Short:        PNG image datatype V45.13
Author:       oliver@futaura.co.uk (Oliver Roberts)
Uploader:     oliver futaura co uk (Oliver Roberts)
Type:         util/dtype
Version:      45.13
Requires:     OS 3.0+,picture.datatype v43
Architecture: m68k-amigaos; ppc-amigaos; ppc-morphos; ppc-warpup

Changes since previous Aminet release:

 - Fixed the WarpOS version from crashing with preferences options set.
 - Added a workaround for a VBCC compiler bug affecting the WarpOS version
   which could cause a system lockup when calling the GM_RENDER method
   (e.g. when using Multiview with the AfA OS picture.datatype).
 - Added user control of the default background colour when combining with
   an alpha channel (default changed from black to system background pen)
 - Integrated libpng 1.4.1.
 - Updated with zlib 1.2.4.


FEATURES

 - Supports both normal and interlaced PNG files

 - Gamma correction options allow the output image to be changed to
   suit your monitor/environment

 - Alpha channel handling can be configured to output RGBA bitmaps, or
   RGB bitmaps either by combining the alpha information internally
   using a configurable background colour or simply stripping it

 - Highly optimized datatype dispatch engine, and fast PNG decoder,
   resulting in a very efficient, compact and quick PNG datatype

 - Asynchronous file i/o and double buffering techniques (WarpOS only),
   which speeds up image decoding
 
 - Optimized versions for 68020, 030, 040 and 060

 - PowerPC support with native OS4, WarpOS and MorphOS versions

 - Alter the pen allocation precision when images are remapped to an
   8-bit display

 - Specific support for the AmigaOS picture.datatype v44+, when available

 - The dithering feature of the AmigaOS picture.datatype v44+ can be
   configured to your liking (e.g. disabled for 15/16-bit displays)

 - Based on libpng 1.4.1 and zlib 1.2.4


REQUIREMENTS

WarpPNG is a PNG datatype which utilizes and requires the following:

 - Kickstart 3.0 or higher
 - picture.datatype v43 or higher
   (i.e. either of the ones supplied with AmigaOS 3.5+, P96 or CGraphX)

 68k version

 - 68020 processor or higher (optimized versions included)

 WarpOS version

 - PPC accelerator card + 68040/060
 - WarpUp Release 5.0 or higher

 OS4 version

 - PPC accelerator card / AmigaOne / SAM
 - AmigaOS 4.0 or higher

 MorphOS version

 - PPC accelerator card / Pegasos / Efika
 - MorphOS 1.4 or higher

Note that a graphics card is not necessary.