Chapter 12: graphics, Understanding graphics formats, Choosing the right graphics format – Adobe InDesign CS5 User Manual
Page 375: About vector graphics, About bitmap images
369
Last updated 11/16/2011
Chapter 12: Graphics
Understanding graphics formats
Choosing the right graphics format
InDesign can import a wide range of graphics file formats. Consult with the service providers who will help you
produce your document to clarify which formats to use. You can then plan your document around those formats and
the options that best apply to your project.
The following table summarizes what graphics formats would work best for the kind of document you’re designing.
About vector graphics
Vector graphics (sometimes called vector shapes or vector objects) are made up of lines
and curves defined by
mathematical objects called vectors, which describe an image according to its geometric characteristics.
You can freely move or modify vector graphics without losing detail or clarity, because they are resolution-
independent—they maintain crisp edges when resized, printed to a PostScript printer, saved in a PDF file, or imported
into a vector-based graphics application. As a result, vector graphics are the best choice for artwork, such as logos, that
will be used at various sizes and in various output media.
The vector objects you create using the drawing and shape tools in Adobe Creative Suite are examples of vector
graphics. You can use the Copy and Paste commands to duplicate vector graphics between Creative Suite components.
More Help topics
About bitmap images
Bitmap images—technically called raster images—use a rectangular grid of picture elements (pixels) to represent
images. Each pixel is assigned a specific location and color value. When working with bitmap images, you edit pixels
rather than objects or shapes. Bitmap images are the most common electronic medium for continuous-tone images,
such as photographs or digital paintings, because they can more efficiently represent subtle gradations of shades and
color.
Final output
Graphics type
Format
High resolution (>1000 dpi)
Vector drawings
Illustrator, EPS, PDF
Bitmap images
Photoshop, TIFF, EPS, PDF
Process-color separations
Vector drawings
Illustrator, EPS, PDF
Color bitmap images
Photoshop, CMYK TIFF, DCS, EPS, PDF
Color-managed graphics
Illustrator, Photoshop, RGB TIFF, RGB EPS, PDF
Low-resolution printing, or PDF
for
online viewing
All
Any (BMP images only)
Web
All
Any (InDesign converts graphics to JPEG and GIF when
exporting to HTML)