Graphic File Formats

Raster formats represent an image in the form of a so-called grid of pixels (color points). As for the vector format of the image, it for the construction of graphics uses elementary geometric shapes: points, splines, lines and polygons. All vector graphics objects areimages of mathematical functions. This approach to image representation allows you to zoom in on the picture without losing quality, which can not be said about the raster graphics. Consider the most common formats of graphic files.

JPEG (JPG)

This raster format is the most popular. As a rule, it is used for storagephotos. The JPG format uses a number of compression algorithms, which can result in deterioration in image quality. This format is used in the development of Internet sites. In addition, modern cameras use JPG to save received pictures.

PNG

The PNG format is a bitmap. He uses lossless compression using the Deflate algorithm, which was originally created for archivers. This format is mainly used in web design, as it has the ability to maintain a transparent background, which plays a big role in web development.

GIF

This format is considered obsolete, especially after the appearance of PNG. Its drawback is that this format for image storage Can only use 256 colors. For printing this will not be enough. However, a characteristic feature of the GIF format is animation support. Today, even after the advent of Flash technology, on the expanses of the World Wide Web, you can find a huge number of animated banners in the GIF format.

TIFF

TIFF - a format for storing raster images with a large depth of color. This format is used for scanning documents, recognizing text and sending faxes. In addition, TIFF is often used in printing.

PSD

This format uses lossless compression. It was created specially for Adobe Photoshop to support all its capabilities. The advantage of PSD format is the possibility preservation of layers, transparency, partial transparency and vector elements. It should be noted that the files saved in this format have a very large volume, and it is impossible to fully work with them with the help of any third-party programs.

Vector graphic file formats

As a rule, each program that works with vector graphics, supports its own image format. It should also be noted that vector graphics are two-dimensional and three-dimensional.

For work with two-dimensional graphics, a software package Adobe Illustrator, in which the format for storing images is called AI. CorelDRAW uses the CDR format.

As for the three-dimensional graphics, for the exchange between applications was developed COLLADA format. Such programs as 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D and many others can work with it. In addition, the latest version of Adobe Photoshop supports working with three-dimensional graphics.

Finally it is worth noting that in this article wenot all formats of graphic files were considered, but they tried to tell only about the most common ones. In addition to the listed, there are formats such as BMP, ICO, MrSID, PCX, TGA, XPS, PNM, U3D, EPS, STL, X and many others.