The most practical file types for Eclipse Document Imaging are:
TIFF (*.TIF) – The most practical file type for most imaging uses on a variety of computer platforms including Unix, Windows, and Mac OS. TIFF files permit compression to relatively small file sizes, important when storing numerous images. TIFF files can also be multi-page stacked documents. You can fax TIFF images when saved in a Binary format with CCITT Group 4 compression, or with the less desirable CCITT Group 3 compression. Because the images are faxable, Eclipse recommends using TIFF settings for imaging most business documents.
JPEG (*.JPG) – The Joint Photographic Experts Group file type is capable of heavy compression, making it popular for Internet and e-mail attachment use or for storing color images. Consider using JPEG files for employee or product photos, or when imaging documents used on a company intranet or the Internet. Choose the 24 bit Color or the 8 bit Gray for black and white photos, formats to maintain a full range of tones, along with small file sizes, at the cost of losing some image data during compression.
ADOBE (*.PDF) – The Portable Document Format, which requires Adobe's free Acrobat Reader program for viewing, is becoming a popular file type for exchanging files among different computer platforms including Unix, Windows, DOS, and Mac OS. If all of your users have Acrobat Reader software installed, you might consider this file type when you need to maintain high-fidelity graphics and text, along with relatively small file sizes. You may also encounter this file type when attaching existing Internet files, vendor materials, and documentation. You can get Acrobat Reader at www.adobe.com.
Windows Bitmap (*.BMP) – Though popular in Windows and DOS graphics applications, this file type creates large file sizes, making it less practical for imaging. BMP file size can be as much as ten times larger than the same image saved as a TIFF, a major consideration when buying storage devices.
Some other file types are:
You can specify the CALS Files (*.CALS), FAX (*.DCX), JBIG Files (*.JBG), MO:DCA Files (*.MDA), Paintbrush (*.PCX), Calera (*.PDA), and Plexus TIFF (*.TIF) file types. These file types may be required for specialized graphics applications, but should generally be avoided for document imaging.
Note: Windows 95 uses a Web browser or graphics program, instead of the Attachment Viewer, to enlarge GIF and some JPEG image types.
Portable Network Graphics (*.PNG) – An emerging graphics format designed for the Internet. At present it is not well supported, and should be avoided for most Eclipse imaging.
See Also: