Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!uflorida!ufqtp!sutherla
From: sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu (scott sutherland)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: AnimObs and AnimComps
Message-ID: <615@orange6.qtp.ufl.edu>
Date: 14 Jul 89 22:12:04 GMT
Reply-To: sutherla@orange6 (scott sutherland)
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Organization: University of Florida Quantum Theory Project
Lines: 53

Newsgroups: Comp.sys.amiga
Subject: AnimObs and AnimComps
Expires: 
References: 
Sender: Scott Sutherland
Reply-To: sutherla@orange6 (scott sutherland)
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Distribution: na
Organization: University of Florida Quantum Theory Project
Keywords: AnimObs, AnimComps

	Last week I posted an article about the magazine Ami Project. I stated
that I had obtained Vol. 1 #7 and that it was invaluable because it had an
extensive article on AnimObs and AnimComps. I was reminded of the following 
problems and/or questions I had about 1 to 2 years ago and had mentally 
shelved.

	One of the most powerful and overlooked features of Amiga graphics
(in my opinion) is the AnimOb/AnimComp/Animate series of commands. Books
like Compute!'s "Inside Amiga Graphics", Berry's "Inside the Amiga with C",
and Peck's "Programmer's Guide to the Amiga" completely ignore this feature.
I can understand the omission in the latter two, but NOT in the first one.
The first of the Mortimore books does cover the "animation" commands, but it
is definitely a reference book, not a tutorial for the amateur. I have seen 
an older version of the RKM's and I recall that there is some documentation 
concerning these entities. (Can anyone elaborate on exactly what is there? I
am waiting for the new versions of the RKM's before I buy. (I have the Includes
and Autodocs)) I cannot find any other references to these seemingly powerful
commands, not even in the extensive FF Disks. The Ami Project article has been
my only saving grace. So I pose the following questions:


	1) Why are these commands avoided like the plague in Amiga books when
		animation is one of the Amiga's strong points?

	2) Does anyone **USE** these commands, and, if so, for what kinds of
		applications? (Can you send me C source code??)

	3) Can anyone point me to other references for these commands? Any 
		books or articles I've overlooked? 

	4) Can anyone tell me if any PD or Commercial programs are available
		which use these features? I have heard that the old A1000 
		demo program ROBOCITY uses them exclusively. I was able to
		find a copy of the executable, but I cannot find the source.
		Anyone know where I can find the ROBOCITY source??

ANY help or comments would be greatly appreciated. I want to use these powerful
commands since they look like fun to "play with". 

Thanks, 

Scott Sutherland