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Converting Bitmap files into 4 colour 2bp format
Applies To:
Overview:Users of monochrome devices who use desktop wallpapers on their devices often need more space on their device to store a large colour image. Windows CE supports it's own native Bitmap format with the extension .2bp. 2bp files are 4 Tone Monochrome bitmap files, designed for use on the limited displays of early Windows CE devices. Tascal Software made an application that allows users to convert
BMP files into 2BP format on their host desktop systems. This allows
End Users and Wallpaper artists to make their packages available
for lower colour depth devices, such as the 4 Tone Monochrome hp
320lx and the 16 Tone Monochrome 360lx. The Tascal application, bmp2bp was only made available with Japanese menu's and Dialogues. This article discusses how to use Tascal bmp2bp and explains what the English translations of the menu's and dialogues are. This article is primarily based around the CESD-S-0013 Multimedia Tutorial.
How-to-Guide:
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| 1. |
Launch Tascal bmp2bp
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2. |
Import the BMP or 2BP image you wish to convert by:
or Dragging the bmp file onto the bmp2bp window
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The imported image will be displayed in the bmp2bp window in the resolution and colour depth that it was originally encoded in. bmp2bp will not change the resolution of
the image to fit to the Handheld Device's screen. To ensure
that your images fit on the screen ensure that the dimensions
meet the following criteria: Full VGA: Half VGA (Clam Shell):
From the 'Edit' Menu choose the 2bp transform method you want to apply to the image
Demonstration Image © BBC, Snell & Wilcox
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| 4. |
Pattern Dissolve:
The Pattern Dissolve method takes the original image and uses diffusion variants of the 4 monochromatic shades to give the impression of more tones of Grey. Use the Pattern Dissolve method when converting photographic images, and complex images with many colours or shades as you'll see from the central photographic image. To undo the action, choose 'Undo' from the 'Edit' Menu
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Strict Mono:
The Strict Mono method converts the image's pixels to their nearest neighbours on the 4 Tone Monochrome pallet. This method does not provide any shading and does not differentiate between objects. Use the Strict Mono method to convert less complex images and graphics to 2bp format. As demonstrated by the coloured boxes in the outer border of the image. Strict Mono 2bp files are smaller than Pattern Dissolve converted images. To undo the action, choose ' Undo' from the 'Edit' Menu
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Once you have the final version of the image save it by choosing:
The default image method is .2bp. If you with to create a Windows CE Compatible .bmp, change the suffix .2bp to .bmp. The image will be saved in the 4 Tone Mono conversion as a regular BitMap file. |
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| 7. |
To Close the current BitMap:
To Exit Tascal bmp2bp choose
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Links:
Tascal Soft Japanese Home Page: http://www2r.biglobe.ne.jp/~tascal/index.htm
Tascal Soft English Home Page: http://www2r.biglobe.ne.jp/~tascal/index_e.htm
Snell & Wilcox Home Page: http://www.snellwilcox.com/internet/
BBC Home Page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Acknowledgements:
With thanks to Nicolas for translation assistance and for working with us on this support article.
