Digital Graphics File Formats

Coral Welburn

Raster Graphics• http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/raster-graphics “  Raster graphics

are digital images that have been created or captured as a set of samples of a given space” 

• Raster graphics are often linked in with bitmaps, as thats what they are made up. Bitmaps are graphics that are made up of pixels, which all record colour information for certain sections of the image. Which all have fixed resolutions that are set, resulting in distortion occurring when resizing. Raster graphics is also linked in with pixels, which are millions of little squares that have recorded what colours are in what part of the image. Which is why when certain images are saved from the internet and its goes pixelated and blurred is because compression has occurred, which is because the image needed resizing into less megapixels. 

Vector Graphics• Vectors are paths which are defined by a start and ending point. Which have

other points, angles and curves along the way. These paths are able to create simple drawings or some perhaps more complex. There is no loss with vectors as there is no limit in size between big and small scales. Which is why vector graphics are great for logos which can be used with companies, which can be placed on smaller things such as business cards or even big things such as being blown up onto a billboard that can appear in many different places.

Raster Graphics

JPEGStands For Joint Photographic Experts Group

Used For/Example JPEG’s are commonly linked with digital images and photographic evidence on websites. Uploading photo’s onto social networking sites, such as Facebook, save the image as a JPEG. 

Advantage JPEG’s decrease the sizing of files, more commonly for website’s and social networking sites so the viewing time is sped up and is easier for people to see. JPEG’S 

Disadvantage The disadvantage to using a JPEG is the lossy compression, Because the file is being reduced to a much smaller size, it takes away the quality of the image, This can happen by re-editing it over and over, which is by opening it and closing it several times, adjusting it each time this is done. 

TIFFStands For

Used For/Example Tiff is a computer file format that is widely popular with graphic designers as it used with Adobe InDesign, storing raster graphic images. 

Advantage When working with TIFF you are able to save a document that could contain multiple page documents, however its only saved as a single file, which means that you aren’t left with a large number of files. Amongst all the space, on that document you are guaranteed the same quality of image that was put on there due to compression. So you are able to keep the high standard of work produced. 

Disadvantage Along with the high’s there are some lows with TIFF files. Even though its saved as a single file, the file size will be huge proving difficult to transfer or email it over to anyone else. However if it were to be sent somewhere else, the receiving person would have to have InDesign as they wouldn’t be able to open the file otherwise, as its not a worldwide file format. 

GIFStands For

Used For/Example GIF is linked in with short digital animations which are often found on the internet. However it can also be used for logo’s as its suitable to work with sharp edged lines that would fit well with artwork of some kind.

Advantage Gif offers the option to put together a series of images that can be played on a loop, creating an appearance of a video clip. Also 256 different colours can be chosen, which also comes as an option for the animations and allows this amount of colour for each framing. GIF has an even smaller file size as a JPEG. 

Disadvantage There is a very small time limit on the loop of images, which also doesn’t provide a very good quality turn out. This is due to the cut down of the file, compressing it, losing the quality of colours etc. 

BMPStands For

Used For/Example A bitmap image file is similar to a JPEG or a TIFF. It is used to store bitmap digital images. It most common to work with Window’s, however it is now recognised by many programmes such as Macs or other PC’s. The format is able to store data for each image without any compressions, however this method can come with advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantage The quality of the images that are produced is high and crisp, due to the method of storing the image. No quality is lost as no compression is used which results in no information being lost permantently.

Disadvantage As no compression has been used it means that the file size hasn’t decreased, meaning that it can take up a lot of space and cant preferably be sent over the web by email as it goes over the limit allowed

Vector Graphics

PSDStands For

Used For/Example Photoshop is a programme that is designed to work with images that can be edited and changed in many ways. Photoshop is a well known programme that is popular by users that can get it on their computer devices. Where you will see many of these documents would be the front cover of a magazine, or a calendar

Advantage Photoshop comes with many good quality’s such as layers which allows you to keep adding onto an image if you are wanting to manipulate it to a certain extent, so the document allows you to save all of those layers onto one document. 

Disadvantage As its an adobe software, you can only open it if Photoshop is installed, otherwise the file can not be opened. Also the file size is huge, limiting to what can be done with it as certain email software's don’t allow such big files, unless sent over things such as sky drive. 

AIStands For Adobe Illustrator

Used For/Example AI is a file format  that is has been set up and developed with adobe, which “represents single page vector based drawings”. Adobe Illustrator art works with things such as logo’s and detailed drawings, this format is common with graphic company’s because it allows these things. 

