What Is PNG Image?

PNG, stands for Portable Network Graphics, is comparatively new format of image used over Internet as well as offline setting as well. PNG is such an image considered to extend the limitations of GIF format, whereas, it fits well the qualities associated with the GIF format such as streaming and interlacing. It also supports more colour depth catering to 24 bit. The main objective of using PNG format is to substitute to the old and simple GIF format as well as complex TIFF format. The primary features involved with the PNG format is to –

1) Use of Alpha Channels (transparency: variable)
2) Use of Gamma Correction (Management of Image Brightness: Cross platforms)
3) Use of two dimensional interlacing (progressive display)

PNG is essentially a raster format and not a vector one. However, there are few private extensions which are able to append vector information in addition to PNG's pixel (raster) information (Examples includes Macromedia Fireworks).