Windows Imaging Component
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The Windows Imaging Component (WIC) is a new unmanaged code extensible imaging codec framework introduced in Windows Vista that allows applications supporting the framework to automatically get support of installed codecs for graphics file formats. It is similar to DirectShow or ACM/VCM, in that it can be extended using image codecs and can thus support third-party graphics formats on a system-wide basis. Additionally, Windows Presentation Foundation applications also automatically support the installed image codecs. Codecs for RAW image formats used generally by high-end professional digital cameras are also supported in this manner. Thus, by writing a codec once for WIC, developers can get system-wide support for that graphics file format in all applications that use WIC or WPF. Windows Imaging Component also supports Windows Color System, the ICC V4-compliant color management technology in Windows Vista.
Windows Explorer, Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Photo Gallery Viewer are based on this new framework and can thus view/organize images in any format for which the necessary codecs are installed.
By default, Windows Vista ships with the JPEG, TIFF, GIF, PNG, BMP and HD Photo codecs. Additionally, as of 2007, only high-end camera manufacturers have released WIC codecs for proprietary RAW image formats.
Although WIC is available for Windows XP, third-party imaging applications (image editors, organizers and viewers) using WIC are absent. Windows Photo Gallery on Windows Vista remains the sole application utilizing WIC.
