DP Tool Club 24/CD_ASCQ_24_0995.iso/vrac/imagefaq.zip/FAQ03.TXT

Internet Message Format | 1995-06-10 | 55KB

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Subject: Graphics File Formats FAQ (Part 3 of 4): Where to Get File Format Specifications
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]
Supersedes: <graphics/[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (James D. Murray)
Organization: None Whatsoever
References: <graphics/[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 1995 16:01:31 GMT
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Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.2
Archive-name: graphics/fileformats-faq/part3
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 01Jun95

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.

This FAQ is divided into four parts, each covering a different area of
graphics file format information:

  Graphics File Formats FAQ: General Graphics Format Questions (Part 1 of 4)
  Graphics File Formats FAQ: Image Conversion and Display Programs (Part 2 of 4)
  Graphics File Formats FAQ: Where to Get File Format Specifications (Part 3 of 4)
  Graphics File Formats FAQ: Tips and Tricks of the Trade (Part 4 of 4)

Please email contributions, corrections, and suggestions about 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 of Where to Get File Format Specifications

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. Maintainer's Comments <UPD>
1. What's new in this latest FAQ release? <UPD>

II. Where to Get File Format Specifications

0. BMP - Windows Bitmap Format
1. CALS - Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support Raster Format
2. CDF - Cyberspace Description Format <NEW>
3. CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile
4. DEM - Digital Elevation Model
5. DLG - Digital Line Graph
6. DXF - Autodesk Drawing Exchange Format
7. EPS - Encapsulated PostScript
8. FBM - Fuzzy Bitmap
9. FFIVW - File Format for the Interchange of Virtual Worlds <NEW>
10. GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
11. GKS - Graphics Kernel System
12. HPGL - Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language <NEW>
13. HPPCL - Hewlett-Packard Printer Control Language <NEW>
14. IGES - Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
15. IMJ - Image JPEG
16. JFIF - JPEG File Interchange Format
17. MGF - Materials and Geometry Format
18. MIFF - Magick Image File Format
19. NAPLPS - North American Presentation Layer Protocol Syntax
20. NFF - Neutral File Format
21. NFF - WorldToolKit Neutral File Format <NEW>
22. NITF - National Imagery Transmission Format
23. OFF - Object File Format
24. PBM - Portable Bitmap
25. PCX - ZSoft Paint
26. PDS - Planetary Data Systems Format
27. PGM - Portable Greymap
28. PIC - Pegasus Imaging Corporation Format
29. PNG - Portable Network Graphics <UPD>
30. PPM - Portable Pixmap
31. POL - InnovMetric Software Polygon Models Format
32. POV - Persistence of Vision Raytracing
33. RAD - Radience <NEW>
34. RAS - Sun Rasterfile
35. RAY - Rayshade
36. RIB - Renderman Interface Bytestream
37. RIFF - Microsoft Resource Interchange File Format
38. RIX - ColoRIX Image File
39. SDML - Spacial Data Modeling Language <NEW>
40. SHG - Segmented Hyper-Graphic
41. STL - Stereolithography Interface Format
42. TGA - Truevision (Targa) File Format
43. TIFF - Tag Image File Format
44. URT - Utah Raster Toolkit
45. VICAR2 - Planetary File Format
46. VIFF - Visualization Image File Format
47. VPF - Vector Product Format
48. VRML - Virtual Reality Modeling Language <NEW>
49. XBM - X BitMap
50. WebOOGL - Web Object Oriented Graphics Library <NEW>
51. WMF - Window Meta File
52. WPG - WordPerfect Graphics Metafile
53. XPM - X PixMap
54. XWD - X Window Dump

III. Kudos and Assertions

0. Acknowledgments
1. About The Author
2. Disclaimer
3. Copyright Notice

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

Subject: I. General questions about this FAQ

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

Subject: 0. Maintainer's Comments

One of the reasons you are looking through this FAQ collection is most likely
to locate the specification for one or more graphics file formats. That
assumption on my part makes this file one of the most important parts of the
Graphics File Formats FAQ collection. I therefore wish to make this section
as complete as possible.

If you have any suggestions for formats to include then please email me at
[e-mail] and let me know!

And it looks as though I'll be in the O'Reilly & Associates booth at SIGGRAPH
in Los Angles on August 8th, 9th, and 10th. I'll be the long-haired computer
nerd with the long, braided beard. ;-{)>>>>

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

Subject: 1. What's new in this latest FAQ release?

  o Nine new file format specification whereabouts added!
  o More PNG information added (again!)

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

Subject: II. 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, and
a brief description of each format.

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

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.

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

Subject: 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. CDF - Cyberspace Description Format

CDF is an ASCII-based format used for describing cyberspace decks and virtual
worlds. This format provides a standard framework that is used to store,
retrieve, modify, and exchange descriptions of cyberspace objects; including
object initialization, state, and scheduling, and cyberspase simulation.

