This post explains what PNG files are, why they’re chosen over other image formats in particular scenarios, and which programs can open one or transform one to other image types.
What Is a PNG File?
A PNG file is a Portable Network Graphics file. The format uses lossless compression and is usually thought about the replacement to the GIF image format.
Nevertheless, unlike GIF, PNG files don’t support animations. The extremely similar MNG (Multiple-image Network Graphics) format does, however it has yet to get the type of appeal that GIF or PNG files have.
PNG submits store graphics on sites. Some operating systems such as macOS and Ubuntu shop screenshots in the PNG format by default.
Another usage for PNGs occurs when parts of the image need to be transparent, which can be handy when making illustrations, designing a website, or creating photography. For instance, if you have a logo design you wish to be put over an image, it’s a lot easier to “cut” the logo design out, leaving transparent pixels around it, so that when it’s placed over the other image, that envision program sthrough the transparency.
How to Open a PNG File
The default photo viewer program in Windows opens PNG files, but there are numerous other methods to view one.
All web internet browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, others) automatically view PNG files that you open from the web, which means you do not need to download every PNG file you wish to take a look at online. You can likewise utilize the web browser to open PNG files from your computer system, by using the Ctrl+ O keyboard combination to browse for the file.
Most web browsers also support drag-and-drop, so you may be able to simply drag the PNG file into the web browser to open it.
There are also several standalone file openers, graphic tools, and services that open PNG files. A few popular ones consist of:
XnViewIrfanViewFastStone Image ViewerGoogle DriveEye of GNOMEgThumb
To edit PNG files, the XnView program just mentioned can be utilized, along with the Microsoft Windows included graphics program called Paint, the Windows 10 Paint 3D tool, the popular GIMP utility, and Adobe Photoshop.
Thinking about the number of programs that open PNG files and that you likely have at least 2 installed today, there’s a good chance that the one that’s set to open them by default (i.e. when you double-click or double-tap on one) isn’t the one you ‘d like to utilize.
If you find that to be the case, see How to Change File Associations in Windows tutorial for detailed guidelines on how to change that “default” PNG program.
How to Convert a PNG File
Probably every image file converter that you run across converts a PNG file to another format (like JPG, PDF, ICO, GIF, BMP, TIF, etc.). There are several options in our Free Image Converter Software Programs list, including some online options, like FileZigZag, Zamzar, and TinyWow.
Visit Vectorizer to convert a PNG to SVG.
When to Use PNG Files
PNG files are an excellent format to utilize but not necessarily in every scenario. In some cases a PNG can be way too big in size and not only utilize unnecessary disk area or make it more difficult to email but can likewise drastically decrease a websites if you’re utilizing one there.
Think about if the image quality benefits suffice to sacrifice that space (or slow websites loading, etc). Because a PNG file doesn’t compress the image like other lossy formats such as JPEG do, quality does not lessen as much when the image remains in the PNG format.
JPEG files are useful when the image is low contrast, however PNGs are better when handling sharp contrast like when there are lines or text in the image, along with large locations of solid color. Screenshots and illustrations, then, are best in PNG format while “genuine” images are best as JPEG/JPG.
You might likewise think about utilizing the PNG format over JPEG when you’re handling an image that requires to be edited over and over once again. Considering that the JPEG format goes through generation loss, editing and conserving the file repeatedly will result in a lower quality image over time. This isn’t true for PNG because it uses lossless compression.
More Help With PNG Files
To make the background transparent in a PNG, your options include automated tools like Clipping Magic or the free Remove.bg tool, or nearly any image modifying program.
If you have Photoshop, position the image in its own layer, erase the background layer, and then utilize any tool (e.g., Eraser, Marquee, Lasso) to remove the parts of the image that ought to be transparent.
FAQHow do I transform a PNG file to PDF?
To transform a PNG file to PDF on a Windows PC, right-click the PNG file and choose Print > Microsoft Print to PDF > Print. Name the file and choose Save. On a Mac, open the image in Preview, then choose File > Export as PDF, name the file, and click Save.
How do I transform a PNG file to JPG?
