Tag Archives: Commodore 64

ALBERT preview version 1.0.49 released

Posted on by

Version 1.0.49 of ALBERT is now available within my Software page. Binaries are available for Windows and macOS (Intel).

For Linux users, Docker images are published on Docker Hub here.

Here are all changes delivered in this update:

  • The Lua function drawclear() now creates a checkpoint only if it makes changes to the canvas
  • Added the image adjustment functionality when importing PNG images
  • The project is not reset any longer when a PNG image is imported

Specifically, a new dialog is available for the PNG image import workflow in order to enhance the results of a conversion to the Commodore 64 palette and hardware.

ALBERT 1.0.49: PNG image import dialog by Luigi Di Fraia

ALBERT 1.0.49: PNG image import dialog

ALBERT 1.0.49: PNG image import dialog by Luigi Di Fraia

ALBERT 1.0.49: PNG image import dialog

Multiple palette conversion methods are now available: nearest match, error diffusion (Floyd–Steinberg) dithering, and ordered dithering. Each of these references the palette currently active: different palettes will produce different results at conversion time.

Furthermore, whereas the natural (Euclidean) distance is found to be unsuitable for color matching, a weighted alternative is available. The latter should produce results in line with expectations based on the luminance value of Commodore 64 palette colors.

Finally, a curves adjustment widget is provided in order to adjust each color channel separately and/or all of them at the same time.

More software updates

Posted on by

Version 1.1.2 of the C64 Pic Extender is now available within my Software page.

This is a minor update for a few enhancements. Here’s what’s been changed:

  • Added support for “Attribute Byte Format” in order to preserve individual colors when importing sprites from Sprite Pad (use the Preferences menu to activate)
  • Accept Koala Painter images even if they load at non-conventional addresses ($2000 or $4000)

Version 1.4.2 of C64 Raster Effect Editor is now available within my Software page.

This one too is a minor update. Here’s what’s been changed:

  • Accept Koala Painter images even if they load at non-conventional addresses ($2000 or $4000)

The DC2N4-LC command-line client has been replaced by the DC2N4-LC command-line utilities. The latter re-implements the former’s functionality using my most recent development framework.

Finally, the Commodore 64 Cartridge Dumper command-line client is now referred to as Commodore 64 Cartridge Dumper utilities.

ALBERT preview version 1.0.48 released

Posted on by

Version 1.0.48 of ALBERT is now available within my Software page. Binaries are available for Windows and macOS (Intel).

This is a minor update for a few enhancements and a few more sample projects.

ALBERT on macOS: Master of Puppet by The Sarge

ALBERT on macOS: Master of Puppet by The Sarge

Here’s what’s been changed:

  • The project name is now reset to “Untitled.alb” also when a PNG image is imported
  • Added support for “Attribute Byte Format” in order to preserve individual colors when importing sprites from Sprite Pad (use the Preferences dialog to activate)
  • The brush size can now also be changed with the ‘[‘ and ‘]’ keys
  • Accept Koala Painter images even if they load at non-conventional addresses ($2000 or $4000)

Commodore 64 Cartridge Dumper command-line client 2.1.3 released

Posted on by

Version 2.1.3 of the Commodore 64 Cartridge Dumper command-line client is now available within my Software page. Binaries are available for Windows, macOS (Intel), Linux x86_64 and armv7l.

This is the first publicly available release of the client. Bear in mind that the firmware update option is only relevant to the Pro-Micro based boards. Blue Pill based boards do not support updates via the USB serial port.

IECHost command-line nibbling utilities 1.4.2 released

Posted on by

Version 1.4.2 of the IECHost command-line nibbling utilities is now available within my Software page. Binaries are available for Windows, macOS (Intel), Linux x86_64 and armv7l.

This is the first publicly available release of the nibbling utilities, which require the use of the extended IECHost firmware that ships with them, instead of the standard IECHost firmware. The former is backward compatible with the latter, but I recommend not mixing things: use the standard IECHost firmware when running non-nibbling software and the extended IECHost firmware when running nibbling software. Best even, have two IECHost devices: one for non-nibbling purposes and one for nibbling purposes, so you can reduce the overhead of switching between different firmware versions.

IECHost command-line utilities 1.9.0 released

Posted on by

Version 1.9.0 of the IECHost command-line utilities is now available within my Software page. Binaries are available for Windows, macOS (Intel), Linux x86_64 and armv7l.

This is a minor update that includes:

  • Conversion between ASCII and PETSCII
  • Warpcopy of disk contents to 35-track D64 files (prompted by a request from Christian Vogelgsang, aka lallafa)
  • Updated version of AVRDUDE for Windows binaries

ALBERT preview version 1.0.47 shared

Posted on by

Version 1.0.47 of ALBERT is now available within my Software page. Binaries are available for Windows and macOS (Intel).

This is an Easter preview version shared with those interested in creating Commodore 64 images that extend into the left and right borders of the visible screen.

ALBERT: the pixel editor for extended Commodore 64 images by Luigi Di Fraia

ALBERT: the pixel editor for extended Commodore 64 images

You might want to check the documentation that comes within each distribution archive for more information!