Thursday, April 08, 2010

Image to ZX Spec 1.2.1 Released

Update: Version 1.3.0(_01) has been released
Version 1.2.1(_02) of this application has now been released and is freely available.

award image

Image to ZX Spec 1.2.1 is a multi core capable image and video converter that can produce vintage computer art images (jpeg/png) of any size and can even convert work to a real ZX Spectrum (or an emulator) as a slideshow or video. This is useful to create retro music videos, posters, mock screenshots etc etc - you do not even need a Spectrum to use this program!

Just to show you how easy it is here's one I made earlier in 15 mins:



Key features include being able to:

- Apply a "Spectrumized" effect to any size JPEG, PNG or GIF image.
- Convert AVI or MOV files to ZX Spectrum video with optional video loader.
- Convert any JPEG, PNG or GIF image, convert to a ZX Spectrum slideshow (.tap file), or to ZX Spectrum SCREEN images (.scr file).
- Choose from numerous processing options as to how the images will be converted, including customising how colour "attribute" clash is handled.
- Convert an entire directory of images in one go.
- Change all processing options on-the-fly.
- Java based - works on Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu, etc or try it online! (Requires Java 6 to be installed)

Third party artwork:
zxthetics (Hi-Fi Lo-Fi / Digital Impressionism / Faux-Bit)
Prosthetic Knowledge/More zxthetics works
8 Bit Tron

Requirements:

Java 6 or better
Online version: >256MB memory free (image size limited).
Standalone version: >512MB memory free (larger image sizes permitted).

Downloads:

Try Image to Zx Spec 1.2.1_02 online.
Image to ZX Spec 1.2.1_02 Standalone (just unzip and double click jar file to start).
Image to ZX Spec 1.2.1_02 Source code and Javadoc (note GPL 2.0 licenced).
Tutorial and demo videos

7 comments:

rogerjowett said...

hi
has anyone tried the real spectrum emulator for zx spectrum?
it supports the mb-02+ interface which uses a dma to make a mutlitech screen mode similar to the sam coupe mode 2 which is using extra 6kb of ram added to the spectrums 6kb of pixel ram to make a video mode where each attribute square is now not 64 pixels but only 8 pixels in effect an attribute square for each 8 pixels
also on the sam coupe because we can have nearly 64 spectrum screens in video ram or 16 mode 4 16 colour s screens with a palette from 128 colours - more with line interrupts -
also the machine can create interlaced video using dma
you may be bale to double the vertical refresh using the dma

so far i havent seen any interlaced screens only on ql and sam no timex or dma mb-02+ spectrums but in theory maybe we caould video at 384 x 256 resolution and just turn the monitor sideways running in pc emulator you should be able to use the display settings to rotate the screen thru 90 degrees with ati and nvidia even intel vga drivers

Rich said...

Not processed FOR a ZX emulator, but this was made with the help of your software - thanks for producing this bit of software - I can can do something I have put off for a long time and use this to experiment with - fabtastic project :)

Anonymous said...

I've been using this tool for a creative project / hobby, if you are interested:

http://zxthetics.tumblr.com/

Benjamin said...

Wow those photos are amazing! I'll link from this blog post to it - thanks!

Benjamin said...

Love the new art genre "faux bit". I think you're on to something :)

Rich said...

Glad you like it :)

Anonymous said...

love this tool so much! thanx for making it ;D <3