Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
You can control the amount of compression and the quality of the image by
adjusting the slider. The smaller the file, the more the compression, and the
image will be of a lower quality; it will be exactly opposite for a large file. It is
important to note that if you continue to save the same file in a JPEG format,
the quality of file will deteriorate each time. Saving it in TIFF or PSD will pre-
vent any loss of data. Use of the JPEG format is best for the Web because
of the smaller file size.
•
GIF
(
Graphics Interchange Format
): This format is used for simple images
such as diagrams, logos, and shapes. It is also widely used on the Web to
create a simple animation. A GIF retains the transparency of the areas sur-
rounding the image. This is an image format recommended for very simple
web graphics but not for printing.
•
PNG
(
Portable Network Graphics
): Like a GIF file, a PNG file is also used
for animation because it preserves the transparency of the image. PNG files
are of better quality than GIF files and they result in larger files. PNG is also
a better quality file than JPEG—the file can be a smaller one than a JPEG
file with no loss of data. Where other file formats will fill the blank areas in
your image with white, these file formats leave the area transparent as well
as preserve different levels of transparency within the image. To take advant-
age of the transparency in both GIF and PNG images, make sure that you
have
Transparent background
checked in
Preferences
as seen in the fol-
lowing screenshot:
