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Is it a vector format? It could capture pixels as well, and patterns.

It is, in one variant anyway, a re-playing (capture) of the QuickDraw drawing commands. It is one reason it is a hard format to decode without having the original Mac Toolbox QuickDraw code handy.

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It was a vector format which could contain embedded bitmaps - which also neatly describes SVG. The format was fairly well documented in "Inside Macintosh: Imaging With QuickDraw", particularly appendix A ("Picture Opcodes").

https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/ma...

Then I am now surprised that SVG can embed bitmaps. Thanks.

PICT supported vector commands like FrameRect and FillOval, bitmap commands like BitsRect, and even embedded PostScript via PicComments.

Version 1 PICTs: https://show.docjava.com/posterous/file/2012/07/9614411-DOC0...

I have the Version 2 documentation around here somewhere. I don't think I've looked at it in 20 years, though.

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