Category: Formatting Tips & Tricks

If you’re on the track to becoming an Adobe Master, you need to know one thing: their systems work really well together.

That doesn’t mean everything is intuitive, though. Adobe started as a company with a few major pieces of software (such as Flash and Photoshop) but has fully evolved into a conglomerate of different tech with varying applications.

When it comes to these apps, they each have proprietary file types made to work for their system. Fortunately, these apps work well with each other. Here’s how to convert AI to PSD without breaking a sweat.

AI to PSD File Conversion

For reasons explained below, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop each have certain roles in image creation and editing. However, it’s not a big deal if you started off working in the wrong system.

Because Adobe is aware these things happen, there are some pretty easy ways you can convert AI to PSD and vice versa so that you can work in the application best for your projects.

Convert AI to PSD In-App

To break it down as concisely as possible, if you have your Illustrator file opened, all you need to do is click on:

1. “File”
2. “Export”
3. Click on the “Format” Menu
4. Choose “Photoshop” or “PSD”
5. Then confirm, by hitting enter or “Export”

Bam. File converted.

If you haven’t done much with your project, this shouldn’t be an issue. However, issues arise if there are several graphics in your image.

Illustrator projects are broken up into paths and groups, while Photoshop projects are usually broken up into layers. If you convert as-is, you likely will compress your different paths and groups unintentionally.

Therefore, to convert AI to PSD with layers, you need to ensure your individual paths are grouped properly into layers.

To do so, enable layers by clicking “Window” > “Layers” > “New Layer”. Drag your grouped pathways to this layer (or separate them into distinct layers if you so choose).

Finally, perform the steps above. In advanced settings, select “Write Layers” and “Maximum Editability” to ensure these layers transfer properly. Tweak any resolution or image data as you see fit, then click OK to convert to a PSD file.

Online Applications to Convert AI to PSD

There are options to do this outside of the Adobe apps and can be useful if you don’t have access to the other app while using its file type. It is recommended to use Adobe’s software, however.

And as with all online converters, make sure the site has a good reputation and won’t include any viruses or malware when you go to download your converted file.

Convert PSD to AI

Unlike the complexities of converting AI to PSD, Adobe has made it a tad simpler to do the opposite. Similar to AI files, in Photoshop go to:

1. “File”
2. “Export”
3. Click on the “Format” Menu
4. Choose “Illustrator” or “AI”
5. Then confirm, by hitting enter or “Export”

When you open your newly converted file in Illustrator, there should be a prompt asking if you want to convert layers to objects. Ensure it is selected.

If you open the file and that’s not the case, you should be able to find the option in the settings. Enable it, and the image will appear correctly in Illustrator.

Adobe Mastery: Differences Between AI and PSD

Adobe’s suite of tools has a lot of overlap. Knowing the differences between Illustrator and Photoshop can save you a lot of headaches once you get going.

Their respective file types reflect these changes and are different in how image data is saved.

The AI File Format

AI stands for Adobe Illustrator (and not artificial intelligence, as might be expected). AIs and PSDs are similar in that they’re both proprietary to Adobe software.

The key difference between Illustrator files and Photoshop files is that Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editing program, as opposed to a bitmap of image data.

In essence, Illustrator is better for (you guessed it!) drawings and illustrations. Vector graphics can be cleaner and result in better image quality than images drawn in photoshop.

Vector images allow scalability in images, something that’s far easier to do than in bitmap formats, meaning that a small drawing can balloon quite easily.

In a nutshell, if you’re working in Photoshop but need drawings that can be scaled up and down without image quality loss, go with AI. Macs can open AI files in Apple preview, however, they need to be converted to PDFs to view on Windows.

The PSD File Format

The PSD file format is simply the default Photoshop file format. Often these files can be much larger than their completed projects as they contain layers of graphics, text, notes, masks, colors, images, filters, effects, gradients, and more.

The defining staple of what makes this a tremendous format to work in is the layers system. Rather than compress an image into a 2D image, there are numerous images layered overtop one another that, in PSD, can be edited.

After all, that’s why “Photoshop” is synonymous with digital editing and used as a verb, just like how “Google” is synonymous for search engine use.

Unfortunately, akin to AI, the PSD file type is proprietary. Most applications can’t make sense of the data saved in them, thus to edit images in another software they need to be converted.

If you have a lot of PSD files but don’t have access to Adobe Photoshop, there are alternatives, but they’re few and far between.

However, Mac users can open PSDs correctly using Apple Preview. Alas, editing is still quite limited.

All Matters of Digital File Conversion

With this newfound knowledge, you should now know how to convert AI to PSD files. Hopefully, you found it to be easier than learning the complexities of both programs themselves, as this is a task that shouldn’t be too hard to master.

Need other file types converted? This is our specialty. Whether it’s PNGs to JPGs, or PDFs to DOCX, we can do it.

Check out our different options on our home page for easy file conversions.

File conversions can be a pain. However, they’re only irritating when you don’t have the right tools and information.

Once you learn a little bit about formats and file sizes, you’re generally only a few steps from getting the output that you need. For starters, you should learn the difference between PC and Mac conversions, how they’re done, and some tips and tricks for both.

Keep reading to learn more. 

What Should You Know About File Conversions?

A file conversion lets you take a file of one format, and switch it to the one that you prefer. This happens frequently when a PC user tries to convert a file to Mac, or vice versa.

The key is to convert the file without damaging it or losing quality. Both PC and Mac have their differences and nuances you need to know about when you are trying to convert files.

