Saving a file as a JPEG should be nothing new to the average Photoshop user, but have you ever found yourself sticking with the default settings because you weren't sure how they effect the saved image. In this tutorial we'll explore what they mean, and more importantly, what they do!
Photoshop Video Series - Understanding and Working with File Formats
Photoshop, like any graphics program, is capable of saving images into a host of different file formats. The format you're after will usually depend on the job you want to get done, the quality you need to retain, and the file size you need to target.
Some formats are great for photographs with a wide range of colours and steep gradations of tone and light, others show their strengths when saving large blocks of colour such as those found in line art and cartoons. Many formats aim to save pixels the way they were created, sacrificing quality and detail for file size, other formats don't! They attempt to discard as much information from the image as possible in order to achieve the most minutest of files. Some formats can save layers, colour profiles and embrace animation - others can't!
And so it is, file formats all have their own strengths and weaknesses for the different challenges they face, knowing what those positives and negatives are will help you use the right format for the right job.
In the videos below you'll find tutorials on how to employ some of the trades most common and tested file formats - including JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PSD and PNG. If you want to see another format covered please feel free to add a comment below and I'll look at what I can do sometime in the future! In the meantime, enjoy the videos I've posted.
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compression, free, guide to file formats, JPEG, lossy, optimize, Output, photoshop cs2, video tutorial
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compression, dither, free, gif, guide to file formats, imageready, look-up table, Output, photoshop cs2, save for web, video tutorial
Outputting your graphics to look their best is an important part of any workflow. When saving for the web you're aim is usually to find a compromise between file size and quality. Here we'll look at how we can get the best out of the Graphic Interchange Format using Photoshop and Imageready. |
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aldus, archive, compression, free, guide to file formats, lossless, lossy, lzw compression, Output, photoshop cs2, save, tiff, video tutorial
The Tagged Image File Format is a great way to apply loseless compression to an image. Thanks to it's popularity within the world of graphic design and image editing, the TIFF file has become a common format for achiving and even short term storage. In this tutorial we'll look at how a TIFF file can be used along side Adobe Photoshop. |
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compression, free, gif, guide to file formats, JPEG, lossless, optimize, Output, photoshop cs2, PNG, save, web, video tutorial
The PNG-8 and PNG-24 formats are ofter compared to the GIF and JPEG formats respectively, in this tutorial we'll look at where this is a fair comparison - and where it's not! |
A quick look at Photoshop's native file format - the awesome PSD file! Capable of saving all the elements of a Photoshop document, including layers, colour settings, alpha channels, live text and much, much more, the PSD format is the ultimate safety net in Photoshop's high flying world! |
Other Video Series
Comments
How do you change PSD format so it does not open in PSD
I am a Mac person. What I want to do is run any type of photo ( format could be any of the above) in PSE 6 - when done and want to save my photo and open it on my desktop without going back into PSE. Every time I make any type of a change to my original photo ( I have tried all the various formats - jpg, png, etc) simply using clone, stamp, or whatever - every time I click on the saved photo, it opens in PSE. I am writing in hopes you can tell me how or explain why I can't open a photo ( once changed in PSE) to my Mac desktop without going back into PSE. Without fail, I can't seem to find a format that gives me this freedom or choice. I hope I have made my request plain enough. If you need clarification, please advise. Can you help?
Thanks, JAW
Opening Images on the Mac
Hi Jaw,
When you edit a Photo in Photoshop Elements you will automatically create a PSD file which saves all your changes as Photoshop sees them. This means that next time you open the file, as long as the changes you've made are non destructive, you can continie editing them. Formats such as JPEG, PNG and GIF won't be able to save anything other than a flat file, but if that's what you want then use the Save As command rather than Save. Select the appropriate format from the drop down menu (most likely JPEG for photographs) but I'd recommend against saving over the original file.
If you're already doing that, and the files still open in Photoshop Elements, then you'll need to change the behaviour of your operating system and tell it what applications you'd prefer to use in order to open these files. On the Mac, click on the file and choose 'Get Info' from the File menu. Then use the 'Open With' options to find an application to view that particular file. If you want to make this behaviour the norm for all files of this type, click the 'Change All' button.
