Software Information

Photoshop Files and Formats


People often ask me: What image file formats will Photoshop open or save in? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

Photoshop has the capability to open and save many different graphic files. Here are some of the most popular ones.

Note: When you open an image file other than a Photoshop one, that image will default to the background layer.

.psd, .pdd, .eps
Photoshop File. This format preserves the information in all the layers. If you're going to continue working with a picture, this is the best format to use. File size can be quite large, however. Note: It is advisable to save your work in the most up to date Photoshop format available. For example: if you have Photoshop CS and are sent a Photoshop 7 file, you should save it as a Photoshop CS file to preserve any elements that may not be supported by Photoshop 7.

.jpg, .jpeg .jpe
This format compresses the images, so that information (details and colour subtleties) are lost. You can choose how much you want to compress the image. Good format for use on the web. Small file sizes. Millions of colours.

tif, .tiff
Common in use with early scanners. Will produce high quality images, but very large files. Not for use on the web.

.gif
Pronounced both "Gif" and "Jif", this file is one of the most popular for web graphics as it loads quickly. 8 bit format (256 colours max.). It has possibilities for transparent colour and animation.

.png
New format for use on the web that is intended to replace both gif and jpeg. Compressed, millions of colours, transparencies. It compress in a different way than jpeg, and has advanced possibilities, such as alpha channel (opaque or partly transparent colours). The only trouble is: Internet Explorer doesn't support these! In 8 bit (256 colours) mode it compresses better than gif.

.bmp
Windows bitmapped image. Used by Microsoft Windows applications. Good quality, large file size. Not for use on the web.

.wmf
Windows MetaFile. Useful for clipart, and can be used to make large area, small sized background files.

.pcx
Older general purpose format. Practically obsolete now. Not for use on the web.

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

.pcd
Kodak PhotoCD format, used with Photo Developing - although most photo processors will save your photos as jpegs if you ask them to.

.pdf
Portable Document File. Adobe's file system that allows electronic cross platform sharing of documents.

So what's the best format for web graphics: gif or jpeg?

The general rule of thumb is to use gifs for diagrams, line drawings, illustrations, and images that contain large areas of flat colour, and jpegs for photographs and images with continuous colour tones. The jpeg format has a very good compression rate, 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. The gif format, on the other hand, has a smaller file size - but a limited range of colours.

Shaun Pearce is a writer and video maker. His latest production, "Photoshop Master", is an interactive video tutorial series. It shows you how to get the most from Photoshop, and can be downloaded from http://www.learnphotoshopfast.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Jive Software Q4 Loss Widens Despite Higher Revenues - Update
NASDAQ
(RTTNews.com) - Enterprise social networking company Jive Software Inc. (JIVE) on Tuesday reported a loss for the fourth quarter that widened from last year as higher costs and expenses offset strong revenue growth. The latest quarterly results are the ...
Jive Software Q4 Earnings, Revenue Beat StreetForbes
Photo Release -- Jive Software Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 ...MarketWatch (press release)
Jive Software Q4 Loss Widens - Quick FactsRTT News
BusinessWeek
all 51 news articles »


Guidance Software Acquires CaseCentral
socalTech.com
Pasadena-based Guidance Software, which develops digital forensics and e-discovery software, said Tuesday afternoon that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CaseCentral, a developer of electronic discovery software.
Guidance Software to Acquire CaseCentralMarketWatch (press release)
GUIDANCE SOFTWARE, INC.: Guidance Software Reports Q4 2011 Financial Resul..4-traders (press release)

all 15 news articles »


Jakarta Globe

Oracle Rejects $272M SAP Award, Demands New Trial
ABC News
Business software maker Oracle Corp. has turned down $272 million in court-ordered damages from SAP AG in hopes of leaving a much bigger dent in its rival's pocketbook and reputation during a second trial over allegations of corporate theft.
Oracle wants new trial in SAP caseAFP

all 234 news articles »


Advent Software Beats on EPS, but GAAP Results Lag
msnbc.com
31 (Q4), Advent Software beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share. Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share contracted significantly. Advent Software notched revenue ...

and more »


1 Software Stock to Buy Now
DailyFinance
The company, which specializes in providing accounting, inventory management, and other operational software over the Web, projected $0.19 to $0.21 in adjusted earnings on $295 million to $300 million in profits. All figures represented an increase ...

and more »


Software Engineering Institute Hosts Free Software Architecture Virtual Event
Sacramento Bee
By Software Engineering Institute PITTSBURGH, Feb. 7, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI) will host "Architecting Software the SEI Way: Essential Steps Toward Mastery," a free virtual event on Tuesday, ...

and more »


Bradenton Herald

Hydrovolts Uses Autodesk Software to Create Plug-and-Play Water Turbines
MarketWatch (press release)
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Clean technology innovator Hydrovolts is using software from Autodesk, Inc. /quotes/zigman/68719/quotes/nls/adsk ADSK +1.55% to create unique hydrokinetic turbines that are more easily installed in ...
Hydrovolts Turbine For Clean Energy Generation, Designed With The Help Of ...TheStreet.com (press release)
AUTODESK, INC.: Hydrovolts Uses Autodesk Software to Create Plug-and-Play ..4-traders (press release)

all 8 news articles »


Tax Software Vs. An Accountant: Which Is Right For You?
San Francisco Chronicle
While the ever improving selection of tax preparation software certainly makes it easier to do your own taxes, it has hardly put Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and other personal tax preparers out of business. There is no way around the fact that ...

and more »


Polarion Software Makes a Bold Move Into the Software Testing Market With ...
MarketWatch (press release)
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, Feb 07, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Polarion Software, a recognized leader in application lifecycle management, announced today it has further expanded its end-to-end support for software development teams with the launch of ...

and more »


eNewsChannels

TeamF1 Announces Support for Cavium OCTEON® III Multicore MIPS64® Processor Family
Sacramento Bee
TeamF1.com), the leader in embedded networking and security software solutions for wired and wireless applications, today announced it will support the new state-of-the art OCTEON® III MIPS64® family of 1 – 48 core multicore processors from Cavium, ...
6WIND Announces Packet Processing Software Optimized for Cavium's OCTEON® III ...PR Web (press release)
6WIND Announces Packet Processing Software Optimized For Cavium's OCTEON(R ...Daily Markets (press release)
MontaVista Software Announces Support for Cavium OCTEON(R) III Multicore ...MarketWatch (press release)
eNewsChannels
all 63 news articles »

Google News

Home | Site Map

Powered By: Free Work At Home Business Opportunity!

© 2006