The Bitmap Converter

Bitmaps provide the pixel patterns used by pictures, icons and masks, sprites and brush styles for filling areas of the display. To optimise bitmap handling performance, Symbian OS uses files containing multiple bitmaps in its own bitmap format. These files are of two types:

• ROM image bitmap files

• file store bitmap files

The Bitmap Converter tool is used to convert bitmaps designed on a PC to Symbian OS bitmap format. The tool is also used to perform the reverse conversion process, so bitmaps can be created on either platform.

C++ developers do not have to use the tool directly to build bitmaps into the Symbian OS bitmap format, as it can also be done as part of the standard abld project building process. See the description of the start bitmap statement in the project definition file documentation for details.