File Types Flashcards
Memorize the different file types and their purposes.
What file format is PNG?
Raster
What is a vector file made of?
Mathematics. Lines and anchors.
What file format is PDF?
Vector
What file format is AI?
Vector
What file format is RAW?
Raster
What is a lossy format?
These have smaller file sizes but do not store a perfect copy of the image. They are best suited to photographs and other images where perfect accuracy is not important. They are also commonly used on the web to save bandwidth. Example: JPEG.
What is a raster file made of?
Pixels
What file format is JPG?
Raster
What file format is TIFF?
Raster
What file format is EPS?
Vector
What file format is PSD?
Raster
What file format is GIF?
Raster
Can GIF support transparent backgrounds?
Yes
What is a lossless format?
These store an exact pixel-by-pixel representation of the image, but require more space. They are more suitable for things like logos. Arguably the best of these formats is PNG, which is Vector Magic’s recommended bitmap format for logos. It is widely supported and has very good compression. Examples: PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF.
What file extensions are most commonly used for the web?
JPG & PNG
What are web images optimized for?
Download speed
What file format is used in a professionally printed piece?
TIFF
What would be the best file format to upload a brochure to the web?
Which type of file is best suited for image manipulation?
Raster
Which type of file is best suited for illustration?
Vector
What questions should you ask yourself before you choose what file format to use?
- What are you going to do with the file?
- Is your graphic raster?
- Is your graphic vector?
Raster Graphics
- Created with pixels
- Resolution dependent
- Scaling compromises the resolution
- Scaling can compromise the quality
Vector Graphics
- Created with paths
- Points, lines and shapes
- Mathematic equations and geometry to create
- Resolution independent
- Scalable without loss of quality – postage stamp to billboard and beyond
What are some features of a JPG?
- Acronym: Joint Photographic Experts Group
- Most common file type
- Does not retain layers or transparency
- Quality of image decreases every time file is saved
- Lossy compression
- Best for: web, raster
- Not for: print
What are some features of a PNG?
- Acronym: Portable Network Graphics
- Supports transparency
- Sharper image
- Lossless compression
- Best for: web, raster
- Not for: print (but can be)
- Raster
What are some features of a GIF?
- Acronym: Graphic Interchange Format
- Animate images
- Smaller file size
- Loads quickly for web
- Best for: web, raster
- Not for: print, vector
- Raster
What are some features of a TIF?
- Acronym: Tagged Image File Format
- Options for type of compression
- Larger file size
- Lossless compression
- Best for: print, raster
- Not for: web
What are some features of a PSD?
- Photoshop document
- Files created in Adobe Photoshop
- Retains layers
- Lossless compression
- Best for: print, raster
- Not for: web
What are some features of a RAW or DNG
- Digital Negative
- Unprocessed by the Camera
- Uncompressed data
- Edits are only filed in metadata
- Original data is preserved when camera raw images are adjusted
- RAW Capture more values, tones, shades, colors
- Editing in “Camera Raw” keeps the data intact
- Lossless compression
- Best for: print, raster
- Not for: web
What are some features of an EPS?
- Acronym: Encapsulated Postscript
- Vector
- Originally an image needed to be an EPS to be placed into a page layout program
- Postscript file with a preview
- An older file format
- Best for: print, vector, raster
- Not for: web
What are some features of an AI?
- Adobe Illustrator Document
- Vector
- Creates vector files
- Scalable without loss of quality
- Best for: Vector, print
- Not for: Web, raster
What are some features of an PDF?
- Portable Document Format
- Invented by Adobe
- Most print work flows are PDFs
- Can contain links, buttons, form fields, audio and video
- Best for: print, web, vector, raster
- Not for: making changes
What are some features of HEIC and HEIF file formats?
- HEIC: Video
- HEIF: Photo, high efficiency image file format, format for individual images and image sequences
What can happen if you’ve used the wrong file format?
- Rejected by printer
- Incompatible with a computer
- Slower download times
- Complete disaster
What’s another name for raster?
BMP
