David,
There is a problem with map files. They work fine for coloring, and in all ways intended. The problem is in comparing for duplication. Two identical maps as far as color values and sequence goes will not show as duplicate if one of the maps has been cycled and then saved. Would it be possible to have fractint list the map file used in the par even if the par is saved with colors? This would provide a reference by name to the map used in the par.
Using the "recordcolors=comment" option does this as long as the colors have not been cycled. Is it possible to know that the palette has been cycled and no colors have changed? I'll have to look into this.
Or could fractint somehow place a stop bit (sync place holder) in the map files so they could be aligned in the editor with a key entry?
Possible, but difficult. I can see how to remember where the first color is, but writing this information to the map file will create a map file that can't be read by older version of Fractint. Not necessarily a big problem, but worth some thought. Jonathan