ACE · Index

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    ACE 1.17
    The acidulous CPC/CPC+ emulator.

    Copyright © 2011-2018 Philippe Rimauro
    All rights reserved.

     Introduction     - Why and how?
     Requirements     - What do you need?
     Installation     - Installation process

     Features         - What's possible?

     Usage            - How to use?
     Configuration    - ACE at your command
     Scripts & tools  - Going further...

     FAQ              - Useful advice
     Known bugs       - Known problems

     Future           - What to expect next?
     History          - What's news?

     Credits          - Who did it?

    The official homepage: http://ace.cpcscene.net.

    You could also:
      * Read our fanzine in form of a wiki (french): http://quasar.cpcscene.net.
      * Download CPC/CPC+ games, demos and tools   : http://www.cpc-power.com  .

    Please note that the English version is a translation of the original French
    version and might not be always accurate or complete yet.
    You can then refer to the French documentation.
    Sorry for the inconvenience.


ACE · Introduction

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    Introduction


    While PC freaks were playing around with many Amstrad CPC emulator, none was
    available for MorphOS!

    This could not be!

    Then, I started my work... and here it is: ACE CPC Emulator.

    Moreover, as MorphOS deserves what is best, ACE is not just a small little
    CPC emulator; it expects to become the best CPC emulator on any platform
    ever!

    ACE is not based on an existing emulator and was coded from scratch, using
    a real CPC as reference; it is written in C language and its GUI is based on
    the famous MUI (Magic User Interface).

    Of course, ACE is not complete yet. Nevertheless, you can use almost the
    entire CPC and CPC+ softwares without any compatibility issue, and with a
    higher quality than the best CPC emulators available on PC these days!


ACE · Requirements

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    Requirements


    Minimal configuration:
    (for ACE to be one frame in overlay)

    * MorphOS 3.11 or better.
    * 2MB of free hard disk space.
    * 10MB of free RAM.
    * A 700MHz CPU for CPC emulation (1GHz for CPC+ emulation).

    You will need a more powerful processor if you disable the overlay
    (not a good choice!).


ACE · Installation

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    Installation


    No real installation is needed.
    Just copy the ACE drawer where you want.

    Note 1: ACE uses the MCC_HexEdit MUI class from Miloslaw Smyk to display
    some advanced informations in the secondary windows. If it is not installed,
    you will not be able to use then. Anyway it will not affect the basic usage
    of ACE.

    Note 2: to use the REXX scripts bundled with ACE you need to have
    the rexxsyslib.library installed in your LIBS: drawer (if not, the AREXX
    commands can be used standalone with the help of RxCmd shell command or
    using Lua).

    Note 3: to encode the videos recorded with ACE into standard video files,
    you need to install the ffmpeg MorphOS port from fab1. It should be in
    your path to be able to directly use the encoding script generated by ACE
    for each recorded video.


ACE · Features

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    Features


    The current version of ACE does not offer all the expected features yet.
    However, most of the games and demos for both CPC and CPC+ are working
    perfectly; actually, the quality of the emulation is already superior to
    what the existing CPC emulators on PC/Windows can produce (enjoy!).

    Emulator:

    * System:
      · Handling of the entire CPC and CPC+ range.
      · Full Z80 emulation.
      · Up to 256 expansion ROMs.
      · Up to 512KB of extended memory.

    * Video:
      · Accurate CRTC emulation of the various CRTC types.
      · Gate Array full emulation of all variants (perfect split rasters
        management).
      · CPC+ ASIC full emulation (unique quarter-cycle precision).
      · CTM644, GT65 and MM12 monitors emulation.
        (including dynamic analog behaviours)

    * Audio:
      · Full and very accurate PSG emulation (AY-3-8912).
      · Extremely accurate audio DMA emulation on CPC+.

    * Devices:
      · Accurate but incomplete FDC emulation (Format and Scan instructions are
        missing).
      · Accurate emulation of both floppy disc drives (real rotation speed
        computation, manual drive & side switches support).
      · CPC+ Cartridge port emulation.
      · Emulation of the tape interface through audio files (read only).
      · Accurate emulation of the keyboard (including ghost keys when pressing
        more than three keys at once).
      · Magnum Light Phaser and Trojan Light Phazer emulation through the mouse.
      · Tape to hard disc wrapper to access the host's files directly from the
        CPC operating system.
      · Automatic keyboard remapping can be activated if your are using ACE with
        a keyboard layout unknown by the original CPC firmwares.

    Graphical interface:

    * Simple and modular configuration of the CPC to emulate using tool types
      (from Ambient) or arguments (from CLI).
    * Ability to change the CRTC type, the Gate Array version or the screen
      monitor model on-the-fly without having to reset the running program.
    * SNA and DSK files management (all of them !) with automatic
      on-the-fly detection and fix of the corrupted DSK.
    * CPR files management for CPC+ cartridges.
    * Overlay support with real pixel aspect ratio.
    * Full screen support with the ability to choose the graphic mode
      to use in order to get back the 50Hz smoothness if your screen monitor can
      do this.
    * Maskable interface in both windowed & full screen modes.
    * Floppy disc drives LED activity OSD when the interface is not displayed.
    * Rich breakpoints management on predefined conditions (HBL, VBL,
      interrupt...), on graphical coordinates, on execution addresses, on memory
      accesses and on I/O ports accesses (with the ability to use complex
      conditions, masks on the break address and/or the break value) with the
      option to execute scripts.
    * Video beam cursor to see the cathode's ray position while on pause or in
      step by step mode.
    * Memory editor (management of all RAM and ROM switching, automatic
      detection of the character code page depending on the installed firmware ROM).
    * Z80 disassembler with highlight on opcodes and fast jump buttons
      on branch instructions.
    * CRTC editor (full real time read/write access to the registers).
    * Z80 editor (full real time read/write access to the registers).
    * Gate Array analyzer (palette display, graphic mode, interrupt
      internal counter).
    * PSG analyzer (played notes, tuning, and a bunch of rich
      informations from the current PSG settings).
    * ASIC analyzer (main ASIC registers).
    * Hard sprites analyzer (palette and content).
    * DMA analyzer (full real time state and instructions being executed).
    * Video information window (frequencies, beam ray position...).
    * Option to use some keyboard mapping instead of a real joystick when none
      is available.
    * Screen monitor settings window (type, brightness, vertical hold).
    * Sound volume control.
    * Screen grabbing with high quality rendering.
    * Video recording modular and customizable at will.
    * Online help and MUI's bubbles help available everywhere to help
      the beginners
    * Localized in French, German and English (including the help).

    Programmable interface:

    * Handling of expansion plugins that allow anybody with some C language
      knowledges to add support for expansions connected to joystick, printer or
      expansion CPC port (except for memory management).
      By default are provided:
      · A plugin to support both joysticks (up to three fire buttons) using real
        devices plugged on the host machine (using USB or whatever).
      · A Plugin to support for Digiblaster/Soundplayer.
      · A Plugin to redirect CPC printer port to a file.
      · A Plugin to support the Kempston mouse.
      · A Plugin to support the AMX mouse.

    * Support of an AREXX interface which allows to fully control the emulator
      and to manipulate its memory, in order to automate things and more, or to
      use ACE as a powerful cross-development station.


ACE · Configuration

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    Configuration


    ACE configuration can be modified using the tool types when launched through
    Ambient, or by using simple arguments from a CLI.

    Once launched, most of the main configuration options remain accessible
    using the "Preferences" menu.

    Tool types/Arguments:

    * RS=RAMSIZE/K/N: choose the size of the CPC memory. 64KB is the minimum
      and 576KB the maximum (64KB of main memory plus 512KB of expansion
      memory). Only value which are multiple of 64 are allowed.
      Default value is 128KB (just like a stock Amstrad CPC6128).

    * OS=OSVERSION/K: choose the operating system ROMs version to use. Four
      versions are existing: version 1 was integrated to CPC464, version 2 to
      CPC664, version 3 to CPC6128 and version 4 was embedded in the system
      cartridge of 464plus and 6128plus. Practically, any operating system
      version is compatible with any CPC model.
      Some of the operating system versions are available for different
      countries in order to adapt keyboard layout and charset; ACE will load
      to one corresponding to your hosting system locale setting if possible.
      Versions 1 to 3 are existing for French, Spanish, Danish and English,
      version 4 is existing for French, Spanish and English, version 2 is
      only available in English.
      The operating system is composed of three ROMs:
        - the firmware which is the boot ROM,
        - the BASIC which is the applicative default ROM,
        - the AMSDOS which is the disc ROM (only used on systems equiped with
          a floppy disc drive interface).
      All the operating system ROMs can be found in the drawer "System" of ACE.
      Alternatively, you can compose the operating system by hand using the
      tooltypes FIRMWARE/K, BASIC/K and AMSDOS/K.
      By default the version 3 of the operating will be used; it's the one which
      is compatible with most of the CPC softwares.

    * FW=FIRMWARE/K: choose the firmware ROM to use. It must point to a binary
      ROM file of 16384 bytes max (or 16512 bytes if the AMSDOS header is
      included).
      If the tooltype is not specified then the firmware ROM matching both the
      selected version of the CPC operating system (see OSVERSION/K tooltype)
      and the locale setting of your host system is used.
      By default "ROMs/Firmware_?x.rom" will be loaded (where x is the version
      number of the operating system and ? a letter for the country).

    * BAS=BASIC/K: choose the BASIC ROM to use. It must point to a binary ROM
      file of 16384 bytes max (or 16512 bytes if the AMSDOS header is included).
      Warning: not any BASIC ROM is compatible with any firmware ROM! You must
      use BASIC 1.0 for v1 firmware, BASIC 1.1 for v2 and BASIC 1.2x or 1.4 for
      v3 or v4 (please note that BASIC 1.2x and 1.4 are hiding their real
      version nmber and are anouncing themselves as being BASIC 1.1 at boot up).
      By default "ROMs/Basic_v1.2x.rom" is used (where x is a revision number
      which depends on the country: 3 for France, 1 for Spain and 0
      for any other country).

    * CPM=AMSDOS/K: choose the AMSDOS ROM to use. It must point to a binary ROM
      file of 16384 bytes max (or 16512 bytes if the AMSDOS header is included).
      The AMSDOS is the default ROM #7 which will be replaced by any installed
      external ROM #7 (configurable through ROM7/K tooltype).
      Warning: not any AMSDOS version is compatible with any firmware ROM! Use
      AMSDOS 0.5 for firmware versions 1 to 3 and AMSDOS 0.7 for firmware
      version 4. You could alternatively use the excellent PARADOS (of Richard
      Wilson) which is compatible with all firmware versions.
      By default "System/CPM05.rom" will be used for firmware versions 1 to 3
      and "System/CPM07.rom" for version 4.

    * ROM0/K: choose the extension ROM #0 to use. This ROM must be a bootable
      ROM which will replace the default BASIC at boot time. It must then be a
      background ROM (such as another BASIC, a CP/M or a Hacker).
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM1/K: choose the extension ROM #1 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM2/K: choose the extension ROM #2 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM3/K: choose the extension ROM #3 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM4/K: choose the extension ROM #4 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM5/K: choose the extension ROM #5 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM6/K: choose the extension ROM #6 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM7/K: choose the extension ROM #7 to use. This ROM is historically the
      disc ROM of the CPC (the AMSDOS). To avoid compatibility problems with
      some softwares you should always configure a disc ROM at this slot (the
      bundled CP/M ROM or the PARADOS replacement ROM).
      When provided the internal AMSDOS rom will be invalidated and this ROM #7
      will be used instead.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM8/K: choose the extension ROM #8 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM9/K: choose the extension ROM #9 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM10/K: choose the extension ROM #10 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM11/K: choose the extension ROM #11 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM12/K: choose the extension ROM #12 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM13/K: choose the extension ROM #13 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM14/K: choose the extension ROM #14 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * ROM15/K: choose the extension ROM #15 to use.
      By default none is installed.

    * A=DRIVEA/K: choose the disc image file to preload in drive A.

    * B=DRIVEB/K: choose the disc image file to preload in drive B.

    * TAPE/K: choose the tape audio file to preload in tape reader.

    * SNA=SNAPSHOT/K: choose the snapshot file to preload into the CPC.

    * CPR=CARTRIDGE/K: choose the cartridge file to preload into the CPC+
      Note: CPC+ emulation mode is forced at startup when a cartridge to preload
      is specified.

    * FILES/K/M: give a list of files to preload into ACE.. The list can
      contain any type of file, disc image, audio file, snapshot file or
      cartridge file ; ACE will load them together depending on their type.
      Si several disc image files are given in the list, the first one will be
      loaded in the drive A and the second one in the drive B, all other disc
      image files will be ignored. For other file types, only the first one of
      each type will be used, the other ones are ignored.

    * PLUS=CPC+=AMSTRADPLUS/S: activate the CPC+ emulation at start-up.
      CRTC type 3 will be automatically selected and CRTC option is ignored.

    * CRTC/K/N: choose the type of CRTC to use at start-up. Please note that
      you can change the type of CRTC at anytime while the emulator is running.
      By default CRTC 1 is used.

    * BRAND=MANUFACTURER/K: choose the brand of the CPC to emulate. All the
      manufacturers planed by Amstrad are possible (ISP, Triumph, Saisho,
      Solavox, Awa, Schneider, Orion and Amstrad).
      By default Amstrad is used, except for German speaking countries where
      Schneider is used.

    * 64K=64KEXPMEMSCHEME/S: activate the emulation of a 64Kio-based model
      (basically a CPC464, CPC664 or 464 plus). On these models the main RAM is
      switched rather than the extension RAM when using non-existing memory
      pages.

    * NDI=NODISCINTERFACE/S: totally disable the emulation of the floppy disc
      drive interface. This way you are able to emulate a stock CPC464 or
      464plus. The disc interface car be enanled/disabled at anytime while ACE
      is running.

    * LD=LIGHTDEVICE/K: activate the emulation of a light gun device through
      the mouse pointer. Two models are handled, the Magnum Light Phaser and
      the le Trojan Light Phazer (CPC+ specific). Use the argument
      MagnumLightPhaser or TrojanLightPhazer to select the one you expect. The
      light gun can be (un)plugged at anytime while ACE is running. It is a
      good choice only to plug it when required.

    * DKB=DKTRONICSBUGS/K: activate the emulation of the DK'Tronics bugs.
      When using a DK'Tronics the upper ROM is visible in the area &4000-&7FFF
      instead of &C000-&FFFF if it is switched on while RAM pages &4000-&7FFF
      and &C000-&FFFF are swapped (&C3 mode of the Gate Array) and the shadowing
      of the RAM by I/O ASIC page of the Amstrad Plus is not handled.

