Image formats can sometimes be a bit confusing, especially when it comes to deciding on the materials you will be using them for and where you will be using them. If you are not a professional in the area of image formats and graphic design, an image extension should not confuse you at all. Knowing what file extensions are and what they can be used for can do wonders for your life. Not sure where to start with figuring this out and why? Then read on. Here is all you need to know about different types of image formats.
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Bitmap Image Format
BMPs are composed of pixels that are stored in a grid format, and the resolution is determined by the total number of pixels or “bits” in the file. BMPs can store a tremendous amount of color data, and they usually produce the highest-quality visual images. However, BMPs can also be quite large in terms of file size. As such, these files are best used for graphics that need to be displayed on a computer monitor, such as logos or product illustrations.
JPEG Image Format
JPEG was designed to minimize image file size for faster download speeds and take up less storage space. The most common types of JPEG are baseline and progressive, which are widely supported in both web browsers and digital cameras. When taking a picture for digital use, JPEG is usually the preferred format because it compresses the data into a more efficiently stored file. This can be used for archiving digital photographs or for proper display on the web, as it supports millions of colors, varying image sizes, and cropping.
GIF Image Format
GIFs can be animated and can hold up to 256 colors in each frame, which is better than many other image formats. It is a great format for logos, icons, small images, and animated images. GIFs are also widely used for online memes and for creating various effects for websites and printed materials. It is also perfect for lightweight website graphics with a limited color palette.
PNG Image Format
PNG is a lossless file format, meaning that the image is compressed without losing any data or detail. This makes PNG an ideal choice for images that require exact color reproduction or which contain text or sharp details. However, due to its high image quality, PNG files are much larger than other formats such as JPEG. This can make them difficult to use on web pages and email attachments. A PNG to JPEG converter can also be used to reduce the size of PNG files while preserving the quality of the image, making it easy to share online.
TIFF Image Format
Tag Image File Format (TIFF) is a widely-used image format that uses a large compression scheme to maintain the quality of its bitmapped images. It is a flexible, secure, and versatile format that supports various forms of bitmapped images, such as black and white photos, greyscale images, color images, and even non-visible layers for text and other metadata. TIFF files are often used for digital photographs, storing photographic prints, and archiving and storage purposes.
Learn About Image Formats Today
The different types of image formats each have their advantages and disadvantages. For quality, smaller file size, and page speed, GIF, PNG, and JPEG are all suitable choices depending on the purpose. Careful attention should be given to the need and used appropriately to get the best from it. If you enjoyed this article, explore our website for more articles!