Avalon - 3D Objects & Resources/Avalon.iso/faqs/filefrmt.sfq

Text File | 1995-01-01 | 56KB | 1,436 lines

Newsgroups: comp.graphics,comp.answers,news.answers
Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!jdm
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Graphics File Formats Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (01Jan95)
Message-ID: <graphics/[e-mail]>
Followup-To: poster
Summary: This document answers many of the most frequently asked
    questions about graphics file formats on Usenet.
Keywords: FAQ, GRAPHICS, FORMAT, IMAGE
Sender: [e-mail] (James D. Murray)
Supersedes: <graphics/[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (James D. Murray)
Organization: None Whatsoever
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 1995 00:28:04 GMT
Approved: [e-mail]
Expires: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 23:28:00 GMT
Lines: 1416
Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu comp.graphics:36097 comp.answers:9245 news.answers:32242

Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.2
Archive-name: graphics/fileformats-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 01Jan95

This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list contains information on graphics
file formats, including, raster, vector, metafile, Page Description Language,
3D object, animation, and multimedia formats.

Please email contributions and corrections to this FAQ to [e-mail].
Relevant information posted to newsgroups will not automatically make it into
this FAQ.

-- James D. Murray ([e-mail])  ;-{)>>>>

------------------------------

Subject: 0. Contents

Subjects marked with <NEW> are new to this FAQ.
Subjects marked with <UPD> have been updated since the last release
 of this FAQ.

I. General questions about this FAQ

0. What's new in this latest FAQ release?
1. Why does a graphics formats FAQ exist?
2. Where can I get the latest copy of this FAQ? <UPD>
3. Are there other related FAQs I should read as well? <UPD>
4. I have a question, correction, or some information concerning this FAQ.
5. This FAQ doesn't contain enough detail!
6. Why isn't the XXX file format covered?
7. Why aren't audio file formats covered?
8. Why aren't word processing formats covered?
9. What about multimedia file formats? <UPD>

II. General Graphics File Questions

0. Who cares about graphics file formats?
1. What is raster, vector, metafile, PDL, and so forth?
2. Why aren't JPEG, MPEG, LZW, and CCITT Group 3 & 4 file formats?
3. Why should I care about previous versions of a file format?
4. Can graphics files be infected with a virus?
5. Can graphics files be encrypted?
6. How can I convert the XXX format to the YYY format?

III. Graphics File Resources

0. File Format Specifications FTP Archives
1. Graphics and Image File FTP Archives and WWW pages <UPD>
2. Internet Mailing Lists for Graphics and Imaging <UPD>
3. Books on Graphics File Formats
4. Magazine Articles on Graphics File Formats <UPD>
5. U.S. Government and Military Standards Sources <NEW>

IV. Image Conversion and Display Programs

0. Image Conversion and Display Programs for MS-DOS <UPD>
1. Image Conversion and Display Programs for Windows <UPD>
2. Image Conversion and Display Programs for Macintosh
3. Image Conversion and Display Programs for Unix and X Window
4. Platform-Independent Image Conversion Toolkits <UPD>

V. Graphics Formats Misnomers, Misgivings, and Miscellany

0. Is it "Tag" or "Tagged" Image File Format?
1. Whaddya mean there's no "Targa" file format?
2. Choosy programmers choose "gif" or "jif"?
3. Why are there so many ".PIC" and ".IMG" formats?

VI. Where to Get File Format Specifications

0. BMP - Windows Bitmap Format <UPD>
1. CALS - Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support Raster Format
2. CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile
3. DEM - Digital Elevation Model
4. DLG - Digital Line Graph
5. GIF - Graphics Interchange Format <UPD>
6. GKS - Graphics Kernel System <NEW>
7. JFIF - JPEG File Interchange Format <NEW>
8. NITF - National Imagery Transmission Format <NEW>
9. PCX - ZSoft Paint
10. POV - Persistence of Vision Raytracing <NEW>
11. Renderman <NEW>
12. RIFF - Microsoft Resource Interchange File Format
13. TGA - Truevision (Targa) File Format
14. TIFF - Tag Image File Format

VII. Kudos and Assertions

0. Acknowledgments <UPD>
1. About The Author <UPD>
2. Disclaimer <NEW>
3. Copyright Notice

------------------------------

Subject: I. General questions about this FAQ

------------------------------

Subject: 0. What's new in this latest FAQ release?

  o New section on U.S. government and military standards
  o Added info on the WWW hypertext version of this FAQ
  o Added more Image Conversion and Display Programs
  o Added more information about related FAQs
  o Added more format specification whereabouts
  o Added more magazine articles on file formats
  o Fixed a few inevitable typos
  o And added a disclaimer (just to make things perfectly clear)

------------------------------

Subject: 1. Why does a graphics formats FAQ exist?

The purpose of this FAQ is to answer many of the frequently asked questions
about graphics file formats posted on Usenet. You will find definitions of
terms, references to format information, very general descriptions of many
formats, information on programs which read, write, convert, and display
graphics files, and some handy programming tips for writing your own code.
This FAQ is not a substitute for actual file format specifications, nor can
it possibly go into a great amount of specific detail on graphics file
formats.

------------------------------

Subject: 2. Where can I get the latest copy of this FAQ?

This FAQ is distributed monthly on the Usenet newsgroups comp.graphics
comp.answers, and news.answers. It may also be obtained via anonymous
FTP from:

  ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/graphics/fileformats-faq
  ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.graphics/fileformats-faq

To receive a copy of this FAQ via email, send an email message to
[e-mail] with the body:

  send usenet/news.answers/graphics/fileformats-faq

or via UUCP:

  uunet!/archive/usenet/news.answers/graphics/fileformats-faq

To access this FAQ on the World Wide Web, use the address:

  http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/graphics/fileformats-faq/faq.html

And you can access all of the FAQs associated with comp.graphics via the
WWW page:

  http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/graphics/top.html

------------------------------

Subject: 3. Are there other related FAQs I should read as well?

Information related to file formats not covered by this FAQ may be
found in the following FAQs:

  Newsgroup               Archive-name

  alt.graphics.pixutils   pixutils-faq
  alt.image.medical       medical-image-faq/part[1-3]
  comp.compression        compression-faq/part[1-3]
                          mpeg-faq[1-6]
  comp.dsp                dsp-faq[1-4]
                          audio-fmts[1-2]
  comp.fonts              fonts-faq/part[1-2]
  comp.graphics           graphics/faq
                          graphics/colorspace-faq
                          graphics/resources-list/part[1-3]
                          jpeg-faq
  comp.multimedia         comp-multimedia-faq
  comp.speech             comp-speech-faq/*
  comp.sys.sgi.misc       sgi/faq/*
  sci.data.formats        sci-data-formats
  sci.image.processing    image-processing/Macintosh

These FAQs may also be found the newsgroups alt.answers, comp.answers,
sci.answers, news.answers, and in the FAQ archives at rtfm.mit.edu and mirror
sites.

