Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tekig5!waynekn
From: waynekn@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM (Wayne Knapp)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: BlackBelt may not be a great solution.
Summary: Great, but where do you get the IFF pictures in the first place?
Message-ID: <5365@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM>
Date: 11 Jan 90 17:16:00 GMT
References: <5965@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> <4351@scolex.sco.COM> <25ab4d8a:3739.3comp.sys.amiga;1@tronsbox.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.
Lines: 33

In article <25ab4d8a:3739.3comp.sys.amiga;1@tronsbox.UUCP>, tron1@tronsbox.UUCP (HIM) writes:
> 
> >That is the major problem with the BlackBelt video box.  First programs
> >will have to be modified to work with it before you are going to see 
> 
> SO how DO you make a change in graphics ability and NOT have to modify
> programs to use it ????  (NOTE that the box >IS< down compatible.)
> 
> It is important to note that in most cases no mod >IS< needed in 99% of the
> cases . For example, ANY normal IFF show routines will show new BB pictures
> WITHOUT ANY MODIFICATION!

So what?  It doesn't help you one bit.  Just what programs are you going
to use to make these new pictures?  I think that for some time this box
will only be something that is kind of neat but not very useful.  Programs
will have to modified to use the new Black Belt video modes.  You guys 
are not using your brains!  Think just how are you going to make these
fantastic 24 bit pictures.  The only things I know could be done at present
is to render a 24 bit picture and then use a program to convert to a IFF
file in the proper format.  The onther way is to borrow a picture from some
other computer.  Until someone comes out with a new paint program or updates
a old program you will not be able to paint in these modes.  Also seems like
this box will have a limited market, maybe a few thousand units a most, so
I don't see a lot of software getting updated for it.  The box is neat and
will have a market but there are some real problems that people are not
realizing.

                                                Wayne Knapp

P.S. However I do think this box is a much better solution than things like
Sliced HAM and other screen hacks.  Most likely I will support the box with
my new programs since I'm already producing 24 bit files.  However I still
think support for the box will be slow in coming.