Learn Adobe Photoshop - Photoshop Files And Formats

By David Peters

You might find yourself wondering what image file formats Photoshop will open or save in. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each?

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

One thing to keep in mind is that when you open an image file other than a Photoshop one, the other image will default to the background layer.

1) .psd, .pdd, .eps:

These are Photoshop files. This format saves all of the information found in all of the layers. This format works best if you are going to continue to work with a picture. A downside can be that the file size may be quite large. You should save your work in the most recent Photoshop format available. An example would be is you have Photoshop CS and are sent a Photoshop 7 file, you would want to save it as a Photoshop CS file to maintain any elements that may not be supported in Photoshop 7.

2) .jpg, .jpeg .jpe

This format compresses images to a point that information such as details and color subtleties are lost. You can select how much you want to compress the image. Good format for use on the web with small file sizes and millions of colors.

3) .tif, .tiff

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

4) .gif - Pronounced both "Gif" and "Jif"

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.

5) .png

For use on the web, this is a new format that is meant to replace both gif and jpeg. Files are compressed, millions of colors and transparencies supported. It compress in a different way than jpeg, and has advanced possibilities, such as alpha channel (opaque or partly transparent colors). The downfall is that Internet Explorer doesn't support these. In 8 bit (256 colors) mode it compresses better than gif.

6) .bmp - Windows Bitmapped Image

This is a windows bitmapped image. It is used by Microsoft Windows applications and provides good quality but large file size. Not for use on the web.

7) .wmf

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

8) .pcx

An older general purpose format that is virtually obsolete now. Also not for use on the web.

9) .psp

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

10) .pcd

Kodak PhotoCD format, used with Photo Developing but most photo processors will save your photos as jpegs if you ask.

11) .pdf - Portable Document File

Adobe's file system that permits electronic cross platform sharing of documents.

Now the question: What is 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.

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