| Full Name | Dr. Halo |
| Format ID | ImGearFormats.CUT |
| File Extension(s) | *.cut, *.pal (for the separately stored palette) |
| Data Type | Raster image |
| Data Encoding | Binary |
| Multi-Page Support | No |
| Alpha Channel Support | No |
| Metadata Update Support | No |
| ImageGear Platforms Support | WIN32, WIN64, .NET, .NET64, Unix, Unix64, MAC |
N/A
ImGearCompressions.RLE - Indexed RGB: 8 bpp
ImGearCompressions.RLE - Indexed RGB: 8 bpp
None
The Dr. Halo file format is associated with the HALO Image File Format Library, the Dr. Halo III paint program, and other applications created by Media Cybernetics.
This format consists of two separate files, one with an extension of .CUT and the other with an extension of .PAL. The .CUT file contains the image data and the .PAL file contains the color palette.
The .CUT file begins with a simple header of just three data fields: width and height of the image data (pixels by scan lines), and a reserved field intended for use with any future expansions of the header. The image data is always RLE-encoded and follows the header.
The palette file (.PAL) contains a header, with information about the type of palette used, and the size and maximum values of the Red, Green, and Blue components. The palette can be hardware-specific, in which case it contains additional data.
When a CUT image is loaded into ImageGear, the palette is initialized to a grayscale ramp. In order to achieve the original colors of the palette (PAL file), it must be loaded separately into the HIGEAR image.
When saving an image into the Dr. Halo format, ImageGear creates a .CUT file. In order to save the palette (PAL file), it must be saved separately.
See the RLE Compression for more information.
Auto-detection of CUT format (Dr. Halo CUT) is disabled by default. The format is not popular and has unreliable detection. An application can enable auto-detection of the format if needed, using IImGearFormat Interface.DetectionEnabled Property.
Murray, James D. and William vanRyper. Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., 1994.