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2024-08-14
10 Types Of Image File Extensions and When To Use Them

Have you at any point gotten confused over the best picture design in the right format - 10 types of Image File Extensions and when to use them are here to guide you! This blog helps you to explore the various image file extensions, making the differences and optimal use cases clear.

Before exploring the specific formats, it’s vital to handle the fundamental difference between vector and raster images - 

  1. Raster Images are made out of pixels, which are great for photos and digital artwork. Common formats include PNG, GIF and JPEG. Be that as it is, resizing raster pictures can lead to quality compromise due to pixelation
  2. Vector Images constructed using the numerical equations, vectors are limitlessly scalable without quality loss. PDF, AI and EPS are examples of vector images. Logos and Graphics benefit from vector quality.

High Resolutions and Low resolutions are more significant factors for image resolutions which are measured in PPI (pixels per inch) and DPI (dots per inch).

10 Types of Image File Extensions and When to use them

Explore the world of image format with these 10 types of Image File Extensions and when to use them. JPEG, TIFF, PNG and then some serve a distinct purpose. This blog separates the image file extensions while showing their strengths and other information. From the compression loss of JPEGs to the vector accuracy of AI files, we’ll show you the differences and assist you with picking the right format for your tasks.

  1. Joint Photographic Expert’s Group (JPEG, JPG)

Joint Photographic Expert’s Group (JPEG, JPG) is generally used for web images and digital photography which offers great compression yet reduces the image quality with each compression. This type of file format is the most common document design that is well-known for the record type across the web and in photographs. 

These types of files use less compression to compress images for sharing and storage which additionally supports 24-bit colour. The extensions for the filename are .jpeg, .jpg, .jfi and .jif.

They are ideal for JPEG documents upheld by all browsers and image viewers. 

  1. Portable Network Graphics (PNG)

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) are ideal for web designs with transparent backgrounds which uphold good compression quality and protect the picture quality. It is a raster file document design that upholds that data compression and is suitable for showing high-quality images on pages that permit to saving of pictures with a more prominent way of transparent background. The extension for the filename is .png.

These files are best suited for all major browsers. And image editors.

  1. Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)

GIF is essentially used for animated images and simple graphics which offers limited color variety range and is the most ideal for small file sizes. GIF represents graphics interchange format which is a raster format that utilizes lossless compression. In any case, it limits the picture and can contain just recorded colours which lowers the quality. It records the popular animating format used in memes, images or animated banners. The extension for the filename is .gif. These are ideal for files that are compatible with web browsers and have fewer image viewers.

  1. Tag Image File Format (TIFF)

TIFF is a high-quality image format with lossless compression which is appropriate for print projects however not ideal for the web due to large document sizes.

  1. Photoshop Document (PSD)

PSD is a native format for Adobe Photoshop, taking into consideration layered editing fundamentally utilized for image control and creation.

  1. Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF is a Versatile format for document arrangement, formatting and layouts which can deal with both text and images.

  1. Encapsulated Postscript (EPS)

EPS is a vector-based format for print graphics that offers scalability without quality loss. It’s a file that is used for storing Adobe Illustrator or third-party illustrators. They support lossless scaling as lines using code and the extensions for filename are .epsf, .eps, and .epsi.

These are best suited for document types that can open vector-based

  1. Adobe Illustrator (AI)

AI Adobe Illustrator’s native format gives the exact command over vector artwork. The AI file format is designed for vector pictures created by Adobe Systems. These files are small in size, effectively scalable and are based on limitlessly expandable and complex chart-like equations. In this way, they don’t lose the resolution when scaled. 

They likewise take into consideration layering and transparency. The extension for the filename is .ai. It is most appropriate for AI files that are utilized by designers and illustrators in digital graphics and print media. These types of files are viable with Adobe Illustrator or other editing software with fewer capabilities.

  1. InDesign Document (INDD)

INDD is utilised for complex page designs in Adobe InDesign, appropriate for publications like Newspapers and Magazines.

  1. Bitmap (BMP)

Bitmap (BMP) files were the first to show high-quality images on Windows PCs, even though they are as of now viable with Android and Mac devices. BMP files store two-D images in different varieties. The extensions for the filename are .dib or .bmp.

BMP files are viable with most web browsers, image viewers, and editing software which designers can use to store and record high-quality digital images.

These files can be stored across different devices without any quality loss and also can deal with the variety of alpha channels, and profiles.

These files just hold back green, blue, and red images, which is unacceptable for individuals who routinely utilize Red, Yellow or Cyan colours. Uncompressed BMP files are unsuitable for sharing or storing.

Another format is RAW which is an unprocessed image format capturing the greatest picture image data which offers flexibility for editing but requires software.

Conclusion

Understanding the image file formats is vital for effective communication and design. The right document type can altogether affect the picture quality, file size and similarity across various stages. From the JPEG accuracy of AI, each format serves a different purpose While this overview covers the types, the digital world is evolving constantly, introducing the formats with benefits. 

By carefully considering the use of images with the Elite Mindz blog's 10 types of Image File Extensions and when to use them, you can choose the ideal extension to achieve the ideal result.