Article / Definition: Graphics Files

A web page is commonly constructed of two types of elements: text and formatting, and artistic elements in the form of graphics files. Almost every artistic element you see such as charts, diagrams, drawings, cartoons and photographs is contained in a graphics file.

Several graphics formats are commonly in use:

• GIF. One of the oldest formats in use on the web, it is frequently used for non-photographic graphics because of the small file sizes associated with it. Photographs do not work well with this format as they generate enormous file sizes.
• JPEG. Another older format that is used predominantly for photographs. Not usually used for non-photographic graphics as some of the detail can be lost and/or result in large file sizes than GIF.
• PNG. A new format which is only slowly coming into vogue due to larger file sizes and lack of support in some browsers. NetWorthy Designs does not use this format in its web sites.
• BMP. Bitmap files, a format which predates the Web; sometimes does not render very well in a browser. Not every browser supports this format, so NetWorthy Designs does not use this format in it web sites.
• MPEG, MOV and AVI. Movie files, all of which are commonly in use today.

NetWorthy Designs can handle many other types of formats (such as TIFF, PIC, DWG etc.), but will convert them to an acceptable format prior to using them on a web site We can also scan printed material into an appropriate graphics file.