Don  Lancaster's Guru's Lair Font  &  Bitmap   Manipulation   Library
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Did you know the word can be shown legibly as a 2x3 dot matrix?

This library page holds a collection of fonts, utilities, tutorials, and
demos of some exceptionally legible low resolution font and bitmap
manipulation techniques. Along with a definitive collection of
our image postproc tools.

I needed methods to let Acrobat ~directly~ generate .BMP bitmaps,
to be able to retouch panel lettering on test equipment images, to
improve .GIF banners, to "alpha" mix topos and aerial images, and
to continue my ongoing interests in alpha transparency and ultra small
font displays as used for screens and ebooks.

I also need methods to resample images. To increase their size, do
dodging & burning, pixel interpolation, or attempt perspective correction.
And somewhere along the way, to end up with the finest eBay images,
bar none.

In general, this stuff is hand crafted and does strange things in odd
ways. Some docs may be skimpy. Others are partial or incomplete.
But these do what I want them to.

A note on our Bitmap Typewriter. The latest code eliminated
any need for individual catalogs of custom crafted fonts as each
and every character is now generated on the fly from most
any PostScript font. I've placed much of the older code in
a separate Bitmap Fonts library archive.

Often, a routine will be based on my PostScript Gonzo Utilities. You
bring it up in an editor or word processor, send it to Acrobat Distiller,
and then use the resultant log file, PDF file, or (yes!) .BMP file for
your final app.

Consulting help is available per our InfoPack services. Related info can
be found on our PostScript, Acrobat, and Webmastering library pages.

Exploring the .BMP data format EXPBMP.PDF #14      The .BMP data format is essential any time you are post-processing      any image. Here is a tutorial review and a bunch of utilities that let      you dramatically improve your images.                                             5/03

Click here for the Gonzo utilities.
Click here for a Sample Demo.
Click here for more BMP Manipulation help.

Click here for the EXPBMP.PSL sourcecode.
Click here to Contact the Author directly

Image Post Processing Tools POSTPROC.PDF #88      A tutorial review of all of our post processing and bitmap      manipulation current tools. Includes details of key variables     and proc use details.                                                                            03/08

Click here for the GuruGram 88 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly

Pixel Interpolation Algorithms PIXINTPL.PDF #83        A review of popular pixel interpolation schemes including Bilinear,      Nearest Neighbor, Bilinear with lookup, Modified 3x3, and Bicubic.      Includes detailed bicubic math derivation. .                                    11/07

Click here for the Pixel Interpolation utility.
Click here for the Pixel Interpolation demo..

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click here for the GuruGram 83 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Gonzo PostScript Utilities Guide GONZOTUT.PDF #79        The long overdue tutorial and directory to my Gonzo utilities. These      are a combined PS pagemaking and illustration package that features      super quality text justification, electronic schematics, more.         08/07

Click here for the Gonzo PostScript utilities.
Click here for the PostScript library.

Click here for the GuruGram 79 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Using Distiller to run PostScript! DISTLANG.PDF #29        Acrobat Distiller makes a superb host based PostScript computer!        Greatly expanded tutorial and update of DISTLANG.HTML reveals        the key concepts and insider tricks involved.                             12/07

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click for the older DISTLANG.HTML tutorial.

Click here for additional Consulting services.
Click here for the DISTLANG.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Universal .BMP  Manipulator UNIBMPM.PDF #56      A PostScript framework that allows virtually any manipulation of the      .BMP image format. Done by writing the entire bitmap into memory       at once as an array of PostScript strings. Easily extensible.          08/05

Click here for the Bitmap Manipulator utility.
Click here for the PostScript library.

Click for the UNIBMPM.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Background Filler & Vignetter NUBKG01.PSL       A variation on our universal BMP manipulator that replaces       a white background border with a patterned JPEG artifact       reducing color. Also includes a fancy vignetter.

