Newsgroups: sci.image.processing,comp.dsp
Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!das-news2.harvard.edu!news2.near.net!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!rutgers!fdurt1.fdu.edu!sun490.fdu.edu!chibane
From: chibane@sun490.fdu.edu (Cherif Chibane)
Subject: Re: Display images on VGA
Message-ID: <1994Dec1.234109.23124@sun490.fdu.edu>
Followup-To: comp.dsp
Summary: Display images on VGA
Organization: Fairleigh Dickinson University
References: <1994Nov29.014804.24756@sun490.fdu.edu> <3bgq49$sv3@news.usis.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 1994 23:41:09 GMT
Lines: 61
Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu sci.image.processing:11211 comp.dsp:14990


[.....
> Cherif, I had a couple of questions for you in regards to your
> VGA mode/programming problem with Borland C/C++:
> 1. The standard graphic libraries that are packaged with the Borland
> compiler (3.1 for sure, 4.02 I'm not sure about) do _not_ support
> the 640*480*256 color graphics mode in DOS.  If you want to access
> this 'Super VGA' mode, or VESA graphics mode, then you will
> either need a third party graphics library compatible with the Borland
> libraries that supports the VGA mode for your card and monitor, or
> you may need to introduce your own code using inline assembly (or full
> assembly, generating an object file that can be linked into your
> Borland code).
> 
> 2. In order to access the 640*480*256color VGA mode, you'll need to
> confirm how your particular VGA card handles this mode.  More specifically,
> is your VGA card VESA compliant?  The term 'Super VGA' is a horribly
> misused term for the capabilities of PC graphic cards and monitors, and
> you'll need a better answer than 'it's Super VGA compatible' in order
> to clarify if your VGA card can support this mode.  If you have the
> documentation for your card, review it to see how this mode is coded 
> (i.e. mode 13? mode 1A? VESA mode 0101?).
> 
> 3. To better understand the VESA specifications for graphics devices on 
> PC's (and to understand all the upper PC graphic modes in general) you
> may want to invest $35 to $50 in a good PC graphics programming guide.
> You have to be very picky picking a graphics programming book, due
> to all the garbage that's out there now.  One title I can highly
> recommend for purchasing is 'Graphics Programming Solutions' by
> Sanchez and Canton, ISBN# 0-07-911465-2, published by McGraw Hill.
> This book assumes some knowledge of assembly programming and interfacing
> with the PC interrupts in assembly, but assembly information should 
> also be with your Borland packge (i.e. Turbo Assembler).
> 
> 4. If you're under a time crunch and have the money, you may want
> to invest in the Watcom C/C++ DOS/Windows compiler.  It's graphic 
> libraries fully supports the resolution you want to run in, as well
> as all the other modes (note - this item is not an invitation to start 
> comparing PC compilers - they all have their strengths, weaknesses, and
> bugs, bugs, bugs - I know, 'cause I'm running Microsoft, Borland, 
> and Watcom compilers...)
> 
> Getting graphic libraries that support your VGA mode is the quickest 
> solution, but not the cheapest.  Investing in books and time and study
> to reach your solution is self-educational, but takes time.  Good luck.
> 
> Andrew Champion
> champion@usis.com
.....]

Hello Andrew,

Thank you very much for this very informative message. I think I will 
take the route of self education. I will post my findings on this net when 
they become availiable.

Again Thank you,
Cherif Chibane
Chibane@sun490.fdu.edu