1. Get to Know the Type of Files You Are Working With

Look into the file formats to be certain you get the tools of the trade that you need. Always get full clarity on the file formats that you are dealing with before taking steps with any software.

Explore deeper than the file extension alone. For instance, you might have a .doc file that shows up differently depending on the version it was created with. A lot of people need PDF file conversion when they’re dealing with documents of all kinds.

Once you’re clear on the exact file you have and what version you need, you will cut off mistakes and will be able to move forward with your conversion. 

2. Use the Built-In Mac Tools

Mac users have the benefit of some built-in conversion tools. For instance, the Preview app allows you to convert image files without having to use any third-party software.

The Preview app lets you take a JPEG and convert it to a PDF, PNG, or several other file formats. It allows you to manipulate the size, resolution, and other factors as well.

These changes will affect the output file size. You will be notified about differences prior to going through with the file conversion and can create several copies of the file.

3. Consider Image Conversions on PC

Learning about image file conversions will be a huge help. While Mac users can convert images from Preview, PC owners need to go another route. 

You can use Paint to convert JPG files to other formats. Paint is built into Windows PCs, and the file conversions can be done as easily as going to “Save As.”

For more complex file conversions, you’ll need to look into third-party software.

4. Find the Tools That You Need for Video

Using video content right now is the best way to get engagement. Because of this, getting to know some video conversion platforms will be a huge help to you.

With a PC, you will generally have to find a high-quality third-party app to address your conversions. These file converters let you work with files like .MOV, AVI, and MPEG.

These files are exclusive to PC and Mac machines, so the file conversion software will allow you to access videos regardless of which you have. Always pay attention to the compression rate and the quality of the output file that you’re creating.

You will be able to manipulate the size and frame of the video, and can even add chapters and subtitles.

5. Look for File Conversion Platforms That Are User-Friendly

Whether you’re using a PC or a Mac, the name of the game is to find file conversion software that is user-friendly.

Some of the conversions can get complicated, so finding a platform that asks you questions and gives you several options will be helpful. You can use the explanations and troubleshooting guides to make sure you’re getting what you need from your file conversion software.

6. Always Update Your OS to Keep With File Norms

Be mindful of the fact that files sometimes get aged out. To keep up with the latest file conversion capability, you have to also update your setup.

If you’re a Mac user, you get free Operating System (OS) updates as they come out. Apple is consistent with OS upgrades, and you’ll appreciate that your video, word processing, messaging, e-mail, iTunes, and other apps get upgraded in the process.

Staying up to date with the latest Mac OS also upgrades the machine’s built-in file conversion capabilities.

If you’re a PC user, you will also want to keep up with the latest version of Windows. This will also update Word and other critical apps that are constantly used for file conversions.

7. Try Out Some Useful Online File Conversion Tools

Finally, try out some online file conversion tools to see if they fit your needs. These platforms are constantly updated and allow you several conversions per month on a subscription basis.

You will appreciate being able to convert and download files on any machine that you access as long as you’re online. Make sure to try them out for a week or so to make sure you get your desired results without bugs.

For shorter trials, you’ll get to see the output, but it will typically have a watermark or other marking.

Take Control of Your File Conversions

File conversions are easy when you use the tips above. These points will help you out when you need to get the most from your Mac or PC.

Whether you need help with HTML files or any other file format, we’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our website, and start converting today.

Are you curious about whether you should be using DWG or DXF file format?

In this article, we’re going to break down the pros and cons of DXF files and how versatile this open-source file format is. Let’s dive into it.

What is DXF?

DXF stands for Drawing Exchange Format and has become the industry standard in the world of computer-aided design (CAD) for file sharing.

It was developed by Autodesk, the developer of AutoCAD, in 1982. DXF is open source in contrast with DWG, which is proprietary to AutoCAD.

Viewing DXF Files

For anyone who works with AutoCAD regularly, such as those in the fields of architecture or engineering, working with DXF files and the CAD programs that read them is a normal part of their day.

However, if you need to share DXF files with a client, they’ll need a way to view them if they don’t have access to AutoCAD.

DWG TrueView

DWG TrueView is only available on Windows OS, but you can use it to view, measure, and present your drawings easily. With an organized interface and search feature, it’s a useful tool for DXF file viewing.

Autodesk Viewer

Autodesk has its own online DXF viewer that allows you to view drawings on iPhone, Android devices, iPad, Mac, and Windows in your browser. You can read both 2D and 3D designs with Autodesk Viewer, which supports over 50 file formats.

Once you’re signed in to your Autodesk account, you can choose to upload DXF files from either your hard drive or cloud storage. From there, you can make comments, take screenshots, and manage your designs.

DXF Viewer for Mac OS

DXF Viewer is available in the Mac App Store and allows you to view DXF and DWG files on your Mac. It offers fast load times, the ability to view multiple files simultaneously, and will enable you to convert your DXF files to PDF.

Pros of the DXF File Format

Now that we’ve covered what DXF is and how you can view these files outside of a CAD program let’s talk about the pros this file format offers.

Exchange Data Between CAD Programs

Because the DXF file format is highly compatible across programs, it can act as a bridge between different CAD programs. Sharing designs with colleagues of varying skill sets, new and old software iterations, and various specialized CAD software is incredibly easy with DXF files.

Most Compatible Vector File

Unlike DWG files, which are not as widely supported, DXF files can be viewed or edited in a variety of GIS, CNC, and CAD software. A few examples include Adobe Illustrator, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD.

Ease to Parse

When we talk about parsing, we mean that processing and dividing DXF files into smaller components for specific programs is easy to do. You’ll also have the option to remove or keep hatches, fills, and other details when you convert different file formats to DXF.

