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ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS2
User Guide
BMP
A standard Windows image format. You can specify a color model, resolution, and anti-alias setting for raster
izing the artwork, as well as a format (Windows or OS/2) and a bit depth to determine the total number of colors (or
shades of gray) that the image can contain. For 4-bit and 8-bit images using Windows format, you can also specify
RLE compression.
Enhanced Metafile
Widely used by Windows applications as an interchange format for exporting vector graphics
data. Illustrator may rasterize some vector data when exporting artwork to EMF format.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
Commonly used to display graphics and small animations in web pages. GIF is a
compressed format designed to minimize file size and transfer time. You can also save an image as a GIF file using
the Save For Web command.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Commonly used to save photographs. JPEG format retains all color infor
mation in an image but compresses file size by selectively discarding data. JPEG is a standard format for displaying
images over the web. For more information, see “JPEG export options” on page 342. You can also save an image as a
JPEG file using the Save For Web command.
Note:
Artifacts, such as wave-like patterns or blocky areas of banding, are added to a file each time you save the file as
a JPEG. Always save JPEG files from the original image, not from a previously saved JPEG.
Macintosh PICT
Used with Mac OS graphics and page-layout applications to transfer images between applications.
PICT is especially effective at compressing images with large areas of solid color.
Macromedia Flash
A vector-based graphics format for interactive, animated web graphics. You can export artwork
to the Macromedia Flash (SWF) format for use in web design, and view the artwork in any browser equipped with
the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in. For more information, see “Macromedia Flash export options” on page 342.
You can also save an image as an SWF file using the Save For Web command.
Photoshop
The standard Photoshop format. If your artwork contains data that cannot be exported to Photoshop
format, Illustrator preserves the appearance of the artwork by merging the layers in the document or by rasterizing
the artwork. As a result, there may be times when layers, sublayers, compound shapes, and editable text are not
preserved in the Photoshop file, even though you selected the appropriate export option. For more information, see
“Photoshop export options” on page 344.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
Used for lossless compression and for display of images on the web. Unlike GIF,
PNG supports 24-bit images and produces background transparency without jagged edges; however, some web
browsers do not support PNG images. PNG preserves transparency in grayscale and RGB images. For more infor
mation, see “PNG export options” on page 345. You can also save an image as a PNG file using the Save For Web
command.
Targa
Designed for use on systems that use the Truevision® video board. You can specify a color model, resolution,
and anti-alias setting for rasterizing the artwork, as well as a bit depth to determine the total number of colors (or
shades of gray) that the image can contain.
Text Format
Used to export text in an illustration to a text file. (See “To export text to a text file” on page 365.)
TIFF (Tagged-Image File Format)
Used to exchange files between applications and computer platforms. TIFF is a
flexible bitmap image format supported by most paint, image-editing, and page-layout applications. Most desktop
scanners can produce TIFF files. For more information, see “TIFF export options” on page 345.
Windows Metafile
An intermediate exchange format for 16-bit Windows applications. WMF format is supported by
almost all Windows drawing and layout programs. However, it has limited vector graphics support, and wherever
possible, EMF format should be used in place of WMF format.