Graphic File

Formats

Objectives
Understand the difference between two
major categories of computer graphic
images
Investigate the differences between
various file formats
Generalize formats to the type of software
that creates them
Establish a philosophy of use for various
graphic file formats

Native File Format

A usable
description of
any software's
proprietary file
format.

Two Categories of
Formats

Bitmapped

Vector

Bitmapped Formats
Images are
created by
individual
pixels
displayed in
various colors.

Bitmapped Formats
Remember,
each pixel can
hold up to 24
bits (3 bytes)
of color
information

Bitmapped Formats
Bitmapped
formats have a
fixed resolution
Can NOT be
resized without
some effects on
the clarity of the
image

Bitmapped Formats
Bitmapped
formats are
best suited for
photographic
quality images

Bitmapped Formats
Scanners and
digital
cameras
acquire
images in
bitmapped
formats

Common Bitmapped
File Formats
TIF
JPG
BMP
PIC

GIF
PNG
PSD
PCX

TIF Format
Tagged Image File

format.
Standard between
MAC and PC bitmap
graphics.
Handles multiple
channel files.
i.e. RGB
i.e. Alpha Channels

TIF Format
Writes a "header"
that tells software
what information
is contained.
Header may
increase file size.
Not really a
problem with
modern hardware

TIF Format
Uses a LZW
compression
scheme.
No data lost, just
compressed.

JPG (Jpeg) Format

Joint Photographic
Experts Group
A file format and
compression
scheme.
Emerging as a
standard format for
photos.

Internet use.

JPG (Jpeg) Format

Lossy
compression Reduces data
during save.
Data loss can be
controlled.
Can reduce file size
in a ratio between
10:1 and 20:1.

BMP Format
Microsoft native file
format
PC system compatible
DOS
Windows
OS/2

No MAC compatibility.

BMP Format
Photoshop encodes to
1, 4, 8, 24 bit color
but .bmp can not
support channels.
No file space savings
for photos with .bmp.
- Try a JPG!

PIC (Pict) Format

A MAC native file
format.
Not PC operating
system compatible.
Can do 24 bit color plus
an extra 8 bits.
Any MAC monitor can
display 32 bit PICT files

PICT Format
MAC system
format used to
exchange data
via clipboard.

GIF Format
Graphics
Interchange Format.
Created by
Compuserve to
speed downloading
of graphics.
Limited to 256 colors.
Compression format

GIF Format
Can be both
interlaced and
non-interlaced
Common Internet
file format
87
89a (interlaced,
with one
transparent color)

PNG Format
Portable Network
Graphics
New format targeted
for Internet use
Can support up to 48
bit color
Big compression
factor
Can support multiple
transparent colors

PSD Format
Photoshop native file
format.
Supports all image types
from line art to photos.
Increasing compatibility
with other software.

PSD Format
PSD can hold an infinite
amount of channels!
Each layer can hold 24
channels.
Infinite amount of layers
are possible.
Subject to available
RAM!!!!

Multi-Channel to .GIF
Photoshop RGB
Convert to:

Indexed 256
Save as:

.GIF

PCX Format
From ZSoft Corp.
Many versions
exist.
Great for indexed,
grayscale and line
art.
Supports only one
channel.

PCX Format
Photoshop only
supports PCX
version 5!
Convert .pcx to
RGB to use most
Photoshop tools.
PC Paintbrush
format.

Kodak Photo CD - PCD

Kodak format for
images stored on
Kodak Photo CD.
Uses YCC color
model.
Limited to five
image sizes.

Kodak Photo CD - PCD

Photoshop
opens as a LAB
color model.
Photoshop can
not save as a
PhotoCD
format.

Bitmapped Formats
And Pixels

Vector Formats
Images are a series
of pixels that are
"turned on" based
on a mathematical
formula.

2(x + y)z

Vector Formats
Vector Formats are
basically defined by
shapes and lines
No more than 256
colors
Clip Art

Vector Formats
Not resolution
dependent
Infinitely scalable
Not appropriate for
photo realistic
images

Common Vector File

Formats
WMF
AI
Post Script
CGM

Fonts
DRW
CIL

WMF Format
Windows Metafile
Format.
Designed for easy
exchange between
Windows programs
via clipboard.
Common clipart
format.

PostScript Format
Developed by Adobe
Systems for
typefaces.
Expanded for many
graphic elements.
Encapsulated Post
Script (.eps) is of
this format.

PDF Format
Adobe Acrobat
file format.
Portable
Document
Format

PDF Format
Integrates color,
graphics and text
Searchable
format

CGM Format
Computer Graphics
Metafile
Most common DOSbased format
Used by Harvard Graphics
Freelance Graphics
Others

CGM Format
Older versions of
format may not load
cleanly into modern
versions of software
Can support very
elaborate graphics
A "schizophrenic" file
format!

Vector Formats
And Shapes

Software Choices
Traditionally,
different software
creates either
bitmapped or vector
art
This is changing!

Software Choices
For bitmapped,
names that include
the words Paint or
Photo indicates
that the primary
function of the
software is to create
and manipulate
bitmapped formats

Software Choices
For bitmapped,
names that include
the words Paint or
Photo indicates
that the primary
function of the
software is to create
and manipulate
bitmapped formats

Examples

Adobe Photoshop
Deluxe Paint
Photoshop Elements
Macromedia Fireworks
Corel Photo-Paint
Paint Shop Pro

Software Choices
For vector art,
names that include
the words Draw or
Illustrator
indicates that the
primary function of
the software is to
create and
manipulate
bitmapped formats

Software Choices
For vector art,
names that include
the words Draw or
Illustrator
indicates that the
primary function of
the software is to
create and
manipulate
bitmapped formats

Examples

Adobe Illustrator
Corel DRAW
Microsoft Draw
Macromedia Freehand
Serif DrawPlus
Macromedia Flash

Software Choices
Most modern
versions of
bitmapped
software also
include draw tools
Photoshop 6.0
now can create
vector art.

Software Choices
Adobe Acrobat,
desktop
publishing, etc.
software is
friendly to both
categories of
graphic types

When to Use What

and When!?!?

What are the requirements of

your output device?

When to Use What

and When!?!?

Image Quality

File Size

When to Use What

and When!?!?
Photo Image

Image Quality

File Size

Illustration

When to Use What

and When!?!?
Internet

Photo Image

Image Quality

File Size

Illustration

Other Computer
Devices

Curriculum Content and

Activities created by
Dr. Mark Mortensen
Dept. of Technology &
Cognition
University of North Texas