GRAPHIC FILE FORMAT OVERVIEW

When you Save an image for the first time or Save As, you'll notice that you have a wealth of different graphic file formats to choose from in the Format drop down menu at the bottom of the Save dialog box. For Photoshop beginners, all these file formats can be rather daunting. The following is just a brief overview of what some of these file formats are, how they are used, and when to use them. Many of the formats, you'll be pleased to know, you will never use.

Photoshop: This is Photoshop's native file format. If you have created a graphic with a multitude of layers (especially type layers), and you want to save these layers for any changes that you intend to make in the future, then save the graphic in Photoshop format because it is the only format that allows you to save layers. For all other formats, you must first Flatten Layers (under the Layer menu) before you can save the graphic.

Amiga IFF: This is one of those file formats you'll never use unless you need to transfer graphics to an old Commodore Amiga.

BMP: This is Microsoft's native graphic file format, so obviously, it works well with any Microsoft product.

CompuServe GIF: GIF format is primarily used for creating Web graphics. It only supports 256 colors (which keeps GIF file sizes down) and is widely supported on all computer platforms. For more Information on GIF format, see Creating Graphics for the Web.

Photoshop EPS: EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript format which is based on the PostScript printing language. Most EPS graphics are created and edited in a draw and paint application like Illustrator or Freehand. However, the primary use for saving an image as an EPS in Photoshop is when you have created clipping paths. QuarkXPress, the industry standard desktop publishing application, will only recognize clipping paths when graphics are saved in EPS format.

Photoshop DCS: DCS stands for Desktop Color Separation; this graphic file format allows you to save CMYK color separations.

Filmstrip: Used with Adobe Premiere to edit video frames.

FlashPix: Kodak's new graphic file format that uses FlashPix technology. Another graphic file format you probably won't use, but it may have a future.

JPEG: Along with GIF, JPEG is most commonly used for Web graphics. Unlike the GIF format, which only supports 256 colors, JPEG supports millions and allows for graphic compression. Most people use JPEG for Web graphics that contain a multitude of colors and gradations — like photographic images. It's also a handy file format if you frequently switch from Mac to PC platforms because JPEG graphics can be easily opened in both Macintosh and Windows applications. For more information on the JPEG file format, see Creating Graphics for the Web.

PCX: PC Paintbrush's native graphic file format and widely used on IMB PC-compatible computers.

Photoshop PDF: Enables you to save graphics in PDF format so they can be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

PICT File: Apple Macintosh's native graphic file format.

PICT Resource: A graphic file format used to create Macintosh startup screens. It serves no other purpose.

Pixar: Pixar is an animation company (most famous as the creator of Toy Story and Bug's Life). Most of Pixar's animation is done on Pixar work stations with Pixar as the native graphic file format. Basically, it's another graphic file format you probably won't use.

PNG: Along with GIF and JPEG, PNG may be the next graphic file format to be supported by Web browsers but for now it seem to be going nowhere.

Raw: Saves an image as a binary document devoid of all useful information like width and height, color mode, etc. Raw graphic file format is most often used if you want to transfer the graphic for use on a mainframe (i.e. another graphic file format you'll probably never use).

Scitex CT: Another graphic file format that you will probably never use unless you work with Scitex computer systems, scanners and printing devices.

Targa: Yet another graphic file format that you will probably never use. For use with TrueVision's Targa and NuVista video.

TIFF: TIFF is the most widely supported graphic file format in existence. It is primarily used for scanned images (mostly scanned photographs) and is the best graphic file format (besides EPS) for use in desktop publishing applications. Graphics saved in TIFF format can be easily opened on both Macintosh and PC/Windows platforms.