    * TAP=TAPEAUTOPLAY/S: activate the autoplay feature of the tape reader. You
      will no longer have to press play after having inserted a tape. This
      option can be enabled ou disabled at anytime while ACE is running.

    * NTS=NOTAPESOUND/S: disable the tape audio feedback that is usually
      listened in the CPC speaker. This option can be enabled ou disabled at
      anytime while ACE is running.

    * NTS=NOTAPERELAY/S: disable the emulation of the mechanical noise made
      by the relay commanding the tape's motor.

    * THD=TAPE2HD/S: activate the tape to hard disc wrapper which allows you to
      directly access the files of your hard disc from the CPC operating system
      through the tape interface (by default you will have access to the files
      from the drawer "Share" of ACE). You can change the shared directory using
      the option TAPE2HDPATH. This wrapper can be activated/deactivated at
      anytime while ACE is running.

    * TAPE2HDPATH/K: choose the shared directory through the tape to hard disc
      wrapper.
      By default the drawer "Share" of ACE is used.

    * AV=AUDIOVOLUME/K/N: choose the start-up sound volume. The volume can be
      changed at anytime while ACE is running.
      By default the volume is at 100%.

    * AU=AHIUNIT/K/N: choose the AHI unit to use.
      By default ACE uses unit 0.

    * NAF=NOAUDIOFILTER/S: by default ACE filters out the frequencies from the
      PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) which are not in the audible audio
      spectrum (the PSG, aka AY-3-8912, can indeed create sounds up to 62.5kHz
      whereas the human ear can only hear frequencies up to 20kHz). Such sounds
      cannot be sampled by the audio sound card that might produce bad artefacts
      (because of aliasing). If you really have some professional sound card or
      if you prefer to rely on the AHI driver filters, you can disable the
      embedded filter with this option (generally not a good idea).

    * NS=NOSOUND/S: by default ACE plays sounds. This option disable the sound
      at start-up. You can change the sound state at anytime while ACE is
      running.

    * FULL=FULLSCREEN/S: switch ACE to full screen mode at start-up. Full
      screen mode can also be switched on/off at anytime while ACE is running.

    * ID=SCREENMODE/K/N: by default ACE clones Ambient screen to open its
      own screen in full screen mode; it is generally what you expect. Anyway,
      you can specify a mode ID to use instead. It can be useful if your screen
      supports 50Hz (or 100Hz) frame rate that you want ACE to use in order to
      have a smoother display (most CPC games and demo are running at 50Hz).

    * NO=NOOVERLAY/S: by default ACE tries to use overlay mode. This option
      tells ACE not to do so. Generally overlay should always be preferred
      because it is faster and it looks better. Moreover, the software rendering
      (without overlay) is limited and should only be used as a last chance. The
      overlay mode can also be activated/disabled at anytime while ACE is
      running.

    * NW=NOWARN=NOWARNINGS/S: by default ACE displays warning messages when bad
      DSK or SNA files are loaded. This option disable these messages.

    * NSI=NOSNAPSHOTICONS/S: by default ACE saves the snapshots with an icon
      (an .info file) representing what is on the display. With this option
      these icons will ont be saved anymore.

    * NAG=NOANTIALIASEDGRABS/S: by default, ACE saves antialiased screen grabs
      using a filter that mimics the actual rendering on a CPC color screen
      monitor. With this options no filter will be applied to the grabs.

    * OSC=OFFSCREENCOLOR/K/N: when ACE is running windowed or in full screen
      mode with a ratio different from the real CPC screen, some margins are
      automatically added at the top/bottom or left/right of the display to
      ensure the original CPC pixel ratio. With this option you can choose the
      color of this border in the form of a 24 bit RGB value.
      By default it is a dark grey (0x181820).

    * MS=MAXFRAMESKIP/K/N: specify the maximum number of frames allowed to be
      skipped in a row to maintain a full speed emulation. You should not
      usually activate this option but it might be interesting on low-end
      configurations.
      By default it is 0; which means that frame skipping is forbidden.

    * KJ=KEYJOY/S: set this option to use the keyboard instead of a real
      joystick 0; "up", "down", "left", "right", "control" (fire 2), "left alt"
      (fire 1), and "left shift" (fire 3, not on Amstrad Plus) are used. This
      option can be activated/disabled at anytime while ACE is running.

    * AKM=ADAPTKEYMAP/S: set this option to automatically reconfigure the
      CPC firmare ROM to better match the keymap used on your host machine. Of
      course this options will only work if you are using a standard firmware
      ROM; it might not work properly with custom ones. This option could be
      very useful if ACE is running on a computer using a keymap that was never
      supported on CPC, but it could be incompatible with some bad written CPC
      softwares. This option can be activated/disabled at anytime while ACE is
      running.

    * AP=AUTOPAUSE/S: active automatic emulation pause and then start
      when the main window becomes inactive or active again. This option can
      also be switched on/off at anytime while ACE is running.

    * WS=WILDSPEED/S: disable the accurate speed emulation limit for a real
      CPC. In this wild mode, the emulator runs at the maximum possible speed on
      your computer. However, the relative speed of the emulated CPC chipsets
      remains accurate and the emulation quality is not altered. This mode can
      be activated/disabled at anytime while ACE is running.

    * MR=MAXFRAMERATE/K/N: specify the maximum frame per second to display in
      wild speed mode. The greater is this value the slower the wild speed
      will be because the display update is very CPU consuming. Also, note that
      values greater than the refresh frequency of your monitor (generally 60Hz)
      are useless.
      The default value is 10.
      This option has no effect if the wild speed mode is not activated.

    * FD=FASTDRIVES/S: active the fast drive emulation mode of the floppy disc
      drives. Track and sector access are done with no delay which makes the
      disc read/write operation faster. Warning: this option must be used with
      care because it is not compatible with some protected softwares and
      demos. This fast drive mode can also be activated/disabled at anytime
      while ACE is running.

    * CKR=CARTRIDGESKEEPEXTROM/S: disable the automatic deactivation of the
      extension ROMs when a CPC+ cartridge is inserted. This deactivation
      prevents problems with cartridges incompatible with extension ROMs. For
      some reason you might need to disable this behavior (i.e. when using the
      original system cartridge instead of the one emulated by ACE).

    * NPS=NOPLUSSCREEN/S: disable the automatic setting of the screen when
      Amstrad Plus (or CRTC 4) is activated. Actually, Amstrad Plus monitors
      are not adjusted like CPC ones; the ASIC generates a video signal shifted
      by one microsecond compared to the one generated by the CPC Gate Array.

    * NPU=NOPLUSUNSTABLEHIZ: disable emulation of the unstable Hi-Z when
      reading invalid addresses in the Amstrad Plus ASIC I/O page. It will then
      always return 0 (like on most stock Amstrad Plus) instead of some random
      values (like when expansions handling memory such as the Ramcard or the
      Multiface Two are plugged).

    * OVER=OVERSCAN/S: by default ACE uses the regular CTM borders to define
      the visible display area. This option tells ACE to also display parts of
      video output which are normally not visible. The overscan mode can also be
      activated/disabled at anytime while ACE is running through the screen
      monitor preferences window.

    * LM=LAUNCHMODE/K: choose the launch mode of ACE executable. By
      default ACE will ask the user to decide what to do if an instance of ACE
      is already running. If the value SINGLE is specified only one instance is
      allowed and any new launch attempt will put to front the already running
      instance and insert optional media given in parameter. If the value
      MULTIPLE is given, a new instance of ACE is started every time.

    * UBC=USERBREAKPOINTCOMMAND/K: choose a command to execute every time a
      breakpoint is activated. The place holder "%s" can be used to get the
      AREXX port name of the ACE's instance.
      By default no command is launched.

    * DISCSPATH/K: choose the default path to the image disc files for the
      file requesters.
      By default the drawer "Discs" of ACE is used.

    * TAPESPATH/K: choose the default path to the tape audio files for the
      file requesters.
      By default the drawer "Tapes" of ACE is used.

    * CARTRIDGESPATH/K: choose the default path to the cartridges files for
      the file requesters.
      By default the drawer "Cartridges" of ACE is used.

    * SNAPSHOTSPATH/K: choose the default path to the snapshot files for the
      file requesters.
      By default the drawer "Snapshots" of ACE is used.

    * GRABSPATH/K: choose the path where to save the screen grabs.
      By default the drawer "Grabs" of ACE is used.

    * PLUGINSPATH/K: choose the path where to load expansion plugins from.
      By default the drawer "Plugins" of ACE is used.

    * RECORDPATH/K: choose the path where to put video recording raw files.
      By default the drawer "Recording" of ACE is used.

    * D=DEBUG/S: no effect in ACE public version.


ACE · Usage

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    Usage


    In addition to the main window, ACE offers some secondary windows to watch
    and alter in real time the emulation behavior. Also, ACE has a hard disc
    wrapper and an AREXX interface to make your dreams come true.

     Main window                           - The emulator
     'About the emulated CPC' window       - We know who you are!

     Memory editor                         - Let's peek and poke!
     Z80 disassembler                      - One more step!

    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

     Memory map                            - We know where you are!

     Z80 editor                            - Beating heart
     CRTC editor                           - Control the display

     PSG analyzer                          - Sounds and musics
     Gate Array analyzer                   - Colorful CPC!
     Video information                     - Watch the monitor

     ASIC analyzer (Amstrad Plus)          - Please don't watch!
     Hard sprites analyzer (Amstrad Plus)  - Pixels beyond pixels
     DMA analyzer (Amstrad Plus)           - Instructions beyond instructions

     Keyboard layout                       - Who is the key?
     Joysticks status                      - Click to shoot!

    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

     Screen monitor preferences            - Brightness and darkness

     Breakpoints manager                   - Pay its right-of-way
     Symbols manager                       - Do you have your ID?

     Advanced controls                     - May the force be with you!
     User counters                         - Counting ways over ten!

    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

     Hard disc wrapper                     - An opened door
     Video recording                       - Make your buzz on YouTube!

     Expansion plugins                     - No limits!
     AREXX interface                       - The area of gurus


ACE · Usage of the main window

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    Main window


    ACE is really simple to use; it just acts like a real CPC. Anyway, some tips
    are good to know.

    Gadgets:

    On the top and the bottom of the CPC screen display lie two groups of
    gadgets.

    The ones on the top let you handle disc, tape and cartridge images using the
    different tabs, and loading/saving snapshot files and screen grabs using the
    buttons on the right. Some of the tabs might be disabled depending on the
    CPC configuration (single floppy disc drive, old generation CPC...).
    Moreover, some LED and icons let you know about the disc drives activity and
    configuration (forced side B, fast drives mode...).

    At the bottom the gadgets let you set the state of the CPC. On the first row
    you will find:

        - The volume setting.
        - The choice of the screen model.
        - The choice of the Amstrad CPC type (it will automatically select a
          proper CRTC).
        - The choice of the CRTC type.
        - The different buttons to control the emulator (speed, play/pause,
          reset).
        - Buttons to save grabs and start video recording.

    Keyboard:

    The host's keyboard mainly matches the CPC's keyboard. To improve the
    comfort, I advise you to use the firmware ROM which matches your keyboard
    (that should be the default because ACE chooses the firmware ROM according
    to your system's locale configuration):

        - Firmware_fx.ROM: French version, good to use with azerty
          keyboards, preferably Amiga, Mac or PC Belgium version (azerty PC
          French versions unfortunately differs from all others azerty
          keyboards).
        - Firmware_vx.ROM: English version, good to used with qwerty
          keyboards, preferably UK.
        - Firmware_sx.ROM: Spanish version.
        - Firmware_dx.ROM: Danish version.

    Furthermore, an option is available to automatically adapt the CPC keyboard
    mapping (through the menu "Preferences/Adapt the CPC keyboard mapping" or
    the tooltype AKM=ADAPTKEYMAP) to the one used on your host machine (see
    tooltype AKM=ADAPTKEYMAP for more details).

    In addition to the "f0-f9", "." and "ENTER" keys (which are available from
    the numeric pad), some other keys have a specific mapping:

        - DEL is on "<-" ("backspace").
        - CLR is on "delete".
        - COPY is on "left-alt".

    Moreover, some keyboards cannot handle a large number of keys pressed at
    the same time. It can be a problem in some particular cases; eg. to activate
    the cheat-codes (for example, in Batman The Movie, you must press the keys
    "E", "D", "2", "0" and "9" simultaneously to jump to the next level). That's
    when the "right-alt" key comes into play. As long as you keep it pressed,
    all the other keys you might press (and release) will be kept pressed in the
    emulated CPC. To use the previous example, if your keyboard doesn't allow
    you to press five keys simultaneously, just keep the "right-alt" pressed and
    then press the keys "E", "D", "2", "0" and "9" one by one, et voila! All the
    keys will of course be released when the "right-alt" key is released.

    In addition to this, some other keys can be used:

        - Home has same effect than "control" + "left" (start of line on CPC).
        - End has same effect than "control" + "right" (end of line on CPC).
        - Page up has same effect than "control" + "up" (start of a BASIC line,
          page up under Protext, ...).
        - Page down same effect than "control" + "down" (end of a BASIC line,
          page down under Protext, ...).
        - F1 let you insert a disc image in the drive A.
        - F2 let you insert a disc image in the drive B.
        - F3 let you insert a tape.
        - F4 insert a cartridge (Amstrad Plus only).
        - Shift + F1 eject the disc image from the drive A.
        - Shift + F2 eject the disc image from the drive A.
        - Shift + F3 eject the tape.
        - Shift + F4 eject the cartridge (Amstrad Plus only).
        - F9 let you load a snapshot file.
        - F10 let you save a snapshot file.
        - F11 save a screen grab (in the grab drawer).
        - F12 has same effect than "enter" from the numpad (just in case of this
          key would be missing; like on PowerBook G4 keyboards).

    Finally, when activating the option "Joystick 0 on keyboard" (or the tool type
    KEYJOY) the following can be used:

        - Up arrow for joystick up.
        - Down arrow for joystick down.
        - Left arrow for joystick left.
        - Right arrow for joystick right.
        - Left-alt for joystick fire button 1.
        - Control for joystick fire button 2.
        - Left-shift for joystick fire button 3 (disabled on Amstrad Plus).

    The other keyboard shortcuts are just the ones from the Intuition menu.

