Short: Native chip set driver for P96 Author: thomas.richter@alumni.tu-berlin.de (Thomas Richter) Uploader: thomas richter alumni tu-berlin de (Thomas Richter) Type: driver/moni Version: 40.6 Requires: 68020 or better, a recent version of P96 Architecture: m68k-amigaos >= 3.1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New in release 40.6: Since this release, the Native "monitor driver" also supports the NOBLITTER tool type, same as all other (and real) P96 drivers. Setting this tool type to NO keeps the native (Amiga) blitter enabled when possible, but reverts to CPU blits if either the source or the destination bitmap are in fast memory. Thus: NOBLITTER=YES (the default): Blits everything by the CPU This was implicit in all earlier releases NOBLITTER=NO (new): Keeps the Amiga blitter in use if possible. Note that this functionality requires P96 3.3.3 (or better) as earlier versions did not support Bobs (e.g. workbench icons) in fast memory if the native blitter stays enabled. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New in release 40.5: While 40.4 replaced the blitter functions correctly, the version did not automatically relocate any offscreen bitmaps to FastRAM, though probably many people expected this to happen. So this version includes this functionality as well. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is the purpose of this program: This program provides blitter replacement functions on systems without a graphics card by means of corresponding CPU blitter functions of the P96 core library. That is, it redirects the blitter functions to the CPU, bypassing the native blitter. As such, it provides the same functionality as FBlit, except that the blitter is emulated through P96 - which is hopefully more robust. No graphics card is needed, but a recent version of P96 has to be installed as well. Configuration of the native graphic modes is still through the workbench monitor drivers in DEVS:Monitors. There are no P96 specific monitor drivers needed beyond this program. Blitter emulation is immediate. While the functionality of this program is best described as "a video driver for the native chipset for P96", it is actually quite primitive. All it does is to set the environment variable "Picasso96/DisableAmigaBlitter" to "Yes", and load the "rtg.library", which is the core library of P96. This is sufficient to enable the CPU replacement functionalities. The rtg.library does not require a graphics card for this. As such, the same functionality can also be realized manually, i.e. by loading the rtg.library by some other means, and configuring environment variables appropriately. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation: Install P96. You may select a graphics card for installation as well if you like, but any such driver is not needed. After installation of P96, just remove the Picasso96 driver from DEVS:Monitors if you do not have a graphics card. Drag the icon included in this distribution into DEVS:Monitors and ensure that it is loaded during the startup-sequence. For the standard system setup, this will happen automatically. You do not need any other programs or any further configuration. If the blitter replacement functions do not work, make sure you installed an up-to-date version of P96. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The THOR-Software Licence (v2, 24th June 1998) This License applies to the computer programs known as the "Native" and its sources. The "Program", below, refers to such program. The "Archive" refers to the package of distribution, as prepared by the author of the Program, Thomas Richter. Each licensee is addressed as "you". The Program and the data in the archive are freely distributable under the restrictions stated below, but are also Copyright (c) Thomas Richter. 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(ii) Distributing the Program on a CD-ROM, provided that a) the Archive is reproduced entirely and verbatim on such CD-ROM, including especially this licence agreement; b) the CD-ROM is made available to the public for a nominal fee only, c) a copy of the CD is made available to the author for free except for shipment costs, and d) provided further that all information on such CD-ROM is redistributable for non-commercial purposes without charge. Redistribution of a modified version of the Archive, the Program or the contents of the Archive is prohibited in any way, by any organization, regardless whether commercial or non-commercial. Everything must be kept together, in original and unmodified form. Limitations. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY. THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE PROGRAM, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THIS LICENCE, YOU MUST DELETE THE PROGRAM, THE ARCHIVE AND ALL DATA OF THIS ARCHIVE FROM YOUR STORAGE SYSTEM. YOU ACCEPT THIS LICENCE BY USING OR REDISTRIBUTING THE PROGRAM. Thomas Richter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- So long, Thomas (March 2023)