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cRom (aka Serum): a new open-source colorization file format


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#1 zedrummer

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 10:36 AM

Hello.

I would like to introduce a new ROM colorization file format 100% open-source (file format, editor and DMD-ext integration) the "cRom" aka "serum".

 

 

The editor ColorizingDMD is available along with its code here https://github.com/z...leases/tag/v1.0

 

A comprehensive tutorial is available here https://www.pincabpa...t-colorizingdmd

I've just created a Discord server for help in the community, just use this link to join https://discord.gg/gGnwKExm

 

Many thanks to freezy and Vincent Bousquet (for help on DMD-ext integration and support), Markus Kalkbrenner (for amazing improvements in ZeDMD code, future integration of ZeDMD and cRom in its PPUC for real pinballs and support) and my friends dtatane, ebor and peskopat (colorization/beta tester team and support)!


Edited by zedrummer, 18 December 2022 - 06:55 AM.


#2 wiesshund

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 11:53 AM

Oh, this be awesome
Waiting to see this


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#3 Mike DA Spike

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 12:27 PM

Looks indeed nice ! 
Can't wait !
Will this supports full RGB or 'just' 16/64 colors ?


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#4 zedrummer

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 01:22 PM

It only produces 6bit (64-color) RGB colors, I have developped the ZeDMD real DMD device and sending RGB data to real DMD through serial is a bottleneck that makes the full RGB support not an option. But for a 128x32 or even 256x64 image 64 colors is way enough to produce high quality frames.


Edited by zedrummer, 11 December 2022 - 06:45 AM.


#5 wiesshund

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 05:38 PM

It only produces 6bit (64-color) RGB colors, I have developped the ZeDMD device and sending RGB data to real DMD through serial is a bottleneck that makes the full RGB support not an option. But for a 128x32 or even 256x64 image 64 colors is way enough to produce high quality frames.

 

Dont think a serial port can move enough bandwidth?


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#6 zedrummer

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 05:58 PM

The serial port of an ESP32 (the µcontroller used in my ZeDMD) has a maximum rate of 921600 bauds=921600 bit/s=115200 byte/s. A RGB-128x32 frame is 128x32x3=12288 bytes. But 115200B/s is a maximum without considering the many other things that are sent/done between the transfers. You would have a maximum rate of 5 or 6 fps... That works, but I prefer something smoother.


Edited by zedrummer, 10 December 2022 - 05:59 PM.


#7 wiesshund

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Posted 10 December 2022 - 06:24 PM

The serial port of an ESP32 (the µcontroller used in my ZeDMD) has a maximum rate of 921600 bauds=921600 bit/s=115200 byte/s. A RGB-128x32 frame is 128x32x3=12288 bytes. But 115200B/s is a maximum without considering the many other things that are sent/done between the transfers. You would have a maximum rate of 5 or 6 fps... That works, but I prefer something smoother.

 

Some stuff that may work for, but on some machines that could get downright ugly
Some of them have some pretty quick and fluid animations


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#8 zedrummer

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Posted 11 December 2022 - 07:03 AM

I updated the first post with the link to the editor, I will start writing the tutorial today or tomorrow.



#9 Mike DA Spike

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Posted 11 December 2022 - 07:33 AM

Are the tables (roms) in your video completely colored, or are only the scenes that are shown ?
Wit other words, if those roms are fully colored, can you share them as well ?

Edited by Mike DA Spike, 11 December 2022 - 07:34 AM.

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#10 wiesshund

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Posted 11 December 2022 - 10:18 AM

Are the tables (roms) in your video completely colored, or are only the scenes that are shown ?
Wit other words, if those roms are fully colored, can you share them as well ?

 

Break out the Crayons Mike, and start coloring!
You know you been saving that 64 box for something special


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#11 Mike DA Spike

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Posted 11 December 2022 - 02:18 PM

Break out the Crayons Mike, and start coloring!
You know you been saving that 64 box for something special

I thought you knew me. I'm Dutch, I'm old and I'm lazy. Maybe one of my grandkids can color them. They just get new crayons from us.

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#12 zedrummer

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Posted 11 December 2022 - 03:12 PM

In the demo, I just show some scenes, but the aim is to complete the rom for a full colorized experience. The 3 guys working on Tron (Ebor and Peskopat) and Scared Stiff (Dtatane) have still a lot of work.

They'll share their work with the community once complete.


Edited by zedrummer, 11 December 2022 - 03:12 PM.


#13 Armyaviation

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Posted 12 December 2022 - 03:24 AM

This is the most tedious task in VP other than software development. I applaud the people that color these because it has to be frustrating

#14 zedrummer

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Posted 12 December 2022 - 05:12 AM

I perfectly agree!



#15 Encrypted

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Posted 12 December 2022 - 01:37 PM

Like army said you guys have so much patience to do this kinda of stuff. Kudos. This looks amazing looking forward to this. 



#16 zedrummer

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Posted 12 December 2022 - 01:40 PM

Thanks, I'm on the tuto to use my editor, I'm looking forward to a complete corlorized rom done with it too!



#17 zedrummer

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Posted 15 December 2022 - 01:47 PM

The tutoriel is over, you may read it here https://www.pincabpa...t-colorizingdmd

You just have to quickly create an account.

I edited the first post.

Don't hesitate to comment for bug report or if some parts are not clear enough.


Edited by zedrummer, 15 December 2022 - 03:05 PM.


#18 Mike DA Spike

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Posted 15 December 2022 - 04:30 PM

Nice writing. I'm totally not creative to color a rom, but will definitely give it a try. Maybe some scenes from colorDMD can be recreated.
I hope freezy will update his dmddevice.dll soon

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#19 zedrummer

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Posted 15 December 2022 - 04:35 PM

Thanks Mike, hope this will bring people to Serum!

Freezy is on it, he has several additions to its dmd-ext project, so this update may take some days


Edited by zedrummer, 15 December 2022 - 04:36 PM.


#20 Mike DA Spike

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Posted 16 December 2022 - 07:56 AM

I wanted to give it a go with a simple rom, that has just a few animations.
I was able to dump to frames, and able to import it in your tool.
But didn't get to change any color.
Must be me, as I never did this.
Can someone post a video how to work on this, with a step by step guide (including changing the colors) and how for example the colors can be changed in scrolling texts (scores) and fading logo's in attract mode ?

Sorry for the noob question, but maybe this can help other people as well

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