Digital Image File Formats 101
(From 99 Designs)
Welcome to Image File Formats 101. Every graphic you see online is an image file. Most everything you see printed on paper, plastic or a t-shirt came from an image file. These files come in a variety of formats, and each is optimized for a specific use. Using the right type for the right job means your design will come out picture perfect and just how you intended. The wrong format could mean a bad print or a poor web image, a giant download or a missing graphic in an email. The choices are simpler than you might think. So let’s break it down. Let’s dive into the world of images. |
It's time to do some research so you better understand graphics.
1. What is the difference between vector and raster (bitmap) images? Which file types fit into each category?
2. What is a pixel? What is pixel depth?
1. What is the difference between vector and raster (bitmap) images? Which file types fit into each category?
2. What is a pixel? What is pixel depth?
3. Research some of the most common file types and understand what they are and when they are best used. Make sure you know what the initials stand for. You might want to understand which category they fit into and whether or not they are compressed.
- JPG /JPEG
- GIF
- TIFF
- EPS
- PNG
- BMP
- RAW
- PSD
- AI
- DNG
4. Part of the reason for the range of file types is the need for compression. Image files can be quite large, and larger file types mean more disk usage and slower downloads. In other words, compression helps make an image's file size smaller. Compression is a term used to describe ways of cutting the size of the file. Compression schemes can be:
- lossy
- lossless
5. A bit about colour:
- What impact does the number of colours in an image effect file size?
- What is the difference between the various colour modes:
- RGB
- CMYK
- Grayscale
- Monochrome
6. What does resolution of an image mean and how is it calculated?
7. What is an alpha channel?
7. What is an alpha channel?
Possible Sources:
- Be sure to check this one out: https://www.shutterstock.com/support/article/Common-Image-File-Formats?q=difference+between+vector+and+illustration&l=en_US&fs=Search&pn=1
- https://99designs.com.au/blog/tips/image-file-types/
- https://digital-photography-school.com/understanding-all-the-different-image-file-formats/
- https://1stwebdesigner.com/image-file-types/
- https://makeawebsitehub.com/image-formats-mega-cheat-sheets/
- https://designshack.net/articles/layouts/vector-vs-raster-what-do-i-use/
- http://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282942&p=1885346
- https://www.techsmith.com/blog/understanding-image-file-formats
- https://fileinfo.com/
- https://www.slideshare.net/Fatihzl/common-image-file-formats