Download - File format help sheet version 2
File Formats Help Sheet
An easy guide to identify your file formats by Ben Hunt
BMP/Bitmap
- Positives • A bit map is constructed from raster graphics that create 2D images
either monochrome or colourful.• The File size is normally large but if they are stretched or enlarged
they will become pixilated. • The primary use for bitmaps are for photos because of there high
array of colours and there larger size.
- Negatives • The amount of memory used to store a bitmap is also quite large
however meaning they take longer to load than other files.• The large file types are not supported on the internet because of
there larger size and slow load time.
JPEG
• Joint photographic experts group.
- Positives • A basic file used on both the internet and in digital
photography.• A JPEG is used by almost all computers making it easy to
share in the workplace.
- Negatives • Normally when a picture I compressed it will lose some of
the quality due to pixilation.• Also files that are les advanced than JPEGs will suffer due to
the wider array of lighting and colours in a JPEG file.
PNG
- Positives • A format that can be used on any platform either
Macs or PCs• Larger files like bitmaps can be compressed into a
PNG without any loss in quality
- Negatives• PNGs however are not used by older platforms
but are ideal for newer ones.• The file type however offers no animated image
or multi image options online.
TIF
- Positives• TIF is another common file format that is used in
the workplace for scanning.• A TIF file is also supported by Macs as well as PCs
making it a suitable workplace file.
- Negatives • TIF is not supported by web browsers and would
have to be converted into a JPEG• TIF is a larger file format that will take up more
memory space making it load slower.
PSD
- Positives• Allows images to be stored in layers.• PSD files can be imported into other software
programs such as after effects for special film effects and titles .
• PSDs also allow you to work with vector files. However the option is limited.
- Negatives • PSD is a large format making it hard to share so it must
be made smaller also the file is not used by all programs making it not ideal for the work place.
- Positives
• Small file size allows for quick sharing it can also be used on any program.
• This make it ideal for the work space for quick and easy sharing.
- Negatives
• Sadly images cannot be manipulated however after they are saved.
GIF
- Positives • Widely supported by the internet making ideal
for website graphics.• Compression to this format are lossless making it
ideal for image manipulation• Animated GIFs are common and easy to make for
websites.- Negatives• Detail is quite bad on a GIF making it non ideal for
larger important images.
CGM
• Uses Raster and Vector graphics
• Is an international standard file format
- Positives
• CGM will work on the majority of operating systems making it very accessible.
- Negatives
• CGM will in many cases will need a filter to convert formats.