Here is my 4x4 game (avatar version) that I will use for making a demonstration of playing the 4x4 game (https://masm32.com/board/index.php?topic=12550.0), and what to do if the bottom row appears to be unsolvable.
This is just the basic 4x4 game for now. I will be adding the code to generate a bitmap after each move is take in the next version. (credit to Vortex for that function)
After the code is finished, I will make the "4x4 demonstration avatar" from the series of bitmaps representing actual game play into an animated .gif and proudly display it in my profile as well as posting it in the 4x4 topic as a demo. :eusa_dance:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z55q7rJK/avatar-ver.png) (https://i.postimg.cc/8kfXv3WT/untitled.png)
Demo of playing 4x4...
A longer demo.... 4 games (https://i.postimg.cc/xTVCVXSM/4x4-demo2.gif)
There are a couple of caveats for using the attached program to capture each "frame" while playing the game.
1. The empty folder "pix" must reside where the program is executed from. If there are files already present, they will be overwritten without warning. Any remaining files that were previously present may erroneously make their way into the created animated .gif if you are not careful in ensuring that folder "pix" is empty before starting the process.
2. Upon any action (WM_KEYUP in this program) there is a delay in that InvalideRect returns before any painting is finished. Meaning that each screen capture is one frame behind. But I added another call so that the last frame is captured. This has little effect on the outcome, just thought that I would mention it here.
The bitmap files will be named "000.bmp" sequentially numbered up to the number of captures made.
This makes it convenient for opening a program to create the animated .gif by choosing "Import -> Folder as Frames" or similar option. I used ImageReady to create the .gif here.
Challenge project for some time in the near future...
Create an animated .gif from a series of bitmap files.
With gdiplus, it should indeed be possible. There may be examples on the internet somewhere already (even if it is in C).
But optimising the palette and optimizing how the .gif is stored might prove challenging, if file size is to be kept as minimal as possible. I have never done such work, but I imagine it would not be easy.
Nice zedd
I remember when had physical 4*4 game ,other side was puzzle of image
So I got idea of make program that let user choose image file and split it into 4*4 images, for use in 4*4 game
I once got it as task in Java class to make 4*4 with 4*4 buttons
Very hard to find out because restrictions to move around buttons I had to fake it
Quote from: daydreamer on March 30, 2025, 07:29:25 PMNice zedd
I remember when had physical 4*4 game ,other side was puzzle of image
So I got idea of make program that let user choose image file and split it into 4*4 images, for use in 4*4 game
Interesting. That should be a little more difficult than using numbered tiles.
At least two members here had difficulty with using numbered tiles. That is they got'stuck', not being able to solve the bottom row. No patience maybe? Each game is guaranteed to be solvable, btw.
So I made a full size 512x512 Demo of how to play, and what to do if the bottom row seems unsolvable, In addition to this tiny avatar sized demo.
4x4 full size demo (https://masm32.com/board/index.php?msg=137673)
Hi,
Quote from: zedd151 on March 30, 2025, 04:07:30 AMChallenge project for some time in the near future...
Create an animated .gif from a series of bitmap files.
With gdiplus, it should indeed be possible. There may be examples on the internet somewhere already (even if it is in C).
But optimising the palette and optimizing how the .gif is stored might prove challenging, if file size is to be kept as minimal as possible. I have never done such work, but I imagine it would not be easy.
I have worked with animated GIF images, including reducing file size,
and palette fix ups. All in 16-bit DOS code though. I am not sure what
problems you might be encountering?
Regards,
Steve N.
Quote from: FORTRANS on March 31, 2025, 11:25:27 PMHi,
I have worked with animated GIF images, including reducing file size,
and palette fix ups. All in 16-bit DOS code though. I am not sure what
problems you might be encountering?
Regards,
Steve N.
I haven't even looked into what would be necessary to do that yet. I recently learned only a little bit about some gdiplus functions for working with animated .gif files (reading them, not creating them). That is why I mentioned it is a project for the future, it will take some time for me to wrap my head around what will be necessary.
I am sure that it will be a interesting endeavor, and rewarding if done properly.
Larry
Update: after searching the internet, the only things I had come up with re: converting a series of bitmap to animated .gif are C++ code and ImageMagick, otherwise a lot of sources say to use a third party program or library to make the conversion. Surely someone has to have had done it by coding it up themselves other than your 16 bit code, Steve. Seems it will be a long path to attempt doing this. I was hoping to find some C code at least, to aid in my research. :eusa_boohoo: :eusa_boohoo:
I did however find some useful information here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIF (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIF) for the file header and data compression used, and other errata.
