File Formats

What is a file format?

file formats are the terms for different types of

structured information in a computer file. file
formats are created to store precise types of
information which other software, or other file
formats, do not support as easily.

JPEG

JPEG is a type of file format, which is primarily used for formats in

the identity of Illustrations and photographs. It is described as a
lossy1 file format, which means that it compromises image
quality to ensure a small quantity in disk space. Jpeg files are not
primarily known for being used for professional photographs or
imagery however, since the lower quality can ruin images of this
type. Instead JPEG files are used for images used on websites or
online applications, since high quality imagery isnt necessary in
this field. Since it holds less disk space to other file formats, it
can be opened by a range of different editing software.

1. Evans P. (2004), Forms, Folds, and Sizes: All the Details Graphic Designers Need to
Know but Can Never Find, Rockport
2. 2.http://i1.wp.com/kestreldesign.co.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/02/PNG_transparency_example.png?resize=550%2C250
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PNG

PNG is a file format mainly used for image

compression. Mainly used for illustrations and
photographs, it has many similar features to JPEG
files. A difference with PNG files is that they
usually take up more disk space that JPEG files,
however, the most common feature that is
different is that it has a compatibility for
transparent pixels. It is also similar to a GIF file,
Like a GIF, a PNG file is compressed in lossless
fashion (meaning
all image3.information is restored
3
when the file ishttp://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/PN
decompressed during viewing).
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GIF

A GIF is a 2D raster file format, which comes in

two forms, one being a single image file, and
another with many images within a file, which is
able to produce short animations and clips, which
are repeated over and over to extend the length of
the animation. This is the most common format of
GIF in recent years, as they are very popular with
social media. As said previously, GIFs are used for
images, photographs, Short animations, and short
video clips. Since it is for image formats, the short
film clips contain no audio.
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TIFF

The TIFF file format, was introduced in 1986 as

a file format for imagery, and is classed as
One of the most common graphic image
formats . TIFF files are mainly used for 3D
graphics, medical image applications, faxing
and desktop publishing.
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6.
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tion/TIFF-Tag-Image-File-Format
7.
http://skuld.bmsc.washington.edu/r
aster3d/examples/example2.jpeg

PSD

A PSD (Photoshop Document) is known as a layered

image file, which is compatible with Adobe software,
such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign, And adobe
Illustrator. After a Photoshop image has been
completed, the software allows the opportunity for the
user to flatten he images layers into one full layer, so
that it is able to be saved as a Jpeg, Png, or any other
compatible document. Its only drawback is that the
PSD format alone is not supported by many image
editing software's outside of Adobe.
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10

RAW

A RAW file keeps most of its benefits in the

editing software within the camera, theyre
taken from and the software it is edited with.
RAW files are used for photographs. A good
benefit about RAW files is that it allows the
user to control the amount of light and colour
that shows in the image. Meaning that you
have complete control over the image. A raw
file is not an image format, and is described as
information gathered by the sensor and
9. http://digital-photography-school.com/the-basics-of-raw-filesdelivered to you
on a memory card.
and-what-to-do-with-the-darn-things/
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11

EPS

An EPS file is an image file which is mainly

used for exchanging images like illustrations
such as logos or maps. An EPS file can contain
images, text or graphics within one image file.
Meaning that its useful for many different
types of needed images. They are very well
known, meaning that they can be created with
many professional drawing and editing
software's.
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Vector & Raster

Vector images, are usually in the form basic illustrations and logos, which are
commonly known for their tendency to loose no quality when the image is
enlarged. Vector images use mathematical data to fill in any missing data by
predicting where each line or colour will end and start. These ends and starts
are known as paths. This means that they are more likely to be used for logos
since logos are usually enlarged for different platforms, such as a website or a
book.
A problem with Vector images is that they have a limited amount of paths.
Thus, the images are known to be extremely basic in appearance, with only a
handful of different colours.
Software like Adobe Illustrator, Inscape and CorelDraw create vector graphics.
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Vector & Raster

Raster images are known for their tendency to lose quality when enlarged,
which is the direct opposite of a vector image. Raster images are primarily
used for photographs and detailed illustrations. A benefit with raster images
is that they are able to keep a lot of detail in colour and in lines. This is also a
complete opposite to vector images, which do not support too much colour
since it would confuse the mathematical paths it generates. If somebody
wanted to create a high quality raster file, it would have to have a large
canvas rather than it being enlarged after its production.
Software that creates raster images include MS Paint, Adobe Photoshop and
Paint.net.
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13.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raster
_graphics

Metafile

A metafile is usually known for computer graphics which

describes the type of file that uses coordinates and other
mathematical values to help create an image. It is also
worded as agenericterm for a file format that can store
multiple types of data. This commonly includes graphics
file formats.14These files can contain Vector and Raster
files, but are most commonly known for Vector files since
they help sustain the mathematical data which is needed
to construct each image of this format.
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