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Yet another title produced by the prolific Dave Mendes for Quicksilva, this is a graphics package aimed at those wishing to implement the fine graphics capabilities of the Electron, but not being proficient enough to try it themselves in Basic. I must say straight away that it is not the best of its type, comparing rather badly on several points with the Salamander Graphics System, reviewed in the May issue of Electron User.

This tape can produce extremely detailed results as are shown on the accompanying sample pictures. Actually, I spent several frustrating minutes looking for these, before finding them at the start of the flipside. When found, these files are well worth loading in to show the superb results possible with skill, care and patience.

One major handicap is that ELECTRO-ART only operates in Mode 2, whereas the Salamander package allows the user to select Mode 0, 1 or 2. I also found the controls less easy to remember than the mnemonic-type initials employed by Salamander. For instance, to colour-fill an area uses Key 1 on the Quicksilva tape, but F (for Fill) on the Salamander one. There are a couple of plusses for Dave Mendes though with some predefined triangles at the touch of a number key, as long as you can remember which is triangle one or two or three or four, that is.

Both have the facility to save and load pictures using the cassette system, but Quicksilva score another plus with a built-in joystick facility - obviously an advantage.

Where Quicksilva lose totally though, is the complete absence of either a grid overlay for intricate designs or indeed any system of showing current co-ordinates for future manipulation. No, in an application where user-friendliness has to be a prime consideration, I cannot really recommend this very highly. If I hadn't already seen the other system, perhaps I could, but this does not emerge well in comparison.

Phil Tayler