Real Time Acrobat Animation PDFANIM.PDF #47        A tutorial and set of utilities that let you do real time Adobe Acrobat      animation using surprisingly compact files and easy commands. The      specific example is of a Three Phase Power Simulation.              03/05

Click for the Three Phase Power animation example.
Click for the Rebounding EM theory tutorial.
Click here for the PostScript library.

Click hereto reach the Acrobat library
Click for the PDFAMIN.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Gonzo PS Powerpoint Emulator GONZOPOW.PDF #20      Converting PowerPoint slides for .pdf" web presentation presents all      sorts of problems that are completely eliminated by using this direct      raw PostScript slide show emulator. Uses Gonzo utilities.                9/05

Click here to for the MSINTRO1.PDF demo.
Click here to for the DELTAMS1.PDF demo.
Click here for the MSINTRO1.PSL sourcecode.

Click here for GONZOPOW.psl" source code.
Click here to reach the PostScript library.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

A Digital Airbrushing Algorithm AIRBRUSH.PDF #87      A tutorial on our new classic but surptisingly sophisticated bitmap      airbrushing tool. Takes four points of a selected quadralateral and     provides a smooth two dimensional gradient between them.        03/08

Click for the AIRBRUT1.PSL actual utility .
Click here for the GuruGram 87 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly

Our Bitmap Typewriter is a third generation technique to provide
outstanding legibility to small bitmap lettering. It is especially suited
to eBay images, as shown here, here, here, and here.

The Bitmap Typewriter provides a true anti-aliasing and total pixel
lock for most any PostScript font and does so without any lowpass
filtering. It is probably the best that can possibly be done without
going to subpixel techniques.

Individual characters are generated on the fly when and as needed,
eliminating any requirement for preprocessed font image libraries.

Some earlier techniques are now archived in our Bitmap Fonts library.

A Revised Bitmap Typewriter BMFAUTO1.PDF #53      A major overhaul of our previous utilities that generate ultra legible      small forts for bitmap image retouch and other superlegibility apps.      Fonts are now internally autogenerated on the fly.              rev 05/08

Click here for the Bitmap Typewriter utility.
Click here for the PostScript library.

Click for the BMFAUTO1.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Bitmap Perspective Lettering BMPERLET.PDF" #91      A tutorial on a utility that allows you to take a "flat" mixed text and      graphics bitmap, distort it for left or right architect's perspective,      and paste it into a final bitmap for "infinite depth of field".           02/08

Click for the BMPERLET1.PSL utility.
Click here for the GuruGram 91 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Bitmap Circular Lettering BMCIRLET.PDF" #92      Reviews earlier ultra high legibility, low resolution.BMP bitmap      typrogray tools. Adds cylindrical,  perspective, and circular      lettering.  Shows how to deal with logos.                                    05/08

Click here for the GuruGram 92 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

All sorts of neat tricks can be done by reading a .BMP file and
modifying the individual pixels, and then recombining the results
with one or more additional bitmaps.

Naturally, there are bunches of exotic imaging processing software
packages out there. But it is more fun and more challenging to do the
same tasks using PostScript. Especially for "what if" experiments.

One thing I am particularly interested in is adding topo map detail to
aerial photos. Or seamlessly alpha blending the two.

PS Bitmap Image Blender BLENDER.PSL       PostScript code to read a .BMP pixel by pixel, modify those pixels      and rewrite to a same or different .BMP file. Example adds topo map      features to an aerial photograph. View in editor and then distill.

Click here for the JPEG Blended Bitmap.
Click here for the original .JPEG Aerial Photo.
Click here for the original JPEG Topo Map.

Click here for the .BMP Blended Bitmap.
Click here for the original .BMP Aerial Photo.
Click here for the original .BMP Topo Map.

Image resampling is the key to changing the size of an image,
or doing dodging & burning, or geometric correction. I'll try
to develop some examples and new apps here.

Blatant Opportunist #67  STEPPREP.PDF       Secrets of Step-by-step Image Prep. Postprocessing. Scanner vs      camera. knockout knockouts. Pixel locking. Adding detail. Improving       lettering. The small stuff. For more help.

