Introduction

The LEADTOOLS Mixed Raster Content (MRC) C DLL provides functionality to let you incorporate image compression, file format support, and image processing into your Windows applications.

LEADTOOLS MRC compression offers programmers the advantage of programming optimal compression for documents that have both text and color images in the same file. Standard compression schemes are geared toward an image comprising either text or color, but not both. The MRC model offers the advantage of using optimal compression for images that have both text and color in the same image. This results in both high compression factors and high detail retention.

Mixed Raster Content mode (T.44) enables different coding methods and resolutions to be used within a single page by defining a 3-layer image model for structuring and combining the scanned image data. The image is segmented and each segment assigned a type based on the number of colors used in that segment. Segments can be combined and compressed using different compression schemes to create a file that balances quality with compression. MRC breaks an image, through efficient algorithms, into three different layers: foreground, background, and mask. Each layer is compressed separately using the best type of compression for that data type and is later uncompressed and recombined to restore the original image.

For Example: A foreground layer may contain color data for the text and line art, and may also contain photographic or continuous tone color data. The background layer generally contains low-resolution color image data, such as a background image, a wash or other pattern that would have text overlaid on it. The mask layer or the selector layer controls the process of image regeneration and contains binary image data with high spatial resolution, such as text and line art. This layer is used for drawing the corresponding foreground and background layers.

Raster Content format was defined for use for color and grayscale fax as part of standard RFC-2301 (File Format for Internet Fax).

Key Features:

Automatic segmentation of image area with the option to optimize it manually.
Manual segmentation of the image.
Multi-page saving capability.
Compression can be specified for each area type.
Three techniques are possible: Standard MRC T.44, LEADTOOLS MRC, or PDF by MRC segmentation.
With LEADTOOLS MRC technique, choose from CCITT G3 1D, CCITT G4 2D, CCITT G4 or JBIG for best compression of 1 bit areas.
With PDF segmentation through MRC technique, choose from ZIP, LZW, Fax G3 1D, Fax G3 2D, Fax G4 or JBIG2 for best compression of 1 bit areas.
Choose from JBIG, GIF (LEADTOOLS MRC), ZIP, or LZW (PDF through segmentation) for best compression of 2 bit areas.
Compress color areas with JPEG, CMW, CMP (LEADTOOLS MRC), ZIP, or LZW (PDF through segmentation).

Supported Environments:

The toolkit comes in Win32 and x64 editions that can support development of software applications for any of the following environments:

Windows Vista

Windows XP

Windows 2000

For more information, refer to:

Programming with LEADTOOLS Mixed Raster Content

Demo Programs

Compression Using LEAD and JPEG Formats

Introduction To Image Processing with LEADTOOLS

Summary of All Supported Image File Formats