Welcome to LuraWave plug-in
Welcome to LuraWave® Plug-in

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 efficiently compresses images, allowing them to be transmitted in a fraction of the time it would take without compression.

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).

•	Encryption (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: none of the blocking effects common with JPEGs.

See:

Encode Options


How to Use This Help File

The following are some tips to assist you with the use of this help file.

The help file dialog

Depressing the Help Topics button opens the Table of Contents on the left side of the help file dialog. This is the default setting when you open this help file, as seen below…

To close the Table of Contents to allow for more topic viewing room, click on the button once.

The help file dialog size can be expanded and reduced as needed.  Simply move your mouse pointer to the frame of the dialog, and when the pointer turns into a [image], click your primary mouse button and drag the frame.

Context Sensitive help (what’s this?)

With certain application windows, you have the option of clicking on the [image] button located in the top-right corner of the window.

This will change your mouse to the [What’s this?] [image] cursor.  Place the cursor on the area in question to access a brief explanation of the field.

Alternately, you can access the same information by clicking an area with the alternate mouse button.  However, this method will not work with text boxes (those that can be edited).


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 LuraWave Plug-in


Compressing a File

To compress a file using LuraWave:

1.	In ACDSee, select the file you would like to compress.

2.	Alternate mouse click on the file and select [Convert…].  The following dialog box will appear:

3.	Select [LuraTech Wavelet Format] and click the [Format settings…] button.  The [LWF Encode Options] dialog will appear.

4.	Set your compression options; an explanation of these options can be found on the Encode Options page in this help file.

5.	Click on OK.


Opening a LuraWave File

You will have no problem viewing a LuraWave compressed file if the password feature is not activated.  Select and view the file as you normally would with any other file in ACDSee.

However, if the image is distorted when viewed (as in the example below), the password feature has most likely been applied.

To view the image with full clarity, you will need the associated software key (password).  This key needs to be obtained from the person or place that originally compressed the image.

Note:

The thumbnails of encrypted images will always appear distorted whether or not you have the software key.  The clear image is available in the View window only.

Enter the software key as specified in the Software Key section of this help file.  Press <F5> to refresh ACDSee.  You should now be able to view the LuraWave file.


Encode Options

The following contains a description about the LuraWave encode options.

Image Quality:

Compression Settings

Quality Setting

Maximum File Size Setting

Compression Ratio Setting

File Type:

Embedded File Type

Baseline File Type

Password Protection:

Using a Software Key

Note:

•	To save the option settings for use the next time you compress a file, select the [Save these settings as the defaults] checkbox.

•	To restore the options to the system default, click on the [Reset all] button.


Compression Settings

Lossless compression

Defn:	Lossless compression refers to data compression techniques where no data is lost (eg. PKZIP). For most types of data, lossless compression techniques will reduce the space needed by only about 50%. For greater compression, a lossy compression technique should be used, but only certain types of data -- graphics, audio, and video -- can tolerate this compression. You must use a lossless compression technique when compressing data and programs.

When this box is selected, 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

Defn:	Lossy compression refers to data compression techniques where some data is lost. Lossy compression attempts to eliminate redundant or unnecessary information. Most video compression technologies (like MPEG), use this technique.

When this box is selected, lossy compression is preformed.  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:

Quality Setting

Maximum File Size Setting

Compression Ratio Setting


Quality setting
Quality

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 of 50 to 100 are most useful.


Maximum file size settting
Maximum File Size

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 the maximum limit for the size of the compressed image.


Compression ratio setting
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 uncompressed 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; Baseline
File Types

There are two file type selections within the LuraWave compression options.

Embedded

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

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

Compressed images may be encrypted with the use of a software key (a password); only users with the password will be able to view the image with full quality.  Users without the key can still view the image, but the quality is at a level specified by the person who created the compression.  The image quality value can range from 0 to 100.

This encryption is guaranteed to work with all applications that can display LuraWave compressed images.

Entering the software key for viewing a compressed image

Passwords are added to a ‘password list’ that ACDSee cross-references when attempting to decode an encrypted LuraWave image.  To add a password to the list:

1.	In ACDSee, select [Plug-ins | Settings…].

2.	Under the [Image Decode] tab, select [LuraTech Wavelet Format Decode Plug-in].  Click on [Properties…].

3.	The [About IDE_LWF] dialog will appear.  This dialog contains the password list.

4.	Click on [Add].  The [Add To Password List] dialog will appear.

5.	Enter the password associated with the image you are trying to view.  Passwords are case sensitive!  Click on OK.  Your password should now be added to the list.

Click on OK to close the [About IDE_LWF] dialog, and again to close the [Plug-in settings] dialog.  Press <F5> to refresh ACDSee.  You should now be able to view the LuraWave file in the View window.


How to Purchase
How to Purchase the LuraWave Plug-in

The price of the LuraWave 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 (866) 244-2237 (ACDS)  24 hours a day, 7 days a week

For corporate and site license arrangements:

Call 1 (800) 579-5309  Mon to Fri, 8 am to 5 pm PST

Where international 800 service is unavailable:

Call 1 (250) 544 6700  Mon to Fri, 8 am to 5 pm PST

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

•	MasterCard

•	VISA

•	Discover

•	American Express


Purchasing by Fax

Follow these two steps to purchase by Fax:

1.	Print out and complete the supplied order form.

2.	FAX the completed form to 1 (817) 265-6877.

Alternate fax number: 1 (250) 544 0290.


Purchasing by Internet

You can order online by following this link:
http://www.acdnet.com/english/products/plug-ins/index.htm

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

•	MasterCard

•	VISA

•	Discover

•	American Express


Purchasing by Postal Mail

Follow these two steps to purchase 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.


Order form
LuraWave 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 (800) 414 2237	Phone: 	1 (250) 544 6700

Fax: 	1 (800) 819 2207	Fax: 	1 (250) 544 1085

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	=__________

            (Or)

Single user license + software on CD-ROM	___@ $39.95	=__________

Disk shipping and handling, if applicable

___ @ $4.95	=__________

Total  (US funds only)	=__________

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_________________________________________________________________


Technical Support

For more assistance with LuraWave plug-in, please e-mail us at: acdtech@acdsystems.com.

If you do not have e-mail access, you may telephone us at 1 (250) 544-6701.  Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm PST.

For up-to-date information on LuraWave plug-in and other products from ACD Systems, please go to http://www.ACDSYSTEMS.com/.


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.