PNG is the short form of portable network graphics which is
the most frequently used image format both online and offline.
Generally, PNG format is a raster graphics file format and
it supports lossless data compression. This image file type comes into the
limelight in the mid-1990s as a replacement for GIF.
Today, we can see images and visual content all over the
internet and social media. Graphic design and all types of design elements
working to improve our imagination with images.
A single image is not only cared about its view or the
object it includes but also the image file format should also be considered
before preparing the image for the final presentation.
There are two types of image file format that are commonly
used at present. One of them is PNG and the other is jpg.
But it is true that PNG is the most used format as you have
to use it in whatever you would do with an image.
As PNG is a lossless data format that means it remains the same before and after compression, it is a helpful solution for image content designers to keep their file format as same as it was before.
Whether you are a designer or not, you must have the
knowledge of preparing an image file in a specific format that you need for.
Choosing the right file format is so crucial based on your
working type because it is as important as the whole work you have done.
There are so many types of image file formats out there
according to the need of sharing images in different sectors. You also realize
the difference between a native file format and an image file format if you
want to go smoothly.
As you are here to gather some knowledge about the PNG file format, we’re offering you some extra options which you must have in your mind.
Here are some different types of image file format,
·
JPG stands for the joint photographic group
·
GIF stands for the graphic interchange format
·
PNG stands for portable network graphics
·
TIFF stands for Tagged image file format
·
RAW stands for Raw image format
·
PSD stands for Photoshop document
·
SVG stands for scalable vector graphics
·
EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript
·
PDF stands for portable document format
·
AI stands for Adobe Illustrator file format
Those are the different format types of images and they are
used in most bases. Not all those file formats are the same, they are different
based on the data compression, vector or raster, and some other
issues.
From the category seen above, we can say that JPG, GIF, PNG,
TIFF, RAW, PSD all that are all raster image formats as they are
used to save, share, and edit raster image files.
SVG, EPS, PDF, and AI are generally used in vector
file formats.
There are specifications for using an image format in
specific projects. Sometimes you may have to use jpg and sometimes you may have
to use PNG instead of jpg.
Actually, there are a few factors that work behind saving an
image file in a specific format. They are,
First of all, you have to consider the image you are working
on, what types of the image it is? Is it a raster image type or vector? Well, if
you are totally new to this topic, then you must have to recognize raster and
vector images.
In this modern world we are living, the visual image
contents we are seeing everywhere, all are a simple part of a raster or vector image.
Some of them are raster’s and some of them are vectors, but what
does that mean with that raster and vector?
Well, a raster image refers to the image that is made with pixels of color. You may be familiar with pixels they are the
structure material of every raster image.
Sometimes we called about image quality and used the high
quality or low quality for the images. The image which looks as high quality
means they have a high grid of pixels and it carries much more pixels per inch.
Conversely, the images you called lower quality to see means
it has fewer pixels per inch. So, it is clear that raster images are
resolutions or pixel dependent. If you want to resize a raster image to make its size higher or lower than it was, you have to manipulate
or remove pixels from it.
Unlike a raster image, vector images are standard and
scalable as they are made of lines and shapes which can mathematically measure.
It used mathematical formulas to define shapes,
curves, and paths. That’s why you can make a vector image as
large as you want by zooming and it won’t be fractured like a raster image.
Although, vector image and raster image have many other
options that you should know to gain a proper view of both of them. Then you
should learn more about raster and vector images.
We have gained a little knowledge about PNG and other image
file formats above. And now, we would know when and why we should use the PNG
file format.
As there are so many types of image file formats we see
above, not all of them can be used everywhere. Moreover, they are specific in
their use and application types.
Experts are likely to use PNG file format for various
reasons, because of its portability, completeness, loss lessness, flexibility,
and freedom of legal restriction professionals chooses these file extensions instead of others.
The main advantages of using PNG file format are,
PNG file format supports lossless data compression that
means the original data can be perfectly reconstructed to the compressed data
file.
The image file that is saved with a PNG extension won’t lose
detail and quality after image compression. That means, data structure would
remain the same before and after editing of a PNG image file.
PNG image file supports a huge number of colors to apply in different types of digital images. You can use any color you want in any image if the image is saving with a PNG extension.
PNG supports the transparency of digital images in many
transparent areas. You can apply a transparent background in any PNG file
format image that you want. Sometimes you can be satisfied with the color of
your image background. In that time, you would need to use a transparent
background to look at the image in the way you want. This is why the clipping path and experts use it
to save their images in a PNG file.
All types of image editing processes require PNG
format in the image to edit smoothly. Because PNG format shows all types of
editing processes perfectly and gives a better view, all editing works like logo design, banner design, editing, retouching
all of them need to go through PNG files in the process.
PNG format is ideal which image has texts, lines, and shapes in it. It can show each point containing the image clearly and
also each sharp edge keeps transparent enough.
for some specific sectors, where you need to keep the image
file as small as possible. Like images used on websites or online, they must be
small in their size otherwise, it will take much time to load those images.
If websites include images that take top time for loading,
there are chances to distract visitors from the site because of bad image
loading. That’s why web images need to be small in their size and the best solution, in this case, is PNG format.
You can transform PNG files so small to make them best for web graphics.
There are some cases when you should not use PNG as your
image file extension. Because in such cases, it is not a good idea to use PNG
as there are many other image file formats. So, you should go through with one
of them.
Then, what are those situations when you can’t use the PNG file
extension in your image? They are,
For print issue:
you shouldn’t use a PNG image file format when you are going to print out the
image. PNG is not ideal for professional and quality type print graphics
because it won’t support non-RGB color spaces like CMYK. Although it is better
to go with JPEG or TIFF when you have to print down your images.
Another disadvantage of PNG format is, it tends to compress
photos or artwork in larger file size. It is because PNG is a lossless web
format and it keeps the image size and quality the same as it was before.
Besides, modern digital cameras use EXIF metadata that
doesn’t support a PNG file.
With PNG extension, you can’t work with animation and can’t
save them into PNG format.
Generally, people will save an image file into PNG format
when they need to edit the image further or re-edit it later.
If you found some images which include PNG extension, then
you can easily open them with the so-called editing software like
Adobe Photoshop and others.
Also, there must be default programs in every device’s operating system to open this format. Besides, google drive and the
internet browser work to get rid of opening a PNG file image.
When working with images, you may need to convert your PNG
file into another format or vice versa. However, the way is almost easy to
convert a PNG file into another or another file into PNG.
If you have photo editing software, you can do this easily as that software will let you the easy function of converting your
image.
Also, you can do this online by a specific website that offers the option of converting the image file format.
That’s all we have found to inform you about the ping format. If you have anything to know that isn’t included in this article, then don’t forget to search that on google.