Adobe InDesign CS5 - Manual (Page 383)

377 USING INDESIGN
Graphics
Last updated 11/16/2011
InDesign can rebuild a composite image from DCS 2.0 or 1.0 separations files, if the files were created in Photoshop.
For best results, do not include DCS 1.0 files or DCS 2.0 files created in programs other than Photoshop when you are
creating high-resolution color composite proofs or separating a document in-RIP or from a composite file.
Macintosh PICT (.pict) files
The Macintosh PICT (or Picture) format is used for Mac OS graphics and page-layout applications, and for
transferring files between applications. The PICT format compresses images that contain large areas of solid color.
InDesign can import PICT files created from Mac
OS screenshots and a variety of other applications, including clip
art collections. However, PICT files are not recommended for high-resolution commercial printing.
InDesign supports RGB PICT images with variable resolutions and embedded QuickTime images. PICT graphics do
not support color separations, are device-dependent, and are not recommended for high-resolution commercial
printing. The PICT format can provide acceptable quality only when printed on low-resolution or non-PostScript
printers.
Windows Metafile Format (.wmf) and Enhanced Metafile Format (.emf) files
Windows Metafile Format (WMF) and Windows Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) are native Windows formats used
primarily for vector graphics, such as clip art, shared between Windows applications. Metafiles may contain raster
image information; InDesign recognizes the vector information and provides limited support for raster operations.
Color support is limited to 16-bit RGB, and neither format supports color separations. As a general rule, avoid using
Metafile formats for commercially printed documents.
PCX (.pcx) files
The PCX format is commonly used in Windows systems. Most Windows software supports version 5 of the PCX
format.
The PCX format supports RGB, indexed-color, grayscale, and bitmap color modes, as well as the RLE compression
method, which is lossless. It does not support alpha channels. Images can have a bit depth of 1,
4, 8, or 24 bits.
However, PCX is not ideal for commercially printed or online documents. PCX graphics can provide acceptable
quality only when printed on low-resolution or non-PostScript printers.
Portable Network Graphics (.png) files
The Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format uses adjustable, lossless compression to display 24-bit photographs or
solid-color images on the World Wide Web and in other online media. PNG was developed as a patent-free alternative
to the GIF file format. It supports transparency in an alpha channel or a designated color. PNG is best used for online
documents. Color PNG graphics placed in an InDesign document are RGB bitmap images.
Scitex CT (.sct) files
The Scitex Continuous Tone (CT) format is used for high-end image processing on Scitex computers. Scitex CT files
often come from Scitex scanners, which produce high-quality scans for commercial printing. The Scitex CT format
supports CMYK, RGB, and grayscale files, but does not support alpha channels. Contact Scitex to obtain utilities for
transferring files saved in the Scitex CT format to a Scitex system.