2. Raster Graphics
Raster Graphics are made up of bitmaps and
pixels. Bitmapped images have a fixed
resolution so when resized, the image becomes
pixelated and loses definition.
3. Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are made out of paths, dots
and strokes. They have a start point and an
end point with points and curves in between
them.
You can scale a vector to your desired size with
no loss of definition.
4. JPEG - Raster
Joint Photographic Experts Group
JPEG is often used on digital cameras, photographs and
web formats.
JPEG files can keep a high amount of colours in the image
or document and also keep the file size small.
JPEG documents lose quality with multiple edits, this is due
to the file being compressed and then going through
recompression each time it is edited.
5. TIFF - Raster
Tagged Image File Format
This particular type of graphics is used by many graphic
designers, both professional and amateur photographers
and by people involved with publishing. TIFF format is often
used for image manipulation.
TIFF has the option of lossless and compression and TIFF
files don’t lose quality from compression like other formats
do.
Most things won't open TIFF files but if they do they will
take a long time to open due to the file being so big.
6. GIF - Raster
Graphics Interchange Format
GIF’s are used for short digital animations, they are a
series of images that give the illusion of a video.
GIF’s have a small file size so they can be used online and
they load a lot faster than some images do, GIF’s also
support translucent backgrounds so can look professional
when necessary.
GIF files only have a colour palette of 256 colours so the
quality can often look poorer than some images, some
GIF’s can have ‘blocky’ colours which causes the GIF to
look pixelated and distorted.
7. BMP - Raster
Bitmap Image File
BMP files are similar to TIFF files and JPEG files, BMP files
support bitmap digital images.
BMP files are easy to open and edit and have no less
compression the more you edit the image.
As all the other Raster Graphics, BMP files are difficult to
resize, BMP files also are large files so take a long time to
open and work on.
8. PSD - Vector
PhotoShop Document
PSD files allow the user to work on each layer of the image
they are working on instead of the image as a whole. PSD
files are used for things like front covers of magazines.
PSD files support transparency, colours, text and layers are
also easy to edit and change. This is good for designers.
Not many things will open PSD files and once the file has
been saved as anything but a PSD file the image will lose
its layers so is no longer able to be revisited to edit layers.
9. AI - Vector
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe illustrator is often used to create logos for
companies to be used in both print and digital form. AI is
also used to create cartoons of real photographs, to create
charts, graphs and diagrams.
The pieces created on AI can be sized to any size desired
as it doesn't lose definition.
Adobe illustrator is difficult to get the hang of at first and
rarely opens in any other software that isn't Adobe.
10. FLA - Vector
Flash File
Used to create animation and games, FLA files can
combined video, images and sound into one to create an
aesthetically pleasing piece of work.
Flash File produces high quality files that have a small file
size so they are easy to download. Flash files can also
make a website look more professional and get a message
across quickly and easily for the audience.
FLA files don't work on iphones or ipads which are very
popular. Heavy amounts of flash files in a website causes it
to run very slowly.
11. WMF - Vector
Windows Metafile
WMF files are similar to AI files, they are used to create
logos, cartoons, diagrams etc. Windows Metafile can
contain both vector and bitmap components.
WMF can be easily scaled to any size the editor requires.
WMF files can also be compressed.
Many other applications will not open WMF files other than
Microsoft so it is suggested WMF files are converted to
TIFF, JPEG, GIF and a couple of others.
12. Compression
Lossy compression is the way file sized are reduced by
lowering the amount of information that is saved.
The more an image is compressed the more pixelated it
becomes because there are less pixels than there were
originally.
Compression makes data smaller so it opens quicker and it
is easier to move from one place to another because there
is less data to transfer.
Many data types are not compressible, this is many
images, videos, songs or any data that has already been
compressed
13. Image Capture
Scanner : you can digitalise a physical image, like
sketches.
Camera : you can accurately and successfully
create a memorable image of what is in front of
you.
Graphics Tablet : you can control the mouse like
you would a pen, allowing you total unfixed
freedom.
14. Optimising
People optimise a file because it makes the file size smaller
which therefore means it is quicker and easier to view.
You can optimise by reducing the file size or reducing the bit
depth (which is changing the amount of pixels used in the
image)
Optimising a file allow easy viewing on the internet, optimised
images also take less time to download.
A downfall to optimising is the image may not be as good
quality if the image is enlarged straight away, the image should
be changed in photoshop.