Publicly Available

DXF is open source, which means you have the option of accessing the file specification online. Thus, DXF has been widely adopted and is appreciated by developers who are in charge of creating CAD programs.

Cons of the DXF File Format

There are plenty of reasons to love the DXF file format, but there are a handful of downsides. Let’s go over what those downsides are to give you a full picture of what you can and can’t do with DXF.

Doesn’t Support App-Specific CAD Elements

Some objects designed for specialized CAD software are either partially documented in the DXF specifications or unable to be represented in the format, like dynamic blocks in AutoCAD. You’ll have to keep this in mind so that you won’t lose data when transferring these files between programs.

They Can Become Large

While it is rare that a DXF file will become cumbersomely large, it is a possibility. This can happen if you have a multitude of hidden vector elements that are the same color as your background.

Compared to the same file in the DWG format, DXF files will typically be more extensive. This is because the DWG file format is created in binary and AutoCAD’s embedded compressing data versus DXF files that are designed with the ASCII text standard.

Line Widths

Because of the mass adoption of DXF, line widths aren’t included in the format’s standards. Occasionally, this can cause problems when using some CNC and CAD programs that can not handle line widths. In this case, it would be a good idea to see if your application allows you to turn off line width data before you export a DXF file to one of these specialized applications.

Creating DXF Files

If you’d like to start using DXF files, you can create them in various programs, including Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk Inventor, and AutoCAD; to name a few. To create a DXF file, you’ll want to go to the save drop-down menu and select either the ‘save as’ or ‘export to’ options and choose DXF (.dxf). 

Converting DXF Files to Other Formats

If you need to convert your DXF file to another format, or vice versa, there are a few ways you can do so. You can use AutoCAD or Adobe Illustrator programs that support DXF importing and exporting, an online DXF file converter, or a DXF viewer with a conversion feature.

Here’s a list of file types you can convert a DXF file to:

• JPG
• PGM
• SVG
• BMP
• PNG
• PMG
• GIF
• DWG
• EPS

Explore More File Types

The world of file types and their ability to be converted is vast. Are you interested in discovering more about document conversion? For more information on a variety of different file types and how to convert them, check out our blog.

Most music today comes in a small range of preset file formats, M4A, MP3, wav, ogg, amongst a few others.

Each has its limitations, including where they can be played. These limitations can be cumbersome, and thus there are ways to convert these files to work on different devices with different sound qualities.

In this article, we’ll go over two of the most common file formats and how to convert M4A to MP3 files.

M4A to MP3 Conversion

Due to the diversity of file formats, file format is essential. This can be between images to documents and, of course, audio to audio.

First, ask yourself what file you’re converting. Is it an M4A to an MP3, or vice-versa? The difference matters.

M4A to MP3 Using iTunes

One simple method of converting an M4A to an MP3 is by launching iTunes. Open “Preferences” and click on “Navigate to Files.”

Once there, look for “Import Settings.” Change the import setting to the MP3 encoder, and click “Okay.”

Once done, drag and drop your M4A files into iTunes. Click on it, select “File,” then “Convert,” and you should see the prompt “Create MP3 Version.”

Once you’ve done that, you should be good to go. Both files will likely show up now, under different formats, in your iTunes library.

M4A to MP3 Using Online Applications

There are several online sites that can work for converting your files, often for free and without having to install any software.

Note: there are many sites out there that aren’t as savvy with user data, so do your due diligence before plugging in a bunch of your M4A files.

Often these sites will have a “Select File” prompt which you can either click on or drag and drop to have the files digitally convert automatically.

Some allow you to tweak bitrate settings between 220kbps and 250kbps. Whichever you choose, it likely is just a button press away (and a few seconds or minutes) for the file to fully convert.

Then, download the processed file.

MP3 to M4A Using iTunes

This will largely be the same as going through the M4A to MP3 conversion process.

1. Launch iTunes
2. Go to Preferences
3. Go to “General” then “Import Settings”
4. Click on the “Import Using” and select AAC encoder
5. Import your M4A file (or right-click on it if it’s already in your library)
6. Select “Create AAC Version”

And boom. You should be good to go, with iTunes doing the work. After a few seconds, you should have two copies of the file, one as an MP3 and the new M4A file. 

MP3 to M4A Using the Web

Take precautions as stated above. Some online web converters are prone to giving viruses, making you pay for what should be a free service, or stuffing you with a ton of obnoxious ads and pop-ups.

That being said, a reputable online converter will require you to upload your file, tweak a few settings, and wait for the conversion process to be completed.

You’ll then need to download the M4A file from the site, after which you will be good to go.

What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever downloaded digital music, you’ve likely heard of these types of files. M4A files are the standard for digital downloads from iTunes or Apple Music. 

That’s because they’re convenient to use… If you’re an Apple aficionado. Meanwhile, MP3s are more wildly used across different types of devices. We commonly call devices MP3 players, not M4A players, after all.

So what’s the difference?

M4A File Format

Interestingly enough, the M4A file format was initially designed to be the successor to the MP3 file format. M4A stands for MPEG 4 audio, the four obviously indicating its successor-status.

What makes the M4A file format superior comes in notable tweaks in its design. The MP3 format was initially designed with the purpose of shrinking video file sizes and then got changed to audio later on.

The M4A file format was designed from the ground up to limit extreme compression by reducing sounds that normally would be inaudible to humans. It does this while retaining slightly better sound quality in the process.

