33 replies to this topic

[jxp]

I started web development in the dial-up days. In those times every byte counted. Because of this I've developed a habit of using 16-color bitmap and gif files (when appropriate).

This file type plugin allows you to save images as 16 color bitmaps or gifs. Obvously full color photos will look terrible but simple logos and small grayscale images can look good (and save precious bytes ) . This plugin adds the options Bitmap (low color) and GIF (low color) to the save as type drop down. (and now png and tiff too)

Not massively useful but I wanted it and it was interesting developing them. A 16 color bitmap uses half the space for the image than a 256 color one (it also has a much smaller palette!). A 16 color gif is more efficient to compress with a lower number of colors.

Previous updates

Hidden Content:

UPDATE 28 July 2009
Renamed dll from 16Colors.dll to LowColor.dll
Use Paint.NET save configuration (displays file size and progress)
Added Black & White mode
Added Custom colors mode (2 - 256)
Added PNG support
Renamed file types to Bitmap (Low Color) from Bitmap (16 color) etc.

UPDATE 31 Aug 2009
Added transparency threshold for improved handling of transparent images
Added 16-bit option (65,000 colours) for BMP and PNG files

UPDATE 25 Sep 2009
Added Tiff support (for D_M_S in General Qs forum)
Changed bmp unused palette bits to 0 (for Monty Burns)
Changed 16-bit format to be recognized by Windows (for n0tbugme)

UPDATE 07 Oct 2009
Fixed stupid, stupid (stupid) bug for tall images

UPDATE 04 Dec 2009
Preserve DPI setting when saving

Attached Files

•  LowColor.zip   7.83K   4569 downloads

[msyokm]

Hi jxp,
I was impressed with your plugin, 'cause I have been looking for a program that can save files with a color palette with fewer colors, and of course, free of charge. The paint program that comes with the Windows is not useful for me, whereas Paint.net is far more confortable.

And I'm now wondering your plugin could allow me to save files with binary GIF format, that is, a GIF format with black and white only. If it is possible, would you please let me know?

[jxp]

It doesn't currently support it explicitly (you could save a black and white image as a 16 color gif). I'll have a look at extending my plugin for you.

[msyokm]

Many thanks. I know I can count on you.

[jxp]

Update to plugin (see first post)

[msyokm]

Sorry that it took me so long to get back to you.

By the way, thank you very much for preparing such a useful plug-in!
Your second version covers what I expected!

In addition to expanding supporting filetypes of Paint.net, you have changed usability of the plug-in to a more user-friendly manner.
It really improves the very basic compatibility aspect of Paint.net!!

Thank you JXP!!
:wink:

[n0tbugme]

Hey jxp, when I first saw this filetype plugin, I thought it would finally be possible to save "16 Bit Depth" value BMP files with PDN... but I quickly realized that I couldn't, I could only get a "4 Bit Depth" value when saving a BMP. Would it be possible to add an option to your filetype plugin that would allow the user to save BMP images with a "16 Bit Depth" value? If so, this would be great, Thanks!

[jxp]

Some updates (as requested) see first post.

Added the 16-bit option for BMP and PNG file types.
Also improved transparancy options.

[n0tbugme]

Hi jxp. When I save an image with the new 16-bit option for BMP, in the "Summary" area of the BMP file Properties (when you right-click the file and select Properties), the Property of the "Bit Depth" Value is 32. The Bit Depth of the BMP file that I am trying to get, shows up in the Summary section of the Properties as a Value of 16, exactly like when you would save a BMP file in Photoshop when you select (the radio button) 16 as the type of output file.

[jxp]

n0tbugme,

Yeah I saw that too. As the file was smaller than a 24 bit bitmap I assumed it was just Windows mis-reporting the bit depth.
I don't have access to Photoshop. Could you do a very small sample (e.g. 10px by 10px) image for me and I will try to determine the difference.

[MontyBurns]

hi jxp,
first of all thank you very much for this really useful plugin. I've been searching for it for a long, long time.
I often work with 1-bit depth BMP images (Black/White).
I noticed a little thing that brings to some visualization problems if I use some programs: in the BMP file the color table is saved as an array of 32 bit integers (8 bits for Red, 8 bits for Green and 8 bits for Blue, then other 8 bits for reserved purpose). This reserved bits are set to 0xFF, but if I'm right they should be set to 0.

see http://www.warpspeed.../inf2html.cmd?..\html\book\Toolkt40\MMREF3.INF+2255

[jxp]

New update in first post to address the issues raised.

[Myrddin]

With so many updates, might I suggest the date of the latest update placed in the topic title? It eases user consumption.

Would that be okay?

Everything else looks in tip-top order, well done, jxp.

[MontyBurns]

Thank you very much jxp.
Now the plugin works very well!

[n0tbugme]

Thanks for the update jxp! This Filetype Plugin of yours should be part of PDN.

Oh! While using your Plugin, I came across a bug (error). Here is a simple way to reproduce it:

1) Set the size of a blank canvas (doesn't have to be blank, the bug shows up either way) to "256 x 384". (I haven't tried other sizes, but I'm sure the bug might show up again in a different resolution.)

2) Click "File > Save As..."

3) Use any "Low color" Save as type. I used "Bitmap (Low color) (*.bmp)".

Now, in the Save Configuration window, there is no preview of the image. And at the top where it normally says the size of the image, it says "Preview. file size (error)". If you were to click "OK" to save the image when this error occurred in the Save Configuration window, the saved file would not have any data of the image within it, therefore, it would be blank and with a different resolution.

[jxp]

The error seems to be when the picture is taller than it is wide. I've always used screen sizes (or square) for my testing. I'll investigate.

EDIT: This was a really stupid typo. I was using the height to check things across the width. Now fixed, new dll in first post.

[danheskett]

Hi - nice work on this plug-in. The fix from October solved an issue I was often having as well.

I am researching an issue that you might be able to confirm. Saving as a low-color TIF, it appears that the image will always revert to 96-DPI. Does that sound possible?

[n0tbugme]

Hi!

I got a problem with your plugin. As you can see in the screenshot i got no "low color" entries in drop down menu.
The dll is in the Effects folder and i restarted Paint.NET. I don't know what to do. I searched a long time to find this plugin and now it don't work.

My System: WinXP SP3, Paint.NET 3.5.1, Framework 3.5 SP1

Screenshot:


EDIT//
There is no content at "Plugin Load Error".

[Simon Brown]

The dll is in the Effects folder and i restarted Paint.NET.

It should be in the FileTypes folder.

[n0tbugme]

It should be in the FileTypes folder.

I feel so silly. Thank you very much. The problem is solved.