Pixel Based File Formats |
Advantages | Other Features | Non-Lossy Compression? |
| gif | Browser Readable | only 256 colors, smaller file sizes, (proprietary) | YES |
| jpg | Browser Readable | Lossy Compression | no |
| png | Browser Readable | patent-free replacement for GIF and can also replace many common uses of TIFF. Indexed-color, grayscale, and truecolor images are supported, plus an optional alpha channel for transparency. Not support by older browsers. | YES |
| tif | Can include layers | non-proprietary, good non-lossy compression | YES |
| psd | Can include layers | Photoshop Only (proprietary) | NA |
| xcf | Can include layers | GIMP Only | NA |
| bmp | Used by many Windows applications. can include layers | Uncompressed, large file sizes | Not compressed |
Some Basic Guidelines
Use GIF or PNG for line art type images (mono chromatic poster type images)
reduce colors where possible using Mode command
Use JPG for web or powerpoint presentations when continuous color tone is desired.
Try to keep images less than 100k for web.
Use TIF for final (flattened) printwork (300 DPI is usually sufficient for most 8"x10" work)
Use xcd format (GIMP) while under construction