GP32 Fenix Gp32 Port

[chui]

I'm still slightly confused. I've tried downloading a few things and I have absolutely no clue what to download and what you need to know to start making games.

You need windows fenix toolkit v0.84cvs (FXC, FXI, MAP and FPG):
http://www.meniego.net/files/fenix_all.zip

FXC.EXE : Fenix Compiler (.PRG source files to .DCB excutables files)
FXI.EXE : Runtime for Windows (execute .DCB executables)
MAP.EXE: Converts .PNG or .GIF to .MAP, and .MAP to .PNG.
FPG.EXE: Compress your .MAPs to .FPG, uncompress your .FPG and create new .FPG.


Also, you need NEW GP32 FXI.FXE (runtime):
http://www.gp32spain.com/public_ftp/fenix/...P32_v084cvs.rar

If you rename FXI.FXE to NEWGAME.FXE, this FXE load GP:/GPMM/NEWGAME/NEWGAME.DCB

 

[IntenseWage]

All the executables are in Spanish. Is there an English version?

Probably wouldn't matter, they just open a DOS box and I still have no clue what to do.

 

[chui]

All the executables are in Spanish. Is there an English version?

Probably wouldn't matter, they just open a DOS box and I still have no clue what to do.

¿? Only FPG.EXE is in Spanish. FXC, FXI and MAP is in English.

FXI:
http://www.gp32spain.com/foros/attachment....s=&postid=50388

FXC:

C:\cygwin\opt\fenix>FXC.EXE
FXC 0.84 (Mar 30 2004 21:00:31) - Copyright (C) 1999 José Luis Cebrián Pag³e
Fenix comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; see COPYING for details

Use: FXC.EXE [options] filename

   -i dir   Adds the directory to the PATH
   -a       Automaticaly adds files to the DCB
   -f file  Adds a file to the DCB
   -g       Stores debugging information at the DCB
   -c       File uses the MS-DOS character set

This program is free software. You can distribute and/or modify it
under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
Free Software Foundation; either the version 2 of the license or
(at your will) any later version.

Read the file COPYING for details

MAP:

C:\cygwin\opt\fenix>MAP.EXE
MAP Utility v0.75
Copyright (C) 1999 JosÚ Luis Cebrißn Pag³e
Copyright (C) 2002 Fenix Team
This utility comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; map -h for details

Usage: map [option] file

    -l      Describes MAP file (default option)
    -p      Extract palette file (.PAL) from the graphic
    -c      Convert MAP file to 16bpp format
    -g      Convert MAP file to PNG file
    -m      Convert PNG or GIF file to MAP file
    -s      Modify MAP file parameters
    -n      Remove MAP file transparency
    -z=#    PNG transparent color ('0' color) range
    -#      Compresion level (0-9 NOTE: 0 DIV compatible for 8bpps MAP files)

Options for -l/-m/-c: (# means integer value)

    +name=...       Change the name for the MAP (up to 32 characters)
    +id=#           Change MAP code (0-999))
    +center=[#,#]   Change center for the MAP (control point 0)
    +animation=...  Animation sequence for ANIMATED MAPS
    +speed=#        Frame duration (ms) for each animation frame
    +#=[#,#]        Control point definition

FPG:

C:\cygwin\opt\fenix>FPG.EXE
FPG Utility - Copyright (C) 1999 JosÚ Luis Cebrißn Pag³e
This utility comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; fpg -h for details

Uso: fpg [opcion] fichero [gráfico ...]

    -l      Describe el FPG (opción por defecto): -v más extenso
    -n      Crea un nuevo FPG, opcionalmente añadiendo MAPs
    -o      Crea un nuevo FPG de 8 bits, opcionalmente añadiendo MAPs
    -d      Elimina los gráficos indicados del FPG
    -p      Extrae la paleta (.PAL) del fichero
    -e      Extrae gráficos (.MAP) del FPG y los borra del mismo
    -x      Extrae gráficos (.MAP) del FPG
    -a      Añade  gráficos (.MAP) al FPG
    -c      Convierte el .FPG a 16 bits
    -#      Nivel de compresión (0 a 9)

Las opciones -x y -e admiten indicar los gráficos mediante su código.
Se pueden utilizar rangos a-b y varios gráficos separados por comas.
Las opciones -p y -l admiten múltiples ficheros fpg

Use: FPG [option] file [graph...]

