Other image formats

The PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format was designed to replace GIFs; PNG works best for images with few colors or lots of sharp edges like cartoons or bitmapped text.  Because it supports 256 levels of transparency, PNG can do transparent 24 bit images.  This means that you can create a gradient of transparency such as a drop shadow or fade.  The PNG compression works in different ways and it lets the user decide how he or she wants to use it.  It can be used much like the compression system of the JPEG, in which you would interpolate the colors.  PNGs are 10-30% smaller in size than GIFs. PNGs behave similarly to GIFs but better.  PNG compress both horizontally and vertically, so solid blocks of color generally compress best. 

SWF format or Shock Wave File is the most widely used vectors graphics format.  SWF allows you to show complex, but highly compressed vector graphics and animations on the web.  SWF is more sophisticated than GIF animation, and you can therefore perform more highly advanced tasks with your images and animations when using this file.  The SWF format allows you to use transparency and motion as well.

JPEG 2000 is a new image coding system that uses state-of-the-art compression techniques.