JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used formats for storing still image files such as photographs, graphics, and drawings. JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group and is a standard for image compression.
However, some amount of data/detail is lost in the process. JPEG therefore is characterized by a glossy compression technique for still color images, just as MPEG is used for compressing motion picture files.
GIFF/JIFF stands for Graphics Interchange format, which is a bit-mapped graphics file format.
Its storage is limited to about 256 colors as against 16 million colors in JPEG. GIFF therefore is more suitable to store illustrations rather than color photos.
Other popular formats for storing bit-mapped images are TIFF (Tagged image file format), BMP,and PCX. You'll also see GIF and JPG. You may be wondering what a bit-map is? A bit-map graphic is composed of a pattern of dots (each dot containing bits of data). Vector graphics, on the other hand, use geometrical formulas to represent images. The latter can be scaled i.e. the object size can be changed while maintaining its shape. Vector images are thus more flexible than bit-maps. Also vector imageslook better on higher resolution and require less memory. This brings us to the difference between Paint programs and Draw programs. In Paint program the drawings are represented as bit-maps. Draw programs, on the other hand, represent images as vector graphics.
Why we need to convert images from one format to another?
? Converting GIFF files to JPEG can compress the files to a considerable extent. The uncompressed data is normally 24 bits/pixel for full-color images. JPEG can achieve 10:1 to 20:1 compression without apparent loss, 30:1 to 50:1 compression with small to moderate defects, and 100:1 for very low quality purposes like archiving. These smaller size files increase storage capacity and take lesser transmission time across networks.
? JPEG files are extremely useful for image archiving purposes. JPEG files store a full color range (24 bits/pixel as against 8 bits/pixels in GIFF).The display of images is particularly good on full-color hardware that is becoming common now.
Conversion rules:
? Large, high-quality, real-world scanned photos are the best material for conversion to JPEG format.
? Do not convert black and white images to JPEG that works best with smooth and subtle color palette. B&W images are best on GIF.
? Even on colored images make sure to smoothen out the sharp edges before carrying out the conversion. A gray-scale image is much easier for a JPEG format.
? Avoid converting images that have already been converted before. Re-conversion spoils the quality of images. It's best to work with original scanned images here.
To explain how format conversion is carried out here's an example:
1. In a Windows operating system go to Start menu ? Accessories ? Paint
2. Create an image with the program and save it in BMP format. Now Close the file
3. To convert it into say JPEG, re-open the file
4. Go to File menu and click Save As
5. Rename the file in File name box and in Save as Type drop down box click on the format you want it to be converted to. In this case "JPEG File Interchange Format (*.jpg, *. jpeg,)"
6. Click on the Save button. Your file is now converted from BMP to JPEG.
If you want to change BMP to GIF, follow the same procedure except that in Save as Type box click on "Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)"
Once an image has been converted from one format to another, say GIF to JPEG, some of the information is lost. You can't go back to the original file. Therefore it is always advisable that you make a copy of the original file before converting it.
Krish is striving to offer best quality ebooks to the readers. He doesn't compromise anything with quality. He always wants that his readers should have maximum satisfaction on reading his eBooks.
KRISH is a writer and seller of high quality ebooks.
KRISH is selling High quality eBooks covering various topics.The ebook "Tame Your Personal Computer" explains in a simple language about Personal Computers. Please join our mailing list mailto:ananthcbe@hotmail.com http://www.ebook-retailers.com/tame/
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..I recently got an e-mail asking about virtual memory. The... Read More
Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of... Read More
Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
Plenty! When we made the decision to be our own... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
GOT VIRUS? Your Data is NOT lost forever!In the wake... Read More
Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More
This is the third in a series of articles highlighting... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
When studying for your Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE exam,... Read More
Microsoft Certifications are one of the most widely acclaimed, pursued,... Read More
Freezing is also known as crashing or hanging. It's frustrating.... Read More
Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification ExamYou've studied hard; you've... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
Good Morning Mr. Sampson. Please type in you Personal Identification... Read More
Apache, MysQL and PHP for Windows could be a nice... Read More
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due... Read More
Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the... Read More
When browsing the internet you are likely to come across... Read More
Digital Video Disc or as it is sometimes referred to... Read More
So I'll start from the very beginning.One day I was... Read More
A Computer in Your HandCarrying around an address book and... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More
Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
GOT VIRUS? Your Data is NOT lost forever!In the wake... Read More
No matter how fast your processor and regardless of how... Read More
One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
Saving Lives With A Pocket PCFree medical downloads can be... Read More
Tip #1. Do a Google search. Don't be to general... Read More
File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More
For many people the computer industry is a seeming unsolvable... Read More
1. Before sitting down for coding, you must have formal... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More
In the early days, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were not... Read More
Time is money. And when you constantly have to divide... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
HTTP ProtocolThe web is run on port 80. You are... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
You don't have to fork out $250 for a super-diggy-whizbang... Read More
iPod users start to get the picture and it's turning... Read More
About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More
Projectors have come a long way in the past few... Read More
We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
Personal Technology |