To dig deep into the jargon, the compression formats differ in two crucial ways:

M4As use a sample block size of 120 or 128 rather than the MP3s 192 for changing signals. This allows for more detail in certain sound segments. Allowing for more precise details where they are needed.

The MP3 file format uses a low 576 sample blocks compared to the M4A’s much larger block size of 960 or 1024.

This larger block size allows for more data to express the music more appropriately to its original intent without mitigating complexity.

MP3 File Format

MP3 stands for “MPEG Layer-3”. It’s a file format specifically meant for audio files, particularly music.

MP3s are a wider-spread file format across all media, and for good reason. As described by Techopedia, “It can be used for dual channels, single-channel, stereo, multichannel signals, and joint stereo.”

In laymen’s terms, that means it’s flexible and can turn complex audio into something small and simple.

Unlike many of its counterparts, MP3s compress audio to about one-tenth the size of its original file by reducing nearly inaudible portions of songs.

Some purists claim this reduces some of the sheen of a song.

But the truth is the quality remains quite high, even after compression. Because these files are so much smaller than some of their unoptimized counterparts, you can fit more songs into your device. And that’s a win.

To compare and contrast perks of different audio formats, here’s a list of some of the most common types.

Digital File Conversion

Converting M4A to MP3 files isn’t so complex. Hopefully, you’ve gleaned some helpful information from this article and can now convert your files with ease.

While the conversion process may make sense on paper, note that continual conversion of files will cause them to gradually degrade, sort of like Xeroxing a Xerox. Make sure to convert a limited amount of times!

And if you need to convert other files, from digital PDFs to Excel spreadsheets, we’ve got you covered.

You’ve just completed a detailed PowerPoint presentation for work. You have a virtual meeting tomorrow with several coworkers and clients, all of whom use different hardware and software.

The challenge you face is how can you ensure they all have access to your presentation?

Converting your PPT to JPG files is the perfect solution. Almost every device can access and read JPG files.

The JPG format is a common compressed image format used for digital images. You have the ability to adjust the level of file compression. When you open a JPG, you’ll often see an image version of a photo, picture, or document.

The question many ask is how do you convert a PPT to a JPG? Here’s everything you need to know about converting your presentations into images!

PPT and JPG: What Are the Differences?

PowerPoint presentations save with a PPT or PPTX extension. To access a ppt file, you’ll need Microsoft PowerPoint installed on your computer. The benefit of ppt is you can open, read, and make edits to the file.

A JPG is a file extension that stands for joint photographic experts group. This extension is an image that is accessible on almost every type of software, including mobile devices.

The benefit of exporting a PPT presentation to jpg is the jpg has a smaller file size. The image quality remains high even after compression. The smaller size makes sharing these files online faster and easier.

Convert PPT to JPG Using PowerPoint

There are several ways to convert a ppt presentation to a JPG image. The most common method is to save the PowerPoint file a second time and export it as a JPG. Other options include downloading conversion software or using an online converter.

The most common method is to use Microsoft’s PowerPoint software. If you have PowerPoint downloaded on your computer, follow these steps to save your ppt as an image.

1. Open the Presentation

Begin by launching PowerPoint and opening the presentation you’d like to convert. Make sure to save it to prevent losing it during the conversion process.

Once the presentation opens, navigate to the File tab at the top left of the screen. If you’re on a Mac, scroll down and click Export. Those using a PC, select Save As from the File tab.

The Export option will open a fly-out menu with several options. Find the option labeled Change File Type.

A box with several file options will appear. They include options such as presentation, PowerPoint Picture Presentation, PNG (portable network graphics), and JPG File Interchangeable Format.

At the bottom, you’ll find an Other File Types section. Click on the Save As option.

2. Where to Save Your JPG Presentation

Next, you’ll receive a prompt asking where you’d like to save the new version of the presentation. Simply select the location, hard drive, or folder. Your presentation images will save there.

Make sure you remember where you save it. If you forget, you may end up spending several minutes or longer hunting for your image presentation.

3. Save Your JPG Presentation

The same dialog box will also request a name for your presentation images and the file format. In the top box, enter the file’s new name.

Below the name, you’ll find a dropdown box with different file formats to choose from. The default file type should be PPT or PPTX. On a Mac, select the File Format menu.

In the dropdown menu, look for the JPG or JPEG option and click it. Other image files include PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, and WAV, to name a few. For ease of use, stick to JPG or JPEG.

4. Choosing Compression Size

You can save space and make your presentation easier to share with others by compressing the size. Navigate to the More Options button below the file format options.

There should be a ‘Compress’ or ‘Compress Images’ option. Select the compression option that fits your needs.

Remember, if you compress your presentation too much, it will be hard to read. If you don’t compress it enough, it may be hard to share via email or other digital means.

5. Save!

Now you’re ready to save your presentation. Select Save or Export at the bottom of the dialog box.

Both the Export and Save As options will ask if you’d like to only save the current slide or the entire presentation. This will depend on your needs.

If you save the entire presentation, PowerPoint will create a folder with the name you entered containing all of the images. If you choose to save only one slide, PowerPoint will export that slide to a single image.

The dialog boxes will close and you’ll have an image version of your presentation. You can find the images in the folder

Converting PPT to JPG Without PowerPoint

What if you have a ppt presentation but don’t have PowerPoint installed on your computer? The good news is you can still convert a PPT to JPG without PowerPoint by using an online file converting tool.

The best part about these conversion tools is they don’t require you to buy or download any software. Most of them are free and offer great results.

Here’s how you can use our free online PPT to JPG conversion.

