#Picasso Help
50 messages in this thread
I am having trouble using my new Picasso board with some software, in
particular Dpaint and Brilliance. I have RTFM and still cant get it to work. I
have set the Dpaint screens to every possibility I can think of but the only
thing that works is to plug my 1084 into my RGB port and run it that way. Is
that the solution? When I try to run Dpaint on my SV monitor I get various
types of screens, none of which is useable, and th proram will usually hang or
guru. Brilliance causes the macine to lock up and shows a flashing square in
the center of whatever screen is showing regardless of what monitor is hooked
up Thanks, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Teig,
DPaint V will work on a Picasso screen, but neither the other DPaint's nor
Brilliance will work.
Regards,
Norman Austin 70743,1535
Norman,
<DPaint V will work on a Picasso screen>
I've gotten DPaint V to load up on a Picasso screen, but it doesn't work
properly. It saves out garbage at 256 colors, and has other, rather odd
problems (brush won't stamp down) at lower color levels but still on the
Picasso (even 16 color Picasso screens aren't 100% functional). This is using
OS 3.1
I've spoken with other Picasso/DPaintV owners who have even worse problems
with the program. In at least one case (A3000, OS 3.1, Picasso) the machine
would crash badly if you clicked on anything.
Asha
@}–,–`–
Asha,
<<(even 16 color Picasso screens aren't 100% functional). This is using OS
3.1>>
I believe it's your 3.1 that's the culprit, and not the Picasso. I remember
reading that there were bugs when used with 3.1 and Electronic Arts said they
would do nothing to fix them. 🙁 If you have another OS chip, try it for the
hell of it and see if I'm right. I know it's a pain to open the computer up,
but when you're feeling bored give it a try. Best of luck.
AMIGA—–The Future Is Now!
Chris Shepard: 030/50 A2000 with Toaster 4000 & MacIIfx via Emplant.
Chris,
< I believe it's your 3.1 that's the culprit, and not the Picasso. I remember
reading that there were bugs when used with 3.1 and Electronic Arts said they
would do nothing to fix them.>
Great…Sometimes I really wonder where the programmers at EA were (brain
wise) those last couple of years….sigh….
<If you have another OS chip, try it for the hell of it and see if I'm right.
I know it's a pain to open the computer up, but when you're feeling bored give
it a try.>
I'm softkicking 3.1, so, in theory, I could probably get back to 2.04
withouth too much trouble, but, the Picasso wouldn't work as well that way and
I'm certain that I wouldn't be willing to boot back to 2.04 just to use DPaint
V. I've got OpalPaint, Photogenics and ImageFX, all of which I prefer to
DPaint anyway. The only thing I use DPaint for anymore is simple printing jobs
(like a form I use to keep track of my bills). Thanks for the information
though.
Asha
@}–,–`–
Asha,
Sorry for not paying attention from the start of this thread.. but are you
having trouble with DPaint and Picasso? I Have WB3.1 and a Picasso card in an
A2000 and I use DPaint 3 all the time, (Call me a luddite..) I use the
pass-through mode and it works fine..
Steve
Steve,
<but are you having trouble with DPaint and Picasso?>
I am having trouble with DPaint V and the Picasso, or with OS 3.1, not sure
which is the one causing the problems (my vote goes to DPaint V). I can use
DPaint in hi-res 16 colors (even V) by-passing the Picasso, but DPaint V is
supposed to work in 256 colors on the Picasso board. It doesn't do it very
well (rather badly as a matter of fact).
DPaint IV and previous DPaint will work just fine passed through though.
Asha
@}–,–`–
Ah, Ok, I misunderstood your problem, I never bothered with DPaint after III ,
(Which I LOVE ..I see it as the graphics equivalent of that small text editor
you always have laying about.. <g>)
I use Personal Paint for my pixel painting these days.. I find it easier to use
that Photogenics, it has Picasso support and allows 20+ undos.. (Plus it comes
in a real cool tin!)
