PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics. PNG files are those that store bitmap images. This graphic format is based on a lossless compression algorithm for non-patent bitmaps. It was designed to replace GIF files since GIF files do not have the option to display transparent backgrounds. Its extension is .png.

The PNG compresses the image information without losing quality and includes an alpha channel to add a transparency scale. It is the perfect format for images created by large areas of flat color and few color variations. PNG is mainly used to create logos which require transparency, gradients and high quality images. All this as long as the size of the file is not a problem.
PNG displays the same amount of information as the bitmap but requires less storage space. It appeared in 1996 and is structured as a result of different segments, each one dedicated to collecting specific information from an image. These sections are decoded allowing the production, by means of digital data, of an image that is visible but intelligible for people.

 

Main advantages of the PNG format

  • It is not necessary to pay any type of license in the applications that are used, whether they are creation or edition.
  • It tolerates transparent backgrounds which allow an image to be integrated with the current background of the web page.
  • Supports a color depth of up to 16.7 million colors.
  • It has two compression modes. Standard and progressive.
  • It allows to generate bitmap images without losing quality and with a high percentage of medium compression.
  • Inserting metadata into PNG typically allows search engines to index these graphic files based on the included description.

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