Graphic File Formats Demystified Which File Format to Choose?
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Graphic File Formats Demystified Which file format to choose? INDD JPG EPS PSD TIF CAMERA RAW GIF AI PDF PNG Who cares? You should Ask Yourself What are you going to do with the file? Is your graphic raster? Is your graphic vector? What is the difference? Raster Graphics Created with pixels Resolution dependent Scaling compromises the resolution Scaling can compromise quality 100% Scaled 300% Vector Graphics Created with paths Points, lines, shapes Mathematic equations and geometry to create art Resolution independent Scalable without loss of quality Postage stamp to billboard and beyond 100% Scaled 600% Raster Vector FILE COMPRESSION LOSSLESS (lose less) This form of data compression is an algorithm that looks for redundancy in data. For instance, a blue sky may have several pixels that are the same color of blue. Rather than write each pixel it groups them together in a “run-length encoding” to say that there are 157 blue pixels. When expanded the data remembers what and where it was and no information is lost or changed. Examples: PNG, TIF, PDF LOSSY (lousy) This form of compression gathers data that is similar within a defined tolerance and rewrites that information as the same. Original data is discarded (lost). When expanded the new data is displayed. Example: JPG Raster File Formats JPG Joint Photographic Experts Group The most common file Does not retain layers or transparency Quality of the image decreases every time the file is saved Lossy compression Best For: web, raster Not For: print Original JPG JPG saved multiple times PNG Portable Network Graphics Supports transparency options Sharper image Lossless compression Best For: web, raster Not For: print (but can be) JPG PNG GIF Graphics Interchange Format Animated images Smaller file size Loads quickly for web Best For: web, raster Not For: print, vector TIF Tagged Image File Format Options for type of compression Larger file size Lossless compression Best For: print, raster Not For: web PSD Photoshop Document Files created in Adobe Photoshop Retains layers Lossless compression Best For: print, raster Not For: web JPG 881 KB PNG 5 MB PSD 17.4 MB TIF 52.2 MB RAW/DNG Digital Negative Unprocessed by the Camera Uncompressed data Edits are only filed in metadata Original data is preserved when camera raw images are adjusted RAW Captures more values, tones, shades, colors Editing in “Camera Raw” keeps the data intact Lossless compression Best For: print, raster Not For: web Vector File Formats EPS Encapsulated Postscript Originally an image needed to be an EPS to be place into a page layout program Postscript file with a preview An older file format Best For: print, vector, raster Not For: web AI Adobe Illustrator Document Creates vector files Scalable without loss of quality Best For: vector, print Not For: web, raster PDF Portable Document Format Invented by Adobe Most print work flows are PDFs Can contain links, buttons, form fields, audio, and video Best For: print, web, vector, raster Not For: making changes IDML Allows an InDesign document created in a newer version to be opened in an older version Can save an IDML file Can be included in your packaged ID folder APPLE’S NEW FILE FORMATS FOR IOS 11 HEIC pronounced heek Video HEIF pronounced heef Photo High Efficiency Image File Format Format for individual images and image sequences Developed by MPEG, the Moving Picture Experts Group WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU’VE USED THE WRONG FILE FORMAT Rejected by a printer Incompatible with a computer Slower download times Complete disaster.