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1. Methembe Darikwa
File Format
A file format is how information is structured in a code. There is many file formats that help to
contain different types of information such as images (JPG). These file formats can be 1
converted to other formats for example JPG to PNG and PDF to Word. Making it easy to move
different files to move them into different platforms such as Photoshop.
There is various forms of file formats. ​JPGs ​(Joint Photographic Experts Group) are used to
compress images photographic work.This is the most common file format used by
photographers. However the file format is notorious for losing the quality due to its compression
although it was made for photographs. However it is not advised for graphic design as the
constant saving after each edit can degrade the image. Although this may apply with editing the 2
image itself. The image doesn’t apply when a JPG image is used a page layout design program
such as Adobe Indesign, this is because the software itself doesn’t compress JPG it self.
PNG ​is file format that is used for drawings, lines and iconic graphs in a small size. This would
be an advantage because you can save more memory than the JPG . This is normally used by 3
graphic designers because it provides transparency making it easy to manipulate the image,
making this suitable for graphic designing, photo editing as well as providing graphics in film.
PNG files were originally an improvement to the GIF format. It compresses and still retains the
image quality better than JPG. This is known as Lossy compression . These can also be used 4
on print applications.
1
​http://dpbestflow.org/file­format/file­format­overview​ [17/6/16]
2
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/formatsjpeg/a/jpegmythsfacts.htm​ [17/6/16]
3
​http://www.labnol.org/software/tutorials/jpeg­vs­png­image­quality­or­bandwidth/5385/​ ​ [17/6/16]
4
​https://www.sitepoint.com/gif­png­jpg­which­one­to­use/​ ​ [17/6/16]

2. Methembe Darikwa
GIF​ is another common file format, an acronym short for Graphics Interchange Format. Before
PGN came into being, GIF was the go to format for transparency, meaning that they can be
placed on any graphic background without standing out . Like it’s descendant it’s used graphic 5
designers. GIFs are great for line art and logo designing. This format is only restricted to only
256 colours making them useless in print applications. This weakness is also a strength
because they can be used on computer monitors with limited colour display. The Gifs have also 6
evolved to the point where people can make them into animations, these can be seen on social
medias such as Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook in a form of a memes. The reason
why they can be animated is because the format compresses them into a small format. There is
applications dedicated to making gifs such as ​Falco GIF Animator. 7
5
​https://www.sitepoint.com/gif­png­jpg­which­one­to­use/​ ​ [17/6/16]
6
Poppy E. (2004) Forms, Folds, And Sizes: All the Details Graphic Designers Need to Know but Can Never
Find Paperback Page 20 ​ [11/6/16]
7
​http://listoffreeware.com/list­of­best­free­gif­animator­software/​ ​ [17/6/16]

3. Methembe Darikwa
EPS ​is a good file format that deals with files that are vector images in Adobe Illustrator. This
type of file is used by artist and graphic designers who are designing company logos,
promotional tools such as posters that can be used on the computer and in print The 8
advantage of this file if that it can be kept at a small size. This can make it easy to email
because some email attachment require files or folders at a limit to be able to send at a faster
rate. This format doesn’t only support vector it also supports bitmaps and fonts. The 9
disadvantage of using this format is that since it was made to support graphics files this can’t be
edited in page layout. This format is great for importing graphics that can be modified by graphic
designers. ESP is a cross platform compatible because you can use it on Macs and PCs . 10
“​ESP generates that can be two to four times greater than TIFFs with LZW compression.” 11
8
​https://blog.udemy.com/what­is­adobe­illustrator­used­for/​ ​ [17/6/16]
9
http://www.prepressure.com/library/file­formats/eps​ [17/6/16]
10
​http://www.ehow.com/info_12041634_advantages­disadvantages­eps­format.html​ ​ [17/6/16]
11
Shufflehotham. R (2009) Photoshop CS5 for windows and Mac. Publisher Adobe​ [17/6/16]

4. Methembe Darikwa
TIff ​(tagged image file format) . These are used by graphic designers because they can be 12
edited on page layout, these can be cropped and resized. This would make them great for 13
creating magazines online. This can convert vector images to bits. Like EPS format it can be
used on PCs and MAcs. The other advantage is that it uses algorithms to make the file reduce
the size when it’s lossy compressing. They’re also the standard for printing. However unlike JPG
some websites that are online don’t support Tiff. The other problem is that some computers are
not compatible with some computers. 14
12
​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagged_Image_File_Format​ ​ [17/6/16]
13
Shufflehotham. R (2009) Photoshop CS5 for windows and Mac. Publisher Adobe​ [11/6/16]
14
​http://darkslidephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/image­file­formats­advantages­and.html​ ​ [17/6/16]

