This document discusses different types of digital file formats used for graphics, including raster graphics (such as JPEG, TIFF, GIF and BMP), vector graphics (such as AI, PSD and FLA), and their uses and advantages/disadvantages. It also covers topics like file size, naming conventions, compression, and asset management strategies like using folders to organize graphics files.

1. Digital Graphics
File Formats
Sophie Baker

2. Raster Graphics
• Give a definition of Raster Graphics
Raster graphics mainly used by graphics
designers to create digital imagery. They can be
made in formats such as JPEG, TIFF, GIF and
BMP. Each format can create different images,
e.g. GIF can create the illusion of a moving
image by a series of pictures.

3. Vector Graphics
• Give a definition of Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are used to make shapes. These
graphics are made up of vectors (paths and
strokes) which make up points with curves or
angles to make up shapes. With this vector
graphics can make a line, square, triangle or a
curvy shape.

4. Raster Graphics

5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts Group
Used For/Example Used for storing and sending images
safety.
Advantage JPEG’s work for the majority of camera
types.
Disadvantage Loses quality after multiple edits due to
compression and recompression each time
the image has been edited.

6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged Image File Format
Used For/Example Used for storing images without
compression.
Advantage When the file is saved on Adobe InDesign
it can be saved as a multi-page document
to a single TIFF.
Disadvantage TIFF’s don’t work on all software's.

7. GIF
Stands For Graphics Interchange Format
Used For/Example Can be used for logos and animations.
Advantage Adds a whole new element to the image
when it’s moving rather than just stand
still images.
Disadvantage The quality of GIF’s usually isn’t very good.

8. BMP
Stands For Bitmap Image File
Used For/Example Used for storing images and displaying
them.
Advantage There’s no lose in compression after every
edit, unlike JPEG’s.
Disadvantage The quality of the image when enlarged
can become pixelated.

9. Vector Graphics

10. PSD
Stands For Photoshop Document
Used For/Example PSD’s are used for saving data so that you
can work layer by layer when editing.
Advantage Great for image manipulation, so popular
when used with magazine covers.
Disadvantage Not usable on every device, so if you were
to send this file to a certain computer the
document may not open.

11. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator Art
Used For/Example Drawing your own images digitally.
Advantage Can be scaled to be enlarged or shrunk
and will have no lose in definition.
Disadvantage AL isn’t supported by every device. So
similar with PSD documents, if you were to
send the file to a certain device it may
open but you won’t be able to work on the
edit.

12. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example Creating animations and games.
Advantage The documents will have high quality with
small file sizes.
Disadvantage FLA’s aren’t the most powerful or
advanced of devices to use.

13. WMF
Stands For Windows Metafile
Used For/Example WMF’s files are used for taking image
already created (such as ‘clipart’) and
applying them to your image and/or edits.
Advantage Like Vectors they can be scales big and
small and won’t lose definition.
Disadvantage Doesn’t really allow you to create your
own imagery and edits but rather use
images that are already there.

14. File Format Capture
and Optimising

15. Compression
Definition When images are compressed they
become more pixelated, losing quality. So
lossy compression is used to reduce the
amount of information saved in file sizes.
Advantage Helps improve the quality of your images.
Disadvantage Can be a slow process with certain devices
and software's.

16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
Used to digitised physical images such as
sketched or printed photographs to
computers
Method Camera
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
Used for taking pictures that can either be
printed and scanned or uploaded to the
computer.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
Used for creating digital drawing and
writing when using the mouse like a pen.

17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? You would optimise to reduce the bit
depth and to reduce the resolution of the
image.
How can you optimise? You can optimise an image of Photoshop
by using ‘Image Size’.
Advantage to optimising Can improve the quality of your images.
Disadvantage to optimising Optimising may not work on all devices.

18. Storage

19. File Size
What could affect a Working Scale
(Photoshop) document file size?
JPEG’s because a lose of compression can
occur after multiple edits.
How could you reduce the file size of a
Working Scale document without
affecting quality?
Using a TIFF because the documents can
save as multi-page documents so after
multiple edits the image won’t lose
quality.
What is an advantage of scaling up images
before exporting?
Because it’s better to work your way down
with an image so you don’t lose too much
at once.
What is a disadvantage of scaling up
images before exporting?
The file size can become to large.

20. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions could you use
when creating your video game assets?
• FLA (Flash File) because this software
is used for making animations and
games. The software can also include
sound and video so you can see your
work bit by bit.
Why is it a good idea to accurately name
your assets?
So that when you’re looking for a specific
one and all asset are named ‘untitled’ then
you won’t be able to find anything.
Keeping you files organised helps finding
them easier and you don’t run the risk of
losing or deleting your work by mistake.

21. Asset Management
Why would you use folders when storing
your assets?
So you can keep them in certain ones to
keep track when wanting to find a specific
asset. E.g. ‘Before’ and ‘After’.
What folders would you create and what
would you save within them
• When using Photoshop I’d either save
them as a JPEG or to my Memory stick
to keep track of them safely.