There are two types of image formats.

• Vector
• Raster

Vector type images are defined by mathematical formula, and do not store any pixel information. As you scale a vector image, it does not appear "jagged".

Raster type images are defined by pixels. As you scale a raster image, the image will appear "pixelated" and "jagged".

If you compare two similar images, say a picture of a black square with a white background, the vector one would be smaller, since it only stores the information required to calculate the square, and not the actual pixels.

Listed below are common image file formats.

Format	Type	Description
BMP	Raster	Windows format for bitmaps
DXP	Vector	Drawing Exchange file
EPS, EPSF	Vector	Encapsulated Postscript
GIF	Raster	Compuserve's web graphics format
IMG	Raster	GEM file
IMG, IGES	Vector	Initial Graphics Exchange
JPG, JPEG	Raster	A common image format for the web, especially in photos
PLT	Vector	Auto CAD image format
PCD	Raster	Photo CD
PCT, PICT	Raster	Apple image format
TGA	Raster	Targa image format
WMF	Vector	Windows Meta File, usually for diagrams
WPG	Raster	Word Perfect Graphics file
TIF	Raster	TIFF image file, mainly used for archiving or initial image editing
PSD	Raster	Photoshop file