File formats

File formats.

By Clare O’Mara.

Raster Graphics:

What Raster graphics do is use pixels to store it’s data. And if a person would zoom into an raster file then that person would see lots of pixel, this is because all of the pixels are making up an image.

Also cameras and scanners will create work in raster files this is because they need to remain as raster files when they are being edited by someone.

Vector Graphics:

Vector graphics uses mathematic equations. Such as points, lines, curves and many shapes. (This is to store data). Also vector graphics will remain in the best quality even if someone was to zoom in on the image. Raster graphics can also be transformed into vector graphics this could be for printing because it can be easy to change the size of an image without changing the quality of that image.

Also not all computer programs support all of the types of vector graphics. So if a person wishes to work in many different types of programs then it would be much better to save as more universally compatible raster file.

Metafile:

A metafile is a file that can hold many different types of data and all at the same time. Graphics metafile can hold raster and vector types. For example a word document .

More example of metafiles being uses is, ‘PDF’ which means, ‘Portable Document format’, ‘RTF’ this means, ‘Rich Text Format’ and, ‘SVG’ which then means, ‘Scalable Vector Graphics’. (These are all examples for metafiles).

PDF file: The file extension, ‘pdf’, means, ‘Portable Document Format’. This file type if a raster and vector file this then means it uses both raster and vector date. The advantages of using a pdf file is that the file can be opened onto any system this is due to the fact it does not run in any certain programs, and pdf files are really small which then means the pdf files can be shared quickly and easily and pdf files do not allow people to change your work when you have shared it so your work stays original. But the disadvantages of pdf files is that once you have saved you cannot change the image you have saved when in this type of format.

For example of pdf files being use is by exam borders they use it because they have a lot of date files so they want work they can be saved without taking up a lot of space. Another example of pdf files being use is to protect your work that you have published onto the internet, (so your work stays protective without anyone changing your work without you knowing). Therefore I would use a PGF file for protecting my own work so no one else can change my work.

PSD file: The file extension, ‘PSD’ means, ‘Photoshop Document’. And the type of file PSD files are raster files this is because PSD files uses pixel data.

The advantages of PSD files are that it allows pictures to be stores in many layers, also people can create and change images which can change an image to a person’s personal taste, to make a image appear more professional or for any other reason. Also PSD files can be imported into different software programs such as after effects this is for special film effects and for titles. But the disadvantages are that Photoshop is used in many layers so this can make the file very large this then means it needs to be saved as a .jpg (an image file). So if a person wishes to share their work on Photoshop then the file needs to be saved as a smaller file because if wished to be shared it needs to be saved as a .jpg.

An example of a PSD file being used for is to create an advert/advertisement using Photoshop. Therefore I would use PSD files for creating an advert. I would do this by using Photoshop and then changing it into a JPG file so my advert can be shared.

GIF file: The file extension, ‘GIF’ means, ‘Graphics Interchange Format’. And the type of file an GIF file is an raster file which then means it uses pixel data.

The advantages of using an GIF file is it is very much supported internet standard, and the quality does not change therefore it stays the same, there is lossless compression and transparency are supported also many animated GIF’s are very common and very easy to create by people using GIF animation programs.

An example of an GIF file being used is on a website if a person wished to animate something/the website it’s self. Therefore I would use GIF files for animating a web page so the page page would be more eye catching, more appealing to an younger audience and more attractive.

JPG Files: A JPG as known as a JPEG stands for, 'Joint Photographic Experts Group'. And this file format is a raster file this is due to that fact the file uses pixel date. (And Raster files are graphics that uses pixels to store date). Also JPG have many advantages such as JPG's are very much supported for photos taken by cameras and internet.

And people compress the image which then allows the person to change the file size of the certain image. But JPG's have disadvantages such as JPG's are not suitable for simple images that have little colour in them and if the file is compressed some quality may be lost.

For example JPG's is may be used for taking photos from a camera and may be used to email photos to other people. Therefore I would use JPG's for taking photos from a camera then uploading which then I can then alter.

BMP Files: The file extension, ‘BMP’, stands for, ‘Windows Bitmap’. And the type of file is a Raster file this then means its uses pixel date. Also advantages of bmp are that its supports many use of colours and bmp format can be used in windows programmes and especially older programmes.

But bmp has disadvantages such as the file type is not supported by web browsers, can only be used on windows computers also bmp is not supported to compress which can then lead to a very large files.

For example bmp files are used on windows computers to do work or for any other reason. Therefore I would use bmp files when using a windows computer to look at images with much use of colours within the image itself.

PNG files: The file extension, ‘PNG’, stands for, ‘Portable Network Graphics’. And the type of file is a Raster file which then means the file uses pixel data.

Also the advantage of using PNG files is that it supports a high level of loss of compression as well as transparency, PNG files are supported by updated web browsers. And because PNG is on the internet then PNG files cannot offer support for multipage or animate files.

For example PNG files are used for professional appearing but if a web page is used then a PNG files are small then the web page will load much quicker. Therefore I would use PNG files for a web page that I can change to my personal taste.

TIF File: The file extension, ‘TIF’ means, ‘Tagged image file format’. And the type of file TIF is a raster file which then means it uses pixel data.

The advantages of TIF files is that it supported standardly, often used when people scan. And both Mac and Windows computer support TIF files. The disadvantages of TIF files is that it is not supported by web brewers. Also it does not compress automatically. Therefore its creates a large file.

For example when you are scanning something and when a person does not mind having a large image. Therefore I would use TIF files when scanning in some work that may be on a piece of paper which I want to share with other people that can be displayed on a website. For example I could share scanned work on www.bloggercom

CGM File:

The file extension, ‘CGM’ means, ‘Computer Graphics Metafile’. And the type of file is a raster and vector this then means it uses both raster and vector data.

Also the advantages of CGM files is that it is a free file format which then means it works on lots of types of systems. And that it is a international standard. But the disadvantages of CGM files is that in some types of programs the file type needs a filer to connect to it.

An example of an CGM file is working in another country to then be sent off to a different country. Therefore I would use CGM files when working aboard.