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Text Mode Demos




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Text Mode demos are Real-time calculated Computer Animation s which make use of the native text graphic mode(s) common on the IBM PC. The Text Mode Demo Scene is one of many different facets of the Demoscene .

Text Mode as a medium offers several unique challenges for the creators of such a demo. Similar to the constraints of ASCII and ANSI Art , the coder and artist both must take into consideration the limitations presented by text mode; a base resolution of 80x25 or 80x50 "blocks" and a mere 16 colors in default text mode. By taking advantage of half blocks in the ASCII character set, one can effectively double the resolution. While creatively making use of the 3 shaded block characters of varying gradients in the IBM PC "Extended ASCII" character set ( Code Page 437 ), one can achieve some interesting color combinations with the limited Palette . Custom graphics and effects can also be achieved by customizing the character set on a per- Pixel basis and manipulating the palette.

The first evident IBM PC demo group to create text mode demos is said to be the Sorcerers. The ever-popular Finnish group, Future Crew , also began by creating some innovative creations which took advantage of text mode, with text intros such as "Yo!" and "Starport".

TAAt Ry , a non-profit organization in Finland , organizes a semi-annual competitive event for authors of textmode demos called the Text Mode Demo Contest (TMDC).


SEE ALSO

  • AAlib - Portable ascii art GFX library



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