bdf2biff

Name

bdf2biff - converts a Bitmap Distribution Format font file to a BIFF file

Syntax

 bdf2biff <Bitmap Distribution Format file> [<Outfile>]

Description

Converts Bitmap Distribution Format files (.bdf files) to a BIFF file of at least 255 bands, each of which contains a character. The foreground pixels in the image will get the value `0`, and the background pixels will get the value `255`.

Reads from <Bitmap Distribution Format file>. This must be given in the call. If <Outfile> is given, bdf2biff writes to the file <Outfile>, otherwise it writes to standard output.

All characters in the .bdf file with ENCODING number greater than 0 and less than 256, will be placed in the band with that number in the biff image. Characters with ENCODING number -1 will be placed in bands with numbers larger than 255. If there are numbers between 0 and 255 which have no corresponding character, the band with that number will only contain a single pixel. If there are characters with encoding number not between -1 and 255, the program will write an error message and stop without making the biff file. The ENCODING number of a character is usually the same as the ASCII number.

The image info will contain the following:

 #FONT <the font name>
 #CHAR <name of char(glyph) 1> <corresp. bandno>
 #CHAR <name of char(glyph) 2> <corresp. bandno>
  ...       ...                             ...
  ...       ...                             ...
 #CHAR <name of char(glyph) N> <corresp. bandno>

The font name is read from the FONT line in the .bdf file. The name of the characters are read from the STARTCHAR lines.

Author

Oyvind Hillesund, Copyright NR

Developed by

BILD, Norsk Regnesentral, Oslo, Norway

Examples

bdf2biff charB08.bdf charB08.biff