Advantage AI can be supported by other applications such as adobe after effects, Corel Paint Shop Pro, Cinema 4D etc, which then allow you to go on and edit the chosen files. However you are restricted to choice. Things such as preview allow you to view the file, but not edit. This still is an advantage as notes can be taken on things that need to be edited in the future. Another advantage to using AI files is that there is no loss to the image, the scaling ranging from small to big as vectors don’t compress the file resulting in it losing information and the quality decreasing. In comparison to photoshop, Adobe Illustrator gives more control over text and provides better quality images when sometimes involved with text. This is because you are given options such as OpenType fonts and composing paragraphs. 

Disadvantage The file sizes aren’t compressed, meaning that they are kept as big files restricted you to sending it over email, also can effect the viewing speed of the files. Adobe Illustrator is complicated to work out, meaning you have to know your way around things for everything to be done properly. This been complicated for people who are perhaps new to the application. 

FLAStands For Flash File

Used For/Example Flash file creates things such as animations and games, which can include sound and video footage. Adobe Flash is frequently used with viewage of videos and audio footage, along with adverts and content on web pages. These types of files could appear on things such as games like crazy taxi on the yahoo website, it all requires flash player. 

Advantage The good thing with FLA is that you are able to produce a high quality image, with such a small file size which leaves much more storage space for other images/final pieces of footage.

Disadvantage To view the files flash has to be installed. A lot of devices have flash automatically installed, however there are some that don’t that might be because they don’t know how to install it, or that it effects their device. Another disadvantage to a FLA file is that they tend to have a slower loading time on certain webpages, which might be because of the device its been shown on however people don’t always want to sit around and wait for files to load. 

WMFStands For

Used For/Example WMF is a file format that has been designed by windows. It is similar to an AI file in regards that it is often used for logo creations and can also vary in size. It is often used with microsoft such as Word, Powerpoint and Publisher. 

Advantage This file format allows you to vary with the size of big or small as there is no loss due to compression, leaving you to add more detail if needed. 

Disadvantage This file format is not popular due to other file formats that could possibly be used. Meaning that it could be slightly out dated, with other formats that could be used instead.

File Format Capture and Optimising

CompressionDefinition Compression is where a file size is reduced,. What this

does is reduce the amount of ‘bits’ that appear in a piece of text that has too much space or with an image that has a certain amount of block colour. ”Graphic file formats are designed to compress information as much as possible as a lot of the files tend to be large files”. http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compression

Advantage Most graphic files that are saved take up a lot of space due to the file size, so compressing the file reduces the size which then leaves you with more space on your documents etc. Graphic designers with websites use compression a lot as a lot of devices aren't able to load such big files, for example phones or slow computers. So compressing a file reduces the loading time and more people are able to view images.

Disadvantage Each time the file size is compressed it brings the quality of the image down. As they are compressed it saves smaller squares of colour each time, the image becoming pixelated. What this does is blur the image contents, sometimes making it hard to see specific objects.

Image CaptureMethod Scanner

How is it used for image capture of graphics

A scanner allows you to digitalise physical image’s such as sketches that you are wanting to perhaps email or edit on a PC or mac with the software programmes provided. Also it helps scan physical photographs that perhaps were printed off that you are wanting online or saved as a backup or mixed media products.

Method CameraHow is it used for image capture of

graphicsA camera allows you to capture certain objects such as buildings, physical objects that have been built etc. Then it can be transferred onto a computer device that can then be edited on with Softwares such as adobe Photoshop

Method Graphics TabletHow is it used for image capture of

graphicsA graphics tablet allows you to have complete control of the mouse like it’s a pen, allowing you to vent your artistic idea’s into a drawing, or perhaps use it for text.

OptimisingWhy would you optimise? Images are optimised to ensure there is easy viewing once

uploaded onto the internet, making sure that they load properly and quickly. Images that aren’t optimised are guaranteed to take longer, resulting in the decreasing number of views. 

How can you optimise? There are a few options on how to optimise images. The first one is by reducing the resolution which is all about the amount of pixels within an image. Then there is reducing the depth which refers to the individual pixels and the colour palette that is used within the image. 

Advantage to optimising Optimising gives you the option to improve thing such as websites by reducing the file size, allowing you to have a shorter loading time which could result in future visits for websites. Also having a smaller file size results in also been provided with more storage space

Disadvantage to optimising There a few bits that need to be done on photoshop to perhaps reduce certain parts of the image, so having to do certain editing points can be proven to be difficult, so you have to know what you are doing to get it exactly right.