Displaying .RLE Files as Wallpaper Under Windows

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q87933
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Windows 3.1 allows the use of .RLE (run length encoded) files as background wallpaper. To use an .RLE file as wallpaper:

  1. Run Control Panel.

  2. Choose the Desktop icon.

  3. Type the name of the .RLE file in the Wallpaper text box.

MORE INFORMATION

.RLE files store pixel color by run length, or the number of similar colored pixels that are side by side; whereas .BMP files store the color values for each pixel in the bitmap. A line in a .BMP file may look as follows: 

   blue,blue,blue,red,red,white,white,white,white
The line above would appear as follows in an .RLE file: 

   3 blue,2 red,4 white
The Wallpaper list box in the Desktop section of Control Panel only displays files with a .BMP extension. However, .RLE files may be selected by entering the name of the file in the Wallpaper box.

KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 wall paper bitmap

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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