This document discusses different types of digital graphics file formats including raster graphics, vector graphics, and various file format types. Raster graphics are composed of pixels arranged in a grid, while vector graphics are created using shapes that can be edited individually. Common raster graphic file formats discussed include JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and BMP, along with their uses and advantages/disadvantages. Vector graphic file formats covered are PSD, AI, FLA, and WMF. The document also summarizes compression, image capture methods, file optimization techniques, factors affecting file size, file naming conventions, and asset management through folders.

1. Digital Graphics
File Formats
Lewis Urquhart

2. Raster Graphics
Raster graphics, also called
bitmap graphics, are digital
images that are composed of tiny
rectangular pixels, or picture
elements, that are arranged in a
grid or raster of x and y
coordinates (includes a z
coordinate in case of 3D) in such
a way that it forms an image. It is
also referred to as bitmap since it
has information that is mapped
directly to the display’s grid.

3. Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are created in graphics
packages and consist of shapes called objects.
It is possible to edit each object separately, for
example, change the shape, colour, size and
position.
Even if an object in a vector graphic is quite
large, it doesn't need a lot of computer
memory. Therefore the file size of
a vector graphic is often very small.
Vector graphics are scalable –
i.e when you resize them, they
do not lose quality.

4. Raster Graphics

5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts Group
Used For/Example Common web formats, e.g. Facebook
images.
Advantage The most common kind of photo format
on the internet meaning all computers can
display and save the images. JPEG’s tend
not to be large files.
Disadvantage Loses quality with multiple edits due to re-
compression every time.
This file type is bad for re-editing, it is not
saved with layers.

6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged Image File Format
Used For/Example Adobe InDesign documents save as tiff
files.
Advantage TIFF have the option of lossless
compression, this means that no quality is
lost during compression. Adobe InDesign
documents saved as TIFFs can save many
documents to a single TIFF file.
Disadvantage Most websites and online galleries do not
support TIFF files, this makes it hard to use
when publishing work or using external
software.

7. GIF
Stands For Graphics Interchange Format
Used For/Example To create short digital animations, on the
internet.
Advantage Smaller file size than a video. Most
websites can support GIFS, this makes it
good for publishing work and sharing.
Disadvantage They can take a long time to load and are
larger file sizes than normal photo files.

8. BMP
Stands For Bitmap image file
Used For/Example Similar to TIFFS & JPEGS.
Advantage BMP’s have no loss in detail when
compressed. This makes them good for re-
editing and large scale projects such as
posters.
Disadvantage They have very large file sizes, meaning
the file may be too big to put on some
sites and to send by e-mail.

9. Vector Graphics

10. PSD
Stands For Photoshop Document
Used For/Example Image manipulation, magazine covers.
Advantage High quality and can be edited however
the user wants. This makes them good for
designers or photographers as it means
they are very versatile and are of
publishing quality.
Disadvantage Generally only recognized by Photoshop
software and certain other image
manipulation software, meaning that
they cannot be used by amateur
designers that do not have access to
official Adobe software.

11. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator
Used For/Example Logo creation
Advantage Can be scaled as big and small as vectors
have no loss in definition. Making them
good for both logo and poster creation.
Disadvantage Much like PSD’s they are generally only
accessible within Adobe software making
it difficult for people who opt for other
design systems to share work.

12. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example Animation & Games
Advantage Can produce high quality files while
keeping the size small.
Can include sound & video.
Disadvantage Works solely on flash systems sometimes
making collaborative projects hard to
complete if the partner does not have
access to flash systems.

13. WMF
Stands For Windows Metafile
Used For/Example Similar to AI files can be used to create
logos.
Advantage Can be scaled to any size as it is a vector.
Can also contain both vector and bitmap
components.
Disadvantage WMF’s are only available on Windows
platforms and can only be created there.
Windows Metafile is also considered to be
not as sophisticated as its adobe
counterparts.

14. File Format Capture
and Optimising

15. Compression
Definition Compression is the way that file sizes are
reduced by reducing the amount of
information saved within them. Images
become more pixelated the more
compressed they are.
Advantage Making file sizes smaller can mean they
take up less storage.
Disadvantage Images become more pixelated the more
compressed they are and can completely
lose detail.

16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
It allows you to incorporate physical
images such as sketches & physical photos.
Method Camera
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
Taking pictures
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
They are used to hand draw graphics.

17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? Images that are posted to the internet are
optimised allowing them to be viewed
easily.
How can you optimise? Images can be optimised by changes the
image size in Photoshop.
Advantage to optimising It makes images bigger therefore better for
viewing.
Disadvantage to optimising Images that aren't optimised have large
file sizes leading to downloads taking
longer.

18. Storage

19. File Size
What could affect a Working Scale
(Photoshop) document file size?
The working scale is affected by the
amount of colours, layers/effects and the
pixels per inch.
How could you reduce the file size of a
Working Scale document without
affecting quality?
To avoid effecting the quality you could
work on a smaller canvas size, merge
appropriate layers or work at 72 pixels per
inch as opposed to 300.
What is an advantage of scaling up images
before exporting?
Scaling up an imagine before exporting
improves the images quality.
What is a disadvantage of scaling up
images before exporting?
Scaling up imagines also increases file size.

20. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions could you use
when creating your video game assets?
To keep track of files it is easiest to name
the file something relevant to the
information, for example: (Unit 1)
Why is it a good idea to accurately name
your assets?
Accurately naming files makes it easier to
keep track of them, instead of leaving all
your folders named the default “Untitled”.

21. Asset Management
Why would you use folders when storing
your assets?
Using folders helps organise files into
relevant sections. This helps avoid losing
them.
What folders would you create and what
would you save within them
I would create relevantly titled files and
then subfiles to keep things tidy, for
example: Pictures<Designs< - files