------------------------------

Subject: 4. I have a question, correction, or some information concerning this FAQ.

All questions, comments, additions, and corrections should be sent to the
author of this FAQ at [e-mail]. I don't always read the newsgroups this
FAQ is posted to, so please contact me directly via email rather than
attempting to reach me by posting to a newsgroup. All suggestions and
contributions within the scope of this FAQ are welcome and contributors
receive full credit in the Acknowledgments section of this FAQ.

------------------------------

Subject: 5. This FAQ doesn't contain enough detail!

This FAQ only attempts to answer Frequently Asked Questions. It is not a book
on graphics file formats. It is instead a thick source of information that
will help you obtain more information that you need. Or perhaps even clear
up a few of your misconceptions and thereby saving you from wasting some
time.

------------------------------

Subject: 6. Why isn't the XXX file format covered?

If you have read and/or grepped this FAQ and not found information on the
format you need the reason might be that:

  * You are looking for the format under the wrong name.

  * This FAQ is new and the information you need hasn't been included yet.

  * I don't know about the format and I need you to email me information
    on it (See 4.).

  * The format is proprietary and its caretakers do not wish information
    on the format distributed in this FAQ.

------------------------------

Subject: 7. Why aren't audio file formats covered?

Information on file formats used specifically for storing audio data are
already covered quite nicely by a FAQ posted to comp.dsp. You may obtain
this FAQ from the Usenet newsgroups comp.dsp, comp.answers, and news.answers,
or from the FTP archive site (and mirrors):

  ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/comp.dsp

The FAQ for comp.speech may of also be of interest to audio people. It is
available at:

  ftp://svr-ftp.eng.cam.ac.uk/pub/comp.speech/FAQ-complete
  ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/comp-speech-faq/*

------------------------------

Subject: 8. Why aren't word processing formats covered?

It is true that there are many types of file formats that cannot store
graphics data (older word processor and spreadsheet formats, and so forth).
These formats are not within the scope of this FAQ and are therefore not
covered. Perhaps someone who works in the biz of writing file translators for
these formats will put together such a FAQ one day.

------------------------------

Subject: 9. What about multimedia file formats?

Multimedia file formats store more than just graphics data. They may also
contain audio, video, animation, and textual data in addition to bitmapped
and vectored graphics. Such formats, although a superset of graphics formats,
are considered to be within the scope of this FAQ and are therefore covered.
Also check the comp.multimedia FAQ for additional information you may
require.

------------------------------

Subject: II. General Graphics File Questions

------------------------------

Subject: 0. Who cares about graphics file formats?

Well, programmers do mostly. But end-users (that is, non-programmers) do too.

The typical end-user only cares about storing their graphics information
using a format that most graphics programs and filters can read. End-users
are typically not concerned with the internal arrangement of the data within
the graphics file itself. They only want the format to do its job by
representing their data correctly in a permanent form.

Programmers, on the other hand, are that rare breed of human that just can't
leave information well enough alone. They need to know how every byte is
arranged to see if someone knows something that they don't (and often snicker
contentedly to themselves when they find that it is really they that know
more). Programmers will then use this information to write code that may
never see the light of distribution, but nevertheless, they will have had fun
and gained enlightenment from writing it.

It doesn't matter which of these two types of people you are. If you have
even the slightest interest in graphics file formats then you may be counted
as one who cares.

------------------------------

Subject: 1. What is raster, vector, metafile, PDL, and so forth?

These terms are used to classify the type of data a graphics file contains.
Raster files (also called bitmapped files) contain graphics information
described as pixels, such as photographic images. Vector files contain data
described as mathematical equations and are typically used to store line art
and CAD information. Metafiles are formats that may contain either raster or
vector graphics data. Page Description Languages (PDL) are used to describe
the layout of a printed page of graphics and text. Animation formats are
usually collections of raster data that is displayed in a sequence.
Multi-dimensional object formats store graphics data as a collection of
objects (data and the code that manipulates it) that may be rendered
(displayed) in a variety of perspectives. Multimedia file formats are
capable of storing any of the previously mentioned types of data, including
sound and video information.

------------------------------

Subject: 2. Why aren't JPEG, MPEG, LZW, and CCITT Group 3 & 4 file formats?

One of the most commonly confused concepts found in file formats is the
difference between the file format and the method(s) of data encoding that
has been used to reduce the size of the data the file contains. JPEG, MPEG,
LZW, and CCITT are all algorithms, or algorithm toolkits, which encode a
stream of data to a physically smaller size. None of these data compression
methods define a specific format used to store data.

Several formats have become popular based on their use of one or more of
these methods of compression, such as GIF (LZW), JFIF (JPEG), and TIFF (CCITT
Group 3 and Group 4). So if you ask for a "CCITT Group 3" image file you will
most likely get a file containing only CCITT Group 3 data and not a TIFF file
containing bitmapped data compressed using the CCITT Group 3 algorithm, which
might have been what you were expecting.

------------------------------

Subject: 3. Why should I care about previous versions of a file format?

When version 2.0 of the XXX format is released all of the thousands of files
created using version 1.0 of the XXX format don't magically disappear or
transform to version 2.0 overnight. Although version 2.0 might claim to be
fully backwards compatible, the new specification may obfuscate or even omit
details of the previous version of the format. In short, never throw away
older information just because you have something newer. At one point in time
that "out dated" format spec was state-of-the-art, and it may still contain a
singular precious tid-bit of information that the caretakers of the format
didn't carry over to the new spec (but Murphy will make sure you desperately
need to know).

------------------------------

Subject: 4. Can graphics files be infected with a virus?

For most types of graphics file formats currently available the answer is
"no". A virus (or worm, Trojan horse, and so forth) is fundamentally a
collection of code (that is, a program) that contains instructions which are
executed by a CPU. Most graphics files, however, contain only static data
and no executable code. The code that reads, writes, and displays graphics
data is found in translation and display programs and not in the graphics
files themselves. If reading or writing a graphics file caused a system
malfunction is it most likely the fault of the program reading the file and
not of the graphics file data itself.

With the introduction of multimedia we have seen new formats appear, and
modifications to older formats made, that allow executable instructions to be
stored within a file format. These instructions are used to direct multimedia
applications to play sounds or music, prompt the user for information, or
display other graphics and video information. And such multimedia display
programs may perform these functions by interfacing with their environment
via an API, or by direct interaction with the operating system. One might
also imagine a truly object-oriented graphics file as containing the code
required to read, write, and display itself.