CDF is based on the CDF format described in Autodesk's Cyberspace Development
Kit. Autodesk's CDF is a closed format used to support a proprietary
deveoper's tool, while the proposed CDF format is an open format intended to
be accepted as an industry standard.

The current CDF specification proposal may be obtained from:

  http://vrml.wired.com/proposals/cdf/cdf.html

Questions about CDF should be directed to:

  Carl Tollander <[e-mail]>

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

Subject: 3. 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
  11 West 42nd Street
  New York, NY 10036
  Voice: 212.642.4900

  Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  Sales Group
  178 Rexdale Blvd.
  Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 1R3
  Voice: 416.747.444

A WWW page devoted to CGM is:

  http://speckle.ncsl.nist.gov/~lsr/cgm_std.htm

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

Subject: 4. 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: 703.860.645

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

Subject: 5. 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: 703.860.645

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

Subject: 6. DXF - Autodesk Drawing eXchange Format

The AutoCAD DXF (Drawing eXchange Format) and AutoCAD DXB (Drawing eXhange
Binary) formats are the native vector file formats of Autodesk's AutoCAD
CAD application.

DXF is probably one of the most widely supported vector formats in the world
today. DXF is rich in features, including: support for 3D objects, curves,
text, associative dimensioning, and is an easy format to parse. The DXB
format is a binary representation of a DXF file and they are usually smaller
and faster to load than the equivalent DXF file.

The latest "official" DXF revision is Release 12. However, there is an even
newer version of DXF containing several changes and additions to the format.
Apparently the specification of the latest version of the DXF format is not
yet (if it will ever be) freely available. Users are required to pay $4000US
for a license to AutoCAD in to obtain the specs for this newest release of
DXF file format.

The official specification for DXF R12 may be found in the AutoCAD Manual
Release 12:

  AutoCAD Customization Manual, Release 12, Autodesk Inc., 1992, pp. 241-81.

The specification for DXF R12 has also been released in electonic form and
is available in several of the Internet file format archives. You can also
try poking around on Autodesk's FTP site, but not much is usually there:

  ftp://ftp.autodesk.com

Many books detail the DXF format, including:

  The AutoCAD Database Book, F.H. Jones and L. Martin, Ventana Press,
    ISBN 0-940087-04-9. Order: 919.490.0062 voice.

  AutoCAD, The Complete Reference, 2nd Ed., Johnson, N., McGraw-Hill,
    New York, NY, 1991.

Additonal information may be obtained directly from Autodesk:

  Autodesk Inc.
  Autodesk Developer Marketing
  2320 Marinship Way
  Sausalito, CA 94965
  Voice: 415.491.8719

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

Subject: 7. EPS - Encapsulated PostScript

The PostScript Language Software Development Kit is available from the
creator of PostScript, Adobe Systems:

  Adobe Systems Inc.
  Attn: Adobe Systems Developer Support
  1585 Charleston Road
  P.O. Box 7900
  Mountain View, CA 94039-7900
  Voice: 415.961.7900
  Voice: 800.344.8335
  Fax:   [phone]

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

Subject: 8. FBM - Fuzzy Bitmap

FBM is the native file format of the Fuzzy pixmap image manipulation and
conversion toolkit written by Michael L. Mauldin at Carnegie Mellon
University.

Code to manipulate FBM (and many other) file formats is found in the
FBM distrbution:

  ftp://nl.cs.cmu.edu/usr/mlm/ftp/fbm.tar.Z

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

Subject: 9. FFIVW - File Format for the Interchange of Virtual Worlds

FFIVM is an ASCII-based, object-oriented format used to describe virtual
objects and worlds. This format is not intended to be a native file format of
any hardware or software platform, but instead to be used as an interchange
medium used for converting one VRML format to another.

The FFIVM specification proposal may be found at:

  http://vrml.wired.com/proposals/ffivw.html

Questions about FFIVW should be directed to:

  Bernie Roehl <[e-mail]>
  Kerry Bonin <[e-mail]>

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

Subject: 10. 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

Note: Any software created or modified after 01 January 1995 that supports
the capability of reading and/or writing GIF files must obtain a patent
license agreement from Unisys Corporation. See Part I of the FAQ for more
details on the Unisys GIF-LZW license agreements.

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

Subject: 11. 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: 12. HPGL - Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language

Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HP-GL/2)

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

Subject: 13. HPPCL - Hewlett-Packard Printer Control Language

PCL is capable of rendering both raster and vector graphics.