Steve
> I use Personal Paint for my pixel painting these days.. <
Steve, care to give a more in depth review of Personal Paint? I would be
interested in something that works with a Picasso II, and I think Asha would
too.
Jim
Hi Jim, (again!)
The latest version of Personal paint (6.4) comes on a cd called "The personal
suite" from Colanto and is -excellent- value for money, for 40 UK pounds not
only does it contain PP but it has Sbase, Personal write PFM (Personal Font
Maker), oodles of clipart, even more animations from the likes of Eric Schwartz
and others, texts to famous book.. just TONS of stuff.. even some internal file
handling software that Colananto use in-house to complile their own releases..
plus it comes in a very sexy tin! ..I do however get the feeling they have
nothing left on their machines worth releasing it really is warts and all..
The reason I bought the package was PP, it seems to me to be a kind of grown up
DPaint, many of the same commands but working in much higher resolutions and in
many colors, the Picasso support is seemless, I ran it for the first time and
it selected the best Picasso mode without "changescreen" knowing it was there..
I tend to work in 256 colours, it lets you magnify stuff over and over so you
really can get into single pixels on big images.. you can have 9 brushes active
at once, it has some image manipualtion filters, emboss, rub through etc..
above all it`s fast. On my machine (A2000, 030 @ 40mhz) Photogenics takes an
age an the paint always drags behind the brush, PP is instant. It has many
undos as your RAM will allow..
The only draw-backs are 1) it sometimes opens stuff in strage screen modes.. ie
if you have a small picture and open in 256 colour mode it will open a tiny
high res PP in the corner.. it`s not a problem to make it full screen though,
one option on the main menu sorts it. and 2) it has the annoying habit of
saving the whole screen not just the bit your working on.. cue acres of black
stuff around your picture.. there must be a way around this, but I`ve only had
this version for a week and havn`t played as much as I`d like..
Over-all I like it!
P.S. Full PNG support.
> The latest version of Personal paint (6.4) comes on a cd called "The personal
suite" from Colanto and is -excellent- value for money <
> Over-all I like it! <
Steve, thanks for the review! Hope Asha reads it too. One question, when
you're in 256 color mode, does PP buffer the image as 24 bit, or only 256
color? I know Photogenics will do that. What you have in essence is a 256
color preview image on the screen.
I'm going to have to look for a US distributer for PP. 🙂
Jim
Steve,
<I use Personal Paint for my pixel painting these days.. I find it easier to
use that Photogenics, it has Picasso support and allows 20+ undos.. (Plus it
comes in a real cool tin!)>
I'm really interested in that package. It was on my list of programs to buy
'til I heard it was being bundled with the new machines. Now I'll get to try
it out for a while before upgrading to the full version. Glad to hear it
supports the Picasso board.
How does it deal with stencils and gradients? One of the things I really
like about OpalPaint is the fact you can use either color stencils or mask
stencils or BOTH and that they've got 8 different gradient types that one can
use either plain or wit adjustable transparancies.
Asha
@}–,–`–
Asha,
I have noticed the color problem, but have experienced none of the other
problems with my Picasso and DPaint V.
Sorry to have taken so long to respond to your message, but my system hard
drive died Sunday to keep me from attending the conference. How did the
conference go?
Regards,
Norman Austin 70743,1535
Norman,
<I have noticed the color problem, but have experienced none of the other
problems with my Picasso and DPaint V.>
It does seem that different people have different problems when it comes to
DPaint V the Picasso and OS 3.1. I have a friend who can load it up fine
(A3000/OS 3.1/Picasso) but when he clicks on anything the whole system freezes.
It's really a shame they didn't take the time to make sure it worked properly.
