Which File Format To Choose?

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 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 how large you enlarge a vector graphic, it will still print at the highest resolution of your printer. 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 how large you enlarge a vector graphic, it will still print at the highest resolution of your printer.

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.

Figures 2 and 3 shows 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 extremly large sizes.

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

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 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.

Assuming your software program supports one of the "vector" formats we offer, you should try a vector format graphic first. No matter how big you make a vector image, it will still print at the highest resolution your printer offers which means the images will look sharp and crisp. Cliptures vector graphics also have transparent backrounds which gives you a lot more flexibility in how you can combine images together with other images and backgrounds.

The short answer to which format of Cliptures images to choose is one of the "Vector" formats:
Windows: WMF
Macintosh: PDF or EPS

Why use vector graphics?

You can enlarge a vector graphic as big as you like. No matter how big you make it, it will still print as a sharp, crisp image from your printer. Compare the following enlarged areas of this image:

Vector vs Bit Map (Raster) Graphics

We offer many of the Cliptures graphics in several different format to provide the greatest compatibility with the broadest range of software programs. Here are some things you should consider when selecting one of the formats.

Vector Graphics

Currently, all Cliptures graphics are available as "vector" graphics. Vector graphics offer several advantages over "bit map" or "raster" type graphics. Those adva

Windows

WMF Format Graphics

The first format to try should be the .WMF version. The WMF format is a very common graphics file format for Windows software programs. Our WMF graphics are "vector" graphics. Their benefits are that will print a very sharp image no matter how much you enlarge and print them. They also have transparent backgrounds.

The EPS format is not as common as WMF graphics. Some of the programs you use EPS graphics with are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements and CorelDraw. Our EPS images are "vector" graphics just like the WMF versions and have the same benefits of sharp printing at however big you want to make the image and transparent backgrounds.

The JPG format is very common. It's the same format as the photos taken by most digital cameras. JPG images are "bit map", or, "raster" type graphics. These types of graphics are made up of individual colored "dots" or "pixels". The advantage of JPG graphics is that they are even more common than WMF graphics. Their disadvantage compared to the other formats is they cannot be enlarged with sharp results the same way the WMF and EPS graphics can. And, they do not have tranparent backgrounds.

The WMF format is a very common graphics format supported by many Windows software programs. Our WMF graphics are "vector" type graphics. They can be enlarged or reduced in size without loss of image resolution because they are not made up of pixels.

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