PNG File

Category: Raster Image Files

What is a PNG file?

A format created in 1995, PNG or Portable Network Graphics file is a bitmap compressed using a lossless compression technique. It is far superior to its closest competitor GIF due to the presence of the following characteristics –
16.7 million colors
True color
Grayscale
Streamable transparency
Index color
When it first came into the scene, only the Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator had support for it. With time, others realised its advantages and followed suit. It has also been approved by WWW as a feasible option to replace the once-popular GIF format since the latter comes with a patented technology called LZW, whereas the former is patent-free.
A general user can come across a PNG file while downloading an image from any website or as an attachment to emails. Even the screenshots that you take on your PC is also in the same format.

How to Open PNG Files

File Viewer Plus

Microsoft Photos

Microsoft Paint

Microsoft Paint 3D

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop Elements

Adobe Illustrator

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Corel PaintShop Pro

ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio

ACD Systems Canvas

Roxio Creator NXT Pro

Apple Preview

Apple Photos

Apple Safari

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop Elements

Adobe Illustrator

Roxio Toast 18

SKYLUM ColorStrokes

GIMP

How to Make PNG Files

Exact steps for creating PNG files will vary by program and operating system. Download one of the above listed programs and you should be able to follow typical procedure for opening files or creating files from the File menu. Typically you will select File > Open or File > New and continue through the prompts. Some programs may follow a different procedure for either creation or opening of files.