Well, for one thing you'd need a LZW encoder, since the image data is compressed.
I'm sure somebody out there has a free library that will do that.
Quote from: NoCforMe on April 01, 2025, 07:10:31 AMWell, for one thing you'd need a LZW encoder, since the image data is compressed.
I'm sure somebody out there has a free library that will do that.
Yes, during my research I did indeed find that .gifs were compressed using LZW.
But as I am currently working on other projects, I will continue further research at another time.
Hi,
Quote from: NoCforMe on April 01, 2025, 07:10:31 AMWell, for one thing you'd need a LZW encoder, since the image data is compressed.
I'm sure somebody out there has a free library that will do that.
Or you can write your own. There are (or were) plenty of documents,
tutorials, or examples in code. Slogging through those was bunches of
fun when I wrote my encoder (and decoder of course).
Cheers,
Steve N.
Quote from: FORTRANS on April 01, 2025, 09:11:54 AMHi,
Quote from: NoCforMe on April 01, 2025, 07:10:31 AMWell, for one thing you'd need a LZW encoder, since the image data is compressed.
I'm sure somebody out there has a free library that will do that.
Or you can write your own. There are (or were) plenty of documents,
tutorials, or examples in code. Slogging through those was bunches of
fun when I wrote my encoder (and decoder of course).
Now that you mention it, that would be my preference, assuming it's in the realm of possibility for a mere mortal like me. I don't know how complex LZW is; however, I have written RLE (run-length encoding/decoding) code, and that wasn't too hard.
Do you happen to have a link to a LZW specification handy?
Quote from: NoCforMeDo you happen to have a link to a LZW specification handy?
May be this can help? It has a C++ (garbage :tongue: ) example, plus
pseudo code examples
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/lzw-lempel-ziv-welch-compression-technique/ (https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/lzw-lempel-ziv-welch-compression-technique/)
And a
list of references at the bottom of page.
pdf from MIT regarding LZW compression (http://web.mit.edu/6.02/www/s2012/handouts/3.pdf)
From the c++ and pseudo code shown, seems rather simple pair of algorithms... on paper anyway. In practice, who knows? It should be doable in assembly...
Even better C sources from GitHub https://github.com/MichaelDipperstein/lzw (https://github.com/MichaelDipperstein/lzw)
I might fiddle around with the C code later this evening... to see how easy or not to port to assembly
Maybe this LZW stuff needs own topic?
Could make it a new topic, sure. (Let's leave this stuff here for now.)
Whaddya know: that page you linked is the same page I found by a quick search.
I didn't realize that Lempel-Ziv constructs a data dictionary on the fly. Pretty kewl.
Now I want to code this up myself.
Should be very do-able in assembly. Remember, Zedd, there's really nothing stopping us from coding practically anything in our favored language.
Quote from: NoCforMe on April 01, 2025, 10:30:20 AMNow I want to code this up myself.
:biggrin: :biggrin: Glad to have inspired you.
Okay you can start that topic, we can leave this stuff here.
QuoteShould be very do-able in assembly. Remember, Zedd, there's really nothing stopping us from coding practically anything in our favored language.
Yes, it looks a lot simpler than I had imagined it would be. (The LZW algos)
Quote from: NoCforMe on April 01, 2025, 10:30:20 AMCould make it a new topic, sure. (Let's leave this stuff here for now.)
Whaddya know: that page you linked is the same page I found by a quick search.
I didn't realize that Lempel-Ziv constructs a data dictionary on the fly. Pretty kewl.
Now I want to code this up myself.
Should be very do-able in assembly. Remember, Zedd, there's really nothing stopping us from coding practically anything in our favored language.
I agree,good luck David
Hi,
Quote from: NoCforMe on April 01, 2025, 10:30:20 AMI didn't realize that Lempel-Ziv constructs a data dictionary on the fly. Pretty kewl.
Yeah, that helps make it a one pass algorithm. Unlike Huffman
which requires one to read everything in to generate the required
statistics table.
QuoteNow I want to code this up myself.
Should be very do-able in assembly. Remember, Zedd, there's really nothing stopping us from coding practically anything in our favored language.
Well I did it, so most here could probably do so as well. For
*.GIF files, make sure you use the LZW variant. And note that,
for me to get working code, it took quite some time and effort.
Of course I probably did a lot of rewriting to get an acceptable
program to play with. And I tried all sorts of excursions along
the way.
Regards,
Steve N.
