Formatting Graphic Files
Uploaded by spootyhead on Apr 18, 2007
Formatting Graphic Files
You are probably asking yourself, “Why should I care about graphics file formats?” Well, the average end-user (non-programmers) is only concerned with the storage of their graphics information by using a format that majority of graphics applications and filters can read. End-users are not normally concerned with the internal composition of the data within the graphics file itself. Graphic file formats can be divided into two general classes: vector and bitmap. Vector files contain data described as mathematical equations and are typically used to store line art and CAD information. There are two major drawbacks to using vector files. One drawback is that vector files are not suitable for reproducing paintings or photographs. The second disadvantage is that complex images take a long time to display because on most display systems, each vector image has to be converted to a pixel image by a process called “rasterizing”(Cohen and Williams p.109). The advantages of using vector images include easy editing to the image, the amount of memory used to store the image, and the display independence.
On the other hand bitmap file formats (also called raster files) contain graphics information known as pixels, such as photographic images. Pixels are the “pictures element,”(Cohen and Williams p.89) or dots on the monitor screen. There are two disadvantages to using bitmap formats. First, it requires a large amount of data to store each image. Second, bitmap images are size dependent and are not suitable for extensive editing. Changing the size of bitmap images can create major problems. Reducing them requires throwing away information; enlarging them produces blocking effects. The major advantages of using a bitmap formats includes good image quality and the quick display speed.
There are hundreds of different graphic file formats, many are similar to each other but are made to only interact with a certain computer application. Other file formats are universal and are able to correlate with many different applications or even all of them. Some file formats can be compressed so the image stored does not use a lot of memory; others are only concerned with the quality of the picture. No one, file format is defined as the best in the majority of computer graphic applications. Graphic file formats are responsible for performing various tasks such as...