The official specification and toolkit for PCL is contained in the following
Hewlett-Packard manuals:

  PCL 5 Printer Language Technical Reference Manual
  PCL 5 Developer's Guide, 3rd Edition, Part No. 5002-1847

The technical reference manual contains a complete description of PCL 5. The
developer's guide contains many software examples illustracting how to
design PCL-compatable software. These maunals may be obtained directly from
Hewlett-Packard

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

Subject: 14. IGES - Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

IGES is a set of protocols for the transfer and display of graphical
information on remote devices via a telephone or computer communications
network. IGES does not define any new graphical file formats, but instead
uses existing formats (such as CGM) to encapsulate graphical data.

IGES is associated with the NCGA (National Computer Graphics Association) and
is part of the U.S. Product Data Association (USPRO) and the IGES/PDES
Organization (IGO). The NCGA administers the National IGES User Group (NIUG),
which provides access to information on IGES.

To obtain the IGES specification, you must be a member of both NIUG and a
Regional Interest Group (RIG). The IGES specification is available through
the NCGA for $100US. For more information about the NIUG, RIGs, and IGES,
contact:

  National Computer Graphics Association
  2722 Merrilee Drive
  Suite 3200
  Fairfax, VA 22031 USA
  Voice: 703.698.9600

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

Subject: 15. IMJ - Image JPEG

IMJ was created by Pegasus Image Corporation as a variation of the JFIF file
format. IMJ is essentially a JFIF file with a Microsoft Windows BMP header
and enhanced palette optimization. The IMJ format is used in several
screensaver applications, and by orgainizations such as Delrina and the
National Center for Missing Children.

See the section describing the PIC - Pegasus Imaging Corporation Format
for more information.

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

Subject: 16. 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: 17. MGF - Materials and Geometry Format

MGF is an ASCII-based 3D rendering format designed to model surface geometry
and materials for the purpose of visible-light simulation and rendering.  The
overall objective of this format is to provide a very simple yet fairly
complete modeling language that does not place unreasonable demands on the
applications programmer or the object library creator.

The format specification is available bundled with an MGF file reader
and is distributed in the file mgflib0.7.tar.Z on the following sites:

  http://radsite.lbl.gov/mgf/HOME.html
  ftp://hobbes.lbl.gov/www/mgf

The MGF software is currently in an alpha release stage, which means the
language may change in some incompatible ways between now and the first
release.  Use this software and data in this package at your own risk.

Questions about MGF should be directed to:

Greg Ward
Voice: 510.486.4757
Fax:   [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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

Subject: 18. MIFF - Magick Image File Format

MIFF is a bitmap format native to the ImageMagick toolkit which runs under
the X Window System. ImageMagick is capable of displaying and converting a
variety of still and animated graphics file formats.

The specification for MIFF is available in the ImageMagick distribution
available from:

  ftp://ftp.x.org/contrib/applications/ImageMagick/ImageMagick-3.6.1.tar.gz

For more information about ImageMagick and MIFF, contact:

  duPont de Nemour & Company
  Attn: John Cristy
  Central Research and Development
  Experimental Station
  P.O. Box 80328
  Room 162-A
  Wilmington, DE 19880-0328
  Voice: 302.695.1159
  Email: [e-mail]

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

Subject: 19. NAPLPS - North American Presentation Layer Protocol Syntax

NAPLPS is a protocol for transferring ASCII-based graphical information to
remote terminals via a communications channel (telephone systems, computer
networks, and so forth). NAPLPS is used by many Videotext services and
Prodigy, the commercial on-line information service, and is specifically
designed to provide usable information transfer rates, even at data rates as
low as 2400bps.

Although there is no NAPLPS file format, NAPLPS data streams are often saved
as files, and the files are then referred to as using the "NAPLPS file
format".

The NAPLPS specification is a standards documents available through ANSI, ISO,
or CSA. (See the CGM section for the addresses of these organizations). The
CSA document (T500-1983) also contains a supplement (1-1991) which is not
included in the ANSI version of this standard.

Further information may be found in the February, March, April, and May 1983
issues of Byte Magazine. These articles explain much of the NAPLPS coding
system and discuss the potential for NAPLPS.

Michael Dillon has authored a paper on NAPLPS and started a NAPLPS section on
SIMTEL20.  Michael Dillon may be contacted at:

  CompuServe: 71532,137
  Internet:   [e-mail]
  BBS:        604.546.2705

The BBS also contains NAPLPS Shareware and art.

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

Subject: 20. NFF - Neutral File Format

NFF is a minimal scene description language used to test rendering algorithms
and efficiency schemes. It supports basic geometry of objects, surface
characteristics, placement of lights, color of objects, and the viewing angle
of the human eye. NFF is ASCII-based and is used with the Standard Procedural
Database (SPD) software package used for creating databases for testing
rendering schemes.

