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ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS2
User Guide
Web graphics formats and options
Comparing web graphics formats
Web graphics formats fall into two categories: bitmap and vector. The bitmap formats—GIF, JPEG, PNG, and
WBMP—describe artwork as a series of colored dots called pixels. Each pixel in a bitmap image has a fixed size and
is therefore
resolution-dependent
, meaning that dimensions of the image depend on the resolution of the monitor on
which it is viewed. The vector formats—SVG and SWF—describe artwork mathematically, as a set of geometric
objects. Because of this, vector graphics are
resolution-independent
and can be scaled up or down without losing any
image quality.
GIF and PNG-8
GIF is the standard format for compressing images with flat color and crisp detail, such as line art, logos, or illustra
tions with type. Like the GIF format, the PNG-8 format efficiently compresses solid areas of color while preserving
sharp detail; however, not all web browsers can display PNG-8 files. (See “Optimization options for GIF and PNG
8 formats” on page 457.)
PNG-8 and GIF files support 8-bit color, so they can display up to 256 colors. The process of determining which
colors to use is called
indexing
, so images in GIF and PNG-8 formats are sometimes called
indexed color
images. To
convert an image to indexed color, Illustrator builds a color lookup table, which stores and indexes the colors in the
image. If a color in the original image does not appear in the color lookup table, the application either chooses the
closest color in the table or simulates the color using a combination of available colors. (See “To customize the color
table for GIF and PNG-8 images” on page 459.)
JPEG
JPEG is the standard format for compressing continuous-tone images such as photographs. Optimizing an image as
a JPEG format relies on
lossy
compression, which selectively discards data. (See “Optimization options for JPEG
format” on page 460.)
PNG-24
PNG-24 is suitable for compressing continuous-tone images; however, it produces much larger files than JPEG
format. The advantage of using PNG-24 is that it can preserve up to 256 levels of transparency in an image. (See
“Optimization options for PNG-24 format” on page 460.)
SWF
The Macromedia® Flash™ (SWF) file format is a vector-based graphics file format for the creation of scalable,
compact graphics for the web. Since the file format is vector-based, the artwork maintains its image quality at any
resolution and is ideal for the creation of animation frames. (See “About Flash graphics” on page 450 and “Optimi
zation options for SWF format” on page 461.)
SVG
SVG is a vector format that describes images as shapes, paths, text, and filter effects. The resulting files are compact
and provide high-quality graphics on the web, in print, and even on resource-constrained, handheld devices. (See
“About SVG” on page 447 and “Optimization options for SVG format” on page 462.)
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