For more complex or larger moving objects, you can overlap sprites. Overlapping simply means that the sprites have the same or relatively close screen positions. A relatively close screen position can result in an object that is wider than 16 pixels. The built-in sprite video priority ensures that one sprite appears to be behind the other when sprites are overlapped. The priority circuitry gives the lowest-numbered sprite the highest priority and the highest numbered sprite the lowest priority. Therefore, when designing displays with overlapped sprites, make sure the "foreground" sprite has a lower number than the "background" sprite. In Figure 4-11, for example, the cage should be generated by a lower-numbered sprite DMA channel than the monkey. Figure 4-11: Overlapping Sprites (Not Attached) You can create a wider sprite display by placing two sprites next to each other. For instance, Figure 4-12 shows the spaceship sprite and how it can be made twice as large by using two sprites placed next to each other. (128,65) (128,65) (144,65) |_ _ _ __ _ _ _ |_ _ _ _ _ _ __|__ _ _ _ _ _ _ | / \ | | / | \ | __/____\__ / \ | | | | | / | \ | | | ____/___________\____ | |__________| | | | | | | \ / | | |_ _ _\__/_ _ _| | | | | | | | | |__________|__________| | \ / | \ | / | \ / |_ _ _ _ _ _\__|__/_ _ _ _ _ _| Sprite 0 Sprite 1 Figure 4-12: Placing Sprites Next to Each Other