Learn Adobe Photoshop - Photoshop Files And Formats
While Photoshop comes with many different features to tackle, many people often come up short when asked what image formats Photoshop will open or save in. How do you know which one to use, and what are the advantages or disadvantages of each?
The odds are in your favor as Photoshop has the ability to open and save a variety of graphic files. Here are some of the more popular formats.
One thing to remember is that when you open an image file other than a Photoshop one, the image will default to the background layer.
1) .psd, .pdd, .eps:
This format saves the information in all the layers. This is the best format to use if you are going to perform further work on a picture, however the file size can be quite large. It is best to save your work in the most up to date Photoshop format existing. An example would be if you have Photoshop CS and are sent a Photoshop 7 file, you should save it as a Photoshop CS file to maintain any elements that may not be supported by Photoshop 7.
2) .jpg, .jpeg .jpe
This format compresses images in a way that information such as color subtleties and other details are lost. You can select to what extreme you want to compress the image. This is the most suitable format for use on the web. Consists of small file sizes and millions of colors.
3) .tif, .tiff
Most common in use with early scanners. This format will generate high quality images, but very large files. Not for use on the web.
4) .gif
This format is one of the most popular for web graphics as it loads quickly and has an 8 bit format (256 colors max.). It has potential for transparent color and animation.
5) .png
New format for use on the web that is intended to replace both gif and jpeg. Compressed, millions of colours, transparencies. It compress in a different way than jpeg, and has advanced possibilities, such as alpha channel (opaque or partly transparent colours). The only trouble is: Internet Explorer doesn't support these! In 8 bit (256 colours) mode it compresses better than gif.
6) .bmp
Windows bitmapped image. Used by Microsoft Windows applications. Good quality, large file size. Not for use on the web.
7) .wmf
Windows MetaFile. Useful for clipart, and can be used to make large area, small sized background files.
8) .pcx
Older general purpose format. Practically obsolete now. Not for use on the web.
9) .psp
Internal format for Paint Shop Pro, useful if you want to swap files between these two applications.
10) .pcd - Kodak PhotoCD Format
Kodak PhotoCD format, used with Photo Developing - although most photo processors will save your photos as jpegs if you ask them to.
11) .pdf
Portable Document File. Adobe's file system that allows electronic cross platform sharing of documents.
So what's the best format for web graphics: gif or jpeg?
Easy way to remember is that gifs are typically used for drawings and jpegs for photos. Use gifs for diagrams, illustrations, line drawings and images with large areas of flat color. Jpeg should be used for photographs and images with continuous color tones. While the jpeg has an excellent compression rate, the compression lowers the quality of the image so try out some of the tools in Image Ready to find the optimal quality/file size. The gif format in comparison has a smaller file size but a limited range of colors.
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