         Click here for a companion bitmap.
            Click here for STEPPREP.PSL sourcecode

Swings & Tilts for your Digital Camera! SWINGT01.PSL      A PS language .BMP file modifier that adds view camera effects to      your digital camera! Uses true Bicubic Interpolation. View in wp or      editor, change filenames & params, resave, send to Distiller.

Click here for the Before .BMP testfile.
Click here for the Before .JPG example.
Click here for the After .JPG example.

Click here for the Gonzo utilities.
Coming soon: GuruGram tutorial.

Dodge & Burn Tutorial & Utility DODGEBUR.PDF #17        A tutorial on our DODBUR01.psl" utility that gives all sorts of      image improvement corrections to .BMP images. includes dodges,      burns, hue & saturation, vignettes, chroma, masking, more...         5/03

Click here for the DODBUR01.PSL utility.
Click here for the DODGEBUR.PSL sourcecode.

Click here for the Gonzo utilities.
Click here to Contact the Author directly

.BMP white "punchthru" avoider NOWHIT01.PSL      A PS language .BMP file modifier that changes any true white      pixels to slightly less than white. Stops overlay glitches View in wp      or editor, change filenames & params, resave, send to Distiller.

Click here for the Before .BMP testfile.
Click here for the After .BMP testfile.

Click here for the Gonzo utilities.
Coming soon: GuruGram tutorial.

White Backgrounder KNOCKBACK.PSL        Attempts to replace every bit from borders inward till a white      pixel is found. Punchthru avoider must be run first, and      some manual work will be needed in undercuts..

Magic Knockout Backgrounds KNOCKOUT.BMP       These are some of the knockout backgrounds I use for my eBay       photos. Besides their subtle texture, they greatly minimize JPEG       edge artifacts. View with any viewer. Cut and paste using Paint.

Click here for the Auction Help library.
Click here for our eBay examples.

False Color & Rainbow Mods FALSECLR.PDF #82        Tutorial and sourcecode shows how to improvea false color and      rainbow effects by equalizing saturation and modifying hues.      Includes table lookups exportable to most any language.          11/07

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click here for the GuruGram 82 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Image Keystone Correction Ap KEYCOR01.PDF #55       An update and revision on our older swings and tilts utility that offers     easier data entry, less trial and error, internal punchthru elimination     and other advanced features.                                                                07/05

Click here for the Keystone Corrector utility.
Click for the KEYCOR01.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly

PS Array to Image Conversion PSAR2IMG.PDF #42      Extensive graphics calculations involving arrays in the PostScript      language can be converted to compact and fast executing standard      images by using these obscure and little known techniques.   11/05

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click here for the Original Slower demo.
Click for the PS Array to Image utility.

Click here for the PSAR2IMG.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

My eBay Photo Secrets EBAYFOTO.PDF #22      Highly detailed tutorial on creating successful eBay product      photos. Fundamentals. The "hex" method. The "square" method.      Dealing with image theft. Links to postproc utilities, more..        7/03.

Click here for the My eBay Secrets tutorial.
Click here for the Son of eBay Secrets tutorial.

Click here for EBAYFOTO.PSL sourcecode.
Click here to Contact the Author directly

Auto-Tracking PDF web links AUTOURL.PDF #05       Sourcecode and insider secrets for automatically repositioning      Acrobat url links. These can be data base entered and are totally      source document controlled. They move correctly upon editing. 07/02

Click for the Acrobat library.
Click here for the GuruGram05 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

.BMP properties reporter BMPRPT01.PSL      A PS language .BMP file inspector that reports header attributes.      Determine size, compression, format, etc... View in wp      or editor, change filenames , resave, send to Distiller.

Click here for the Gonzo utilities.
Visit our GuruGram tutorials.