-l List FPG contents: -v verbose
-n Create a new FPG
-o Create a new FPG (8 bit color)
-d Remove graphs (.MAP)
-p Extract palette (.PAL)
-e Extract graphs (.MAP) and remove (move)
-x Extract graphs (.MAP) to FPG
-a Add graphs (.MAP) to FPG
-c Convert FPG to 16bits color
-# Compresion Level (0 ... 9)

 

[ilarri]

Chui, i suggest you, to translate a FAQ to english,or a tutorial step to step =) it will be more easy for all.
---edit----
chui,mira en el post de gp32spain el de PRIMER JUEGO PARA (...), he exo una intentona de traduccion de tu texto,lo pongo aki por si no miras ese post,si la traudccion es tope cutre,pero la e exo rapidiiiisimo.
x cierto,no por repetirlo deja de ser verdad,MUY buen trabajo

 

[ilarri]

For all that dont understand the txt called "leeme" i just make a crappy translation to english, the file here:
now its leeme-read me.txt, i hope this translation can help someone


Runtime Fenix For Gp32

This GP32 exe (FXI:FXE) may be renamed
depend of the executable Fenix file (.DCB) to execute.

For example, if you want to load MIGAME.DCB,
you have to make a carpet "GP:/GPMM/MIGAME where its located MIGAME.DCB
and the rest of data that need the DCB. Then we rename this one
FXI.EXE to MIGAME.FXE and we send it to the folder GP:/GPMM

This version DONT HAVE SUPPORT to subfolder,so all the info may
stay in the same folder; like the example, all the data will be in the
same folder "GP:/GPMM/MIGAME..." ah! caution with the names,because the
GP32 only supports 8:3 (8 for file name and 3 for the extension).

Chui RECOMMENDS:
1- ONLY 320x240 for resolution (640 x420 need remake to 320 x240).
2-Dont read and load nothing from the smc when the music its playing (the game crash and the system turn off).
3-8 bits graphics with the same color palette.
4- a expression, the nearest translation its please,know the GP32 possibilities--133@ with 8MBytes.


if you found some bug,please report it to me!sdl_gp32@yahoo.es


Chui

translation by ilarri (REALLY SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH v_V)

 

[ilarri]

More and more info
in fenix gp32dspain post TWO Importants programmers of the project Fenix,one, Slàinte, its the one that takes the management of the project Fenix actually, and the other its the before posted zwiTTeR,from devilishgames, who makes many and good DIV games.
They siad in gp32spain forum that they are VERY INTERESED to port his games to GP32,and they like to add to the GP32 community, porting his games to our system.
Reason? its a good and easy way to port some released games and TO MAKE your own new games.

i can said thats a really excellent new, becuase they know everything about Fenix, so we can espect A REALLY ENJOYABLE games.

 

[IntenseWage]

All of those tutorials on the DIV games site..aren't those for DIV Games Studio rather than Fenix? Or do they work the same? I just need a beginner's tutorial for Fenix so I can start trying to make games. I've got so many damn ideas and I could totally do graphics, sound, and music all on my own.

 

[Mike Green]

For Those that do not know what DIV is:

Fenix is a "remake" of DIV Games Studio. Div was first published in spain in the mid 1990's, then relaunched by FastTrak Software in 2000 and has sold 10's of thousands of units. The DIV Community is still quite large, considering the current version only works on dos based machines but a windows version is being developed and there is talk of it going cross-platform.



The next generation of DIV for is in developed and making excellent progress towards a release. you can see this here.

Those that do use the fenix gp32 port may find the tutorials on Div Arena useful.

 

[IntenseWage]

Awesome. Guess I can use those tutorials after all.

