Explanation of file formats (Vector + Raster + CAD)
Vector file formats
Vector file formats define an image’s information by using basic geometric primitives that can be expressed by mathematical equations, such as points, line, segment, curve, text, and polygons. Vector images are made up of a number of lines, arcs, and curves of various geometric shapes that have the same quality and sharpness when zooming or resizing, no matter the scale.
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EPS
EPS stands for Encapsulated Poscript and is a graphics file for things like pictures, logos, or photographs. It’s also for layouts of pages, maps, or other types of images. The EPS file contains both bitmap and vector data for each file and uses the Postscript page description language in its internal code. Every drawing or graphic design software can generate EPS files. Layout or graphics applications, like Photoshop or Illustrator, and some applications can save bitmap images as EPS files, as well. Unlike JPGs and PNGs, an EPS file does not have thumbnail view, so it can be hard to view it without opening.
| Vector software | Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and Sketch |
| Type of graphics | Vector |
| File name extension | .eps, .epsi, .epsf |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | 100% scalable without loss of quality |
| Main usage | Print, cutting software, and games |
| File size | Large file size |
| Speciality | Includes a low-resolution preview encapsulated inside |
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AI
AI is the file format of Adobe Illustrator, a program that uses powerful vector graphics for logo creation, outlining, and other types of design work. AI files are saved in vector format, so they can be resized to any definition without losing quality. Some programs accept AI files but may rasterize the image, and you will lose quality. Vector files are composed of paths connected by points, rather than the usual bitmap image data, and this high-quality attribute helps to make logos of any size with perfect edge quality for print or advertising media.
| Vector software | Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and Sketch |
| Type of graphics | Vector |
| File name extension | .ai |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | 100% scalable without loss of quality |
| Main usage | Print, cutting software, and games |
| File size | Small file size |
| Speciality | Adobe Illustrator native file format |
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PDF
A PDF document is used to present documents without a particular application to open them. PDF stands for Portable Document Format. Created by Adobe, a PDF file is designed to encapsulate a complete documentation of all the text, fonts, graphics, and anything else that is needed to display it. For this reason, these files can be larger than their program-specific counterparts. PDFs are commonly used to display digital magazines, books, and newsletters, as all the information inside a PDF can be managed. PDFs can be secured through password protection or can require a signature to open. This allows them to be used for important documents, invoices, and legal documents.
| Vector software | Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and Sketch |
| Type of graphics | Vector |
| File name extension | |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | 100% scalable without loss of quality |
| Main usage | Print, cutting software, and games |
| File size | Small file size |
| Speciality | Open type file format |
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CDR
CDR stands for Corel Draw Vector and is a file that is associated with the program Corel Draw, a popular design program for graphic designers. The file is vector based and can be resized indefinitely without losing quality. Other programs can also open this vector graphics file, including Corel Paint Shop Pro and Adobe Illustrator. The file type is not recognized by most other image editing software, but, when opened with Corel Draw, it can be exported into other file types.
| Vector software | Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and Sketch |
| Type of graphics | Vector |
| File name extension | .cdr |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | 100% scalable without loss of quality |
| Main usage | Print, cutting software, and games |
| File size | Small file size |
| Speciality | Corel Draw native file format |
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SVG
SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. Similar to AI files, these files are vector based, so they can be resized without losing quality. SVGs are XML based, so they can be searched, tagged with metadata, scripted, and compressed. SVG images can be created and edited with a text editor, and the files are small and compact for easy moving or downloading. Usually, they are opened in drawing software of some kind. All modern web browsers support SVG to some degree, and SVG files commonly allow three types of graphic objects, which are VG, RG, and text.
| Vector software | Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and Sketch |
| Type of graphics | Vector |
| File name extension | .svg, .svgz |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | 100% scalable without loss of quality |
| Main usage | Print, cutting software, and games |
| File size | Small file size (lowest of all vector formats) |
| Speciality | Web-supported vector format |
Bitmap file formats
Bitmap images are composed of pixels. These are tiny little dots, which you can see if you take a closer look at your TV screen. Every small pixel or bit is carrying infomration about color for a computer or other device. The most common example of bitmap images are photographs. Bitmap files commonly can be recognized by file extension, in which the graphics are saved. The most commonly-used bitmap formats are JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, and TIF.
