Using the correct Image Format   March 14th, 2006

From digg a great article on picking the correct image format. The article summary captures it all,

  • JPEG:
    • Good:
      • Photographs
      • Game screenshots
      • Movie stills
      • Desktop backgrounds
    • Bad:
      • Windows application screenshots
      • Line art and text
      • Anywhere where fine lines or sharp color contrast is needed
  • PNG:
    • Good:
      • Text, line art, comic-style drawings, general web graphics
      • Windows application screenshots
      • When absolutely 100% quality is required (24 bit)
      • When alpha channel support is required
      • As a general replacement for anything that is a non-animated GIF
    • Bad:
      • Photos, in-game screenshots (only when quality is not important and you’re looking for small files)
      • Disappointing browser support from Microsoft and others
  • GIF:
    • Good:
      • Where animations are absolutely required
      • Widespread browser support
    • Bad:
      • Patented, legal techicalities
      • Large file sizes compared to PNG for the same quality
      • Obsolete
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 at 10:05 am and is filed under Software, photographs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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