Added an image merge feature loosely based on a merge function found in

the open source project Wormux. To improve SDL performance, the number
of layers that are pushed out to the hardware or software buffers should
be reduced, which is where this function comes into play, as it combines
two surfaces together so that the number of blit operations is reduced.

This function is currently not used, but will be used once a good way to
link each of the target systems is determined so that it only initiates
when SDL is enabled, as well as making sure that each hook that uses
this function is benefiting from it sufficiently. At the moment, it's
suspected that the particle engine will likely be the most likely to
benefit from this function, followed by tile drawing, then sprite drawing.

Signed-off-by: Ira Rice <irarice@gmail.com>

1 files changed, 10 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/src/resources/image.h b/src/resources/image.h
index 596917ce..f6b77f26 100644
--- a/src/resources/image.h
+++ b/src/resources/image.h
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 #include "resource.h"
 
 class Dye;
+class Position;
 class SDL_Rect;
 class SDL_Surface;
 
@@ -132,6 +133,15 @@ class Image : public Resource
         static void setLoadAsOpenGL(bool useOpenGL);
 #endif
 
+        /**
+         * Merges two image SDL_Surfaces together. This is for SDL use only, as
+         * reducing the number of surfaces that SDL has to render can cut down
+         * on the number of blit operations necessary, which in turn can help
+         * improve overall framerates. Don't use unless you are using it to
+         * reduce the number of overall layers that need to be drawn through SDL.
+         */
+        Image* merge(Image* image, const Position& pos);
+
     protected:
         /**
          * Constructor.