File Formats (
based on Reilly, 1996, and Gertz, 1996)
We recommend the following image formats for archival storage and for presentation purposes:
* TIFF w/CCITT Fax 4 Compression - ideally suited for black and white text documents, this format provides a high level of detail (600 dpi), combined with a small file size (less than 100 kilobytes for 5"x8" text page).
It may be used as an archival file format.
* PhotoCD - well-suited for 35mm slide and 35mm negatives, PhotoCD provides up to 6 resolutions (up to 4096x6144), color management, and a storage medium that works on all major computer platforms. The PhotoCD format may be used as an archival file format.
* TIFF w/LZW Compression - A 24-bit, lossless (no information lost) compression format commonly used by Adobe PhotoShop, this TIFF format may be used to store color images, and
may be used as an archival file format. With lossless compression, the picture quality of the compressed file is exactly the same as the original, uncompressed file.
* JPEG - A 24-bit, lossy (some information lost) compression format which is well-suited for screen and print presentation. JPEG is supported by all major computer platforms and by Internet web browsers. With lossy compression, the picture quality of the compressed file is reduced when compared to the original file, and can not be restored, except by going back to the original. The advantage is that the file sizes are much smaller, and image quality is acceptable in most cases. It is not acceptable as an archival file format.
* GIF - An 8-bit, lossless compression format which is well-suited for low resolution screen display of images. GIF is often used for image thumbnails, screen versions of text documents, and is supported by all major computer platforms and Internet web browsers.
* PDF - Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format provides a convenient way to view and print images at high resolution, and may also be used to group several files into chapters and books.
http://www.columbia.edu/acis/dl/imagespec.html