|
Print and Graphic File Formats |
  
|
|
Print and Graphic File Formats |
|
FamilyTreeFactory can give direct commands to printers. It can also produce various print and graphic files that can be used to control a printer, opened in image viewer software or inserted into documents.
The following explanation is not intended for normal printers for standard home or office use. These printers are simple to operate and print errors are acceptable. Instead, this section deals with large format printers (such as HP DesignJets), which allow for satisfactory output of more extensive graphics.
FamilyTreeFactory can create the following file formats:
| • | Print files *.prn: Print files for normal office printers, which will not be discussed further here. |
| • | Plot files *.plt: Print files for large format printers/plotters using the HP-GL/2 language. These files are created using a Windows printer driver (such as for the Hewlett-Packard (1) DesignJet 1050). They are only intended for use with large format printers/plotters that operate with the HP-GL/2 language. For checking the file contents, professionals use special programs (so-called HP-GL/2 viewers) to avoid expensive misprints. |
| • | PDF files *.pdf PDF files for user-friendly, scaled viewing and printing with special programs. The most well-known is Adobe Reader (2), but Foxit Reader (3), eXPert Reader (4), PDF XChange Viewer (5) and Brava! Reader (6) also perform well. |
| • | Graphic files *.bmp Bitmaps for simple image editing and easy insertion in documents. |
| • | Graphic files *.jpg JPEG compressed image files for simple image editing and easy insertion in documents. |
| • | Graphic files *.gif GIF files are compressed bitmaps with a maximum of 256 different colors. FamilyTreeFactory only creates non-animated GIF files and compresses them with the LZW method. They are particularly well-suited for the Internet due to their small file size. However, they cannot adequately display photos due to the small color palette, which means that color variation is to be expected. |
| • | Graphic files *.emf Graphics files for scaled printing and insertion in documents. |
PDF and EMF files contain line graphics and texts in the form of so-called vector graphics. Vector graphics can be understood as a series of commands that are carried out using a plot system. Examples of this could include "draw a straight line from point x1/y1 to point x2/y2 with the line width 2 in the color black" or "write the text 'Abcdefg' justified right underneath position x1/y1 in the font 'Arial 10 point bold italics' in the color blue". These commands can be carried out on a plot system at any scale in PDF and EMF files. Because of this, the resolution of these files is called "nominal".
BMP, JPG and GIF files contain line graphics and texts in the form of so-called raster graphics. Raster graphics save color information for every individual point (pixel). In JPG files, neighboring pixels are sometimes given the same color for the purpose of compression. The resolutions used for these file types correspond to the actual pixel raster.
Images from bitmaps and JPEG image files are saved as raster graphics in all export files, as images with fine color variations cannot really be saved in other formats. PDF and EMF files (vector formats) save the images in the resolution of the original image files (the size adjustment is not performed until the image is output into a plot system). All raster formats change the image resolution to correspond to the actual resolution of the export file.
Images from EMF files (more precisely, vector graphics from EMF files such as miniature overviews in Free Image Objects) are saved as raster graphics in raster format export files. In vector format export files, they remain saved as vector graphics.
Warning: The use of EMF files that contain original *.bmp, *.jpg or *.jpeg image files in Free Image Objects is not recommended if the graphic is intended to be exported as a PDF or EMF file. This is due to an error in all Windows systems that sometimes prevents accurate reproduction in this combination. With Windows 98 and ME, the reproduction quality of the images is extremely poor. Using Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7, the reproduction quality is acceptable, but the images are only reproduced if their pixel coordinates do not exceed certain limits. This behavior is well-known and has been documented in expert circles, but cannot be corrected by programmers. |
The important characteristics of the various file formats are summarized in the following table:
File format |
*.plt |
*.bmp |
*.jpg |
*.gif |
*.emf |
|
Size limit |
No |
Nominally 200 x 200 inch; no practical relevance |
Yes, due to system memory |
Yes, due to system memory |
Yes, due to system memory |
No |
Resolution |
As set in driver |
Resolution of the reference raster |
As set during export: 48 to 1440 ppi |
As set during export: 48 to 1440 ppi |
As set during export: 48 to 1440 ppi |
Monitor resolution |
Saving methods of line graphics and texts |
Vector graphic |
Vector graphic; output at the resolution of the target system |
Raster graphic |
Raster graphic |
Raster graphic |
Vector graphic; output at the resolution of the target system |
Saving methods of image contents of BMP, JPG and JPEG files in the export file |
Raster graphic |
Raster graphic, original file is embedded, repeated background images only once |
Raster graphic |
Raster graphic |
Raster graphic |
Raster graphic, original file is embedded, once per use |
Image resolution for BMP, JPG and JPEG files is converted when saving |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Image resolution for BMP, JPG and JPEG files is converted on output |
No |
Yes |
Only with scaling |
Only with scaling |
Only with scaling |
Yes |
Saving methods of contents of EMF files in the export file |
Raster graphic with the resolution set in the driver |
Original vector graphic including any BMP, JPG or JPEG files |
Raster graphic with the resolution set on export |
Raster graphic with the resolution set on export |
Raster graphic with the resolution set on export |
Original vector graphic including any BMP, JPG or JPEG files |
Converts contents of EMF files when saving |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Converts contents of EMF files on output |
No |
Yes. Warning: Output of BMP, JPG and JPEG files from EMF files not guaranteed |
No |
No |
No |
Yes. Warning: Output of BMP, JPG and JPEG files from EMF files not guaranteed |
Font embedding |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Font must be installed on target system |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Suitable for large format printing |
Optimum, direct printer control |
Very good, appropriate program needed |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Very good, appropriate program needed |
Suitable for scaled output |
No |
Very good |
Not for low resolutions |
Not for low resolutions |
Not for low resolutions |
Very good |
Suitable for inserting in documents |
No |
Poor |
Yes, particularly with high resolution |
Yes, particularly with high resolution |
Yes, particularly with high resolution |
Very good |
Key:
Scaling: Size changes, enlargement or shrinking.
Embedding: Image and font information are saved separately in the file.
Resolution: ppi = pixels per inch.
Note:
|
(1) Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
(2) Adobe Systems Incorporated
(3) Foxit Software Company
(4) Visagesoft Inc.
(5) Tracker Software Products Ltd
(6) Informative Graphics Corporation