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Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.2 Archive-name: graphics/fileformats-faq/part3 Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 01Mar95 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 jdm@netcom.com. Relevant information posted to newsgroups will not automatically make it into this FAQ. -- James D. Murray (jdm@netcom.com) ;-{)>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 1. What's new in this latest FAQ release? II. Where to Get File Format Specifications 0. BMP - Windows Bitmap Format 1. CALS - Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support Raster Format 2. CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile 3. DEM - Digital Elevation Model 4. DLG - Digital Line Graph 5. EPS - Encapsulated PostScript 6. GIF - Graphics Interchange Format 7. GKS - Graphics Kernel System 8. IGES - Initial Graphics Exchange Specification <NEW> 9. JFIF - JPEG File Interchange Format 10. MGF - Materials and Geometry Format <NEW> 11. MIFF - Magick Image File Format 12. NAPLPS - North American Presentation Layer Protocol Syntax <NEW> 13. NFF - Neutral File Format <UPD> 14. NITF - National Imagery Transmission Format <UPD> 15. OFF - Object File Format 16. PCX - ZSoft Paint 17. PDS - Planetary Data Systems Format 18. PNG - Portable Network Graphics <NEW> 19. POV - Persistence of Vision Raytracing 20. Rayshade 21. Renderman 22. RIFF - Microsoft Resource Interchange File Format 23. RIX - ColoRIX Image File 24. SHG - Segmented Hyper-Graphic <NEW> 25. TGA - Truevision (Targa) File Format 26. TIFF - Tag Image File Format 27. VICAR2 - Planetary File Format 28. VIFF - Visualization Image File Format 29. VPF - Vector Product Format <NEW> 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 jdm@netcom.com and let me know! ------------------------------ Subject: 1. What's new in this latest FAQ release? o 6 new file format specification whereabouts added ------------------------------ 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: 206.936.7329 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. 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: +41 22 749 01 11 Fax: +41 22 733 34 30 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Sales Department 1430 Broadway New York, NY 10018 Voice: 212.642.4900 Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Sales Group 178 Rexdale Blvd. Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 1R3 Voice: 416.747.444 ------------------------------ Subject: 3. 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: 4. 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: 5. 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: 415.961.3769 ------------------------------ Subject: 6. 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 ------------------------------ Subject: 7. 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: 8. 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: 9. 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: 408.944.6314 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: 10. 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: 510.486.4089 Email: GJWard@lbl.gov ------------------------------ Subject: 11. 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/ImageMagick-3.0.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: cristy@dupont.com ------------------------------ Subject: 12. 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: mpdillon@halcyon.halcyon.com BBS: 604.546.2705 The BBS also contains NAPLPS Shareware and art. ------------------------------ Subject: 13. 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: erich@eye.com ------------------------------ Subject: 14. 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: 703.318.1098 Attn: Fay Mignone Email: mignone@cdbs.itsi.disa.mil 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: edi@itsi.disa.mil Questions may be directed to: NITFS Certification Test Facility Voice: 602.538.5458 x5494 ------------------------------ Subject: 15. 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: 16. 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: 404.427.1150 BBS: 404.427.145 CompuServe: 76702,1207 ------------------------------ Subject: 17. 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: PDS_Operator@jplpds.jpl.nasa.gov ------------------------------ Subject: 18. 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 eighth draft and is expected to be finalized in March 1995. 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 or directed to the principle author of the PNG specification: Thomas Boutell <boutell@netcom.com> ------------------------------ Subject: 19. 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/POVDOC.* Questions about POV-Ray may also be direct to: Drew Wells POV-Team Leader 73767.1244@compuserve.com 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: 20. 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: cek@princeton.edu ------------------------------ Subject: 21. Renderman The RenderMAN file format specification may be found in the following document available from Pixar: The RenderMAN Interface, Version 3.0 May 1988 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: 22. 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: 23. 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: 24. 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: 25. 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: 317.576.7700 BBS: 317.577.8783 FTP: ftp.truevision.com ------------------------------ Subject: 26. 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: 206.343.4240 Email: tiff-input@aldus.com 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. ------------------------------ Subject: 27. 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: rgd059@mipl3.jpl.nasa.gov ------------------------------ Subject: 28. 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: 505.881.3842 Email: khoros-request@chama.eece.unm.edu Email: khorus@chama.eece.unm.edu (User's Group) Newsgroup: comp.soft-sys.khoros ------------------------------ Subject: 29. VPF - Vector Product Format VPF is primarily used for transmitting digital geographic databases. 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 standards document: MIL-STD-2407, 30 September 1993 This MIL-STD may be obtained from: Naval Publications & Forms Center Code 3051 5801 Tabot Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19120 USA ------------------------------ 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 <brox@corena.no> John Cristy <cristy@magick.es.dupont.com> James Durham <durhamj@CC.IMS.DISA.MIL> Eric Haines <erich@eye.com> Tom Lane <tgl@netcom.com> Stanley F. Quayle <quayle@scriptel.com> ------------------------------ 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 jdm@netcom.com, 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.