BMP Windows Bitmap
A format built into Windows and native to Microsoft Paint. For screen
captures and other dos, Windows and os/2 bitmap graphics. Supports
1– to 24–bit depth and index color (a table that defines a finite number
of colors).
CT Scitex Continuous Tone
Developed to transfer images between Scitex imaging systems and desktop
programs like Photoshop.
EPS Encapsulated PostScript
Adobe–created format with vector (line–art data only which can be scaled
with no loss of quality) or raster (bitmap which cannot be scaled or
edited) options. In Photoshop, supports transparent whites in bitmap
mode.
GIF [Compuserve] Graphics Interchange Format
Use gif to download images from the Internet. Supports 1- to
8–bit per pixel built–in “lossy” compression (see jpeg).
256 colors only.
IIF [Amiga] Interchange File Format
Native to the now-discontinued Commodore Amiga. Can be opened in ibm
programs like Deluxe Paint and Photoshop, and on the Mac in Photoshop.
JPG Joint Photographic Experts Group
Use jpeg to save and compress photographs. “Lossy” compression:
identifies and discards nonessential data; however, jpeg allows you
to adjust the amount of loss, trading between compression and quality.
LZW Lempel-Ziv-Welch
Not a file format, lzw is important to compressing files. This “lossless” compression
algorithm allows you to compress image data without losing quality.
PCX PC Paintbrush Extension
Common dos format developed for PC Paintbrush by ZSoft. Used for screen
captures. Index color.
PIC PICT
Widely used on the Macintosh for lossless compression. For 16–bit or
32–bit images, pict can use jpeg compression. Used often in video and
multimedia applications. PICT Resources are used for startup screens
and icons within programs: 16– or 32–bit resolution. If you can’t
open a file in Photoshop, try opening it as a pict Resource instead.
TAR Truevision Targa
For video applications that allow you to overlay a graphic image
onto a video frame. For systems that use the TrueVision video board
in dos applications.
TIF Tagged Image File Format
The most common and portable format for saving bitmap scans.
Useful for moving files between the Mac and PC. Does not compress
data, but offers lzw option.
