RIOT 1.0.1

RIOT (Radical Image Optimization Tool) is a powerful photography companion program developed by indie developer Lucian Sabo. Its main purpose is to optimize your photos by dramatically reducing the file size without compromising on image quality.

RIOT offers a range of features that make it a feature-rich image solution. It supports a wide range of graphic formats, including Photoshop's PSD, and allows you to save optimized images in JPG, GIF, and PNG formats. For JPG images, you can even choose the quality level, while for GIF and PNG images, color reduction options are provided. The program also allows you to compare the original photo with the compressed image in real-time, thanks to its double-pane interface.

One of the standout features of RIOT is its impressive optimization capabilities. It can reduce the size of any photo to a fifth of its original size without any significant loss of quality. However, it's important to remember to save your changes before closing the program, as it doesn't display any warning messages or save the image automatically if you quit the app.

In addition to its standalone capabilities, RIOT can also be used as a plugin for other programs like IrfanView or GIMP. It can be extended with plugins to enhance its functionality, although currently, it only supports input plugin types. For example, by downloading the RAW + HDR plugin package, you can open HDR, OpenEXR, and RAW camera images.

RIOT seamlessly integrates with various image processing software, including XnView, GIMP, and web applications. It provides a straightforward interface for optimizing images for web usage, reducing file size while maintaining visual quality.

To integrate RIOT with XnView, simply select Filter > RIOT when viewing an image or Tools > Plugin > RIOT in the file browser. This launches the RIOT optimizer, allowing you to adjust compression parameters and preview the results before saving the optimized image.

For GIMP users, the RIOT plugin is available in the GIMP repository. Once installed, it can be accessed by selecting File > Save for Web using RIOT. This option guides users through the optimization process, enabling them to export their images in a web-friendly format.

The functionality of the RIOT plugin extends to web applications, allowing developers to incorporate image optimization capabilities into their web-based tools. By utilizing the plugin's DLL, developers can provide a "Compress to Size" feature that reduces the file size of uploaded images without compromising their visual quality.

Developers can also integrate image optimization into their own applications using the RIOT plugin. It offers a range of export functions, including RIOT_LoadFromDIB, RIOT_LoadFromFile, and RIOT_Show, which enable developers to load images, display the optimizer interface, and save optimized images.

With RIOT, you can drastically reduce the size of your images while maintaining their original quality. This makes them perfect for sending via email or publishing online, as it significantly improves the sending process. Additionally, RIOT works excellently with other programs and plugin types, making it an extremely flexible tool for optimizing your photos.