Photoshop CS2 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies- P6:Barbara Obermeier is principal of Obermeier Design, a graphic design studio in Ventura, California. She’s the author of Photoshop Album For Dummies, coauthor of Adobe Master Class: Illustrator Illuminated, Photoshop 7 For Dummies, and Illustrator 10 For Dummies. She has contributed as coauthor, technical editor, or layout designer for numerous books. Barb also teaches computer graphics at Brooks Institute; the University of California, Santa Barbara; and Ventura College | 128 ßook 11 Imacje Essentials Chapter 2 Choosing Color Modes and File Formats In This Chapter Understanding the theory of color Taking a look at color modes Focusing on file formats 1 . . . rJ . . n addition to choosing a size and resolution discussed in the previous chapter 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 of 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 1 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 Image1 tMode. Color modes defin the color values used to display the image. Photoshop offers eight different modes and allows you to convert images from one mode to another. The color mode you choose for a particular image depends on a couple of factors 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 on prepping images for print see Book IX Chapter 1. 130 Selecting a Color Mode Basic RGB and CMYK color theory When you view an RGB image you are looking at an image comprised of three colors red green and blue. These colors are The primary colors of light The colors that correspond to the three types of cones inside your eyes The colors that comprise white light from the sun The colors your .
