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Bmp/gif/png/jpg Difference; Why to use GIF and PNG
Topic Started: Dec 9 2007, 12:54 PM (107 Views)
Carnage
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Runaway
[ *  *  * ]
THIS TUTORIAL IS FEATURED ON THE MICRO-HEROES WIKI.
-> TAKE A LOOK AT IT.



I think all of you know that the easiest program to work with micros is the MSPaint. Alright, but paint is good only to save on BMP format.
But... what is wrong to save in the BMP format? Many things...
First is the compression. BMP files are bigger (in Kb) than other formats.
Second is the transparency. We cannot apply transparency to BMP files. This is a exclusivity of the GIF/PNG formats.
Third is the animation. An exclusivity of the GIF format. So you cannot animate micros in BMP or PNG.
The JPEG is a mess for micros. Forget it. It'll make your work look like crap.

Cool. Now you know you need to save in the GIF or PNG format, but you don't even know what means BMP, GIF, PNG or JPEG. Here's what they mean:

BMP (BitMaP) - Is a bitmapped graphics format used internally by the Microsoft Windows and OS/2 graphics subsystem, and used commonly as a simple graphics file format on those platforms.
TRANSLATING: It's the standard file format that Paint uses, and means that most of your works will be saved in BMP, if you are using Paint (I hope so).

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - is a commonly used standard method of compression for photographic images.
TRANSLATING: It's good for Photos but not for Micros. FORGET IT! :D

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - Is an 8-bit-per-pixel bitmap image format that has come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability.
TRANSLATING: GIF can give you transparency, can give you animations, and low loose of colors, with great compression. The "Jack" of the micro creator.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) - Is a bitmapped image format that employs lossless data compression. PNG was created to improve and replace the GIF format, as an image-file format not requiring a patent license.
TRANSLATING: Basically, PNG cannot animate like GIF, but has a good compression, no loose of colors, and the transparency is even better of the GIF. (But PNG is for the Practioner section, so don't worry. You'll not be able yet to use all the features of this format)


So, now you know the best format is the GIF, and the worst is JPEG.
And know that Paint do a great mess when saving in GIF.



If you want, take a look in wikipedia to know more about BMP, GIF and PNG (or even the crap JPEG).
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