File Formats Research Part 2
.AI - Adobe Illustrator Artwork
An .AI image is a vector image file format created in 1987 by Adobe Systems and represents single-page vector-based drawings in either an EPS or PDF format, though they are similar to .SVG files. .AI files are used in Adobe Illustrator which is a vector graphics editor. Other than this, .AI files aren't generally used much other than in other vector graphics editors like Inkscape, Corel Draw and Xara X.
What uses does a .AI file have and why use a .AI?
Because of the program .AI files are initially from, their purpose in graphics creation and design is for vector images. Programs like Illustrator and Inkscape allow for vector creation but have very little uses outside of that. People use .AI files because what you make is a vector, this means that the image isn't made up of pixels but is a mathematical equation consisting of points, lines, curves or polygons which make up the image. The difference between a bitmap and vector file:
A vector file can be resize and magnified without losing its quality and becoming pixelated. They are used in publishing because of this, you are able to scale your images up or down that you've created to different sizes if needed without the loss of good quality.
Basically, vector images can fit to any size of publication you need whether it be for A5 or A3, the image can be scaled up or down without losing the quality of the image and experiencing pixelation.
.PDF - Portable Document Format
A .PDF is a file format which is used in presenting document on application software for operating systems and hardware. Every PDF captures the complete document including its text, fonts, graphics and any other information needed. .PDF files were created by Adobe Systems and are used with Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing, other programs such as Indesign, also by Adobe are able to export their work as a PDF if selected to.
What uses does a .PDF have and why use a .PDF?
The main use for a .PDF is to display your work in a document type form which isn't directly editable and thus is used most commonly in schools, places of education and over public area's in order to reliably provide information. Because a .PDF doesn't lose any text, images or fonts when created, it allows for easy viewing and can display all relative content. You should use a .PDF if you're going to publish a desktop publishing workflow but is now mainly overtaken from the rise of the World Wide Web and HTML documents.
.PS - PostScript
PostScript, a computer language for creating vector graphics is a dynamically typed, concatenative programming language. It was developed by Adobe Systems and is mostly used in printing because of its feature to both combine the best features of printers and plotters, the file format is able to generate pages of text and raster graphics from dot-matrix printers but also high quality line art like a laser printer would.
What uses does a .PS have and why is a .PS used?
Though it may seem as if a .PDF has every advantage over PostScript, it is still used today because of the fact its a fully made programming language and allows you to compute graphics. A PDF doesn't allow this and only shows the result. The main reason someone would use a .PS over a .PDF in a publishers point of view is that its editable, if something doesn't look right or is too faint for instance, the publisher can change this or enhance what he/she needs to.
.EPS - Encapsulated PostScript
An .EPS is like a .PS on the nature that its purpose and how they work are the same. The difference being that an .EPS is intended to be used as a graphics file format but are generally self contained, PostScript documents can be placed within each other meaning an EPS is basically a PostScript Program.
What uses does a .EPS have and why is a .EPS used?
.EPS files are versatile and able to contain a combination of text, graphics and images all in one, the file is actually a PostScript file because of this and is used the same way a PostScript file is uses. To recollect, PostScripts are used because of their ability to be edited, and because an EPS can hold a PostScript within a PostScript, they are predominantly used by publishers.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment