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[FearnleyP]

For my third DS tutorial I have written a simple game using MODE 0, text only (trying to keep it simple...).

The only thing I cannot figure out for myself (and I have searched just about every DS guide and Wiki on the web!) is how to change the text color (and remember, I am not using PA_Lib, just basic ndslib with devkitPro).  I can change the full screen of text to any color, but I just want to print certain words or characters in a particular color, leaving the existing text 'as is'.  It's driving me crazy!!! :evil:

Can anyone point me in the direction of an existing tutorial or give me guidance?  All help very much appreciated (I will even give you the credit!!!  )

Thanks in advance.

[omaemad]

SUB_BG0_CR = BG_MAP_BASE(31);
   
   BG_PALETTE_SUB[255] = RGB15(31,31,31);   //by default font will be rendered with color 255
   
   //consoleInit() is a lot more flexible but this gets you up and running quick
   consoleInitDefault((u16*)SCREEN_BASE_BLOCK_SUB(31), (u16*)CHAR_BASE_BLOCK_SUB(0), 16);


the bg paletlet part

[FearnleyP]

Ummm.... nope, sorry :? .  That will change the color of ALL the text on the screen.

I want to change just one bit of text on the screen. Ideally, the bit I am about to 'printf'.

Thanks anyway!

[bitblt]

I can change the full screen of text to any color, but I just want to print certain words or characters in a particular color, leaving the existing text 'as is'.

I only use mode 0 to output debugging information, so I'm not an expert regarding this mode.  From what I understand mode 0 is a special tile mode that draws text by referencing a monochrome font bitmap.  I believe there is only one color register for mode 0, so all text will be displayed in the same color.  If you want multi-color text and multi-color fonts you need to make your own font bitmaps, and write your own code to display them.  I don't think using PALIB in your tutorials would be a bad thing.

EDIT: (maybe ask Aaron Rogers how he did it in PALIB)

[omaemad]

why not change the Pallette color before drawing your printf

then return it

[bitblt]

why not change the Pallette color before drawing your printf then return it

Does that work? Please show FearnleyP (and me) that one line of code.

[FearnleyP]

Looking on Aaron's site, he says you can only have one color for text per screen.

However, I am certain that I have seen a demo where every letter of the 'Hello World!' message was in a different color...  But of course, now I want to use that method, I can't find the tutorial!! If and when I do find it, I just know it won't be using MODE 0...

I have tried the following:

BG_PALETTE_SUB[255] = RGB15(31,31,31);
printf("hello");
BG_PALETTE_SUB[255] = RGB15(31,0,0);
printf("world");

This prints all the text in red. (i.e. by changing palette 255, you are cxhanging every white pixel for red).  I want to change which ink in the palette is being used.

I have tried ANSI codes (which look like this):

printf("\x1b[31mHello");

This prints llo on the screen.... in the same color.... :x

I have also tried to locate the code in the PA_lib that runs when PA_SetTextCol() is called (to be honest, I haven't tried printing multiple colors using PA_lib but I will have a go...) but haven't found it...yet!

I will have another look at PA_lib today and see if I can suss it out.... In the meantime, thanks bitblt and omaemad for trying!!!  And any suggestions/links/thoughts from anyone welcomed!

[FearnleyP]

Well, I have to admit defeat.... sort of!  PA_lib uses a tile mode to display the font in different colors and my site is basic programming, so it's too much to write a tutorial on at the moment....

Thanks again, bitblt and omaemad for your help.  You are duly mentioned on my homepage...

For anyone else interested, I have posted tutorial number 3 - a simple game.  Give it a go - homebrew programming isn't that hard to do.... :roll:

[bitblt]

Excellent work FearnleyP. I think you are providing a great service for those trying to get started programming Nintendo DS.  Yes, there are sometimes difficulties working with consoles like GBA/DS, but in general I believe they are good platforms to learn game programming.