This document discusses different file formats for digital graphics including raster graphics, vector graphics, and various file types like JPEG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, PSD, AI, FLA, and WMF. It provides details on what each file type stands for, examples of how it's used, advantages, and disadvantages. It also covers topics like raster vs vector graphics, file size, compression, image capture methods, optimizing files, and asset management best practices like file naming conventions and using folders.

1. Digital Graphics
File Formats
Talia Galley

2. Raster Graphics
Raster Graphics are typically digital images, such as images found on the internet and ones
that may capture for example
They are made up of pixels with a fixed resolution.
The larger the image the more file space it will take up due to the increase in pixels. Due to the
large file size it does make loading webpages with images time consuming so you can use
different file types to compress the image and therefore reduce the file size.
Raster graphics can be scaled down and they will typically face no loss of quality however
in reverse of this if you were to enlarge the image it will most likely cause the image to become
pixelated.

3. Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are different from raster graphics due to the fact that instead of being made up
of pixels they are instead composed via paths which have a definitive start and end point.
The path doesn’t have to be a straight forward for the start to end there can be other points
within as well such as angles and curves.
Unlike with Raster graphics when an image is vector based it means that the image can be
upscaled to a larger image and there will be no loss of quality, this is because the image doesn't
have set pixel parameters in a grid form. This is why when creating logos it is more advisable to
use vector graphics as a file format so when you convert the logo from a billboard to bussiness
cards for example the logo won't change and there will be no loss of quality.

4. Raster Graphics

5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts Group
Used For/Example They are used by digital cameras to support images.
JPEG is also the most common file/export format for the majority of images
available on the internet
Advantage There are 16 million possible colours within an JPEG image produced with 8
bits.
deceives without having to have other software to access or open the file.
This file type also doesn't consume a lot of storage space compared to RAW
which is handy if you want to take a lot of photos on holiday for example.
You can print images directly from your camera or phone without having to
edit the images or convert file type.
Disadvantage JPEG compression process is lossy therefore meaning the when the image is
compressed some of the image quality will be lost during the process.
(Though you shouldn't notice a real difference unless you are editing the
image). This can also make the images become blurry and slightly pixelated
as well.

6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged Image File Format
Used For/Example This file format is typically used within graphic design/artist as
well as publishing and page layout applications (InDesign)
Advantage You can send TIFF's to other people without having to worry that
they won't be able to view/access the file this is because Tiff files
can be edited with the majority of image editing software
available on the market.
Disadvantage Due to the fact that compression isn't a default part of TIFF files it
does meant that the files sizes can get extremely large.This means
not only will the files take up a lot more space than a JPEG image
would it also means if you wish to send the file over via email for
example that you may have to use another software as well such
as onedrive or google docs, as the attachment may be to big to
send via email.

7. GIF
Stands For Graphics Interchange Format
Used For/Example They are used on social media,to express an emotion or as a meme.
You can also use GIFs on websites to show animate data as well.
GIFs can also be used to promote products and Television shows and
films were they can show audience sneak peaks.
Advantage They are typically small file sizes which means loading and viewing
them online will be easier in terms of speed but they shouldn't loss
quality either.
Disadvantage In comparison to a JPEG image a GIF has considerably lot less colours,
in terms of the colour pallet available, 256 colours. This means that
although the images are not of poor quality they can come across as
being slightly pixelated.

8. BMP
Stands For Bitmap(File Extension Name)
Used For/Example They can be used a file format when storing images digitally.
Advantage You don't lose image quality when you save and open an
image/file several times like you can get with JPEG files.
Because BMP or Bitmap use pixels to display the image and
colour within it does mean that it can offer a realistic version of
the image using this format.
Disadvantage Due to the fact that BMP is an uncompressed file format it
means that the file sizes will be larger then other formats such
as JPEG meaning that they will take a considerable amount of
storage data.
Similar to JPEGs with wanting to rescale a BMP you can lose
quality within the image and if you wish to enlarge the image it
most likely will become pixelated.

9. Vector Graphics

10. PSD
Stands For Photoshop Document
Used For/Example When you wish to save a file in photoshop and then be able to edit
afterwards.
Advantage Although the file size is a disadvantage it is also an advantage
because it means that all the image information, such as the edits
you have placed are stored/preserved within the file meaning that
if you wish to send the file to some else they can continue to edit
where you left off.
Disadvantage PSD files are typically large files size due to the fact that that it is
lossless images uses no compression, the more edits you add the
bigger the file size increases,it can therefore make the file harder
to send to send over email.
The PSD format is apart of Adobe file format and therefore means
that unless you have photoshop it can be considerably difficult to
open or access the file.

11. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator (File Extension Name)
Used For/Example Used when editing, sending or using Adobe Illustrator.
They can be used to create logos and company graphics.
Advantage AI files are mostly small file sizes which means that sharing
the file via email for example is easier and more connivant
then having to upload it to a drive and send it that
way.Illustrator files are comparatively small in size so allow
easy sharing etc.
Disadvantage Similar with photoshop if you don't have access to Adobe
Illustrator because AI is apart of Adobe file format it means
that you won't be able to access the file. Furthermore if you
don’t have the latest version of Illustrator it may mean that
although you will be able to access some of the file not all of
it will be available to you.

12. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example Used to create games and animations.
Advantage They have a small file size which means if you wish to upload
them onto the internet such as onto a webpage it won't take long
for them to load, even though it may be a small file size they can
be produced with good quality/
Disadvantage Not all applications can open FLA formats as it is a specailist
file,you also have to consialtiy update the software which allows
you to view this file as well.

13. WMF
Stands For Windows Metafile
Used For/Example They are files in which can be used for logos and possibly
company graphics.It is a windows format that is most
commonly used as clipart.
Advantage You can rescale the image both enlarging and descaling the
image and it won't create any loss in quality or definition.
The file can also contain both bitmap and vector
components.
Disadvantage Due to the fact that is a is a windows file this means that you
can only access this on a windows platform this also
therefore means you can also only create then on a windows
platform.

14. File Format Capture
and Optimising

15. Compression
Definition Compression is the reduction in the file size achieved by reducing the amount
of data stored/saved, it also changes attributes such as the bit depth and
resolution.
Compression can either be lossless or lossy.
Advantage By compressing a file you therefore reduce the file size meaning that it is
easier to store more files/data.
You are more likely to be able to store your work all in one place or on the
same memory stick due to them being smaller files.
Disadvantage When an image is compressed it can change how the image will look meaning
the image can become pixelated.
In some circumstances you can lose data when compressing files that you
won't be able to get back.

16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image
capture of graphics
A scanner will capture an image such as photographic prints, magazine
pages, documents and posters.Once an image has been scanned it will
create a digital copy of the image and this can then be edited on the
computer. (Scanning is good for backing images up as a digital copy but also
to restore images via photoshop).
Method Camera
How is it used for image
capture of graphics
Capture images as you go via your camera, or camera phone and then they
are stored onto the memory card or via your storage data. You can then if
you wish transfer all the files/images over to a computer to digital back them
up or leave them on the memory card.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image
capture of graphics
Allows for the user to hand-draw images for anything use a portraits,
animations or graphics with a stylus pen compatible with the tablet. A
graphics tablet will work with most applications such as photoshop or Adobe
Illustrator.

17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? If you wished to upload images or gifs for example onto a website or
blog it would be ideal to optimise them because not only does this
mean that they will upload quicker it also means that as an audience
who wish to access your website they will upload easier.
How can you optimise? You can optimise an image by reducing the file size or you can
readjust the image by resizing the height and width with the exact
measurements for where you wish to upload the file.
Advantage to optimising Because you have optimised the image it therefore means that the file
size is smaller, this means that not only is it easier for you to upload but
it means that not only can you possibly upload more files/images but
that the intended audience who wish to download the image can do it
faster.
Disadvantage to optimising Due to the fact that the image file size has been reduced it does meant
that the image may appear pixelated. It could also mean that if the
audience wish to download said file that if they were to enlarge it, that
it will become pixelated.

18. Storage

19. File Size
What could affect a Working
Scale (Photoshop) document
file size?
How much work/edits you have done to the image, the more layers
the bigger the file size will become.
How could you reduce the file
size of a Working Scale
document without affecting
quality?
You can optimise but instead of adjusting the height and width of
the image you will adjust the bit depth by reducing it.
What is an advantage of scaling
up images before exporting?
By scaling the images up it makes it a lot easier for not only yourself
but for audiences to view more so if the file is saved as a JPEG or a
GIF for example.
What is a disadvantage of
scaling up images before
exporting?
If you were to save the image as a JPEG or a GIF file it means that
once you have saved it you can't go back and readjust the image
you will have to start again.
There is also a possibility that the image could become pixelated.

20. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions could
you use when creating your video
game assets?
Name the file name to what it actually is but name it something
simple don't over complicate it. Not only do you want to name
the file something appropriate but also grouping or placing the
files that are similar together will also make it easier alongside
the file names to locate the right file/layer.
For example if you have more than one character you will name
the file said character but say if you have one file where the
character is facing the audience and another where all you can
see is the characters back you would name one file
"CharacterName– Back"
Why is it a good idea to accurately
name your assets?
Not only does it make it a lot easier for you when you wish to
go back and edit the work but if you wish for someone to help
you as well it will make it a lot more organised for them to also
locate the file, this not only saves time when editing but it can
also reduce the file size because you won't have so many layers
because you've created another one when one already exists
but you can't locate it.

21. Asset Management
Why would you use folders
when storing your assets?
Not only does it make it a lot easier to locate your work when
looking back for it later but it also means that you are less likely to
save over the work, if another file is saved with the same file name.
It also saves time if you need to locate more then on file of the same
topic as they would be located together. It also means it easier if you
are asking someone else to locate the file when they are editing the
work as if you have more than one character it can be confusing to
look through hundreds of layers.
What folders would you create
and what would you save
within them
I would create overall all folders for example if I was creating a video
game I would create a folder for "Characters" and then other
folder called "locations"
Then within those folders I would create different folders for the
different characters and different locations and then within those
folders I would create again more folders for other elements such as
character back, character front or sky day, sky night.
This will not only make it easier for me to locate when looking for a
file but it means I am less likely to loss a file.