Photoshop files and formats

People often ask me: what is image file formats open Photoshop or save? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Photoshop offers the possibility to open and save many different graphic files. Here are some of the most popular are.

Note: When you open a an image file as a Photoshop, the image on the background layer is by default.

.PDD, PSD, EPS

Photoshop file. This format is the information in all levels. If you're going to continue working with an image, this is the best format use. File size can grow very large. Note: It is advisable to save your work in the most recent available Photoshop format. For example: If you are sent Photoshop CS and a Photoshop 7 file, you should it as Photoshop CS file, to get all elements that support might save in Photoshop 7.

.jpg, .jpeg, .jpe

This format compresses the images, so that information (information and color subtleties) will be lost. You can choose how much to compress the image. Good format for use on the Web. Small file sizes. Millions of colors.

TIF, TIFF

Common in use with early scanner. Create high quality images, but very large files. Not for use on the Web.

.gif

Pronounced "gif" both "Yifat", this file is one which is most popular for Web graphics, if it loaded quickly. 8-Bit format (256 colors max.). There are ways for transparent color, and animation.

PNG

New format for use on the Web, replacing both gif and JPEG. Compressed, millions of colors, films. It compress in a different way as JPEG, and has advanced options, such as for example alpha channel (non-transparent or partially transparent colors). The only problem is: Internet Explorer does not support them! In 8 bit (256 colors) mode it compresses better than GIF.

BMP

Windows bitmap image. Used by Microsoft Windows applications. Good quality, large file size. Not for use on the Web.

WMF

Windows MetaFile. For clip art, useful and can be used for large area, small size background files.

PCX

Older general purpose format. Now virtually obsolete. Not for use on the Web.

PSP

Internal format for Paint Shop Pro, useful if you want to Exchange files between these two applications.

.PCD

Kodak Photo CD format, used with the development of photo - although most photo processors will save your photos as JPEG files, if you you on issues.

.PDF

Portable document file. Adobe-file system, the electronic enables cross-platform sharing of documents.

So, what is the best format for Web graphics: GIF or JPEG?

The rule of thumb is to use GIFs for diagrams, drawings, illustrations and images, the large of flat color and JPEG for photos of areas and images with continuous tones. The JPEG format has a very good compression, but compression reduces the quality of the image, so it's best to experiment with the tools in image ready until you have the optimal quality/file size. On the other hand, a smaller file size - the GIF format, but has a limited number of colors.

Shaun is a writer and video maker. His latest production, "Photoshop master", is an interactive video tutorial series. It shows the most out of Photoshop, as you, and can be downloaded from http://www.learnphotoshopfast.com

Learn Photoshop - format files in Photoshop

So you've got your new digital camera, and you're out and take some pictures ready. But what is the next step? Some form of Adobe Photoshop (preferably elements 3 or CS 2) is good, a great step in the right direction. Once you have installed the program, it would pick up damage, a Photoshop tutorial for it.

The Photoshop tutorial helps you understand what is the program and how, to use your tools to their full capacity. What cannot be answered, however is what format it uses and stores, and which pre-and disadvantages are the different file formats.

Photoshop has to store different kinds of files and open the ability, but more important is why these file types are available and how they used to your advantage should be aware. It is important to know about the different types of files as you learn Photoshop. There are three basic things that concern file format that determines should save your file as you: quality of image, layering and Web usage.

The quality of the image:

When you take your photos, use the highest pixel possible set your camera offers. For example, have a 5.1 megapixel camera, you should use this setting to your picture-the higher the pixilation, the greater the quality to capture. The thing to remember though, is that higher quality, the bigger the file. You have the ability to resize the file directly from the camera, and should consult your manual if this is something you want to do.

It is the best take your photos as a raw recording and convert later into something less, because you have the best way to manipulate the image if it is the largest, which can be it. After the photo taken and import it to your computer, can import as a .JPEG or .jpg or as a raw image. It is advisable, the raw image to save, because you lose some of the quality with the .jpg.

Layering:

Once you have the photo in your computer, the photo will normally open in your default software, so you must open Photoshop and then open the image. You can, all your resizing, layering and manipulation in the program do.

When you save the image directly into Photoshop, it will save it as a .psd, .pdd or .eps file. These formats are file maintain large and retain all layers, so keep that in mind when saving. If you're going, revise the picture later, it is best to store in this mode. If not, you have some other options.

TIF or TIFF was often with early scanners used and most of quality is preserved, but it stores large files and are best used if you are on a Publisher or printer to send.

That.BMP file or a bitmap is a Windows ® file, which creates good photos, but still a large file.

The .pdf is an Adobe Acrobat ® file and lock images and texts you can not continue editing. If you want to create files like this, must likely to buy the full version of Adobe Acrobat.

Web usage:

The best file formats for Web use, of course, would have small file sizes. Takes many times, but the color range and vibrancy of photos some of the compression.

Joint Photographic Experts Group - .jpg or .jpeg is probably the most popular Web form because it compresses the file to a small size, but still allows for displaying millions of colors. Photoshop give you the opportunity to choose the image you want to be as compressed and you want to play the color and the subtleties in the photo Adobe image ready, until you find a small file size, not to lose that.

Portable network graphics .png is a format developed recently that is popular for Web use. It compresses the files differently than does .jpg, but leaves it better quality photos. It the ability to millions of colors and slides but has retained, the size still relatively low. If you are on a PC, but keep in mind that Internet Explorer supports it.

Graphics Interchange format is or.gif other popular Web form but it is not good for photos. It is better for graphics and illustrations because it quickly loads and has the capacity for animation and transparent color.

This should be a useful guideline to get started in digital photography and manipulation world. Take the time to explore all possibilities of current programs and settings on your camera. Learning computer basics, the various photo editing programs can be a lot of hard work. If you want to master, everything immediately able will be frustrated you only at the end.

Adobe, Photoshop and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

About the author:
Lindsey Michael Miller is a freelance writer and journalist living in Brooklyn, New York and writes articles for newspapers and magazines across the country. He?s Iceland University currently working on an MFA in creative writing at long and recently released the circus his first book entitled.

About Video Professor:
Video Professor is the industry leader in self-paced computer software tutorials. The core of the video Professor's learning initiative has valuable since 1987 to home users and corporate professionals and provide user-friendly learning solutions for today's most common software titles. Tutorials are on CD and Video Professor online, an Internet based program offered.