basically some notes on file stuff

Intro to graphic file formats       peter christy

Understanding format choice and image compression

File formats

-all computer documents or files are packaged in different formats

-the format is based on the origin of the file

-graphic files such as photo, video, and artwork can be reduced in size

lossy vs lossless

-lossy makes it lose data and image quality but also  smaller

-lossless preserves quality but also is bigger

grapic formats

-tif, jpg and gif are the most common

-png is a common web format that has high quality and can be transparent

-each has its strengths and weaknesses

TIF

-tagged image file format

-common for desktop publishing

-lossless format

-can display in high quality but not safe for the web

JPG

-joint photographers expert group

-lossly format

-created for photos

-can reduce by 10:1 w/o significant side effects

-compression is ajustible

-many types of jpg

over compression

-if files are over compressed, they will lose quality

-some files will mess up your image if it is not compatible

GIF

-graphics interchange format

-best for flat color or even tone

-art and cartoons are great for this

-can change color bit level from 1-8

-reduces images by indexing color from channels from 1-3

-not printer friendly

rgb(red green blue):

formats: jpg, gif, png, sva

cmyk(cyan magenta yellow black):

formats: tiff, pict, bmp, ai, psd

contiguous or noncontigous pixles

-tif and jpg are best for contiguous, blending pixles

-gif is best for sharp not contiguous pixles