RTG for Imagine?

[vxm]

As far as I can remember:

The CGFX version allows Imagine to open its screen on a RTG (see the first half of the preferences screen). Although it offers the ability to display the textures rendered in 24 bits, it has the disadvantage of losing the screen refreshes.

 The preview still works in grayscale. Preview in 16 million colors is possible, but via a file to be displayed. ARexx is responsible for these jobs and errors excepted, Aminet has these scripts.

NB: Just in case, sorry for my english, it is not my everyday language.

[vxm]

Again from memory, support CGFX started with v5.0 and the PowerPC by the latest versions (I think that the v5.19 was the last).

That said, as with Turbo Silver, there is also a reference manual in pdf format which is very clear. The Imagine's mailing list should also help.

When you start the software and if you have not change a certain option in the preference screen, you should see the screen project. Select the menu "Project -> About" to know the version.

[vxm]

The support of CGFX starts a/c of Imagine v5.1.

 There are two ways to configure it:
 Via its Preferences screen or,
 Via a text editor (the config file is in ASCII format).

 In both cases, it is necessary to change the following options:

SMOD 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 (line 55, 0 = 640 1 = 800, 2 = 3 = 1024 and 1280)
 USCG T                        (line 101)
 ASPX 1.000                 (line 103)
 ASPY 1.000                 (line 104)

 NB: This allows you to work on a screen CGFX
 but viewing or previewing images will always be made ​​by the Amiga or graphics cards directly supported by Imagine (Firecracker, OpalVision or Retina).

[vxm]

"So it seems only the editor screens are retargetable."
Exactly.


"But the output (render) screen will be limited to native chipset modes?"
Compatible Amiga chipset and cards mentioned previously.
 
However, it is possible to bypass the problem via the use of an ARexx script : ShowQrnd.irx. Multiview is the default viewer but it can be changed).

 When you want a quickrender, use the menu ARexx/ShowQrnd instead of Project/QuickRender.


"When you say "a screen CGFX" do you mean it can ONLY run under Cybergrahpix software, or will it also run under Picasso96?"
It will run as P96 is (nearly) compatible CGFX (the reverse is not true). Most of the CGFX compatible programs  will work with P96.

[vxm]

"I noticed that the flag for the Retina card Was" T "(TRUE)."
 
About graphics cards
 USFC  FALSE; FireCracker
 OPAL  FALSE; Opal
 RTNA  FALSE; Retina
 REMU FALSE

 If multiview is not desired:
 DQRV path/viewer; Default Quick Render Viewer
 DPIV     path/viewer; Default Picture Viewer
 DANV   path/player; Default Animation Viewer


 "I choose setting "2" which gave me a 1024 (vertical?) line screen resolution."

 (Horizontal x Vertical)
 "0"    640x480
 "1"    800x600
 "2"  1024x780
 "3"  1280x600


 "But I'm wondering if there is any way to get Imagine to use the 16:9 ratio screenmode"

 I do not know and this may require changing the binary with a hex editor.


 "Also - is there any way to get Imagine to render to a 16:9 ratio bitmap image?"

 Yes:

 In the directory Projects of Imagine, create a new directory with a name completed by the extension ". Imp" (eg Test.imp).

 In this new directory, create a new directory with a name completed by the the extension ". Pix" (eg Pics.pix).

 Preferences screen, select the button "Rendering Presets".
 Pick the last line "New..".
 At the bottom of this screen:
 
 First field, enter the preset name,
 Second field, the width
 Third, the height

 For example, the display format for a digital video 16/9 anamorphic:
 Name: Anamorphic
 Width: 1024
 Height: 576
 xaspect: 1
 yaspect: 1

 Viewmodes is only useful if you want to display via the Amiga graphics chipset.

 On the Project screen:
 
"menu Project/New" and select the project directory (eg Test.imp)
Pick "New", a window appears:
 Pick "Preset ..." button then select the preset previously created (eg Anamorphic).
 And finally, "Ok".

 Here you should be ready.

PS: I hope that what I answered looks like English because it was long, very long for me.

[vxm]

Merci Beaucoup, VCXM.

Je comprende, completement.

I hope I got that right.  I believe you are French.  I thank your for your effort in entering the complicated instructions in English.  

I'm sure that Imagine's preferences are sensible, but from a learner's perspective I don't think they could have made it any more obtuse (with all the four letter codes).

I will try your instructions when I am home this weekend.

(PS, If it's easier for you to type the complicated instructions in French, I can read French OK - with a bit of effort).

There is no need to thank me because it is true that Imagine can seem daunting at first glance, but it has its advantages and disadvantages as any other software.
 
It's not really a good idea to use any other language than English because discussions must be understandable to a maximum of internationals readers.
 
NB: Finally, I have found the reference manual of Imagine (PDF). I am continuing my research in my hard disks. I am nearly sure to find the latest version.

[vxm]

vxm, that's good stuff -- a very helpful post.

As far as the program being obtuse with things like preferences, remember how old it is. This program (or Turbo Silver) was one of the granddaddies of 3D programs. This stuff was really in its infancy. Seems like Videoscape not much earlier required you to figure things out on graph paper before entering coordinates into the software!

I have not really played with Videoscape. From memory, I think it is historically linked to Lightwave. I have used SA4D and 3DPro. The first, for the modeling and the last, for its possibilities. About TurboReal, he had my preference.

[vxm]

I think that evaluate the first softwares through the eyes of today needs to relativize somewhat.

 Many students have helped to the democratization of the 3D which was just beginning. The contribution of the Amiga was mainly its HAM display mode.