 

[hando]

Just one question. There are a few hundreds games on DIV site. Does it mean that all those titles can be converted to run on GP32 Fenix port?

 

[ilarri]

Hando, this reply its for you:

Chui RECOMMENDS in the text:

4- No pidais peras al olmo... son 133MHz con 8MBytes :-D =
4- a expression, the nearest translation its please,know the GP32 possibilities--133@ with 8MBytes.

Yes, all can be ported,but not all runs correctly in the gp32 because they are programmed for most powerfull chips.
Some games may run good, another nead to be recoded to runs perfect, and some others its hard to see them running well (need a 350 processor minimun)

see ya


----edit----

Slàinte,one of the actual Fenix project manager,its helping Chui with some new extra, and ideas for optimization (more fps and some more games may run).
wait for more news.

http://www.gp32spain.com/foros/attachment....s=&postid=50706 a tested game Flipull !!!

source: gp32spain fenix post =)

 

[ilarri]

Chui just post a new ideas,(thnks to Slàinte for the help) that may help to level up the compatiblity games (running well).
Now you can changed to low resolutions (like 240x160 or 160x144) to this games that not runs with good Fps =)
Another idea,use Phtoshop,its a great work,but at the end looks better:

1-take a game with source code that runs slow in the Gp32 with 320x240 or simply in another big resoultion (yes,the games in 640x480).
2-take the graphics(PNG,MAPS...etc) and scale them to resolutions like 240x160 or 160x144,using the same 8 bits palette.
3-change the source code to accept the new resolutions.

With that changes the games that tuns slow runs better in the gp32,with less image quality,but runs with more Fps =)

great idea,in my opinion.

soon more info directly by Chui, explaining this more carefully =)

:lol: :lol:

source: gp32spain foum,fenix post =)

 

[Wolfsclaw]

ive played around a bit and 'started porting' (well, its more like a test) the game 'Flipull'.
somehow it crashes after a first screen is shown, and the picture is only shown in the top left corner (but i wrote 320x240 or 320x200), a bit strange.
and does this fenix gp32 port support s3m music playing?
and i dont get it how to extract the pngs off a .fpg file.. in cmd.exe i write with fpg.exe in the same folder : fpg -e flipull.fpg
to extract the png but it didnt work at all.... !??

anyway, great work chui this fenix thingy r0x


edit: another things:
1) does the gp32 runtime port support wav (i think so) and pcm sound!?
2) do the png files in the fpg or map files have to be 8bit!? so when i want to port i first habe to grab the pngs off the prg, then change from 16bit -> 8 bit and then make a new map (prg) !`?
3) i sources of existing games it says for example:
KEY_UP_ESC
do i have to change this (for example to SEL for select!?) or will esc be select or A or whatever automatically?
there are also some keys like P... change them?

sry for my bad english... h34r:

 

[ilarri]

new fenix port,from DIV-ARENA (www.div-arena.com) :
screenshot here:

http://www.gp32spain.com/foros/attachment....s=&postid=51632

yeah! a dragon ball Z fight game, with vegeta for character

http://www.gp32spain.com/foros/attachment....s=&postid=51631 and here the game to test,appears that have some bugs,so please,make an opinion =)

(game ported bu chui)

source gp32spain forum

 

[IntenseWage]

The FPS on the DBZ game could really use a boost. Flipull crashes when you try to start a game.

 

[chui]

Flipull (and Vegeta2) adaptation is a early stage. I use it for testing fenix port.


Wolfsclaw->

1- Yes, always WAV, if you want port DIV game with PCMs, you must change it (use pcm2wav).
2- If you use 8-bit color screen, you must use ALL graphics with 8-bit color and same palette; but if use 16-bit, you can load 8-bit and 16-bit color graphics.
3- SDL for GP32 mapping keyboard: stick=cursor keys, A=Control, B=Alt, Start=Return, Select=Space, L=Backspace and R=Tab. So, _key_control handle A button.

To extract MAPs use fpg -x file.fpg, after you must use map utility for converting maps to png.

 

[Wolfsclaw]

Thanx now this helps me alot