LuraWave ACDSee Plug-In
ACDSee LuraWave® Plug-In

About LuraWave

LuraWave is a state-of-the-art file format that uses wavelet-based compression to reduce file sizes while achieving better image quality than conventional methods such as JPEG and TIFF.  LuraWave compresses images efficiently, allowing them to be transmitted in a fraction of the time it would take to transmit it otherwise.  LuraWave compression is based on wavelet algorithms-mathematical expressions that encode an image into a series of decomposed bands.  Each band contains a representation of the entire image, with the various bands containing details of the image at every level, from textures to fine details.  A JPEG compresses images in 8x8 blocks, resulting in blocking artifacts at high compression rates.  LuraWave's wavelet technology allows for richer content and higher resolution at a fraction of the original size.

LuraWave Features

•	Full spectrum of compression schemes from PURE lossless (pixel identical), to near lossless or lossy compression

•	Progressive display of images

•	Precise control over compression and decompression rates

•	Scalable image size and quality. The whole image may be reconstructed with only a fraction of the compressed data source (e.g., 1% of the data for a thumbnail version, 10%, 50%, etc. depending on display needs).

•	Password protection option for images

LuraWave Benefits

•	Higher security against transmission interruption or disturbance: lower probability of transmission disturbances due to reduced transmission times

•	Valuable money savings: less disk space required; reduced transmission costs

•	User selectable compression ratio included: allows flexible control over image quality. Simply select the compression ratio that is best for your image up to 200:1.

•	Precise reconstruction of edges: no blocking effects common with JPEGs

See:

Compression Settings


About this Trial Version

This plug-in is provided as a free trial version.  The plug-in has full image decoding capabilities, but limited encoding capabilities.  The password protection feature has been disabled and 30 days after installation the plug-in will no longer encode images (i.e., file conversion will not be possible).

About LuraTech Wavelet Format

How to Purchase the ACDSee Plug-in


Compression Settings

The Lossless Compression Setting

The Lossy Compression Setting

The Quality Setting

The Maximum File Size Setting

The Compression Ratio Setting

The Embedded File Type

The Baseline File Type

Using a Software Key


Lossless Compression

A lossless compression is performed.  The resulting compression ratio depends on the image contents. Typical lossless compression ratios are 1:2 up to 1:5.


Lossy Compression

A lossy compression is one in which not all the image data is saved.  Some of the image quality is sacrificed to give a smaller file size.  The resulting file size and quality will depend on the amount the data is compressed.  There are three different ways to adjust the amount of compression used:

The Quality Setting

The Maximum File Size Setting

The Compression Ratio Setting


Quality Setting

You can set the quality value to a number between 1 and 100.  Lower quality values give a high compression ratio but poor image quality.  A high value will give poor compression but good image quality.  A value of 100 will perform lossless compression.  Values in the range 50 to 100 are most useful.


Maximum File Size Settting
Maximum File Size Setting

If the image must be compressed to fit a fixed file size (eg. a floppy disk) the maximum file size option can be used.  The selected amount of disk space (in kilobytes) is an upper limit on the size of the compressed image.


Compression Ratio

Another way to control the size of the compressed image is to specify an exact compression ratio.  The resulting file size will be equal to the size of the uncompress data divided by the chosen rate.  Images compressed with ratios up to 1:10 appear almost lossless.  Photo-realistic images can be compressed to 1/20th of the original file size without any significant loss of quality.  For Internet presentation, compression ratios between 1:50 up to 1:100 are recommended.  Higher compression ratios up to 1:1000 can be used when image quality is not very important.


Embedded File Type

For images that will be transmitted over the Internet, it is recommended that the embedded file type be used.  The resulting file is fully embedded.  The image can be displayed progressively and its quality improves during the download.  An interrupt of the transmission results in a full sized image.


Baseline File Type

Baseline mode does not consume as much working memory as the embedded mode. It is recommended if you are compressing very large images.


Software Key

You may protect your images with a software key by entering a password.  Only users with the password will be able to view the image with full quality.  Users without the key will only be able to view the picture up to the quality specified.  The value can range from 0 to 100.  The encryption is guaranteed to work with all applications that can display LuraWave® compressed images.


