This file format uses several extensions, but all are commonly known as JPEG files. The compression scheme for these files reduces the photo image file size by selectively reducing detail and transforming the image into a data format more suited for compression. (This is referred to as “lossy” compression, because some image information is lost in the interest of better compression.) As a result, photos with fewer details compress extremely well, while those with more detail suffer in image quality.

JPEG is an excellent choice if you plan to upload photos onto the Internet. It is not the best format to use, however, if you plan to edit the photo: each time you re-save the photo, some picture degradation occurs.

For editing purposes, save the image in PhotoSuite’s DMSP format as you work, and then save the final image in JPEG format.