What is a PNG? and what can it do for you?

Occasionally you will run across a Portable Network Graphic (or .png) file. Which by definition, according to Wiki, it is a bitmapped image format that employs lossless data compression. For those of us who don't speak geek, this simply means that the image won't lose it's clarity when you attempt to make the file size smaller. The image will maintain its integrity.

The .png file is a web based file extension that was designed to replace the .gif file extension. I'm sure there are very extensive explanations as to why and wherefore the .png is the best thing since sliced bread. I use the .png extension if I am saving an image that either I need to have a transparent background on the web, or if I need a smaller filesize than the .jpg extension allows me, also in web applications. That in a nutshell is what it does for me. And as a side note, I rarely even look at a .gif unless I am planning an animation of some sort.

The .png file does come with some warnings. Very much like it's older cousin the .gif file, the .png file doesn't like to play well with others. I learned a while back that while trying to move layers from one file to another, that if you try to drag a .png file layer into a .psd or a .jpg file, it has a fit. The .png file layer appears to be locked, thus unallowing you to move the layer over. It does have a simple fix however, just select all (Mac Apple A - PC control A) then copy and paste it into the new document layer. Presto, you will have overcome the bad attitude of the .png file.