home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Celestin Apprentice 5
/
Apprentice-Release5.iso
/
Source Code
/
Libraries
/
DCLAP 6d
/
dclap6d
/
Docs
/
net-pict.format
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1996-07-05
|
2KB
|
40 lines
Let me suggest PICT format for maps and various graphics as a good choice.
Among its advantages are
(a) it is standard on all Macs, and available on MSWindows.
(b) it is an editable format with the right software
(again common to Macs and available on MSWindows). That will
be very important to biologists who want to fetch Flybase maps
and do something with them. This option isn't available for GIF
or Postscript.
(c) it is a vector method like Postscript, and retains unlimited
resolution. Printed PICT maps are indistiguishable from printed
Postscript maps.
(d) it is a binary, small format compared to Postscript. Expect
PICT format files to be 1/10 the size of Postscript.
(e) it can include bitmap images, and includes compression of these,
though not as great as GIF format.
(f) it is not encumbered by patent restrictions as the GIF compression
algorithm is.
(e) the GopherPup network browser will display
PICT format, on XWindows and MSWIndows as well as mac, and
can easily include network links as in Mosaic GIFs. I've timed
the access of this low-weight PICT versus GIF for maps, and
using PICT is about 5 times faster (as well as having the above
advantages (b) and (c) that GIF lacks).
PICT format is fully defined and an open, well known standard graphic
format. You can find specifications in various "Inside Macintosh" books
available at local bookstores. I can also help you write any PICT
drawing routines. It will look similar to your postscript drawing
methods, but substitute various keywords here and there.
The only advantage I can see to having GIF-format maps as well is that
is the Mosaic-class network browsers know how to display.