23.2.1 Which Export Format Should I ChooseExpGraph-Format-Comprison
The format that you choose will depend on the target application. Publishers often have strict requirements for image file formats, so be sure to get details before creating your images.
Formats common to print publishing
Extension
|
Format Name
|
Features
|
TIF
|
Tag Image File
|
Raster format, ColorSpace options, Monochrome to True Color, File compression.
|
TGA
|
Truevision Targa
|
Raster format, 256 color to True Color.
|
EPS
|
Encapsulated Postscript
|
Vector format, ColorSpace options, True Color
|
PDF
|
Portable Document Format
|
Vector format, ColorSpace options, True Color
|
Vector formats are generally preferred for their scalability. It might seem reasonable to expect that vector images should be infinitely scalable, but the information necessary to describe these images can be considerable if data sets are very large. For formats that have ColorSpace options, publishers typically prefer CYMK over RGB.
Formats common to web publishing
There are two important considerations when creating images to be used on the web. You want to:
- Minimize file size to increase download speed.
- Choose a format that is supported by commonly used browsers.
The two most widely supported web image formats are JPG and GIF. PNG is growing in popularity as a replacement for GIF because it does not require licensing.
Extension
|
Format Name
|
Features
|
JPG
|
Joint Photographic Experts Group
|
Raster, Grayscale or True Color, Adjustable compression (lossy).
|
GIF
|
Graphics Image Format
|
Raster, 256 color, Lossless compression.
|
PNG
|
Portable Network Graphics
|
Raster, Monochrome, 16 or 256 colors, or True Color (24 bit RGB), Lossless compression.
|
SVG
|
Scalable Vector Graphics
|
Vector, Scalable, XML format.
|
Note that you must balance color and detail with download speed; the lower the color density and resolution, the faster the download speed. However, there may be times when you decide to sacrifice some download speed for more color or sharpness.
Since web pages are viewed on a computer screen, export at a resolution that approximates that of a computer monitor -72 to 120 dots per inch (dpi).
Formats for use by other applications
If you intend to edit your graphic file in another application, then you should choose that application's native file format or one of its supported formats.
Extension
|
Format Name (type)
|
Owner Application
|
AI
|
Adobe Illustrator (vector)
| Origin recently added support for .SVG files. If you export images for final editing in Adobe Illustrator, we strongly recommend the .SVG format.
|
|
Abobe Illustrator
|
BMP
|
Bitmap (raster)
|
Windows Paint
|
CGM
|
Computer Graphics Metafile (vector)
|
Wordperfect
|
DXF
|
AutoCAD Drawing Interchange (vector)
|
AutoCAD
|
EMF
|
Enhanced Metafile (vector)
|
MS Office Applications
|
PCX
|
Zsoft PC Paintbrush Bitmap (raster)
|
PC Paintbrush
|
PDF
|
Portable Document Format (vector)
|
Adobe Acrobat
|
PSD
|
Adobe Photoshop (raster)
|
Adobe Photoshop
|
SVG
|
Scalable Vector Graphics (vector)
|
Open Standard
|
WMF
|
Windows Metafile (vector)
|
MS Office Applications
|
These formats may be raster or vector. There are fewer vector format editors available and some of those programs will 'rasterize' a vector format when it is loaded in the editor. Consult your owner application's documentation for details.
|