fractal image format (file format) (FIF)

Fractal Image Format (FIF) is a graphics file format that uses very high, lossy compression. As a file format, FIF format is resolution-independent, features brilliant rendering, and offers photo-realistic images.

FIF compression compares recurring geometric shapes in the image. In doing so, the mathematical algorithm examines smaller and larger image areas with regard to a similarity of shapes that are created during the transformation bymirroring, stretching and rotation. After a first rough approximation in which the outlines and color structures are determined, a second approximation is performed in which finer image details are described, followed by a third approximation, which in turn refines the second.

Due to the process, the coding takes some time, but it has the advantage that the resolution is independent of the number of pixels. The compression can reach compression ratios of up to 200:1 at FIF. In addition, no information is lost when a FIF image is reduced in size. The image quality is strongly dependent on the image content.

Transferred FIF files can already be viewed in the first version while the mathematical algorithms are still being transferred. The file extension is .fif.