fblogo - Converts images to framebuffer-logo header file

fblogo [-2] [-h] [-d] [-v] [inputfile [outputfile]]

fblogo takes a png image as input and generates an appropriate linux_logo.h which can simply be included in the kernel. It will be displayed when the framebuffer device is enabled. You can also use it to generate full screen splash screens for the Linux Progress Patch.

-2, --linux-2.2

Use this option to create a linux_logo.h suitable for 2.2.x kernels. By default, a 2.4.x/2.5.x - suitable linux_logo.h will be created

-4, --linux-2.4

Create a linux_logo.h suitable for 2.4.x kernels (default).

-h, --help

Displays a short help message

-v, --version

Display version string

-d, --verbose

Verbose mode, give some feedback.

inputfile

The input file, has to be a PNG with less than 224 colours. If omitted, stdin will be used.

outputfile

This will most likely be linux_logo.h, so you can simply replace the file in the linux source tree. If omitted, stdout will be used.

In order to actually see the resulted logo at boot time, framebuffer-support needs to be enabled in the kernel. CONFIG_EXPERIMENTAL=y

CONFIG_FB=y

CONFIG_FB_VESA=y

- or whichever driver suits your graphics card.

You also need to tell the kernel to boot with the correct resolution, e.g. if you use lilo, specify a correct value for the vga-Parameter:

vga=791

This will enable booting with a resolution of 1024x768 at 16bpp. See Documentation/fb/vesafb.txt in the linux source tree for more modes.

Generate a linux_logo.h using fblogo. This is actually the most difficult part, it is tough to get the colours looking good. The best results can be achieved by using netpbm or ImageMagick to do the quantization like so:

Using netpbm:

pngtopnm imagefile.png | ppmquant -fs 223 | pnmtopng | fblogo > linux_logo.h

Using ImageMagick:

convert -colors 223 -dither <inputimage> <image>.png ; fblogo <image>.png linux_logo.h

Place this file in include/linux/linux_logo.h

Update drivers/video/fbcon.c to reflect the new size of the logo:

#define LOGO_H 80

#define LOGO_W 80

If you are going to compile a Linux 2.2 kernel, you have to do one additional step:

Edit the file linux/include/asm-<arch>/linux_logo.h and change to the correct LINUX_LOGO_COLORS to the right number, as pointed out when using -v or inside the linux_logo.h produced by fblogo.

Recompile your new kernel.

fblogo_patch (1)

fblogo was originally written by Daniel Vedøy <daniel@kongsberg.online.no>, then adopted by Gordon Fraser <gordon@debian.org>. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.