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1. A file format is the structure of how information is stored. File formats are designed
to store specific types of information, such as JPEG and TIFF for image or raster
data.1
JPEG is a “lossy compression format”.
JPEG compression is most suitable for photographic type images, with variations in
highlight and shadow detail.2 JPEG compression preserves more detail in
photographic images than GIFS but this still provides a considerable file size
reduction.
PNG is generally a new file format that saves images for use
on the web. There are 2 PNG format options: PNG-8 is a
“lossless compression formula”. PNG-8 uses bit colour
which allows a maximum of 256 colours in the image. This is
most effective at compressing solid areas, flat colour that is
typically located in logos and illustrations. In PNG-8 no
colour is lost when the image is being compressed.
“Depending on the image PNG-8 can produce files that are
10-30% smaller than a file that is compressed in a GIF format.” A benefit of a PNG is
the image is more supported than a GIF file however the PNG file does not support
animation like GIF’s do.
The GIF file format generally provides the
most effective and flexible optimisation for
images which have a flat area of colour,
sharp edges. “The advantage of animated
GIF’s over other formats is that any
browser can display them without the
need for plug-in.” 3You often find these in logos and buttons or another example
would be trees blowing in the wind or a water fall. A Gif is images that are saved in a
1 http://dpbestflow.org/file-format/file-format-overview
2 Robert Shufflebotham Photoshop CS5 In easy steps
3 The complete animation course - Thames+Hudson - Page 106

2. particular order to create the moving image this creates a smooth looking image that
can continuously loop. Java and flash can create these images.
A PSD is a layered image file that is used in Adobe Photoshop. The PSD file stands for
a Photoshop Document. The PSD file format is the standard format that Photoshop
uses to save data created by the user. “PSD is a proprietary file that allows the user
to work with images, individual layers even after the file has been saved.”4 A Photo
Shop Document can allow the user to flatten the image that they have created and
therefore allows them to convert their image into a JPG, GIFF or a TIFF file format.
PSD file formats are very useful as they allow the user to work with other file formats
giving them the option to save their work in various formats the can best suit their
image or document. On the other hand a PSD file once overwritten cannot be
rectified back to its original form.
A Tiff or (Tagged Image File Format) is a standard file format for scanning images.
5“TIFF is a flexible format supported by virtually all paint, image-editing, and
page-layout applications.” Tiff is very common on Mac and Windows operating
systems and is compatible with programs such as Paint, image editing and page
layout. “Tiff files are compressed, but not as much as JPEGs; they lose no detail,
but take up much more space than a JPEG, though less than a RAW file.”6
A RAW file format is an image file
format that is used by high-end and
professional digital cameras. RAW files
are thought to be the best form of
image file as it does not process the
picture this leaves the total control of
editing to the user. 7“The disadvantages
of RAW files are that because they are
not compressed by the camera they take up more space on the memory card, and
the camera also has to pause more frequently to write them to the card.” A RAW file
is much larger than a JPEG file however a RAW file format is smaller than a TIFF file.
RAW images can be edited by Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paintshop pro. A RAW file
can be converted to a JPEG and TIFF file by using a programme called ReaConverter.
4 http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/PSD-Adobe-Photoshop-default
5 Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Classroom in a book - Page 188
6 Collins Complete Photography Course - John Garrett and Graeme Harris - Page
25
7 Collins Complete Photography Course - John Garrett and Graeme Harris - Page
24

3. An EPS file format is an add on for a graphics file format. This is used in vector-
based images in Adobe Illustrator. EPS stands for “Encapsulated Post Script.”8 An
EPS file can contain text as well as images. This also contains a bitmap version of
the image. This is done for a simpler viewing rather than a vector instructions to
draw an image.
Advantages and disadvantages of JPEG
Pros:
 The user independently selects the file size
small file size
 Format is compatible and it is displayed correctly in any browsers, text
and graphics programs, on all computers, tablets and mobile devices
 Suitable for full-colour realistic images with a lot of colour and contrast
transitions
 Picture quality is high with small degree of compression.
Cons:
 Image may “fall apart” into individual squares – 8×8 pixel blocks when
you squeeze it.
 JPEG is less suitable for working with text or monochrome graphics with
clear boundaries
 Format does not support transparency and in case of drawing templates,
logos, buttons its necessary
 Every next step of compressing the image damages its quality.
Advantages and disadvantages of PNG
Pros:
 The image quality is not changed by any compression ratio
 When you re-save image, quality is not lost
 “PNG supports a large number of colors. PNG-8 (256 colours) and PNG-24
(about 16.7 million colours)”9
 It’s possible to work with layers
 PNG uses small size files
Cons:
 doesn’t support animation
 cannot store multiple images in one file
8 http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/EPS-Encapsulated-Postscript-Vector-
graphics-Adobe-Illustrator
9 https://www.logaster.com/blog/png/

4. Advantages and disadvantages of GIF:
Pros:
 They are simple to make using an animation program and a series of
images.
 GIFs are treated as normal image meaning you do not have to have a plug
in to use them.
 Animated GIFs have a relatively small file size
Cons:
 They have a maximum colour depth of 256 bit
 They can slow a webpage down
 Too few frames in the animation results in a jerky animation
 If not done well they can make a website visually unappealing
Advantages and disadvantages of PSD:
Pros:
 Keeps layers so you can work on it later, make changes if necessary
 Opens in Adobe Photoshop CS
Cons:
 Only opens in Adobe Photoshop CS
 Is not suitable for a blog or website and you can’t always print it
Advantages and disadvantages of TIFF:
Pros:
 Uncompressed image retains maximum amount of image data from the
camera
 Can be compressed to reduce file sizes
 Standard format for printing either at home
Cons:
 Large file sizes, around 20mb for a 10-megapixel image
 Good specification computer needed to process and load images.
 Slow speeds when transferring to online galleries that doesn’t support
TIFF files
Advantages and disadvantages of RAW:
Pros:
 Best image quality overall as well as flexibility in post processing
 Changes made such as cropping or adjustments can be undone and the
image reverted back to its original.

5. Cons:
 Good specification computer needed to process and load images.
 Large file sizes, approximately 12mb for a 10 megapixel file.
 Most website and online images galleries do not support RAW uploading.
Advantages and disadvantages of EPS:
 EPS files can accurately reproduce digital photos
 The quality of the images are high quality
 The print quality is very high
Cons:
 The main drawback is that an EPS file has to have adobe to produce an
image without the quality being poor.
The difference between raster and
vector is raster images consists of pixels
whereas vector images consist of paths.
Raster images such as JPEG and GIF are
made up of pixels and colours which
then form the image. A vector graphic
such as an EPS file or adobe illustrator file is made up of paths or lines that are
either straight or curved.
“Inkscape (Mac, Win, Linux) Link. Inkscape , an open-source vector graphics
editor, is similar to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW, but its use of Scalable
Vector Graphics (SVG), an open XML-based W3C standard, as its native format
sets it apart from others.”10
“Some Raster graphics applications are used specifically for editing images, some
specifically for creating bitmaps and others are combination of both, eg Adobe
Photoshop. Bitmap graphics software applications are known by several names
such as raster graphics editors, image editors and paint packages.”11
A metafile is a piece of graphical information stored in a format that can be
exchanged between different systems or software.
10 https://www.smashingmagazine.com/.../20-vector-graphic-editors-reviewed/
11 http://www.sqa.org.uk/e-learning/BitVect01CD/page_97.htm