Format name: TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
Extension: tif
Type: bitmapped
Compression algorithm: CCITT-RLE, CCITT-FAX3, CCITT-FAX4, LZW, OJPEG, JPEG,
CCITT-RLEW, Packbits, Deflate
Color depth: up to 48 bits
Platforms: all
Released in: 1986
The format was released in 1986 and was generally used to hold scanned white
and black images (Tiff 3.0). Released in 1987, Tiff 4.0 got prevalence for it
supported incompact color RGB images. Tiff 5.0 format, released in 1988, made
possible to hold palette color images and support LZW compression algorithm (read
more about LZW compression algorithm here). , Released in 1992, Tiff 6.0, supported
CMYK and YcbCr color images and Jpeg compression algorithm (read more about Jpeg
compression algorithm here).
The current Tiff (Tiff 6.0) is a rich and flexible file format, supported by
many programs. The format is capable to record halftone images with different
pixel intensity. So, it is considered to be a perfect format for graphic data
storage and processing.
Tiff format is one of the most multipurpose and integrated raster formats.
It is easily ported among platforms and used for different purposes (besides
Internet).