<Sorry to have taken so long to respond to your message, but my system hard
drive died Sunday to keep me from attending the conference. How did the
conference go?>
Sorry to hear about your hardrive death. The conference was well attended
and quite a bit of fun. I'm still editing it, and will upload it (as well as
the transcript from the PAWS CO) "soon"…:)
Asha
@}–,–`–
<<It's really a shame they didn't take the time to make sure it worked
properly.>>
I think I know why. I read in the latest Video Toaster mag that the only
"authorized" release of 3.1 was for the 4000. All of the other 3.1 chips are
"unauthorized" releases, so maybe this is why EA did nothing to support 3.1.
NewTek also say the same thing regarding the Toaster; they won't guarantee
compatability and won't support 3.1 UNTIL it's official released. (Just for
note: I've had no problems with 3.1 and the Toaster on my A2000.)
AMIGA—–The Future Is Now!
Chris Shepard: 030/50 A2000 with Toaster 4000 & MacIIfx via Emplant.
Thank you, I guess it is time to upgrade, do you recommend Dpaint V or a
another package?
Teig,
<do you recommend Dpaint V or a another package?>
If you're running OS 3.X I'd reccomend either Photogenics or Brilliance over
DPaint V anyday. Both of those are still being supported (I'm sure about
Photogenics, fairly sure about Brilliance) where DPaint V is the end of the
line for that program, and a fairly buggy end of the line too…sigh…
Asha
@}–,–`–
Teig,
If you can afford it, I would recommend ImageFX for painting and image
processing and Brilliance for animation. I realize using Brilliance doesn't
allow you to use the Picasso modes, but it is much faster than DPaint V, uses
the same keyboard equivalents and IMHO has superior animation controls.
Regards,
Norman Austin 70743,1535
<<I realize using Brilliance doesn't allow you to use the Picasso modes, but it
is much faster than DPaint V…>>
I read that Personal Paint also has animation capabilities too, except it
DOES support the Picasso modes. What are your opinions on this?
AMIGA—–The Future Is Now!
Chris Shepard: 030/50 A2000 with Toaster 4000 & MacIIfx via Emplant.
I also prefer Brilliance to Dpaint IV especially for animation but I am very
interested in hearing what people have to say about Personal Paint! Especially
if it supports Picasso modes, even if that means you cant Gen- lock onto the
signal. Does anyone know if one of the PeeCee Genlocks will work with the
Picasso Signal or do they require another card?
> I am having trouble using my new Picasso board with some software, in
particular Dpaint and Brilliance. I have RTFM and still cant get it to work.<
It would be helpful if you would list your system, when asking for help. I'm
assuming you're running ChangeScreen in your WBStartup dir? I have a Picasso
II in a 3000, and ChangeScreen will come up and ask which screen mode you want
Brilliance or Dpaint to open. Just select the default size. That works for me.
If you are using a SVGA monitor, without a flicker fixer, the standard Amiga
resolutions, ie. 15Mhz, will not work on it.
If you'll supply more detailed information about your system, I'll try and
offer better suggestions.
Jim
Thanks and sorry for not following the rules, I have an A2000 with a VXL a 52
meg HD and a Zip Drive. I am using an SVGA monitor 31.5 mHz. I will try your
suggestion of using the default mode. I get a picture on the monitor but it is
usually unusable. The 6400×480 Picasso screen is less than 1/4 size and
everything else is shifted to the right and wraps around, that is if I move the
mouse far enough to the right it appears and selects items on the left hand
side of the screen.
Teig,
<The 6400×480 Picasso screen is less than 1/4 size and everything else is
shifted to the right and wraps around, that is if I move the mouse far enough
to the right it appears and selects items on the left hand side of the screen.>
I'm assuming you meant to type 640X480….
