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The ScreenMode Editor:

Application screenshot available [.gif format]

The ScreenMode editor lets you select the display mode for the Workbench screen.

Since the modes have different properties and hardware requirements, review the descriptions provided here and in Screen Display Modes section to determine which modes are available on your system and best meet your needs.

The available display modes are listed on the left; the properties of the mode selected is displayed on the right.

Types of Displays:

A display mode is defined by:

  • Resolution (horizontal and vertical dimensions in pixels)
  • Vertical and horizontal scan rates (measured by Hz and KHz)
  • Colour palette (the largest number of colours that can be displayed on the screen at one time and the size of the palette from which the displayable colours can be chosen)
Most display modes have an interlace option. Interlacing doubles the vertical resolution to allow you to get twice as much information on the screen. It also makes the output of many display modes video-compatible. Interlaced screens may, however, flicker when used with certain monitors. Consult your monitor documentation to make sure that it supports interlacing before selecting this feature.

Some display modes have a Super-High Res option, which doubles the number of pixels displayable horizontally. While this increases the screen resolution, it reduces the number of colours available.

Using the ScreenMode Editor:
The available display modes are shown in the Display Mode list.

Scroll through the list to see all modes available. The available modes reflect the presence of the associated monitor files in Devs/Monitors.

Select a display mode from the list by clicking on it. The selected mode appears in the display box under the Display Mode list.

Select Save to use the mode and save it as the default in future sessions.

Select Use to use the mode for the current session only.

Select Cancel to exit the editor without making any changes.

If you select Save or Use while an application or Shell window is open on the Workbench screen, a requester appears, asking you to close any open windows other than drawers. When you have closed the last open shell or application window, the Workbench screen automatically resets to the new display mode.

Your chosen display mode pertains only to the Workbench screen. Applications opening their own screens supply documentation of the display modes they support.

Mode Properties:
The Mode Properties display box lists information about the display mode selected. It displays screen sizes and maximum displayable colours for the selected display mode and other mode properties.

Screen sizes corresponding to the currently selected display mode are given in number of pixels. The first number represents the width of the screen, the second number represents the height.

  • Visible Size
    The size of the text overscan area as determined by the Overscan settings.
  • Minimum Size
    The smallest, or minimum, screen size supported by the selected display mode.
  • Maximum Size
    The largest, or maximum, screen size supported by the selected display mode. The amount of Chip memory available may further restrict this size.
  • Maximum Colours
    The maximum number of colours displayable on a screen in the selected display mode.
The possible mode properties that can be displayed include:

  • Interlaced
    The display mode is interlaced.
  • ECS
    Only available if your Amiga has the Enhanced Chip Set.
  • Supports Genlock
    The display mode supports the use of video genlock equipment.
  • Draggable
    The display mode supports a draggable Workbench screen. A draggable screen can be pulled down to reveal any other open screens behind it.
Width/Height:
Use the Width and Height text gadgets to customize the size of your Workbench screen.

Enter a number between, or equal to, the minimum and maximum width and height. Once the number is entered, that number remains constant no matter what display mode is selected until the corresponding Default gadget is selected.

Entering numbers larger than the maximum or smaller than the minimum do not increase or decrease the display mode size beyond the default setting.

The Default check box to the right of each gadget lets you select the default setting for the width and/or height. This equals the visible size.

All modes, except the A2O24 modes, allow you to specify a Width and Height much larger than the visible size. This extra-large "virtual" Workbench screen lets you open larger and more non-overlapping windows than otherwise possible, limited only by available Chip memory.

Colours:
The Colours slider gadget lets you select the number of colours that can be displayed on the screen. The fewer colours selected, the faster the screen can be redrawn and the less memory used.

AutoScroll:
Selecting AutoScroll automatically scrolls the screen when the mouse reaches the edge of the. screen's visible portion. This is useful when you have defined a Width and Height for the screen that is larger than the visible size.


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