game.
What will you need in order to add this module to MAME?
I have the datasheets for the V9938 and V9958 and could send an VDK with the last version of this Foggys Quest demo
cheers
pere
Pernod70
Posts: 122
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2017 10:06 pm
Location: Croydon, UK

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by Pernod70 »

pser1 wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 2:49 pm What will you need in order to add this module to MAME?
Just some test cases. The V9958 is already emulated for use in the MSX2, so it's just a case of adding a new Workpak2+ device and mapping the V9958.
pser1
Posts: 1655
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Barcelona (SPAIN)

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by pser1 »

alright,
I will search among my PC folders and will put together some programs that show some colours on the screen
I will add one with the Foggy demo too.
The V9958 is using these ports
$ff78 - port#0 data
$ff79 - port#1 config
$ff7a - port#2 palette
$ff7b - port#3 indirect addressing
The module has just the 128k VRAM, it has not the extra expansion of 64k
cheers
pere
pser1
Posts: 1655
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Barcelona (SPAIN)

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by pser1 »

Hello,
I attach here a zip containing 4 VDK files:
- FONTDEMO file that will install drivers to work at 40/80 columns in Basic/DOS mode
and then will load some awkward fonts just to test it is possible :-(
- FONTS should be mounted in drive 2 to be read by previous disk programs
- FOGDEMO contains an executable that should show the first game screen and let sprites move ... (not Foggy!)
- WPAK2 contains a basic program that calls some machine code programs that show the
colours combinations possible on mode G7 (screen 8)
Any problem that could arise, just let me know ...
Thanks a lot!
pere
WP2P.ZIP
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Pernod70
Posts: 122
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2017 10:06 pm
Location: Croydon, UK

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by Pernod70 »

pser1 wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 4:47 pm I attach here a zip containing 4 VDK files
Thanks, I've implemented that WordPak2+ but annoyingly I now need to modify the CoCo Multi-Pak for use with the Dragon so that I can also insert a DOS cartridge. Not a problem, just won't make it in time for the release in a few days.
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Bosco
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Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:49 pm
Location: Nottingham, UK

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by Bosco »

Cool news about WordPak2+ emulation.

Looking forward to having a play with this myself. :D
bluearcus
Posts: 142
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016 4:45 pm

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by bluearcus »

Yeah, Wordpak 2+ and multipak emulation for the Dragon in Mame will be nice wins. Thanks Pernod!
pser1
Posts: 1655
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Barcelona (SPAIN)

Re: Using the Wordpak2+ on the Dragon

Post by pser1 »

hello,
stepping forward on this project ...
Right now I am working on the subroutines used to show text on the screen background
To test as much as possible, I have chosen the intro screen for Foggy's Quest, I attach here an image
Not so easy as I would have expected, so I need to rework some 'engine' parts
cheers
pere
V9958-Text.jpg
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