Graphic file formats

[LadyCrimson]

Not being an expert in this area, I'm wondering if there's any major quality difference between .bmp and .tga. The file size is almost the same, so they both contain approx. the same amount of information...does that mean they're about equal in quality?

 

And...on my screen, I don't see a lot of visual difference between .psd and .png files, despite the .psd's major file-size difference, even when blown up 500% - seems like .psd is mostly if you want to save files seperate layers.

 

Any expert input on what is the best to use for your "original" file? I've tried googling it a bit but haven't yet found a satisfactory answer (for my non-techie brain...), if indeed there is one. There's a lot of artists here so I thought I'd ask opinions...

Edited December 31, 2005 by LadyCrimson

[Hell Kitty]

I keep all my original files as .psd, though I don't have space concerns. What are the images for? I'm afraid I'm not much help, dealing only in print media.

Edited December 31, 2005 by Hell Kitty

[LadyCrimson]

I'm concerned with both the master-file one uses to work/edit from, and the final-master that you actually send to the printer.

 

The minor issue I have with .psd is that while it's currently very popular, it's a proprietary format and assumes whoever you might send it to has a program that can read it.

 

After much googling and a mild headache from too many numbers/on-line reading I think .tif sounds like it's still the best and most universal for printing/final version archive concerns, particuarly with photos. .psd is good for the working copy if you have layers and if you're concerned with space it's slightly smaller than a .tif for the print-master.

[Morgoth]

Always keep your original works as PSD with all the layers, adjustment layers, etc.

Difference between BMP and TGA? Well, the BMB only saves the Color information (24 bit), while the TGA supports Alpha channels as well (24bit color + 8 bit Alpha = 32 bit). HTH.

 

Edit: For printing, you might want to use Post Script (*.eps) and try to adjust your colors via Color Proof, because Printers usually use the CMYK color scheme.

Edited December 31, 2005 by Morgoth

[LadyCrimson]

Sigh. Well I was trying to compare .psd vs. "hi-quality" .jpg vs. 8-bit tif and it was interesting because the psd definitely showed the slight beginnings of more artifacts. In the pic you can see it at the top portion of the eye stalk, little more grey in the middle of the brown. Not much tho. And actually, the .jpg didn't fare too bad considering, even tho it's obviously far inferior at that magnification.

 

It's all so confusing. Sometimes I think there's really not enough difference between the 'expert' formats to really matter beyond a certain point. Each has a little failing in one area vs another.

Edited December 31, 2005 by LadyCrimson

[Kaftan Barlast]

For important photographs or graphic works like digital paintings, use PSD or TIF. For successful proffessional printing they also need to have a resolution of atleast 300 DPI

 

 

 

TGA is primarily used for textures with alpha channels.

[Diamond]

What they said.

Just don't use file formats with "lossy" compression (JPEG) for master files.

 

Summary on file formats

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