Paint.NET uses the PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TGA, and TIFF file formats, apart from its native file format, PDN. If you know what these formats are and when to use them, you can skip ahead to the next chapter.
The main type of file you will be using will be JPEGs, GIFs, and PNGs. Each one has its use depending on what you are using it for and are explained as follows:
- Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG): This uses a type of compression that allows an image to be reduced in file size while preserving the quality. The problem with this particular compression method is the loss of information each time you edit and save the image. This is one of the most common types of files you will find on the Web as they are best suited for use as online photos because of how well they compress photos.
- Graphics Interchange Format (GIF): Your choice of colors will be limited to an 8-bit palette or 256 colors. This is perfect for logos and charts—anything that doesn't require a lot of color depth. It has lossless compression, so your image will always look the same no matter what. Although it is considered an outdated format, it is still widely used. However, there are some people who prefer PNG, which is a newer alternative.
- Portable Network Graphics (PNG): This allows for 16 million colors compared to GIF's 256. It was created as an open source successor to GIF. It's perfect for images that have large areas of uniform color. Another advantage is that it has its own alpha channel, that is, the ability to make different parts of an image invisible. This is handy for logos and other images where you want to place a background and let it show through. Some programs have trouble with PNGs and they may end up darker than originally intended. However, Paint.NET handles them just fine. The only drawback is that, because the image isn't compressed, PNG files tends to have a larger file size than JPEG files.
- Other file formats:
- Windows bitmap (BMP): This is a file format developed for the Windows environment. Although it is still used, it is not as widely used as JPEGs and PNGs. This format is not very popular because it is not compressed and not commonly supported in some web browsers.
- Tagged Image File Format (TIFF): This is another older file format not bound by any patents. It gained popularity due to its ability to handle multiple formats and for its lossless compression. However, newer formats have made this format a little outdated.
- Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter (TARGA) or TGA: This is an older file format used on Windows OS. Its primary function, when it came out, was output for standard definition TVs. It was never intended for HD screens or print. Because of this, it not widely used.
- Native Paint.NET (PDN): PDN files can only be opened with Paint.NET and will not work in other programs. You can always save your images in this format and later convert them into any other format within the program. This is not an image type. Instead, it is a way to save your work.
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