    Joysticks:

    Joysticks are emulated through the "Joysticks" plugin embedded with ACE
    (see the expansion plugins chapter for more details).

    Mouse:

    The middle mouse button allows you to mask/unmask the controls and a
    double-click on the display area switches from windowed to full screen and
    vice versa.

    More over, if the light gun emulation is activated, the mouse pointer is
    replaced by a cross in order to be used as a target, and the click is the
    fire button.

    Also, note the the mouse pointer will be automatically hidden when not
    moving in full screen.


ACE · Utilisation de la fenêtre 'À propos du CPC émulé'

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    "About the emulater CPC" window


    This window will give you various information about the CPC that ACE is
    currently emulating depending on your settings.

    A nice picture of the corresponding CPC model is also displayed.

    Computer

    Nothing complicated here, the brand, the model and the locale of the CPC
    are displayed.

    Devices

    Here is some indications about the floppy disc drive interface, the tape
    interface and the cartridge port.

    Floppy and tape interfaces might be absent, internal or external depending
    on the CPC model while the cartridge port is obviously only available on
    Amstrad Plus.

    Note: the state of the tape interface will be displayed in italic if the
    tape to hard disc wrapper is activated.

    System

    The firmware version, the internal disc ROM used and the total amount of
    avaible memory are displayed in this section.

    Note: the type of the internal disc ROM will be displayed in italic if it is
    overridden by an external ROM #7.


ACE · Usage of the memory editor

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    Memory editor


    This window allows you to manipulate the emulated CPC memory.

    Refresh

    For usability and performance reasons, the informations from this window are
    not updated in real time by default, but it can be activated through the
    contextual menu.

    The window content is automatically updated every time the emulator is
    paused (manually or because of a breakpoint), or manually whenever you want
    by pressing the "Refresh view" button.

    Some advances features for search, copy and paste can be accessed from the
    contextual menu.

    Configuration

    In addition to this button, there is a "Refresh mappings" button which will
    resynchronize the memory configuration of the editor (ROM and RAM mappings)
    with the one from the emulated CPC. The "Match the emulator's mappings" will
    force the editor to always match the memory configuration from the emulated
    CPC.

    Then there are some memory configuration selection gadgets (warning: theses
    have actually no effect on the memory state of the emulator itself; just the
    editor's view is affected). Some of them are only active when emulating an
    Amstrad Plus.

    Content

    The main part of the window displays the content of the memory depending on
    the above memory configuration. The left side is the hexadecimal view while
    the right part is in ASCII. The ASCII is is converted to the CPC charset
    code page (depending on the firmware ROM or a manual selection on the
    "Windows" -> "Convert CPC ASCII to...").

    The address to display can be selected manually or directly from the content
    of a Z80 register.

    At the bottom, a small text displays the current address position of the
    cursor within the editor. The "Disassemble..." button will open the
    disassembler window at the cursor address.

    Note: the read-only accessible memory areas and displayed with
    their address into parenthesis.


ACE · Usage of the disassembler

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    Disassembler


    With this window you can disassemble any memory zone of the emulated CPC.

    Refresh

    For usability and performance reasons, the informations from this window are
    not updated in real time by default, but it can be activated through the
    contextual menu.

    The window content is automatically updated every time the emulator is
    paused (manually or because of a breakpoint), or manually whenever you want
    by pressing the "Refresh disassembly" button.

    Configuration

    In addition to this button, there is a "Refresh mappings" button which will
    resynchronize the memory configuration of the editor (ROM and RAM mappings)
    with the one from the emulated CPC. The "Match the emulator's mappings" will
    force the editor to always match the memory configuration from the emulated CPC.

    Then there are some memory configuration selection gadgets (warning: theses
    have actually no effect on the memory state of the emulator itself; just the
    editor's view is affected). Some of them are only active when emulating an
    Amstrad Plus.

    Content

    The main area of this window justs display the disassembly code. The origin
    address can be set manually or by catching the current PC value. It is also
    possible to lock it to PC (of course, free navigation within the memory will
    then be disabled).

    Be aware of the fact that the Z80 opcodes are of variable size. They can be
    from one to four bytes long, the origin address is then highly important.
    Actually, if you set it to an address that would cut a instruction into
    two parts, the disassembly code will not be reliable for the next two or
    three opcodes.

    For anything else, this disassembler features advanced navigation
    capabilities. First, a bookmark of preferred addresses is available to jump
    easily into huge or expanded code. A bookmark can be set by selecting it
    (using the small toggle buttons at the bottom of the bookmark address
    buttons) and then by clicking on a address on the left column of the
    disassembler view.

    You can also set some execution breakpoints by using the checkbox gadgets
    while the small lamps tell you about the activation state in a more direct
    way than the breakpoints management window (this feature is only
    available when the breakpoint support is enabled).

    Then, the last column on the right side let you directly set the origin
    address to a branch instruction target (JP, JR, CALL, ...).

    At the bottom, a small text recalls the current address position of the
    first address of the window. You can also here disable usage of symbols
    in the disasembly part. And the "Dump..." button will open the
    memory editor window with the cursor set at this
    address.


ACE · Memory map

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    Memory map


    This window will display the current memory map with all the paged in banks
    and ROMS.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    Informations from this window are numerous and smart, the MUI's bubbles help
    will inform you about their exact signification.


ACE · Usage of the Z80 editor

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    Z80 editor


    This editor allows you to visualize and modify the Z80 state of the emulated
    CPC at any time.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    Anything else is something anybody knowing the Z80 will be able to manage.

    Each Z80 register can be edited and some specific informations are also
    displayed such as the pointed addresses or the related flags.

    In addition, the state of the stack is displayed.


ACE · Usage of the CRTC editor

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    CRTC editor


    This editor allows you to visualize and modify the CRTC state of the
    emulated CPC at any time.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    Anything else is something anybody knowing the CRTC will be able to
    understand.


ACE · Usage of the PSG analyzer

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    PSG analyzer


    This editor allows you to visualize the PSG state of the emulated CPC at any
    time.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    Informations from this window are numerous and smart, the MUI's bubbles help
    will inform you about their exact signification.


ACE · Usage of the Gate Array analyzer

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    Gate Array analyzer


    This editor allows you to visualize the Gate Array state of the emulated CPC
    at any time.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    Informations from this window are easy to understand and the MUI's bubbles help
    will give you any additional description about them.


ACE · Usage of the video information

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    Video information


    This window allows you to get informations about the video synchronization
    and beam ray.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    The MUI's bubbles help will inform you about the exact signification of each
    field of this window.


ACE · Usage of the ASIC analyzer

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    ASIC analyzer (Amstrad Plus only)


    This window allows you to visualize the main ASIC registers contents.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    The MUI's bubbles help will inform you about the exact signification of each
    field of this window.


ACE · Usage of the hard sprites analyzer

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    Hard sprites analyzer (Amstrad Plus only)


    This window allows you to visualize the hard sprites palette and contents.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    The MUI's bubbles help will inform you about the exact signification of each
    field of this window.

    You also have some options to choose the best background color to visualize
    the sprites, and also to force the display of the sprites which are
    currently disabled on the Amstrad Plus (forced sprites are displayed ghosted
    and with the maxumum magnification).


ACE · Utilisation de l'analyseur de DMA

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    DMA analyzer (Amstrad Plus only)


    This window allows you to follow the state of the three DMA and the
    instructions which are being executed.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    The MUI's bubbles help will inform you about the exact signification of each
    field of this window.


ACE · Usage of the keyboard layout window

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    Keyboard layout


    This window let you know about the current layout of the CPC keyboard. You
    can also see which keys are currently pressed, and also use it to press (RMB)
    or lock (LMB) keys.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid. Any
    key pressed will be shown.

    Content

    The MUI's bubbles help will inform you about the code of each key.


ACE · Usage of the joyticks status

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    Joysticks status


    This window let you know about the currently activated directions and fire
    buttons of the oysticks. You can also use it to activate (click with main
    mouse button) or lock (click with with secondary mouse button) the
    directions and fire buttons.

    Refresh

    The information are updated in real-time and are always valid.

    Content

    The MUI's bubbles help will inform you about the code of each direction/fire
    button.


ACE · Screen monitor preferences

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    Screen monitor preferences


    This window allow you to choose the type of monitor to use and to set it
    just like with a real monitor. Unlike the other secondary windows, it is not
    accessible from the "Windows" menu but from the "Preferences" one.


ACE · Usage of the breakpoints manager

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    Breakpoints manager


    This is the main control window of the configurable breakpoints. Unlike the
    other secondary windows, it is not accessible from the "Windows" menu but
    from the "Monitoring" one (or by clicking on the "More..." button of the
    breakpoints toolbar from the Z80 window.

    Moreover it is only accessible when the breakpoints feature is enabled
    (using the menu or the breakpoint on/off button from the Z80 window).

    It is composed of three pages.

    Execution breakpoints

    With this page you can show, add, modify or delete execution breakpoints.
    They are addresses on which the emulator pause when the Z80 tries to execute
    an instruction from there.

    The condition allow you to describe an expression that must be true to
    consider the breakpoint (detailed information about condition are provided
    through the related bubble help).

    The mode allow you to choose between the "Stopper" and the "Watcher" modes.
    The "Stopper" mode is a standard breakpoint while the "Watcher" mode will
    just update the match count without breaking.

    The step information let you choose if it must break every time (step of 0)
    or every "step" times.

    The name allow you to give a name to a breakpoint in order to make everything
    more readable when a lot of breakpoints are used. You can also use this name
    from scripts in order not to rely on hardcoded addresses.

    This type of breakpoint can also be directly set by using the checkbox
    gadgets from the disassembler and Z80 editor windows.

    Memory breakpoints

    With this page you can show, add, modify or delete memory breakpoints. They
    are addresses on which the emulator pause when the Z80 have read and/or
    written something from/to them.

    The address mask filters the actual bit from the full address to match.
    As an example a mask of &FF00 for an address at &9D00 will match all
    addresses &9Dxx.

    The size let you configure the size of the area to match from the address.

    The value let you select a specific value to match. Like with the address
    a mask can be set on the value. By default the mask is zero which means
    that any value matches (no relevant bit to test).

    Other parameters are the same than for the execution breakpoints.

    I/O ports breakpoints

    This page is very much like the previous one but acts on the I/O ports.


    Note 1: on any of these pages double-clicking on an already set breakpoint
    let you reset the related match count.

    Note 2: you can set 64 breakpoints of each type.


ACE · Usage of the symbols manager

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    Symbols manager


    This window let you edit the symbols which will be used is the disassembly
    window and also everywhere a 16-bit address can be input.

    Several symbols can point to the same address.

    A filter let you search easily through the symbols list; this filter can be
    written like any AmigaDOS pattern. By default, all the symbols are
    displayed.

    Symbols are limited to 255 characters, cannot begin with a number, cannot
    contain special characters except underscore (_) and are case insensitive.


ACE · Advanced controls

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    Advanced controls


    This window let you finely control Z80 (step-by-step and more).


ACE · User counters controls

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    User counters


    This window let watch and reset user counters for CPU cycles and video
    scanlines and frames.


ACE · Scripts & tools

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    Scripts & tools


    ACE comes with a set of basic tools that will hopefully evolve with the time
    to become a full featured toolkit.

    Most of these tools are based on the AREXX interface.
    If you create your own REXX or Lua scripts do not hesitate to send them
    back to me so that I could add them to the next versions of ACE.

    CLI tools:

    arec2raw is a small tool to be used to convert AREC files created by ACE
    when recording video. It will generated raw audio and raw video files, plus
    a dedicated shell script that will encode these files into standard video by
    using ffmpeg (of course ffmpeg should be installed on your system).
    Arguments of this tool are:
        * FROM/A: name of the AREC file to be converted. If several AREC files with
          numbered suffix exist, the main one must be provided (the one with no
          suffix) and the additional ones will be automatically handled.
        * TO: by default raw files (and the dedicated encoding script) are generated
          at the same location than the provided AREC file. If this argument is
          provided, this file name will be used instead.

    REXX scripts:

    JoyFury.rexx will let you win with no effort in the games that expect you to
    quickly move your joystick from left to right to progress (typically the
    sport games). It takes one input parameter to set the left-to-right speed
    (default value is 20000 microseconds).

    ACE.AmIRx is a small REXX script of no use that you can install in the
    "Rexx" drawer of AmIRC. Once installed, it can be executed through the
    "ARexx" menu of AmIRC (or by typing "/rx ACE") in order to send informations
    about the current ACE usage into the active IRC window. It can also be used
    as a standalone script (it will then address the first found instance of
    AmIRC to send the messages).

    ImportSymbols.rexx this script takes a vasm listing file generated by vasm,
    a symbol file from rasm or a file containing a list of EQUs and imports all
    the found symbols into ACE.

    CrossDevExample.rexx is a more complex script design to demonstrate the
    cross-development capabilities of ACE (by generating a small classic demo
    effect from nothing installed into the CPC side).
    It performs:
      * An ACE reboot.
      * An appropriate MEMORY into the BASIC.
      * An ACE pause.
      * Some tables calculation and poking directly into ACE memory.
      * The example code source assembling using vasm (Z80 assembler),
      * The loading of the generated binary into ACE memory.
      * An ACE restart.
      * An appropriate CALL into the BASIC to launch the created program.

    This script is an adaptation of the program available on our Quasar Net:
    http://quasar.cpcscene.net/doku.php?id=coding:aurore_boreale.
    The table generator program in BASIC was converted to REXX (trivial) and the
    assembler code is almost the same (just a few adaptations to have it work
    with vasm instead of Maxam).

    It could be improved by passing some parameters from REXX to vasm instead
    of relying on fixed EQUs for the computed tables. Anyway, it is a good base
    to guess what could be done with the ACE's AREXX port!

    Note: to work this script requires:
      * rexxmathlib.library from Thomas Richter,
      * vasm from Volker Barthelmann (must be in your "Path").

    Lua scripts:

    CrossDevExample.lua is equivalent to CrossDevExample.rexx.


ACE · Frequently asked questions

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    Frequently asked questions


    ACE supports up to 256 ROMs... but I only see 16 ROM parameters?!

    Arguments actually only exist for the first 16 extension ROMs. If you really
    need to configure ROMs up to 256, you can perform the operation by using the
    "FLASHROM" command from the AREXX port. But keep in mind that the firmware
    only initialize the first 16 foreground ROMs.

    16 ROMs is enough in most cases.

    Why do ACE only manage 512KB of expansion memory?