5. Methembe Darikwa
PSD​ file is a Photoshop design file that can only be opened by photoshop software. They can
allow you to save the all the files you have used in the PSD, they will be used as layers. This 15
file can be converted to a JPG, GIF, TIFF etc.. The advantage of this is that you can send PSD 16
files via emails because they don’t require that much space. The disadvantage of using this
format is that not many softwares can support psd files despite them being around for a long
time. Softwares such as GIMP and Paint.net can support them . PSD files would be by 17
professional photo editors who would be working on projects such as album covers,
promotional, wedding photos, advertisment ect..
The​ RAW ​ file is format that is used by high quality cameras. This has been recommended as 18
the best image format because it leaves full control to the editor. Raw images are larger than a
JPG and smaller than a Tiff file. These type of files would be better option for photo editors and
photographers. The setbacks of using this format are that it’s more lossy compressed than JPG
files. Raw files need to be processed before viewing them as image, this could disrupt the 19
workflow of the users which could be a reason why they would prefer to use JPG over RAW
files, however this doesn’t apply to softwares such as Lightroom because it can support RAW
15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIP7F37CUT4
16
​http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/PSD­Adobe­Photoshop­default​ [21/06/16]
17
​http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the­best­ways­to­open­a­psd­file­without­photoshop/​ [21/06/16]
18
http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/RAW­Raw­File­Format­bitmap[21/06/16]
19
http://snapsort.com/learn/supports­raw [21/06/16]

6. Methembe Darikwa
files. RAW has 12 bit to 14 bit which allows it to take more brightness which is great for nature
photography, light photography, and aerial photography . 20
Rasters are made of pixels whilst vectors are made from paths. The pixels in a ​raster 21
graphics ​are covered in a colours to make up an image. The​ vector graphics​ are composed of
lines and paths. These can be straight or curved. Vectors contains the beginning and end of the
paths as well as the colours. These can be scaled to different sizes without losing quality. When
Raster graphics are enlarged they become chunky because they’re made of pixel. This is why
many graphic designer use vectors instead of rasters when designing logos.
Vector applications
Fireworks​ is one of the most popular softwares for vectors because it has the tools to create
vector designs. These tools would be the Shape tool, Ellipse tool, Rectangle tool and the line 22
tool. These tools are common in vector softwares. Fireworks is available on windows and macs.
The advantage of using this is that you can transfer fireworks files over to Illustrator.
20
​http://photographyconcentrate.com/10­reasons­why­you­should­be­shooting­raw/​ [21/06/16]
21
http://pc.net/helpcenter/answers/vector_and_raster_graphics [21/06/16]
22
Adobe Creative Team, (Apr 20, 2009) Adobe Fireworks CS4 Classroom in a Book. Publisher Adobe
Press. [21/06/16]

7. Methembe Darikwa
Inkscape​ is another software that can convert the user's work. This can SVG and advanced
SVG such as cones, markers and alpha blending. The software doesn’t just do vectors it can 23
also do bitmapping ( raster) .The software provides flexibility and a range of compatible file 24
formats . The software can be used on Linux, Windows ( 64 bit and 32bit), and Macs. The 25 26
software is aimed at web designers, logo designing and graphic designers who want to create a
professional work.
DrawIt​ is a Mac only vector software . This software contains filters, editing, an easy interface 27
and basic shapes. It also has a huge file of ready to use custom shapes such as stars.
23
​https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/20­vector­graphic­editors­reviewed/​ [21/06/16]
24
Adobe Creative Team, (Apr 20, 2009) Adobe Fireworks CS4 Classroom in a Book. Publisher Adobe
Press.[21/06/16]
25
https://inkscape.org/en/[21/06/16]
26
https://inkscape.org/en/download/[21/06/16]
27
https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23007/drawit

