graphic arts graphics formats: what you need to know about the pictures 1
TRANSCRIPT
Graphic Arts
Graphics Formats: What You Need to Know About the Pictures
1
Different types of documents have
different requirements for the handling of their
graphics. High end programs can import a wide range of graphics formats.
Clarify which file options to use by consulting with the printer of the final document & understanding the purpose of the document and the workflow.
Let’s jump in!Here’s a look at some of
the formats you will get to know.
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
Works especially well for photographs
Loses sharpness when large areas of a single color are present
Commonly called a “lossy” format for its tendency to discard extra data not essential for display of the image.
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
A .gif is ideal for an image with limited color range
A .gif (Graphics Interchange Format) is a standard for displaying graphics on the web
Compresses data without losing detail (some call it “lossless”)
Not recommended for commercial printing
Only displays 256 colors
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
High compatibility with many programs – the friendly .tif
Tiff (Tagged Image File) format
Flexible bitmap image format
Supported by virtually all paint, image editing, and page layout applications
Nearly all scanners can create .tif files
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
What is a .bmp file?
Standard Windows bitmap image file
Does not support CMYK
Color support limited to 24 bits
Not for commercial printing; only low res (low resolution)
Not supported by web browsers at all
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
Think of an .eps file like a translator that speaks all
languages fluently…Based on the PostScript language (Encapsulated PostScript)
Transfers PostScript language artwork to all other applications
Supported by most image editing and page layout programs
Can contain both vector and bitmapped images
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
Is a .png file worth knowing about?
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) initially was developed as a patent free alternative to the more popular .gif format
Mostly used for online documents, not so much in printed materials
It is probably a better alternative for print than a .gif is due to its better color support
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
What is so special about the native Photoshop file format,
.psd?Allows you to save a file in layers, which is essential when working inside of Adobe Photoshop
Allows you to embed color profiles
Can import as is into layout programs like Adobe InDesign
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
What is Adobe Illustrator’s native
format called?The file extension is .ai
Allows placement directly into page layout programs and into Photoshop documents
Based entirely on vector (mathematical) graphics
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
What is the purpose of a .pdf file format? What
makes it different?Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format…created for the electronic distribution and viewing of complete documents.
Preserves color quality & layout precision sufficiently for electronic distribution of prepress work. A printer’s friend!
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
Windows Metafile Format. Why do we need
this one?The .wmf format is native to Windows and was developed primarily to share vector art such as clip art between users and applications. However, raster information may be contained in .wmf files.
Only supports 16 bit color & does not allow for color separations, so it’s unlikely for printing use.
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
How about the Macintosh file extension,
the .pict file?This format is widely used for Mac OS graphics and for transferring files between applications
Especially effective when images have large areas of solid color
Device dependent format, not a commercial print choice as it does not support color seps
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
Some of the weirder formats that you need to
know about…The extension .pcx stands for PC graphics.
Not good for commercial printing. It only supports 24 bit color and is native to the Windows environment. Developed for Windows DOS Paintbrush program.
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats
And one more you may HARDLY EVER hear about!
The Scitex CT or .sct file format is used for high end image processing on Scitex computers.
These images are usually produced on high end Scitex scanners that produce super high resolution commercial prints.
Graphic Arts I: Graphics Formats