N64FlashcartMenu/README.md
Robin Jones 05bf7aeedf
Add N64 ROM boxart capability (#16)
<!--- Provide a general summary of your changes in the Title above -->

## Description
<!--- Describe your changes in detail -->
Adds the ability to show ROM boxart in the FileInfo menu.
Although later we may decide to convert PNG's or BMP's on the fly, to
start with, we only use sprite files created with mksprite (see readme).

It required an update to the libdragon submodule due to very recent
sprite functionality changes.

## Motivation and Context
<!--- What does this sample do? What problem does it solve? -->
<!--- If it fixes/closes/resolves an open issue, please link to the
issue here -->
Work towards a pretty menu.

## How Has This Been Tested?
<!-- (if applicable) -->
<!--- Please describe in detail how you tested your sample/changes. -->
<!--- Include details of your testing environment, and the tests you ran
to -->
<!--- see how your change affects other areas of the code, etc. -->
As shown in the screenshots, ~~however there is an issue when the info
screen displays for more than 30 seconds with a sprite loaded (help
required).~~

## Screenshots
<!-- (if appropriate): -->
Example Goldeneye ROM loaded:

![image](https://github.com/Polprzewodnikowy/N64FlashcartMenu/assets/11439699/65f03a06-9463-4519-a94e-00c38bf1c409)



~~Known issue (when staying on the information screen with a sprite
loaded for over 30 seconds)~~

![image](https://github.com/Polprzewodnikowy/N64FlashcartMenu/assets/11439699/fd98b39c-9534-4794-bcd5-d598f18bfd63)


## Types of changes
<!--- What types of changes does your code introduce? Put an `x` in all
the boxes that apply: -->
- [x] Improvement (non-breaking change that adds a new feature)
- [ ] Bug fix (fixes an issue)
- [ ] Breaking change (breaking change)
- [ ] Config and build (change in the configuration and build system,
has no impact on code or features)

## Checklist:
<!--- Go over all the following points, and put an `x` in all the boxes
that apply. -->
<!--- If you're unsure about any of these, don't hesitate to ask. We're
here to help! -->
- [x] My code follows the code style of this project.
- [ ] My change requires a change to the documentation.
- [x] I have updated the documentation accordingly.
- [ ] I have added tests to cover my changes.
- [ ] All new and existing tests passed.

<!--- It would be nice if you could sign off your contribution by
replacing the name with your GitHub user name and GitHub email contact.
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Signed-off-by: GITHUB_USER <GITHUB_USER_EMAIL>
2023-07-26 17:55:23 +02:00

3.1 KiB

N64FlashcartMenu

This repo and its documentation is currently experimental and subject to change without notice.

Aims

  • Support as many N64 FlashCarts as possible.
  • Be open source using preferably MIT licensed third party licensed libraries where possible.
  • Be testable, where possible using CTest, but if not, in an emulated environment.
  • Encourage active development from community members and N64 FlashCart owners.
  • Support PixelFX N64Digital

Basic usage

SC64

Download the sc64menu.n64 ROM from the latest action run assets. Add it to the root folder on your SD card.

ROM Boxart

To use boxart, you need to place png files of size 158x112 in the folder sd://menu/boxart/ Each file must be named according to the 2 letter ROM ID. e.g. for goldeneye, this would be GE.png A known set of PNG files can be downloaded from https://mega.nz/file/6cNGwSqI#8X5ukb65n3YMlGaUtSOGXkKo9HxVnnMOgqn94Epcr7w

Save types

0 = NONE 1 = EEPROM_4K 2 = EEPROM_16K 3 = SRAM 4 = SRAM_BANKED 5 = SRAM_128K 6 = FLASHRAM 15 = CART_HEADER

ED64

Currently not supported, but there is an aim to do so. The aim is to replace Altra64 and ED64-UnofficialOS.

Developer documentation

Work in progress!

You can use a dev container in VSCode to ease development.

To deploy:

  • Download the deployer here
  • Extract and place sc64deployer.exe in the tools/sc64 directory.

Make sure that your firmware is compatible (currently v2.16.0+) See: https://github.com/Polprzewodnikowy/SummerCart64/blob/v2.16.0/docs/00_quick_startup_guide.md#firmware-backupupdate

From the devcontainer

It is not currently possible to directly communicate with USB devices. BUT, as a work around you can use a proxy TCP/IP connection Set up a proxy: open a terminal window, cd ./tools/sc64 and then ./sc64deployer.exe server

Then in the dev container, use ./remotedeploy.sh

From your host (Windows) OS

  • Run ./localdeploy.bat from the terminal

Toggle the N64 power switch to load the ROM.

ms-vscode.makefile-tools will help (installed automatically in dev container). TODO: it does not yet work with F5: see https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/now-announcing-makefile-support-in-visual-studio-code/ WORKAROUND: in the dev container terminal, use make directly, i.e.: make The ROM can be found in the output directory.

NOTE: a "release" version of the SC64 menu is called sc64menu.n64 and can be created for when you want to add it directly to the SDCard. This is generated by running make all or running make sc64_minify.

Update Libdragon submodule

This repo currently uses the unstable branch as a submodule at a specific commit. To update to the latest version, use git submodule update --remote from the terminal.

Generate documentation

Run doxygen from the dev container terminal. Make sure you fix the warnings before creating a PR!