Digital Graphics File Formats

Benedict Terry

Raster Graphics

• Raster Graphics are made up entirely of bitmaps, which is every pixel of the image is based on a single colour.

• These typically cannot be zoomed in without diminishing the resolution.

Vector Graphics

• Vector graphics are made up of vectors and paths.

• These can be zoomed in without diminishing the resolution, as the images are typically still in software and can be edited if needs be.

Raster Graphics

JPEGStands For Joint Photographic Experts Group

Used For/Example Used for website images. Websites also automatically save images to JPEG

Advantage Can be easily saved to website posts due to small file size

Disadvantage Loses quality with multiple edits due to compression

TIFFStands For Tagged Image File Format

Used For/Example Used for leaflets and slideshows

Advantage Files can be saved with multiple pages. There is also lossless compression

Disadvantage TIFF has a large file size, which can be problematic for a multi-unit project

GIFStands For Graphic Interchange Format

Used For/Example Used for short digital animations

Advantage Ideal for short animations and are relatively easy to create in comparison to modular flash animations. It can also be played in a loop.

Disadvantage Low quality video can deter viewers and viewed negatively. There is also a large file format

BMPStands For Bitmap

Used For/Example Used for storing digital images

Advantage It is similar to TIFF and JPEG, so it is relatable. There is also no loss of quality in compression

Disadvantage It has a large file size, so is not ideal for small hard drives.

Vector Graphics

PSDStands For Photoshop document

Used For/Example Storing images for further manipulation.

Advantage It can save layers, with is convenient, and page formatting. It can also support transparency.

Disadvantage It has a file size so large that most media cannot show it without the appropriate software.

AIStands For Adobe Illustrator

Used For/Example Like the Photoshop file, it is used for storing images for further manipulation. Mostly used for logos and illustrations.

Advantage Images can be scaled with no loss of definition.

Disadvantage Its large file size means the right software is required to open them. The software is also complicated and difficult to learn

FLAStands For Flash

Used For/Example Used for making animations or video games.

Advantage This software produces high quality animation, unlike GIF.

Disadvantage It is difficult and complicated to learn. It also has a large file.

WMFStands For Windows Mega File

Used For/Example Similar to Adobe Illustrator, it is used to store illustrations and logos

Advantage It can be scaled without loss in definition, like most vector formats. Also, when in the right hands it can be used to create high-quality images.

Disadvantage It has a very poor reputation due to low-quality stock image clipart.

File Format Capture and Optimising

CompressionDefinition Where the file size is reduced from

decreasing the amount of information (e.g. number of pixels) until it is loaded again.

Advantage File sizes are reduced, which is ideal for small hard drives.

Disadvantage Images can lose quality overtime due to repeated compression.

Image CaptureMethod Scanner

How is it used for image capture of graphics

A scanner is used to digitalise physical images, like illustrations. One example of a scanner is a common office photocopier.

Method CameraHow is it used for image capture of

graphicsA camera is used to take physical pictures. The most common method is digital photography, which can be sent straight through a computer.

Method Graphics TabletHow is it used for image capture of

graphicsA graphics tablet enables a computer user to create images by hand and insert them straight into a digital format. This can produce higher quality images without reliance on vectors

OptimisingWhy would you optimise? Optimising ensures an easy viewing of

images on the web (via compression)

How can you optimise? Optimising can be achieved by reducing the image size, depth or resolution

Advantage to optimising Optimising allows file sizes to be reduced, which is ideal for internet uploads.

Disadvantage to optimising Larger file sizes can takes longer to download. There is also a limit to file size for upload (500 pixels).

Storage

File SizeWhat could affect a Working Scale (Photoshop) document file size?

Working Scale file size can be increased by adding to the file, such as detailing to an image. Size can be reduced by compression.

How could you reduce the file size of a Working Scale document without

affecting quality?

Some elements of a Working Scale image, such as those of similar colour, can be grouped together. This reduces the number of layers in the file.

What is an advantage of scaling up images before exporting?

When done correctly, the image can retain a high quality when scaled up. In some software, the arrangement of the pixels can also be automatically changed to match the scaling.

What is a disadvantage of scaling up images before exporting?

Sometimes, the image won’t retain the quality and can lose resolution. It can also be overly sensitive to angle adjustment or changes on length or width.

File Naming ConventionsWhat naming conventions could you use

when creating your assets?• In the image development, I could start

off each file by labelling them with a number, which determines the order in which the image falls in the arrangement of my illustrated book. I can also after the number say what the image depicts.

Why is it a good idea to accurately name your assets?

It allows it to be easier for components or files to be identified. This will, in turn, increase productivity of the worker as less time is spent searching for elements or files due to inadequate labelling.

Asset ManagementWhy would you use folders when storing

your assets?Different projects and side projects can have a large amount of work. As a result, keeping different projects in folders allows for easy separation and location of files based on what they revolved around.

What folders would you create and what would you save within them

I would create a sketch folder for scanned sketches of locations and characters, a main illustration folder for main projects, and a finished product folder for storing finished works. I could also have another folder for drafting concepts for the story.