Summary of Common Graphics Formats

Graphics translation is NOT a trivial task, different formats have different attributes (BitMap Depth, Color BitMaps, Color Tables, Vector Graphics, PostScript Description, Object Oriented, etc...). The following sections contains information about several graphic formats. It is not a complete specification of the graphic format, only an outline to help choose the correct conversion process for your needs. Selecting the wrong format result in loss in quality or ability to edit the resulting image.

On the Macintosh PICT file is a standard object oriented native picture format for all Macintosh applications. A BitMap is one possible object in a PICT file (other object include: Text, BitMaps, lines, circles, regions, fill patterns, etc..). All programs that use, graphics on the Macintosh can use PICT files, but not all program can edit, objects in the PICT files, some programs convert them to BitMaps.

On the IBMpc BMP bitmap format is a standard format used by Microsoft Window 3.1, 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP.

The problem is that many MS-DOS and Windows programs don't use the PICT format, and Macintosh may or may not be able to use BMP format. with Apple's QuickTime installed on Windows any QuickTime application can read bitmap PICT files. And with QuickTime 3.0 or later many more image formats can be read.

MacOS X Preview application can read many formats including all QuickTime formats, a partial list is: PICT, BMP, PSD, TIF, PDF, PS, PSD, and Raw Digitial camera images such as Nikon NEF (as of Mac OS X 10.4). Preview has options to export to other formats and do basic image corrections as well.

To resolve this conflict, you need to convert it to a compatible format. Conversion examples:

• PICT to BMP - looses object oriented information and Text.
• Window MetaFile to PICT - Object oriented translation.
• EPS preview low resolution, good for printing not display prior to Mac OS X, since it requireda Postscript RIP for good qualit.
• BitMap to BitMap (Some common Black & White bitmap formats: .BMP, .PCX, MacPaint, & B&W TIFF).
• GIF used on WWW, limited to 256 colors.
• Color BitMap to Black & White BitMap - dither or threshold conversion from color to Black and White.
• TIFF to BMP or TIFF to PICT
  - Problems: Resolution?, B&W or Color?, number of colors 4, 16, 256, 16 Thousands, 16 Million.
• JPEG - good compression, no good for editing, good for scanned pictures, used on the WWW.

Also see:

File translation between Macintosh computer and IBMpc compatible computers, the most common problems are: file name differences, graphics formats, and fonts.

Using MacOS 8, 9, and OS X PC Exchange / File Exchange