To transform a PNG file to JPG in Windows, open the image in Paint and select File > Save as, then select JPEG. On a Mac, open the image in Preview and select File > Export, then choose JPEG.
How do I make a PNG file?
You can create a PNG file in lots of image-editing apps, including Photoshop and tools such as Canva Pro. In addition, some online editors let you produce PNGs, consisting of Pixomatic Online Editor and PIXLR.
How do I transform a JPG file to PNG?
To convert a JPG file to PNG on a Windows PC, open the image in Paint and select File > Save as, then select PNG. On a Mac, open the file in Preview and select File > Export, then pick PNG. Additionally, in Photoshop on a Mac or PC, open the image and choose File > Export > Export As, select PNG as the file format, and click Export.
How do I transform a PDF file to PNG?
To convert a PDF file to PNG on a Windows PC, utilize a converter tool such as Any PDF to JPG (in spite of its name, it transforms PDFs to PNGs too). Take a screenshot of your PDF and save it as a PNG. On a Mac, open the PDF in Preview and choose File > Export > PNG.
How do I make a transparent PNG in Photoshop?
Initially, create a copy of your original image, then open the copy in Photoshop > choose Magic Wand. Utilize the Magic Wand to capture the image background, then choose Delete. Save the file as a PNG.
PNG files are a great format to use but not necessarily in every situation. Sometimes a PNG can be way too large in size and not only use unnecessary disk space or make it harder to email but can also drastically slow down a web page if you’re using one there.
Consider if the image quality benefits are enough to sacrifice that space (or slow web page loading, etc.). Because a PNG file doesn’t compress the image like other lossy formats such as JPEG do, quality doesn’t diminish as much when the image is in the PNG format.
JPEG files are useful when the image is low contrast, but PNGs are better when dealing with sharp contrast like when there are lines or text in the image, as well as large areas of solid color. Screenshots and illustrations, then, are best in PNG format while “real” photos are best as JPEG/JPG.
You might also consider using the PNG format over JPEG when you’re dealing with an image that needs to be edited over and over again. For example, since the JPEG format undergoes generation loss, editing and saving the file repeatedly will result in a lower quality image over time. This isn’t true for PNG because it uses lossless compression.
More Help With PNG Files
To make the background transparent in a PNG, your options include automated tools like Clipping Magic or the free Remove.bg tool, or nearly any image editing program.
For example, if you have Photoshop, place the image in its own layer, delete the background layer, and then use any tool (e.g., Eraser, Marquee, Lasso) to erase the portions of the image that should be transparent.
FAQHow do I convert a PNG file to PDF?
To convert a PNG file to PDF on a Windows PC, right-click the PNG file and select Print > Microsoft Print to PDF > Print. Then, name the file and select Save. On a Mac, open the image in Preview, then select File > Export as PDF, name the file, and click Save.
How do I convert a PNG file to JPG?
To convert a PNG file to JPG in Windows, open the image in Paint and select File > Save as, then choose JPEG. On a Mac, open the image in Preview and select File > Export, then choose JPEG.
How do I make a PNG file?
You can create a PNG file in many image-editing apps, including Photoshop and tools such as Canva Pro. In addition, some online editors let you create PNGs, including Pixomatic Online Editor and PIXLR.
How do I convert a JPG file to PNG?
To convert a JPG file to PNG on a Windows PC, open the image in Paint and select File > Save as, then choose PNG. On a Mac, open the file in Preview and select File > Export, then choose PNG. Alternatively, in Photoshop on a Mac or PC, open the image and select File > Export > Export As, select PNG as the file format, and click Export.
How do I convert a PDF file to PNG?
To convert a PDF file to PNG on a Windows PC, use a converter tool such as Any PDF to JPG (despite its name, it converts PDFs to PNGs too). Alternatively, take a screenshot of your PDF and save it as a PNG. On a Mac, open the PDF in Preview and select File > Export > PNG.
How do I make a transparent PNG in Photoshop?
First, create a copy of your original image, then open the copy in Photoshop > select Magic Wand. Use the Magic Wand to capture the image background, then select Delete. Save the file as a PNG.