Above, are you talking about your normal Picasso screens? If so, you need
to make some adjustments in PicassoMode to get a more full screen. I'm running
my Picasso in that same mode and it fills the screen except for a small (1/4
inch) border on the right and left. If this isn't your problem, never
mind….:)
Asha
@}–,–`–
I have the 1/4 inch black border around my picasso screens too. That has :
something to do with the way SVGA works, The border may have been there in the
Amiga modes but wasnt noticeable. No the problem I have is really bad,
everything is very distorted when I try to run Dpaint through my Picasso onto
my SVGA monitor. I am running OS3.1, I forgot to mention that before. While I
am typing does anyone else use a Zip Drive. I picked one up and it works great
except that if I insert the disk before turning on the computer I will get a
message saying that DZ0: disk is not bootable, if I reset the computer, warm
boot, everything is fine. If I dont have a disk in I have to run the SCSI
controller program from the GVP Faastprep disk to get it to recognize the
drive. I have, again an A2000 with a VXL 030/33/2meg accel lerator, a GVP HC+
with 4 megs and Version 4 rom, and the picasso and Zip. I was thinking that I
might need to update the Rom but unless I know for sure that is it I'd rather
not, I have looked at all of the mountlist entries I could find and everything
looks OK there too.
> No the problem I have is really bad, everything is very distorted when I try
to run Dpaint through my Picasso onto my SVGA monitor. <
Teig, the problem is with the SVGA monitor. It will not sync down to the
15Mhz that the Amiga uses for it's standard screen resolutions. If the Picasso
II can't promote a screen resolution, it will pass it through. Since you're
trying to use DPaint, which isn't promotable, it is passing the 15Mhz Amiga
screen display to your SVGA monitor. The only way around that is to have some
kind of flicker fixer to scan double the Amiga display's frequency.
Jim
Thanks, I think I understand now.. I guess a better way to end the screen
promotion problem would be to have a multiscan monitor. What I have done is
just leave my RGB connected to my 1084 and have two monitors, I just have to
watch how close together they are because they interfere. I still can use my
1084 in composite with my genlock this way too. Do you know what the problem
between the Picasso and Brilliance is. Since I have installed the card
Brilliance wont run in any mode. thanks,
> Do you know what the problem between the Picasso and Brilliance is. Since I
have installed the card Brilliance wont run in any mode. thanks, <
I can't remember off hand, since I don't use Brillance any longer. I
*think* I remember something about the monitor driver for the Picasso II being
the problem. Which version do you use of the Picasso software? If you don't
have the latest versions, that might be the problem with screen promotion.
Jim
Teig,
<Do you know what the problem between the Picasso and Brilliance is. Since I
have installed the card Brilliance wont run in any mode.>
Brilliance was written to the AGA chipset, and doesn't want to be promoted.
You should be able to pass through the program to ou 1084 monitor though.
Check ChangeScreen, make sure Brilliance is set to <DEFAULT>. Then you should
be able to pass through.
Asha
@}–,–`–
Teig,
<No the problem I have is really bad, everything is very distorted when I try
to run Dpaint through my Picasso onto my SVGA monitor. I am running OS3.1, I
forgot to mention that before>
I don't know anything SVGA monitors. You may want to read the monitor
specs. Perhaps you didn't pick the correct monitor (31, 38, whatever) when you
set it up for that monitor. I'm using a NEC 3D multisync with my Picasso and
after setting things up in PicassoMode, everything is correctly centered with a
minimum of black border.
However, DPaint IV is not promotable, which is why it's not looking or
working right when you try to promote it.
You might want to consider getting a different monitor, one that syncs down
to 15.7khz (or whatever the hertz thing is) as well as up to 31 etc..
Asha
@}–,–`–
Thanks, I'm saving my pennies for a great big new multisync but unless my ship
comes in it will be a while,
<<The 6400×480 Picasso screen is less than 1/4 size and everything else is
shifted to the right and wraps around…>>
What about the monitor itself? I know I had to adjust mine some in order to
get the screens to fill the monitor and be centered, etc.
AMIGA—–The Future Is Now!
Chris Shepard: 030/50 A2000 with Toaster 4000 & MacIIfx via Emplant.
