SFINX software tree - Image - bitmaps

X bitmaps (.xbm) are simple, easy to create image. Limitations: monochrome only.

XBM images are used as icons under X. XBM images are also often used on the Wold Wide Web, since originally, only GIF and X bitmaps were supported. XBM images can easily be included into C programs.

XBM image manipulation

The X window system comes with a utility bitmap which can be used to edit XBM files.

Creating XBM images

XBM files can be created with the bitmap program. They can be converted to a (ascii) text file using bmtoa and back using atobm. The ascii representation has - for empty bits and # for filled bits.

Conversion from some other image formats is possible, using xv or the ImageMagic tools.

Converting to other image types

Converting XBMs to other image formats can be done by xv or the ImageMagic tools.

Printing XBM images

The latest version of xv can do it directly. Otherwise, first convert to PostScript and then print the PostScript file.

David.Jansen@strw.leidenuniv.nl

Last modified: Fri Dec 1 14:07:08 MET 1995