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.

PDF

- 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.