GraTiS - Grab Tiles and Sprites

A development tool for the 48K ZX Spectrum.

Let's say you have your game tiles in the form of a 6912-byte .SCR file and you want to grab 16 x 16 tiles from various parts of the screen.  Most of us quickly knock-up a simple BASIC program to grab tiles from the screen and reorder the bytes so our code can use them.  Well, now you don't have to do that again.

Unlike the simple BASIC tile grab tools we developers usually put together this one has an undo facility and you can view the sprites you've already banked.

When the program loads just import your .SCR file to address 32768 (or load a SCREEN$ file from tape) then press a key.  Move around the screen with the cursors using space to grab the tiles you want in the order you want them.  If you make a mistake press U to undo.  To view the tiles you've grabbed press V.  When you want to save your bank of tiles press S and you will be given the option of saving the binary to tape of exporting your bank as a binary in your emulator.  The start address of your bank (49152) is displayed on screen as is the length of the tile data.  Simple!

Never have to write another 16 x 16 tile grabber again.

The BASIC Extensions file contains code (located at address 64000) that will enable mid-level and above BASIC programmers to display grabbed tiles instantly, from single tiles as sprites or a whole screen layout using PRINT #4;"" or similar.  There is also a new function to replace INKEY$ that allows BASIC programmers to detect multiple simultaneous keypresses.  Instructions are included and suggestions for further BASIC functions (World of Spectrum forums only please) are invited.