Hope that helps
How do you change PSD format so it does not open in PSD
Thank you for your time and response regarding this matter. Yes, I am aware how PSE saves all changes in Photoshop. That is why I requested an outside opinion as as to how I might save a photo (using it as my desktop photo background) by possibly using a different file ending for the photo. Unfortunately, I feel that what ever file ending I might use will not resolve my problem.
The only way I have found is a work around recently found. At least it works for me.
Take any picture you have with whatever file ending (jpg, png, psd, jiff, etc) it has and drag the picture into Mac's iPhoto. It will come up as a new addition or latest addition in iPhoto. Right click on the new thumbnail and open it as new background photo; it will open as the new desktop background photo. If you want to delete the photo from iPhoto, click on the thumbnail in iPhoto and use the shortcut - Command, delete. Now it is gone from iPhoto but still on your desktop as the photo you had chosen. You can replace any desktop photo with another photo by simply right clicking and selecting one of your other photos you have saved in iPhoto. Don't think I have left anything out.
If you can think of a better way to get a photo (using psd) as a desktop background for the Mac, please let us know.
I honestly like your tutorials and find them informative. Some are a bit over my head (not all and not your fault) to comprehend. Some tutorials require so much understanding of a particular area that I get lost in the overall idea. Again, not your fault. I try to absorb what I can in each and move on.
If I or anyone else has a question regarding any of your tutorials, can we use any of the reply areas of your tutorials to ask a question even if the question does not apply to the current tutorial? I sometimes think of something non related and would like to ask the question before I loose my thought. I have been told no question is stupid or dumb, it's just that the information is not explained to that person in a way they can absorb or understand it. I don't understand or absorb all information as I did when younger. Thank you again for all your help.
JAW
Background photos etc
Hi Jaw,
Thanks for the info, I think I may have misunderstood what you are trying to do in my first response. Are you wanting to save a PSD file as a background image on your desktop? If yes then I'm not sure that's possible. I'd imagine iPhoto saved a temporary file out to a JPEG (or something like that) before it sets it as the background.
Thanks for your kind words about the videos, I'm sorry to hear some of them are too advanced for you. I'm always happy to answer questions if you have any, although I'd prefer if you kept the tutorial related questions on there own tutorial page, and for anything that doesn't fit into that subject I'd appreciate if you could add a forum post, although you'll need to become a member before doing that. I prefer that approach as it keeps things organised.
Many thanks, and I hope I didn't misunderstand your background photo comment again.
Regards
Matt
Background photos etc
Hi Matt,
Sorry, yes I was trying to find a way to use a PSD photo file (PSD file format) as a photo for my background desktop and yes I have found a way to do so. I was hopping to use some way other than iPhoto to resolve my dilemma. I found it doesn't matter what file format I use because iPhoto will transform any photo with any format to my desktop as a backdrop photo without a problem. It is easier done than stating how to do it. I am glad I can now use a photo with a PSD format.
I found several way to do it recently but all used iPhoto in one way or another as the prime agent to make it so.
Example: If you have worked on a photo in photoshop and have it just how you want it and now you save it as a PSD file photo and you want to use it as a backdrop for your desktop - do this: drag or drop it into iPhoto and then right click the mouse so your current photo is picked or highlighted. Right mouse click to click on "change desktop background" - click on the photo you want, it is now your backdrop photo. To delete the current photo from iPhoto - click on iPhoto and delete the photo using Command, delete together as your short cut keys. To change your backdrop photo - right click on "change desktop background" - again select any one of your saved photos and the background is anew.
I apologize if I didn't make myself clear the first time.
Regards, JAW
Welcome Aboard!!
Hi JAW,
I see you've registered an account here, so welcome!
Thanks for sharing the resolution above, and don't worry about any confusion, I like to keep things fairly light-hearted around here.
All the best
Matt
very good, lots of details,
very good, lots of details, thanks. will there be anymore added or is this all finished now?
Thanks
Paul
Semi Finished
I haven't any plans to add to it in the short term, but 'd like to do a couple more next year, especially Raw. But we'll see.
Fundamentals
It's great to have the basic concepts on file formats cleared up. I used to always get confused and never even tried the 'lesser' used formats but after Matt's great explanations, I now have a better understanding on the matter.
More File Formats?
Thanks sherdil,
I'm looking at possibly adding a few more in the not-too-distant future, perhaps starting with the amazing RAW format. Something I'm very much interested in!
Thanks again for your comments