    This is the standard limit envisaged by Amstrad at the moment of the CPC
    conception. The only way to manage more memory is to use some specific
    extensions (like the 2MB Memcard from RAM7).

    Considering the poor support for this kind of interface, I don't think that
    adding a related emulation would be of any real use.

    What about the quality of the various CRTC types regarding demos?

    To tell you the truth, only the CRTC 1 emulation is fully accurate. Please,
    always prefer CRTC 1 and choose other CRTC only for demo specifically
    requiring it.

    That said, CRTC 0 emulation is not that bad and only a few demos are still
    not working.

    CRTC 2 emulation might need additional work but it is not a big deal since
    no demo is specifically requiring this CRTC to work.

    CRTC 3 and 4 emulation is also quite good, all the tested demos are working
    as expected.

    I often have warning messages when opening DSK files!

    The DSK format is really awful and the tools used to generate them from the
    real physical discs are often bugged. Practically, the informations
    contained into the DSK files are not sufficient (when they are not simply
    wrong) to permit a really accurate FDC and floppy disc drive emulation.

    A complex on-the-fly fixing mechanism is built into ACE in order to try to
    rebuild the missing or altered informations; the warning messages are
    related to this behavior. You can disable them with the option "NOWARNINGS"
    or by using the "Preferences" menu (fixes are always applied but you will no
    longer be informed about them).

    In a next version of ACE, a brand new disc image format will be introduced
    to avoid all the FDC emulation problems related to the DSK format. Import
    or export to DSK will remain possible when applicable.

    Why an inserted DSK is not modified when I write into it from ACE?

    It is, but not in real time.

    ACE does not manage directly the DSK files. Instead they are loaded and
    converted into an internal structure. When you update the content of
    an image disc from ACE, only this internal structure is modified. The DSK
    file will be modified from this internal structure when it is ejected from
    ACE or if you quit ACE.

    Moreover, ACE will try to keep the original format when it updates the DSK
    file. Standard DSK remain standard and Extended DSK remain extended. If a
    Standard DSK was altered in a way in cannot be saved in this format anymore,
    ACE will ask you to confirm that you want to convert it to Extended DSK.

    What is the difference between "Reset" and "Cold reset"?

    A reset simply emulates a CPC hard reset. It means that all the chipsets and
    the microprocessor are initialized but not the memory. It is just the very
    same behavior you would have on a real CPC with a hard reset button (like
    the one on the Multiface Two or the Hacker).

    A cold reset is like if the CPC was just on-powered, everything including
    the memory is reset.

    By default ACE emulates a CPC6128, how to configure it for another CPC model?

    The main difference between the CPC models is related to the version of the
    firmware and BASIC ROMs installed. The CPC6128 uses version 3 of the
    firmware while the CPC664 uses a version 2 and CPC464 a version 1. The CPC+
    range uses a firmware version 4 with a BASIC 1.40.

    You should take care of the BASIC ROM installed:

    - BASIC 1.0 is only compatible with firmware ROM version 1,
    - BASIC 1.1 is only compatible with firmware ROM version 2,
    - BASIC 1.2x and 1.4 are only compatible with firmware ROM version 3 or 4.

    Is case you really don't want to emulate a CPC6128 but an older CPC model
    you can use the 64KEXPMEMSCHEME tooltype to fit the way 64Kio based models
    are handling expansion RAM. You can also make use of DKTRONICSBUGS tooltype
    to simlate a DK'Tronics expansion RAM (which have some flaws regarding
    internal expansion RAM of the 128Kio base models).

    If you want to emulate a stock CPC464 ou 464plus you can disable the floppy
    disc drive interface though the NODISCINTERFACE tooltype (or using the
    menu).

    If you wan to emulate a stock CPC664/6128 or 6128plus with no external disc
    drive, you can disable the B drive through the menu.

    Eventually, you can configure any amount of memory.

    How to have a smooth 50Hz display like on CPC?

    CPC games and demos are running at 50Hz. To have a perfectly smooth display
    like on a real CPC, you must then have the very same frame rate frequency
    (or a multiple of it) on your system.

    Generally, you will not have a 50Hz graphic mode available by default.
    However it is really easy to create one from MorphOS monitor preferences
    (just be sure that you create a 16, 24 or 32 bits color depth screen).

    If your screen monitor supports 50Hz frame rate (you may need to alter its
    default auto-detected capabilities), just create a new screen mode at
    exactly 50.0801Hz. Then, get the mode ID, and put it into the tool type
    SCREENMODE of ACE (eg. SCREENMODE=0x40920058).

    Till now, each time ACE uses the full screen mode, it will be at 50Hz and
    everything is smooth like on a real CPC!

    Unfortunately, a lot of games and demos do not match the default 50Hz
    frequency... and they will not be smooth again... There is no real
    solution (because the screen frequency can change at any time). Anyway, you
    can get the program's frame rate from the video information window and then
    create a new screen mode at this frequency.

    When doing step by step, after the Z80 accessed some ASIC register through a 16 bit load, the
    ASIC register is only partially updated, is it a display update bug?

    No. It is actually what happens. CPC+ ASIC is quite slow at registers
    fetching, and if you are updating some registers in a 16 bit manner,
    only the low significant byte will be actually fetched by the ASIC at the
    end of the Z80 instruction. The most significant byte will be fetched
    within the next 250 ns (during the next Z80 step).


ACE · Known bugs

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    Known bugs


    * Writing on weak sectors only alter the first version of the sector. This
      is a crappy side effect of the awful SDK format. This issue will disappear
      as soon as a new file image format is implemented.

    * On PowerBook G4 the arrow keys sometimes hold some other ghost keys when
      pressed at a fast rate and/or at the same time. It obviously occurs while
      playing games. You can restore the keyboard state by pressing RALT (which
      releases all the pressed keys including the ghost ones) but it is not very
      usable during a game. The best solution to avoid this problem is either to
      use an external USB keyboard or a joystick.

    * The emulation sutters while recording videos. This is because most
      MorphOS-able computers are too slow to assume this task in real time.
      Anyway, the recording quality will not be affected.


ACE · Future

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    Future


    Lot of things are planed!

    * Improved CRTC 2 emulation which is still very limited.
    * Create new expansion plugins and improve existing ones.
    * Implementation of some raw disk support instead of DSK.
    * New AREXX commands and new REXX and Lua scripts.
    * VirtualNet96 support.
    * New rendering engine simulating actual CTM pitch.
    * Time-machine emulation.
    * And more...


ACE · History

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    History

    * Version 1.17 (18.08.2018):
      - Reworked OSD management to better take advantage of hardware
        acceleration and to avoid useless additional updates which were
        triggered (OSD is now 4 times faster).
      - Fixed a bug where record status was not updated after a display mode
        change.
      - Improved WPA-based rendering mode by adding double buffering.
      - Added outline around OSD floppy leds so that they are still visible on
        red backgrounds when using video overlay rendering mode.
      - Updated german catalog thanks to Stefan 'polluks' Haubenthal.
      - Changed shortcut keys for step-by-step management and made them
        accessible from menu.
      - Removed controls and user counters from Z80 window and created separated
        windows instead.
      - Removed disassembler view from Z80 window and made it more compact.
      - Added a delayed GUI update mechanism when breakpoints, symbols, memory,
        i/o ports or chip registers are programmed from the AREXX interface to
        avoid slowed down operations due to massive display updates. Also works
        on file load through AREXX.
      - Fixed a layout issue in CRTC editor window.
      - Fixed missing french translation for "bank" (reported by Longshot).
      - Added a separated memory map window.
      - Added memory map information to memory editor and disassembler windows.
      - Optmized memory map display speed.
      - Fixed all known bugs when memory map was displaing wrong information
        (map building routine was rewritten from scratch and is much better).
      - Fixed bubble help text of memory map (red and green colors explanations
        were swapped).
      - Using a button to follow a branch in disassembly window now
        automatically updates the address bookmark history.
      - Prevented switch to full screen from AREXX script while ACE is
        iconified.
      - Reworked handling of secondary windows auto-jump to new screen when
        switching to full screen mode (it works like previously but it is much
        nicer internally!).
      - Memory editor and disassembler windows can now be opened several times
        (each one with its own memory mapping context).
      - Memory mapping customization gadgets are now only visible when manual
        configuration is selected in memory editor and disassembler windows.
      - Changed a bit the application menu and some keyboard shortcuts.
      - Added a new analyzer window with additional information about some ASIC
        video and interrupt registers.
      - Altivec is no longer required (ACE should work again on computers
        without G4 or G5 CPU).

    * Version 1.16 (18.03.2018):
      - Fixed a FDC timing when starting a reading/writing operation (some
        abnormally slow track loaders should now be as fast as expected).
      - Fixed a potential crash (at least a memory hit) when attempting to reach
        a non-existing track of a disc.
      - Added a FILE argument to RECORDSTART AREXX command to be able to provide
        a specific file name (similar to GRAB AREXX command; if not given,
        automatic naming in the default drawer is still used).
      - Added an Ambient filetype for ACE video recordings (AREC files), located
        in the "Bonus" drawer.
      - Added a new tooltype AP=AUTOPAUSE and a related preference menu item to
        automatically pause or start the emulation when the main window becomes
        inactive or active again.
      - Improved internal APIs regarding CPC memory handling from MUI windows.
      - Added an update shifter shared between CPU consuming real time windows
        (Z80, Memory, DMA) to better distribute display time over the frames.
      - Reworked code of memory and disassembler windows to share a new private
        MUI custom class to handle user defined memory mapping (much better MUI
        code!).
      - Added a contextual menu to both editor and disassembler areas to
        activate the real time update on them (everything else in ACE is of
        course still real time; it was not the case for these windows because of
        heavy CPU load but it now works better thanks to various optimizations).
      - Added MMR, RMR and RMR2 raw values display corresponding to the selected
        mappings in both the memory editor window and the disassembler window.
      - Video recording now waits for 10 seconds and then updates the associated
        icon so that it has a better chance to be relevant.
      - Fixed broken keyboard cycle chain in Z80 editor, CTM preferences and
        joystick acepansion plugin preferences.
      - Fixed video recording to disable any allowed frame skip while
        processing.
      - Improved CPC+ ASIC IVR bug emulation (CRTC³ of Flower Corp. do not
        detect ACE anymore).
      - Removed one remaining call to CPC+ ASIC stuff in CRTC 4 emulation
        (harmless).
      - Disabled warning message on non-interlacted sectors when loading a DSK
        file (now most DSK files around which are using non-interlaced sectors
        are doing that on purpose and are no longer the result of some poor DSK
        creator tools).
      - Added support of symbols import from files containing a list of EQUs in
        the ImportSymbols.rexx script.
      - Fixed CPC+ ASIC timings regarding fine updates of hard sprites
        magnification and position registers (they are now matching the required
        250ns precision like it was already the case for palette updates).
      - Fixed a bug in CPC+ ASIC raster interrupt management; it could be
        cleared before being processed.
      - Improved management of duplicated CPC+ ASIC raster interrupts (should
        now just be perfect!).
      - Optimized again a bit the code, specifically for CPC+ DMA emulation
        (quite a hard task to keep full featured Plus emulation running one
        frame on a little G4).
      - Reworked CPC+ DMA wait state management to better match actual internal
        behavior.
      - Fixed a few minor CPC+ DMA timings.
      - Fixed bit 7 of DCSR CPC+ ASIC register which was not set after a raster
        interrupt if bit 0 of IVR was 0.
      - Fixed a nasty hit at startup (reported by Michal 'rzookol' Zukowski).
      - Fixed add button of symbol management window to be disabled when symbol
        name is empty.
      - Fixed ASICPageOn condition token which was not working.
      - Fixed a bug in CPC+ handling of raster interrupt when enabled while a
        standard Gate Array interrupt was pending (prevented Eerie Forest of
        Logon System from working properly).
      - Added a combined build mode of the core source files to improve GCC
        optimization process (ACE is now 14% faster!).

    * Version 1.15 (18.02.2018):
      - Fixed typos in french translation.
      - Fixed decoding of BIT/RES/SET opcodes over IX/IY on disassembler views.
      - Added new plugin API to inform about RETI execution (v3 API)
      - Added support for non-maskable interrupts issued from plugins (v3 API).
      - Added a tooltype "NOPLUSUNSTABLEHIZ" to disable emulation of the
        unstable Hi-Z when reading invalid addresses in the ASIC I/O page (let
        you run some buggy demos such as BarBar of Eliot/Benediction; anyway
        these demos are still not working properly on real CPC+ when expanded
        with Ramcard or Mulficace Two but there is nothing I can do about it!).
      - Added an item in menu preference to disable/enable the emulation of the
        Amstrad Plus unstable Hi-Z (related to NOPLUSUNSTABLEHIZ tooltype).
      - Fixed some badly mapped info bubbles.
      - Added support for video recording (fast hard disk I/O and lot of space
        required!).
      - Added a control button to start or stop video recording.
      - Added "RECORDPATH" tooltype to change the video recording path (defaults
        to "Records/" drawer).
      - Added an option to show parts of the display which are usually not
        visible because of being off-screen (mainly useful as a debug option for
        demomakers). A new related "OVERSCAN" tooltype was added as well as an
        checkbox to switch this mode on or off from the screen monitor
        preferences window (requested by NoRecess, and might partially match
        Grimmy request too).
      - Added keywords to check about RAM and ROM paging in breakpoints
        condition.
      - Added a field "size" to memory access breakpoints in addition to the
        already existing "address mask" (now all types of break based on memory
        areas are possible). ADDBREAKPOINT, REMOVEBREAKPOINT and
        EXPORTBREAKPOINTS AREXX commands where updated accordingly, as well as
        the field was added to the breakpoint chunk on snapshots (in a backward
        compatible manner).
      - Changed breakpoints editor window layout to make it slightly more
        compact.
      - Fixed CRTC 4 emulation which was using CPC+ specific stuff for some
        computations (it triggered weird behavior when switching from CRTC 3 to
        CRTC 4 while ASIC hard scrolling feature was in use).
      - Fixed a horrible memory leak which was introduced in version 1.13.
      - Added symbol management through AREXX commands ADDSYMBOL, REMOVESYMBOL,
        FINDSYMBOL and EXPORTSYMBOLS.
      - Added support for symbols in disassembly window (can be disabled).
      - Added support for MEM0-8 chunks of snapshots (can be disabled).
      - Added a workaround to deal with WinAPE wrong snapshots using CPC+ chunk
        (RMR2 is not stored at the expected location).
      - Added support for clipboard paste in emulator (similar to AREXX command
        KEYBOARDSTROKE with input injected from clipboard).
      - Added a symbols manager window with pattern filtering feature.
      - Added support for symbols in relevant 16-bit values inputs (for both
        matching and picking address).
      - Slightly optimized GUI task regarding notifications (about 5% faster).
      - Added direct support for cut and paste from clipboard in the memory
        editor to ease fast and one-shot manipulations (AREXX should always be
        preferred for complex or iterative copies).
      - Added support for a new snapshot chunk in order to store symbols.
      - Added string and hexadecimal sequence search feature in memory editor.
      - Increased reset handler delay to 3 seconds (instead of 1).
      - Added OSD indication for recording.
      - Added AREXX commands RECORDSTART and RECORDSTOP to control video
        recording.
      - Added an AREXX script which is able to import into ACE all the symbols
        found in a listing file generated by vasm or a symbol file generated by
        rasm.
      - Added a small command line tool named arec2raw which is able to convert
        AREC video files recorded by ACE into rawaudio and rawvideo files, and
        also to generate a dedicated script capable of encoding these raw files
        into a standard video format using ffmpeg tool (a 64-bit filesystem
        might be required for large videos).
      - Fixed non-localized short keys in requesters (reported by Stefan
        'polluks' Haubenthal).
      - Updated german catalog thanks to Stefan 'polluks' Haubenthal.

