PFCD, The Palm File Compiler / Decompiler

  • Version: 2.0.2
  • Last updated: May-1-2006
Changes since version 1:
  • The thumbnail view is now a separate window and sizable.
  • Added a "Keep on top" control to the thumbnail window.
  • Added compression override controls for the compiler.
  • Added support for zip compression for MySkin.



screenshot
Click to enlarge
PFCD is a general-purpose utility that allows you to quickly extract, edit, and recompile the bitmaps and icons in most Palm OS resource files.

Most people will use PFCD as simple "skin maker" utility that will work with most Palm OS skins and programs.

To install PFCD, open the zip file and run the enclosed setup program.

To get started, use the detailed help file that comes with PFCD. Run PFCD.exe, press F1, and click the link at the top of the opening page.

PFCD should run under Win98SE or later, but Win NT or later is recommended for better support for long file names.

PFCD is FREE for personal use, but you must not use it as part of a commercial application without my permission. See the link at the bottom of this page for more info.

Features:
  • Extracts Tbmp, tAIB, and ARM abmp images. Other resources are extracted as binary “.bin” files.
  • Supports all Palm OS compression, scanline, RLE, and Packbits.
  • Includes a thumbnail viewer from which you can load a bitmap directly into your associated paint program, or copy the image to the Windows clipboard.
  • Extracts ZL Background images (Does not compile them.)
  • For VG / DIA programs by Dr. Pruss, PFCD will automatically join or split the large 16-bit images as needed. PFCD also supports the special zip compression used with MySkin.
  • PFCD exports an RCP file that can be edited if you need to make changes to color depth or transparent colors.
  • Automatically reads and sets all of the relevant Palm OS header settings (such as Creator, attributes, Version ID, etc.) and stores then as “comments” in the RCP file. The PFCD compiler will read these comments automatically when you are ready to compile your file.
  • Supports “Naming Tables”. These allow PFCD to automatically rename bitmaps and resources to “English” names. (EX: Rename Tbmp5437 to “Move button pressed-16.bmp”) You can also add relative paths in the naming table so that the bitmaps can be arranged into subdirectories. PFCD comes with a sample for ZLauncher themes. You can easily create your own with a text editor.
  • PFCD does not support skins that are in Palm OS “database” formats. (Some mp3 players use this format.)
The PFCD screen looks complex, but in reality, almost all of the settings are automatic.


Edit a skin in just 3 steps!:

1. Select the file you want to modify, and select where you want the bitmaps and resources to saved. (PFCD remembers the bitmap folder you choose.)

2. Click the "Extract" button. You can then edit the bitmaps with a paint program.

3. Click the "Compile" button to reassemble the bitmaps and resources into a compatible Palm file. NOTE: If you have closed PFCD before you compile your file, you will need to reload the RCP file first. (If you are editing a 16-bit VG / DIA skin, you will need to select the target device, either Sony or Palm.)


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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.