File FormatsIntroductionNo one software program offers every option and you may want to movegraphic files from one program to another to use other options. Proper fileformat is important if you plan to merge graphics into other softwareprograms. Review software owner/operator manuals to identify formats thesoftware supports for importation and exportation. Your graphics will notdisplay or print if you save files in incompatible file formats.File formatsFile formats are machine languages that save each binary digit or bit in a fileaccording to special codes that tell the program how to arrange and presentthe information. Special codes for one program are not necessarily the samespecial codes for other software. Two common ways files are saved to disksare by vector and raster bit maps.VECTOR-BASED: Vector-based drawings or object-oriented graphics areplotted by a series of points that define paths for lines to follow. The pointsare the result of mathematical formulation and most vector-based softwareautomatically recalculates subsequent changes. For this reason, vector-baseddrawings are simpler to edit than raster-based images. Vector images aredefined by lines, shapes, color or fill pattern, and objects. Vector-basedgraphics printed or viewed on low resolution printers and screens, curves andcircles appear mechanically awkward or jagged. The term for jagged edgedlines is pixilated.RASTER-BASED: Raster-based images are images created pixel by pixelwithin a matrix. Raster-based software automatically determines when and towhat number to reduce pixels in a matrix. Vector-based bit maps can be“rasterized” or converted by a raster image processor (RIP) to raster bitmaps. The purpose of conversion is to ensure reliable transport into thepublishing software by dramatically increasing the dots per inch (dpi)resulting in very high resolution. Rasterizing images removes the jaggededges often associated with vector graphics reproduced at low resolution(lower dpi). Subsequent editing in raster-based software is often difficult andmay require re-converting to vector-based software.Continued on next page8-34
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