Graphics
Column Reservation Numbers
The graphics command requires more than one number to specify
how many columns to reserve because one line can use thousands of
columns, but the printer does not use numbers larger than 255 in
decimal. Therefore the graphics mode command uses two numbers,
n1 and n2, for reserving columns.
To find n1 and
n2,
divide the total number of columns by 256. The
result is n2; the remainder is n1. Since the command is set up for two
numbers, you must supply two even if you need only one. When
you need fewer than 256 columns, just make
n1
the number of
columns you are reserving and make n2 a zero.
For example, if you wish to send 1632 columns of graphics data,
n1
should be 96 and
n2
should be 6 because 1632 = 96 + (6 x 256).
The printer interprets the number of bytes specified by n1 and n2 as
graphics data, no matter what codes they are. This means that you
must be sure to supply enough bytes of graphics data or the printer
will stop and wait for more data and will seem to be locked. If, on
the other hand, you supply too much graphics data, the excess will
be interpreted and printed as regular text.
A Simple Graphics Program
This first program is just a simple example to show you how the
graphics command, column reservation numbers, and data can be
used in a BASIC program.
4-14
Software and Graphics