The specification for NFF is available on numerous FTP sites which archive
file format documents, such as:

  ftp://zamenhof.cs.rice.edu/pub/graphics.formats

and is available along with the SPD test programs, which produce NFF objects:

  ftp://ftp.princeton.edu/pub/Graphics/SPD

You may also contact the author of NFF:

  Eric Haines
  3D/Eye Inc.
  1050 Craft Road
  Ithica, NY 14850
  Email: [e-mail]

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

Subject: 21. NFF - WorldToolKit Neutral File Format

The WorldToolKit Neutral File Format is a creation of Sense8 for their
WorldToolKit software product. WorldToolKit is a C language library providing
the functionality needed to do virtual reality, including file parsing,
sensor drivers, object management, behavior, and rendering.

Sense8's NFF format was loosely adapted from the Videoscape (.geo) format,
with the addition of 12-bit color, per-polygon texture application, and
portals. It was later extended to support vertex normals, 24-bit color, and
vertex uv coordinates. The current version of NFF is 2.1.

Sense8 also supports a binary format of NFF called BFF (.bff file extension)
The BFF format layout and order is identical to the ASCII version, with the
exception that only 24-bit, and not 12-bit, colors are not supported.

The WorldToolKit Neutral File Format was created and is maintained by:

  Sense8
  100 Shoreline Hwy. Ste. 282
  Mill Valley, CA 94941
  Voice: 415.331.6318
  Fax:   [phone]
  Email: [e-mail]

Sense8's NFF specification is available via FTP at:

  ftp://avalon.vislab.navy.mil/pub/format_specs

Questions about Sense8's NFF format should be directed to:

  Ben Discoe <[e-mail]>

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

Subject: 22. NITF - National Imagery Transmission Format

The National Imagery Transmission Format Standard (Version 2.0) is documented
as a collection of military standards documents. The actual file format is
documented in the following standard:

  MIL-STD-2500, National Imagery Transmission Format (Version 2.0) for
    the National Imagery Transmission Format Standard, 18 June 1993

The remaining standards are as follows:

  MIL-HDBK-1300, National Imagery Transmission Format Standard (NITFS),
    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-245-44500, 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

The NITFS standards may be obtained via FTP from the ITSI (Information
Technology Standards Integrated) BBS at:

  ftp://jcdbs.2000.disa.mil/pub/library

ITSI BSS may also be reached by modem at 703.834.6501 (14.4kbps, N-8-1).

To receive hardcopies 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]

or:

  Defense Information Systems Agency
  Center for Standards
  Carol Ciepiela
  Attn: TBCE, Rm 3304
  10701 Parkridge Blvd
  Reston, VA 22091 USA
  Voice: 703.487.3536
  Email: [e-mail]

Questions may be directed to:

  NITFS Certification Test Facility
  Voice: 602.538.5458 x5494

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

Subject: 23. OFF - Object File Format

OFF was developed in 1986 at Digital Equipment Corporation's Workstation
Systems Engineering for the interchange and archiving of 3D objects. OFF is
an ASCII-based format and is independent of languages, devices, and operating
systems.

The specification for OFF is:

  Rost, Randi, OFF--A 3D Object File Format, November 6, 1986 (updated
    October 12, 1989).

The OFF archive is available from:

  ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/DEC

This archive contains the format specification, tools, and objects. It is not
currently supported and is copyrighted.

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

Subject: 24. PBM - Portable Bitmap

The Portable greymap file format is part of the Extended Portable Bitmap
Utilities (PBMPLUS). PBM is used as an intermediate format for storing
monochrome bitmap information generated by the PBMPLUS toolkit. PBM files may
be either binary or ASCII and store data one-bit-per-pixel in size.

Information and source code for PBM can be found in the distribution for
PBMPLUS located at:

  ftp://ftp.wustl.edu/graphics/graphics/packages/pbmplus/pbmplus10dec91.tar.Z

The specification for the PBM format can also be found in the manual page for
pbm(5) on many Unix systems.

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

Subject: 25. 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:   404.427.145
  CompuServe: 76702,1207

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

Subject: 26. PDS - Planetary Data Systems Format

PDS was created by the Planetary Branch of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) to store solar, lunar, and planetary data collected both
on Earth and by spacecraft. And as with most U.S. Government documents, the
specification is quite large and spread over several documents:

  Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Standard for the Preparation and Interchange of
    Data Sets, JPL Document D-4683, NASA, Pasadena, CA, 1988.
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Data Preparation Workbook,
    JPL Document D-7669, NASA, Pasadena, CA, 1990.
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Planetary Data System Standards Reference,
    JPL Document D-4683, NASA, Pasadena, CA, 1990.
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Specification for the Object Description
    Language, NASA, Pasadena, CA, 1990.

