Photoshop, BMP, and CompuServe GIF File Formats in Photoshop Elements 10

Many different file formats are available in Photoshop Element but you probably will want to use only a few. Among the most popular formats are Photoshop (*.PSD, *.PDD), BMP (*.BMP, *.RLE, *.DIB), and CompuServe GIF (*.GIF).

Photoshop file format in Photoshop Elements 10

This format is the native file format for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. The format supports saving all color modes and bit depths, and you can preserve layers. Use this format when you want to save in a native format or exchange files with Photoshop users.

Also use it for saving files that you need to return to for more editing. When you save layers, any text you add to layers can be edited when you return to the file.

BMP file format in Photoshop Elements 10

The term bitmap can be a little confusing. You have both a file format type that’s bitmap and a color mode that’s also bitmap. Don’t confuse the two. The bitmap format supports saving in all color modes and in all bit depths. The Bitmap color mode is 1-bit black-and-white only.

Use the bitmap format when you want to add images to system resources, such as wallpaper for your desktop. Bitmap is also used with many different programs. If you can’t import images in other program documents, try to save them as BMP files.

CompuServe GIF file format in Photoshop Elements 10

Later, In 1977, CompuServe developed GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) to exchange files between mainframe computers and the ever-growing number of users working on Osborne, Kaypro, Apple, and Radio Shack TRS-80 computers.

If you choose to use the GIF format, don’t save the file using the File→Save or File→Save As command. Instead, choose File→Save For Web.

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