Comparison of ArcGIS plotting output formats

After creating a map, there are many ways to share the map, including exporting map images as Graphic Interchange files, exporting maps and map data as map packages, and publishing maps as ArcGIS Server map services. Exporting map images as image swap files is a common sharing method.
Many users do not know the differences between different output file formats when selecting the output file format. This article mainly describes the differences in the formats of various plotting and output files in ArcGIS, and provides selection solutions for electronic publishing, screen output, hard copy output (Printer output), and Web use, for your reference.
1 Comparison of 10 formats
ArcGIS supports 10 graphic output file formats, including EMF, EPS, PDF, AI, SVG, BMP, JPEG, PNG, Tiff, and GIF. Among them, EMF, EPS, AI, PDF, and SVG are called VECTOR export formats because these files contain both vector data and raster data. BMP, JPEG, PNG, Tiff, and GIF are image export formats.
The following compares the differences among the 10 output formats based on four aspects: file features, display features, geographical features, and versatility.
1.1 file features
File features include file format, image compression, number of pages included, file volume, and output efficiency. The comparison results are as follows:


Note: the size of the file is the same data content, which is compared when the output resolution is 300 dpi and the paper size is 863.6mm * 1117. 6mm. The data range indicates the file size output from the lowest quality to the highest quality.
1.2 display features
The display features include color space, transparency, and image smoothness. The comparison results are as follows:

Note: RGB is the default mode. It is suitable for viewing on the screen and printing through an inkjet or laser printer. CMYK mode is used for professional printing production, and the output will be sent to the printing factory.
1.3 geographical features
The geographical features include layer mode, attribute export, font embedding, and geographic Registration Information export. The comparison results are as follows:

Note: For raster images, font embedding features are not compared.
1.4 versatility
Versatility includes two aspects: printer requirements and Web browser support. The comparison results are as follows:

1.5 Other features
In addition to the above features, these 10 formats also have their unique personality, as follows:

• PDF Format

1) PDF files can be viewed and printed across platforms, and the display effect is consistent;
2) the PDF file can be edited in many graphic applications and retains the geographic registration information, notes, annotations, and element attribute data of the map;
3) It is an ISO standard for document exchange and is often used to distribute documents on the web.

• EPS format

1) The PostScript Language used for EPS files is the publishing industry standard for high-end graphics files, drawing and printing;
2) You can edit an EPS file in many drawing applications, or place such files as images in most page layout applications;
3) suitable for printing high-resolution images;
4) The compression scheme is poor. Generally, the same image is 3 to 4 times smaller than the *. EPS image after *. Tiff LZW compression.

• EMF format

1) extensible file format, suitable for Embedded Windows documents, because the EMF vector part can be adjusted, without reducing the quality;
2) suitable for printing high-resolution images.

• AI format

1) it is particularly suitable for post-processing in Adobe Illustrator and is also suitable for the exchange format used for publishing;
2) suitable for printing high-resolution images.

• SVG format

1) It is an XML-based file format, which is suitable for viewing on the Web. However, some Web browsers may need to install plug-ins to view SVG files, earlier browsers may not be able to view SVG files at all;
2) Super color control, super display effect, suitable for any screen resolution and print resolution.

• BMP format

1) compatible with Windows programs;
2) not supported by web browsers.

• JPEG format

1) It is a popular Web format, because the size of JPEG files is usually much smaller than that of many other image formats;
2) lossy compression, which is not recommended in most map images, because line drawing and text or icon graphics will become blurred due to compression artifacts;
3) it is not applicable to images with very few colors, areas with similar color blocks, or simple images with obvious brightness differences.

• PNG format

1) belongs to the general-purpose raster format;
2) applicable to Web browsers, but supported by the latest web browsers, older browsers and programs may not;
3) it is suitable for general anti-sawtooth icons in webpages and applications to adapt to different skins, better than JPEG and GIF formats;
4) for a map, PNG is usually the best format of the Grid. A part of the image in a web browser can be displayed as transparent, so that the background, image, or color can be displayed through the image.

• Tiff format

1) It is a widely supported format and is most suitable for importing image editing applications, but these files cannot be viewed locally through a Web browser;
2) suitable for plotting and printing;
3) ArcMap tiff exported from the data view also supports storing geographic registration information in the geotiff mark for registration of raster data.

• GIF format

1) it belongs to the old raster format used in the web;
2) lossless compression is not as effective as JPEG or PNG;
3) less colors, suitable for graphic output;
4) It has advantages in the field of simple animation. Without animation, PNG can replace it completely.
2. Application reference
Generally, the vector export format uses vertices and lines to describe objects, so the file is relatively small and can also provide high-definition images, suitable for Direct Printing or output. Raster images are highly compressed and flexible in file volume changes. They are mostly common and widely supported data formats. Therefore, they are suitable for Web applications. The details are summarized as follows:

These 10 file formats are "suitable" and "not suitable" in terms of electronic publishing, screen output, web usage, and hard copy output. They are summarized based on their characteristics. Shadow indicates that, based on the characteristics of the file format, you cannot determine whether the file is suitable or not. You can decide the format based on the Application scenario.
From: http://www.gisall.com/html/27/119427-3819.html