Once again, any catastrophes that result from using these multimedia
application is most like the result of unfound bugs in the software and not
some sinister instructions in the graphics file data. Such "logic bombs" are
typically exorcised through the use of Through (regression) testing using a
wide variety of different image files for test cases.

If you suspect a graphics file to be at the heart of a virus problem you are
experiencing, then also consider the possibility that the graphics file's
transport mechanism (floppy disk, tape or shell archive file, compressed
archive file, and so forth) might be the original source of the virus and not
the graphics file itself.

------------------------------

Subject: 5. Can graphics files be encrypted?

Of course you can encrypt a graphics file. After all, most encryption
algorithms don't care about the intellectual content of a file. All they chew
on is a series of byte values. Therefore, most any encryption program that
works on ordinary text files will work on graphics files as well.

Why would you want to encrypt a graphics file? Mostly to control who can view
its contents. You can invent a proprietary file format and that might slow a
file format hack down for, say, five or ten minutes. You could add a
proprietary data compression scheme, possibly a twisted variation of an
already public algorithm. But there are so many people out there with nothing
better to do than hack at unknown data formats that your data would probably
be exposed in little time. But suppose we top off all this effort by
encrypting the graphics file itself as we would an ordinary text file. Would
your data then be safe?

Realize that an encrypted graphics file still might not be very secure. For
every data encryption algorithm there exists at least one method of getting
around it, although it may take hundreds of computers and many years to fully
employ and execute that method!

For example, one of the more popular methods used to encrypt data is the
Vernam or XOR cipher. This cipher Exclusive ORs the plain-text data with a
single, random, fixed-length key. The longer the key the harder it is to
break the cipher. A totally random key the length of your data is impossible
to break. Shorter and less-random keys are easier to break.

XOR is very simple and fast, which is a must for a graphics file
translator/viewer that must decrypt a file on the fly. A problem, however, is
that most graphics files contain fixed size headers which vary only slightly
in content from file to file. If you knew the approximate contents of the
header of an encrypted file you could XOR a "decrypted" header with the
encrypted file and possibly produce the key used to encrypt the file. A short
key might be very easily discovered in this way.

If you really need to make the contents of a graphics file secure, then I'd
suggest not only using some form of data encryption, but also create an
unconventional and proprietary file format and do not publish its format
specification.

For more info on data encryption:

  Bruce Schneier, "Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms,
    and Source Code in C", John Wiley & Sons, 1994.

------------------------------

Subject: 6. How can I convert the XXX format to the YYY format?

With a file conversion program, of course! Without a doubt one of the most
frequently asked categories of questions on comp.graphics is how to convert
one format to another. In every case the answer is some type of conversion
program or filter, but which one?

Section IV of the FAQ is an attempt to list every known graphics file display
and conversion program and application. Although far from complete, this list
may contain the program you need. Go to the subsection of the particular
operating system you are using and scan through Imports: and Exports: formats
listed and see if the formats you needs to use are there.

In some cases the information in a listing may make the conversion
capabilities of a program a bit misleading. For example, a program that can
import a vector .DWG file and export a raster .BMP file may not necessarily
be able to perform a .DWG->.BMP (vector->raster) conversion (AutoCAD R12 can,
BTW). And just because a program can both import and export TIFF files
doesn't mean it's capable of a TIFF(CMYK)->TIFF(RGB) conversion (as Adobe
Photoshop can do). As always, read the documentation, contact and ask the
author of the program, or find a user of the program and ask them.

------------------------------

Subject: III. Graphics File Resources

------------------------------

Subject: 0. File Format Specifications FTP Archives

The following anonymous FTP and WWW sites are known to archive file format
specifications and information. These documents may be official releases of
specifications by the creator/caretaker of the formats, or information
transcribed by people from various sources and released onto the net,
possibly without permission from the format's owner.

  ftp://avalon.chinalake.navy.mil/pub/format_specs
  ftp://ftp.nau.edu/graphics/formats
  ftp://ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu:/misc/file.formats/graphics.formats
  ftp://ftp.std.com/obi/Standards/Graphics/Formats
  ftp://ftp.uu.net/doc/literary/obi/Standards/Graphics/Formats
  ftp://ftp.wustl.edu/doc/graphic-formats
  ftp://peipa.essex.ac.uk/ipa/file.formats
  ftp://telva.ccu.uniovi.es/pub/graphics/file.formats
  ftp://x2ftp.oulu.fi/pub/msdos/programming/formats
  ftp://zamenhof.cs.rice.edu/pub/graphics.formats

  http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/students/cs4/iat/index.html

------------------------------

Subject: 1. Graphics and Image File FTP Archives and WWW pages

The following anonymous FTP sites are known to archive image, graphics, and
multimedia files and information:

  ftp://ames.arc.nasa.gov/pub/SPACE
    NASA/Ames Archives. Space images in GIF format.

  ftp://amiga.physik.unizh.ch/amiga/gfx/misc
    VistaPro graphics

  ftp://asterix.inescn.pt/pub/PC/flidemos
    FLI and FLC animations

  ftp://ftp.catt.ncsu.edu/pub/graphics
    FLIC and QuickTime movies and many GIF and JPG images

  ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/aminet/pix
    JPG, GIF, and Multimedia files

  ftp://edcftp.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/DEM/250
  ftp://edcftp.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/DLG/{2M,100K}
    Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Line Graph (DLG) archives

  ftp://ftp.povray.org/pub/povray/images
  ftp://ftp.povray.org/pub/povray/scenes
    GIF, JPEG, and POV scene files rendered using PovRAY

  ftp://ftp.sdsc.edu/pub/sdsc/images
  ftp://ftp.sdsc.edupub/sdsc/sound
    San Diego Supercomputer Center sound and image file archives

  ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/graphics
  ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/multimedia
    MPEG, JPEG, FLC, HDF, AF, VR, and GIF files.
    Also /pub/pictures and /pub/comics contain many images

  ftp:://ftp.tcp.com/pub/anime
  ftp:://ftp.tcp.com/pub/anime-manga/anim
    Animation and multimedia files in MPEG, QuickTime, AVI, and FLI formats

  ftp:://omicron.cs.unc.edu/pub/softlab/CHVRTD
    MRI and CT scan volume data of human anatomy

  ftp://pubinfo.jpl.nasa.gov/images
    Space images in GIF format

  ftp://photo1.si.edu/images
    Smithsonian Institution photoimage archives

  ftp://spectrum.xerox.com/pub/map/dem
  ftp://spectrum.xerox.compub/map/dlg
    Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Line Graph (DLG) archives

  ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/gfx/misc
    Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Line Graph (DLG) archives

  ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/multimedia/pictures
  ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/multimedia/animation
    Graphics and MPEG file collection

  ftp://toybox.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/images
    NASA images in GIF, JPEG, PostScript, Sun Raster, and X Bitmap formats

