Re: How to display graphics clearly on screen and on print?

[Lou Quillio <public -at- quillio -dot- com>]

Keith Hansen wrote:
> * GIF is out of the question for large shots: my samples are blotchy
> looking in places.  I assume, however, GIFs would be OK for very small
> images (such as an image of an icon or button)? Can anyone confirm this
> for me?

That's right.  GIFs are limited to a chintzy 256-color palette.  PNG
is a GIF replacement.  The only time you'll need GIF any more is if
somebody absolutely must have a GIF for some reason.  Dunno what
that would be.

> * My sample PNGs and JPGs look pretty close in quality.  However, my
> PNGs are smaller--not larger--files than my JPGs (e.g., 117KB vs.
> 376KB). Any ideas why?

JPEGs have the capacity to encode much more visual complexity than
PNGs.  If your image doesn't require that, there will be needless
file size overhead.

Also, the author determines how much compression to apply to PNGs
and JPEGs.  You need to weigh quality against file size at varying
compression levels.

But it's simpler than that, really.  JPEG is designed for photos
(and images *very much like* photos).  That's the only time to use it.

Here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNG#Comparison_with_JPEG

Just use JPEG for photos, PNG for nearly anything else, and GIF only
if there's a compelling reason and you can get away with it.  And
always keep your best quality source around -- regardless of how you
may edit images for distribution -- so you can start over later if
needed.

LQ
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