.gif vs .jpg

[StuntFactoryX]

what is better? what makes you decide? i understand that .gif can be transparent but outside if that if i had 2 square images why use .gif or .jpg?

and when you save a .gif in cs2 does it matter if you save for web?

[calorie]

Couple of things to consider...

How many colors does the image contain? How small can the image be compressed without losing too much quality?

As to SFW, some information is available at http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshop/ig/saveforweb/sfw01.htm

[Freesteyelz]

I tend to save most of my image files for the web in .jpg format. Especially for detailed designs and shades .jpg fairs out better than .gif format. Most times for me the file size is less with .jpg format. :)

[Shelley_c]

Neither is better or rather each as it benefits to the job at hand. For example, You have an image less than and/or 256 colours then I would say .gif would be the format of choice mainly because you will not benefit from any extra quality by using jpeg, you would also benefit from using .gif because of the lower filesize.. Also, if that image contains animations then .gif would be the format of choice because jpeg does not support animations. However, jpeg has it pros mainly for images that exceed 256 colours and by using jpeg images you would retain that quality whilst using .gif would result in colours looking of low quality.

The save for web feature is a very usefull tool as it allows you to tweak your format of choice and allows you to manage slices and save in any matte colour of choice and gain optimal performance from your saved images/projects. :)

[Spank]

.PNG all the way!

[Shelley_c]

Always remember stuntfactoryx, there's not a best format but the appropriate format for the project your working on. That's about the best advice I can give you with regards to (what seems in this thread) an image format war. :rolleyes:

[bobster65]

Always remember stuntfactoryx, there's not a best format but the appropriate format for the project your working on. That's about the best advice I can give you with regards to (what seems in this thread) an image format war. :rolleyes:

agreed... there is not one "Best" type. .png, .jpg/jpeg, .gif all have their places on the web. Obviously, you want to choose the type that will load the fastest for your users without compromising the effect you wish to display.

[StuntFactoryX]

i appriciate the info.

a cartoon type image can be just as clean in .gif format as a jpg. so its not that jpg are more crisp.

i was opporating on the idea that if all else fails or was unsure use .jpg, it just be a overkill.

i really do like .png but the browser thing sucks.

[Shelley_c]

I know there is a modification on a .png fix though this is a little extreme when you can easily opt for a .png and select the matte option instead of transparency. What this allows is that the matte colour you choose would be the same coloured background that the image will be applied upon. Again, you will find the options in the save for web area. :)

[Andreas]

PNG is great for stuff like Icons, Buttons, Screenshots, etc.
No need to use GIF here - PNG can also be indexed (256 colors) and usually gives smaller files compared to GIF.

JPEG ist great for photos.

[wengi]

Always use .png as i think it has the best result on an image but like Shelley_c said if it is an animation it has to be .gif or it wount be supported

Regards
Wengi

[Dismounted]

png-24 :)

[edgecutioner]

.PNG all the way!

well i'm with ya because JPG can degrade a very good picture :(

[ChrisLM2001]

Unless it's animations, I see little need to use GIFs anymore. Unless it's a very high color count photo, don't use JPEG much now, either. PNG, though, I use almost daily -- especially for gradients (167byte smooth gradient backgrounds are sweet!).

For archiving photos I'd prefer using BMP, as it can be compressed better than JPEG on disk with an archiver (Stuffit is great for reducing already compressed JPEG images).

[StuntFactoryX]

do you guys hack your boards to support transperancy in IE or just leave them hanging or not use the transprancy option?

i played w/ joomla a bit and it seems thats all they use. they dont even aknowledge .jpg or gif or even .psd. i bought a template and it did not work correcty in photoshop and required fireworks. the images in fireworks were leaps over photoshop and they said photoshop dont truly handle or support .png properly. is that just a joomla thing or is true across the web?

last question. sombody stated that .png is better quality than jpg. so i could even use .png in my gallery photographs uploads or is that going to far?

thanks for all the info. ive read a little on the net but most dont explain in everyday terms or how i can use this in vb correctly.

[Andreas]

Phtoshop support for PNG could indeed be better.

@StuntFactoryX
You can get the same transparancy in PNG as you can with GIF:
Just use 8 bits color depth.

PNG compresses lossless, so yes - the quliaty is better then JPG.

@ChrisLM2001
What about TIF for archiving purposes?

[Shelley_c]

I would personally use the matte option for .png and replacement variables for any images like smilies, post icons instead of hacking my forum to compensate for IE.

[ChrisLM2001]

@ChrisLM2001
What about TIF for archiving purposes?

Just tested this again with a 3073KB BMP screenshot.

1. TIFF (Compressed) ----------- 1039KB
2. 7-Zip (Ultra settings) --------- 990KB
3. PNG (True Color) ------------ 978KB (I use the very good SmartSaverPro compressor)
4. Sitx (Max) ------------------- 924KB.
5. WinUHA (Max) --------------- 752KB (my favorite archiver for images).