TIF, I know what it is, but can we explore the TIF options a

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:57 pm

I am familiar with TIF or .tif (.tiff) as I do use it from time to time as it is an uncompressed (their are some exceptions of course) file format. However, there are some options that are presented for compression and would I would appreciate exploring the usage/non usage of these options. Now I could look it up on Google, which I have a bit. But from experienced Photographers and Graphics Designers I believe the information would suit my purpose much better.

My experience with TIF images thus far is as follows; PS, Nikon Capture/NX/NX2 Gimp 2.Xx, I save as TIF to import into PS, etc. Here are some examples of current versions of the options windows that come up as you attempt to save as a .tif (.tiff) extension:

PS CS3 TIF Options.

Image compression the options available to reduce the TIF file size.
NONE; Do you want to compress the tiff, simple enough

LZW; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size

ZIP; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size

JPG; ???

Drawbacks:? Converting to JPG in a TIF capsule (not sure of the correct word, similar to Adobe DNG). (Losing some data due to JPG? or is this the JGG embedded within the TIF?
Benefits: Smaller file size...

PixelOrder; I have no idea...

InterLeaved (RGBRGB); While this sound familiar again, are these effecting the TIF or the embedded JPG?

Per Channel (RRGGBB); While this sound familiar again, are these effecting the TIF or the embedded JPG?

ByteOrder; I have no idea...
Windows;??
Mac;??
Note: The only difference in Windows and Mac as far as images goes, I thought was the native Gamma with regard to display...

Save Image Pyramid; I have no idea, Perhaps has to do with Layers??

No Check Mark=NO

Check Mark=Yes ;But what is going on...and why?

Save Transparency; I have no idea, sounds like GIF...

No Check Mark=NO;

Check Mark=Yes; But what is going on...and why?

Layer Compression; I have no idea, Compress individual layers...

RLE; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-length_encoding

ZIP; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size

Discard Layers and Save a Copy; A single layer TIF I would assume.??

Capture NX2 TIF Options.

RGB/CMYK; The color space to save the TIF file into.

8 bit/16 bit; This reminds me of 8 bit per channel (RGB) JPG...

NONE Radio Button; Simple enough.

LZW; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size

Embed ICC Profile; Simple enough.

The Gimp 2.6.xxx TIF Options.

Compression;
NONE Radio Button; Simple enough.

LZW; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size

Packet Bits; ?? Possibly related to Faxing?

Deflate; Lossless Compression Method.

Drawbacks:N/A
Benefits: Smaller file size
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEFLATE

JPG; ??

CCITT Group 3 Fax; ??

CCITT Group 4 Fax; ??

Save color values from transparent pixels; ??

Comment; For within image, comment in properties of image (thinking windows comments)??

Deflate is a lossless data compression algorithm that uses a combination of the LZ77 algorithm and Huffman coding