Question

What is the difference between a bitmap image and a vector image? In terms of processing speed, which is going to be a better image format? When would the other format be better to use?

Why should you use the PNG format instead of GIF? What are HEIC and HEVC formats and what are the advantages and disadvantages of them?

What does it mean for a compressed image to have artifacts? How do you ensure your photos and images never look poor quality like they were recorded with a potato?

Answer 1

Difference between a bitmap image and a vector image:

• Bitmap image is A type of graphics that are made up of small elements called pixel.It uses pixel.Resizing the image affects its resolution.This type is suitable for photographs.It can be edited using Adobe Photoshop.Comparatively larger than vector images.The outputs of printers and scanners are also bitmap. The input-output devices like digital cameras, monitors, etc produce bitmap images.Photographs are bitmap or raster images. Some of the most popular bitmap formats are Photographic Expert Group (.jpg), Graphics Interchange Format (.gif), Portable Network Graphics (.png), and Tagged Image File Format (.tiff).
• A vector graphic is a type of graphic that uses geometric shapes like lines, curves, circles, and polygons to compose an image. The mathematical formulas establish those points on the grid.Vector graphics are not resolution-dependent. That means, it is possible to scale them without worrying about the picture quality because the mathematical formulas redraw the image at that required scale.

This feature has a certain advantage over other types of graphics. That is why vector graphics are quite popular all over the world. They appear smooth at any resolution.The most commonly used vector formats are Adobe Illustrator File (.ai), Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg) and Encapsulated PostScript (.esp).In the world of graphic design, vector graphics are used almost anywhere. Due to their scalable feature, the logo can be put on a billboard and it would still have solid colors and consistency.

In terms of processing speed, which is going to be a better image format?

According to processing speed, JPEG was surprisingly fast, PNG was only competitive when I reduced the compression level (to the minimum level actually), and then had to deal with the larger data size. Your version of the problem is on the decoding side, but also you may have to investigate the tradeoff between CPU vs. bandwidth on your own platform.the compression level strongly affects the compression CPU usage, although it may have a lesser effect on decoding time. So it's not just a matter of format, but also the compression settings used for each format.jpeg usually is the fastest to load.If you can't afford lossy compression png seems to be the second fastest, depending on the compression level you choose.

When would the other format be better to use?Why should you use the PNG format instead of GIF?

You should use a JPEG when…

• You’re dealing with online photos and/or artwork. JPEGs offer you the most flexibility with raster editing and compression making them ideal for web images that need to be downloaded quickly.
• You want to print photos and/or artwork. At high resolution files with low compression, JPEGs are perfect for editing and then printing.
• You need to send a quick preview image to a client. JPEG images can be reduced to very small sizes making them great for emailing.

You should use a GIF when…

• You want to create web animation. GIF images hold all of the animation frames and timing information in one single file. Image editors like Photoshop make it easy to create a short animation and export it as a GIF.
• You need transparency. GIF images have an “alpha channel” that can be transparent, so you can place your image on any colored background.
• You need a small file. The compression techniques in the GIF format allow image files to shrink tremendously. For very simple icons and web graphics, GIF is the best image file format.

You should use a PNG when…

• You need high-quality transparent web graphics. PNG images have a variable “alpha channel” that can have any degree of transparency (in contrast with GIFs that only have on/off transparency). Plus, with greater color depths, you’ll have a more vibrant image than you would with a GIF.
• You have illustrations with limited colors. Though any image will work, PNG files are best with a small color palette.
• You need a small file. PNG files can shrink to incredibly tiny sizes—especially images that are simple colors, shapes or text. This makes it the ideal image file type for web graphics.

You should use a TIFF when…

• You need high-quality print graphics. Along with RAW, TIFF files are among the highest quality graphic formats available. If you’re printing photos—especially at enormous sizes—use this format.
• You are making a high-quality scan. Using TIFF to scan your documents, photos and artwork will ensure that you have the best original file to work off of.

You should use RAW when…

• You are shooting and editing photos. Make sure your camera is set to RAW so you can capture the most versatile image. Then, use a compatible photo-editing application to adjust your image.

You should use a PDF when…

• You’re ready to print. As we mentioned, many printers prefer PDF as their primary delivery format because it is so ubiquitous. Check with your printer to see how they’d like you to prepare your file.
• You want to display documents on the web. You wouldn’t use a PDF for a single icon or logo, but it’s great for posters, flyers, magazines and booklets. PDFs will keep your entire design in one package, making it easy to view, download or print.

You should use an EPS when…

• You need to send a vector logo to a client, designer or a printer. With an EPS file, you don’t have to worry about where the logo will be placed or printed. No matter the size, it will always appear at the correct resolution.

You should use SVG when…

• You want to create computer generated graphs and diagrams for publishing on the web.

What are HEIC and HEVC ?

HEIC

An HEIC file is one specific way to use HEIF, in which the HEIF container relies only on HEVC to encode images. Other operating systems, camera software, and image-editing apps may produce or support variations on HEIF, like AVCI, which uses the AVC (Advanced Video Coding) encoder to store data within HEIF.

With iCloud Photos enabled, you can see the .heic extension on images synced from an iPhone to Photos for macOS. iOS is careful about exporting, however, so your HEIC files may be converted to a JPEG image (for still images) or a JPEG and an H.264 MOV file (for Live Photos) if iOS thinks the receiving device can’t display HEIC.

HEVC

H.265, which is just another name for HEVC, provides substantial improvements in compression by being more clever and versatile in analyzing individual frames of video and then equally smart in storing differences between adjacent frames. HEVC can compress still images or sequences of video.

What does it mean for a compressed image to have artifacts? How do you ensure your photos and images never look poor quality like they were recorded with a potato?

A compression artifact is the fuzz or distortion in a compressed image or sequence of video images. When a photo is compressed into a JPEG format, some data is lost, which is why this type of compression is called lossy compression. The data that is lost is considered to be not necessary for the viewer to perceive or perhaps not perceivable in any case. In creating a JPEG, if you wish to have a smaller file size regardless of quality, then the result may introduce perceivable compression artifacts. However, if you wish to maintain the quality of the photo and have a larger file size, then the viewer may not notice any artifacts. Artifacts are more evident on a computer image than in a printed photograph.Examples include stone tools, pottery vessels, metal objects such as weapons and items of personal adornment such as buttons, jewelry and clothing. Bones that show signs of human modification are also examples.Low quality photos and videos are often referred to these days as being “potato quality,” or so bad that they look like they were taken using a potato. But for photographer Colin Lowe, “potato quality” is a spot-on description for some of his photos because they were literally taken with a potato.