Can Picasso96 and CGX4 exist together?

[fitzsteve]

Hi Folks!

I have some exciting updates coming to my A4000 project but need some advice on the best way to proceed

I've picked up a Mediator (currently in the post) its the type for Towered A4000D and will fit perfect in my Elbox Power Tower.

I plan to run my CV64/3D with Scan Doubler and Voodoo 5 on a Monitor Switch going into the TV's VGA.

I already have the CV64/3D installed and working with CGX4, what I want to know is can I install Picasso96 as well for running the Voodoo? Sadly CGX4 does not support Voodoo/Mediator so I have to go the P96 route there.

I guess I'll find out when it gets here lol, but would be great to know if anyone has tried anything like this before.

Also a little bit of exciting news, should have an Apollo 4060 going in this build, hoping to overclock @70-80mhz :shhh:

Really hoping this kit all plays nice together, wish me luck - updates will be in my A4000 thread

Steve.

 

[Zetr0]

@Stevie

my friend CGX and P96 should play okay with each other, just pay attention to any image datatypes they might install as this will be to the same location.

Once installed you will have Native, CGX and P96 screens available, each one to a different chip/device lol - should be awesome if you ask me =D

 

[fitzsteve]

Thanks mate, I'll pay attention to where the installers are putting stuff

What I'm hoping to achieve here is Cyber Vision for my IGame and Doom/ etc (with the auto switching) and then hit up some Voodoo 5 for crazy resolution Workbench and Warp3D

Assuming the Apollo 4060 is up for it, hope to send it to Stachu for a makover with latest mask 060 and socketed oscilator. But will get everything working before I take that on

Fun times...

 

[abraXXious]

Why would you want Cgfx in the first place? I have always found P96 more customisable and it always faster.

If you read a few comparisons you will find that P96 is faster than Cgfx (from memory there was ONE test where Cgfx performed better than P96), is free and is still "semi" supported.

Why have two gfx rtg systems on one rig? Ditch the Cgfx and go with P96 - you will not be disappointed.

 

[keropi]

when did P96 went free? IIRC it is only free for picassoIV rtg cards IIRC...
if you have a pIV and install p96 then the installer thanks you for your support, else you get a notice to register.
also CGX is a way better rtg system, from the mode-set progs to it's core...

 

[mfilos]

CGX is far better imho. It's real pitty that CGX doesn't work in Mediator but you can try both to see if they'll work.
I had Picasso96 in my old A1200 mediator setup but once I got a BVision and put CGX, I wouldn't go back to that.

 

[fitzsteve]

Why would you want Cgfx in the first place? I have always found P96 more customisable and it always faster.

I stared with Picasso96 but had issues with corrupt Icons and installed CGX4 instead, I also found it to be faster on my setup so stuck with it.

Why have two gfx rtg systems on one rig? Ditch the Cgfx and go with P96 - you will not be disappointed.

Simple, I enjoy the auto switching on the CV64/3D and Scan Doubler for my gaming sessions, I only want to call on the Voodoo when needed.

My other rigs are dedicated to a purpose, i.e the A1200/PPC is a pure RTG setup whilst my A1200/030 is a WHDLoad machine.

What I want to achieve here is a true dual use machine

 

[abraXXious]

You guys MUST be pulling my chain. P96 is faster and more stable on every machine I have every tried it on. Oh, wait, Cgfx had a nice loading screen.

Sorry, but after comparing the two systems MANY times over the years I will never go back to Cgfx.

Oh, and P96 has been free for years - it is now open source and an unofficial C version is available (search Google), it is even on Aminet AND comes on the OS 3.9 cd.

---------- Post added at 21:43 ---------- Previous post was at 21:41 ----------

Even on Cybervision 64 and 64/3d cards P96 runs circles around Cgfx for window refreshing etc.

I have never owned a Cybervision PPC, so maybe Cgfx is better for these... but for Picasso II, Picasso IV, Cybervision 64, Cybervision 64/3d and Spectrum 24/28 its P96 no contest.

Oh, and as for the corrupted icons, go to PVS (Picasso Variable Settings) in Prefs and yuo will find a bitmap mask setting is not right.

 

[fitzsteve]

Yeah I'm sure there was a simple way to sort the icons, I forgot to mention I was also trying to get Warp3D stuff working with the CV64/3D and had only a little but slightly more success with CGX4

I'm hoping to bring this machine to Retr0 Replay this year so it will be great if I can get everything working

 

[keropi]

nope I am not pulling anyone's chain, I have used almost all good RTG cards known in the amiga world, from zorroII ones to bvisions. Only "lame" ones like retinas and the like I avoided.
In my numerous setups cgx was way better hands down. P96 only performed OK on picassoIV cards, every other card is better off with CGX.