The following WWW sites are known to archive image, graphics, and multimedia
files:

  http://afrodite.lira.dist.unige.it
    European Network of Excellence in Computer Vision

  http://cui_www.unige.ch:80/OSG/MultimediaInfo/
    Index to Multimedia Information Resources

  http://found.cs.nyu.edu/
    NYU State Center for Advanced Technology

  http://fuzine.mt.cs.cmu.edu/im/informedia.html
    Informedia Digital Video Library Project

  http://mambo.ucsc.edu:80/psl/thant/thant.html
    Thant's Animation index

  http://netlab.itd.nrl.navy.mil/imaging.html
    Listings of imaging resources and archive sites

    http://scorch.doc.ic.ac.uk/~np2/multimedia

  http://sunsite.unc.edu/louvre/about/tech.html
  http://mistral.enst.fr/louvre/about/tech.html
    WebLouvre - Using and troubleshooting the web

  http://web.msi.umn.edu/WWW/SciVis/umnscivis.html
    Scientific visualization and graphics

  http://www.best.com/~bryanw/index.html
    The Graphics Archive

  http://www.delphi.com/fx/fxscreen.html
    fX Networks' Download Goodies promo videoclips in AVI and QT formats

  http://www.demon.co.uk/
    Demon Internet

  http://www.infomedia.com:8600
    Liquid Mercury's new WWW Site designed for "New Media" professionals.
    Current industry data and product profiles. Email: [e-mail]

  http://www.state51.co.uk/state51/
    State51 Interactive Media

  http://www.yak.net/pub/emptystreet/emptystreet.html

  http://www.univ.trieste.it/mmwwwpc/mmwwwpc.html
    MultiMedia WWW PC v1.1

------------------------------

Subject: 2. Internet Mailing Lists for Graphics and Imaging

This section contains a listing of Internet mailing lists that often contain
discussions and information on graphics and image file formats. Mailing lists
are a good alternative form of communication for those netters that do not
have Usenet access.

  [e-mail]
    Discussion of all aspects of image processing. To subscribe:
    send an email message to [e-mail] with the body
    "join agocg-ip yourfirstname yourlastname".

  [e-mail]
    Discussion of digital video, mostly of the desktop variety.
    To subscribe: send an email message to [e-mail]
    with the body: "subscribe digvid-l yourfirstname yourlastname".

  [e-mail].
    Discussion regarding the establishment of a set of TIFF tags for
    storing geographic map projection information, such as UTM zones,
    Lambert Standard parallels, etc. Participants include
    representatives from SPOT, Intergraph, ERDAS, ESRI, and USGS. To
    subscribe: send an email message to [e-mail].

  [e-mail]
    Information on the Kodak Photo-CD format. To subscribe: send an
    email message to [e-mail] with the body:
    "INFO PHOTO-CD".

  [e-mail]
    NIH image processing discussion. To subscribe: send an email message
    to [e-mail] with the body "subscribe nih-image
    yourfirstname yourlastname".

  medimage@polygraf
    Medical imaging discussion. To subscribe: send an email message
    to [e-mail] with the body
    "subscribe medimage".

  [e-mail]
    Nuclear medicine and medical imaging discussion. To subscribe:
    send an email message to [e-mail] with the
    body "subscribe nucmed".

  [e-mail]
    British Machine Vision Association newsletter for machine vision,
    image processing, pattern recognition, remote sensing, etc. To
    subscribe: send an email message to [e-mail].

  [e-mail]
    Discussion of image processing using The X Window System. To
    subscribe send an email message to [e-mail]
    with the body "subscribe ximage".

------------------------------

Subject: 3. Books on Graphics File Formats

This section contains bibliographical listing of books containing information
on graphics file formats. This list is alphabetized by title and information
on how to order each book is included where known.

  Bit-mapped graphics (2nd ed.), Steve Rimmer, Windcrest/McGraw-Hill
    1993. 484 pages.

  CGM and CGI: Metafile and Interface Standards for Computer
    Graphics, David B. Arnold and Peter R. Bono, Springer-Verlag
    1988. ISBN 3-540-18950-5, 279 pages.

  The CGM Handbook, Lofton R. Henderson and Anne M. Mumford,
    Academic Press 1993. ISBN 0-12-510560-6, $59.95 hardcover,
    446 pages.

  Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats, James D. Murray and
    William vanRyper, O'Reilly & Associates Inc. 1994.
    ISBN 1-56592-058-9, $59.95 softcover, 928 pages.
    Order: [e-mail], 800.998.9938 voice, 707.829.0104 fax.

  File Formats for Popular PC Software: A Programmer's Reference,
    Walden, Jeff, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1986. ISBN 0-471-83671-0,
    287 pages.

  Graphics File Formats (2nd ed.), David C. Kay and John R. Levine,
    Windcrest Books/McGraw-Hill 1995. ISBN 0-07-034025-0, $26.95
    softcover, 476 pages.
    Order: Tab Software Department, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850.

  The Graphic File Toolkit: Converting and Using Graphic Files,
    Steve Rimmer, Addison-Wesley, 1992. 335 pages.

  Inside Windows File Formats, Tom Swan, Sams Publishing 1993.
    ISBN 0-672-30338-8 $24.95 softcover, 337 pages.
    Order: Sams Publishing, 2201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis,
    IN 46290

  More File Formats for Popular PC Software: A Programmer's Reference,
    Jeff Walden, John Wiley and Sons 1987. 369 pages.

  PC Graphics with GKS, P.R. Bono, J.L. Encarnacao and W.R. Herzner,
    Prentice-Hall, 1990.

  PostScript Language Reference Manual, Adobe Systems Inc. (2nd ed.),
    Ed Taft and Jeff Walden, Addison-Wesley 1990.

  Programming for Graphics Files in C and C++, by John R. Levine,
    John Wiley & Sons 1994. ISBN 0-471-59854-2, $29.95 softcover,
    494 pages.

------------------------------

Subject: 4. Magazine Articles on Graphics File Formats

This section contains bibliographical listings of periodicals containing
information on graphics file formats. This list is alphabetized by title.

  The BMP File Format, Dr. Dobb's Journal, Marv Luse, #219 September
    1994 (Vol 9, Issue 10), pp. 18-22.

  PCX Graphics, C Users Journal, Ian Ashdown, Vol 9, Num 8, August 1991,
    pp. 89-96.

  Printing PCX Files, C Gazette, Marv Luse, Vol 5, Num 2, Winter 1990-91,
    pp. 11-22.

  Reading GIF Files, Dr. Dobb's Journal, Wilson MacGyver Liaw, #227
    February 1995 (Vol 20, Issue 2), pp. 56-60.