Tech Musings #141  MUSE141.PDF (october 1999)         Secrets of sub-pixel resolution improvement. Diode rf switches and     attenuators. Anti-aliasing and grayscaling. Possible hydrogen storage     breakthrough. Some ultrasonic book resources.

Click here for more Tech Musings tutorials.

Bicubic Interpolation tutorial from Michael Aramini         A tutorial on the "best" nonadaptive and fairly computationally      efficient means of resampling picture bitmaps.

Click here for our Consulting Services.

Inverse Graphics Transforms INVEGRAF.PDF #85         When modifying graphics images, an inverse or "comes from"      transform may be needed instead of the usual "goes to" Tutorial and      examples show some of the math techniques involved.                 12/07

Click here for a Nonlinear Graphics tutorial.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.
Click here for the AOSutil1PSL utility.

Click here for the GuruGram 85 source code.
Click here for the PostScript library.

Bitmap to PS Array Conversions BMP2PSA.PDF #84      Bitmap images can be extensively modified in subtle ways by first      converting them to a PostScript array of strings. Turotial and core      utility routines for an upcoming series of image tools.                 12/07

Click here for the GuruGram 84 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Using Cubic Splines for Image Iterpolation BASIS.PDF       Cubic spline Basis Functions are a powerful but little understood       method of curve control. Tutorial includes fundamentals along with       application of hires cubic splines to image interpolationn .

Click here for the BASIS.PSL sourcecode.

Gonzo Utility Log Log Plots LOGLOG.PDF #64     Ultra fancy engineering graphs and plots are quite easy using     my PostScript Gonzo Utilities. Tutorial details new utility     useful for creating log-log or semilog engineering plots..      05/06

Click here for the actual Log Log Utility.
Click here to download the Gonzo Utilities.

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click here for the GuruGram 64 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

The math behind Cubic Splines CUBEMATH.PDF #58        A tutorial on exactly where the underlying math behind Bezier      cubic splines comes from. Includes plots of Basis Functions and      the "snake in the box" visualization.                                                   01/06

Click here for the Cubic Spline library.
Click here for the Guru 58 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Image Interp Table Lookup Generator IMTABLE.PSL       Complex cubic functions can be replaced by simple table lookups       when using Basis Functions. This example shows how to create the       PostScript needed tables for hires cubic spline image interpolation.

Click here for the IMTABLE.PDF checkplot .

Full Raw PostScript Transparency PSTRANS2.PDF #52      Additions to Acrobat have finally made providing full transparency      from PostScript easy and simple. A brief demo discusses the new      SetTransparency PDFMark operator and how to use it.             05/05

Click here for the Transparency Demo utility.
Click for the PSTRANS2.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Extreme Display Legibility Secrets LEGIBLE1.PDF #50         A tutorial that shows you how to gain screen legibility that is better      than the printed page! Subpixel direct digital display addressing, true      post anti-aliasing, authoring schemes for improved legibility...      05/05

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click hereto reach the Acrobat library.

Click for the LEGIBLE1.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Simple new EM field solutions REBOUND1.PDF #43        Total Heresy new "Rebounding" method of solving electromagnetic      fields that requires NO fancy math! Zero Laplacian solution tutorial      includes printed circuit, busbar, and 3-phase conduit examples.  05/05

Click here for the PostScript library.
Click for the PS Rebounding utility.

Click here for the REBOUND1.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Acrobat "Galley Slave" GALLERY.PDF #06       Sourcecode and insider secrets for PDF thumbnail gallery      generation. The many advantages over HTML include data base      sourcing, single file delivery and fast images.            7/02

Click here for additional PostScript help.
Click here for more Acrobat PDF assistance.
Click here to view our eBay live auctions.

Click herefor the GALLERY.PSL sourcecode.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Cubic Splines for Image Interpolation BASIS.PDF #04       Cubic spline Basis Functions are a powerful but little understood       method of curve control. Tutorial includes fundamentals along with       application of hires cubic splines to image interpolation.            08/02

Click for the Cubic Spline library.
Click here for the GuruGram04 source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

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