Which File Format To Choose?

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If your not familiar with the various graphics file formats, the first thing you should do is download our sample images so you can try them with your particular software program(s). The sampler includes an image and a border in each of the graphic formats we offer. And it's free!

The Quick Answer

Windows Computers - WMF vector
For most Windows computer users, the WMF vector format is generally going to be the best choice.
Macintosh Computers - PDF vector or EPS vector
For Macintosh computer users, either the PDF vector or the EPS vector are the best choices but you need to make sure your software program supports one of those formats!

The Longer Answer

Choose a Vector Format Graphic If Possible!

Assuming your particular software program(s) supports it, Cliptures vector format clip art (EPS, WMF, or PDF) should be your first choice. Here's why:

Image Sharpness

Figure 1
		You can enlarge a vector graphic as much as you want. No matter much you enlarge a vector graphic, it will still print at the highest resolution of your printer. Use an entire image or just a tiny part of it. With our vector clip art you have that choice! Figure 1 shows a sample Cliptures clip art image. We are going to enlarge the area outlined in the red square so that you can see what happens to both a raster image (also referred to as a bit map image) and a vector image when you enlarge them.

Figure 1

You can enlarge a vector graphic as much as you want. No matter much you enlarge a vector graphic, it will still print at the highest resolution of your printer. Use an entire image or just a tiny part of it. With our vector clip art you have that choice!

Figure 1 shows a sample Cliptures clip art image. We are going to enlarge the area outlined in the red square so that you can see what happens to both a raster image (also referred to as a bit map image) and a vector image when you enlarge them.

Figure 2 Enlarged Raster (Bit Map) Graphic	Figure 3 Enlarged Vector Graphic

Figures 2 and 3 show the differences you would see if you enlarged and printed the red outlined section of the image.

As you enlarge the raster image (Figure 2), the individual "pixels" in the image become larger and larger, making the image look less and less sharp.

Vector images (Figure 3) are not made of pixels so it doesn't matter how much you enlarge them; they will print sharply at even extremely large sizes.

Transparent Backgrounds

Figure 4
		Raster format (bit map) images are made up of individual "pixels" (dots) of color and (except for a few more specialized raster formats) every pixel must have a designated opaque color. This includes the background areas of the image. Figure 4 shows a JPG raster image placed over a tanish colored rectangle. Note how the colored rectangle is blocked by even the white background pixels in the image.

Figure 5
		Figure 5 shows a Cliptures vector clip art image placed over the same colored rectangle. As you can see, vector images can be designed with transparent backgrounds and even transparent openings (like between the animal's legs). This gives you much more flexibility in your designs by allowing you to arrange or "layer" graphics on top of backgrounds or even other images.

Whenever possible, all Cliptures vector clip art images are designed to have transparent backgrounds and openings.

Figure 6

Figure 6 shows an example of combining a vector image with both a colored background and type to easily create a professional quality title for a poster, flyer, or magazine. This simple combination can be done quickly in just about any software programs that supports any of the Cliptures clip art vector formats.

There are other advantages to vector format clip art but the high resolution and transparent backgrounds are probably the two most important benefits.