How sure are you that the last p96 version is free? IIRC the one in 3.9 is still a demo - older version _and_ without any nags.
What's your source? I am curious about that because it's good news

 

[keropi]

here is an extract taken from the very last p96 update that I know of, 2.1b :

Picasso96 is ShareWare. Requested fee US$20 or DM30, free to use for
PicassoIV and Pixel64 users (the manufacturers of those cards already
paid for these licences) and the really few ones that already have
sent us a donation.

No distribution restrictions as long as the the archive is complete
and none of the files within is changed. BBS notes may be added.


edit: now I see your edit , yeah that is what I was remembering, you can use it with no restrictions but you must register it , if you had a pIV card then the installer would thank you for your support LOL

 

[abraXXious]

Lol, yessum, see my post above.

Im sure there is a 2.1c out, Im wondering if it still has the shareware page in the installer.... will check later.

At the end of the day, it is legal to download and install it for free and it has not nagging requestors nor disabled features. They are simply relying on peoples honesty.

 

[Damion]

P96 is the clear choice for the PIV, and it is faster overall on the CV64/3D as well (I benchmarked both extensively). On both cards, the redraw lag in WB with CGX is obvious compared to P96. The scandoubler switching works fine on the CV64/3D with P96. Properly configured, stability is pretty good on both IMHO, and essentially perfect with the PIV/P96 combo.

The trashed icon problem I did experience with P96, in conjunction with PowerIcons. I believe I had to select a "PC" (or was it "non-PC"?) screenmode to eliminate the problem... there was no other fix. Fortunately thanks to PeterK I've ditched PowerIcons for good.

One area where CGX accels (when either can be used) is the demoscene. RTG demos are generally much nicer, more fluid with CGX. Also, the P96 CGX emulation on the CV64/3D is broken, so some demos are choppy or have other errors.

With the CV64/3D, I remember switching to CGX for watching demos, but stuck with P96 for everything else.

 

[Kin Hell]

@ fitz

I don't want to pi$$ on your fireworks here, but from my experiences, it can not be done successfully.

For me, it was always one or the other I'm afraid. :| - Perhaps you might be lucky. Just try it.

Kin

 

[fitzsteve]

@ fitz

I don't want to pi$$ on your fireworks here, but from my experiences, it can not be done successfully.

For me, it was always one or the other I'm afraid. :| - Perhaps you might be lucky. Just try it.

Kin

That sux mate

Guess I'll try and report back - hopfully this kit arrives soon

 

[Damion]

@ fitz

I don't want to pi$$ on your fireworks here, but from my experiences, it can not be done successfully.

For me, it was always one or the other I'm afraid. :| - Perhaps you might be lucky. Just try it.

Kin

Should be interesting to see how it works out with two simulaneous video cards.. LOL. I know with the CV3D alone, on top of swapping the monitor files, I had to power down before being able to switch between them... otherwise something hung in memory and caused a non-boot. :-/

 

[Kin Hell]

Picasso IV & Voodoo 5 = Epic Fail for me.

Probably due to Elbox doing their usual :bs: DMA Kludge-Fudge thing! :shrug:

PIV just became an expensive FF/SD so I sold it, bought a DCE FF/SD Ran Picasso96 on the Voodoo & never looked back.

@ fitz

I would say that Voodoo blows ANY other graphics card for the Amiga clean out of the water. PIV starts running out of steam much over 1024 x 768 in 24Bit. Voodoo takes 1600 x 1200 & doesn't even grunt for it, but believe me, configuring your Monitor Settings for should be done with extreme caution. You might kiss your Monitor goodbye if you get the values wrong. Be sure you know your Horizontal & Vertical MAX refresh rates before commencing. GL fella.

Kin

 

[fitzsteve]

Hey Kinny!

Making some progress!

I have both CV64/3D and Voodoo 5 Working on Picasso96 but cannot get both drivers to work together, I thought that would be a long shot.

Some updates in my A4k thread:

https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?p=162345#post162345

Right now I can use either board if I go into Picasso96Mode and 'attach board'

I don't think I can get both in the Screen Modes lists for auto changing of screens like I wanted, looks like I need to do the P96Mode swap and reboot - I guess I can live with that as I have the two setups I wanted Voodoo for Warp3D and Mega Workbench and then CV64/3D for auto screen switching WHDLoad/IGame.

Next job, get Warp3D working