These documents are available from:

  NASA
  Planetary Branch
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  Mail Stop 525-3610
  4800 Oak Grove Drive
  Pasadena, CA 91109
  Voice: 818.354.7587
  Email: [e-mail]

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

Subject: 27. PGM - Portable Greymap

The Portable greymap file format is part of the Extended Portable Bitmap
Utilities (PBMPLUS). PGM is used as an intermediate format for storing
greyscale bitmap information generated by the PBMPLUS toolkit. PGM files may
be either binary or ASCII and store pixel values up to 8 bits in size.

Information and source code for PGM can be found in the distribution for
PBMPLUS (see the section on the PBM format for information on PBMPLUS). The
specification for the PGM format can also be found in the manual page for
pgm(5) on many Unix systems.

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

Subject: 28. PIC - Pegasus Imaging Corporation Format

  Pegasus Image Corporation
  4350 W. Cypress Street, Suite 908
  Tampa, FL 33607
  Voice: 813.875.7575
  Fax:   [phone]
  BBS:   813.874.5515  Name: guest guest, Password: demo
  CIS:   GO PEGASUS

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

Subject: 29. PNG - Portable Network Graphics

PNG (pronounced "ping") is a new bitmap format which is currently in
development. Its creation is an attempt to give the graphics community an
alternative to the shortcomings and misgivings found in most popular file
formats. The current legal battle involving the GIF format may also have
something to do with it too :-)

The following paragraph, excerpted from the PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
specification, eighth draft, explains the basic rationale behind the format:

  The PNG format is intended to provide a portable, legally unencumbered,
  simple, lossless, streaming-capable, well-compressed, well-specified
  standard for bitmapped image files which gives new features to the end
  user at minimal cost to the developer.

The PNG specification is now in its tenth draft and is currently undergoing
final editing in preparation for the 1.0 release. The PNG draft is considered
finalized to the point that software may be safely written without the worry
of the specification changing.

A public draft of the current PNG specification may be found at:

  http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/png.html

Questions about PNG may be asked on the comp.graphics newsgroup, via
email at:

  [e-mail]

or directed to the principle author of the PNG specification:

  Thomas Boutell <[e-mail]>

PNG developers may join the PNG mailing list. Send email to
[e-mail] and ask for more information. A human will be reading
your request to join the list, so make it good.

PNG materials can be had in great profusion by anonymous FTP from:

  ftp://godzilli.cs.sunysb.edu

All programs on this site are in beta test and should be used carefully. In
the case of questionable implementation, the specification is to be
considered corrent and the code in error.

Additonal PNG material may also be found at:

  ftp://ftp.uu.net/graphcs/png

Group 42 is the author of the PNGLIB support library for developer's using
the PNG file format. Their Web page contains a developer's section which
includes the PNGLIB library, PNG format specification, Compression Library,
and Image Test Suite. A Freeware version of theis library is currently
available. Group 42 may be reached at:

  Group 42, Inc.
  Voice: 800.520.0042
  Voice: 513.831.3400
  Email: [e-mail]
  WWW:   www.group42.com

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

Subject: 30. PPM - Portable Pixmap

The Portable pixmap file format is part of the Extended Portable Bitmap
Utilities (PBMPLUS). PPM is used as an intermediate format for storing color
bitmap information generated by the PBMPLUS toolkit. PPM files may be either
binary or ASCII and store pixel values up to 24 bits in size.

Information and source code for PPM can be found in the distribution for
PBMPLUS (see the section on the PBM format for information on PBMPLUS). The
specification for the PPM format can also be found in the manual page for
ppm(5) on many Unix systems.

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

Subject: 31. POL - InnovMetric Software Polygon Models Format

POL is the native 3D file format for software products created by InnovMetric
Software. The POL format was created to fill the need of storing data
representing multi-contour, simple, planular, polygons using a binary file
format.

InnovMetric Software is developing a complete line of software products for
building 3-D polygonal models using a 3-D imaging system. Two of these
software tools are targeted at real-time 3-D graphics applications.
IMCompress and IMFilter are two complementary tools for optimally reducing
the number of polygons in a 3-D model. IMCompress uses a surface-based
algorithm to downsize highly redundant models such as Digital Terrain Models
and polygonal models generated by a CAD or a 3-D imaging system. IMFilter
uses a volume-based algorithm to create ultra-compact models (20 to 500
triangles) for level of details management in applications requiring
real-time 3-D graphics.

The POL file format specification is primarily distributed as Appendix B of
the IMCompress User's Guide published by InnovMetric Software. The
specification is also available in PostScript format as the file pol.ps in a
few of the graphics file format specification archived listed in part 1 of
this FAQ.

POL was created and is maintained by:

  InnovMetric Software Inc.
  2065 Charest ouest, Suite 218
  Sainte-Foy, Quebec
  Canada, G1N 2G1

Questions about POL may be directed to:

  Marc Soucy <[e-mail]>

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

Subject: 32. 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/

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: 33. RAD - Radience

RAD is the native file format for the public domain Unix Radience radiosity
renderer.