8. Methembe Darikwa
Skencil​, originally known as Sketch . This is only available on Linux. The software uses 28
coordinates to tell the user the size and the position of the object. The software had the basic
needs for the user such as the shape tools, text, line tools etc.. As well as a library of shapes. 29
The​ ConceptDraw Pro ​is a software that uses vector graphics for business purposes. This 30
would be used by architects who need to design interiors, entrepreneurs who need a visual
representation of their idea and flow charts. Like ​Drawit it has a library of shapes that can be
scaled to the user’s wish. The file can also be exported to image files, HTMLs etc… This
application can only be used on the windows. 31
28
​http://www.skencil.org/
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​http://www.nongnu.org/skencil/faq.html
30
https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/20­vector­graphic­editors­reviewed/
31
http://www.conceptdraw.com/

9. Methembe Darikwa
Bitmap Applications
Photoshop​ is the most popular bitmap software, it’s main purpose is to manipulate images.
This software has been used by photo editors and professionals. The application offers the a
user friendly interface making it easy for them to locate around the application. The software
offers people quick editing for example it would be easy to lay images on top of each other,
place effects the images. The application offers organisations; when editing it will sort out the
images, effects and text into layers making it easy to control and manipulate. However the
software is expensive. Photoshop can import videos and it can be very useful for animation and
video editing . This may be seen as useless and a waist of space on the hard drive but not 32
many people will own a video editing software such as the sister application Premeir. 33
Photoshop is very heavy application because of the number of features this is an advantage in
terms that it offers more tools for the user experiment with however this be a setback because
not many pcs can support the applications size.
GIMP​ is a free image manipulation application. The name is an acronym that stands for ​GNU
Image Manipulation Program . The advantages of using this application is that it’s free unlike 34
Photoshop and it’s just as powerful as photoshop. Like photoshop you can manipulate images
with tools that can be found in photoshop as well as other features such as layers. You can
open photoshop files in GIMP. The application is very compatible as it can be used on
Windows, MAC OS X, and Sun OpenSolaris . The application has a strong loyal community 35
that support the software meaning that it can be recommended by photo editing websites and
graphic editors. The software doesn’t take much space on the computer making it much faster
and it doesn’t need much of the system resources. The other advantage is that the software 36
32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s­dpnyRe5EU
33
https://www.reference.com/hobbies­games/advantages­disadvantages­adobe­photoshop­ad789099e33cd
153
34
​https://www.gimp.org/about/introduction.html
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http://www.slideshare.net/mquest/5­advantages­that­make­gimp­worth­learning
36
​https://www.unixmen.com/13­reasons­to­choose­gimp­over­photoshop/

10. Methembe Darikwa
only requires 20 MB when the user installs it on their disk. It can be customized to the other The
disadvantage is that it’s very hard for beginners who have never used the software before.
Another point that can be seen as disadvantage and an advantage is that when the application
seems to load small dialog boxes that you can resize and move around, however this can be
seen as a sign of disorganisation because it makes the application look untidy . 37
Paint Tool Sai ​is a bitmap software that is used by artist to draw on their computer. The
application is only available on Windows. The application can be used with a graphic/drawing
tablet to draw and navigate around the software. “​Windows 98... 64MB, Windows 2000...
128MB, Windows XP... 256MB, Windows Vista or later... 1024MB.” These specs show that it’s 38
lightweight of a software meaning any pc or laptop with low RAM can be compatible because .
This software is more user friendly as well allowing novice users to quickly start using the
application. An advantage is that the software has a huge amount of paint options and brushes.
It has layers and tool options. However the applications interface is outdated in this could turn
away potential users from using it. As simple as it is to use it’s hard to use advanced technique
such as adding shadows. 39
37
http://www.onthegosoft.com/gimp_intro.htm
38
https://www.systemax.jp/en/sai/
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http://painttool­sai.en.softonic.com/

11. Methembe Darikwa
Clip Studio Paint ​(2001) formerly known as Manga studio is a software that is used for
animation, illustration, manga, and comics. The application was developed by the company
Celsys. This is software is designed for professionals animators, illustrators, colourist, editors. 40
The software uses both raster graphics and vector graphics. The program be controlled with a
graphic/drawing tablet. The software has vector tools as well as advanced brushes. It’s 41
backwards compatible making it easier for people to use their old files that were on previous
clipart softwares. It’s also compatible with Windows (323MB) and Macs OS X (384.5MB). 42
Metafiles are files that contain images about other files . These can be 43
40
http://my.smithmicro.com/manga­studio­5.html
41
https://youtu.be/6T1c7jWUKdA
42
​http://www.clipstudio.net/en/dl
43
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/metafile