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From: kdarling@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Kevin Darling)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics,alt.graphics.pixutils
Subject: Re: Image file format poll results
Message-ID: <1991Feb28.204812.12418@ncsu.edu>
Date: 28 Feb 91 20:48:12 GMT
References: <1991Feb12.120203@Unify.com> <513@lysator.liu.se> <23390@well.sf.ca.us>
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Organization: North Carolina State University
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knoll@well.sf.ca.us (John Knoll) writes:
> Oh, come on. "The IFF format is an EXCELLENT structure...."  I disagree
>in that the image format (ILBM) really bites.
> The pixel values are stored in bitplanes, so if you want to read the value
>of a single pixel of an 8-bit image, you have to access 8 bytes in different
>locations, mask out the bits you don't want, and assemble a real byte.
> I find this kinda stupid.

Actually, up until a few weeks ago, I'd have agreed.  Since then I've
been thinking about the best format for exchanging picture files, and
I must admit that a variable number of planes makes sense from the
standpoint of only transmitting what is needed.

Altho I'd be happy if even-byte counts (8/16/24 planes) instead went
as chunky <grin>.  best - kevin <kdarling@catt.ncsu.edu>