The RAD specification and Radience package are available at:

  http://radsite.lbl.gov/radience/HOME.html

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

Subject: 34. RAS - Sun Rasterfile

Sun rasterfile is the native bitmap format of Sun Microsystem Unix systems.
The rasterfile format has become more wide-spread with the growing popularity
of the SunOS operating system and Sun SPARCStation family of Unix
workststaions.

Sun rasterfiles store images up to 32 bits in pixel depth and support a basic
for of run-length data compression.

The primary source of information for Sun Rasterfiles is the SunOS include
file /usr/include/rasterfile.h and the rasterfile online manual page:

  Sun Microsystems, rasterfile (5), Sun OS 4.0 Programmer's Manual, 1990.

The following jounal article is devoted to the Sun rasterfile:

  McGee, Format for Byte-Encoded Rasterfiles, Sun-Spots Digest, Volume 6,
  Issue 84.

And several books on graphics file formats also feature the rasterfile format.

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

Subject: 35. RAY - Rayshade

Rayshade is a ray-tracing application for the MS-DOS environment. The
Rayshade format is the native scene description language used by Rayshade.
And like most 3D scene-rendering formats it is ASCII-based and supports
most features commonly found in these formats.

The specification is available in the Rayshade distribution on many BBSs
and FTP archive sites. The format is detailed in the document:

  Rayshade 4.0 Quick Reference

The author may be contacted at:

  Princeton University
  Attn: Craig Kolb
  Department of Computer Science
  35 Olden Street
  Princeton, NJ 08544
  Email: [e-mail]

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

Subject: 36. RIB - Renderman Interface Bytestream

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

  The RenderMAN Interface, Version 3.1, September 1989. San Rafael, CA.

  Pixar
  1001 West Cutting Blvd.
  Richmond, California 9484 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: 37. 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: 38. RIX - ColoRIX Image File

ColorRIX is the native bitmap format of the ColorRIX VGA Paint application
for MS-DOS.

The ColorRIX format is documented in the ColorRIX VGA Paint manual
distributed with the ColorRIX program available from:

  RIX SoftWorks Inc.
  Attn: Richard Brownback or Paul Harker
  18023 Sky Park Circle, Suite J
  Irvine, CA 92714
  Voice: 714.476.8266
  Voice: 714.476.8486

ColorRIX is also bundled with several different VGA cards and the
specification may also be found on numerous FTP archive sites.

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

Subject: 39. SDML - Spacial Data Modeling Language

SDML is a spatial description language used for storing CAD and GIS data,
such as found in Landscape Planning, Design, and Architectural databases.

SDML currently exists in two versions: the old SDML format and the new
(Version 1.0) format. The old format is derived from the ASCII-based format
used in the Silicon Graphics CLRview and PolyTRIM software environments. The
new format, released in 05Feb95, is a more detailed, capable, and
size-optimized revision of the old SDML and supports all the features of the
Silicon Graphics CLRMosaic software.

The New SDML specification is available from:

  http://www.clr.toronto.edu:1080/CLRMOSAIC/SDML.html

Questions about SDML should be directed to:

  Rodney Hoinkes, Head of Design Applications
  Centre for Landscape Research
  University of Toronto
  230 College St.
  Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1
  Voice: 416.978.3551
  Fax:   [phone]
  Email: [e-mail]
  WWW:   http://www.clr.toronto.edu/PEOPLE/RODNEY/rodney.html

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

Subject: 40. SHG - Segmented Hyper-Graphic

SHG is a file format used by Microsoft in the WinHelp on-line help facility
found in Windows 3.1. This format is used to save a Microsoft Bitmap (BMP) or
Windows Metafile (WMF) graphic and store the coordinates of specific areas of
the bitmap known as "hotspots".  When the bitmap is displayed and the user
selects a hotspot, WinHelp jumps to another part of the help documentation
via a hyper-text link macro stored in the SHG file.

Another file format used with SHG files is the Multiple-Resolution Bitmap
(MRB) format. MRB files contain one or more SHG images, each rendered at a
different resolution. Several SHG files are typically created using the
SHED.EXE utility and then fed into the MRB compiler to create a single MRB
file. When WinHelp reads the MRB file it chooses which bitmap most closely
matches the resolution of the display.

SHG is currently officially undocumented by Microsoft, but the specification
may be found at:

  ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/developr/drg/Multimedia/SHED.ZIP

Information on SHG and MRB may be found in the following journal article:

  .mrb and .shg File Formats, Windows/DOS Developer's Journal, Pete Davis,
    February 1994 (Vol 5, No 4), pp. 37-46.

Questions about these formats may also be directed to Section 16
(WinHelp/Tools) of forum WINSDK on CompuServe.

