Repton 3 File Converter
Version 1.00 beta release 7
Introduction
This is a utility that allows you to load the Repton 3 data files from any format. It will also then allow you to save them as another format. The main reason for this utility came about because the extra screens released on the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron were never released for the Commodore 64 (i.e. Around The World In 40 Screens, Life Of Repton and Repton Thru' Time). This is now also used to provide some of the maps on the Repton Resource Page (particularly the themed graphics maps).
Usage
Quite simply, just open a file (File->Open Data File) and select a file. The converter will try and determine which format it is (usually by size). However, if the format is unrecognised, it will not get loaded and error message will be displayed.
To save this file in another format, just select the appropriate 'Save As' option. Selecting the Save As Bitmap option will save the currently selected file's maps and characters as Windows Bitmaps and/or GIFs, and a summary as a text file, depending on which options are set on the options page.
The Commodore 64 time limits tend to be 1.9 times that of the BBC Micro/Acorn Electron. Therefore, when saving as a Commodore 64 file, if the original came from a BBC or Electron file, the time limit will automatically get multiplied by 1.9 (to a maximum of 9999). Conversely, if you save as a BBC or Electron file when the original came from a Commodore file, the time limit will get divided by 1.9.
On the character display tab, you can click on a character to zoom in. Click again to reduce to normal size.
Bulk Conversion
This feature has been added to enable the conversion of multiple files from one format to another. This will search the destination folder for any files it can load, open them, then save them in the desired format to the destination folder.
Quite simply, go to File->Bulk Convert Files to open the dialog on the right hand side. You can then select the source folder (i.e. where the original files are stored), and then destination folder (i.e. where the converted files will be saved). Then select the format you wish to convert them to.
If the utility opens a file that is the same format as what will be converted to, it will open it then save it in the same format.
It will convert them according to the options selected in the options dialog.
The filename used to save the converted files will be the same as the filename of the loaded file, with some optional extras (see the Options). The only difference is that the utility will remove any initial "$." or subsequent ".PRG" or ".r3l". It will be up to you to extract the files from the disc images, and to add them back once converted for use by an emulator.
Menu Items
Options Dialog
Current Limitations
Currently, only BBC, Electron and Commodore files are loaded and decoded successfully. Also, you can only save them as bitmaps, Commodore or BBC format. The Archimedes format is partially decoded.
You can only open a certain number of files (depending on amount of RAM installed).
The PC format is restricted by copyright, and therefore will not be implemented. In fact, the data format will be detected and an error message displayed. If you wish to convert to the PC format, please email Superior Interactive.
Repton The Lost Realms files are supported, but again, these are restricted due to an agreement with Retro Software.
The options to replace the loaded character sets, and the option to specify the C64 map characters are not currently available.
Still To Be Added
To be able to load the Archimedes format completely.
Saving options for the Electron, again replacing characters with a standard set instead of removing rows and columns.
To be able to replace characters with a different character set.
To be able to specify what information to save in the summary (save as Bitmaps).
To be able to load PC Repton 3 graphics files and save as bitmaps (thanks to Richard Hanson for allowing me to add this).
The Repton 3 File Convertor is available from the downloads page of the website.
Introduction
This is a utility that allows you to load the Repton 3 data files from any format. It will also then allow you to save them as another format. The main reason for this utility came about because the extra screens released on the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron were never released for the Commodore 64 (i.e. Around The World In 40 Screens, Life Of Repton and Repton Thru' Time). This is now also used to provide some of the maps on the Repton Resource Page (particularly the themed graphics maps).
Usage
Quite simply, just open a file (File->Open Data File) and select a file. The converter will try and determine which format it is (usually by size). However, if the format is unrecognised, it will not get loaded and error message will be displayed.To save this file in another format, just select the appropriate 'Save As' option. Selecting the Save As Bitmap option will save the currently selected file's maps and characters as Windows Bitmaps and/or GIFs, and a summary as a text file, depending on which options are set on the options page.
The Commodore 64 time limits tend to be 1.9 times that of the BBC Micro/Acorn Electron. Therefore, when saving as a Commodore 64 file, if the original came from a BBC or Electron file, the time limit will automatically get multiplied by 1.9 (to a maximum of 9999). Conversely, if you save as a BBC or Electron file when the original came from a Commodore file, the time limit will get divided by 1.9.
On the character display tab, you can click on a character to zoom in. Click again to reduce to normal size.
Bulk ConversionThis feature has been added to enable the conversion of multiple files from one format to another. This will search the destination folder for any files it can load, open them, then save them in the desired format to the destination folder.
Quite simply, go to File->Bulk Convert Files to open the dialog on the right hand side. You can then select the source folder (i.e. where the original files are stored), and then destination folder (i.e. where the converted files will be saved). Then select the format you wish to convert them to.
