Embedded pattern images

Historically, ImageMagick has provided several "embedded" images,
accessed via individual coders.  For example "LOGO:" has returned the
ImageMagick logo image.  There is also "GRANITE:" and "ROSE:".  This
means of accessing embedded images is structurally very innefficient
since it results in a coder registration for each image.  Yesterday I
added an "IMAGE:" specifier which may be used to retrieve these
"legacy"  images similar to a filename (e.g. "image:name").  As of a
few minutes ago (in GraphicsMagick CVS), it may be used to retrieve a
number of tiny bilevel pattern images which are useful for filling
objects.

Here is part of the ChangeLog entry:

        * coders/logo.c: Renamed "transparent" image to "checkerboard"
        since it is a better description.  Added a set of tiny bilevel
        images (accessed via IMAGE:) for use when tiling, filling, or for
        use as a texture image.  The complete set of image names available
        via the IMAGE: coder are now BRICKS, CIRCLES, CROSSHATCH,
        CROSSHATCH30, CROSSHATCH45, FISHSCALES, GRANITE, HEXAGONS,
        HORIZONTAL, HORIZONTALSAW, HS_BDIAGONAL, HS_CROSS, HS_DIAGCROSS,
        HS_FDIAGONAL, HS_HORIZONTAL, HS_VERTICAL, LEFT30, LEFT45,
        LEFTSHINGLE, LOGO, NETSCAPE, OCTAGONS, RIGHT30, RIGHT45,
        RIGHTSHINGLE, ROSE, SMALLFISHSCALES, CHECKERBOARD, VERTICAL,
        VERTICALBRICKS, VERTICALLEFTSHINGLE, VERTICALRIGHTSHINGLE, &
        VERTICALSAW.  The HS_* variants are similar to the standard
        pattern images provided with the Windows GDI.

A simple example of using these pattern images is the following:

  gm convert -size 320x200 tile:image:HORIZONTALSAW saw.png

The resulting saw.png contains the pattern replicated over a 320x200
area.

These patterns were added because they require very little space while
providing access to a common set of "standard" patterns which will be
available to GraphicsMagick users starting in the next release.

Bob
======================================
Bob Friesenhahn
[email protected]
http://www.simplesystems.org/users/bfriesen



-------------------------------------------------------
Enterprise Linux Forum Conference & Expo, June 4-6, 2003, Santa Clara
The only event dedicated to issues related to Linux enterprise solutions
www.enterpriselinuxforum.com