- FIGleaf Inline -

README for Version 1.0

Below are two images which are embedded into this document so that they can be viewed with your FIGleaf Inline Plug-in. The first image is a CGM (vector) and second image is a GIF (raster). See the text following the images for a comparision of raster versus vector graphics.

You can access the FIGleaf Inline home page at Carberry Technology by clicking with the right mouse button on either image, and selecting the "About FIGleaf Inline..." option.

- Why Use Vector Graphics? -

Among the many reasons that people choose to use vector-based graphics over raster-based graphics, is the fact that vector graphics allow image scaling with no loss in the image quality. This is possible because vector graphics contains information as mathematical entities such as ellipses, rectangles, splines, and polylines. This allows you to zoom into an image, while maintaining the mathematical properties of each object. Some people who depend on vector graphics are Computer Aided Design engineers, page layout artists, and graphic designers.

Try zooming into the CGM and GIF file above by holding down the Control key and using the left mouse button to define your zoom window. Notice how the CGM file, when zoomed in looks much smoother than the GIF zoomed in.

Why are Raster Graphics Prevalent?

In comparison to a vector image, a raster image is a fixed set of bits, which allows only one description of the image. Raster data consists of instructions which tell the viewer to make this dot red, make this one blue, make this one burnt umber, and so on. When you start to zoom in to a raster, it knows nothing about the image other than which dot is red.

While this type of data is very easy to generate and view, it is really only useful for static pictures such as photographs. This is why there is so much raster data on the Web.

Our Commitment.

We are committed to CGM as a vector file format for the World Wide Web because it has the capability to store vector and raster data, in the same picture. Thus giving you the benefits of both vector and raster data when you need it.

We at Carberry Technology believe that CGM will allow the World Wide Web to distribute valuable content efficiently because it is flexible (it can contain vector and raster data), extensible (there are provisions for adding your own elements), and standardized (the Department of Defense has issued a CGM standard as part of the CALS initiative). We hope you will take the time to investigate using CGM as your file format.