McFilters

McFilters is a GIF image conversion filter service. It allows you to convert GIF images for preview and use in any NeXTSTEP program that correctly implements filter service recognition. McFilter's GIF conversion filter service is known to work correctly with Preview.app, Mail.app, Edit.app and IconBuilder.app. Tested third-party apps include WetPaint and Diagram!2. McFilters is freeware, so feel free to distribute it to anyone you wish.

The advantage of my GIF conversion code is that you can select a gamma correction factor during conversion that will significantly improve the color saturation and contrast of the converted GIF images. Simply use the slider or text field to select a global gamma correction factor in the Preferences.app panel that will be applied to any subsequent conversions. I recommend you start with a factor of1.5 and adjust up or down accordingly. See the Preferences.app McFilter Info panel for more help in using image filters.

Installation

To install, just drag the McFilter.preferences module into your Library/Preferences directory. Also, you must place the McFilter.service module into your Library/Services directory and then logout and log back in to update your services. 

I prefixed the McFilter.services module with "A_" in order to guarantee that my service handles all GIF conversions. Note that if you also have ImageAgent installed, which ever service is parsed first during login will become the selected service for a respective image type. Arrange your services in your /Library/Services directory (or NextLibrary/Services in a shared environment) in order of preference using alphabetical ordering. This isn't very clean, but is the only solution I know of at this time.

Included in the distribution is the source and binaries for 3.0 or 3.1. I included a separate set of binaries for NeXTSTEP 3.0, since there are some incompatibilities in using bundles between 3.0 and 3.1. Otherwise, the binaries are functionally equivalent. There are no restrictions on the sources.

The Graphics Interchange Format(c) is the Copyright property of CompuServe Incorporated. GIF(sm) is a Service Mark property of CompuServe Incorporated.

Michael McCulloch
TYBRIN Corporation
michael@hsv.tybrin.com
lmccullo@nyx.cs.du.edu