    * Version 1.14 (09.03.2017):
      - Fixed potential issue in Tape2HD wrapper directory detection.
      - Reworked Z80 editor memory layout and added a memory read/write map
        observer.
      - Removed bold display on labels in some windows to better match classic
        MUI applications graphic charter.
      - Updated german catalog thanks to Stefan 'polluks' Haubenthal.
      - Added shortcut access to video memory in memory editor window (requested
        by Krusty).
      - Changed layout of breakpoints window.
      - Re-optimized speed of CRTC emulation that had deteriorated in version
        1.13 (ACE is now 5% faster).
      - Fixed some limit conditions on CRTC 0 when register 4 is set during end
        of screen (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Reworked internal AREXX interface installation.
      - Fixed plugins installation internal API to work properly when several
        emulation objects are created within the same application.
      - Added a tooltype "PLUGINSPATH" to configure the path of the directory
        containing the ACEpansion plugins to load.
      - Fixed (harmless) typo in a tooltype from CPC464, CPC664 and 464plus
        icons.
      - Simplified internal management of one-shot timers.
      - Fixed a possible race condition when using on-screen break.
      - Fixed a long standing bug where the beam cursor could be shortly (one
        frame long) displayed at a wrong position.
      - Speed up a bit the input stream of the key press injected from the
        "KEYBOARDSTROKE" AREXX command.
      - Fixed some timings on CRTC 0 when register 6 is reprogrammed during the
        last line of the screen (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Fixed timing of VSync immediate triggering on CRTC 0 when reprogramming
        register 7 (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Improved startup and exit sequences.
      - Added extensive check and warning reporting is case of mistakes in the
        tooltypes/arguments.
      - Changed declaration of internal hooks and MUI custom classes dispatchers
        to fix portability for AmigaOS and AROS.
      - Simplified a bit the reset handler.
      - Made hard sprites window resizable.
      - Reworked rendering MUI custom class internals to make it more modular
        regarding portability.
      - Reworked CRTC 0 emulation in several points (fixes Longshot's part of
        the Amazing Demo and might fix a bunch of other demos on CRTC 0).
      - Fixed several issues regarding vertical adjust handling on CRTC 0 (Kevin
        Thacker Test Suite).
      - Fixed bad 3" floppy disc drive seek speed capability which was
        introduced in version 1.13 (fixes some loaders that did not work anymore
        like the one used in Sappy of Semilanceata).
      - Fixed an issue in memory address handling on CRTC 3 and 4 when register
        1 was greater than register 0 (Kevin Thacker Test Suite).
      - Changed internal timers management for AmigaOS and AROS portability.
      - Added charsets conversion support through codesets.library for AmigaOS
        and AROS portability (still using native charsets.library on MorphOS
        because it is *much* faster).
      - Added support for breakpoints on Maxam and WinAPE BRK opcodes.
      - Added an option in the windows menu to display the BRK opcodes as
        regular Z80 ones or as BRKM (Maxam BRK) and BRKW (WinAPE BRK) in the
        disassembly views.
      - Fixed an internal VSync trigger lock to be reset when CRTC register 7 is
        reprogrammed.
      - Added a "WAIT" switch to the AREXX command "KEYBOARDSTROKE" in order to
        wait for all the keys to be injected.
      - Updated the cross-development examples to use vasmz80_oldstyle Z80
        assembler instead of pasmo.
      - Moved all the scripts (both AREXX and Lua) into one single "Scripts"
        drawer.
      - Added new icons for GUI, drawers, plugins and filetypes thanks to
        Mathieu 'Hwikaa' Delaruelle.

    * Version 1.13 (07.11.2016):
      - Fixed file notification that was not cancelled when a DSK file could not
        be inserted.
      - Fixed a bug when locking ASIC and trying to unlock it again in a row
        (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Implemented CRTC and Gate Array write artefact while trying to read on
        its port (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Fixed some minor wrong behaviors on both PPI and ASIC PPI emulation
        (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Fixed a nasty bug when reading PSG data while no register is selected
        (some innocent memory was returned instead of doing nothing).
      - Fixed IFF1/IFF2 internal Z80 flags being updated too late after EI
        opcode (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Fixed some minor CRTCs issues (Kevin Thacker test suite).
      - Reworked internal border handling on CRTC 0 and 2 (no visible changes
        should occur).
      - Added a context menu on the input mode toggle button of the editable
        numbers to select between hexadecimal and decimal (requested by Krusty).
      - Cosmetic changes in memory mapping section of memory editor and
        disassembly windows.
      - Fixed a dead lock when using the disassembly window on addresses at the
        end of the memory.
      - Changed KEYBOARDSTROKE AREXX command to work in a frame-synchronized
        manner and to automatically simulate a press on [RETURN] after each
        input string (RAWKEYPRESS, RAWKEYRELEASE, RAWKEYSTROKE are still fully
        asynchronous).
        Some changes to your AREXX scripts might be required if you used this
        command.
      - Added a hyperlink in the "no HexEdit MUI custom class" message which
        points to the archive on Aminet in order to ease installation of this
        optional library (instructions and link was already provided in ACE
        guide though).
      - Removed numeric pad shortcuts on signs to let the keymap auto adapt
        feature use them like normal additional keys.
      - Added a menu shortcut for the "show/hide interface" feature in order to
        replace the removed one from the numeric pad (the other removed
        shortcuts already had equivalent menu shortcuts).
      - Added step over and step out features with related controls Z80 edit
        window.
      - Added keyboard shortcuts in Z80 edit window to play with step into, step
        over, step out and continue (control + arrows/return).
      - Reverted fix to have the VSync trigger not to start when displaying
        additional lines which was introduced in version 1.12.
      - Fixed endianess issue and added 64-bits support in localization code.
      - Slightly changed the START AREXX command (all stepping modes are now
        accessible).
      - Reworked CRTC editor window layout.
      - Reworked program arguments internal decoding and dispatching to ease
        portability.
      - Fixed Tape2HD wrapper potential issue if disabled during some
        operations.
      - Fixed a data access protection issue between the main task and the
        emulator subtask (no known related bugs).
      - Fixed a MUI event handler that was never removed before disposing the
        application.
      - Removed manual setting of Gate Array version in tooltypes, AREXX
        commands and GUI settings (it was useless since it is automatically
        resynchronized with the selected CRTC type).
      - Joystick plugin is now activated by default.

    * Version 1.12 (16.07.2016):
      - Migration from gcc4 to gcc5 (slightly improved performance).
      - Fixed a bug in CRTC 0 emulation that prevented The Other World 3 Intro
        and Preview #3 from Overflow to work properly (indirectly reported by
        Megachur).
      - Replaced a fix from ACE 1.9 related to border management because it
        fixed Voyage 93 Intro but broke Welcome X 2 Part 1. Now both are working
        on the CRTC 0.
      - Fixed a CRTC 1 timing issue when register 4 was reprogrammed while it
        was evaluated internally at end of screen; it fixes Chany intro of
        Demoniak 5 (reported by Megachur).
      - Fixed reset of CRTC register 9 related counter to 0 when register 9 is
        reprogrammed while the register 4 is equal to 0; it fixes Chany's
        cracktro of Double Dragon (reported by Megachur).
      - Fixed VSync trigger not to start when displaying additional lines; it
        fixes Cuddly - Budbrain (reported by Megachur).
      - Fixed a bug in video address offset management during vertical adjust
        on CRTC 0, 2, 3 and 4.
      - Improved overflow detection in CRTC emulation depending on the CRTC type
        (used by CRTC information window).
      - Added a missing semaphore protection on some internal light pen API
        accesses that might have caused some weird behavior with phasers
        emulation.
      - Added a plugin to emulate the Kempston mouse.
      - Reworked internal design to allow injection of joystick events from
        plugins and bumped plugin API to v2 with a new Joystick() API for
        joystick port I/O emulation.
      - Removed build-in joysticks support and added a joystick plugin (which is
        loosely using the lowlevel.library for now; feel free to create a nice
        one from the new sensors.library!).
      - Added a plugin to emulate the AMX mouse.
      - Finally activated Z80 quantum-based internal context switching (set to
        1/300 seconds).
      - Fixed broken version tag in ACE executable.
      - Fixed Tape2HD wrapper to return a binary file empty file instead of an
        ASCII empty file when opening a folder in order to avoid the firmware
        message "File not opened".
      - Fixed a bug that prevented loading of snapshots using additional chunks
        if they were saved from a CPC using more memory than the configured
        one in ACE.
      - Fixed some internals for 64-bit systems compatibility.
      - Disc drives are now automatically fitting the inserted disc image to
        select between 40/80 tracks drive and single/double side drive (it
        prevents some weak loaders from failing).
      - PNG files for screen grabs and snapshot icons are now saved directly
        using the png.library instead of Reggae.
      - Fixed ASIC border mask that was never stopped if bit 7 of SSCR register
        was cleared during the mask display (fixes BarBar/Benediction blinking
        logo).

    * Version 1.11 (13.09.2015):
      - Fixed mode 2 pixel shift on CPC with CRTC type 4 (AMS40226).
      - Fixed a bug in drawing the blank part on the display which was
        introduced in v1.10.
      - Fixed a (by chance harmless) memory trash in frame buffer management.
      - Reworked internal frame buffer management to simplify the code and make
        compilation faster (because GCC is insanely slow!).
      - Added emulation of mixed border/display words bug at screen start when
        register 6 is set to 0 on CRTC 0 and 2.
      - Added emulation of half-border at end of line on CRTC 0 and 2 (can be
        seen in OUT(Dated)/Semilanceata).
      - Fixed a bug in catalog version handling.
      - Slightly changed tape configuration menu.
      - Fixed snapshot loader to support multiple additional chunks including
        unknown ones.
      - Added a AREXX command to export the current breakpoints in a REXX
        script.
      - Access to the configurable window is no longer forbidden while the
        breakpoint feature is disabled (the pages are just disabled).
      - Added support for a new "configurable breakpoints" chunk in saved/loaded
        snapshots.
      - Trying to load an invalid snapshot no longer resets the emulated CPC.
      - Added a warning on CRTC type mismatch when loading a snapshot.
      - Fixed a bug where the CRTC type stored in the snapshots was always the
        one set at startup and not the currently used one if it was changed at
        runtime.
      - Added a warning on firmware version mismatch when loading a snapshot.
      - Display warning option now works on snapshots warnings as well.

    * Version 1.10 (15/05/2015):
      - Added german catalog thanks to Stefan 'polluks' Haubenthal.
      - Fixed overlay support to avoid a alignment problem that was triggered by
        MorphOS 3.8 (Stefan Blixth and Charlie).
      - Changed internal frame buffer memory management to optimize memory
        usage.
      - Cleaned up PSG emulation code and removed some (unused) alternative
        audio mixing code.
      - Added setting for screen horizontal hold (the small screw behind your
        CTM).
      - Changed internal audio buffer management to be more modular and
        insulated.
      - Added plugin interface in a form of libraries that can add some hardware
        expansion emulation to ACE without requiring any modification into the
        emulator itself.
      - Removed built-in Digiblaster support and implemented it as a plugin.
      - Fixed a bug where the emulation could be frozen a few seconds just after
        having disabled the audio output.
      - Added a tooltype IS=INTERNALSPEAKER and a menu option to mix the audio
        output as if the internal speaker of the CPC was used (not applicable
        on Amstrad Plus).
      - Removed built-in printer support and implemented it as a plugin.
      - Removed DB=DIGIBLASTER, EP=EMULATEPRINTER, PF=PRINTERFILE and
        SLC=SCANLINECOLOR deprecated tooltypes.
      - Enhanced internal interrupt handling to better deal with interrupts
        coming from the new plugin interface.
      - Work-around for a weird reset of the CRTC register 9 related counter
        when register 9 reprogrammed just before the very beginning of a new
        screen.