  TIFF File Format, C Gazette, James Murray, Vol 5, Num 2, Winter 1990-91,
    pp. 27-42.

  Translating PCX Files, Dr. Dobb's Journal, K. Quirk, Vol 14, Num 8,
    August 1989, pp. 30-36, 105-108.

  Working with PCX files, Microcornucopia, Number 42, July-August 1988,
    p. 42.

------------------------------

Subject: 5. U.S. Government and Military Standards Sources

The following organizations provide U.S. Government and Military documents
concerning graphics formats and standards:

  Department of Defense
  Joint Interoperability Engineering Organization
  Center for Standards
  10701 Parkridge Boulevard
  Reston, VA 22091-4398 USA

  Standardization Documents Ordering Desk
  Building 4D
  700 Robbins Avenue
  Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094 USA

------------------------------

Subject: IV. Image Conversion and Display Programs

------------------------------

Subject: 0. Image Conversion and Display Programs for MS-DOS

  Name:     DISPLAY
  Purpose:  Image display and conversion
  Version:  1.87
  Author:   Jih-Shin Ho <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://NCTUCCCA.edu.tw/PC/graphics/disp
  Imports:  GIF, Japan MAG, Japan PIC, Sun Raster, JPEG, XBM, Utah RLE,
            PBM, PGM, PPM, PM, PCX, Japan MKI, TIFF, TGA, XPM, Mac Paint,
            GEM/IMG, IFF/ILBM, BMP, QRT, Mac PICT, VIS, PDS, VIKING, VICAR,
            FITS, Usenix FACE, IRIS, YUV, RAW RGB, PCPAINT/Pictor, RAW GREY,
            Photo-CD, DL, FLI, FLC, RAW, MPEG, AVI, and GL.
  Exports:  GIF, Sun Raster, JPEG, XBM, PBM, PGM, PPM, PM, Tiff, Targa,
            XPM, Mac Paint, Ascii, Laser Jet, IFF/ILBM, Windows BMP,
            Mac PICT, VIS, FITS, FACE, PCX, GEM/IMG, IRIS, YUV, RAW RGB,
            Postscript, and RAW GREY.
  Features: Batch conversion, image preview, command-line configuration,
            contact sheet creation, slide shows.
  Comments: I am impressed with the large number of file formats
            supported, including all of their eccentric variations, and
            several formats I have not seen supported in other packages.
            The DOS file directory navigation and maintenance features are
            easy to use and the command line usage is very convenient,
            especially for batch format conversions of images.

  Name:     Graphics Display System (GDS)
  Purpose:  Image display and conversion application
  Version:  3.1d
  Author:   Photodex Corporation <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/photodex
  CIS:      GO PHOTOFORUM, Util/GIF/JPG/ZIP library
  Imports:  ANS (ANSI text), BBM, BMP, CUT (Dr. Halo), FLI, GDS, GIF,
            GL, HAM, JPG (JFIF), LBM, MAC, PCC, PCX, RAX, RFX, SC (ColorRIX),
            RLE, TGA, TIF, WPG
  Exports:  ANS (ANSI text), BBM, BMP, CUT (Dr. Halo), FLI, GDS, GIF,
            GL, HAM, JPG (JFIF), LBM, MAC, PCC, PCX, RAX, RFX, SC (ColorRIX),
            RLE, TGA, TIF, WPG
  Features: File viewing and format conversions, thumbnail catalogs,
            slide shows, and automatic configuration. Hypertext help
            and manual. Supports Hercules, CGA, EGA, SVGA, TIGA and
            VESA video systems.

------------------------------

Subject: 1. Image Conversion and Display Programs for Windows

  Name:     ImagePals 2
  Purpose:  Image editor and DTP media management tool
  Version:  2.0
  Author:   Ulead Systems Inc., 970 W. 190th St., #520, Torrance, CA 90502
            Voice: 800.858.5323, 310.523.9393; Fax: [phone]
  Cost:     ImagePals 2, $129; upgrade from ImagePals 1.x, $49;
  Formats:  BMP, CLP, CUR, DCS, EPS, GIF, ICO, IFF, IMG, JPG, MAC, MSP, PCD,
            PCT, PCX, PSD, CGM, CLP, DRW, DXF, HGL, PCT, PIC, WMF, WPG, PXR,
            RAS, RLE, SCT, TGA, TIF, WMF, VOC, WAV, MID, RMI, AVI, FLC, FLI,
            FLX, WRI, TXT, DBF, DOC, PPT, RTF, CDR
  Features: Photo album image cataloger, image editor and graphics toolbox,
            screen capture, file format conversion, Kodak PhotoCD browser,
            slide show, TWAIN and OLE compatible.
  Reviews:  PC Magazine  May 17, 1994 v13 n9 p52(1)
            InfoWorld, June 13, 1994, v16 n24 p97(2);
            PC Magazine  July 1994 v13 n13 p224(2)
            Windows Sources  August 1994 v2 n8 p82(2)
            Windows Magazine  August 1994 v5 n8 p274(9)

  Name:     MediaStudio
  Purpose:  Video/audio authoring and multimedia presentation
  Version:  1.0
  Author:   Ulead Systems Inc., 970 W. 190th St., #520, Torrance, CA 90502
            Voice: 800.858.5323, 310.523.9393; Fax: [phone]
  Cost:     $349 (CD-ROM)
  Formats:  BMP, CLP, CUR, DCS, EPS, GIF, ICO, IFF, IMG, JPG, MAC, MSP, PCD,
            PCT, PCX, PSD, CGM, CLP, DRW, DXF, HGL, PCT, PIC, WMF, WPG, PXR,
            RAS, RLE, SCT, TGA, TIF, WMF, VOC, WAV, MID, RMI, AVI, FLC, FLI,
            FLX, WRI, TXT, DBF, DOC, PPT, RTF, CDR
  Features: Photo album image cataloger, image, audio, and video editor,
            screen and video capture, file format conversion, morphing editor,
            Kodak PhotoCD browser, HQ-9000, TWAIN, and OLE compatible.
  Reviews:  Computer Shopper, Nov 1994, v14 n11 p796(1);
  Comments: MediaStudio is a very nice collection of utilities for creating,
            modifying, and maintaining multimedia files and resources under
            the Microsoft Windows environment. I am especially impressed with
            its professional appearance, large selection of features, and
            ease of use.

  Name:     Picture Man
  Purpose:  Image conversion and manipulation application
  Version:  1.55 (Shareware)
  Author:   Dr. Igor Plotnikov <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://oak.oakland.edy/pub/msdos/windows3/pman155.zip
  Imports:  TIFF, PCX, GIF, TGA, JPEG, BMP
  Exports:  TIFF, PCX, GIF, TGA, JPEG, BMP, EPS
  Features: Paint, filter, and transform functions, virtual memory on disk,
            TWAIN driver interface for scanners, digital cameras, and
            video capturing boards, and runs multiple instances.

