Iff pbm

Qube · 17 January 2019, 21:13

Hi all,

Does anyone know how I can view or convert a weird IFF PBM format image file? (attached)

The file has the FORM header, but then a PBM subtype (Planar Bitmap?). It has a 256 colour CMAP by the looks of it. BODY looks like it's RLE encoded perhaps.

It originated from the MSDOS version of First Samurai, I thought it may open with MSDOS Deluxe Paint but nope.

Just wondered if anyone knew of an existing tool to open these or convert them etc.

It's just a curiosity more than anything!

Cheers!

Q;

Predseda · 17 January 2019, 21:16

https://fileinfo.com/extension/pbm ?

Hedeon · 17 January 2019, 21:22

IFF PBM are not weird if they are mentioned on the ILBM wiki page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILBM

Of course, it can be modified to prevent easy ripping.

Qube · 17 January 2019, 21:22

Unfortunately not the same PBM file format,

The one I'm after viewing seems to be a specific type of IFF/ILBM - some mention of this here - http://fileformats.archiveteam.org/wiki/ILBM#PBM

Q;

Qube · 17 January 2019, 21:24

Yes agreed not weird, but I am unable to view them in any graphics app. Tried Xnview, IrfanView, Deluxe Paint, various MSDOS viewer.. stumped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedeon

IFF PBM are not weird if they are mentioned on the ILBM wiki page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILBM

Minuous · 17 January 2019, 21:42

MS-DOS Deluxe Paint image, just a CMAP chunk and a BODY chunk; see screenshot.

Qube · 17 January 2019, 22:15

Hi Minuous,

It's strange as I am unable to open it using MSDOS Deluxe Paint II,

The last version (DP II Enhanced 3.0) just says Bad IFF Form, whereas older releases just say they can't load the file.

Perhaps the file has been manipulated in some way, or protected by the coders/publishers..

Q;

Hedeon · 17 January 2019, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qube

Perhaps the file has been manipulated in some way, or protected by the coders/publishers..

Q;

I guess our replies got crossed. But indeed, I would bet on this. Gimp also didn't want to load. Others say bad IFF file.

Qube · 17 January 2019, 22:39

I just found a mention in DP IV AGA's manual -

https://computerarchive.org/files/co...Manual-ENG.pdf

Page IV -

5. PBM Support
DeluxePaint IV AGA now reads the PBM (Packed Bitmap) file format. PBMs are output by PC-compatible versions of DeluxePaint.

So, these should open in DP IV AGA, but they don't - it simply reports 'Malformed or mangled IFF file'

So I guess they have been changed in some way, after DP.

Oh well, thanks for all your help everybody!

Q;

acd2001 · 17 January 2019, 22:41

It's possible with a hex editor and cut&paste with a sane image.
I use Grafx2 to convert to various formats.

Qube · 18 January 2019, 15:07

Thanks acd2001, that works.

For those interested, I also found a small utility to display R/IFF file information called Riffpad, here - https://www.menasoft.com/blog/?p=34

Cheers!
Q;

Minuous · 18 January 2019, 15:38

It's like Report+ but without the chunk interpretation feature or IFF handling capability.

17 January 2019, 21:22	#3
Hedeon Semi-Retired Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Leiden / The Netherlands Posts: 2,001	IFF PBM are not weird if they are mentioned on the ILBM wiki page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILBM Of course, it can be modified to prevent easy ripping. Last edited by Hedeon; 17 January 2019 at 21:28.

17 January 2019, 21:42	#6
Minuous Coder/webmaster/gamer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canberra/Australia Posts: 2,631	MS-DOS Deluxe Paint image, just a CMAP chunk and a BODY chunk; see screenshot. Attached Thumbnails

17 January 2019, 22:15	#7
Qube Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: England Posts: 218	Hi Minuous, It's strange as I am unable to open it using MSDOS Deluxe Paint II, The last version (DP II Enhanced 3.0) just says Bad IFF Form, whereas older releases just say they can't load the file. Perhaps the file has been manipulated in some way, or protected by the coders/publishers.. Q; Attached Thumbnails

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17 January 2019, 21:16	#2
Predseda Puttymoon inhabitant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tromaville Age: 46 Posts: 7,540	https://fileinfo.com/extension/pbm ?

17 January 2019, 22:39	#9
Qube Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: England Posts: 218	I just found a mention in DP IV AGA's manual - https://computerarchive.org/files/co...Manual-ENG.pdf Page IV - 5. PBM Support DeluxePaint IV AGA now reads the PBM (Packed Bitmap) file format. PBMs are output by PC-compatible versions of DeluxePaint. So, these should open in DP IV AGA, but they don't - it simply reports 'Malformed or mangled IFF file' So I guess they have been changed in some way, after DP. Oh well, thanks for all your help everybody! Q;

18 January 2019, 15:07	#11
Qube Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: England Posts: 218	Thanks acd2001, that works. For those interested, I also found a small utility to display R/IFF file information called Riffpad, here - https://www.menasoft.com/blog/?p=34 Cheers! Q;

18 January 2019, 15:38	#12
Minuous Coder/webmaster/gamer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canberra/Australia Posts: 2,631	It's like Report+ but without the chunk interpretation feature or IFF handling capability.

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