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?
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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

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# 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](https://gitlab.com/pixelfx-public/n64-game-id)
## 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](https://github.com/networkfusion/altra64) and [ED64-UnofficialOS](https://github.com/n64-tools/ED64-UnofficialOS-binaries).
# Developer documentation
**Work in progress!**
You can use a dev container in VSCode to ease development.
## To deploy:
* Download the deployer [here](https://github.com/Polprzewodnikowy/SummerCart64/releases/download/v2.16.0/sc64-deployer-windows-v2.16.0.zip)
* 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!