------------------------------

Subject: 2. Image Conversion and Display Programs for Macintosh

  Name:     GIFConverter
  Purpose:  Image display, conversion, and printing
  Version:  2.3.7
  Author:   Kevin Mitchell <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://mac.archive.umich.edu/mac/graphics/graphicsutil/gif-converter-237.hqx
  Imports:  GIF, JPEG, JFIF, TIFF, RIFF, MacPaint, Thunderscan, PICT
  Exports:  GIF, JPEG, JFIF, TIFF, RIFF, MacPaint, Thunderscan, PICT, EPS
  Features: Dithers and halftones, laser printer support

  Name:     JPEGView
  Purpose:  Image file viewer
  Version:  3.2.1
  Author:   Aaron Giles <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://guru.med.cornell.edu/pub/jpegview/jpegview32.sit.hqx
  Imports:  JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, PICT, Startup Screen
  Exports:
  Features: Uses QuickTime

------------------------------

Subject: 3. Image Conversion and Display Programs for Unix and X Window

  Name:     ImageMagick
  Purpose:  X Window-based image display and conversion
  Version:  3.3
  Author:   John Cristy <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://ftp.x.org/contrib/applications/ImageMagick/ImageMagick-3.3.tar.gz
  Imports:  AVS, BMP, Raw CMYK, Group 3 FAX, FITS, GIF, Raw GRAY,
            JPEG, MIFF, MPEG, MTV, Photo CD, PCX, Mac PICT, PBM, PDS, PGM,
            PPM, PM Postscript, RAD, Raw RGB, Utah RLE, SGI RGB, SUN Raster,
            Targa, ASCII Text, TIFF, VICAR, Visual Image Directory, VIFF, X
            Screen, XBM, XPM, XWD, Raw YUV.
  Exports:  AVS, BMP, Raw CMYK, Group 3 FAX, FITS, GIF, Raw GRAY,
            JPEG, MIFF, MTV, PCX, Mac PICT, PBM, PGM, PPM, PM Postscript, Raw
            RGB, Utah RLE, SGI RGB, SUN Raster, Targa, TIFF, Visual Image
            Directory, VIFF, X Screen, XBM, XPM, XWD, Raw YUV.
  Features: Batch conversion, image preview, contact sheet creation,
            slide shows, animation.

  Name:     xv
  Purpose:  X Window-based image display
  Version:  3.00c
  Author:   John Bradley <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://ftp.cis.upenn.edu/pub/xv/xv-3.00a.tar.Z
  Imports:  GIF, JPEG, TIFF, PBM, PGM, PPM, X11 bitmap, Sun Rasterfile,
            Utah Raster Toolkit RLE, PDS/VICAR, BMP, PCX, IRIS RGB,
            PostScript, and PM
  Exports:  GIF, PM, PBM (raw), PBM (Ascii), X11 Bitmap, Sun Rasterfile,
            BMP, PostScript, IRIS, JPEG, TIFF
  Features:

------------------------------

Subject: 4. Platform-Independent Image Conversion Toolkits

  Name:     libtiff
  Purpose:  TIFF file manipulation toolkit
  Version:  3.3
  Author:   Sam Leffler <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://sgi.com/graphics/tiff/*.tar.Z
  Imports:  TIFF, SGI
  Exports:  TIFF
  Features: Tools for image conversions and transformations, and much
            contributed software.

  Name:     Independent JPEG Group's JPEG Library
  Purpose:  JPEG image manipulation toolkit
  Version:  5
  Author:   Independent JPEG Group <[e-mail]>
  FTP:      ftp://ftp.uu.net/graphics/jpeg/jpegsrc.v?.tar.gz
  Imports:  JPEG, JFIF, BMP, GIF TGA, Utah RLE, PBM formats
  Exports:  JPEG, JFIF, BMP, GIF TGA, Utah RLE, PBM formats
  Features: Baseline and extended processes, format conversion

------------------------------

Subject: V. Graphics Formats Misnomers, Misgivings, and Miscellany

------------------------------

Subject: 0. Is it "Tag" or "Tagged" Image File Format?

Revision 5.0 of TIFF specification specifically states the acronym "TIFF" is
"Tag Image File Format". The majority of people, however, intuitively say
"Tagged" rather than "Tag". Interestingly enough, the TIFF 6.0 specification
does not spell out the acronym TIFF.

------------------------------

Subject: 1. Whaddya mean there's no "Targa" file format?

The popular "Targa" file format is really the "TGA format". "Targa" is the
name of the Truevision graphics display adapter which first used the TGA
format. Specifically, Revision 1.0 of TGA is designated the "Original TGA
format" and Revision 2.0 is the "New TGA Format".

------------------------------

Subject: 2. Choosy programmers choose "gif" or "jif"?

The pronunciation of "GIF" is specified in the GIF specification to be "jif",
as in "jiffy", rather then "gif", which most people seem to prefer. This does
seem strange because the "G" is from the word "Graphics" and not "Jraphics".

------------------------------

Subject: 3. Why are there so many ".PIC" and ".IMG" formats?

Because people with very little imagination are allowed to choose file
extensions for graphics files, that's why.

But seriously, there does seem to be a proliferation of file formats with the
file extension ".PIC" (for "picture") and ".IMG" (for "image"). Other popular
extensions (in both upper and lower case) are ".RGB", ".RAW", ".ASC", and
".MAP".

My advise to you is never assume the format of a data file based only on it's
file extension. The name and the extension of any file are completely
arbitrary and therefore could be anything. This is why the most graphics file
conversion and display programs attempt to recognize graphics files based on
their internal structure and not their file name or extension.

------------------------------

Subject: VI. Where to Get File Format Specifications

This section contains an alphabetical listing of file formats, the names of
the creators/caretakers, and where to obtain the official specifications.

------------------------------

Subject: 0. BMP - Windows Bitmap Format

BMP is the native bitmap file format of the Microsoft Windows environment.
It efficiently stores mapped or unmapped RGB graphics data with pixels 1-,
4-, 8-, or 24-bits in size. Data may be stored raw or compressed using a
4-bit or 8-bit RLE data compression algorithm. BMP is an excellent choice for
a simple bitmap format which supports a wide range of RGB image data.

The BMP format was created and is maintained by Microsoft Corporation:

  Microsoft Corporation
  One Microsoft Way
  Redmond, WA 98052-6399
  Voice: 206.882.8080
  Fax: [phone]
  BBS: 206.637.9009

Additional BMP references:

Luse, Marv. "The BMP File Format," Dr. Dobb's Journal, #219 September
1994 (Vol 9, Issue 10), pp. 18-22.

