What Do All These Graphics File Extensions Mean?

Vector Files store images as a series of descriptions of simple shapes. They will split an image into lines, rectangles, circles etc. and will describe the positions and colors of all of these shapes on the page, and then reconstruct the image when the file is opened.

There are advantages to using vector files, because you have a description of a scene you can increase its size indefinitely and still have enough information to keep a high quality image. Some programs use a vector format by default. All PowerPoint drawings are in a vector format, as is all Microsoft clip art. Vector images are suitable for putting simple images into documents and presentations, but should not be used in web pages.

Bitmap Images are analogous to taking a photograph. The whole image is split into a grid of tiny squares, called pixels, and the color for each pixel in the whole image is recorded. This format allows extremely complex pictures to be described (such as photos), but can produce extremely large file sizes.

Unlike vector files, you cannot enlarge a bitmap file without losing resolution. One last point about these two formats is that it is easy to convert a vector file into a bitmap (that's what happens when you look at it on your screen!), but rarely possible to convert a bitmap into a vector. Typically, BMP files are uncompressed, hence they are large; the advantage is their simplicity, wide acceptance, and use in Windows programs.

JPEG or Joint Photographic Experts Group files (DOS filename extension is JPG) suffer generational degradation when repeatedly edited and saved. The JPEG format also is used as the image compression algorithm in many Adobe PDF files.

Advantages of JPEG images:

Huge compression ratios mean faster download speeds
JPEG produces excellent results for most photographs and complex images
JPEG supports full-color (24-bit, "true color") images

GIF or Graphics Interchange Format is limited to an 8-bit palette, or 256 colors. This makes the GIF format suitable for storing graphics with relatively few colors such as simple diagrams, shapes, logos and cartoon style images. The GIF format supports animation and is still widely used to provide image animation effects.

Advantages of GIF files:

GIF is the most widely supported graphics format on the Web
GIFs of diagrammatic images look better than JPEGs
GIF supports transparency and interlacing

TIFF or Tagged Image File Format is a flexible format that normally saves 8 bits or 16 bits per color (red, green, blue) for 24-bit and 48-bit totals, respectively, using either the TIFF or the TIF filenames. The TIFF image format is not widely supported by web browsers. TIFF remains widely accepted as a photograph file standard in the printing business.

PNG or Portable Network Graphics file format was created as the free, open-source successor to the GIF. The PNG file format supports true color (16 million colors) while the GIF supports only 256 colors. The PNG file excels when the image has large, uniformly colored areas. JPG files are smaller than PNG files. Many older browsers currently do not support the PNG file format. However, Internet Explorer 7 and all contemporary web browsers fully support the PNG format.

Sheryl A. Skutelsky is owner of SAS Graphic Design - specializing in small business branding.

For more information on small business branding visit SAS Graphic Design at: http://www.sasgraphicdesign.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheryl_A._Skutelsky
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Do-All-These-Graphics-File-Extensions-Mean?&id=1404091

More Web Site Design Articles:

