"INVERTED PIXELLING" by Havoc of FUN Industries
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Usually I spend a lot of time on handpixelling graphical effects that can also be achieved
by advanced functions in applications like for instance Photoshop or Apex Media. Then this
compo was announced. The objective was to create as good a picture as possible in less than
three kilobytes. So I started to check out different painting techniques and their effect
on the pack ratio of the allowed file formats. My experience was that handpixelled stuff
actually has a far worse pack ratio than effect-based graphics, which was kind of a surprise
to me. To give you a clear example: the picture I did for the 4-colour-competition is 2,501
bytes in size, and this one 3,004, even though the theoretical optimum bitdepth per pixel
is 9 instead of 2 and 20% more pixels are used. These data are true for the PNG format,
which turned out to be the clear winner for ultra-small file sizes. GIF compresses a lot
worse, JPEG seems to need some kind of relatively large image header before it's excellent
compression ratio begins to show and therefore isn't suitable for really small images/
filesizes. It would surprise me if any of the other entries wouldn't use PNG. (To put
everything in perspective: too bad the FIF format wasn't allowed, it's a fractal-based
compression algorithm that can (theoretically!) store *any* image within *any* desired 
amount of bytes. Ofcourse the availability of processor power is the limiting factor here.)

So it became clear to me that effect-driven graphics are the way to go if size-optimisation
is the main objective. For this competition that was the case, so why not? I'd never enter
a non-handpixelled picture in a normal graphics compo (except if it would be at a pc party
where everyone else does it too and I happen to need some cash <grin>), but this compo imho
clearly is different.

Be assured that this picture was created 100% by more advanced tools than my favourite one, 
the single-pixel edit tool. I had some good fun while trying to imitate my normal pixelling
techniques with Apex' advanced tools. It turns out that I've grown so used to pixelling by
hand that, for me, using effects often takes more time to achieve a comparable result.

For once, I will vote for a competition that I entered myself. Usually I don't do this
because I want to avoid running into moral dilemmas and because I'm far more interested in
other people's opinion about my work than my own (I already know that one quite well ;)).
This time, however, I won't encounter any moral dilemmas for sure (people who know me will
probably understand quite well how much I like this entry myself by now ;)). I also think
that the number of voters in the previous competition was *extremely* disappointing, 
a lot of people expressed that they liked the competition, but a far too small fraction of
these people actually took the (little) time needed to vote. I never realised how much of a
punishment it is to write and send a 3-line email.

As you have noticed, I'm using a lot of words to comment on small things once again. Luckily
you have chosen to open this file yourself, so I can't be blamed for boring you (did that
yourself mate! ;)). I'd like to end my comments by expressing my gratitude and respect to
the people who played a vital role in making this picture possible:

Black Scorpion Software: for creating Apex Media and especially the interpolative line tool.
Adobe Incorporated: for creating Photoshop.
Mustek Incorporated: for creating shitty scanners which are affordable to poor students.
Martin (ex-Giants): for creating better random skylines than I do.

Decide for yourself who you would like to give credits for this picture. ;)

Cheers,


/Peter (aka Havoc of FUN Industries).

Contact me by email: havoc@fun-industries.nl
Check out our soon to be opened WWW headquarters at: http://www.fun-industries.nl/