Understanding PNG Files

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What does PNG stand for?

Portable Network Graphic

Why is PNG particularly popular with web designers?

It can handle graphics with transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds.

Who came up with the name PING, later shortened to PNG?

Oliver Fromme

What is one advantage of PNG over GIF?

Patent-free and included a significantly larger color palette Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of PNG compared to GIF?

Doesn’t support animation Signup and view all the answers

How are PNG files commonly used by designers?

For logos with transparent backgrounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of PNG files over GIFs in terms of color options?

PNG files can handle millions of color options rather than hundreds Signup and view all the answers

How does the PNG format differ from JPEG in terms of data loss during compression?

A PNG image won’t lose any of its data when compressed, unlike JPEG files Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of PNG files in comparison to GIF or JPEG?

PNG files are generally larger in size than GIF or JPEG files Signup and view all the answers

What color mode do PNG files not support?

CMYK color modes Signup and view all the answers

How can you open a PNG file on a Mac or Windows computer?

Search for the file name and double-click on it Signup and view all the answers

Which major web browsers can open PNG files?

Chrome, Edge, and Safari Signup and view all the answers

What program can be used to create a PNG file?

Adobe Photoshop Signup and view all the answers

How can you alter the transparency of a PNG image in Adobe Photoshop?

Select the Opacity menu within the Layers panel and choose a percentage below 100% Signup and view all the answers

What type of compression does the PNG format use?

Lossless compression Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of PNG files in terms of licensing and patents?

PNG is an open format, so you can view and edit these files in a huge range of programs without a license because there’s no patent Signup and view all the answers

What does JPEG stand for and who standardized the format?

Joint Photographic Experts Group; an international organization Signup and view all the answers

What is the go-to file format for digital images and why?

JPEG; supports up to 24-bit color and uses lossy compression for convenient storage and sending Signup and view all the answers

When did JPEG files come into their own and why?

With the advent of digital cameras and the World Wide Web Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of lossy compression in JPEG files?

Removing visual data that the human eye couldn't see and averaging out color variation Signup and view all the answers

When did the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) start working on ways to bring photo-realistic pictures to small screens?

1986 Signup and view all the answers

What is one drawback of using JPEG files for everyday use?

Sacrificing some of the original image quality Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of JPEG files for photographers and web publishers?

The ability to display 16.8 million colors while staying relatively small in size. Signup and view all the answers

What trade-off is at the center of the JPEG debate?

The trade-off between file size and image quality. Signup and view all the answers

What is lossy compression and how does it impact JPEG file sizes?

Lossy compression involves intelligently discarding colors that the human eye can't distinguish, keeping file sizes small. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential pitfalls of heavily compressed JPEG images?

The potential pitfalls include loss of sharpness in clean edges and lines, posterization, and the appearance of artifacts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended format for saving photos to avoid potential pitfalls of artifacts and posterization?

Raw format. Signup and view all the answers

How can you open a JPEG file in Photoshop for editing?

Open Photoshop, use the File menu, then Open, to locate the file in your file explorer window. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential effect of saving works-in-progress on Photoshop as JPEG files?

The lossy compression can affect the image quality and some of the effects of the work may be lost. Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternative file format recommended for saving works-in-progress on Photoshop?

PSD (Photoshop Document). Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of JPEG files for online viewing and transfer?

Their small file sizes allow for quick transfer and fast access for viewing online. Signup and view all the answers

What makes JPEG files universally recognized and compatible with most browsers, software, and apps?

Their compatibility with most browsers, software, and apps. Signup and view all the answers