    * Version 1.9 (30/03/2015):
      - Disabled fire 3 on Amstrad Plus since it is actually not available on
        its joystick port.
      - Changed ESC mapping to the real ESC key of the host keyboard instead of
        the one being at the same location than ESC on CPC.
      - Changed some menu shortcut keys.
      - Added keyboard layout and joystick windows.
      - Added an option to automatically adapt the keymap from the CPC firmware
        to the keyboard layout used on the host (available through a
        AKM=ADAPTKEYMAP tool type and at runtime using the preferences menu).
        This new feature is really nice but pay attention to the fact it could be
        incompatible with some CPC softwares. More over, additional keys which do
        exist on host's keyboard but not on CPC are then mapped in parallel to
        the joystick 0, and "alt" + key combinaison is replaced by "control" +
        key on CPC (there is no "alt" key on CPC). Please note that "shift" +
        "alt" + key combinaison is also not accessible from the CPC side
        (multiple qualifiers is not supported by the CPC firmware).
      - Fixed a small bug in main window device tabs; some buttons could be
        enabled while they should have been disabled.
      - Fixed a stupid bug in memory mapping init that prevented Blue Angel 69
        cartridge version to run (CraigsBar and TotO).
      - Fixed a bug in ASIC splt register handling on Amstrad Plus.
      - Fixed an issue in the emulation of the ASIC bug regarding DMA0 vs Raster
        interrupt mismatch, that prevented Allergy demo from Semilanceata to
        work.
      - Fixed a bug that was introduced in version 1.8 when using random values
        in ASIC and FDC emulation (max value was excluded).
      - Improved CRTC 3/4 emulation (fix several demos that were not properly
        running under CRTC 3/4 emulation; such as Glooms Demo, Camembert 4 and
        Black Sabbath).
      - Tuned some ASIC vs Z80 timings accordingly to the improved CRTC 3.
      - Added NPS=NOPLUSSCREEN tooltype to disable automatic switching to Amstrad
        Plus screen monitor horizontal position setting when Amstrad Plus
        emulation (or CRTC 4) is set.
      - Fixed scanline color option which was affecting overlay mode whereas it
        should be only application in WritePixelArray mode (broken since
        previous version).
      - Simplified internals related to beam management which were related to
        future features that won't come anytime soon.
      - Fixed double-click to toggle full screen that was not working before
        having moved the mouse.
      - Added a new window to view hard sprites palette and content.
      - Activated scale and aspect ratio support also in WritePixelArray mode
        (when no overlay is used). This mode (and some others ;) was already
        implemented in ACE v1.8 but it was not available in the public version
        yet. A side effect is that the (ugly and useless) SLC=SCANLINECOLOR/S
        option will not work anymore in WritePixelArray mode (since it never
        worked in overlay mode too, it's now a void option that will be removed
        later). Also, old not-resizable WritePixelArray rendering code was
        totally removed.
      - Fixed internals to output alpha channel with the proper value when ARGB
        or RGBA pixel mode is set.
      - Slightly changed overlay buffer update sequencing.
      - Fixed potential issues in memory window updates when the ROM/RAM
        configuration was changed from AREXX interface or application menu.
      - Added missing FLASHFIRMWARE AREXX command to change firmware ROM.
      - Fixed a bug in border activation on CRTC 0, 2, 3/4 when register 6 was
        changed to a matching value (fixes Voyage 93 intro on these CRTC).
      - Removed useless manual charset selection menu.
      - Improved conversion between CPC charset and local charset to be based on
        firmware's symbols recognition instead of hardcoded tables, and to work
        with any local charset instead on being limited to ISO-8859-1.
      - Added a window to analyze the DMA channels activity.
      - Added relay sound feedback emulation.
      - Fixed some (almost) harmless bugs in PPI emulation.
      - Fixed some minor issues in Z80 vs PPI vs PSG vs DMA bus accesses
        arbitration.
      - Implemented all possible combined (illegal) instructions within DMA.
      - Added a Lua version of the REXX script for cross-development example.
      - Added NTS=NOTAPESOUND and NTR=NOTAPERELAY tooltypes to disable related
        tape audio feedbacks.

    * Version 1.8 (19/11/2014):
      - Added a check on the screen mode to prevent ACE from being launched on
        an incompatible (8 bit) screen.
      - Added drag and drop support on main window and appicon for disc, tape,
        cartridge and snapshot files.
      - Re-introduced experimental automatic frame skip mode and MS=MAXFRAMESKIP
        tooltype (disabled by default).
      - Added screen grabbing feature and related GRABSPATH tooltype and GRAB
        AREXX command.
      - Added shortcut key F11 to save snapshot at will.
      - Added pixel modes and changed buffer management scheme of the display
        module.
      - Added NW alias for NW=NOWARN=NOWARNINGS tooltype.
      - Save an icon with a screen grab when creating a snapshot (can be
        disabled using the NSI=NOSNAPSHOTICONS tooltype or the preferences
        menu).
      - Minor improvements in the window to show information about the currently
        emulated CPC.
      - Fixed some internals regarding update triggers.
      - Fixed some potential memory trash at double start.
      - Added a NAG=NOANTIALIASEDGRABS tooltype to save raw grabs (also
        available from the preferences menu).
      - Changed catalog versioning which is now bumped to version 10.0 and will
        not change anytime soon; that way translators could provide some
        alternative catalog that will remain compatible with upcoming versions
        of ACE (only the newly introduced texts won't be translated using
        alternative catalogs).
      - Fixed an audio shift in sample computation that was introduced with tape
        integration.
      - Added automatic append ".sna" extension to snapshots saved through the
        file requester if missing.
      - Adjusted some compilation flags and removed some misleading casts in
        the code in order to ease AmigaOS 4.1 port.

    * Version 1.7 (15/06/2014):
      - Added tape emulation through audio files (readonly for now).
      - Added TAPESPATH tooltype to choose the tape audio files default path.
      - Added firmware ROM for French CPC464.
      - Replaced CP/M 0.7 ROM that was wrong in previous packages.
      - Added OS=OSVERSION tooltype to choose the operating system version
        number to use (from 1 to 4). Note that any version of the operating
        system is compatible with any CPC model; even version 4 that was used on
        Amstrad Plus is fully compatible with old generation CPC range. By
        default version 3 is used because most softwares are known to work with
        it.
      - Added NDI=NODISCINTERFACE tooltype to totally disable the floppy disc
        drive interface in order to emulate a stock CPC464 or 464plus.
      - Reworked the Preferences menu to make it easier regarding the new
        options.
      - Added a check to disable the Trojan Light Phazer if it was active when
        switching from Amstrad Plus to Amstrad CPC emulation (Trojan Light
        Phazer is only available on Amstrad Plus).
      - Fixed a bug in the Tape2HD wrapper that resulted in a corrupted
        firmware ROM when it was disabled at runtime.
      - Added TAPE tooltype to specify a tape audio file to be inserted at
        startup.
      - Added TAP=TAPEAUTOPLAY tooltype to activate automatic play when a tape
        is inserted.
      - Moved all system ROM used by default in a "System" drawer rather than
        the "ROMs" drawer which is supposed to be used for user's extension
        ROMs.
      - Fixed a small layout but in the disassembler window.
      - Added AREXX commands related to tape management.
      - Fixed a bug in event handling where the tab systems for the devices
        cought some key pressed prior to the emulator engine.
      - Changed some keyboard shortcuts.
      - Added a CPM=AMSDOS tooltype to configure the build-in disc ROM 7 (this
        is different from ROM7 which represents an external ROM 7).
      - Fixed bad help node reference in screen monitor preferences window.
      - Avoid any other brand than Amstrad when Plus emulation is activated.
      - Added a window to show information and picture about the currently
        emulated CPC.
      - Added some icons for ACE's main drawer and for discs, tapes, cartridges,
        snapshots and ROMs drawers.
      - Added some icons to devices tabs.
      - Added preconfigured project icons to emulate stock CPC464, CPC664,
        CPC6128, 464plus and 6128plus.
      - Added some preferences that were only available through tooltypes into
        the menu so that they can be changed at runtime.
      - Changed the way of obtaining the name of the screen to open in full
        screen mode to always match the application instance.
      - Added a sanity check on the breakpoint command at startup (invalid
        command templates are now ignored).
      - Reworked CLI start mode to better deal with PROGDIR:.
      - Fixed a long standing bug during startup that prevented ACE from being
        launched several times from shell or from project icons.
      - Added a request to let the user choose what to do when ACE in already
        running and a new one was launched.
      - Added AREXX command to control ACE iconification.
      - Added filetypes & icons for Ambient to recognize DSK, CPR and SNA files.
      - Added generic multi-parameter FILES tooltype that auto-recognize
        provided file types and load them in the proper way into ACE.
      - Added LM=LAUNCHMODE tooltype to change the default launch mode of ACE
        executable from "Ask user" to "Single" or "Multiple".
      - Added an access to the help guide through the menu (useful when no HELP
        key is available on the keyboard).

    * Version 1.6 (21/04/2014):
      - Fixed a bug in saved execution address in file header when using the
        Tape2HD wrapper.
      - Fixed start-up colors on Gate Array (PulkoMandy).
      - Fixed swapped grey and green color tables for screen monitor emulation
        in CPC emulation mode (Krashan & PulkoMandy).
      - Fixed light devices menu flags to avoid multi-selection.
      - Fixed a bug in the disassembler for block instructions.
      - Added a missing size field in the file headers created through the
        Tape2HD wrapper.
      - Fixed a bug in CASOutChar implementation of the Tape2HD wrapper
        (PulkoMandy).
      - Improved compability of CASInChar implementation of the Tape2HD wrapper.
      - Fixed inconsistencies in English translation.
      - Fixed vocabulary for some French translations.
      - Reworked main window layout to save space.
      - Added DKB=DKTRONICSBUGS tooltype to activate emulation of the DK'Tronic
        expansion memory bugs (DK'Tronics have trouble managing &C3 type memory
        commutation while an upper ROM is connected and does not handle the
        Amstrad Plus ASIC I/O page shadowing).
      - Added 64K=64KEXPMEMSCHEME tooltype to emulate 64Kio based CPC expansion
        memory scheme instead of common 128Kio based scheme (on 64K based CPC
        the main memory is switched when accessing non-existing memory pages
        instead of the build-in 64Kio expansion RAM of the 128Kio based CPC).
      - Slightly decreased the default size of the main window in overlay mode.
      - Added the current beam position to the video information window.
      - Reworked Z80 and CRTC windows.
      - Added user-resetable counters for microseconds, scanlines and frames.
      - Removed breakpoints from the main windows to put them into the Z80
        window.
      - Added breakpoints on bad HBL/VBL timings (Vanity-proof mode!).
      - Added a real step by step mode (no need to enable/disable it by hand
        anymore).
      - Added STEP switch to the START AREXX command to control the step by step
        mode easily.
      - Added missing notifications for some AREXX command to synchronize the
        GUI.
      - Added support of OSD LED in non-overlay mode.
      - Added a fast forward OSD which reflect the wild speed mode status.
      - Fixed again the last known issue with CRTC 1 emulation which was not
        properly fixed in version 1.5.
      - Added little endian CPUs compatibility (Pulkomandy).
      - Added AREXX command to get and reset the user-resetable counters.
      - Added AREXX command to get the type of the last activated breakpoint(s).
      - Added UBC=USERBREAKPOINTCOMMAND tooltype to provide a command that will
        be executed at each encountered breakpoint.
      - Added watcher mode to the configurable breakpoints.
      - Replaced breakpoints threshold condition by a step matching.
      - Moved video monitor preferences from main window to a separate window.
      - Added possibility to give an optional name to the configurable
        breakpoints.
      - Added possibility to provide a complex condition for breakpoint
        matching.
      - Optimized the breakpoints runtime.
      - Fixed several issues in CRTC 0/2/3/4 emulation.
      - Added on-screen break to request the emulator to pause at a pointed
        position on the screen.
      - Added AREXX command to control on-screen break feature.
      - Removed deprecated opcode breakpoint (replaced by the real step by step
        mode).
      - Moved CPC characters conversion from memory editor, Z80 editor and
        Disassembler windows to the menu (it is now global to any window
        displaying characters from the CPC memory).
      - Added access to all existing conversion tables (automatic, English,
        French, Spanish and Danish) instead of only automatic and English ones.
      - Added menu option to enable or disable the decoding of system RST in
        disassembly displays (it was always active till now).
      - Added Danish firmware ROM (CPC6128 version) to the ACE's package.
      - Added Danish language detection for automatic firmware ROM selection at
        start-up.
      - Improved built-in MUI Custom Class to handle the charset conversion in
        input mode when editing through the chars field.
      - Added possibility to retry when updating a DSK failed because of a
        shared lock.
      - Improved address input class in text mode.
      - Added alphabetic sort to Tape2HD catalog display.
      - Added OSD symbol when emulator is paused.
      - Changed default frame rate from 60 to 10 fps in wild speed mode to
        maximize speed-up.
      - Improved AREXX command KEYBOARDSTROKE to handle the charset conversion
        from local to CPC.
      - Added some safety delay in wild speed mode.
      - Added missing support for HSync cancelling while running on CRTC 0/1.

    * Version 1.5 (07/04/2013):
      - Fixed about box text.
      - Fixed minor bug in start-up error handling.
      - Internal disc image format improvements.
      - Z80 source code clean-up.
      - Added possibility to unplug the drive B (CP/M will detect a single drive
        system and will perform accordingly).
      - Fixed the last known issue with CRTC 1 emulation (CRTC 1 might be
        perfect!).
      - Slightly improved CRTC types 0, 3 and 4 emulation.
      - Activated access to all CRTC types (CRTC 0, 2, 3 and 4 are not accurate
        yet).
      - Activated access to all Gate Array variants except 40008.
      - Management of the color differences between the Gate Array variants.
      - Added controls to change brightness and vertical hold settings.
      - Added CPC+ ASIC full support (including all known bugs regarding DMA,
        interruption management and ASIC emulated PPI).
      - Changed some layouts in the memory editor and memory disassembler
        windows.
      - Added CPC+ ASIC MMU modes access to memory and disassembler windows.
      - Fixed a bug in memory editor and disassembler windows which could try to
        display no longer valid ROMs when using REXX ROM configuration commands
        and custom mappings.
      - Changed the way of allocating the emulator data structure to prevent
        potential stack overflow in the future.
      - Fixed a potential bug in emulator's memory initialization.
      - Optimized Z80 I/O port decoder.
      - Slightly increased the default size of the main window.
      - Improved color rendering of the Gate Array analyzer window (it now
        displays the color really used on the emulator side depending on the
        Gate Array version).
      - Added CPR cartridge image file support (a faked cartridge is smartly
        emulated from the CPC firmware & basic ROMs if none is inserted to ease
        switching between CPC & CPC+ at runtime without useless resets just
        because of different ROM configurations).
      - Added CARTRIDGESPATH tooltype to choose the default path of the
        cartridge image files (CPR). It defaults to "PROGDIR:Cartridges".
      - Added CPR=CARTRIDGE tooltypes to choose the cartridge (CPR) to plug at
        startup (only possible if the emulated CPC is an Amstrad Plus).
      - Added PLUS=CPC+=AMSTRADPLUS tooltype switch to force Amstrad Plus
        emulation at start-up (CRTC and Gate Array tooltypes are then ignored).
      - Fixed a bug that prevented AHI device from being released at exit.
      - Audio management in now handled by the emulator engine class just like
        everything else and any emulator object can now have its own audio
        feedback.
      - Fixed read values on CRTC 3 and 4.
      - Added F9 and F10 key shortcuts to plug/unplug a cartridge.
      - Added light gun emulation through the mouse at request (Trojan Light
        Phazer and Magnum Light Phaser are supported).
      - Added CPC+ ASIC register internal cycle timing management (one pixel
        width split raster update depending on the Z80 update instruction).
      - Added build-in tape to hard disk wrapper to grant access to a share
        directory from the emulated CPC itself (with full speed, long filenames,
        and directory navigation according to the CPC firmware capabilities).
        You can now use directly the content of your hard disk from the CPC tape
        interface and avoid DSK when applicable (only system-friendly softwares
        can be installed). The navigation through the folders is done using the
        OPENIN command (there is no CD command on CPC) in the Amiga way ("/" for
        parent and ":" for root directory). You can of course create files from
        the CPC side, but not directories. You can interrupt a directory
        listing using [ESC] and pause it pressing [CONTROL]. The shared folder
        defaults to "PROGDIR:Share" and can be configured using the TAPE2HDPATH
        tooltype.
      - Added TAPE2HD tooltype to activate the tape to hard disk wrapper by
        default.
      - Fixed some issues with the internal debug logging system.
      - Added error request when tooltypes are invalid.
      - Fixed an issue with flickering display in wild speed mode (this bug was
        introduced with version 1.4).
      - Fixed quit confirmation window that could lock when several instances of
        ACE were running simultaneously.
      - Added CPC+ support to snapshots (compatible with the standard CPC+ chunk
        of the snapshot format v3).
      - Added ACE signature in saved snapshots.
      - Added CARTRIDGESKEEPEXTROM tooltype to be able to disable the feature of
        ACE which automatically disable any external ROM when inserting a
        cartridge.
      - Added INSERTCARTRIDGE, EJECTCARTRIDGE, GETCARTRIDGDENAME, CRTC and
        GATEARRAY AREXX commands (RickD).
      - Added AMSDOS-like automatic extension fallback at files loading on the
        Tape2HD wrapper to ensure better compatibility with installed softwares.

