File Formats.

Types and uses of File Formats

Vector –

A Vector file format is made up of points, lines, and curves which form many complex images. A Vector file would be used for creating images especially logos.

Bitmap –

A Bitmap graphic is composed of pixels, they are ideal for photograph images as they can store thousands of different colours, complex fills and shading.

 

JPEG –

A JPEG is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital photography. Jpeg stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group and they are used for photographs, naturalistic artwork, and similar material.

  

GIF –

A GIF image is a type of Bitmap format and they are compiled up of a number of bits mainly 8bits per pixel. A Bitmap image would be used for images such as graphics and logos as they have solid areas of colour, they also support animations.

 

Different File Sizes

Vector –

Vector file sizes are generally small, Vector formats normally do not support data compression as most bitmap formats do so this would mean that they have to be smaller.

Bitmap –

The file size of bitmap graphics can vary from small to large depending on the image dimensions and colour depth as you can see here Bitmap is the biggest file.

JPEG –

Jpeg images file sizes are very small and are easily and often compressed to make the file even smaller.

GIF –

A GIF is a very small file, much smaller and clearer than any GIF. GIF is ideal for graphics on the web.

You have to make sure the file sizes are correct for a certain subject e.g. if you have a really big JPEG picture and you upload it to your internet website a lot of people who visit your site will have problems seeing the photo as it will take quite a while to load it up.


Here is an example of a photo that I have edited and saved it as different file types so you could see that the file sizes are all different and some photos are required for certain things e.g. JPEG for Web Pages