Demo version question

[Fuzzy]

Hi there. Great Program!

I was experimenting with the demo version, and did an export to my hp2210 pocketpc, and I end up with a flickering screen. Is this a feature of the demo? Will I suffer this if I buy the full program? I really like Game Editor, but only want to buy it if I can make good games for win CE.

I had one other suggestion, and that is to allow the user to tell GE to ignore transparency in an animation, so that we may make 8 bit tiles without holes.

Makslane, This is a great program. Thanks so much.

[edit]

One other question.... How do you exit a game compiled for WinCE? it there a code sequence that i can use for keydown?

[edit]

Okay! I found out how to exit in another post. http://www.game-editor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=251&highlight=end+program+programme+gracefully[/url]

[makslane]

I will investigate the 2210 flickering

[makslane]

Can you test this files in your 2210 device:
(Click on FPS count to exit)

http://game-editor.com/flick1.exe
http://game-editor.com/flick2.exe

Do you see any differences?

[Fuzzy]

Thanks Makslane. I appreciate the way that you are so helpful, and so fast about helping. I am sure everyone else here is amazed at your customer service.

Flick1.exe runs faster, at up to 72 frames per second, while flick2.exe tops out at 33 or so. Both are as smooth as glass.

I fiddled around more, and learned that if I export in any of the rotated views, left, right or upside down, my problem doesnt exist. Thats fine, I like the sideways views better!

To futher(and better) explain what I experienced, I will say this: At start up the screen would flash, and when I moved, it would leave small parts of the player image behind. It was not clearing the old images completely.

I dont hear anyone else complaining about this problem, so I assume that perhaps I have a slightly corrupted copy of the demo. It seems like "export" is not setting the view properly on pocketpc 240x320 mode.

[edit]
Further facts: I do my drawing on a old win98 laptop, so perhaps its a problem with that. I downloaded the demo onto my xp box, transfered it with activesync to my hp2210, and from there to the 98 laptop. I like the laptops LCD screen for pixel work, because its much crisper. (My kingdom for a decent WinCE pixel editor!)

I dont think that FTP will allow a functional but corrupt copy, but quite likely the transfer to and from the PDA messed with stuff. PDAs often convert files when they are transfered.

When I get the XP box back from the repair shop, I will try compiling in that mode from that computer, and post the results.

[makslane]

No differences beside velocity? Ok.
It's not a problem with your demo version, is probabily a bug with hp 2210 screen update.

Please, test this file:
http://game-editor.com/flick3.exe
Do you see any flickering?

And now, test this modified engines:
http://game-editor.com/pocketpc1.bin
http://game-editor.com/pocketpc2.bin

Copy the pocketpc1.bin to your Game Editor/bin directory and rename to pocketpc.bin (save a copy of your current pocketpc.bin).
Export your game.
Do you see any flickering?

If keep flickering, test the pocketpc2.bin engine.

[Fuzzy]

I apologize for the late reply; it was unfair of me to make you wait for my results. I am sorry.

I tried both files: pocketpc1.bin and pocketpc2.bin. Both were successful in cleaning up the display problems; pocketpc2.bin seems to be the better of the two, so that is what I am currently using.

My hp2210 draws the moving sprites cleanly now, thank you Makslane.

[makslane]

What's the difference between pocketpc1.bin and pocketpc2.bin in your device?

[Fuzzy]

Boy are you fast with that reply button.

The difference that I saw was (unless I imagined it), some slight tearing of the actor in pocketpc1.bin. IT was like the problem was almost fixed. pocketpc2.bin was very cleanly drawn.

I have to admit to liking a mystery! what did you change exactly?

I am trying them both out again, taking a closer look at the differences.

[Fuzzy]

I just tested both files again. Yes, pocketpc2.bin draws the image more cleanly than pocketpc1.bin.

[makslane]

Can you test this engine?
http://game-editor.com/pocketpc3.bin

I have to admit to liking a mystery! what did you change exactly?

The hp 2210 uses page flip to swap between front buffer and back buffer.
The modified engine keep the last buffer, so can make correct screens updates.

[Fuzzy]

Number two beats number one and number three.
Number three beats number one.
Number one beats the original.


Since you have me testing new engines, can we test a new Porche or something?

[makslane]

And this http://game-editor.com/pocketpc4.bin ?

[Fuzzy]

I think number four is slightly better than number 2, but its getting hard to tell.

[makslane]

Ok, I will keep the changes in pocketpc4.bin

[Fuzzy]

I'll be sure to let you know if anything further pops up.