    * Version 1.4 (18/07/2012):
      - Improved automatic frame skipping.
      - Improved internal events handling.
      - Optimization of the Gate Array emulation code.
      - Added specific emulation of the Gate Array 40007, 40008, 40010 and their
        reimplementations in form of ASIC 40226 and 40489 (only the 40007 &
        40010 are available in the public version at the moment).
      - Fixed a potential issue in the emulation speed regulation (PowerBook G4).
      - When applicable, the audio device is now used to regulate the emulation
        speed to prevent a synchronization issue (PowerBook G4).
      - Removed the audio task (audio management is now simply done in the
        emulation task).
      - Added a frame double buffering to avoid a rare race condition where the
        displayed frame could be damaged by the one in computation.
      - Video frame buffer memory is now directly handled by the emulation task
        instead of the GUI task.
      - Remove the FRAMESKIP option which was really never working properly and
        became useless with the new internal events handling mechanism
      - Added a MANUFACTURER option to choose the brand of the CPC to emulate
        within ISP, Triumph, Saisho, Solavox, Awa, Schneider, Orion and Amstrad
        (Amstrad is used by default, except for German speaking countries where
        Schneider is preferred).
      - Fixed the Gate Array analyzer window which could have a wrong size.
      - Added mapping of "enter" from the CPC numeric keypad on "F12" (useful
        for keyboards without this key on the keypad; for example the
        PowerBook G4).
      - HexEdit.mcc MUI class is now optional (advanced windows which require it
        will just suspend some of their displays if the class is missing).
      - Fixed a bug introduced while migrating from gcc 2 to gcc 4 which
        prevented multiple instances of ACE being in full screen mode at the
        same time.
      - New more user-friendly icon.
      - Fixed some typos in French and English catalogs (RickD).
    * Version 1.3 (14/05/2012):
      - Fixed default font when a custom full screen mode is configured.
      - Avoid opening of full screen larger than the screen resolution.
      - Added again key repeat for shortcuts.
      - Fixes in DSK extensions management.
      - Improved malformed DSK detection.
      - Removed on-the-fly GAP#3 and tracks size recalculation on complex cases.
      - Fixes in FDC read track, read data and write data commands.
      - Added a delay in case of disc swapping without a prior ejection (B.A.T.,
        Fugitif, Crime),
      - Added support of the DSK extension "Offset-info" from Simon Owen in
        read and write modes.
      - Added a confirmation request when a is disc containing modifications
        that cannot be written with the original DSK format/extensions.
      - Fixed a FileInfoBlock misusage in the import DSK routine.
      - Fixed a bug in the Gate Array line counter introduced with version 1.2.
      - Fixed a bug in CRTC vertical synchronization trigger (improves Madness
        Demo),
      - Fixed a bug in the Gate Array horizontal synchronization introduced with
        version 1.2 (The Demo).
      - Added a lock on the video display to avoid MUI push method overhead.
      - Slight improvement in automatic frame skipping mechanism.
      - Fixed a timing bug with OUTD and OUTI when addressing the Gate Array
        (Beb).
      - Added a tool type and a menu option to activate the fast disc emulation
        mode (warning: this option is not compatible with some softwares).
      - Changed the "Color" gadget by a "Lamp" gadget for the disc activity LED.
      - Improved internal MUI notifications.
      - Fixed a bug in I/O port breakpoints management.
      - Simplified CRTC emulation code.
      - Improved offset management on CRTC 1.
      - Added interlaced mode support (register 8).
      - Simplified Gate Array, PSG and video information windows.
      - Changed triggering of offset CRTC register updates within the CRTC
        emulation (Dream Demo End, Impossible).
      - Full management of partial pixels and display artefacts during
        horizontal and vertical synchronization start/end (Camembert 4, Dream
        Demo 6, Dream Demo End, Madness Demo).
      - Fixed a bug in vertical synchronization trigger when vertical total
        adjust is on-the-go (3D Scroll, Take It Easy).
    * Version 1.2 (29/01/2012):
      - Migration from gcc2 to gcc 4.
      - Double-click support in the main window to toggle full screen mode.
      - Add of a disassembler based on the work of Cristian Dinu (support all
        opcodes including undocumented and custom Amstrad firmware RST).
      - Improved Z80 editor window (view of the code from PC and abstract of the
        stack from SP)
      - Improved memory editor window.
      - New fix in CRTC 1 emulation when registers 12 & 13 are modified while
        the additional lines (R5) are displayed (phi2x).
      - Fix of border disabling on CRTC 1 when register 6 is reset at a non-zero
        value during the first line of a split-screen (phi2x).
      - Fix VBL activation trigger while the additional lines (R5) are
        displayed.
      - Improved PSG analyzer, Gate Array analyzer and CRTC editor windows.
      - Add of a new full features disassembler window (easy navigation through
        the code branches, syntax highlight, breakpoints, ...).
      - Better internals between CRTC and Gate Array modules.
      - Better internal notification system between GUI and emulator.
      - Added an fast toolbar for breakpoints configuration in main window.
      - Disabled menu item not active when breakpoints a not enabled.
      - Added a breakpoint management window.
      - Added an AREXX command to configure advanced breakpoints.
      - Better keyboard management.
      - Added on-the-fly charset conversion between local and CPC code page.
      - Added Spanish and Danish v1.0 firmware ROMs in ACE archive.
      - Fix a bug in PSG register selection (phi2x).
    * Version 1.1 (18/09/2011):
      - Added Gate Array's half cycle support (synchronization between Gate
        Array, CRTC and Z80 is now perfect).
      - Fixed sync/display alignment for CRTC 0, 1 & 2 (it was right only for
        CRTC 3 & 4).
      - Fix in CRTC 1 emulation when registers 12 & 13 were modified while
        vertical adjust was managed (R5).
      - Slight improvement in CRTC 0, 2, 3 & 4 emulations (only CRTC 0 & 1 are
        actually activated in the public version).
      - Fix an interrupt management issue when a VSync started while a HSync was
        already running.
      - Fixes in the English translation (Stefan A. Haubenthal).
      - Improvements in the French version.
      - The Graph.mcc class from MorphOS 2.x is now optional (Stefan A.
        Haubenthal).
    * Version 1.0p1 (16/08/2011):
      - Omitting arguments OFFSCREENCOLOR or SCANLINECOLOR generated a hit in $0
        (Grzegorz Kraszewski).
      - Some bad hits occurred on foreign systems when no catalog was matching
        the locale (Grzegorz Kraszewski).
    * Version 1.0 (15/08/2011):
      - First public version.


ACE · Credits

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    Credits


    Architecture and coding:
        * Philippe 'OffseT' Rimauro - mailto:offset@cpcscene.net

    Icons:
        * David 'Davebraco' Braconnier - mailto:info@davebraco.be
        * Mathieu 'Hwikaa' Delaruelle - mailto:hwikaa@gmail.com

    Documentation:
        * Philippe 'OffseT' Rimauro - mailto:offset@cpcscene.net

    Translations:
        * Philippe 'OffseT' Rimauro - mailto:offset@cpcscene.net
        * Stefan 'polluks' Haubenthal - mailto:polluks@sdf.lonestar.org

    Tests:
        * Romain 'Krusty' Giot - mailto:krusty@cpcscene.net
        * Gilles 'Zik' Rimauro - mailto:zik@cpcscene.net
        * Antoine 'Tony' Reneaut - mailto:tony@cpcscene.net

    Ports:
        * Adrien 'PulkoMandy' Destugues - mailto:pulkomandy@pulkomandy.tk

    Thanks to:
        * 'RickD' for some fixes in Z80 emulation.
        * Julien 'Targhan' Nevo for his support on PSG emulation.
        * Matthieu 'Grim' Gauzentes for his accurate electronic measures from
          the real CPC chips for color and audio balance.
        * Gilles 'Zik' Rimauro for his accurate electronic measures from the
          the real CPC for synchronizations signals, and his advice on ACE look
          and feel.
        * Reloaded development team; their source code helped me to see how to
          do some things, but also how not to do some others.
        * Amstrad, to kindly have given their permission for the redistribution
          of their copyrighted system ROMs with CPC emulator.

    Tools:
        * MorphOS SDK and its numerous examples.
        * Cubic IDE from Dietmar Eilert.
        * SimpleCat from Guido 'Geit' Mersmann.
        * DT2Raw from Christian 'tokai' Rosentreter.
        * Bin2C from Guido 'Geit' Mersmann.
        * Dt2RawImage from Ilkka 'itix' Lehtoranta.
        * lzmaLoader from Harry 'Piru' Sintonen.
        * LibMaker from Grzegorz 'krashan' Kraszewski.


ACE · AREXX interface

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    AREXX interface 


    ACE exposes an extended AREXX interface that will allow you to do almost
    everything you want! With the help of REXX, everything is possible,
    everything can be automated! Your creativity will have no limits!

    Here is the list of the available commands on the ACE's AREXX port.

    Application commands:

    * VERSION: Return the ACE version number.

    * HIDE: Iconify ACE.

    * SHOW: Show ACE if it was iconified.

    * QUIT: Quit ACE.

    * FULLSCREEN ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return the full screen status. If ACTIVATE
      is set, TOGGLE is ignored. Setting ACTIVATE at 1 activates the full screen,
      0 go back to the windowed mode. TOGGLE switches the current mode.

    * ICONIFY ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return the full screen status. If ACTIVATE
      is set, TOGGLE is ignored. Setting ACTIVATE at 1 iconifies ACE,
      0 go back to the windowed mode. TOGGLE switches the current mode.

    * SCREENTOFRONT: Put the screen ACE is opened on to front.

    * SCREENTOBACK: Put the screen ACE is opened of to back.

    * WINDOWTOFRONT: Put ACE's main window to front.

    * WINDOWTOBACK: Put ACE's main window to back.

    * WARNINGS ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return or change the warnings display
      preference (warnings are about the DSK or SNA loading).

    * KEYJOY ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return or change the keyboard mapping of
      joystick 0 preference.

    Emulator commands:

    * RESET HARD/S: Reset or reboot the emulator.

    * PAUSE: Pause the emulator.

    * START STEP: Restart the emulator. If STEP is specified then only one
      Z80 execution step will by performed according to the provided mode (OVER,
      INTO or OUT) ; the emulation will then pause again.

    * CRTC CRTC=TYPE/N: If TYPE is specified, select the CRTC type to
      emulate (0 to 4, 3 is Amstrad Plus). If not, return the current emulated
      CRTC type.
      Warning: the Gate Array version might be changed too if it is not
      compatible with the new CRTC type.

    * WILDSPEED ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return or change the wild speed
      preference.

    * AUDIO=SOUND ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return or change the audio preference.

    * INSERTDISC FILE/A,DRIVE: Insert a disc image FILE in to the drive DRIVE
      (0/1 or A/B, drive A is the default one).

    * EJECTDISC DRIVE: Eject the disc image from the drive DRIVE.

    * GETDISCNAME DRIVE: Return the file name of the disc image inserted in the
      drive DRIVE.

    * INSERTTAPE FILE/A TAP=TAPEAUTOPLAY/S: Insert the audio file FILE in the tape
      reader and go to play if TAPEAUTOPLAY is specified.

    * EJECTTAPE: Eject the audio file from the tape reader.

    * PLAYTAPE: Press play on the tape reader.

    * STOPTAPE: Press stop on the tape reader.

    * GETTAPENAME: Return the name of the audio file inserted in the tape reader.

    * INSERTCARTRIDGE FILE/A FORCE/S: Insert a cartridge CPR FILE in the
      cartridge port (Amstrad Plus only). FORCE will switch the ACE in Amstrad
      Plus mode if it was not the case.

    * EJECTCARTRIDGE: Eject the cartridge image file inserted (Amstrad Plus only).

    * GETCARTRIDGENAME: Return the file name of the cartridge image inserted in
      the cartridge port (Amstrad Plus only).

    * LOADSNA FILE/A: Load a snapshot file named FILE.

    * SAVESNA FILE/A: Save a snapshot of the current emulator state into a file
      named FILE.

    * GRAB FILE RAW/S: Save a screen grab corresponding to what is currently
      displayed by the emulated CPC. If FILE is omitted then the grab
      is automatically saved in the default directory and the used file name is
      returned. If RAW is specified, then a non anti-aliased grab is saved
      (aspect ratio will not be handled either).

    * FLASHROM FILE/A,ROM/A/N: Load a file named FILE as an upper ROM number
      ROM.

    * REMOVEROM ROM/A/N: Remove the upper ROM number ROM.

    * FLASHFIRMWARE FILE/A: Load a file named FILE as a lower ROM.