1. Open the Free File Conversion

In your web browser, navigate to our free PPT to JPG conversion page. Upload your presentation by clicking the green Upload button and selecting the PPT file you’d like to convert. Click on the lower “Convert PPT to JPG” button.

2. Convert and Enjoy

The converter may take a few seconds to process the request. Once complete, you’ll have the option to download your presentation images or convert more files. Click on the Download Now button to download your images.

From there, you can view the presentation or share it with others.

Start Saving Your Presentations as JPGs Today!

Learning how to convert PPT to JPG is a quick and easy way to share your presentations with others. The small size of a jpg makes it the perfect choice for sharing presentations with others on a variety of devices and software. If you haven’t already, give it a try!

Do you have other files to convert? Check out our entire selection of free online conversion tools today!

Audio files are among the trickier file types that you would encounter. Finding out how to make them run and play the sound or music recorded in it is often a challenge. 

This is because each file format differs from the others. Especially when the file that you have does not run on your music player.

This tends to be the case for MIDI files when you want others to hear what is in them. In such a situation, you would convert the MIDI to MP3. 

What is the difference between the two and why should you do it? Today, that is what we will answer for you as we look at these file types and how you can make them sound off.

The Difference Between MIDI and MP3

Knowing the difference between MIDI and MP3 can help you when dealing with similar audio files. You need to pay attention to these file types and where they can work. 

This is an important factor if your goal is to have something that you can play on your phone or music player. Let us look at what each file type has and where they work.

MIDI Files

First, we start with MIDI files. The term stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. These file types allow computers and synthesizers to communicate and share information.

These work along with musical instruments, especially keyboard synthesizers. Mostly seen in music production, these files act as sheet music as the files indicate which notes from which musical instruments sound off. These bits of data would sound off as if it was a song but it is still in its raw format.

In order to listen to what it contains; you need a codec to translate the data into sound. Otherwise, you would need to convert this into a different file type. One way to know that you have a MIDI file is when you see the .mid file extension.

MP3 Files

Next, let us look at MP3 files. These are the most popular variants that play music due to how flexible and compatible they are. You see these in use among numerous devices such as mobile phones and portable music players.

Bearing the .mp3 file extension, these audio files use a compression algorithm. This setup reduces its file size. 

This results in a lossy audio file. This means that it would have missing data due to the compression process. This compression setup allows for a small file size for devices, but with some missing data.

Even so, converting a MIDI file into an MP3 file should work well for you. This is a good format to allow others to hear what the MIDI file sounds like.

Converting MIDI to MP3

Knowing that a MIDI would be better off as a converted file, let us look at how to convert MIDI to MP3. For this, you have three ways to approach this. 

Each of these methods offers varying advantages that would suit your situation. This depends on which one you have access to. This breaks it down into three approaches.

Using Online File Converters

One of the easier and more accessible options is through the use of online file converters. Through this, you can access the converter anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. 

To use this, go to the site for the online converter and upload the MIDI file. Make sure to select the MIDI to MP3 option and then let the converter do its work. You will receive the converted version after it processes, downloading it to your computer.

You can also use file converters that you can download and install on your computer. The process follows the same setup, where you can put the .mid file and then have it converted as a .mp3 file.

Using Quicktime and Audacity

You can use other software to open and convert the files. For instance, having the MIDI file opened using Quicktime and having it exported as a .aiff file would be a good starting point.

Once you have it converted as such, open it using Audacity and then export it as an MP3 file. After which, the MIDI file is now in MP3 form.

Using iTunes

If you have iTunes installed on your machine, try to open the MIDI file there. With iTunes open, drag the MIDI file and drop it into iTunes. Make sure to have the MP3 encoder ready.

From that point, set up the iTunes settings and you should be able to convert the file. What’s great is that Apple provides detailed instructions to help you convert to MP3 with ease.

Other Recommended File Formats for Audio

By converting MIDI to MP3, you can now listen to the audio through accessible means. You can listen to the song on a lot of devices where the MP3 file format is the preferred audio file type. 

There is one caveat to this. MP3 is a rather lossy audio format that there would be missing components when listening to it.

In case you prefer to capture the full fidelity of the audio without losing data and compromising quality, you can use lossless audio formats. For this, choosing to convert the audio into WAV files is the better option. Otherwise, the MP3 file format would be a good choice.

Convert Your MIDI to MP3 Files for Everyone to Hear

Converting your MIDI to MP3 can help others hear the sound saved in those files. If you’re working on a song project, a composition, or an arrangement, you need a format that lets other people enjoy in their preferred player of choice. This is why the conversion aspect is important.

File conversions allow for file format versatility to suit the situation. For your file conversion needs, you can check out our available converter systems to let you change your documents to the file format that you need. 

File compression is a great way to reduce the size of a file to take up less space on your computer. It also allows you to send and receive files faster, even on slower internet speeds. When it comes to compressing files, the choice usually comes down to the ZIP or RAR formats.

If you download and upload files on the internet on a regular basis, then you’ve seen and even use ZIP and RAR files. They’ve been the most popular file compression formats for decades. Despite their similarities, they have key differences that will help decide your choice.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the RAR vs ZIP formats. Read on!

ZIP Format’s Background

ZIP is a compressed archive file format. It can contain more than one file or folder and uses the “.zip” file extension. It’s useful if you need to send both PDF and Word documents for a college paper submission in only 1 file.

It’s a format developed by Phil Katz released in 1989. ZIP was once part of the PKZIP utility of PKWARE. It was later supported by other software utilities.

In 1998, Microsoft included built-in support for ZIP in Windows. One common use of ZIP files is in software downloads. A single ZIP file encases all the essential components of a program before its transfer.

