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(Stephanie_Neilan) Calculating status...
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Converting file formats, in general

Jan 16, 2009 11:26 AM

I'm working with a design group to obtain all the artwork they've created for our company. The cost and approvals have all been worked out. What I need to know is a little more about file formats. Since I have CS3 Master Suite, I have the ability to view, access and integrate all the raw files into other work we might do with the artwork. The problem is that the rest of the staff can't use those files.

I need to know what file types the raw files need to be converted to in order for them to be the best quality and use for office documents (Word forms, Power Point presentations, etc.). While I know jpg would work, is it the best format to be converting everything to?
4037 Views   8 Replies   Latest reply: Aimiel2, Mar 24, 2009 5:31 AM
 
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  • Steve Howard, ACP UGM
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    1. Steve Howard, ACP UGM,
    Jan 16, 2009 5:59 PM   in reply to (Stephanie_Neilan)
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    > I need to know what file types the raw files need to be converted to in
    > order for them to be the best quality and use for office documents (Word
    > forms, Power Point presentations, etc.). While I know jpg would work, is
    > it the best format to be converting everything to?

    Depends :-)

    What are the images?

    Rough rule of thumb:-

    - Photographoc images with loads of colours and detail - think trees,
    textured fabrics, landscapes - jpg is usually bst in terms of balance
    between visual quality and file size.
    - Flat images, limited colours, large areas of similar colour - think screen
    shots, cartoon graphics - use gif.

    But a more appropriate file type might be png, as it copes well wit all
    image types. Generally.

    There's no hard and fast rules and you'll get more than one opinion ;-)

    Steve


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  • MichaelKazlow
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    2. MichaelKazlow,
    Jan 16, 2009 6:27 PM   in reply to Steve Howard, ACP UGM
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    Stephanie,

    I'm not sure what your question has to do with e-learning. But to be
    honest, the graphics format to be chosen has a lot to do with the final
    use of the document and the original format of the graphics. Steve's
    choices are excellent choices for raster graphics made from a
    collections of pixels/colored dots. If fidelity of the image is of
    utmost importance, I'd recommend the tif format as an additional choice.

    For vector graphics, none of the above choices is appropriate. Exactly,
    which graphic format to choose for vector graphics really depends upon
    the starting format. If you stay within the Windows environment, many
    people will choose WMF and/or EMF. These can be suitable for many of
    your vector graphics formats.

    ...Mike
     
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  • Don McCahill
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    3. Don McCahill,
    Jan 19, 2009 6:21 AM   in reply to (Stephanie_Neilan)
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    > While I know jpg would work, is it the best format to be converting everything to?

    The one thing to remember about jpg is that it is progressively lossy. That means that every time it is resaved, the quality goes down, a little to a lot, depending on the quality setting.

    If files are going to be saved and resaved, avoid working from a jpg.
     
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  • Steve Howard, ACP UGM
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    4. Steve Howard, ACP UGM,
    Jan 19, 2009 10:01 AM   in reply to Steve Howard, ACP UGM
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    > Depends :-)
    >
    > What are the images?

    ... and what will they be used for?
    - How will they be used?
    - What application(s) are thuy used in?
    - Are they used exactly as you provide them, or further
    edited/cropped/scaled etc?

    We can keep offering sage advice, but without full knowledge of your
    situation, every single thing we say could be wrong for your situation. :-)

    Steve


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  • Currently Being Moderated
    5. (Stephanie_Neilan),
    Jan 19, 2009 10:30 AM   in reply to (Stephanie_Neilan)
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    Well after reading the responses, I guess I'm backing up and wanting to learn more all around about file types and best practices. From what I'm seeing so far, having them made into PDF's is the best way to go. Only thing there is I don't know how to raster (?) them or make them editable/usable in Office documents once their in PDF form.
     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    6. (Stephanie_Neilan),
    Jan 19, 2009 10:34 AM   in reply to (Stephanie_Neilan)
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    What are the images?
    corporate identity pieces - logo, complementary artwork, photos
    and some advertising mixed materials - brochures, etc.

    The images will be used for creating in-house documents that are in line with the overall visual standards. Possibly some additional advertising, but nothing advanced.

    The programs are mainly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

    They will be used both as provided and some for further editing/cropping/scaling.
     
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  • Steve Howard, ACP UGM
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    7. Steve Howard, ACP UGM,
    Jan 22, 2009 4:33 PM   in reply to (Stephanie_Neilan)
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    > From what I'm seeing so far, having them made into PDF's is the best way
    > to go

    I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion. Pdfs are a pain to extract
    images from unless you have access to Acrobat Pro. Best that you keep the
    files in a source format - png, ai, psd etc.

    > What are the images?
    > corporate identity pieces - logo, complementary artwork, photos
    > and some advertising mixed materials - brochures, etc.
    >
    > The images will be used for creating in-house documents that are in line
    > with the overall visual standards. Possibly some additional advertising,
    > but nothing advanced.
    >
    > The programs are mainly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
    >
    > They will be used both as provided and some for further
    > editing/cropping/scaling.

    Well logos are commonly exchanged in eps format - this is a vector-based
    format that is lossless and easy to convert to the desired size using
    PhotoShop.

    So here's my thoughts.

    Given the tools used, you are best to provide your images at the highest
    possible quality, which usually means providing an eps file or other
    high-quality source. Rather than concern yourself about converting the files
    and losing quality *before* they are included in the final documents, you
    should educate yourself and your team on file formats, image quality, pixel
    density for print vs web etc etc. As we have all suggested already, there's
    no definitive answer to your question, and you'll get the best results by
    getting more understanding of the file formats.

    Some reference stuff, randomly pulled from a web search

    http://desktoppub.about.com/od/graphicformats/a/graphicformats.htm
    http://webstyleguide.com/graphics/formats.html
    http://www.macgraphics.net/graphic-file-format.php
    http://www.creativisibility.com/marketing/articles/0711FileFormatsGuid e.html

    Steve


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  • Aimiel2
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    8. Aimiel2,
    Mar 24, 2009 5:31 AM   in reply to (Stephanie_Neilan)
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    There isn't a simple answer. If you're wanting to discuss varied files with a varied audience: Acrobat PDF's. If you really want to preserve the full file, then there is probably nothing better than the native format the file was created in. If you change the format, there will be loss of data / resolution. It can't be helped. I would suggest simply making PDF's out of anything you use to get approval, but keep the originals, and send them directly when someone needs to make changes to the original document, or simply make them available on a network server. All original artwork should be stored, of course, by the artists, before they send a file for approval / edits; or before they share a version for edits by others. Sounds like your office needs to re-think the way artwork flows through your office, and perhaps even add software applications to computers that others use so that work can flow more easily.
     
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