How to Purchase the ACDSee LWF Plug-in

Pricing

The price of the LuraTech Wavelet Format Plug-in is $29.95 US.

Ordering

The following methods of ordering are available:

Telephone

Fax

Internet

Postal Mail


Purchasing by Telephone

To purchase by phone, call 1 (250) 544-6700

For corporate and site license arrangements,

call 1 (800) 579 5309.

Where international 800 service is unavailable,

please call: 1 (250) 544 6700.

Operators are standing by to take your order 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

Payment can be made using one of the following credit cards:

MasterCard

VISA

Discover

American Express


Purchasing by Fax

Print out and complete the supplied order form.

FAX the completed form to 1 (800) 819 2207 [outside North America: 1 (250) 382 7099].


Purchasing by Internet

You can order online by following this link:
http://www.acdsystems.com/orders/

Payment can be made using one of the following credit cards:

MasterCard

VISA

Discover

American Express


Purchasing by Postal Mail

1.	Print out and complete the supplied order form.

2.	Send the completed order form with your US funds check or money order to one of the addresses listed at the top of the order form.


LuraWave Plug-in Order Form

USA	Canada

ACD Systems, Inc.	ACD Systems, Ltd.

2201 North Collins, Suite #100	PO Box 36

Arlington, TX  76011	Saanichton, BC Canada V8M 2C3

North America	International

Phone:	1 (250) 544-6700	Phone: 	1 (250) 544 6700

Fax: 	1 (800) 819 2207	Fax: 	1 (250) 382 7099

Date___________________________

Name_________________________________________________________________________________________

Company____________________________________________________	Phone_________________________

Street_______________________________________________________	FAX___________________________

City _________________________	State/Province______	Country___________________ Zip/PC______________

Email______________________@__________________________________________________________________

All amounts are in United States dollars.

Please call about site licenses rates, special educational discounts and other offers.

Single user license	___@ $29.95	=__________

Disk shipping and handling, if applicable

U.S. & Canada	___ @ $4.95	=__________

Other Areas	___ @ $11.00	=__________

Method of payment:  Check*___	 Money order___	 MasterCard___	VISA___

* Checks must be from a US bank and be pre-approved (some delay in shipping will result).

Name exactly as on credit card_____________________________________________________________________

Card number____________________________________________________________________________________

Exp. Date_____________

Signature________________________________________________________________


A lossless compression is performed.  The resulting compression ratio depends on the image contents. Typical lossless compression ratios are 1:2 up to 1:5.


You can set the quality value to a number between 1 and 100.  Lower quality values give a high compression ratio but poor image quality.  A high value will give poor compression but good image quality.  A value of 100 will perform lossless compression.  Values in the range 50 to 100 are most useful.


If the image must be compressed to fit a fixed file size (eg. a floppy disk) the maximum file size option can be used.  The selected amount of disk space (in kilobytes) is an upper limit on the size of the compressed image.


Another way to control the size of the compressed image is to specify an exact compression ratio.  The resulting file size will be equal to the size of the uncompress data divided by the chosen rate.  Images compressed with ratios up to 1:10 appear almost lossless.  Photo-realistic images can be compressed to 1/20th of the original file size without any significant loss of quality.  For Internet presentation, compression ratios between 1:50 up to 1:100 are recommended.  Higher compression ratios up to 1:1000 can be used when image quality is not very important.


For images that will be transmitted over the Internet, it is recommended that the embedded file type be used.  The resulting file is fully embedded.  The image can be displayed progressively and its quality improves during the download.  An interrupt of the transmission results in a full sized image.


Baseline mode does not consume as much working memory as the embedded mode.  It is recommended if you are compressing very large images.


You may protect your images with a software key by entering a password.  Only users with the password will be able to view the image with full quality.  Users without the key will only be able to view the picture up to the quality specified.  The ‘Quality Without Key’ value can range from 0 to 100.  The encryption is guaranteed to work with all applications that can display LuraWave® compressed images.


A lossy compression is one in which not all the image data is saved.  Some of the image quality is sacrificed to give a smaller file size.  The resulting file size and quality will depend on the amount the data is compressed.