1. Digital Image Formats: An Explanation Guilford County SciVis V106.01

2. An explanation Why so many file formats? Why so many file formats? How are they used? How are they used? One reason is compression, lossy or lossless. One reason is compression, lossy or lossless. Another reason is the number of colors to be used. Another reason is the number of colors to be used.

3. Lossy vs. lossless compression Lossy compression loses some part of the file. Lossy compression loses some part of the file. Lossless compression does not lose any part of the compressed file. Lossless compression does not lose any part of the compressed file. LZW is an example of a lossless compression algorithm. LZW is an example of a lossless compression algorithm. Lossy compression will be missing part of the file to save space.

4. Number of colors Images have differing numbers of color within them. Images have differing numbers of color within them. Black and white images take up the least amount of space with 1 bit of information. Black and white images take up the least amount of space with 1 bit of information. Current video cards are able to display 24 bits of color per pixel. Current video cards are able to display 24 bits of color per pixel. This makes it possible for 16 million colors to be displayed (2 24 colors). This makes it possible for 16 million colors to be displayed (2 24 colors). This requires a significant amount of disk space. This requires a significant amount of disk space.

5. The file types - TIFF TIFF can be lossless or lossy. TIFF can be lossless or lossy. The details of the image storage algorithm are included as part of the file. The details of the image storage algorithm are included as part of the file. TIFF is used almost exclusively as a lossless image storage format that uses no compression at all. TIFF is used almost exclusively as a lossless image storage format that uses no compression at all. Most graphics programs that use TIFF do not use compression. Most graphics programs that use TIFF do not use compression. File sizes are quite big. File sizes are quite big. (Sometimes LZW is used, but it is not universally supported.) (Sometimes LZW is used, but it is not universally supported.)

6. The file types - PNG PNG is a lossless storage format. PNG is a lossless storage format. It looks for patterns in the image that it can use to compress file size. It looks for patterns in the image that it can use to compress file size. The compression is exactly reversible, so the image is recovered exactly. The compression is exactly reversible, so the image is recovered exactly.

7. The file types - GIF GIF creates a table of up to 256 colors from a pool of 16 million. GIF creates a table of up to 256 colors from a pool of 16 million. If the image has fewer than 256 colors, GIF can render the image exactly. If the image has fewer than 256 colors, GIF can render the image exactly. GIF is "lossless" only for images with 256 colors or less. For a rich, true color image, GIF may "lose" 99.998% of the colors. GIF is "lossless" only for images with 256 colors or less. For a rich, true color image, GIF may "lose" 99.998% of the colors.

8. The file types - JPG JPG is optimized for photographs and similar continuous tone images that contain many, many colors. JPG is optimized for photographs and similar continuous tone images that contain many, many colors. It can achieve astounding compression ratios even while maintaining very high image quality. It can achieve astounding compression ratios even while maintaining very high image quality. It stores information as 24 bit color. It stores information as 24 bit color. The degree of compression of a JPG is adjustable. The degree of compression of a JPG is adjustable.

9. The file types - BMP BMP is an uncompressed proprietary format invented by Microsoft. BMP is an uncompressed proprietary format invented by Microsoft. There is really no reason to ever use this format. There is really no reason to ever use this format.

10. The file types - PSD PSD is a proprietary format used by Photoshop. PSD is a proprietary format used by Photoshop. This is the preferred working format to edit images in the software This is the preferred working format to edit images in the software This package uses layers to build complex images, and layer information may be lost in the nonproprietary formats such as TIFF and JPG. This package uses layers to build complex images, and layer information may be lost in the nonproprietary formats such as TIFF and JPG. However, it is best to save the product as a TIFF or JPG, so it can be viewed in the future when software changes. However, it is best to save the product as a TIFF or JPG, so it can be viewed in the future when software changes.

11. The file types - Summary TIFF files are generally large. TIFF files are generally large. PNG compression can be reversed if needed. PNG compression can be reversed if needed. GIF results in lose of color information. GIF results in lose of color information. JPG are the best in terms of compressed files. JPG are the best in terms of compressed files. BMP should be rarely, if ever used. BMP should be rarely, if ever used. PSD is exclusive to Photoshop. PSD is exclusive to Photoshop.

12. TIFF (901 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/uncompr.tif TIFF (901 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/uncompr.tif http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/uncompr.tif http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/uncompr.tif JPG (301 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/HiQ.jpg JPG (301 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/HiQ.jpg http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/HiQ.jpg http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/HiQ.jpg PNG (741 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/png.png PNG (741 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/png.png http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/png.png http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/png.png GIF (131 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/optmedcut.gif GIF (131 kb) http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/optmedcut.gif http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/optmedcut.gif http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/format s/optmedcut.gif File size comparisons

13. TIFF – This is usually the best quality output from a digital camera. TIFF – This is usually the best quality output from a digital camera. JPG – This is the format of choice for nearly all photographs on the web. JPG – This is the format of choice for nearly all photographs on the web. GIF - For images with fewer than 256 colors and large areas of uniform color like cartoons. GIF - For images with fewer than 256 colors and large areas of uniform color like cartoons. Do NOT use GIF for photographic images Do NOT use GIF for photographic images PNG - For images with large areas of exactly uniform color, but more than 256 colors PNG - For images with large areas of exactly uniform color, but more than 256 colors Also, for display of photographs exactly without loss of quality on the web. Also, for display of photographs exactly without loss of quality on the web. When should you choose each?

14. Reference Matthews, R. (2007). Digital image file types. Retrieved June 21, 2007 from http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/ formats/formats.html. Matthews, R. (2007). Digital image file types. Retrieved June 21, 2007 from http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/ formats/formats.html.