LO1- File Formats

What is a File Format?

A file format is how a piece of information is encoded on a computer file. File formats are designed to store specific types of information, such as JPEG and TIFF for image or raster data.The most common types of image file formats used in design based work are JPEG, GIF and .tiff. These have many benefits and disadvantages.

JPEG

JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEG files are not limited to the amount of colour in comparison to a GIF File. “JPEG files can contain colorful, high-resolution image data, it is a lossy format, which means some quality is lost when the image is compressed. JPEGs are cross platform, this is meaning the same file will look the same on both a Mac and PC.”

Source: http://techterms.com/definition/jpeg

Advantages of JPEG files

JPEG files have many advantages to them. For example:

large compression ratios which means that there is a shorter file transfer time.

The most common type of file format. This means that every digital camera is supported by JPEG files.

JPEG files are smaller which means they don’t take up much space in storage.

sources:

http://www.snowbound.com/formats/jpeg

https://technicallyeasy.net/2010/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-jpeg-files/

Disadvantages of JPEG FilesJPEG Files also have many disadvantages to them as well as advantages. For example:

Because the file can be compressed, some of the data is lost. This is called ‘lossy’ and it is an algorithm used in JPEG Files. However you can not see the loss of data until the image or file is edited.

The JPEG settings are already set in digital cameras which could mean that if you have the wrong colour balance set then the digital picture could have a unwanted tint to the image.

sources:

https://technicallyeasy.net/2010/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-jpeg-files/

https://agnessalcf.wordpress.com/capturing-manipulating-images/questions/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-jpeg-and-psd-files/

What are JPEG Files used for?

Typically, JPEG files are used in digital cameras and typically editing software such as photoshop.

GIF

GIF (graphics interchange format) is usually used on the web for animated images. They are a file extension for Animated raster images. A GIF file can support up to 256 colours and is ideal for images which have large blocks of single colour. GIF Files make it possible to change the background colour of the image or animation and can make it transparent which makes it able to place over other images or on webpages.

Source:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/dida/graphics/selectingrev6.shtml

Advantages of GIF Files

There are many advantages of GIF File formats. For example:

They are a small file which means it is easy to use online, upload online whilst still having good quality.

GIF files are appealing to younger audiences.

It is possible to change the background colour of the image or animation and can make it transparent which makes it able to place over other images or on webpages.

Sources:

https://stories4all9858697.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-animated-gifs/

https://stories4all9858540.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/the-advantages-and-limitations-of-animated-gifs/

Disadvantages of GIF Files

There are many disadvantages of GIF Files as well as advantages. For example:

GIF Files have a maximum number of colours which they hold. This is 256. This can mean that it may have a poorer quality than other types of file formats. This can lead to the picture having a pixelated effect.

Animated GIF’s will only play in browsers that support GIF Files. This means that certain people that use a specific browser will not be able to view the animation.

Sources:

https://stories4all9858540.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/the-advantages-and-limitations-of-animated-gifs/

https://stories4all9858697.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-animated-gifs/

What are GIF Files used for?

GIF Files are usually used for logos or images with solid colours. Again this is because GIF Files can only have up to 256 colours in the pallet and can lose quality once being edited.

Source:

http://news.digitalmediaacademy.org/tag/what-are-gif-files-used-for/

TIFF Files

A TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) can be compressed to deduct the file size whilst still containing the quality of image detail. TIFF files are similar to GIF Files because the background can also be transparent. TIFF Files can be saved without compression to keep 100% of the image, this is where each pixel is identical to the original image.

Advantages of TIFF files

These are some of the advantages of TIFF files:

TIFF Files have good compatibility. This is because they can be edited with the popular image editing software such as Photoshop. This means that people can send TIFF’s without worrying about the recipient not being able to view it.

TIFF Files don’t use compression. This means that none of the image quality will be lost when the image is saved.

sources:

http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8231427_advantages-disadvantages-tiff.html

Disadvantages of TIFF files

Here are some of the disadvantages of TIFF Files.

Because TIFF Files are not compressed, TIFF Files can take up more memory space than a JPEG File. This could indicate that when using a digital camera, you will not be able to take as many photo’s in that TIFF Format. This could then lead to a problem when trying to send TIFF Files over e-mail due to the file size being too big.

Sometimes the Size of the image can lead to being incompatible when using it on the web.

sources:

http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8231427_advantages-disadvantages-tiff.html

http://www.motocms.com/blog/en/pros-cons-types-image-extensions/

What are TIFF Files used for?

