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GraphicsAcademy.com > File Formats > ZSoft PCX

ZSoft PCX

Short Name	PCX
Long Name	ZSoft PCX
Typical File Extensions	.pcx
Contains	Bitmap

This is a common format for storing bitmaps, and was originally developed by ZSoft Corporation.

PCX files can contain bitmaps at a variety of color depths: black and white, 4 color with a palette, 8 color with a palette, 16 color with a palette, 256 color with a palette, or 24-bit TrueColor.

The PCX format has gone through a number of revisions (closely tracking the evolution of PC graphics cards), and hence some older software may not be able to read newer PCX files. Additionally, there are a lot of options in the newer PCX format, so it is possible some software may not be able to handle particular variations.

PCX data is compressed using a Run-length Compression scheme.

A technical discussion of this format can be found in Chapter 4 of Graphics File Formats by David C. Kay and John R. Levine.

Related Books:

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
Lowest Used Price: $1.65
(As of 13:46 Pacific 21 May 2008 More Info)

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Using Pcx Graphics Files: The Programmer's Definitive Guide to Pcx File Formats

By Roger T. Stevens

Backbeat Books
Paperback (448 pages)

Book Description:
This book explains virtually every programming technique for creating, customizing and viewing PCX graphics files. The CD-ROM provides the tools programmers need to immediately implement these techniques. Roger Stevens provides examples of nearly every technique for creating and viewing PCX graphics files, and explains how to custom tailor programs to work with specific systems. This book concentrates on regular EGA, VGA and VESA Super VGA modes, but the techniques are also explained for nonstandard Super VGA boards. Thorough explanations are given for the basics of PCX file headers and graphics data compression; customizing display and color resolution; converting back and forth between color displays and PCX formats; converting BMP, RLE, GIF and TGA files to PCX formats; and even how to convert from Kodak Photo CD and Seattle FilmWorks CD pictures to PCX files. The attached CD-ROM contains all the programs from the book in executable form and source code, additional graphics utilities, and many graphics files in various formats for testing.

About the Author: Roger T. Stevens has authored several books on graphics programming and fractal geometry including Understanding Self-Similar Fractals, Object-Oriented Graphics Programming in C++, and Fractal Programming & Ray Tracing with C++.

List Price: $49.95
Lowest Used Price: $0.47
(As of 04:35 Pacific 22 May 2008 More Info)

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Related Software:

ALL2BMP
123GraphicConverter is a software tool that help you to convert your PSD, JPEG, GIF, and other graphics files to BMP, JPEGWMF, GIF, PNG, TGA, PCX, TIFF graphics files.
Able Graphic Manager
Able Graphic Manager is a program that enables you to easily view, print and convert graphic files in normal (file by file) and batch (many files at a time) modes. Input formats include Drawing Interchange Format (DXF), TIFF, JPEG, BMP, RLE, PNG, WMF, EMF, TARGA, VDA, ICB, VST, PIX, PXM, PPM, PGM, PBM and ICO, CUR. Output formats include JPEG, TIFF, PCX, PNG, BMP, Targa, PXM, PPM, PGM and PBM.
BatchImage
This program allows you to batch convert image files. It includes an effect edit function and allows you to stamp copyright information on your images. It supports JPEG, BMP, TIFF, PCX, PCD, PSD, TAG, PNG, WMF, EMF and PIC file formats.

Related Web Sites:

DaubNET: File Formats Collection: PCX
Unofficial technical/programming information about this file format.
PCX File Format Summary
Unofficial technical/programming information about this file format.

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