------------------------------

1. CALS - Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support Raster Format

CALS files are used for document imaging and therefore only store
black-and-white, 1-bit image data. CALS Type I files only store a single
image per file and the data is always compressed using the CCITT Group 4
encoding algorithm. CALS Type II files may stored multiple images per file,
the image data may be tiled, and tiles stored as raw data or as data
compressed using CCITT Group 4 encoding.

The CALS raster file format is defined primarily in the following
military standards documents:

  MIL-STD-1840A, Automated Interchange of Technical Information
  MIL-R-28002A, Requirements for Raster Graphics Representation
    in Binary Format

These documents may be obtained from the following sources:

  Standardization Documents Ordering Desk
  Building 4D
  700 Robbins Avenue
  Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094

  Global Engineering Documents
  2805 McGaw Avenue
  Irvine, CA 92714 USA
  Voice: 800.854.7179
  Voice: 714.261.1455

The CALS raster file format is supported through the CALS office of the
United States Department of Defense:

  CALS Management Support Office (DCLSO)
  Office of the Assistant Director for Telecommunications and
    Information Systems
  Headquarters Defense Logistics Agency
  Cameron Station
  Alexandria, VA 22314 USA

------------------------------

Subject: 2. CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile

The current version of the CGM ANSI/ISO standard (commonly called
CGM:1992) is:

  Information Processing Systems--Computer Graphics Metafile for the
  Storage and Transfer of Picture Description Information,
  ANSI/ISO 8632-1992.

This standard superseded the early CGM:1986 (ANSI X3.122-1986) ANSI
standard. The CGM standard is contained in four ISO standards documents:

  ISO/IEC 8632-1:1992 Part 1: Functional Specification
  ISO/IEC 8632-3:1992 Part 2: Character Encoding
  ISO/IEC 8632-3:1992 Part 3: Binary Encoding
  ISO/IEC 8632-4:1992 Part 4: Clear Text Encoding

These documents may be obtained from the following organizations:

  International Standards Organization (ISO)
  1 rue de Varembe
  Case Postal 56
  CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland
  Voice: [phone]
  Fax:   [phone]

  American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  Sales Department
  1430 Broadway
  New York, NY 10018
  Voice: 212.642.4900

  Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  Sales Group
  178 Rexdale Blvd.
  Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 1R3
  Voice: 416.747.4044

------------------------------

Subject: 3. DEM - Digital Elevation Model

The format of DEM map files is described in the publication:

  Data Users Guide 5 - Digital Elevation Models

and is available for $1.00 US from:

  Earth Science Information Center (ESIC)
  U. S. Geological Survey
  507 National Center
  Reston, VA  22092 USA
  Voice: 1.800.USA.MAPS
  Voice: 703.860.6045

------------------------------

Subject: 4. DLG - Digital Line Graph

The format of DLG graph files is described in the publications:

  Data Users Guide 1 - Digital Line Graphs from 1:24,000-Scale Maps
  Data Users Guide 2 - Digital Line Graphs from 1:100,000-Scale Maps
  Data Users Guide 3 - Digital Line Graphs from 1:2,000,000-Scale Maps

and each is available for $2.00 US from:

  Earth Science Information Center (ESIC)
  U. S. Geological Survey
  507 National Center
  Reston, VA  22092 USA
  Voice: 1.800.USA.MAPS
  Voice: 703.860.6045

------------------------------

Subject: 5. GIF - Graphics Interchange Format

GIF is a data stream-oriented file format used to define the transmission
protocol of LZW-encoded bitmap data. GIF images may be up to eight bits (256
colors) in depth and are always compressed. Despite the fact that GIF
supports only 8-bits worth of colors, and the multimedia extensions
introduced in the 89a release have not been widely utilized, GIF still
remains a popular choice for storing lower resolution image data.

The GIF89a specification is available via many BBSs and on-line information
services. You may also obtain the specification directly from CompuServe:

  CompuServe Incorporated
  Attn: Graphics Technology Department
  5000 Arlington Center Boulevard
  Columbus, OH 43220
  Voice: 614.457.8600, 800.848.8199

------------------------------

Subject: 6. GKS - Graphics Kernel System

GKS is a standard specifying the input and output primitives for displaying
2D and 3D graphical data. Although GKS has no native file format, the CGM
(Computer Graphics Metafile) format is often closely associated with its use.

The following ISO documents describe the GKS standard:

  ISO 7942    Functional Specification
  ISO 8651-1  Fortran Binding
  ISO 8651-2  Pascal Binding
  ISO 8651-3  Ada Binding
  ISO 8651-4
  ISO 8805    GKS-3D
  ISO 8806    GKS-3D Bindings

These documents are available from ISO, ANSI, and CSA (see the CGM section
for the addresses of these organizations).

------------------------------

Subject: 7. JFIF - JPEG File Interchange Format

JFIF is a data stream-oriented file format used to define the transmission of
JPEG-encoded bitmap data. The specification for JFIF may be obtained directly
from C-Cube Microsystems:

  C-Cube Microsystems
  Attn: Scott Sinclair
  Corporate Communications
  1778 McCarthy Blvd.
  Milpitas, CA 95035
  Voice: 408.944.6300
  Fax:   [phone]

The Independent JPEG Group archive on ftp.uu.net also contains an on-line
copy of the JFIF specification and additional JPEG information as:

  ftp://ftp.uu.net/graphics/jpeg/jfif.ps.gz
  ftp://ftp.uu.net/graphics/jpeg/jpeg.documents.gz

------------------------------

Subject: 8. NITF - National Imagery Transmission Format

The National Imagery Transmission Format Standard (Version 2.0) is documented
as a collection of military standards documents:

  MIL-HDBK-1300, National Imagery Transmission Format Standard (NITFS),
    18 June 1993
  MIL-STD-2500, National Imagery Transmission Format (Version 2.0) for
    the National Imagery Transmission Format Standard, 18 June 1993
  MIL-STD-3201, Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) Implementation Standard
    for the National Imagery Transmission Format Standard, 18 June 1993
  MIL-STD-188-196, Bi-Level Image Compression for the National Imagery
    Transmission Format Standard, 18 June 1993
  MIL-STD-188-197 Adaptive Recursive Interpolated Differential Pulse
    Code Modulation (ARIDPCM) Compression Algorithm for the National
    Imagery Transmission Format Standard, 18 June 1993
  MIL-STD-188-198A, Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Image Compression
    for the National Imagery Transmission Format Standard, 15 December 1993
  MIL-STD-188-199, Vector Quantization Decompression for the National Imagery
    Transmission Format Standard, 27 June 1994
  MIL-STD-2045-44500, Tactical Communications Protocol 2 (TACO2) for the
    National Imagery Transmission Format Standard, 18 June 1993
  JIEO Circular 9008, National Imagery Transmission Format Standards (NITFS)
    Certification Test & Evaluation Program Plan, 30 June 1993

