Photoshop® CS4 All-in-One For Dummies®

Chapter 2. Choosing Color Modes and File Formats

In This Chapter

• Choosing the right color mode

• Switching a file's color mode

• Focusing on file formats

In addition to choosing a size and resolution (discussed in Book II, Chapter 1), you need to decide on a color mode and file format for your image. This decision is usually based on the final use for the image. Are you importing it into a page-layout program for offset printing? Posting it on a Web page? Using it for a newspaper article?

When you know an image's final destination, you can make intelligent choices about which color mode and file format are best. This chapter gives you some background information to help you make those choices so that you don't end up having to do extra work, spend extra time, or waste extra money.

Selecting a Color Mode

Every file has a color mode, also called an image mode or just plain mode. To determine the color mode of an image, look in the title bar of the image window or choose Image

• The file format you plan to save it in: Some modes call for specific file formats. You may find that a certain format is unavailable because your file isn't in the appropriate color mode.

• The end use for the image: Do you plan to post the image on the Web? Or are you putting it in a brochure that will be offset printed? For more ...