This makes the program efficient for storage space and time by reducing redundancy. The ZIP file will consume less space and bandwidth. It also retains the internal integrity and organization of the original file.

Besides compressing files, ZIP can encrypt your files through password protection. It also allows you to split archives with only a few clicks.

You can compress or zip multiple files using various methods. This includes LZMA, DEFLATE, PPMd, WavPack, and BZIP2, among others.

Each of the files has its own separate storage, allowing you to access and extract one at random. This means you can also add new files in the ZIP archive without re-zipping the entire archive.

ZIP files can also contain more content unrelated to the archive. This makes the ZIP format a self-extracting archive.

RAR Format’s Background

RAR stands for Roshal Archive. It’s named after its Russian developer, Eugene Roshal. It uses the “.rar” file extension.

Like the ZIP file, it’s used for storing multiple files that can be of different file types in 1 container. It’s also used for data compression to make files more efficient for storage and transfer.

As a compressed archive format, it’s common to encounter RAR files online. Users will often find these files on file-sharing sites and software downloads. RAR is also used for file scanning and error recovery.

Unlike ZIP, RAR is a proprietary format used only with the WinRAR archiver. This means you can only create and extract RAR files by using WinRAR. RAR uses a higher compression ratio than ZIP compression through its proprietary algorithm.

The WinRAR archiver is also capable of ZIP file compression and extraction. Besides ZIP, it can also operate on other non-RAR formats. It supports programmable self-extracting archives, error repairs, and embedded comments.

Operating System Support

ZIP was wider and native support across different operating systems. ZIP files are more accessible because they are open-source. On the other hand, RAR will require third-party software like WinRAR.

Windows offers native support for ZIP since Windows XP. Windows users can create and extract ZIP files with a default compress ZIP file feature. To use RAR, you need to buy and install WinRAR.

Mac OS X also supports ZIP along with other archive formats. You’ll also need to purchase WinRAR to compress file size using RAR.

Linux has support for ZIP out-of-the-box. You can use standard programs like File Roller to work with RAR files. However, you’ll first need to install the command-line utilities from the package manager.

Chrome OS supports both the ZIP and RAR format.

Key Differences

The basic difference is in licensing. ZIP is a format created to be standard for lossless data compression and is open-source. It uses several compression algorithms, with DEFLATE being the most common.

RAR’s proprietary compression algorithm may cause significant implications on various factors. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing between RAR vs. ZIP.

Accessibility

The ZIP format has an advantage when it comes to accessibility. ZIP’s wider OS support means it’s more accessible to users.

ZIP also gets its edge by being older than the RAR format. It’s still the most used and accounts for a large number of archive files on the web.

This is a crucial factor considered by software developers. They will want their files to be accessible to avoid complaints of being unable to extract files.

Compression

RAR can achieve a small file size than ZIP with the same file or set of files. The margin can be large in different cases.

The difference can vary depending on the file size and types you’re compressing. In a file compression benchmark test, experts tested WinRAR to compress a 310 MB test. They were able to compress the file by up to 71% of its original size, resulting in 90 MB.

Meanwhile, WinZIP can compress the same test file down to 125 MB. That’s a compression ratio of over 60%.

When it comes to RAR vs ZIP compression, RAR proves superior. If your main concern is storage space, then the RAR format is better than ZIP.

Speed

The ZIP format uses a less complex format structure to contain files. This makes it quick for both compression and decompression. It uses DEFLATE, an older yet common compression algorithm.

RAR compression is even faster than ZIP. This is because its compression algorithm is more efficient than ZIP’s DEFLATE compression.

Security

The default Windows and Mac OS support does not include password protection. Meanwhile, WinRAR has native support for password encryption. This gives the RAR format a security advantage.

Which File Compression Format Is Best?

When it comes to accessibility and popularity, the ZIP format wins. If we’re talking about efficiency and security, RAR takes the crown. The answer to which file compression format is best will depend on your needs and priorities.

Whichever format you choose, check your files if they’re in the file type you need before sending them. We can convert files like PDF to JPG online for free. Convert your files with OffDrive today!

It’s one of the most annoying sentences you can ever read. Even so, we’ve all seen it when we’re trying to upload a file: “This file is too big.”

At the end of a long day, that sentence can make you want to scream. “What,” you ask, “am I supposed to do now?”

So then you try to resize the file. Every single time, the file turns out worse than it should. 

If you’ve had this experience, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve all had file resize issues before. 

But what if I told you there’s a way to resize your file and preserve its quality? It sounds like a miracle, but it’s possible. 

Many of the problems people face when resizing a file usually come from making one of three mistakes. If you can identify your error, though, you can fix the problem!

To help you with that, we’ve fleshed out three file-resize mistakes that people often make. If you want those image problems gone, then read on to discover the remedy! 

Mistake 1: Saving in The Wrong Format

Image formats count for a lot, especially when you’re trying to minimize file size. Among the most common image formats are PNG, JPG, and PDF. Each of these has its advantages and specialties.

A PDF file is a useful tool if you’re trying to compress an image and make sure anyone can open it, regardless of the software they have. PDFs preserve the quality of images with excellent resolution. 

If you’re trying to send an image in an email or want to print it out, a PDF file is worth trying out. However, PDF files are not the best to use in uploading an image online. 

In many cases, the best file type for online usage is a PNG. PNG images offer high-quality images with sharp color showing, with well-defined edges and lines. 

PNGs are often used for web graphics, charts, logos, and graphs because they show text well. Their image quality, including the text, does not decrease or get distorted when compressed. 

