Digital Graphics File Formats

Ben Clayton

Raster Graphics

• Give a definition of Raster Graphics

Raster graphics are used to create digital imagery on a computer using software such as photoshop. Each raster graphic is made up of bitmaps which are pictures made up of pixels and each pixel is a different colour or shade of colour for the image. When zooming closer into an image the image will become less clear as it is a fixed resolution.

Vector Graphics

• Give a definition of Vector Graphics

Vector graphics are used to make shapes. The are made up of paths and strokes which are made from a start and an end point and all the points between. Vectors do not lose definition and can be scaled any size which makes them very useful for logos and other similar things.

Raster Graphics

JPEGStands For

Used For/Example Used for sending/uploading and also storing. They would be used to send across email as they are small in file size making them quick to send.

Advantage An advantage is that the file is recognised by nearly all devices. This means that it is able to show the file ore easily for different users.

Disadvantage The file loses quality if it is constantly being changed and edited. This can result in the image becoming more and more distort.

TIFFStands For

Used For/Example They are used for storing more that one page documents such as a magazine.

Advantage an advantage is that the file does not lose quality are being edited. This makes it a good file type to use for large projects.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that the file size becomes very large making storing it more of a pain alongside that it is not recognised by all devices making it hard for different users to access them.

GIFStands For

Used For/Example They are used to create short animations (repeating a pattern of pictures over and over).

Advantage An advantage is that they can be used for creating a short clip in a small file size making them good for sending over the internet.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that they are very low quality making them look distorted and not very professional.

BMPStands For

Used For/Example Are used for storing images and documents like a mix of JEPG and TIFF.

Advantage An advantage is that there is no loss of compression making it useful for those who want to sustain high image quality.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that because of being high quality they can become large in file size making it hard to store a large amount of these files.

Vector Graphics

PSDStands For

Used For/Example Are used for creating the front covers of magazines, books etc.

Advantage An advantage is that they can make high quality images and be very manipulated.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that in order to open the file you will need photoshop software to do so making it restricted to access.

AIStands For

Used For/Example Used to create logos and other images in the art sector.

Advantage An advantage is that the image created can be adjusted and rescaled without losing quality. This is useful for businesses wanting to transfer a logo or graphic of some sort in a larger scale for a billboard or something.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that the there is teaching and skill needed to create the images.

FLAStands For

Used For/Example Used to create animations and or video games.

Advantage An advantage is that the files created can be of high quality with smaller file sizes.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that they are not as robust as other formats.

WMFStands For

Used For/Example Used to created logos and other art similar to AI.

Advantage An advantage is that it can be adjusted and rescale to suit users such as business uses rescaling graphics for a business card that can also be used to fill a bus advert.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that it cant be used on all devices because it can not be recognised on all devices making it restricted to use.

File Format Capture and Optimising

CompressionDefinition Compression is when an image is closed

saved in a certain formatting which reduces the size of the file whilst losing some quality.

Advantage An advantage is that the reduce of file size makes it easier to be saved and sent via the internet.

Disadvantage An disadvantage is that the once is has been saved and reopened some information can be lost creating loss in image quality.

Image CaptureMethod Scanner

How is it used for image capture of graphics

Scanners are used to making a physical copy of an image or document a digital copy which can then be edited on a computer.

Method CameraHow is it used for image capture of

graphicsA camera is used to take pictures in different places with all kinds of subjects. Images being captured can then be saved onto a computer and edited or printed.

Method Graphics TabletHow is it used for image capture of

graphicsGraphics tablets are used to control the cursor used in an advance way creating a more of a drawing feature on computers and other devices.

OptimisingWhy would you optimise? One of the reasons to why you optimise an

image is that you may want an image to be viewed on the Internet. When optimising the image it allows it to be easily viewed.

How can you optimise? One of the ways you can optimise an image is by reducing the Bitmap depth. This means you will be reducing the amount of colours within an image.

Advantage to optimising allows people to view your images online without a long wait for the images to load.

Disadvantage to optimising the images may lose some of it’s quality compared to the original image(s) when uploaded

Storage

File SizeWhat could affect a Working Scale (Photoshop) document file size?

things that will effect the file size are the aspects within the document saved such as images and shaped used to edit the image.

How could you reduce the file size of a Working Scale document without

affecting quality?

A way to reduce the file size is by optimising the image by reducing the images bit depth.

What is an advantage of scaling up images before exporting?

scaling up an image before exporting the file is that it can be used for easy viewing if saved as a JPEG or another file type.

What is a disadvantage of scaling up images before exporting?

scaling up an image before exporting the image is that it could become distorted and pixilated. And if the image is saved as a JPEG it may not be able to be changed.

File Naming ConventionsWhat naming conventions could you use when creating your video game assets?

Something that can be done when naming files is to make sure that the files are clearly named to what they are and what they hold. Doing this makes it easier to find the files needed and they won’t get lost when looking for them.

Why is it a good idea to accurately name your assets?

So saving them under multiple files either separate from one another or adding more files within files to get to a certain document if they’re slightly similar to not mix them up. This helps reduce losing your work and you won’t lose time looking for them.

Asset ManagementWhy would you use folders when storing

your assets?Using folders when storing your work helps organise all of your files and makes them easier to find.

What folders would you create and what would you save within them

I use folders to separate work from different topics such as photoshop and print. The folders within the one for the topic are linked to the different aspects to the topic. Within these other folders can be more folders to separate work that can be similar