This lesson is an introduction to the different file formats for digital media. It is very important to understand how to save files. Digital media is all about multiple files combined together to create a complete product. For example, a interactive CD-ROM presentation could have artwork, sound, animation, and video. Each of these pieces will be in different files formats and all will need to work together.

Different categories of file formats:

• Graphic - this includes Bit map and Vector
• Text
• Sound
• Video
• Animation

Rules to name files

1. If you want your files to work properly between Macintosh and Windows computers; always save your files in the 8.3 naming system. This is using 8 characters and number; then the file format extension. In this section I will explain each extension. Example; a graphic file for the Internet could be named - myfile.gif

2. Never use upper and lower case letters together. Example: never name a file - Myfile.Gif

3. Never use spaces in a name. Example: never name a file - my file.gif

4. Never use any keyboard characters other than letters or numbers. Example: never use - + = \ / ? " ' , < > % * & $ # @ ! you get the idea.