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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Distribution of the Program, the Archive and the data in the Archive by a
commercial organization without written permission from the author to any
third party is prohibited if any payment is made in connection with such
distribution, whether directly (as in payment for a copy of the Program) or
indirectly (as in payment for some service related to the Program, or
payment for some product or service that includes a copy of the Program
"without charge"; these are only examples, and not an exhaustive enumeration
of prohibited activities).
However, the following methods of distribution
involving payment shall not in and of themselves be a violation of this
restriction:
(i) Posting the Program on a public access information storage and
retrieval service for which a fee is received for retrieving information
(such as an on-line service), provided that the fee is not
content-dependent (i.e., the fee would be the same for retrieving the same
volume of information consisting of random data).
(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
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So long,
Thomas (March 2023)
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