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JPG
JPG or JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. These files are most commonly used for photographs, specifically digital photographs created by digital cameras. They are commonly used for maximum image quality with a high compression rate for creation of smaller files. The degree of compression can be adjusted in most graphic design software, allowing for a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality.
JPG and JPEG are the most common image formats used by digital cameras, as these are the most well-known format for storing and sharing images on the Internet. At its best, the compression algorithm displays paintings and realistic scenes with high-color quality and striking tone. Online, where web masters track the amount of data used meticulously, JPGs are very popular. JPGs may not be great for line drawings, like logos or textual graphics, where sharp contrasts will start to blur, and the quality compromise is not worth it for displaying a high-quality image.
| Bitmap software | Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, Gimp, Pixlr, and Paintshop Pro |
| Type of graphics | Bitmap (Pixel-based graphics) |
| File name extension | .jpg, .jpe, .jif, .jpeg, .jfif, and .jfi |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | Lossy image format (pixelation, artifacts) |
| Colors | 16 mil colors, 24 bit per pixel |
| Main usage | Digital devices, web, and camera |
| File size | Small file size (JPGs can be compressed ) |
| Compression | Huffman encoding |
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PNG
PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics and is pronounced ‘ping.’ This is a raster graphics file format that supports compression without a loss of data. PNGs were created as an improved replacement for GIFs and are the most commonly used lossless image compression on the Internet. PNGs allow transparency in their images, so backgrounds of webpages will be seen behind the image, instead of a square white box, as is usually seen with typical JPEG images on the web. PNGs are single image formats and cannot display animation like GIFs can.
| Bitmap software | Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, Gimp, Pixlr, and Paintshop Pro |
| Type of graphics | Bitmap (Pixel-based graphics) |
| File name extension | .png |
| Color modes | CMYK and RGB |
| Type of format | Lossless file format |
| Colors | 256, 8-bit, 24-bit colors |
| Main usage | Digital devices, web, and camera |
| File size | Large file size for complex images |
| Compression | LZW Lempel-Ziv-Welch encoding |
| Advantage | Transparent background |
CAD file formats
CAD file formats are primarily intended for containing 2D or 3D designs. CAD software uses vector-based graphics. The most famouse CAD programs are AutoCad, SolidEdge, DraftSight, DoubleCAD XT, DraftIT, LibreCAD, or Free CAD. Computer Aided Design (CAD) file formats can work with geometric models, technical drawings, architectural plans, blueprints, etc. The most common CAD file extentions are .dwg, .dgn, .dxf, or .stl.
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DWG
DWG is a proprietary AutoCAD file format used to store two- and three-dimensional design data and metadata. IntelliCAD, PowerCAD, and other software support it. It has now become the base format for all CAD applications and can be viewed with the free DWG TrueView program on Windows. Other software that can open this file include Autodesk, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks eDrawing Viewer. This file type can also be converted with AutoDWG or Solid Converter DWG. On a Mac, DWG files can be opened with Microspot DWG viewer, IMSI TurboCAD, and SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer. CAD programs can be expensive, so, if you don’t have one of those, then you can still view DWG files after converting them to PDF, TIFF, or JPG with Total Cad Converter.
| CAD software | SolidEdge, DraftSight, and FreeCAD |
| Supported graphics | 2D and 3D |
| File name extension | .dwg, .dws, and .dwt |
| Usage | Geometric data, maps, blueprints, and designs |
| Coding | ASCII and Binary |
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DXF
DXF stands for Drawing eXchange Format and is an AutoCAD file type. This file type is for a graphic image typically created by AutoCAD. Depending on the software used, this file type can be saved in ASCII or binary format. There have been many changes to this file type over the years, and it enables high-quality data transfer between AutoCAD and other programs.
| CAD software | SolidEdge, DraftSight, and FreeCAD |
| Supported graphics | 2D and 3D |
| File name extension | .dxf |
| Usage | Geometric data, maps, blueprints, and designs |
| Coding | ASCII and Binary |