Supported Image Formats
The Maitre'D Advanced POS User Interface supports the most modern image formats in order to provide outstanding high-resolution image quality and color reproduction.
The Maitre'D Advanced POS UI supports the following image formats:
Scalable Vector Graphics (*.svg)
Portable Network Graphic (*.png)
Joint Photographic Experts Group (*.jpg or *.jpeg)
Disclaimer
PayFacto does not provide any form of assistance or training in the creation or manipulation of graphics or image files. The information below is provided to give users a better understanding of each supported image format and the circumstances under which each format is better suited.
Scalable Vector Graphics (*.svg)
SVG images are defined in a vector graphics format and stored in XML text files. SVG images can thus be scaled in size without loss of quality, and SVG files can be searched, indexed, scripted, and compressed. The XML text files can be created and edited with text editors or vector graphics editors, and are rendered by the most-used web browsers.
Advantages
File size
SVG files are typically very small, since they are defined in XML text files. Also, being infinitely scalable, the file size will not change regardless of the image's actual size on the screen.
Scalability
SVG files can be scaled (resized) without any loss in quality. Compared to PNG or JPG, the SVG will not get "blockyness" as it is scaled up.
Consider the images below as examples. Feel free to resize your browser window and zoom in and out to see the effects of scaling. Notice how the SVG image (on the right) borders remain sharp and well-defined regardless of its size on the screen. At the same time, see how the PNG (on the left) becomes "blocky" and blurred as its size increases.
PNG file
SVG file
Disadvantages
Editing
Editing svg files requires specialized tools which are designed to work with vector graphics, such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape or GIMP. Text editors such as Notepad++ may aslo be used, but this requires deep knowledge specific to the XML syntax of SVG files. In general, working with vector graphics is very different than rasterized images, so there could be a significant learning curve depending on your current knowledge and skill level.
not very suitable for pictures
SVG files are typically used for simple 2d graphics, such as logos and text. While it is possible to convert a picture from a rasterized format (JPG or PNG), there are no real advantages in doing so. In fact, this often results in a loss of quality and artefacts in the converted image. Converted images may look "cartoon-ish" and in worst cases may become blurred beyond recognition.
JPG file (original)
SVG file (Converted from JPG)
Portable Network Graphic (*.png)
The PNG file format is widely used on websites to display high-quality digital images. Created to exceed the performance of GIF files, PNGs offer not just lossless compression, but also a much broader and brighter color palette. It’s a particularly popular file type with web designers because it can handle graphics with transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds. The file format isn’t patented, so PNGs can be opened using any image editing software without the need for licensing.
Advantages
Picture quality
PNG's are suitable for high-quality pictures, like photographs of food products or sales items available on the menu.
Transparency
PNG's support transparency, so they can be placed against any background without looking awkward.
To illustrate the difference, consider the examples below. Both images are identical sizes (640 x 464 pixels). Both images were placed against the same dark gray background which extends 10 pixels past the image's boundaries on all sides (660 x 484 pixels)
the hamburger in the PNG file (on the left) was created against a transparent background, which blends in with the dark gray background we placed behind the image. The same image was then converted in jpg format and is displayed on the right. Since the jpg format does not support transparency, the image's background is displayed as white space around the hamburger, which contrasts with the dark gray background bleeding on all sides.
PNG file with transparency
JPG file (does not support transparency)
Editing
PNG's can be edited with a wide variety of free image editors, including Microsoft Paint, Paint.NET, GIMP and many others. The manipulation of PNG files is generally straightforward and most of the required skills can be acquired through free online tutorials.
Lossless compression
PNG files can be opened, edited and saved as many times as necessary without losing quality due to successive compression.
Disadvantages
Not scalable
A low-resolution PNG file will not scale very well. To display a PNG on a large portion of a screen, a larger image is needed, which will dramatically increase the file size.
File size
At the same resolution and comparable image quality, a PNG will produce a larger file size than JPG.
Joint Photographic Experts Group (*.jpg or *.jpeg)
JPEG is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography. The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality.
Advantages
Picture quality
JPG's are suitable for high-quality pictures, like photographs of food products or sales items available on the menu.
File size
At the same resolution and comparable image quality, a JPG will produce a smaller file size than PNG.
Editing
JPG's can be edited with a wide variety of free image editors, including Microsoft Paint, Paint.NET, GIMP and many others. The manipulation of JPG files is generally straightforward and most of the required skills can be acquired through free online tutorials.
Disadvantages
Not scalable
A low-resolution JPG file will not scale very well. To display a JPG on a large portion of a screen, a larger, higher resolution image is needed, which will dramatically increase the file size.
Transparency
JPG's don't support transparency.
Compression
Understanding the effects of compression on JPG files can be quite daunting. Every time a JPG file is opened, modified and saved, the file is re-compressed, resulting in a compounded loss of quality compared to the original image.
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