Dora's Technical Corner: The Differences Between Pix: .JPG, .GIF, .PNG and Vector!

...First of all, I hope you like my blog-background.  I played with it and this is what I came up with -- for now.  So many of the "host" websites just weren't offering the kind of background that I really wanted so...  As the adage goes, "necessity is the mother of invention!"  I usually draw my own backgrounds for all my blogs and for any websites that I design.  Some are more tricky since the templates that accompany blogs powered by Blogger, Word Press, etc. have their own CSS codes.  You really need to know how to navigate through CSS to override codes put into place by most blog hosts.
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About the pix...there are several different file types, if you will. 

1) .JPG:  Joint Photographic Experts Group

This is the most common file type -- we all deal with photographs.  It’s a file format that was created specifically for photographs. It’s a method of compression that keeps as much information in the photo as it can (colors, digital info, etc.) while keeping the file size at a decent size for storage and email. It’s also the file type digital cameras capture photos in and store on the memory card.

-- This is appropriate for both web and print and can be opened by anyone.

2) .GIF:  Graphics Interchange Format
This file type is specific for graphics and illustrations – basically things that are non-photographic. It’s a file type that is limited to a 256 color palette (which is why it can’t be used for photos) and can be used for animation effects on the web.  GIF is better than JPG for images with only a few distinct colors, such as line drawings, black and white images and small text that is only a few pixels high.

-- This is only appropriate for web display and can usually be opened by anyone.

3) .PNG:  Portable Network Graphics
PNG was created as a superior alternative to the GIF. Basically, it’s a GIF on steroids.  The PNG file format supports true-color (16 million colors) while the GIF supports only 256 colors. Both photographs and basic illustrations can be saved as PNG although you can’t make animations with it like you can a GIF.  PNGs are better for larger pix (graphics) that you want to save for better resolution.  Some photos can be saved as PNG, however, it is better that you do not save it as such because it will create much too massive a file size.  It will hinder you from being able to email or upload it without delays and file issues. Because of file storage, most printers also require photos to be JPG instead of PNG.

-- This is appropriate for web illustrations (especially when a transparent background is needed) and for some print (although not common) and can be opened by anyone. 

4) Vector Files
This is not necessarily a file type but a graphic type. Personally I love to use this type when creating graphics (personal or business).  A vector does not contain pixels and thus it can be used on large scale marketing materials such as logos, banners, window decals, clothing, and billboards – basically anything that is illustrated and needs to be re-sized in various ways without losing quality. Desktop Publishing comes to mind in regards to using VFs.  Vector graphics are based on vectors (also called paths or strokes), which lead through locations called control points or nodes. Each of these points has a definite position on the x and y axes of the work plane and determines the direction of the path; further, each path may be assigned a stroke color, shape, thickness, and fill.  Businesses always have their logo in a vector format in order to use it for multiple things.  Vector files can be exported into any type of file format for other uses.  The most common files types for a vector graphic are .EPS (Encapsulated PostScript is a DSC-conforming PostScript document) and .AI (created with Adobe Illustrator). Vectors can be exported into almost ANY file type but most printers request the native file of .EPS or .AI.

-- This file type is appropriate for print. Most vector graphics can only be opened by anyone who owns the software it was created in such as print shops and other graphic designers.

5) .PDF:  Portable Document Format

PDF is a file format that provides an electronic image of text or text and graphics that looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed, and electronically transmitted.  PDFs are more commonly used for business documents!  Actually -- everyone these days uses PDFs.  PDFs can embed and encapsulate graphics, fonts, colors and other digital information required to view a file.  It is used most commonly for business documents and files for printers such as books, manuals, publication advertising, postcards, and marketing materials. It also commonly used to download multi-page documents off the web.  A PDF document can be created using a combination of GIFs, JPGs, PNGs and Vector files; all can be saved as a PDF and sent to anyone to open. Usually the recipient cannot edit a PDF unless he has the proper program to do so.  It has quickly become the standard for sending information from one person to another. Although you can’t display a PDF on a website as an image, anyone can download a PDF from a simple link from a website and view in their PDF viewer.
-- This is appropriate for print and downloading from the web. It is not appropriate for web display. It can typically be opened by anyone with a PDF viewer which comes standard on most of today’s computers. It is the most requested file type by professional printers today.