If the utility opens a file that is the same format as what will be converted to, it will open it then save it in the same format.
It will convert them according to the options selected in the options dialog.
The filename used to save the converted files will be the same as the filename of the loaded file, with some optional extras (see the Options). The only difference is that the utility will remove any initial "$." or subsequent ".PRG" or ".r3l". It will be up to you to extract the files from the disc images, and to add them back once converted for use by an emulator.
Menu Items|
File->Open Data File - Used to open a data file. File->Bulk Convert Files - This will open each recognised file in the specified folder and converts to the specified format according to the settings in the Options window. File->Close Data File - Closes the currently selected open file. File->Close All - Closes all open files. File->Save As Bitmaps - Saves the currently selected open file as a series of bitmaps. File->Save As BBC data file - Saves the currently selected open file as a BBC Micro data file. File->Save As Acorn Electron data file - Saves the currently selected open file as an Acorn Electron data file. File->Save As Commodore 64 data file - Saves the currently selected open file as a Commodore 64 data file. File->Save As Archimedes data file - Saves the currently selected open file as an Acorn Archimedes data file. File->Save As PC data file - Saves the currently selected open file as a PC data file. File->Exit - closes the application Tools->Options - Allows the user to specify how files are opened and saved. |
Options Dialog
  |
There are five tabs - General, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64 and Bitmaps. General The General tab has options which will affect the whole application. Add wall around maps: This option will add a wall (character 8) around every map. Automatic conversion of timelimits: Specify whether you want to change the time limits between the formats. BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64 On the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron and Commodore 64 tabs, you have the following options: Use loaded characters: Use the character set in the file being loaded. NOTE: The application will pad out the characters from 12x24 to 16x32 for Acorn Electron files. Use BBC/C64 "PRELUDE" characters: Replace the loaded characters with the character set from the PRELUDE scenario.* Use Archimedes "PRELUDE" characters: Replace the loaded characters with the enhanced character set from the Archimedes PRELUDE scenario. This will 'downgrade' the character set to use the smaller number of colours.* Use The Lost Realms "LARGO" characters: Replace the loaded characters with the relevant characters from The Lost Realms LARGO scenario.* Commodore 64 Additionally, the Commodore 64 has the extra options for the small map characters. This is taken into account when saving in the Commodore 64 format: Use standard characters: Use the standard map characters. Reduce converted characters: Reduce the full size (16x32) characters to map size (4x8).* Bitmaps With the Bitmaps tab you can specify which components get saved, and which format, when you Save As Bitmap - note that if you deselect all of them, nothing will be saved. Save maps as bitmaps: Will save the maps as Windows BMP image files. This will be approx 960x832 pixels, 8 bits per pixel, unless the "50% of size" is ticked. Save maps as GIFs: Will save the maps as GIF image files. This will be approx 960x832 pixels unless the "50% of size" is ticked. 50% of size: This will reduce the map size to 50% of the full image. This will be approx 480x416, 8 bits per pixel. Filename prefix: The maps will be saved with the filename specified, with whatever prefix is specified. This, however, is only valid when using Bulk Conversion. Filename suffix: The maps will be saved with the filename specified, with a suffix indicating the screen. This can either be in Alpha (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H) or Numeric (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). Followed by: The maps will be saved with the filename specified, with a suffix as above, and then any other suffix specified. Save characters as bitmaps: Will save the characters in Windows bitmap format (32x32 pixels, 8 bits per pixel). Save characters as GIFs: Will save the characters in GIF format (32x32 pixels). Save summary text file: Will save the passwords and edit codes in a text file. *These options are currently unavailable - selecting them will have no effect. |
  |
Current Limitations
Currently, only BBC, Electron and Commodore files are loaded and decoded successfully. Also, you can only save them as bitmaps, Commodore or BBC format. The Archimedes format is partially decoded.You can only open a certain number of files (depending on amount of RAM installed).The PC format is restricted by copyright, and therefore will not be implemented. In fact, the data format will be detected and an error message displayed. If you wish to convert to the PC format, please email Superior Interactive.Repton The Lost Realms files are supported, but again, these are restricted due to an agreement with Retro Software.The options to replace the loaded character sets, and the option to specify the C64 map characters are not currently available.Still To Be Added
To be able to load the Archimedes format completely.Saving options for the Electron, again replacing characters with a standard set instead of removing rows and columns.To be able to replace characters with a different character set.To be able to specify what information to save in the summary (save as Bitmaps).To be able to load PC Repton 3 graphics files and save as bitmaps (thanks to Richard Hanson for allowing me to add this).The Repton 3 File Convertor is available from the downloads page of the website.