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

Subject: 41. STL - Stereolithography Interface Format

STL files are the native file format of the SLA CAD software created by 3D
Systems of Valencia, CA, USA. STL files may be ASCII or binary in form,
although binary is far more common due to the very large resulting size of
the CAD data when saved to the ASCII format.

[ More on this format next month ]

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

Subject: 42. 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: 43. 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 98144-2871
  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.

Note: Any software created or modified after 01 January 1995 that supports the
capability of reading and/or writing bitmapped data stored in a TIFF file and
compressed using the LZW algorithm must obtain a patent license agreement
from Unisys Corporation. See Part I of the FAQ for more details on the
Unisys GIF-LZW and TIFF-LZW license agreements.

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

Subject: 44. URT - Utah Raster Toolkit

URT is the native raster file format of the Utah Raster Toolkit. This
toolkit, which first appeared in 1983, is a rich source of bitmap
manipulation tools and source code. The toolkit is copyrighted, but
distributable on a GNU-like license.

The specification for the URT file format is found in the following document
of the Utah Raster Toolkit:

  Design of the Utah RLE Format, Thomas, Spencer W., University of Utah,
    Department of Computer Science.

The Utah Raster Toolkit distribution (urt-3.0.tar.Z) may be obtained via FTP
from the following sites:

  ftp://cs.uath.edu
  ftp://weedeater.math.yale.edu
  ftp://freebie.engin.umich.edu

Questions about URT may be directed to:

  [e-mail]
  [e-mail]

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

Subject: 45. VICAR2 - Planetary File Format

VICAR2 is used to store planetary image data gathered from Earth and by
spacecraft. VICAR2 is similar in design and use to the FITS and PDS formats.

Information on VICAR2 may be obtained directly from JPL:

  NASA
  Attn: Bob Deen
  Image Processing Laboratory
  Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  4800 Oak Grove Drive
  Pasadena, CA 91109
  Email: [e-mail]

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

Subject: 46. VIFF - Visualization Image File Format

VIFF is the native bitmap graphics file format of the Khoros System
environment implemented using the X Window System.

The VIFF format specification, including other documents related to the VIFF
format, may be found in the Khoros distribution. Chapter 1 of Volume II,
Programmer's Manual, the files in the directory src/file_formats, and the
viff.h file are the most helpful.

The following FTP sites archive the Khoros distribution:

  ftp://ftp.eece.unm.edu/pub/khoros
  ftp://ftp.uu.net/pub/window-sys/khoros

The Khoros Consortium may be contacted at:

Khoral Research Inc.
6001 Indian School Road NE
Suite 200
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Voice: 505.837.6500
Fax:   [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Email: [e-mail] (User's Group)
Newsgroup: comp.soft-sys.khoros

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

Subject: 47. VRML - Virtual Reality Modeling Language

VRML is a proposed design based on the Silicon Graphics Open Inventor ASCII
file format. Originally called the Inventor VRML, this format has evolved
into what is now the VRML format.

VRML is also called a "Markup Language" for reasons that it is used in a
fashion similar to HTML (HyperText Markup Language), but for rendering 3D
graphics rather than text. VRML, however, is in no way derived from HTML.

The current VRML specification may be obtained from:

  http://www.eit.com/vrml/vrmlspec.html

Questions about VRML may be directed to:

  Mark Pesce, Enterprise Integration Technology, Inc. <[e-mail]>
  Anthony Parsi, Labyrinth Group <[e-mail]>
  Gavin Bell, Silicon Graphics, Inc. <[e-mail]>

The original Inventor-VRML specification may be obtained from:

  http://www.sgi.com/Technology/Inventor/VRML/VRMLDesign.html

The Labyrinth VRML specification may be obtained from:

  http://vrml.wired.com/proposals.labspec.html

VRML Research and Sample images:

  http://www.sdsc.edu/vrml
  http://www.sgi.com/FreeStuff/Cool-Scene.vrml

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

Subject: 48. VPF - Vector Product Format

VPF is a standard format, structure, and organization for large geographic
databases that are based on a georelational data model. VPF is primarily used
for organizing and encapsulating such digital geographic databases for
transmission.  More information on VPF may be found in the newsgroup and FAQ
of comp.infosystems.gis.

The specification for VPF may be found in the following military standard
document:

  MIL-STD-600006, Vector Product Format, 13 April 1992

This MIL-STD may be obtained from:

  Naval Publications & Forms Center
  Code 3051
  5801 Tabot Ave.
  Philadelphia, PA 19120 USA

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

Subject: 49. WebOOGL - Web Object Oriented Graphics Library

WebOOGL is a OOGL-based format used for describing 3D graphics on the World
Wide Web. This format supports the embedding of URL links within 3D objects
and allows multiple WebOOGL objects found at different locations on the Web
to be combined into a single scene.

