Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a file format that allows the transparent transfer of images over the Internet. PNG was designed to be more efficient than GIF and has been widely adopted by web browsers and other software. In this article, we will explore the uses of Portable Network Graphics (PNG) in detail, and help you understand how to create and use PNG files on your website.
Benefits of Portable Network Graphics
- They are easy to understand and use, making them a good choice for graphics that need to be easily portable between different platforms or applications.
- PNG files are small in size, which means they can easily be transferred over the internet or saved on devices for later use.
- You can create high-quality graphics that are easy to transport and use on a variety of devices.
- PNG files are supported by most modern web browsers and can be used without any additional software.
- PNG files support transparent graphics, making them ideal for use in icons and other graphical elements.
Tips for Using Portable Network Graphics
- Use Compression Level 8 or Higher:
PNGs are capable of using more complex encoding schemes than JPEGs, which can result in smaller file sizes. However, the higher the compression level used, the greater the chance of experiencing artifacts during image reproduction. For best results, choose a compression level that matches the quality requirements of your application.
- Use Optimized Images:
PNGs can achieve superior compression rates when images are compressed with optimized encoding techniques such as Huffman coding or LZW compression. However, these techniques require additional processing time and can produce larger files if not properly executed. To ensure optimum performance when compressing PNG images with these methods, consult the documentation provided with your software application.
- Consider Using Lossless Encoding:
Lossy compression schemes such as JBIG rely on lossy data decompression to create compressed images; this results in degraded image quality when compared to lossless algorithms such as BPG or PCX.
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Steps in Creating Portable Network Graphics File
To create a Portable Network Graphics (PNG) file, follow these steps:
- Open an image editing application such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP and create a new file.
- Click the “File” menu and select “Save for Web.”
- In the save dialog box, enter PNG in the file type field and leave the other fields unchanged.
- Click “Save” to save your image to your computer.
- Double-click the PNG file to open it in your image editor.
- On the left-hand side of your image editor’s toolbar, click the “Image Size” dropdown and select “Uncompressed.”
- Drag the bottom right corner of your image up until it covers all of the white space inside your canvas area (see below).
How is PNG Different from GIF?
PNG is better than GIF for several reasons:
- PNG files can be more compact and have a higher resolution than GIF files.
- PNG supports transparency which makes it better for images with text or logos that need to be visible behind other graphics.
- PNG is more versatile because it can support more colors than GIF and has greater compression efficiency. Finally, PNG files are supported by most modern web browsers and email programs, making them a better choice for distributing graphics online.
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Why Is PNG Popular on the Web?
The Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format is popular on the web for its ability to represent images with low file size while still providing high-resolution graphics. PNG was created as an open standard in 1996 and has since become the most common image format used online.
However, its lossless compression algorithm makes it a good choice for images that will be displayed many times without penalty. Additionally, PNG supports transparency which makes it a good choice for icons and other graphical elements that may need to show through other content.
How to Convert a GIF to a PNG File
If you have a GIF file that you would like to convert into a Portable Network Graphics (.png) file, there are several ways to go about doing this.
The most popular way to convert GIF files into PNG files is with the free and open-source GIMP image editor. To do this, open the GIF file in GIMP and click on the “File” menu option and then select “Convert Image.” In the “Convert Image” dialog box that pops up, select the “PNG” format from the list of available formats and click on the “OK” button.
Another way to convert a GIF file into a PNG file is by using the image conversion tool within Adobe Photoshop. To do this, first, open Adobe Photoshop and choose File>Open… In the Open dialog box that pops up, navigate to your GIF file and select it. Next, choose File>Save As… In the Save As dialog box that pops up, type in “.png” as the filename extension and click on the “OK” button.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some common uses for Portable Network Graphics?
A: Some common uses for Portable Network Graphics include displaying graphical logos, icons, and user interface elements in web pages and applications, as well as rendering graphics on presentation slides and diagrams.
Q: How do I use Portable Network Graphics?
A: Most modern web browsers support PNG files out of the box. You can also use various image editors to create and edit PNG files. Some notable examples include Photoshop, GIMP, and Inkscape.
Q: Are there any limitations to using Portable Network Graphics?
A: There are no real limitations to using Portable Network Graphics, but they can take up more space than other image formats. If you’re worried about how much space they’ll take up on your website or blog, consider using images that are smaller in size or converting them to JPGs before uploading them.