Graph Unit Introduction

Next: Graph Unit Types, Constants and Variables

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Standard Units

Graph Unit Introduction

Targets: MS-DOS, Win32

The Graph unit for TMT Pascal is as compatible with the Borland Graphics Library as possible. Since BGI is by now an obsolete interface, we added a number of enhancements. They are described in detail below. This graphics library for TMT Pascal allows easy porting of programs written for Borland Pascal (with minimal changes to the source).

Features:

OS independent interface. You not need make any changes in the sources to compile them as MS-DOS or Win32 applications.
Real 32-bit accelerated graphics;
Mostly compatible with Borland's GRAPH;
Supports the following graphic modes:
- 256-colored VGA/MCGA (13h BIOS) mode;
- all SVGA 256 color (PaletteColor) modes;
- all SVGA 32k/64k color (HiColor) modes;
- all SVGA 16M/16M+A color (TrueColor) modes;
VESA VBE 1.2/2.0 features (32-bits PM interface, etc);
Microsoft DirectDraw 5.0 features in Win32 applications.
Banked and LFB (Linear Flat frame Buffer) SVGA modes;
Logical pages and hardware scrolling (MS-DOS applications only);
No 64K limit on sprite size;
Does not use BGI drivers;
Uses flat memory model for greater performance.
Advanced sprite engine with transparent BLT;
Virtual graphics mode for double- and triple-buffering is available.

System Requirements

VGA compatible video card required (VESA VBE 1.2 recommended, VESA VBE 2.0 is best) for MS-DOS and Microsoft DirectX 5.0 or higher for Windows'95/98/Me, Windows NT/2000 or Windows XP applications.
CPU Intel 80386 or higher compatible;
PMODE, PMODEW or WDOSX compatible DOS extender for MS-DOS 32-bit protected mode applications.

Notices on Win32 target
The Graph unit can be used to emulate MS-DOS SVGA graphics in Windows 32-bit GUI and console applications using the Microsoft DirectDraw 5.0 or later. Moreover the Graph unit for Win32 works in conjunction with CRT, Keyboard and Mouse units in a same way, as in MS-DOS applications. So you may recompile most of your old MS-DOS programs as Win32 GUI applications without any changes in your sources.
For example, you may compile any source from your TMTPL\SAMPLES\COMMON\GRAPH subdirectory for both Win32 GUI and MS-DOS targets.

Compatibility with the Graph unit from Borland Pascal
TMT Graph unit will partly replicate the Graph unit from Borland Pascal. However there are some differences. Listed below are the names of all procedures and functions from the Graph unit from Borland Pascal 7 and an indication of their status in TMT our Graph unit.

+Arc	+GetMaxX	*PutImage
+Bar	+GetMaxY	+PutPixel
+Bar3D	-GetModeName	*Rectangle
+Circle	-GetModeRange	-RegisterBGIdriver
*ClearDevice	+GetPalette	-RegisterBGIfont
*ClearViewPort	+GetPaletteSize	*RestoreCrtMode
*CloseGraph	+GetPixel	-Sector
-DetectGraph	*GetTextSettings	+SetActivePage
*Drawpoly	+GetViewSettings	+SetAllPalette
+Ellipse	+GetX	*SetAspectRatio
*FillEllipse	+GetY	*SetBkColor
*FillPoly	*GraphDefaults	+SetColor
*FloodFill	+GraphErrorMsg	*SetFillPattern
-GetArcCoords	+GraphResult	*SetFillStyle
*GetAspectRatio	+ImageSize	+SetGraphBufSize
*GetBkColor	-InitGraph	*SetGraphMode
+GetColor	-InstallUserDriver	+SetLineStyle
+GetDefaultPalette	-InstallUserFont	+SetPalette
-GetDriverName	+Line	+SetRGBPalette
+GetFillPattern	+LineRel	+SetTextJustify
-GetFillSettings	+LineTo	*SetTextStyle
*GetGraphMode	+MoveRel	-SetUserCharSize
+GetImage	+MoveTo	*SetViewPort
+GetLineSettings	+OutText	+SetVisualPage
+GetMaxColor	+OutTextXY	*SetWriteMode
-GetMaxMode	-PieSlice	+TextHeight
+TextWidth

Definitions:
+ procedure/function supported and functionally equivalent to Borland;
* procedure/function supported, but somewhat different from Borland;
- procedure/function not supported.

Note that TMT Graph provides many procedures and functions, which are not supported by Borland's Graph unit.


FDebug Unit	Table of Content	Graph Unit Types, Constants and Variables

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