The WebOOGL specification may be found at:

  http://www.geom.umn.edu/docs/weboogl/weboogl.html

Additional information om the use of OOGL as a VRML may be obtained from:

  http://vrml.wired.com/proposals/oogl.html

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

Subject: 50. XBM - X BitMap

XBM is a native file format of The X Window System and is used for storing
cursor and icon bitmaps that are used in the X GUI. XBM files are quite
different in that they are actually C language source files that are created
to be read by a C compiler rather than a graphical display program.

XBM data is typically found in headers (.h files) and are a series of static
unsigned char arrays containing the monochrome pixel data. There is one array
per image stored in the header.

XBM was created by the X Consortium as part of the X Window System. Refer to
the /bitmaps directory of the X Window distribution for examples of XBM
files. The central FTP distribution site for X version 11 is:

  ftp://ftp.x.org

Reference works describing XBM include:

  Xlib-C language X Interface, Gettys, James, and Robert W. Scheiffler,
  Consortium Standard, X Version 11, Release 5, First Revision, August 1991.

  Xlib Programming Manual, Nye, Adrian, third edition, O'Reilly & Associates,
  Inc. Sebastopol, CA, 1992.

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

Subject: 51. WMF - Windows Meta File

WMF is the native vector file format for the Microsoft Windows operating
environment. WMF files are actually a collection of GDI (Graphics Device
Interface) function calls also native to the Windows environment. When a WMF
file is "played back" (typically using the Windows PlayMetaFile() function)
the graphics is rendered. WMF files are device-independant and have no limit
to their size.

Most books on Microsoft Windows programming contain sections on the internals
of WMF files. The Microsoft Knowledge Base (available at ftp://microsoft.com
and on the Microsoft Developer Network CD) also contains the complete
specification of WMF. I also highly recommend the book:

  Inside Windows File Formats, Tom Swan, Sams Publishing 1993.
  ISBN 0-672-30338-8 $24.95 softcover, 337 pages.

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

Subject: 52. WPG - WordPerfect Graphics Metafile

WPG is the native graphics file format of the WordPerfect Corporation line of
software products. For this reason it is common to find WPG files in MS-DOS,
Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh, and Unix environments.

WPG files may store bitmapped or vector graphics data, or Encapsulated
PostScript data as well. Bitmapped data may be up to 24-bits deep and
selectable from a palette of 256 colors.

The WPG specification is published in the WordPerfect Corporation Developer's
Toolkit for PC Products. This toolkit is available directly from WordPerfect
Information Services:

  WordPerfect Information Services
  Voice: 801.225.5000

Technical questions regarding WPG may be directed to:

  WordPerfect Manufacturer/Developer Relations Department
  Voice: 801.228.7700
  Fax:   [phone]
  CompuServe: 72567,3612

And if all else fails:

  WordPerfect Corporation
  1555 North Technology Way
  Orem, UT 84057
  Voice: 800.526.4477
  Fax:   [phone]
  BBS:   801.225.4414

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

Subject: 53. XPM - X PixMap

XPM is a defacto standard for storing monochome, gray-scale, and color pixmap
data to disk under the X Window system. XPM files, like XBM files, are
C source code files, with each pixmap being defined as a static char array.

The XPM format was created through the work of the KOALA Project at Groupe
Bull Research. Questions about XPM may be directed to:

  BULL Research
  c/o INRIA
  2004 route des Lucoiles
  06565 Valbonne Cedex
  France
  Email: [e-mail]

You may subscribe to the XPM mailing list by sending a subscription request
to:

  [e-mail]

The XPM library (a collection of utilities that read and write XPM files)
version 3.2g (April 1993) may be obtained via FTP from:

  ftp://avahi.inria.fr/contrib/xpm.tar.Z
  ftp://export.lcs.mit.edu

And a collection of XPM files (mostly icons) resides at:

  ftp://ftp.x.org/contrib/AIcons

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

Subject: 54. XWD - X Window Dump

XWD is used to store screen dumps created by the xwd client process in the X
Window System. The image of any window or the background may be saved (dumped)
to an XWD file. Using the following command:

  xwd -root > bg.xwd

The background is saved to the file bg.xwd. By replacing the "root" flag with
the ID of a window, only that window will be saved to the XWD file.

XWD was created by the X Consortium as part of the X Window System. Refer to
the /usr/include/X11 directory for header files (XWDFile.h) that define the
X10 and X11 versions of the XWD format.  The central FTP distribution site
for X version 11 is:

  ftp://ftp.x.org

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

Subject: III. 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]>
  John Cristy <[e-mail]>
  Ben Discoe <[e-mail]>
  James Durham <[e-mail]>
  Bruce Garner <[e-mail]>
  Eric Haines <[e-mail]>
  Chris Komnick <[e-mail]>
  Tom Lane <[e-mail]>
  Stanley F. Quayle <[e-mail]>
  Marc Soucy <[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.