Graphic File Formats
EPS
Encapsulated PostScript
EPS is a graphic file format especially created for
graphics that will be imported into other
applications. An EPS file puts all the elements
that make up the image into one package, or
capsule. EPS files are made up of a code that a
postscript printer can interpret and print at the
highest resolution it is capable of, plus a
bitmapped PICT image that the application can read
and display on the screen.
EPS files will print at whatever resolution the PostScript printer happens to be. For example, the same graphic will print at 300 dpi on a laser printer, or at 1270 dpi on an imagesetter.
A non-PostScript printer will only be able to reproduce an EPS graphic as the low-resolution PICT image.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format (pronounced
"jiff")
This file format, developed
by CompuServe and H&R Block, is used to
compress and store graphics that get uploaded
(sent) onto online services. When online you can
download (get) the GIF file. The GIF format is
compressed (taking up less space and memory), and
not tied to any particular computer or operating
system or screen resolution. Because many software
programs do not recognize GIF, the image may have
to be converted into another form.
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group (pronounced
"jay peg")
JPEG is a graphic file format that works in
connection with the QuickTime extension, and is
used for compressing large, color image files (to
about 1/20th their original size). It does this by
coding the information, so when uncompressed, some
graphic information may get lost (depending in how
much compression, the image itself, and how many
times you have compressed the file).
TIFF
Tagged Image file format (pronounced "tif
")
TIFF is a graphic file format developed by Aldus
and Microsoft, in combination with leading scanner
vendors, specifically for capturing scanned images.
A TIFF is a bitmapped graphic (also called raster
graphic) that can be any resolution and is
platform-independent.
Reference:
Willliams, Robin with Steve Cummings. Jargon, An Informal Dictionary of Computer Terms. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press