Understanding & Saving File Types

[Erica McPhee]

Wow! This turned out to be a little more complex than I anticipated! So I created this little infographic sheet. I hope it helps break down the information in an easily understandable format.

There are many different file types but the most common ones are JPG, GIF, PNG, TIF, PSD, EPS, AI, & PDF. I review each type and how they are typically used. I also explain File Compression: Loss Less vs. Lossy; as well as what the two different types of graphic images are: bitmap vs. vector.

Because there is so much information, although I tried to keep it to a minimum, the page size had to be legal (8.5x14). I am attaching the file for downloading below as well as a websized image.

As usual, if you have any questions, ask away! If I don't know the answer, I hope others who do will pipe in! 

[Lynda]

Wow Erica!  I didn't mean to give you such extensive homework, but A+.  THANK YOU for going above and beyond in answering this.  It's very much appreciated.  Lynda

[Erica McPhee]

You're so welcome! Actually, it was already on my list so your timing was perfect! 

[Lindamirth]

Wow, thank you.I can't wait to sit down and apply it!
Thanks!
Linda

[Jane Farr]

Love how you've arranged and color coded this helpful guide, Erica!!

[Erica McPhee]

Thanks Jane! It is such a complex topic so I tried to break it down as visually and simply as I could.   

[FrenchBlue Joy]

You are so amazing!!  That graph is a thing of beauty. 

There's something I really don't understand about the PS-to-Illustrator path...  My printer says she removed and in drip on my last original file in Photoshop, and then sent the doc to Illustrator to vectorize it.  Anything that's been through Photoshop is pixelated though, isn't it?  Does Illustrator somehow fix that, so it doesn't look 'bitmap'-y when it's done?  Or is it possible to scan directly into Illustrator and do all your clean-up and layout in that program, bypassing Photoshop completely?

I'm really confused about how the two programs are used together... 

[Erica McPhee]

Thanks, Joy!

From what I understand, you can do all the cleanup in Illustrator. The lettering artist in the link Alain scans his work into Illustrator and then does everything in there so I don't see how you couldn't do the clean up in there as well.

Yes, Photoshop images are bitmap. That is the whole "vectorization" process we are trying to accomplish in Illustrator - converting that bitmap image into a vector file.

There are some files though that are better worked in Photoshop first and then imported into Illustrator. Since I'm not as familiar with Illustrator, I don't know yet what that is! 

I'm serious when I saw I will learn Illustrator this year and then I can answer the questions better! 

[dailyletterings]

every post i read gets better and better for answering ALL the questions i once had! i feel like i've hit the jackpot and it's all FREE?!! cannot thank you enough and beyond humbled that you are SO GRACIOUS AND GENEROUS!!

[Erica McPhee]

Thank you so much Torrie! That is a really sweet compliment! I appreciate the wonderful feedback!!! It really does make it all worth it!   

[katianaval]

Thanks for this, Erica. No wonder my digitized calligraphy had rugged edges, I saved them as JPGs. What format do you normally scan / save them though?

[Erica McPhee]

Hi Katia,
When I scan them in, they are a BMP file. However, once I start working on the file, I always save it as a PSD file. This way you don't lose any quality when making changes. Once the final is complete, however, I do save it as JPG. If you look at the Christmas work I uploaded, that is a 600 dpi scan saved a PSD (Photoshop), then reduced to 300 dpi and saved as a JPG. No jagged edges.



What dpi are you scanning at?

[katianaval]

Thanks, I'll try that way. I'm usually scanning minimum at 300dpi, and try between colored scan or black and white. I lose a lot though on black and white scan.

[Erica McPhee]

I find that as well so I always scan as color and then do the threshold adjustment. That is what the threshold does - it forces the design to either black or white. 

[charys]

Wow, this is incredible!  As has been said, thank you for going above and beyond!