TRANSFERRING 8-BIT PICS TO ST After the recent purchase of the excellent DEGAS ELITE program written by Tom Hudson (of Analog fame) i found it included a section for loading different format pictures from other programs and computers. One of these included the Amiga !! but of more interest to me was the option for Koala picture files from the 8- bit Atari computers of which i have a number of, not my work i hasten to add. However, it is not just a case of pulling down a menu bar, shoving a disk in and clicking your mouse. The picture have to be transferred between the two computers. After a chat to a friend who had already ported some across and making a few notes on confiquration of the comms software away i went to make up my connecting lead. First job on hand is to make up a "Dumb" modem lead. The ST end is no problem as it already has a port built into the computer for connecting to, the 8-bit end is the problem. If you have an 850 interface for RS232 its just a case of getting a 9-pin D type plug and connecting up the other end. What else you can do i don't know although ICD in America recently put on the market a box similar to the 850. The following pins are required: ST using 25 way plug connected to modem port PIN 2 - TRANSMIT DATA PIN 3 - RECEIVE DATA PIN 8 - GROUND 8-bit using 9 way D plug connected to port 1 on 850 PIN 3 - TRANSMIT DATA PIN 4 - RECEIVE DATA PIN 5 - GROUND IMPORTANT - THE WIRES SHOULD BE REVERSED ON ONE END OF THE LEAD SO THAT TRANSMIT IS CONNECTED TO RECEIVE AND RECEIVE TO TRANSMIT. The ground wire stays the same both ends. Both plugs are available from your local Tandy store remembering that you require the "female" 25 way for the ST end. I just stripped 3 wires from a ribbon cable i had to connect the two. Next job is to get two comms software programs that use X-MODEM protocol to tranfer the files over. I used BACKTALK from Antic Magazines catalog for the 8-Bit end. This is a program i have found very easy to use, allowing files larger than the buffer to be transmitted although it tends to bomb out now and again. It is just a case of setting the baud rate, i used the maximum 1200 baud, picking x-modem transfer and typing the file name. For the ST end i used K-COMM which did require a bit more setting up. Choosing the "Configure Terminal" option from the Terminal menu activates a control box for setting the various control features needed. I used the following settings for this. TERMINAL: VT52 BAUD RATE: 1200 BITS: EIGHT STOP BITS: ONE HAND SHAKE: NONE WIDTH: 80 ECHO: HOST CR: NO DEBUG: OFF SEND LFs: YES STRIP TOP: OFF WRAP EOL: ON These settings seem to work ok for sending pictures between the two computers but i am no comms expert so if you know a better option please use your own. The next task was to sort all my picture files out on my 8-bit system and make sure that they were in "COMPRESSED" Koala format. If you have pictures of different formats its best to use the RAPID GRAPHICS CONVERTER program published in Antic magazine (NOV.1985) which will convert from many different options. Try the Fun With Art option on G.A.D. or Rambrandt files, it does not save the DLI's over though. Once converted they can be loaded into AtariArtist touch tablet program (or the koala one) and saved as a compressed file. Its best to make a note of the file names at this stage. The next bit is easy if somewhat boring. Boot up both systems with the comms software making sure you have connected the "Dumb" modem lead to the ST port and the 850 interface. A blank formatted disk is required on your ST for saving the files to. Then its just a case of selecting the file for transfer on your 8-bit end and selecting the X-modem file transfer on the K-Comm software menu. You will need to select the "receive" option from this and then type a file name in which you want it to be saved under. Once running its just a case of sitting back and waiting for the file transfer to take place. The K-Comm package automatically saves the file to disk and will tell you if everything is ok. Once transfered they can be loaded into Degas Elite very easily using the picture type option. This program will also convert pictures to any of the three resolutions available on the ST enabling you to veiw pics in Black and White for dumping out to printer. There is a side effect of transferring some pictures over in the colour pallets used on the 8-Bit system but at least most of the work in drawing these pics has been done. With some that have only used the four colours available a vast improvement can take place. This is one area where the ST drawing/painting type programs score over the 8-bit side in the ease of use and features available. Now where did i see an advert for cheap high res graphic tablets ?!?!?! ARTICLE BY JOHN HOLLINGS 7.GIRTON ROAD, SHERWOOD, NOTTINGHAM. NG5 1FY