This document discusses different types of file formats for digital graphics. It describes raster graphics, which are original images that become pixelated when enlarged, and vector graphics which can be resized while maintaining quality as they are made of geometric shapes. It then provides details on common file formats for both raster (JPEG, TIFF, GIF, BMP) and vector (PSD, AI, FLA, WMF) graphics, outlining what they stand for, common uses, and advantages and disadvantages. The document also discusses image capture methods, compression, and optimizing files.

1. Digital Graphics
File Formats
Joseph McGonigal

2. Raster Graphics
Raster graphics are original images, for example,
images you find on the web or upload with a
digital camera. If these images are enlarged
from their original size then they will become
more pixelated.

3. Vector Graphics
Vector Graphics are computer based graphics
where geometrical primitives such as shapes,
curves, lines and points can enable images to
be resized and still maintain there quality.

4. Raster Graphics

5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts Group
Used For/Example Storing photographs and web formats
Advantage JPEGS are universal and work quickly and
efficiently.
Disadvantage Loses quality with multiple edits as a result
of compression and recompression. They
get shrunk each time they are edited and
then when the image is enlarged it gets
more and more pixelated.

6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged image file format
Used For/Example Graphic designers are able to save multiple
file documents on a single TIFF.
Advantage Good for desktop publishing. You can edit
it as much times as you want and it will
never lose quality.
Disadvantage TIFF’s are design specialist software which
means it is not accessible on many
devices.

7. GIF
Stands For Graphics interchange format
Used For/Example Used for short digital animations most
commonly on the internet.
Advantage It is poor quality and normally the videos
contain a lot of pixels.
Disadvantage It will still allow you to see moving images
in a loop.

8. BMP
Stands For Bitemap Image File
Used For/Example BMP uses raster graphics and is used to
store bitmap digital images.
Advantage Similar to a JPEG or TIFF they have large
file sizes allowing someone to save a lot of
work files. This keeps work organised.
Disadvantage A bitmap image becomes pixelated when
it is scaled up.

9. Vector Graphics

10. PSD
Stands For Photoshop Document
Used For/Example Creating a magazine cover with texts and
imagery. Etc…
Advantage Excellent for post-production and a great
way to manipulate images or photographs.
Also, there are countless techniques of
which a lot support transparency for
greater effects.
Disadvantage Photoshop is very complicated to use if
you are not familiar with it. It is not for
beginners and there is a lot to learn in
order to be good at using it.

11. AI
Stands For ILLUSTRATOR ART
Used For/Example -The creation of logos.
-Making quick and simple animations
Advantage -Can provide high quality files
Disadvantage -Tricky to use and can take time getting
used to

12. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example -The creation of animation or games
Advantage -Can produce high quality files with a small
file size making files easily accessible to
download or upload
Disadvantage -Uses raster graphics meaning files will
loose quality if enlarged

13. WMF
Stands For Windows Mega File
Used For/Example To present graphic images
Advantage -Uses vector graphics
-Copyright safe
Disadvantage -Parts of an image may look good scaled
up whereas other parts will loose
consistency and quality as a result of
bitmap components and vector graphics

14. File Format Capture
and Optimising

15. Compression
Definition When a file is compressed the infomation
is reduced by making it so there are fewer
bits in an image.
Advantage -No one can copy work and claim it as
their own as they will not have the high
quality version before it was compressed
Disadvantage -Files or images loose quality each time
they are compressed
-In some file types such as JPEG’s if
something is compressed and there is no
back up high quality version saved then
the good version could be lost
permanently

16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
By converting images into a digital form for
a computer. It copies what is on the
screen.
Method Camera
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
Taking pictures that capture what the lens
sees.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
You can control the computer mouse as if
it were a pen and digitally draw
animations, images, graphics etc...

17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? To make images easy to view on the
internet and to ensure they do not have
too large of a file size.
How can you optimise? -Choosing image size on Photoshop
-Reducing image size
-Reducing bit depth
-Compressing images
Advantage to optimising -Easy viewing on the web
-Won’t have a large file size
-Short download time
Disadvantage to optimising It is a necessity to possess excellent
graphic design skills in order to obtain the
best results when optimising.