Image Formats

  • Image file formats are standardized means of organizing and storing digital images
  • Image files are composed of digital data in one of these formats that can be rasterized for use on a computer display or printer.
  • An image file format may store data in uncompressed, compressed, or vector formats.
  • Common image formats are Raster format and Vector format.

Raster Formats :

  JPG/JPEG :
  • Jpg(Joint Photographic Expert Group) is highly compressed raster image format.
  • It is best suited for photographs.
  • It is a Lossy Compression.Once compressed perfect reproduction of original image is impossible.
  • Very little image loss 1:10 compression is possible.
  • It has '.JPG' or '.JPEG' extensions.


  PNG :
  •  PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless file format.
  • It supports up to 48 Bit Colours.
  • It is very useful to store base files that can be edited across multiple graphic editors to produce the final output.
  • The PNG file extension is '.PNG'.


  TIFF:
  • TIFF(Tagged Image File format) is designed for images for Desktop publishing Purposes.
  • It can support compression without any loss of quality.
  • This format is often the default format in which a scanner saves the file.
  • This format normally saves eight bits or sixteen bits per color (red, green, blue) for 24-bit and 48-bit totals.
  • Very little image loss 1:10 compression is possible.
  • TIFF image format is not widely supported by web browsers. TIFF remains widely accepted as a photograph file standard in the printing business
  • The TIFF file extension is '.TIFF' or '.TIF'.


  BMP:
  • BMP(Bit Map Format) is used to store direct pixel colour information.
  • It is mainly used on Windows family of OS.
  • its 8 bit version can store only 256 colours.
  • BMP files are uncompressed, and therefore large and lossless.
  • It has file extension '.BMP'.


  GIF:
  • GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is in normal use limited to an 8-bit palette, or 256 colors
  • GIF is most suitable for storing graphics with few colors, such as simple diagrams, shapes, logos, and cartoon style images
  • The image quality is not reduced while using this compression.It also supports transparency.
  • It uses LZW lossless compression. It achieved almost universal software support.
  • it is widely used to provide image animation effects.
  • It has file extension '.GIF'.


Vector Formats :

  SVG :
  • SVG(Scalable Vector Graphics) is an open standard created and developed by W3C.
  • It is created to address the need for versatile scriptable and all purpose vector format for the web.
  • It is a modern XML based file for vector graphics, that can be used on internet also.
  • It supports standard compression techniques.
  • It has '.SVG' extension.


  WMF/EMF:
  • WMF/EMF(Windows Meta File/Enhanced Meta File) is native format applications like Word, Power-point.
  • It produces very small size files.
  • It is quite suitable for usage in for of clipart libraries.
  • It has '.WMF' or '.EMF' extensions.


  CDR:
  •  CDR(CorelDraw) is has capability to store both vector based and bitmap images.
  • It stores all editing status and other image configuration data.
  • It is required to convert files to a lower version while transferring to previous version of Corel Application.
  • IT has file extension '.CDR'.