To receive any or all of these documents, send a request via mail, fax, or
email to:

  DISA/JIEO/CFS/TBCE
  c/o Logicaon
  Fay Mignone
  1831 Wiehle Avenue
  Reston, VA 22090 USA
  Fax:   [phone]  Attn: Fay Mignone
  Email: [e-mail]

------------------------------

Subject: 9. PCX - ZSoft Paint

PCX is one of the oldest bitmapped formats popularized by MS-DOS paint
programs that first appeared in the early 1980's. PCX files may store mapped
and unmapped image data from 1- to 24-bits in pixel depth, always contain
RLE-compressed image data, and are recognized by almost all still-image
graphics programs ever written.

But because of the kludged evolution of the PCX format (caused partly by the
efforts of Zsoft to continue to support the ever-changing world of graphics
display adapters) it is generally advised that the MS Windows BMP format be
used in place of PCX whenever possible.

The PCX specification is available directly from ZSoft:

  ZSoft Corporation
  Attn: Shannon Donovan
  450 Franklin Road, Suite 100
  Marietta, GA 32067
  Voice: 404.428.0008
  Fax:   [phone]
  BBS:   404.427.1045
  CompuServe: 76702,1207

------------------------------

Subject: 10. POV - Persistence of Vision Raytracing

The POV-Ray format is used to store a scene description language used by the
POV-Ray ray tracing software package. POV-Ray files are always ASCII to allow
easy transportation between different file systems.

The specification for the POV file format and scene description language is
found in the file povray.doc in the POV-Ray distribution. You may obtain
this file (and the entire POV-Ray package) from the official POV-Ray FTP
archive site:

  ftp://alfred.ccs.carleton.ca/pub/pov-ray/POV-Ray2.2/POVDOC.*

Questions about POV-Ray may also be direct to:

  Drew Wells
  POV-Team Leader
  [e-mail]

The following is an excellent book on ray tracing using the POV-Ray tracing
software package for the PC:

  Ray Tracing Creations: Generate 3D Photo-Realistic Images on the PC,
    Drew Wells and Chris Young, Waite Group Press 1993.

------------------------------

Subject: 11. Renderman

The RenderMAN file format specification may be found in the following
document available from Pixar:

  The RenderMAN Interface, Version 3.0 May 1988

  Pixar
  1001 West Cutting Blvd.
  Richmond, California 94804 USA
  Voice: 415.236.4000

Also of interest is the following publication:

  The RenderMan Companion: A Programmer's Guide to Realistic Computer
    Graphics, Steve Upstill, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company,
    ISBN 0-201-50868-0, $26.95

------------------------------

Subject: 12. RIFF - Microsoft Resource Interchange File Format

  Microsoft Corporation
  Attn: Multimedia System Group
  Product Marketing
  One Microsoft Way
  Redmond, WA 98052-6399
  Voice: 206.882.8080
  BBS:   206.637.9009

Information on RIFF may be found in the following documents:

  Microsoft Windows Multimedia Programmer's Guide, Microsoft
  Corporation, Microsoft Press, Redmond, WA.

  Microsoft Windows Multimedia Programmer's Reference, Microsoft
  Corporation, Microsoft Press, Redmond, WA.

The specification is also available in the Microsoft Multimedia Development
Kit (MDK), on Disk 8 of the Microsoft Developer's Network CD distribution,
and as a MS Windows help file on the FTP archive site:

  ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/developer/MSDN/CD8/RIFFNE.ZIP

------------------------------

Subject: 13. TGA - Truevision (Targa) File Format

Copies of the TGA specification, including a sample code disk, may be
obtained from Truevision:

  Truevision Incorporated
  7340 Shadeland Station
  Indianapolis, IN 46256-39925
  Voice: 317.841.0332
  Fax:   [phone]
  BBS:   317.577.8783
  FTP:   ftp.truevision.com

------------------------------

Subject: 14. TIFF - Tag Image File Format

The TIFF 6.0 specification is available in the TIFF Developer's Kit.
Information on obtaining this kit and joining the Aldus Developer's
Association (ADA) may be obtained from the Developer's Desk at Aldus
Corporation:

  Aldus Corporation
  Attn:: Aldus Developer's Desk
  4411 First Avenue South
  Seattle, WA 981044-2871
  Voice: 206.628.6593, 800.331.2538
  Fax:   [phone]
  Email: [e-mail]

Or from the following FTP site:

  ftp://sgi.com/graphics/tiff/TIFF6.ps.Z

The TIFF Class F specification may be obtained from ADA's FAXback service at
206.628.5753. Order document #9001 for an index of all documents available
from this service.

------------------------------

Subject: VII. Kudos and Assertions

------------------------------

Subject: 0. Acknowledgments

The following people have made this FAQ take just a little bit longer to read
since the last time you looked at it (blame them and not me):

  Bjorn P. Brox <[e-mail]>
  Vincent Chen <[e-mail]>
  John Cristy <[e-mail]>
  John T. Grieggs <[e-mail]>
  Tom Lane <[e-mail]>
  Borut Podlipnik <[e-mail]>
  Daniel Sears <[e-mail]>
  Bjoern Stabell <[e-mail]>
  Marc Stengel <[e-mail]>

------------------------------

Subject: 1. About The Author

The author of this FAQ, James D. Murray, lives in the City of Orange, Orange
County, California, USA. He is the co-author of the book Encyclopedia of
Graphics File Formats published by O'Reilly and Associates, makes a passable
living writing Microsoft Windows applications in C++, and may be reached as
[e-mail], or via U.S. Snail at: P.O. Box 70, Orange, CA 92666-0070 USA.

GCS d-- H++ s g- p? au+ a w+ v++ C+++(++++) US+++ p++>++++ L>++ 3 E--- N++ K-
W---$ M-@ V-- po Y+ t++ 5-- j>x R+>-- G' tv-->! b+++ D++ B e- u* h- f r-->+++
n++ y*(**)

------------------------------

Subject: 2. Disclaimer

While every effort has been taken to insure the accuracy of the information
contained in this FAQ list compilation, the author and contributors assume no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use
of the information contained herein.

------------------------------

Subject: 3. Copyright Notice

This FAQ is Copyright (C) 1994-95 by James D. Murray. All Rights Reserved.
This work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, using any medium,
including, but not limited to, electronic transmission, CD-ROM, or published
in print, under the condition that this copyright notice remains intact.