I had to adjust the monitor some too. The screen I get is very small and
everthing is miniature. I have hooked my 1084 back up and Dpaint IV works but
Brilliance still does not. Evidently there is a conflict caused just by having
the card installed. thanks
Teig,
<I am having trouble using my new Picasso board with some software, in
particular Dpaint and Brilliance.>
Neither DPaint nor Brilliance will promote and work properly with third
party graphics boards. However, Photogenics will, and works like a dream on
the Picasso; I have it.
Asha
@}–,–`–
>However, Photogenics will, and works like a dream on the Picasso; I have >it.
What operating system version are you using it with?
.
C. Davey
Davey,
<What operating system version are you using it with?>
Using both the Picasso and Photogenics on OS 3.1.
Asha
@}–,–`–
Thanks, with a recommendation like that I will have to look hard at the
photogenics package. Did you ever try the TVpaint program?
Teig,
<Thanks, with a recommendation like that I will have to look hard at the
photogenics package. Did you ever try the TVpaint program?>
I got TVPaint JR with my Picasso board, and did look (a bit) at SR at a
friend's house. I have to say I was not impressed at all with it, certainly
not enough to spend several hundred dollars to upgrade from Jr. to Sr.. My
favorite paint program remains OpalPaint, but Photogenics has started out very
strong and I see a lot of potential there for a truly great program!
Asha
@}–,–`–
Thanks, I was getting pretty handy at Brilliance, Im gonna miss it. I have been
able to get Dpaint IV to run by plugging my 1084 back into my RGB output. It
works in a pinch. The real problem is that unless I do just that my genlock is
useless. I have read a little about the pablo but it sounds like it outputs
directly to a vcr not to a genlock so I am not sure how useful it is. Sorta
hate to change the subject but I was wondering if anyone has been receiving any
Amiga Computing US edition magazines, I got a couple after Amigaworld went
under but after I sent in a renewal and request for disks I havent heard
anything at all
Teig,
You can use Brilliance the same way you're using DPaint IV if you prefer it
to DPaint. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about the Pablo to help you with
that one. Hopefully someone else will know and chime in….
Asha
@}–,–`–
Thanks, Im still trying to get brilliance to work though. Are you using it?
Teig,
<Im still trying to get brilliance to work though. Are you using it?>
No, I bought it when it first came out (v1.0) and had a dongle. I wasn't
impressed with the interface, all those windows over windows, drove me nuts.
And the dongle finished the job. Sold it early on. Had I an AGA machine I may
have made more of an effort to like it, but on this ECS (at that time without
even a Picasso board) machine it wasn't very impressive.
I've heard it got much better in version 2.0 though.
Asha
@}–,–`–
<<Photogenics has started out very strong and I see a lot of potential there
for a truly great program!>>
Is there Cybergraphics support yet? I tried the demo, but all I got on my
Picasso was some ugly dotted colors etc. Can you work with 256 color up to 24
bit color real time painting w/ Picasso and/or Cybergraphics now? If so, I may
give it a look see. Isn't there support for Toaster Framestores?
AMIGA—–The Future Is Now!
Chris Shepard: 030/50 A2000 with Toaster 4000 & MacIIfx via Emplant.
Chris,
<Is there Cybergraphics support yet? I tried the demo, but all I got on my
Picasso was some ugly dotted colors etc. Can you work with 256 color up to 24
bit color real time painting w/ Picasso and/or Cybergraphics now? If so, I may
give it a look see. >
Cybergraphics support came in the last upgrade. I haven't installed it on
my Picasso board but I've been told you get 24 bit painting with Cyber
installed. With just the Picasso software, you do get 256 colors and there is
a Picasso "save" (similar to the Opal "save" in AdPro, which just lets you see
the pic on an Opalboard) which will show you your work in 24 bit even with just
the Picasso software.
<Isn't there support for Toaster Framestores?>
Don't see that anywhere, though I could have missed it. You might be
confusing this with ImageFX, which does support Framstores, I think.
