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Video Easel for Atari 8-bit Computers FAQ

by BHodges

Version  1.0
Created  12/23/09

This document Copyright 2009 by Brian Hodges.  It may not be placed on any
web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission.

Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is
strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

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Table of Contents

I.     Introduction
II.    Overview
III.   Commands
        A.  Life
               1.  Clear
               2.  Main
               3.  Factory At
               4.  Glider At
               5.  Big X At
               6.  Start
               7.  XY Cursor
               8.  IBeam At
               9.  Diag At
              10.  Row At
              11.  Vert At
              12.  Quad XY Cursor
        B.  Reset Color
        C.  Drawing
        D.  Quad Drawing
        E.  Clear
        F.  Start
        G.  Erase
        H.  Painting
IV.    Game Review
V.     Version History
VI.    Contact Information

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I.     Introduction

This is a FAQ for the Atari 8-bit Computer game Video Easel.  It contains
information on how to play the game and a mini-review.

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II.    Overview

Video Easel is a drawing program consisting of three different modes in which
you can create simple yet creative works of art.  You can switch between
drawing modes at will and since they all share the same canvas, if used
properly, can create some interesting artwork!

Before I go any further, it's important to note that Video Easel has no save
feature :(

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III.   Commands

Notes: To use a command, simply type the first letter of that command, then
      press RETURN.

      Press M at any time to return to the Main Screen.

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A.  Life

..............................................................................
1.  Clear

The Clear command will completely erase your canvas, be very careful with this
command, there is no undo command!

..............................................................................
2.  Main

This command will take you back to the Main Screen.

..............................................................................
3.  Factory At

This command will insert a factory at the coordinates you enter.  A factory is
a grouping that will create two groups that bounce off each other repeatedly.
These collisons result in gliders that will then travel northeast.

After pressing F, enter the X-coordinate, then a comma, then the Y-coordinate
and press RETURN.

..............................................................................
4.  Glider At

This command will insert a glider at the coordinates you enter.  A glider is
a grouping that will slowing make its way across the screen.

After pressing G, enter the X-coordinate, then a comma, then the Y-coordinate
and press RETURN.

..............................................................................
5.  Big X At

This command will create a giant X on the screen with the center at the
coordinates you enter.  If you place it near the edge, the remaining lines will
loop over to the other side of the canvas.

After pressing B, enter the X-coordinate, then a comma, then the Y-coordinate
and press RETURN.

..............................................................................
6.  Start

This will begin the life simulation.  The current generation will be displayed
in the lower left of the screen.  As the generations progress, the groups will
either grow or contract based on their surroundings.  The simulation will
continue until you interrupt it with another command.

..............................................................................
7.  XY Cursor

The XY Cursor command allows up to four players to draw simultaneously!

You draw by holding down the button and moving the joystick.  The line starts
out as purple, if you draw over that line again, it will turn yellow, then
blue, then black, then back to purple again.  To erase, simply move your cursor
WITHOUT holding down the button.

..............................................................................
8.  IBeam At

This command will insert an ibeam (capital I) at the coordinates you enter.
After pressing I, enter the X-coordinate, then a comma, then the Y-coordinate
and press RETURN.

..............................................................................
9.  Diag At

This command will insert a diagonal onto your canvas.  You can specify the
location and length.  After pressing D enter the X-coordinate, then a comma,
then the Y-coordinate.  It will then ask for a length, input a number and then
press RETURN.

..............................................................................
10.  Row At
This command will insert a horizontal line onto your canvas.  You can specify
the location and length.  After pressing R enter the X-coordinate, then a
comma, then the Y-coordinate.  It will then ask for a length, input a number
and then press RETURN.

..............................................................................
11.  Vert At

This command will insert a vertical line onto your canvas.  You can specify
the location and length.  After pressing V enter the X-coordinate, then a
comma, then the Y-coordinate.  It will then ask for a length, input a number
and then press RETURN.

..............................................................................
12.  Quad XY Cursor

The Quad XY Cursor command let's you draw using the joystick just like XY
Cursor, except here any action will be mirrored in the other three quadrants.

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B.  Reset Color

I'm not exactly sure what this does, the only effect I see is that you can no
longer draw with the cursor and the only way to undo this is to reset the
Atari.

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C.  Drawing

Drawing Mode allows up to four players to draw simultaneously!

You draw by holding down the button and moving the joystick.  The line starts
out as purple, if you draw over that line again, it will turn yellow, then
blue, then black, then back to purple again.  To erase, simply move your cursor
WITHOUT holding down the button.

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D.  Quad Drawing

Quad Drawing is almost identical to the normal Drawing Mode, except that any
actions here will be mirrored in the other three quadrants of the canvas.

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E.  Clear

The Clear command will completely erase your canvas, be very careful with this
command, there is no undo command!

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F.  Start

The Start command is similar to the Painting command, except instead of using
a predefined pattern, it uses whatever is on your canvas.

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G.  Erase

As far as I can tell, Erase does the exact same thing as Clear.

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H.  Painting

The Painting command will cause the computer to paint the canvas using one of
six predefined patterns.  After pressing P, enter a number 1-6 and press RETURN
to start painting.  The computer will continue to paint until you interrupt it
with another command.

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IV.    Game Review

Released in 1979 for the Atari 8-bit Computers, Video Easel predates Mario
Paint by over a decade.  It was one of the first drawing programs available for
a home computer and is also one of, if not the first video game that
supported four player simultaneous play.

There are three modes in Video Easel: Drawing allows you to draw freely,
Painting, where the computer paints the screen automatically using one of six
patterns, and Life, a primitive life simulation program.  One interesting
feature is that all three modes share the same canvas, so you can let the
computer paint, then edit it in Drawing Mode, then use your artwork in Life
Mode.

Unfortunately, due to technology constraints, the palette is limited to only
four colors.  Another major drawback is the lack of a save feature, so once you
turn off the power, your masterpieces are lost forever.

Though dated, Video Easel can still provide you with an interesting diversion.
It's definitely worth a look if you own an Atari 8-bit Computer.

Pros

+  The life simulation is actually kind of engrossing.
+  One of the first drawing programs available for a home computer.
+  Up to four players can play simultaneously.

Cons

-  No save feature.

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V.     Version History

1.0   12/23/09   Completed FAQ.

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VI.    Contact Information

You can contact me at [email protected]

I would appreciate hearing what you thought of this guide and any thoughts
you have for improving it.  Be sure to let me know if I have missed anything.

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