RE: [cgmo-webcgm] One more idea for WebCGM 2.0...

["Dieter Weidenbrueck" <dieter@itedo.com>]

Hi Ulrich,

 

if we provide a picture that is encoded in a predictable and simply-to understand way (only tiled raster, only one compression, preferably png for color, g4 for b/w),

then a simple application could extract this image for thumbnail use.

Also, it becomes possible to show this image in a preview dialog of a file open dialog without having to parse the entire CGM.

 

The benefit is that on a web page showing hundreds of thumbnails you don't have to use hundreds of viewer instances. You could extract the images and store them

on a server. I guess it would also be possible to extract the preview on the fly, however, that would require download of the whole file anyway, so it is not an advantage timewise.

 

Regards,

Dieter

-----Original Message-----
From: Ulrich Laesche [mailto:ulrich@ematek.de]
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 1:59 PM
To: dieter@itedo.com; CGM Open Technical Committee
Subject: RE: [cgmo-webcgm] One more idea for WebCGM 2.0...

Dieter,

 

what would be the difference between rendering a CGM image twice (as a preview image and as a full view) and your idea?  In MetaWeb, we offer an option to get rid of the tool- and scrollbars when displaying a CGM file in a very small window (i.e., preview).  In our JAVA solution eReview we generate small PNGs on-the-fly if a customer requests thumbnail display.  In both approaches links are added from the thumbnail (CGM or PNG) to the original view.  Is it the latter approach you envision?

 

Regards

Ulrich

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Dieter Weidenbrueck [mailto:dieter@itedo.com]
Sent: Montag, 5. Juli 2004 10:35
To: CGM Open Technical Committee
Subject: [cgmo-webcgm] One more idea for WebCGM 2.0...

All,

 

I suggest that we consider one more addition to WebCGM 2.0, which is the addition of a preview image in a separate picture.

 

ATA already allows for this, and I think it is a good thing to do. Users want to catalog CGM files in databases, and we are often

asked for thumbnails or preview images.

 

The picture could use a reserved name, e.g. "Preview Image".

 

Thoughts?

 

Regards,

Dieter