I couldn't resist changing some code. I have been wanting to try SIMD and your 16-byte grid piqued my interest.
No idea if it works properly but it doesn't crash (and if I fiddle the board set up I can win with 1 move :eusa_dance: )
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 12:00:05 AMI couldn't resist changing some code. I have been wanting to try SIMD and your 16-byte grid piqued my interest.
No idea if it works properly but it doesn't crash (and if I fiddle the board set up I can win with 1 move :eusa_dance: )
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(21) : error A2006: undefined symbol : xmmword
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(21) : error A2175: invalid qualified type
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(26) : error A2006: undefined symbol : xmmword
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(26) : error A2175: invalid qualified type
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(122) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(164) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(166) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(288) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
_
Assembly Error
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 12:00:05 AMI can win with 1 move
Happy April Fools day. :biggrin:
C:\asm\forum\zedd151\4x4_avatar_version>\asm\build32.bat 4x4_avatar_version windows
**********************************************************************
** Visual Studio 2022 Developer Command Prompt v17.13.5
** Copyright (c) 2022 Microsoft Corporation
**********************************************************************
[vcvarsall.bat] Environment initialized for: 'x86'
Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Resource Compiler Version 10.0.10011.16384
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Using codepage 1252 as default
Creating 4x4_avatar_version.res
4x4_avatar_version.rc.
Writing DIALOG:100, lang:0x409, size 72
Microsoft (R) Windows Resource To Object Converter Version 14.43.34809.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 14.43.34809.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Assembling: 4x4_avatar_version.asm
***********
ASCII build
***********
Microsoft (R) Incremental Linker Version 14.43.34809.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\asm\forum\zedd151\4x4_avatar_version>
Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 6.14.8444
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp 1981-1997. All rights reserved.
Assembling: C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm
***********
ASCII build
***********
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(21) : error A2006: undefined symbol : xmmword
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(21) : error A2175: invalid qualified type
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(26) : error A2006: undefined symbol : xmmword
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(26) : error A2175: invalid qualified type
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(122) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(164) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(166) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\4x4_avatar_version\4x4_avatar_version.asm(288) : error A2008: syntax error : xmm
_
Assembly Error
Press any key to continue . . . :eusa_dance:
you Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 6.14.8444
me Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 14.43.34809.0
Try living in the 21st century :biggrin:
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 12:24:40 AMyou Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 6.14.8444
me Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 14.43.34809.0
Try living in the 21st century :biggrin:
Yes I do. :eusa_dance:
Quote from: zedd151 on April 02, 2025, 12:04:18 AMHappy April Fools day.
You really are in the past eh? 2nd April here :biggrin:
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 12:34:33 AMQuote from: zedd151 on April 02, 2025, 12:04:18 AMHappy April Fools day.
You really are in the past eh? 2nd April here :biggrin:
:biggrin:
You could have also attached the .exe. I'm too lazy to swap ml for another.
Your wish is my command :biggrin:
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 12:41:26 AMYour wish is my command :biggrin:
I would download it, but I can't run it on this iPad. I have relocated to the back porch.
Back inside...
(https://i.postimg.cc/1t6MG5PQ/untitled.png)
:thumbsup:
It Verks... :biggrin:
You beaut :thumbsup:
It must be so much faster too, with all that SIMD code /s
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 12:50:50 AMIt must be so much faster too, with all that SIMD code /s
:joking: :rofl: :joking: :rofl:
Nah, I am just a faster player. :tongue:
That is, the speed of game play is limited mostly by how fast a player can manipulate the arrow keys on the keyboard - largely negating any possible speed improvements in any other area of the code. :toothy:
Quote from: FORTRANS on April 01, 2025, 11:05:10 PMAnd note that, for me to get working code, it took quite some time and effort.
Of course I probably did a lot of rewriting to get an acceptable
program to play with.
And I tried all sorts of excursions along the way.
That is all part of the fun when trying new things in assembly for the first time. :thumbsup:
Have you considered different ways of painting?
Make 16 bitmaps, store the handles in an array for easy access. You are basically creating them every WM_PAINT anyway.
Draw the background and grid either once as a bitmap or in WM_PAINT then all you need to do is draw the numbers each paint.
Quote from: sinsi on April 02, 2025, 06:39:31 AMHave you considered different ways of painting
..
You are basically creating them every WM_PAINT anyway.
Yeah, I know. But I wanted to keep the code fairly simple. Maybe another time.
No issues with the painting as it is, btw. :smiley:
Bob Ross style (under 30 minutes and easy) painting. :azn: