[ArkPhaze]

What about trying to make the data transform algorithm more complex, to make the images more visually appealing/interesting, or even better

For my program this was the main focus, so good idea for consideration.

How does it work now? Is it simply filling it row after row? What about going in a "square" spiral, starting at the center? What about going zig-zag? Or diagonal?

Simply row by row, bottom to top column, each row right to left.

6<---5
4<---3
2<---1

For example, first store one third of the data in red channel, then green, then blue. Or take 8 pixels (8*3 = 24 bytes) and 24 bytes of input data and then take one bit from the first byte of the input data and store the bit in the first pixel. Then take second bit from the first byte of input data and store it in the second pixel and so on. Simply, don't put the whole input byte into a whole byte of one channel, but scatter the bits of the input byte among multiple pixels.

For each byte though wouldn't that be a large output? I'd need to test with a small file at first at least until I get some kind of compression.

An idea for actual encrypting - use some original arbitrary picture as a key - only store difference (for example, or XOR) from this picture, so it will be required for decoding as well. The picture will basically become a "password".

Hmmm... I knew you had a creative mind. This is a cool idea. I like it.

Instead of one large picture, generate a series of 8-bit bitmaps and then save them as an animated GIF. Since GIF already uses some compression, it might help to further compress the data. You can use it in combination with the above. You can generate a palette to make the images visually interesting or give user ability to generate a palette, for example using some color gradient.

Using a combination of real compression and this theory, I might be able to come up with some really cool method of encryption/compression...

Reading through the rest... For as much as I can't stand you sometimes lol. You do have some good replies.

These are some good ideas. This experimental project may actually even turn into a larger project now that i've got some ideas going.