Asha
@}–,–`–
The North American version of Photogenics supports toaster ..load/save
framestore.. quite good! There's a bit of confusion as to WHO'S selling the NA
version.. I bought my first one at a dealer who will remain nameless and bought
the CORRECT version for a bit more from the Friendly/Knowledgeable folks at
ANTIGRAVITY PRODUCTS in CA. Don't get fooled by buying the WRONG version- ask
them to GUARANTEE it's the NA v1.25- I find Photogenics to have lots of
promise.. I just ordered the Cybergraphx sw for my Picasso so hope to get even
more into it!
Mike
Mike,
<The North American version of Photogenics supports toaster ..load/save
framestore.. quite good!>
Thanks, didn't know that.
<There's a bit of confusion as to WHO'S selling the NA version.. I bought my
first one at a dealer who will remain nameless and bought the CORRECT version
for a bit more from the Friendly/Knowledgeable folks at ANTIGRAVITY PRODUCTS in
CA.>
I got my first version from NorthWest Public Domain, who are no longer in
business (sold out to Zipperware). But I got my upgrade from someone else,
unfortunately I can't remember who…sigh…. I hear there's another version
coming out soon.
< Don't get fooled by buying the WRONG version- ask them to GUARANTEE it's the
NA v1.25->
I've got version r1.252 v 1.2 (that's what it says when I run version on
it). How does one know if it's the UK or the NA version?
<I find Photogenics to have lots of promise.. I just ordered the Cybergraphx sw
for my Picasso so hope to get even more into it!>
I agree. I'd be interested in hearing how you like Cybergraphix, both with
Photogenics, and the Picasso in general.
Asha
@}–,–`–
> I just ordered the Cybergraphx sw for my Picasso so hope to get even more
into it! <
Mike, good luck with that Cybergraphx software! I have/had it for my
Picasso II equiped 3000, but had more problems with it than it was worth. I
ended up going back to my Picasso II software, at least it works well.
Jim
Hmmmm..What version of the Cyber sw were you using? Are you using WB3.1 or 2.x?
Thanks for the info! One of the reasons I was excited about getting the sw for
the picasso (since the author of the orig. pic. sw is writing this)was that I
could take advantage of Photogenics and ImageFX cybergraphx modes. In the
meantime, my system crashed BIGTIME, and, not being backed up , I have so many
different versions of Picasso monitor files etc, I couldn't get it to work. I
would appreciate knowing what the latest versions of the different pieces make
up the Picasso sw. Thanks
Mike
> .What version of the Cyber sw were you using? Are you using WB3.1 or 2.x? <
Mike, I started with the old version 40.47, then upgraded to 40.49. Then
they changed the version numbering system, and I upgraded to 2.0. I had a lot
of problems running a 24 bit Photogenics screen, ended up with a triple
pointer, which I was told it was a hardware problem with the Picasso II display
chip. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Jim
Well now I'm getting kind of scared off! (this is also a $50 deal, and I was
under the impression that they were SUPPORTING the Picasso- you think they
would for $50, wouldn't ya?) I had a big crash recently and not having a
backup, didn't remember which Pic driver worked for me (I'm using a 3000T/040
with 2.x roms, softbooting 3.1wb!) I tried the Picasso bbs which for all I know
has been down for years… Where do I get the latest Picasso packet of sw? I
know the Emplant board used to have it… any help would be good- thanks
Mike
Asha;
< I haven't installed it on my Picasso board but I've been told you get 24 bit
painting with Cyber installed. With just the Picasso software, you do get 256
colors and there is a Picasso "save" (similar to the Opal "save" in AdPro,
which just lets you see the pic on an Opalboard) which will show you your work
in 24 bit even with just the Picasso software.>
Like you, I have Opal board with OpalPaint, and a Picasso II. I can paint in 24
bit using ImageFX, Imagemaster, OpalPaint and TVPaint without Cbergraphics. Why
do you need Cybergraphics?
Pax Vobiscum! Hank
from northern N.J. running A2000 GVP'040@33