Bitmap and memory

Hi all, I need some help!

After writing an app for the Edge 1040 that uses a Picture, I started testing for the Edge 1030 device series.

I noticed that where the 1040 easily does anything, the 1030 provides me with "out of memory" errors quite soon.

Some basic testing has learned me:

1) .jpg files are very memory intensive. Even if the filesize is below 50kb, the 1030 (or Plus) cannot load them;

2) .png files are better, I have managed to load files with 176 Kb of filesize on a 1030 (where the 1040 is not complaining about 300 Kb files);

3) Some png files, even very small ones, give a memory error nevertheless. These .png files are created with "Gimp", using the "index" color mode in order to reduce file size. Compression mode does not seem to have any impact.

Is there documentation that I can use with the limitations of the 1030, or do I have to keep experimenting?

What is the best practice when I have a picture of a certain pixel by pixel size in 256 colors to format it for use on 1030 devices?

Thanks!

jim_m_58 over 2 years ago

The 1040 is a CIQ 4 device while the 1030 is CIQ 3. CIQ 4 has a graphics pool, and your image would be there instead of in your app's memory. Both devices have many, many colors so you may want to reduce the number of colors in your image. at least for the 1030

sirfive over 2 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

Thanks Jim, I knew I could count on you.

Will experiment with reducing number of colors further (had reduced already to 256).

I intend to create an option (next step) with the option for the user to upload an image (via a trick you suggested in another thread), but if the memory requirements cannot be calculated upfront, I think I will refrain from that option for the 1030 device series.

jim_m_58 over 2 years ago in reply to sirfive

Try doing for the CIQ resource compiler

See the Bitmaps section here:

https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/core-topics/resources/#resources

sabeard over 2 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

This FAQ topic may be more relevant, at least for the pre CIQ 4 devices which don't have the graphics pool.

https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/connect-iq-faq/how-do-i-optimize-bitmaps/#howdoioptimizebitmapsinmyapp

You can get a rough estimate on how much memory is required by taking the image HxW in pixels and multiplying by the bit depth for the number of colors per pixel. If you are about to run out of space, then you either need to reduce the number of colors or the size of the image you load.

sirfive over 2 years ago

Ok, thank you both.

The CIQ resource compiler way is nice, does not have a positive result, but I left the code in anyway.

I have reduced the picture just enough to keep the app running (only for devices not having CIQ 4).

Topic can be closed.