Updated 7/26/05

Formats

Does it matter which format I use?

Which format should I use?

Microscope Images

Importing to Photoshop

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Frequently Asked Questions

Formats ..........

Using the correct format can make the difference between a grainy, fuzzy image and a crisp, detailed one. Knowing which format to use for each situation is essential to high-quality output.

It is always best to save file in the format native to the application you are using. (When you are using Photoshop use Photoshop format, etc.) However, when you need to move a file to a different software application, to the film recorder, the Web, or another device, a more universal format is often necessary. The important thing is to choose the right one; they are not interchangeable.

Click here for a table of relevant formats and when they should be used.

Microscope Images.............

Many people have been having trouble importing and manipulating TIFFs created from microscope images in Photoshop. Many times this is due to the image being 16 bit instead of 8 bit. Photoshop can open 16 bit images, but it is very limited in what it can do with them, and our illustrating programs can't import them. If you encounter this problem, just go to Image > Mode within Photoshop and choose 8 bit instead of 16 bit. This reduces the amount of information in your file, so you may want to save a 16 bit copy for other purposes.

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