If you are new to RealPix, start with "Introduction". If you have worked with RealPix using an earlier version of this manual, this section provides a quick look at how the manual has changed.
The following RealPix feature works with RealPlayer 7 or later.
The <image/> tag, which defines the names and handles for image files, can include size and mime attributes. These attributes give the size of the image file in bytes, and the image file's mime format, respectively. They are useful when delivering RealPix with a Web server. See <image/> for more information.
The following sections describe new features in Release 7, Update 1 of RealPix. RealPlayer 7 or higher is required to play RealPix clips that use the following new features. RealServer 7 with Update 1 (or a higher version of RealServer) is required to stream clips using these new features.
RealPlayer and RealPix now support the PNG image format in addition to the JPEG and GIF formats. RealPix supports all PNG functions except gamma settings.
RealPix now supports transparency in GIF and PNG images. Transparency is not maintained between regions in a SMIL presentation, though. See "Transparency" for more information.
RealPlayer 7 or higher can pop up new windows when the viewer clicks a hypertext link in RealPlayer. RealPix now supports these pop-up windows through its url attributes. See "Pop-Up Windows" for more information.
The following sections describe new features in Release 7 of RealPix, as well as changes and corrections to this authoring guide.
RealPlayer 7 or higher is required to play RealPix clips that use the following new features. Unless otherwise noted, though, the clips can be streamed from RealServer G2 Gold, or RealServer 7.
RealPix now supports grayscale JPEGs in addition to RGB JPEGs. Progressive JPEGs cannot be used with RealPix, however. Streaming grayscale JPEGs requires RealServer 7.
You can now include a background color in the <head/> tag. See "background-color".
The new <animate/> tag controls how long an animated GIF cycles through its frames.
RealPix now supports simultaneous effects. For example, you can now fade in two images at the same time. Sample files included with this manual illustrate simultaneous effects. RealNetworks recommends that you keep the destination rectangles distinct when you use simultaneous effects. Do not fade two images into overlapping areas, for instance.
The RealPix broadcast application has been removed from the HTML version of this authoring guide. The broadcast application is now part of the RealSystem Authoring Kit, available through registration at http://www.realnetworks.com/products/authkit/index.html.