Connect. The Network Media Partners blog.

Production Series: Understanding File Formats

There are a lot of file extensions to wade through out there. Here’s a run down to help you better navigate the production waters

To the uninitiated, the wide variety of graphics files out there can seem like an incomprehensible alphabet soup – and new file formats seem to pop up all the time. If you don’t know your PDFs from your PSDs, here’s an overview of some of the most common formats.

Video/Animation files

FLA (.fla)
Native Flash documents – these are files that can be created, opened and edited in the Adobe Flash application. They can include animation, video, and interactive elements. An FLA file would never appear on the web or in a digital publication: It is not the final product, but rather the working file that can be opened and edited again and again. It can only be opened in the Flash application.

FLV (.flv)
Flash Video. FLV files contain video content, which can be played back by Adobe Flash Player on the web. Many websites, including YouTube, use the Flash Video format. FLV files can be played back on their own, or embedded within a SWF (see below).

SWF (.swf)
Stands for Shockwave Flash, or alternatively Small Web Format. SWF files contain a finished animation created in Flash. They are designed to be small enough in file size to be published on the web. A SWF file is not fully editable the way a FLA file would be, but rather is the final product that appears on the web. SWF files originally contained only vector animation, but can now contain Flash video (FLV) elements and interactivity.

AVI (.avi)
Audio Video Interleave. AVI is a format that contains audio and video. One of the earliest multimedia formats, it is still in use, though less common.

Other image files

PDF (.pdf)
Portable Document Format. PDFs are files that can contain many different types of data – text, images, and more – in a single compressed file. They can be viewed in many different programs, as well as on the web.

EPS (.eps)
Encapsulated PostScript. EPS files are image files that can contain either vector or raster image data, or both. They are the most common format for vector graphics, such as logos.

TIFF (.tif)
Tagged Image File Format. TIFFs are bitmap (raster) image files, typically used in print, not on the web.

JPEG (.jpg)
Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEGs are bitmap (raster) image files that are often used on the web. They are compressed for smaller file size – some information is actually thrown away in order to reduce the amount of data contained in the file. The compression used in JPEGs works best with photographs, rather than images with areas of flat color.

GIF (.gif)
Graphics Interchange Format. GIFs are bitmap (raster) image files that are often used on the web. They can support animation by displaying a series of images within one GIF file. GIFs can also be static. (To view the animation in an animated GIF, you need to view it in a web browser.) Because of limitations on the number of colors they can use, GIFs are better suited to simple images with areas of flat color (such as logos) than to complicated photographic images.

Other native files

“Native” files are files that are specific to one application or program, and are designed to be opened and worked with in that application only. Typically, in order to open a native file, you must use the application in which it was created (usually, even the same version or newer of the application is required).

PSD (.psd)
Photoshop Document. Must be opened in Adobe Photoshop. PSDs can contain many layers and effects that remain editable.

INDD (.indd)
InDesign Document. Must be opened in Adobe InDesign. InDesign documents are the main layout file for many print pieces (and occasionally digital pieces as well) and often are linked to separate image files and fonts that must go along with the INDD.

AI (.ai)
Adobe Illustrator document. Must be opened in (you guessed it) Adobe Illustrator. AIso can contain many layers and effects that remain editable.

QXD (.qxd)
QuarkXPress Document. Must be opened in QuarkXPress. QXD files are layout files, similar to INDDs.

Note: File formats are typically referred to by their acronym (all caps: JPEG) but sometimes instead are referred to by their extension (dot + lowercase: .jpg). The extension is what you see at the end of the filename. Either one is OK as long as you’re consistent, but it’s probably better to use the acronym.

There are many more file types, but these are among the most commonly used in the design and publishing worlds. If you’re a non-designer, familiarity with these terms will make it easier to communicate with the designers you encounter in your work. They’ll appreciate it!

–Austin Stahl, Art Manager, Network Media Partners, Inc.

For his next act, Austin will uncover the mystery of raster versus vector…

4 Comments April 27, 2010

Thumbnails: MOVE magazine

The redesign of this quarterly association magazine keeps members in mind

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Network recently partnered with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to redesign its member magazine. The new MOVE was approached with members in mind. The goal was to provide readers with the most information possible while keeping things simple and easy to navigate. MOVE is clean and sophisticated. It’s full of short, interesting quick reads that engage readers flipping through the magazine, yet it continues to give readers in-depth feature articles that provide insight.

Here’s a closer look:

Broadcast

MOVE readers wanted a place to stay on top of trends and keep tabs on happenings in other regions. The newly-created department Broadcast gives readers a place to interact with other jurisdictions by submitting news pieces and art of their own. The four regions are color-coordinated and well-organized so readers can easily find tidbits that interest them.

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On Queue

This go-to department got a major facelift. By streamlining content for MOVE’s three main audiences and combining elements from around the magazine, we created a department filled with important information that’s also easy to navigate. On Queue is a place to catch readers up on what they missed and includes an expanded calendar to keep them in the know.

Data Lady

This new department has a different take on information delivery. The heavy use of charts and graphs helps make complex subjects easier to understand. Each issue, we’ll showcase a popular survey: from the questions, to the method, to the results, the Data Lady will break it down.

See more from Network Design Group or email Jen Smith, Creative Director.

2 Comments December 18, 2009

Content is king for suppliers too

Associations have an opportunity to provide valuable information to members while generating revenue from industry partners

More and more, industry suppliers are looking for a place to connect with their audience in a more meaningful and useful way. The trend toward content marketing—providing in-depth and targeted content to a qualified audience—means that associations have an opportunity to provide an additional layer of information to their members. Here are a few ways you can incorporate sponsored content into your overall communication strategy.

Online

Allow online ad space to include a preview of an advertiser’s YouTube video and encourage suppliers to connect their online advertising to their YouTube channel.

Create an online marketplace library where suppliers can submit their white papers, case studies and custom content that is directly related to members’ needs.

Use your digital publication supplier to create a digital version of a supplier’s in-depth content, such as a multi-page product or service brochure.

In Print

Create dedicated space in your publication for a featured supplier’s message that fits well with an issue’s theme or focus.

Go beyond listings in a buyer’s guide or vendor directory. Allow space for company profiles or expanded product or service explanations.

In Person

Incorporate live demonstrations at your next event…and not just on the exhibit hall floor. Integrate vendor showcases into meeting events by organizing vendors by trends in technology and innovations.

Host sponsored webinars, with appearances by association staff and supplier spokespersons.
Catering to those suppliers who are looking for content marketing opportunities spells increased information for your members, as well as the potential to increase revenue that comes from those partners.

1 Comment December 10, 2009