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Jimbo Jones · 12-11-2006

I save most of my black & white images as BMP as you can take the image up to 32bit.

For animations or transparency images go for GIF but this format is not suitable for complex and detailed images, or photographs.

If you do a lot of vector work, always save your files in EPS, due to exporting them into other programs for additional editing. Just make sure you're working in the same format (e.g. CMYK) in all programs once exporting and importing.

JPEGs are mainly for photographs and complex images.

PNGs...they're best for low quality simple images due to the low bit, but if you use a complex or main image, stick with JPEG. PNGs also have transparency, but the quality is restricted on greyscales for example. If you use these for complex images and large images, be warned because they can be larger than JPG in size.

If you are working with both Mac and PC, I find the best image format to use to keep the quality the same is PCT/PICT, as the RGBs can be saved as 16-32bits. Another commonly used format for this is RAW. The modern method is mostly TIFF, as they can be compressed without loss of quality and also saves any transparent frames. If you're using a printer, make sure you either contact them before hand and find out which of the above formats they use, or batch the same image in the above formats, just to be sure.

Sometimes you'll come by people using older comps and methods and if you deal with animation in greyscale always have PIXAR backups, just in case. It's always best to have everything you need saved, if you are doing any collaborations, or working with the 'older generation' of designers.

To present an image to someone, always try to get in the habit of using PDF as it's a universal image storage medium.

12-11-2006	#4 (permalink)
Jimbo Jones Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 94	I save most of my black & white images as BMP as you can take the image up to 32bit. For animations or transparency images go for GIF but this format is not suitable for complex and detailed images, or photographs. If you do a lot of vector work, always save your files in EPS, due to exporting them into other programs for additional editing. Just make sure you're working in the same format (e.g. CMYK) in all programs once exporting and importing. JPEGs are mainly for photographs and complex images. PNGs...they're best for low quality simple images due to the low bit, but if you use a complex or main image, stick with JPEG. PNGs also have transparency, but the quality is restricted on greyscales for example. If you use these for complex images and large images, be warned because they can be larger than JPG in size. If you are working with both Mac and PC, I find the best image format to use to keep the quality the same is PCT/PICT, as the RGBs can be saved as 16-32bits. Another commonly used format for this is RAW. The modern method is mostly TIFF, as they can be compressed without loss of quality and also saves any transparent frames. If you're using a printer, make sure you either contact them before hand and find out which of the above formats they use, or batch the same image in the above formats, just to be sure. Sometimes you'll come by people using older comps and methods and if you deal with animation in greyscale always have PIXAR backups, just in case. It's always best to have everything you need saved, if you are doing any collaborations, or working with the 'older generation' of designers. To present an image to someone, always try to get in the habit of using PDF as it's a universal image storage medium.