Loaders

Every graphics program stores its picture data to disk in a way that its capabilities best come to importance (see also: savers). However, contents, arrangement, and appearance of the picture data may considerably differ. Often the data moreover is "packed", i.e. repeating values may be substituted more or less ingeniously by a short counter. On the other hand, algorithms to pack a file are specific, possibly each program uses its own. We have tried to describe all these algorithms here in 'How To GoDot' as far as it was possible to use only few words.

As for MSDOS and Amiga computers they rather early developed standards each program is well acquainted with: PCX, GIF, and IFF. On the part of the 64 they never came to a standard, merely Koala spreaded in the USA and in Germany and elsewhere.

GoDot offers program modules to read the most popular C64 formats and for the standard formats of the extraneous computers, so-called loaders. All GoDot loaders transform the picture data they read - no matter what origin - into its very own 4Bit format. GoDot drivers for devices that give picture data (scanners und digitizers) belong to the loaders, too. You can find a survey of all loaders classified to the graphics mode they use in a table.

Additionally we divided the loaders into five categories:

loaders for standard C64 formats (those formats that store their data as 320x200 pictures, and don't use uncommon tricks to display),
loaders for special C64 formats (all loaders that use either untrivial picture sizes or graphics modes),
loaders for formats from extraneous computers (pictures of non C64 computers),
loaders for devices that produce picture data (like scanners or digitizers), and
loaders for the GoDot 4Bit format (that mostly offer many ways to manipulate a picture whilst loading).

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Savers

GoDot is able to store its picture data to the formats of the most important C64- or non C64 computers (see table). In co-operation with the loaders there's no problem to convert any picture format into another. Because of its high density of information the 4Bit format converts very much without loss as long as the number of colors doesn't exceed 16. Even a transformation into black & white gives an utmost detailed result (see preparing for printout).

A special feature of GoDot is its svr.Temp. Using it you have access to the most current RAM extensions of the C64.

All GoDot savers carry the system's input routines with them. If you haven't installed a saver (you see "none" behind "Save:" on main screen) you can't input from keyboard. In that case you may install any saver (see Filerequester for procedure).

Savers are devided into two groups:

savers for a rendered picture (that conforms to the standard C64 formats), and
savers of the 4Bit area (collecting all special formats and all formats of non C64 computers).

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Arndt Dettke
god.ADettke@t-online.de