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CGM File Format

Short Name CGM
Long Name Computer Graphics Metafile
Typical File Extensions .cgm
Contains Metafile


CGM a powerful format designed to be a method for interchanging graphics images. It is also one of very few graphics formats to be an International Standard (ISO 8632) rather than a defacto standard.

Because CGM is such a powerful format it is a major undertaking for a software developer to implement the entire standard, and thus various subsets of the standard ("profiles") have been defined including WebCGM which is intended for use on the Internet.

Another issue with CGM is that (for example) typefaces are referenced by name, by what those names mean in terms of the display to be generated, is not well-standardized. This type of thing can lead to issues when transfering CGM files between software-applications or computers.

CGM files can be stored in a reasonably compact binary format, or in a clear text format which is intended to be readable and writable using a text editor.

A technical discussion of this format can be found in Chapter 27 of Graphics File Formats by David C. Kay and John R. Levine.


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Related Books:
  • Graphics File Formats
     
    Graphics File Formats
         		  
    By David C. Kay

    McGraw-Hill Companies
    Paperback (496 pages)

    Book 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
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