This folder contains example programs demonstrating how to use the zxnext_layer2 C layer 2 graphics library for the ZX Spectrum Next. These programs are also used for regression testing of the zxnext_layer2 project.
This project contains four demo programs. Each demo program consists of a set of screens, switch between the screens by pressing any key.
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zxnext_draw_demo: This program contains three sets of screens. The first set tests all layer 2 drawing functions using the main layer 2 screen. The two other sets are the same as the first set but all drawing is done on the shadow layer 2 screen and on a layer 2 off-screen buffer copied to the main layer 2 screen.
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zxnext_perf_demo: This program calls all layer 2 drawing functions repeatedly to give a visual indication of their performance.
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zxnext_scroll_demo: This program demonstrates horizontal, vertical and diagonal hardware scrolling of a single screen and between multiple screens.
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zxnext_misc_demo: This program tests layer priorities and drawing on the main and shadow layer 2 screens paged to the top 16K RAM instead of the bottom 16K.
Note: This demo still works but is a bit out-of-date. It will be updated someday when I have the time ;)
If you want to build the demo programs yourself, follow the steps below:
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On Windows, you need MinGW, UnxUtils or Cygwin for the basic Unix commands. Add the chosen set of Unix commands to your path.
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Install the latest version of z88dk and the ZEsarUX or CSpect emulator.
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Download the zxnext_layer2 repository either as a ZIP archive using the "Clone or download" button at the top of this page or with Git using the following command:
- Go to the zxnext_layer2 directory and enter the following command to build the C layer 2 graphics library for Spectrum Next:
make all
- Go to the zxnext_layer2/demo directory and enter the following command to build the demo programs:
make all
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Make sure the zxnext_layer2/demo/resources directory is the root directory in the ZEsarUX or CSpect emulator.
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Run the zxnext_layer2/demo/bin/<compiler-flavour>/<program>.nex file in the ZEsarUX or CSpect emulator.
Tip: If you don't care for makefiles or don't want to install MinGW/UnxUtils/Cygwin on Windows, you can build zxnext_layer2 demo manually by using the z88dk command-line invocation located in the header of the zxnext_layer2 demo source files.
Tip: To start the ZEsarUX emulator directly in Spectrum Next mode, start it with the following options:
zesarux --noconfigfile --machine tbblue --enabletimexvideo --tbblue-fast-boot-mode --quickexit --enable-esxdos-handler --esxdos-root-dir <zxnext_layer2_demo_folder> <program>.nex
Tip: To start the CSpect emulator directly in Spectrum Next mode, start it with the options below. Note that the -mmc path must end with a / or \ character!
CSpect -w2 -tv -zxnext -mmc=<zxnext_layer2_demo_folder>/ <program>.nex
This software is licensed under the terms of the MIT license.