FILE TYPES AND THEIR USES

When working with a print or electronic PSD is excellent for print but will not work designe r(electronic designers design things to The PSD () file is for the web. A Vector file can be well be displayed on a monitor, TV, etc), one may a file that can be used for print but described by first describing a encounter the need to work with the designer cannot be used for the web. Although, file. When one zooms in on a bitmap by providing them with multiple types of files. one can convert Photoshop files into file, one will notice many squares of There are many different types of digital files many different bitmap file types that solid color. Basically, every bitmap file but they fit into two categories, bitmap and can be put on the web. Also, amazingly is composed of tiny squares (pixels) vector. It will benefit those in collaboration if there are paths (2D lines) created that are a solid color. When these tiny with the designer to know the common file within the Photoshop file, one can squares of color are put together and types. Once one understands the differences, even export a vector file. one stands back to see, they make identifying (by simply analyzing the file suffix: up the entire image. A vector file on .png, .jpg, etc) the files a designer may need JPEG the other hand, is not made up of tiny squares of color. When a vector from you becomes easy and time is saved The JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts graphic is zoomed in on, it will never because the designer will not need to explain Group) is a used very often on the lose its quality. It is always be crisp, the file types. web but should not be used for print (although it can be converted to a while a bitmap will look grainy and jagged when zoomed in on. BMP print friendly format), due to a lack The BMP (Bitmap) file type is the most of necessary data needed to create basic of digital images. This file type an accurate printing plate from the AI can be used by print and electronic JPEG – what the photo looks like on An AI () file is also a designers. the computer screen will not look the vector graphic and like the EPS can same when printed. be used for print but will not work on Bitmap is also a broad term describing the web. Adobe Illustrator is usually any image made up of pixels (small PNG used to create logos and graphics for square dots that can be viewed on The PNG (Portable Network Graphics) anything. Illustrator can even export any screen type). It can be used for file was created to replace the GIF file. it’s vector images into bitmap images. electronic design but it must be it can replicate far more colors than a For this reason, providing the designer converted for use in print materials. GIF but has a larger file size. Despite with this type of file is very valuable, Most of the file types discussed below this file size it is used on the web very when it comes to graphics. Also it’s are BMP files. often. interesting to not that one can convert a bitmap file into a vector too. TIFF GIF When working with a designer, The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) The GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) whether print or electronic, knowing file is the optimal bitmap file type for file is a file used extensively for the and understanding these file types printing but is far too large for the web (largely because it is enabled will help you communicate with web. Although, one will not usually to have a transparent background the designer and save you and the have possession of this file type if needed) but not at all for print. It designer time. Time can be saved by because it is usually the designer who only supports 256 colors, far less someone working with the designer creates it – the designer will create than needed to accurately replicate by saving graphics and digital pictures this file type from other files using a colors on print. When putting a logo or based on their file type or usability. program that can manipulate bitmap some other solid colored graphic on a Are the images or vectors? images, usually Adobe Photoshop. website, the GIFF is a good file format What file types will be usable for the When the TIFF file is etched onto a to use. web and what file types are usable for printing plate (a flat piece of vinyl or print? Also, time will be saved when aluminum that transfers ink to the EPS talking to the designer because the paper), the printing plate will more The EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file designer won’t need to explain all accurately print the . is a raw vector file and can be read by these terms. any vector editing program. This file

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