User manual
Contents
Welcome to the
SINCLAIR ZX81 Screen editor
This is a Windows-based development program that can be used to design graphics for the ZX81.
A kind of "paint" program.
Setting up the software
When the program is started for the first time, the "About" menu item is visible.
You can read more about it here: About menu item
If you do not have a NICKMANN Studio registration, you can find more information at: elsa.nickmann.hu
The MENU
File menu item
Load
This allows you to load a previously saved project.
Save
This allows you to save a current project.
Import BMP
This allows you to importing a BMP type pictures. Necessary format: 64*48 pixels and 2-24 bit color.
Export
The completed image can be saved in a format that can be inserted into the development program, or saved as a normal JPG image, which can even be used in the documentation of the developed software. Be it a demo or a game.
Database (normal)
Export character by character from the beginning to the end of the image memory. It contains a total of 32*24 consecutive 768 characters.
Database (compressed)
Export as a database in normal or form. The data is in hexadecimal format, so it can be inserted into the development program as a database. Be it a demo or a game.
JPG (work area)
The edited image can be saved in JPG format. The image size is 528*400 pixels. It also includes an 8 pixel photo frame. Of course, the image can be edited as you wish.
Exit
Exit from program.
Edit menu item
Draw
Freehand drawing with the mouse, with the selected character.
Text
Enter text with the supported ZX81 character set.
Area
With this tool we can select a square area. After that, the selected area can be copied, moved, deleted or saved to a file. You can load already saved areas with the load command.
You can make the background (space) transparent with the transparent menu item.
In drawing mode, we can choose what our "pencil" should look like by clicking on the desired character on the character board. The current character is indicated by the red square.
In text mode, you can choose between normal and inverse in the character field. This can be selected by clicking on the given character field. The current operating mode is indicated by the large red square.
About menu item
Settings step by step
Here you need to enter your user details (Email address, User ID) and press the SAVE button.
In the Select License field, click on the license you want to use.
If you don't want to see this screen when you start the software, select the Don't show again check box.
Finally, click OK.
The status bar
Informative datas can be read about the cursor position (Row and Col), the currently selected character (Char), and the character code of the last entered key (Key).
Known bugs
Currently unknown..
The listed bugs will be fixed in the next update.
We welcome all development ideas and suggestions. If you find a bug, let us know and we'll kill it. :)
THANK YOU!