Fractal Image Format
| FIF | |
|---|---|
| File extension : |
.fif
|
| Magic number : |
46 49 46 01 hex FIF \ x01 ( ASCII-C notation ) |
| Developed by: | Altamira |
| Type: | Lossy graphic format |
The Fractal Image Format (* .fif) developed by Altamira is based on fractal compression . As with the Mandelbrot apple male, there are geometric shapes in nature that are self-similar, both large and small . The encoder tries to find such similarities by comparing smaller image areas with larger ones. He uses transformations such as mirroring , stretching or rotation .
While fractal images can take a long time to encode , they are decoded quickly and progressively. This proprietary image format does not offer any other web-specific features . FIF images have hardly been used on the web, as a browser plug-in is required for viewing .
There is also no longer an official address where you can download the developer's browser plug-in (fvp16w32.exe). Products with this technology are sold by LizardTech .
The FIF was introduced by the company Iterated Systems, whose co-founder Michael F. Barnsley is the "father" of fractal image compression. The FIF is a lossy, asynchronous coding method . Asynchronous means that the coding takes considerably more time than the decoding. The decoding can be done progressively, i. H. that during the decoding process, a rough image is shown, which is then refined step by step.
advantages
- very high compression with relatively little visible loss of quality
- Compared to jpg : Much better scalability and slightly higher quality with the same file size
- zoomable with only a slight aliasing effect
disadvantage
- Computationally intensive encoding
- lack of support: browser plug-in required for viewing, Adobe Photoshop and Altamira Genuine Fractals plug-in required
Web links
- LizardTech
- Iterated Systems has since been bought up by the content management system manufacturer Interwoven .
Individual evidence
- ↑ wolfgang-rolke.de/graphics , as of November 8, 2005