File Formats, Continued
Graphics
images file
format (GIF or
GIFF)
Joint
photographic
experts group
(JPEG or JPG)
File format
suffixes
File
compression
GIF or graphic images file formats are display bit maps without the high
resolution required for editing. GIF is used for display and exchange among
users in subscription networks connecting vast networks of computers such as
the Internet and the world wide web.
JPEG or JPG is a standardized image compression mechanism written by the
Joint Photographic Experts Group for maximizing file compression of files
intended for use as a Usenet or world wide web photo format. JPEG works
best with full-color or grey-scale images such as photographics and
continuous-tone art. JPEG has difficulty reproducing sharp lines and extreme
contrasts. JPEG files also display a loss in image quality with subsequent
conversions.
Common three-letter file format extensions attached to file names include the
suffixes in the following chart:
Format
Suffixes
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
.txt
Encapsulated Postscript File Formats (EPSF or EPSF)
.eps
Graphics Image File Format (GIF or GIFF)
.gif
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG)
.jpg
Raster Image File Format (RIF or RIFF)
.rif
Tagged Image File Format (TIF or TIFF)
.tif
When documents or images require more storage space than the disk has,
compress the file to fit. Compressing files is a way to store back-up
material, free hard drive space, and save time transferring files. Many
programs are able to compress files and there are specific file compression
software programs available. Compressed files must be expanded before use.
Compressing and expanding files does not affect resolution. File
compression is sometimes referred to as stuffing and unstuffing.
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