Color RLE

File Format
Name	Color RLE
Ontology	Electronic File Formats Graphics Color RLE
Extension(s)	.rle
Released	≤1987

Color RLE is an obscure variant of CompuServe RLE graphics format. The format, and DOS software for decoding it, were apparently developed by Tom Morgan of Micro-Technologies. The format may have been tested at a BBS named "The Sound of Music" (sysop: P. Waldinger).

Discussion

The format supports 4-color CGA-style images. A 16-color format was proposed, but might never have been implemented.

The software exists in a number of collections of old shareware. But it's uncertain that even the 4-color format was actually used, and if so, whether any of the image files survive (other than one sample included with the software).

Identification

4-color files start with bytes 0x1b 'G' 'C'.

If 16-color files exist, they start with 0x1b 'G' 'E'.

Specifications

• RBBS in a Box V3.1 #1 → HDNO/GRAFTOOL.ZIP → C-RLE.TXT

Software

• crle.zip (~1987-01-09)
• RBBS in a Box V3.1 #1 → ROCK/RLETOOLS.ZIP (~1987-01-14)
• RBBS in a Box V3.1 #1 → HDNO/GRAFTOOL.ZIP (~1987-02-18)
• Deark

Sample files

• crle.zip → GEORGEC.RLE

Links

• Rediscovering Compuserve RLE Graphics - Briefly discusses Color RLE.
• 516 Area Code BBSes Through History - Lists Sound of Music BBS.