    * RAWKEYPRESS KEY=CODE/A/N: Simulate a key press of the key CODE (being the
      physical key number from the CPC keyboard layout).

    * RAWKEYRELEASE KEY=CODE/A/N: Simulate a key release of the key CODE.

    * RAWKEYSTROKE KEY=CODE/A/N,DELAY/N: Simulate a key press then release of
      the key CODE (physical key number of the CPC keyboard) by waiting a
      DELAY (in microseconds) between the actions. The default DELAY is around
      40,000 microseconds (two frames), the max value is 1,000,000
      microseconds (one second).

    * KEYBOARDSTROKE NOENTER/S,WAIT/S,STR=STRING/A/F: simulate keyboard
      entering of the string contained in STRING and validate it by pressing
      RETURN unless the NOENTER/S is provided. It is different from RAWKEYPRESS,
      RAWKEYRELEASE and RAWKEYSTROKE because it does not depend on any
      keyboard variant (the installed firmware ROM is used to perform
      transalation). The keyboard events associated to the string will be
      injected in a synchronous manner, frame by frame (while raw key commands
      are fully asynchronous). Also,if WAIT/S is provided then the command will
      wait for all the keys to be injected into the emulated CPC, otherwise it
      will return immediately.
      Warning: this command requires a standard firmware ROM to perform
      properly; it might fail with custom firmwares.

    Cross-development commands:

    * POKE ADR=ADDRESS/A/N,VAL=VALUE/A/N,LINEAR/S: Poke a byte VALUE at the
      address ADDRESS in the emulated CPC memory. If LINEAR is set, the address
      will be considered as linear to the full CPC memory (0x0000-0xFFFF = main
      RAM, 0x10000-0x1FFFF = first 64KB page of the extension RAM, ..).

    * PEEK ADR=ADDRESS/A/N,LINEAR/S: Peek a byte.

    * LOAD FILE/A,ADR=ADDRESS/N,OFT=OFFSET/N,LEN=LENGTH/N,LINEAR/S,RAW/S:
      Load the content FILE from OFFSET, with a maximal LENGTH, at ADDRESS. If
      RAW is set, then any binary header will be ignored. ADDRESS is mandatory
      if no header is present.

    * SAVE FILE/A,ADR=ADDRESS/A/N,LEN=LENGTH/A/N,EXE=EXECUTION/N,LINEAR/S,RAW/S:
      Save a part of the CPC memory into a FILE.

    * OUT PORT/A/N,VAL=VALUE/A/N: Put a byte VALUE on the CPC port address
      PORT.

    * INP PORT/A/N : Read a byte from the CPC port address PORT.

    * BREAKPOINTS ACTIVATE/N,TOGGLE/S: Return or set the breakpoints
      preference.

    * SETBREAKCONDITIONS VBL/S,HBL/S,OPCODE/S,INT=INTERRUPT/S,DISC=DISCACCESS/S,
      BADVBL/S,BADHBL/S,MAXAM/S,WINAPE/S: Set or unset a break condition.

    * ADDBREAKPOINT TYPE/A,ADR=ADDRESS/A/N,ADRMASK=ADDRESSMASK/N,ACCESS,
      VAL=VALUE/N,VALMASK=VALUEMASK/N,CONDITION,STEP/N,NAME,WATCHER/S: Set a
      breakpoint of type TYPE (EXECUTE, MEMORY ou PORTS) named NAME for an
      access ACCESS (READ-ONLY, WRITE-ONLY ou READ-WRITE), at the address
      ADDRESS, depending on a mask ADDRESSMASK, for a value VALUE with a mask
      VALUEMASK every STEP under the condition CONDITION.
      Note 1: If WATCHER is specified the breakpoint will not stop and will just
      update the match count.
      Note 2: If a breakpoint with the same options exists, then the
      CONDITION, STEP, NAME and mode (WATCHER) are updated.
      Note 3: Value and mask are ignored  for execution breakpoints.
      Note 4; Default address mask value is 0xFFFF (it means "exact match").
      Note 5: Default value mask is 0x00 (it mean "any value match").

    * REMOVEBREAKPOINT TYPE/A,ADR=ADDRESS/N,ADRMASK=ADDRESSMASK/N,ACCESS,
      VAL=VALUE/N,VALMASK=VALUEMASK/N,ALL/S: Remove a breakpoint of type
      TYPE (EXECUTE, MEMORY or PORTS) for an access ACCESS (READ-ONLY, WRITE-ONLY
      or READ-WRITE), at the address ADDRESS, with a mask ADDRESSMASK, for a
      value VALUE using a mask VALUEMASK. If ALL is specified then
      all the breakpoints of type TYPE are deleted (other parameters are then
      ignored).

    * EXPORTBREAKPOINTS FILE/A: export the configurable breakpoints currently
      set in an AREXX script named FILE. This script could be launched
      directly to re-set the breakpoints later on. It takes one optional
      parameter which is the AREXX port name to be used. By default the one
      which was used by the ACE's instance that generated the export will be
      used.

    * ADDSYMBOL NAME/A,ADR=ADDRESS/A/N: Add a symbol with the name NAME at the
      address ADDRESS (several symbols can be set for the same address).

    * REMOVESYMBOL NAME,ALL/S: Remove symbol. If ALL is specified then all the
      symbols are deleted.

    * FINDSYMBOL NAME/A: Return the address corresponding to the symbol with the
      name NAME.

    * EXPORTSYMBOLS FILE/A: export the symbols currently set in an assembly
      source code containing one EQU for each symbol.

    * AF VAL=VALUE/N: Get or set the AF register of the Z80.
    * BC VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * DE VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * HL VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * SP VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * PC VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * AFx VAL=VALUE/N: Secondary register; see AF.
    * BCx VAL=VALUE/N: Secondary register; see AF.
    * DEx VAL=VALUE/N: Secondary register; see AF.
    * HLx VAL=VALUE/N: Secondary register; see AF.
    * IX VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * IY VAL=VALUE/N: See AF.
    * I VAL=VALUE/N: 8 bit register; see AF.

    * GETUSERCOUNTER TYPE/A: return the current value of the user counter of
      type TYPE.
      Theses counters counters are associated to the ones from the Z80 window and the
      possible values are:
        . MICROSECONDS for the microseconds counter.
        . LINES for the line counter.
        . FRAMES for the frame counter.

    * RESETUSERCOUNTER TYPE/A: reset remet the user counter specified with
      TYPE.
      The possible values are the same than from GETUSERCOUNTER.

    * GETLASTBREAKTYPE: return the status for the last activated
      breakpoint(s). This option is very useful inside scripts executed at
      breakpoints activation because it allows you to know in which conditions
      the break occurred. The status is returned in the form of a string formated
      as followed:

      [Execution][I/O Port][Memory][Interrupt][HBL][VBL][Bad HBL][Bad VBL][Disc access][Step by step][On screen break][Maxam break opcode][WinAPE break opcode]

      Each section under brackets is related to a type of breakpoint and will
      contain "-" if the associated type of breakpoint was not active during the
      last break. If it was active, then the related section will contain its
      name if it was named or a string with the name of the type of breakpoint
      if it was not.

    * ONSCREENBREAK X/A/N,Y/A/N: set a breakpoint for the display position
      X,Y. This position are related to the video frame fly
      and do not depend of graphic resolution.
      Note: this breakpoint is related to the breakpoint "Break on the
      mouse clicked position" available from the "Monitoring" menu and only one
      can be set at once.

    * RECORDSTART FILE: start recording a video. It may fail if a video is
      already being recorded or if the video file could not be created for some
      reason. If FILE is omitted then the record is automatically done in
      the default directory and the used file name is returned.

    * RECORDSTOP: stop recording a video.


ACE · Tape to hard disc wrapper

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    Tape to hard disc wrapper


    ACE allows you to share a directory from your hard disc with the emulated
    CPC through the tape interface. With this feature you can read and write
    files of a directory of your choice . Loading operations are in full speed
    (from the CPC point of view the files are loaded/saved with no delay), you
    can use long file names up to 16 characters (firmware maximum limit), and
    you have access to subdirectories.

    Configuring the wrapper:

    Once the option "Tape to hard disk wrapper" activated from the ACE
    configuration menu, you then have access to the shared directory through
    the tape interface. You can also use the tooltype TAPE2HD to activate the
    wrapper by default.

    If a disk ROM is installed (which is generally the case) you have to use
    the command "|TAPE" to use the tape interface (the "|DISC" command switches
    back to the disc interface). Once done, all the file operation commands
    (CAT, LOAD, SAVE, OPENIN, OPENOUT...) will grant you access to the shared
    directory of you hard disc.

    This directory defaults to the drawer "Share" of ACE but you can change it
    by using the TAPE2HDPATH tooltype. For security reasons it is not possible
    to access to files outside this directory (except the ones from
    subdirectories). Moreover only files compatibles with the 16 characters file
    name limit are visible (the others are hidden and a message will inform you
    about their existence).

    Using the wrapper:

    The CAT command which lists the files might display a lot of entries if your
    directory is full of stuff. The scrolling could then prevent you from
    reading the first files of the list. To solve this issue, you can use the
    [CONTROL] key to hold the catalog display. Also, you can press [ESC] to
    simply cancel the catalog listing at any time.

    Moreover, the catalog is displayed in a detailed way much more useful than
    the AMSDOS defaults.

    Here is an example:

    [HOME]
    Favorite Games/  [DIR]                 |
    Favorite Demos/  [DIR]                 |
    Menu.bas         11938 B$0170 0000 2E22|
    Music.bin         4055 B&6380 4000 0480|
    Music.wav            4MB*Data          |
    Readme.txt        3456 B*ASCII         |

    And how to understand it:

    * The first line displays under brackets the name of the current
    directory; HOME indicates the root of the shared directory.
    * The keyword [DIR] indicated a directory entry.
    * The size of the files is displayed in bytes (B), kilobytes (KB),
      megabytes (MB) and even gigabytes (GB) depending on their size.
    * The type of the files is displayed using the common firmware flags:
        $ For a BASIC file.
        & For a binary file.
        % For a protected file.
        * For a non-system file (ASCII or raw data).

    Finally, you have to know that the CPC operating system does not allow
    directory browsing ; no command exists for such operation. To access to the
    directories using the hard disc wrapper, you simply have to use the "OPENIN"
    command with the name of the directory to enter followed by a "/" sign
    (anyway, directories are always displayed with this trailing slash in the
    catalog). Please note that the directory names are then limited to 15
    characters instead of 16. To go back to the parent directory, you just have
    to use OPENIN"/", while OPENIN":" will put you directly into the root shared
    directory (just like in AmigaShell through the CD command).

    During file opening in reading mode, in order to be more compliant with
    existing programs, the file extensions management defaults in the same way
    the AMSDOS does. If a file name is less than 8 characters long, reading
    attempts will be done with pending ".", ".bas" then ".bin" extensions.

    During file opening in write mode, no default extension management is done.
    (like for the original tape interface).

    Technical details:

    From a technical point of view, this wrapper is implemented with the help
    of a modified firmware ROM and an Z80 illegal instruction. When the tape to
    hard disc wrapper is disabled, the emulation is not altered at all. Once
    activated, he firmware ROM is patched on the fly to make use of the special
    illegal instruction. Then, every time the Z80 emulation encounters this
    instruction during the firmware ROM code execution, the wrapper specific
    functions are engaged.

    Warning: the wrapper will not work if you do not use of the official
    Amstrad firmware ROM version (all of them are compatibles).


ACE · Video recording

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    Video recording


    ACE can record a video of what is played inside the emulator. Both the sound
    and the image are recorded. All the recording files are created in the drawer
    "Records" (you can change this default drawer with the tool type
    RECORDSPATH).

    As video recording requires a lot of power and bandwidth, ACE will not
    directly produce a usable video. Instead, recording is split in three
    phases.

    Please note that even is recording in slowing down emulation on your machine
    all frames and all sounds will be recorded correctly.

    Phase 1:

    Once a recording is started, ACE will make a fast record of the sound and
    the image in files using a private format (AREC file format).

    Please note that if the recording is long, several AREC files will be
    generated in order to avoid the 2Gb file limit of 32-bit file systems.
    This is done because 64-bit file systems are usually very slow and it is a
    good idea to record on 32-bit ones such as SFS or PFS3. Additional files
    will have a numbered suffix (<filename>.arec followed by
    <filename>.arec.00001 then <filename>.arec.00002...).

    Important: if the display mode of ACE is changed during this phase (switch
    to full screen or overscan mode, overlay setting changed, iconified...)
    record will stop immediatly.

    Phase 2:

    You need to use the tool arec2raw located in ACE "Tools" drawer to convert AREC
    files into usable raw files.

    Please check scripts & tools section for more information about this tool.

    After arec2raw has been executed, you will find three files:
    * One rawaudio file.
    * One rawvideo file.
    * One encoding script.

    Important: generated raw files can be very large and you might have to use a
    64-bit file system to store them. IceFS is a native 64-bit file system but
    you could also use ext2/3 or ntfs.

    Phase 3:

    Simply launch the script generated in phase 2 in order to encode your video
    into regular mpeg4 avi file. You might want to modify it to customize
    encoding parameters.

    Please note that the tool ffmpeg must be installed in your path in order to
    use this script.


ACE · Expansion plugins

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    Expansion plugins


    ACE is expandable through shared libraries that are loaded and initialized
    at statup time. These libraries are called "ACEpansions" and must be
    installed in the "Plugins" drawer of ACE (this default can be changed by
    using the PLUGINSPATH tool type).

    Each plugin loaded will add an item to the "Expansions" menu of the emulator
    so that it could be enabled or disabled. Some plugins could also add a
    preferences window to this menu, and a help guide to the "Help" menu.

    Plugins are configurable through tooltypes of their icon; please refer to
    the documentation of each plugin to know about them.

    By default ACE comes with five expansion plugins:

    Joysticks (joysticks.acepansion) emulates the CPC joysticks using the legacy
    Amiga lowlevel.library.

    Digiblaster (digiblaster.acepansion) emulates the Digiblaster and the
    Soundplayer.

    Printer (printer.acepansion) allow you to redirect the CPC printer port to a
    file.

    Kemptson mouse (kempstonmouse.acepansion) emulates... well... the Kempston
    mouse.

    AMX mouse (amxmouse.acepansion) emulates... erm... the AMX mouse (not very
    accurate but the AMX mouse isn't either!).

    If you whish to develop your own expansion plugin, the source code of all
    these plugins are provided as examples in the "Bonus" drawer.


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