Image File Formats: JPEG vs. PNG and Creating a Custom Format

Key Differences between JPEG and PNG

• JPEG does not support transparent backgrounds.
• PNG supports transparency.

Issues with Online Image Searches

• Searching for PNGs often results in incorrect file formats or low-quality JPEGs.

Objective

• Create a new image file format using Rust.
• The new format will be called profile.

Development Steps

Converting PNG to Profile

1. Function Creation: Function to translate PNG's RGB values to hex values.
   • Hex is chosen for its shorter length (6 chars) compared to RGB (10 chars).
   • Store pixel colors as hex strings in the new format.
   • Add new lines to indicate rows of pixels in the file.
2. File Storage: Write the hex strings to a file with a .profile extension.
   • Initial output: Bunch of colors in one row.
   • Update: Add new lines to handle rows properly.
3. Problems & Solutions:
   • Size Issue: Profile formats were ~3.3 times larger than PNG (sometimes up to 98 times).
   • Compression not explored but considered.

Viewing the Profile File

1. Rendering the Image:
   • Read the file and extract hex values to color each pixel on a canvas.
   • Initial Errors: Troubles with incorrect characters and wrong extensions.
   • Fixed by setting the alpha value for RGB.
2. Windows Integration: Ensure Windows can run the program to open profile images.
   • Multiple libraries and tools tried for displaying images.
   • Successful implementation found after extensive search.

Final Implementation

• Utility Function: To turn a PNG into a profile: cargo run compile [path-to-image]
• Open Profile Images: cargo run [path-to-image] or set profile.exe as default to open profiles.

Summary

• The project is experimental and meant for fun—not efficiency or practicality.
• Available on GitHub for those interested.

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to all patrons and YouTube members for their support.
• End of the video note: See you in the next one!