Image File Formats and Color Depth

• PICT format. This is the most common format for save image files on the computer. Always save your pictures as PICT files. Often, the software you are using will give you a choice of file formats. PICT is the best bet. Just about any Macintosh program can import or read PICT files.
  
  
• Compression. The Macintosh operating system can automatically compress image files as they are saved, so they take up much less space on the disk. If your software gives you a choice, use JPEG compression, medium quality.
  
  
• Color Depth. The computer can display colors at different levels of quality, ranging from 8-bit (256 colors) to 24-bit (millions of colors). The computers in the lab work best with 16-bit (thousands of colors). If the software gives you a choice, use 16-bit, thousands of colors.