BMP

Action Plan: Bitmap Image File

Last Updated 4/14/2014

Description:  Bitmap Image File format (BMP) is a simple bitmap raster image format which was designed for early Windows and OS/2 operating systems. It is commonly used for in system icons, screen grabs and other system utility graphics. BMP files are sometimes however found online.

Codec: The current release is version 5, dating back to 1998. The structure of the BMP format has remained mostly consistent. There should not be backwards compatibility issues.

Software:  Adobe Photoshop ,MS Paint ,Gimp, Aperture(OS X), Almost all image editing suites

Long Term Preservation Plan:  Uncompressed Bitmap Image File format is #8 on the Library of Congress' Recommended Format Specifications list for raster images. The Library prefers TIFF, JPEG2000, and various others for their wider range and usability. The BMP format is free of patents and legal constraints. BMP files should be retained.

Division Specific Notes: "LC does not create BMP images in order to reproduce collection items or support collection preservation. Occasional BMP images may, however, be harvested as web-page elements (http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/ )."

Review in two years (2016)