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BMP File Format
| Short Name |
BMP |
| Long Name |
Microsoft Windows Device Independent Bitmap |
| Typical File Extensions |
.bmp .dib |
| Contains |
Bitmap |
This is the standard format for storing
bitmaps in Microsoft Windows 3.x and later
(although of course many Windows applications support other file formats).
BMP files can contain bitmaps at a variety of
color depths: black and white, 16 color with a palette, 256 color with a palette, or 24-bit TrueColor.
- Black and white, and 24-bit color BMPs are not
compressed.
- 16 color and 256 color BMPs can optionally be
compressed using
a Run-length Compression scheme.
However, few programs can write out compressed BMPs, and many programs which can read BMPs are unable to read compressed files.
Confusingly, Microsoft have also developed another format also called BMP which was designed for OS/2. The OS/2 BMP format is very similar, but has a different header, and many BMP compatible programs can't read
OS/2 BMPs (fortunately though, these are rarely encountered).
Although the BMP format was initially developed for Windows, you can find
programs on many other platforms (Macintosh, UNIX, Linux, etc.) that can
read these files.
BMP files do tend to be large files, so I recommend that you do not use them on your web site (even though they can be displayed by many [not all] browsers). Instead convert your BMPs to
GIF or PNG format, by loading into your
paint program and doing Save As...
A technical discussion of this format can be found in Chapter 2 of Graphics File Formats by David C. Kay and John R. Levine.
Related Books:
- Internet File Formats: Your Complete Resource for Sending, Receiving, and Using Internet Files
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By Tim Kientzle
Coriolis Group Books
Paperback (416 pages)
Product Description:
Provides a detailed file format dictionary to help you understand most of the major file formats found on the Internet. Comes with a CD-ROM jam-packed with programs and tools to help you work with the files you come across on the Internet. Includes player programs to use files you download from the Internet. Contains compression and decompression utilities, and utilities to help you convert files from one format to another. Offers the tools to help you create HTML files and publish on the Web, and efficiently transfer your files. Helps you to read, write, convert, and use most of the major file types encountered on the Internet.
List Price: $39.99
Lowest New Price: $1.99
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- Compressed Image File Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, XBM, BMP (ACM Press)
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By John Miano
Addison-Wesley Professional
Paperback (288 pages)
Product Description:
Examines the most common graphics file formats in detail and demonstrates how to encode and decode image files for each. Offers in-depth coverage of the elaborate JPEG and newer PNG formats, providing clear explanations of complex concepts, experience-based practical techniques, and code examples. Softcover. CD-ROM included. DLC: Image processing--Computer programs.
List Price: $59.99
Lowest New Price: $31.99
Lowest Used Price: $3.83
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- Graphics File Formats
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By David C. Kay
McGraw-Hill Companies
Paperback (496 pages)
Product Description:
For software developers, systems managers, and computer hobbyists, this book will help bring a welcome sense of order to the chaotic world of graphics file format. David Kay and John Levine have compiled detailed specifications for 30 popular graphics file formats, so readers can more quickly and easily decide which standards are best for their applications.
List Price: $29.95
Lowest New Price: $19.96
Lowest Used Price: $0.26
(As of 03:48 Pacific 10 Jul 2009 More Info)
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Related Software:
- Artful GIF Animator
Create from scratch, import from AVI, edit and optimize your animated GIF images to develop animations for web sites. Drag and drop JPEG, BMP, GIF, ICO and even AVI files into the program and then edit and preview frames on the fly - while you are editing a frame, it animates the resulting picture. Tune up the individual position and edit the color palette for each frame, optimize animated GIFs with five different color reduction methods.
- FontTwister
FontTwister is the fastest and easiest way to create dazzling text effects. FontTwister comes with an impressive selection of templates for graphic styles, color gradients, textures, shapes, letter edges, 3-D bevels, shadows, buttons and frames. Simple intuitive controls let you interactively real-time view and select your desired effect. You can re-edit text and effects at any time. The effect generator creates unlimited variations of amazing text effects.
Use high impact, anti-aliased text for logos, 2D and 3D headings in letters, presentations, flyers, invitations, cards, faxes, posters, web graphics, labels, banners, buttons, covers. FontTwister supports several popular image formats (.bmp, .jpg, .png, .tif, .wmf).
- WapTiger WBMP Converter
Free software for converting monochrome BMP files to WBMP format.
Related Web Sites:
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