This document discusses different types of digital graphics file formats, including raster graphics, vector graphics, and specific file formats like JPEG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, PSD, AI, FLA, and WMF. It also covers topics like compression, image capture methods, optimizing files, file sizes, and asset management best practices. Raster graphics use pixels and have a set resolution, while vector graphics use paths and can be scaled without quality loss. Specific file formats are better suited for different uses depending on needs around quality preservation, file size, compatibility, and editing capabilities. Compression reduces file sizes but can lower quality, and optimizing and good asset management practices help organize and efficiently store digital graphics files.

1. Digital Graphics
File Formats
James Hickey

2. Raster Graphics
• Give a definition of Raster Graphics
Raster graphics are made from bitmaps, which are made from
pixels and these pixels make up the information of the image
displayed. There is a set resolution with raster graphics meaning
if the image is resized, distortion will occur.

3. Vector Graphics
• Give a definition of Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are made up of vectors, also called paths. Vector
images can be scaled as big or as small as the user desires as
there is no loss in quality.

4. Raster Graphics

5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Expert Group
Used For/Example Most images and web formats use this file
type.
Advantage Is a widely used format, so most systems
are able to open JPEG files.
Disadvantage Each time a JPEG is opened quality is lost,
though the quality loss is not noticeable
straight away, over time it will be come
more noticeable. It is recommended to
make a backup of the image in case of this
quality loss.

6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged Image File Format
Used For/Example These file types are popular amongst
graphic designers as when the file saves
the layers of their work does not merge
into one layer.
Advantage The files in this format do not lose quality
over time.
Disadvantage TIFF files take up a lot of room due to the
fact they save each layer of the users
work.

7. GIF
Stands For Graphics Interchange Format
Used For/Example GIFs are lots of images that are played in
fast succession on a loop to create an
appearance of a video/animation.
Advantage Due to the fact GIF quality is not very good
the file size will not be that high.
Disadvantage The quality of GIFs are usually very low
and this will mean that it the GIF will have
noticeable pixilation.

8. BMP
Stands For Bitmap file
Used For/Example Is a format for saving images.
Advantage The file does not loose quality over time as
the file is not compressed when saved.
Most systems can open a BMP file.
Disadvantage This file has a large file size.

9. Vector Graphics

10. PSD
Stands For Photoshop Document
Used For/Example A file that is similar to a TIFF file that is
used specifically for Photoshop.
Advantage This file, like the TIFF file, saves each layer
without merging, this allows you to
continue working at a later time without
having the trouble of working around
Disadvantage This type of file can only be viewed if the
user has Photoshop.

11. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator
Used For/Example Best used for creating logos and digital
artwork.
Advantage The image can be scaled both small and
large with no loss of quality.
Disadvantage Skill is need to produce something as it is a
program for graphic designers.
There is a steep learning curve for this
program as there is a large amount of tools.

12. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example Used for the creation of animations and
games
Advantage With flash you can create a piece of high
quality work with a small file size.
The file can also include sound.
Disadvantage There is constant updates for flash and it is
required that you download the update
otherwise it will not work.

13. WMF
Stands For Windows Meta File
Used For/Example Used for the creation of logos.
Advantage This uses vector graphics, meaning that is
the image is either scaled large or small
there will be no loss in quality.
Disadvantage The WMF file is only compatible with
systems that use windows.

14. File Format Capture
and Optimising

15. Compression
Definition Compression is where the amount of
information on a file is reduced, this is
useful if you don’t have much room on
your hard drive.
Advantage The size of the file is reduced meaning
more space will be available for other
work.
Disadvantage If the file is an image, quality will be lost
due to the loss of information.

16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
An object is place on the scanner and
when the scan is complete the images will
be shown digitalised.
Method Camera
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
When you take a picture what ever was in
view of the lens will be captured and
saved to the memory card.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
You hand draw the images the quality of
the image depends on your drawing skill.

17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? To make sure that the image file is not
large this will allow quicker downloads of
the image.
How can you optimise? If you have any program that allows
images to be manipulated, you can just
change the size of the image
Advantage to optimising The image will be quicker to download and
can load faster on websites.
Disadvantage to optimising Image quality may be reduced.

18. Storage

19. File Size
What could affect a Working Scale
(Photoshop) document file size?
Adding more layers to your work as PSD
files save each layer meaning the more
layers the more that has to be saved.
How could you reduce the file size of a
Working Scale document without
affecting quality?
Vector graphics would be suitable as they
can be scaled smaller with no loss in
compression.
What is an advantage of scaling up images
before exporting?
The image will be of a higher quality.
What is a disadvantage of scaling up
images before exporting?
The file size of the image will be much
larger than before.

20. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions could you use
when creating your video game assets?
• You would name each asset with a
relevant name so they will be easy to
find for later editing or putting your
project together.
Why is it a good idea to accurately name
your assets?
So you can easily find the piece of work
you are looking for with out having to go
through each folder to find the thing you
are looking for.

21. Asset Management
Why would you use folders when storing
your assets?
To ensure that you know where you put
your work and to find it with minimal
struggle.
What folders would you create and what
would you save within them
I would create folders with a relevant
name as to what I am saving into it, then I
would have other folders inside. An
example would be: I have Photoshop
work, I would make a base Photoshop
folder and inside I would have other
folders that are named depending on what
I did, if necessary more folders in those
folders, then I would put my documents
in.