Here is a summary of the most common graphics
file formats:
Common Raster Graphics Formats |
file type |
proper name |
description |
.bmp |
Windows Bitmap |
Commonly used by Microsoft Windows programs, and the Windows operating system itself. Lossless compression can be specified, but some programs use only uncompressed files. |
.tif |
Tagged Image File Format |
Used extensively for traditional print graphics. Lossy and non-lossy compression available, but many programs only support a subset of available options. |
.png |
Portable Network Graphics |
New format designed primarily for web graphics, intended to replace "gif" format. Uses non-lossy compression. |
.gif |
Graphics Interchange Format |
Used extensively on the web. Supports only 256 colors, so requires lossy quantization for full-color photos. Uses non-lossy compression. |
.jpeg .jpg |
Joint Photographic Experts Group |
Used extensively on the web. Uses lossy compression; the quality can vary greatly depending on the compression settings. |
.xpm |
X-Pixmap |
Used almost exclusively on UNIX platforms. Uses no compression. |
.psd |
Photoshop Document |
Standard Adobe format for Photoshop documents. Has many extra features such as image layering. Supported by very few programs other than Adobe Photoshop. |
.psp |
Paint Shop Pro Document |
Standard Jasc format for Paint Shop Pro documents, similar to .psd for Photoshop. Supported by very few other programs. |
Common Vector Graphics Formats |
file type |
proper name |
description |
.ps |
PostScript |
Generic vector-based page description language, created and owned by Adobe. |
.eps |
Encapsulated PostScript |
A PostScript file that describes a small vector graphic, as opposed to a whole page. |
.pdf |
Portable Document Format |
A PostScript file containing multiple pages and links, that works with Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe eBook Reader. |
.ai |
Adobe Illustrator Document |
Vector format for Adobe Illustrator. |
.fh |
Macromedia Freehand Document |
Vector format for Macromedia Freehand. |
.swf |
Shockwave Flash |
Shockwave Flash is a web page plug-in that displays vector based animations. The Flash authoring tool from Macromedia is required in order to author .swf documents. |
.fla |
Flash Source File |
Shockwave Flash source file, only usable by Macromedia Flash authoring software. |
.svg |
Scalable Vector Graphics |
An XML based vector graphics format, as defined by the W3 consortium for use in web browsers.
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