TIFF Files are usually best for when printing an image.

Source:

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/graphicformats/f/summary.htm

PSD Files

PSD stands for PhotoShop Document. The default editing programme for this file format is photoshop. PSD files allows the user to add layers on top of the original image. It also allows the user to take apart the layers of the image and edit them.

source:

http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/PSD-Adobe-Photoshop-default

Advantages of PSD Files

PSD Files can preserve layers. PSD files can handle simple vector layers, making them more suitable for importing and exporting data from programs like Adobe Illustrator. PSD also supports masks, color profiles, alpha channels and spot colors.

PSD files tend to be extremely large, since these lossless images use no compression. This preserves all image information.

sources:

https://agnessalcf.wordpress.com/capturing-manipulating-images/questions/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-jpeg-and-psd-files/

Disadvantages of PSD Files

Because the file saved is takes up a lot of storage, like TIFF Files it can be difficult to e-mail or send the file to someone due to it’s size.

Some programmes don’t understand how to open a PSD File.

Sources:

https://agnessalcf.wordpress.com/capturing-manipulating-images/questions/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-jpeg-and-psd-files/

What are PSD Files used for?

File formats are usually used for web graphics.

PNG Files

PNG Files stands for portable network graphics. PNG Files are raster images which was created as a replacement for GIF Files. lossless format, meaning that compression doesn’t affect the quality of the image.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/whats-the-difference-between-a-gif-a-jpg-and-a-png-file/#ixzz3ofk97kAH

http://www.motocms.com/blog/en/pros-cons-types-image-extensions/

Advantages of PNG

PNG Files preserve colour better, this indicates that PNG Files are a better choice when using big files because the colour won’t be damaged.

PNG Files don’t discard of any information.

Source:

http://www.motocms.com/blog/en/pros-cons-types-image-extensions/

Disadvantages of PNG.

If the image is larger, it is best to save it as a JPEG because of the amount of storage the file would take up.

Another disadvantage to PNG Files is that you can’t store multiple images in one file.

Sources

http://www.motocms.com/blog/en/pros-cons-types-image-extensions/

https://www.logaster.com/blog/png/

RAW Files

RAW is an image file format used by many high-end and professional digital cameras. They are considered to be the best form of image file, since it does not process the picture, leaving total control of the editing to the user. RAW file size is much larger that .JPEG files, but is slightly smaller than .TIF files. RAW image files can be edited by Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paintshop Pro. RAW image files can be converted to .JPEG or .TIF by using ReaConverter.

source:

http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/RAW-Raw-File-Format-bitmap

Advantages of RAW Files

An advantage of RAW files is that the images can be 'fixed' in ways which would be very difficult without the raw sensor data

Source:

https://technicallyeasy.net/2010/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-raw-files/

Disadvantages of RAW Files

the file size is large. This means that the image will take more memory up on your camera as opposed to a JPEG file.

Source:

https://technicallyeasy.net/2010/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-raw-files/

Raster vs Vector Files

A raster image is also known as bitmap images. They are based on a grid of colors known as pixels. Each pixel is assigned a specific location and colour value. With raster images you edit groups of pixels rather than objects or shapes. Whereas vector images are made up of lines and curves and are defined by mathematical objects called vectors. These graphics retain their crispness whether they are moved, resized, or have their colour changed. In comparison to raster images where if you do anything like what a vector graphic does (moving, resizing, changing colour) it can make the image lose detail, become jagged when scaled up onscreen or printed at a lower resolution than they were created for.

What applications create vector images?

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor, is similar to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.

Draw it. Draw it is an easy-to-use, powerful vector drawing application designed for the Mac.

Sources:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/20-vector-graphic-editors-reviewed/

What applications create raster files?

Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard image editing and bitmap creation package for professional developers and designers. Photoshop is used to create formats for both print and screen design.

Corel Paint Shop Pro (PSP) is an image editor and graphics creation package aimed at the professional market. It has a lot of similar features to Photoshop, making it one of Photoshop's main competitors and it is much cheaper.

What is a metafile?

A metafile is a file containing information that describes or specifies another file.

These files define objects and images using a list of coordinates. They are typically used for vector images, such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and EPS files, but can include raster images as well.

Sources:

http://techterms.com/definition/metafile

Book References:

Graphic Design School- David Dabner - page 133Photoshop in the classroom - page 240