Free Website Templates

Useful Links
Web Designer in Philippines
Web Design Resources


	Free Website Design Templates view actual page \| download view actual page \| download view actual page \| download What Do All These Graphics File Extensions Mean? By Sheryl A. Skutelsky Vector Files store images as a series of descriptions of simple shapes. They will split an image into lines, rectangles, circles etc. and will describe the positions and colors of all of these shapes on the page, and then reconstruct the image when the file is opened. There are advantages to using vector files, because you have a description of a scene you can increase its size indefinitely and still have enough information to keep a high quality image. Some programs use a vector format by default. All PowerPoint drawings are in a vector format, as is all Microsoft clip art. Vector images are suitable for putting simple images into documents and presentations, but should not be used in web pages. Bitmap Images are analogous to taking a photograph. The whole image is split into a grid of tiny squares, called pixels, and the color for each pixel in the whole image is recorded. This format allows extremely complex pictures to be described (such as photos), but can produce extremely large file sizes. Unlike vector files, you cannot enlarge a bitmap file without losing resolution. One last point about these two formats is that it is easy to convert a vector file into a bitmap (that's what happens when you look at it on your screen!), but rarely possible to convert a bitmap into a vector. Typically, BMP files are uncompressed, hence they are large; the advantage is their simplicity, wide acceptance, and use in Windows programs. JPEG or Joint Photographic Experts Group files (DOS filename extension is JPG) suffer generational degradation when repeatedly edited and saved. The JPEG format also is used as the image compression algorithm in many Adobe PDF files. Advantages of JPEG images: Huge compression ratios mean faster download speeds JPEG produces excellent results for most photographs and complex images JPEG supports full-color (24-bit, "true color") images GIF or Graphics Interchange Format is limited to an 8-bit palette, or 256 colors. This makes the GIF format suitable for storing graphics with relatively few colors such as simple diagrams, shapes, logos and cartoon style images. The GIF format supports animation and is still widely used to provide image animation effects. Advantages of GIF files: GIF is the most widely supported graphics format on the Web GIFs of diagrammatic images look better than JPEGs GIF supports transparency and interlacing TIFF or Tagged Image File Format is a flexible format that normally saves 8 bits or 16 bits per color (red, green, blue) for 24-bit and 48-bit totals, respectively, using either the TIFF or the TIF filenames. The TIFF image format is not widely supported by web browsers. TIFF remains widely accepted as a photograph file standard in the printing business. PNG or Portable Network Graphics file format was created as the free, open-source successor to the GIF. The PNG file format supports true color (16 million colors) while the GIF supports only 256 colors. The PNG file excels when the image has large, uniformly colored areas. JPG files are smaller than PNG files. Many older browsers currently do not support the PNG file format. However, Internet Explorer 7 and all contemporary web browsers fully support the PNG format. Sheryl A. Skutelsky is owner of SAS Graphic Design - specializing in small business branding. For more information on small business branding visit SAS Graphic Design at: http://www.sasgraphicdesign.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheryl_A._Skutelsky http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Do-All-These-Graphics-File-Extensions-Mean?&id=1404091 More Web Site Design Articles: Barack Obama's Website is Web 2.0 at Its Best Role of Site Structure in Web Designing and Traffic Modern Web Design Techniques 7 Must Know Rules For Website Designers Web Designing For Your Home Page Eight Tips to Enhance Online Profits Website Design the Latest Trends What Do All These Graphics File Extensions Mean? The Psychology of Colour in Web Design How to Create a Successful Web Page Layout Website Templates - Build Your Own Website Benefits of Using a Website Template Website Designing – Things To Keep In Mind A Website Checklist 8 Must Have Graphic Design Skills in Today's Market Freelance Web Designer - Why You Should Use One! The Importance Of Getting The Best Web Design Team Involved In The Project Finding and Using a Free Web Site Template 7 Tips for Improving Your Website Design How To Think Like A Web Designer Planning An Effective Web Site Design Web Site Design: Setting the Wrong Backgrounds and Reducing Readability The Best Home Pages Establish Identity and Purpose in a User-Friendly Interface Website Creation Checklist Considering A WebSite Or Unhappy With The One You Have? Don't Trust This Kind Of Web Designer Web Design-Impact Beyond Measure User-Friendly Web Design The Powerfully Attractive Webpage Template No More Font Tags! Seven Reasons to Hire a CSS Web Designer Why Should One Use Web Templates Dreamweaver Tip - Build Better Websites Faster with Templates Some Of The Crucial Components Your Web Site Needs To Be Customer Friendly Benefits of Web Site Templates Advantages of Having a Website How Do You Choose a Web Designer? Website Templates - Who Benefits? Build Websites Easier with Premade Templates The Newbie's Guide to Small Business Web Design Pages to Include in Your Website Do You Really Own Your Web Site? Maybe Not Designing Your Website's Directory Structure 7 Web Site Design Mistakes That Will Lose You Clients Optimal Website Design Becoming A Website Designer How to Design a Search Engine Friendly Website 6 Reasons Why Using Flash is a BIG Mistake
Free Website Templates Web Design Articles Math Calculators Java Programs Site map Useful Links Web Designer in Philippines Web Design Resources