The flipside to a PNG is a JPG. These are the optimal choice for photographs or other intricately detailed illustrations. JPGs are excellent at rendering top-quality image resolution and color-showing. 

However, unlike a PNG, JPGs are not very compatible with text. If you try to resize a JPG that includes text, you can expect reduced file quality. 

While there are other file types you can use, these are the most common. They are the best at compressing to get smaller file sizes. If you run into any file resizing issues, be sure you’re saving the file as the right file type.

Mistake 2: Resizing From the Browser

Many people resize an image for their website through their browser rather than from the server itself. This is sometimes done accidentally in a hurry or on purpose for convenience. 

This is a dangerous trap to fall into. Resizing an image through the browser does not affect the way a user would see the image. The quality remains the same, and no real distortion is readily noticeable. 

However, specifying a different height and width for your image on the browser while leaving the original untouched can cause problems. Most notably, the image consumes more bandwidth. 

This results in a long loading time for your webpage and unnecessarily large images on the page that do not match their standard proportions. This can lead to even more damaging results.

Many people abandon a web page if it does not load quickly enough for them. A longer loading time increases your likelihood of reduced traffic. 

Furthermore, bandwidth is costly. In many cases, it is what takes up the majority of an IT budget’s costs. An increase in bandwidth consumption is an increase in money you have to spend.  

There is a simple solution, though. Be sure to change the image proportions from within the server, formatting it to fit the required changes.

Mistake 3: Not Doing a File Resize For Different Devices

Whether you’re uploading an image to a website or directly sending it to somebody’s device, it’s important to remember that different devices will display images differently. 

A desktop is often capable of producing much higher quality resolution than a mobile device. Furthermore, a desktop with a strong Wi-Fi connection will likely take less time loading a site than a phone using 3G or 4G. 

Despite these differences, many developers take the easy road and use images of the same size and resolution across all their devices. This results in wasted bandwidth and therefore wasted money.

Along with the waste of bandwidth comes the loss of a user’s time. An improperly formatted image for mobile use will take more time to load. The longer the page takes to load, the more likely it is your user will leave

The solution here can be time-consuming, but it’s a better choice than leaving your images untouched. You must format your files to be compatible with mobile devices and desktop devices alike.

To do this, use your user agent to figure out what devices your users view your content from. From there, adjust your images accordingly. 

Final Recap

A file resize can be a pain, but don’t worry. There are plenty of tools online you can use to make this process easier.

Remember to select your file type carefully, resize your images from the server, and fit your pictures to devices. 

To get started, take a look at some user-friendly file conversion tools! These can be a life-saver in making sure your file is the right type. 

The invention of spreadsheets changed the way businesses manage data, delegate tasks, and keep track of important matters. But, it’s not only the corporate world that makes use of spreadsheets.

By using spreadsheets, people can view data more efficiently. The automatic formulas are also helpful in arranging data, making computations, and presenting everything in different ways.

However, there are times when you need spreadsheets in PDF format. So how do you convert them?

Don’t worry, it’s quite easy to do, and there are several different ways to do it. Keep on reading to learn how to convert file formats to PDF.

Microsoft Excel

The app Microsoft Excel itself provides many options to convert to PDF file formats. However, first you have to set up the page layout.

Under the Page Layout tab, you’ll see options like Margins, Orientation, Size, and so on. These work the same as in Word, so you only have to configure these to set up what you want the PDF document to look like.

You also have to set the Print Area, which determines which rows/columns you include in the document. The area included will have a gray line surrounding it, and anything outside it will not appear on the PDF.

Pay attention to the Sheet Options, as well. You can configure the appearance of the printed sheet here and then go to Print Preview to see the look of your final document.

Once you have this down, it’s time to convert to PDF file formats.

Save a Copy

This is an easy and straightforward way to convert file formats. All you have to do open the file and save a copy.

Once you have the file open, navigate toward the File menu and choose the Save a Copy option. Select PDF (*.pdf) as the file type and click the Save button or edit the name first before you save it.

This will save your file as a PDF document in the same folder as the Excel file. If you want to save it in a different location on your computer, click the More options button below the file type. You can then choose the destination and then click Save when you’re finished.

Export as PDF

Under the File tab, there’s another option to create a PDF. Navigate toward the Export tab and you’ll get the option to create a PDF or XPS document. Click on this option and press the Create PDF/XPS button on the next area.

This will take you to the Publish as PDF or XPS menu. It looks the same as the Save As menu, which allows you to edit the file name, choose a destination folder, and choose the file type. After choosing, click the Publish button to get a PDF document.

Online Converter

If you can’t open the file for any reason, you still have another easy option. All you’ll need is an internet connection.

Go to your browser and search for Excel to PDF converters. You’ll get a bunch of results and all you have to do is choose one. You can also visit our main page to convert your files for free.

The process for each website is pretty much the same. You begin by uploading the XLS or XLSX file from your local hard drive. Some websites have the drag-and-drop feature so you can drag the file from your computer and drop it into the designated area on the website.

Once it’s uploaded to the servers, the website can begin converting it. You may have to click a button to begin the conversion or it may start automatically. Again, the waiting time depends on the size of your file.

You’ll get a notification once the process finishes. All you have left to do is click the download button to save the new PDF file on your computer.

You can choose to convert more Excel files with usually no limit or you can do other conversions. Online converters can do more, like convert mod files or even convert PDF to JPG file formats. 

Adobe Acrobat Online Tool

Adobe, the maker of PDF, also has its own online tool you can use for free. The process is the same, as well.

