Commodore 128D - Page 103

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Graphics
Overview
In C128 mode, the Commodore 128 BASIC 7.0 language provides
many new and powerful commands and statements that make
graphics programming much easier. Each of the two screen formats-
available in C128 mode (40 columns and 80 columns) is controlled by
a separate microprocessor chip. The 40-column chip is called the
Video Interface Controller, or VIC for short. The 80-column chip is
referred to as the 8563- The VIC chip provides 16 colors and controls
all the highly detailed graphics called bit-mapped graphics. The 80-
column chip, which also offers 16 colors, displays characters and
character graphics. The new BASIC graphics commands are not
supported in 80 column output, though you can program the 80
column chip to support a bit map display with your own machine
language programs. Thus, all detailed BASIC graphic programs in
C128 mode must be done in 40-column format.
Graphics Features
As part of its impressive C128 mode graphics capabilities, the Com
modore 128 provides:
• specialized graphics commands and functions
• 16 colors
• Six different display modes
• Eight programmable movable objects called SPRITES
• Built in sprite editor
• Combined graphics/text displays
All these features are integrated to provide a versatile, easy-to-use
graphics system.
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USING C128 MODE—Color, Animation and Sprite Graphics Statements