Is it possible to transform 24 bit photos to 16 color bmp,without loosing the integrity of the picture.
I tried this in windows paint(for my xp) and it made my picture real ugly!!
I almost didn't recognize the picture!
I don't have photo shop or anything like that.(just the basic windows paint and hp photo editor)

If anyone knows any tricks, please let me know!

If you want a powerful freeware image editing program try GIMP.

Whichever graphics software you use, sounds like you will want the Posterize effect. In GIMP:

http://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-tool-posterize.html

thank you for the info! I like that gimp program.It has alot of useful features on it..

I am having trouble. I am not sure how to change it to 16 bit. do you know how?

I think you should be able to open up your photo, and then go to Colors->Posterize.

Then, move the slider to 16, hit okay. Then file-> save as, and save wherever you want and rename the file. It should be in 16bit colors.

it only saves it as a 24 bit photo

Do you mean 16 bit or 16 colors? (16 color is 4 bit.)

how many colors is 16 bit? Now it makes sense ..

I am sorry for my lack of knowledge in this field.. Hence,the reason I am here.
I am trying to transform a 24 bit picture into a 16 bit picture so I can utilize it in a bootskinning program.
I changed the colors to 16, and it changed it to 4 bit.(in gimp, posterize)
Obviously,this is incorrect! It has to be a 16 bit picture to work.
I need to know how many colors are in 16 bit to make gimp work for me,If I am correct.


My opening statement is misleading. do not let it confuse you.(sorry)
[quote name='triggerhappypappy' date='Apr 4 2009, 02:53 PM' post='1207990']
Is it possible to transform 24 bit photos to 16 color bmp,without loosing the integrity of the picture.

A boot skin? Then it is 16 color, but utilizing a palette. The Elder Geek has a tutorial for Paint Shop Pro here, I can't say for sure but it may be possible to adapt the procedure for the Gimp.

wow! I was all mixed up..
you were right.They are 16 color 4 bit photos.I figured it out..Thanks

Glad you got it resolved!