You upload the file and it starts converting it into a PDF. It has a progress circle so you can see how much time it has left. It will tell you once the file is ready for download.

Note that you have to sign in so you can access the download and share it with others. You can sign in to your Adobe account or continue with Google or Apple. Otherwise, they will remove the converted file from their servers.

One caveat of using this option is that you can only use it a limited number of times each day. If you want to convert more files, you’ll have to get a subscription to Acrobat Document Cloud. This will also give you access to various other tools, such as the ability to sign PDF documents.

This can be worth it if you have a large number of Excel files to convert. It also allows you to use your Adobe Acrobat reader to convert PDFs into other file formats. You can also use the app to convert files right on your phone.

One trick is to sign up for the trial of Adobe Document Cloud. By doing this, you can get full access to all the features for seven days.

Other than that, you can explore the other free functions of Acrobat online. You can also convert PDF to Word file documents on their website and more.

Convert File Formats From Excel to PDF Now

PDFs allow you to present your documents the way you like them. If you want to preserve the way your files look in any system, convert them to PDF. That way, everyone can view them the way you intend them to.

Convert file formats today with the help of our free online conversion tools. Discover what we offer and use them to help yourself now!

Do you want access to high-quality images?

There’s no denying that images influence us in a lot of ways throughout our lives. Images can influence us by being effective marketing tools, we use them as graphics to simplify communication, and we even capture them to help preserve memories.

With the help of the Internet, we can even share different image files for different purposes. However, the problem comes when the images we receive won’t open properly on our devices. This is why we need to learn how to convert file formats to something we can view and/or manipulate.

Doing this allows us to open high-quality image files, such as SVG and EMF, without problems. To learn how to convert these high-quality formats, read what’s below. We’ll teach you the different ways you can convert these formats.

With Dedicated Programs

SVG to EMF file conversion is possible through programs like Photoshop or Illustrator. You only need to open the file in the appropriate program and choose the “Convert” option in the drop-down menus. This is a great way to have quick conversions when you have these tools available for you.

This is also a good conversion option if you’re planning to work on the images after conversion. These tools allow you to manipulate images with ease, allowing for increased productivity right after having the image files sent to you. It’s useful if you’re looking to turn 2D images into 3D images while you’re on the programs.

Image Converter for Windows

If you’re running on the Windows OS and are looking for ways to convert files to SVG, there are a lot of programs you can install. One of these programs is XnConvert. It’s free, so this is always an option for you if there’s nothing else for you to use.

Using the software is easy, only taking four easy steps for successful conversion. The first step is to transfer the images onto the platform. You can do this using the “Add Files” option if you’ve selected images from a batch.

You can also choose the “Add Folder” option to add multiple images at the same time. Note that, when doing this, everything within a specified folder will get added onto the platform. You’ll have to remove any unnecessary images from the dock yourself.

The next step is to select the “View As” option under the “Input” tab. Doing this allows you to set the thumbnails of the images you’ll convert.

Then, you go to the “Actions” tab and do final changes to the image. Once you’re satisfied with your edits, you then proceed to the “Output” tab. 

Here, you can do the final tweaks before converting the images. You’ll decide where the files will go after conversion, and you also choose the file format you want to convert them into.

You also have additional options on the left-hand side. This allows you to determine what the final file will have in terms of metadata and color profile. You can also choose to delete the original files from here for easier storage clean-up.

The process can take a while depending on how many images you’ve selected before conversion. What’s great is that XnConvert allows you to choose how many CPU cores the tool should use for faster conversions.

Image Converters for macOS

Windows are not the only OS that has dedicated software for image conversion. If you’re using macOS, the software you need is Adapter. The software is friendly to new users thanks to its intuitive design.

This program has a similar design to XnConvert. The basic steps for conversion are the same as the ones stated above. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re exactly the same but with different operating systems.

macOS Adapter has a feature that allows you to view your conversions before making them. It’s a great quality of life feature that allows you to have a more informed decision. This is important since conversions often take a long time to finish.

Speaking of, the macOS Adapter also has a better batch conversion system. This allows you to do more even as you convert. For example, you can add your watermarks to each image file even if it’s a separate entity. 

You can even use the macOS Adapter for other file types. You can convert PDF to Word file formats and add specific footnotes in each file. Even sound files from video formats can get extracted through this software.

It even holds a copy of the files you convert for you for a set amount of time. This is useful when you accidentally delete your files from your device. It’s among the most common computer problems, and having copies handy is a great way to beat it.

Using Free Tools

There are tons of free tools for you to use to convert file to SVG. Inkscape is the most preferred among the different online tools. This is because of its easy-to-understand interface and support for different file formats.

To use this tool, though, you’ll need to do a bit of basic coding. This will only involve where Inkscape will get the files from, and where it will leave the files after conversion.

Typing the syntax on the Notepad is best. This is because it allows you to save the file as a .bat file. This allows Inkscape to detect and covert the specified images into specified formats.

To convert in batches with Inkscape, you need to repeat the command syntax multiple times. Each time you do, you’ll replace the file name of the incoming file to correspond to the image you want to get converted.

Once you’re done, run the .bat file and Inkscape will do the rest. What’s great about this software is that it allows you to draw vector images in 3D on its interface. It also supports external extensions to further enhance your experience while using it.

Start to Convert File Today

Converting your images need not be a chore. With the right tools, you will be able to convert file formats with ease. Convert your SVG files to EMF with ease and manipulate your images today!

Looking for easy-to-use tools? Check out our free online conversion tools today! See our conversion options and start converting your files now!