AVIF Support
Limited macOS Support
AVIF, or AV1 Image File Format, is a relatively new kid on the block in the world of image formats. It's gaining traction due to its potential to offer superior image quality at significantly smaller file sizes compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG.
What Makes AVIF Special?
- Compression: Based on the AV1 video codec, AVIF employs advanced compression techniques resulting in smaller file sizes without compromising image quality.
- Quality: Offers better detail preservation, fewer compression artifacts, and improved color accuracy.
- Versatility: Supports lossless and lossy compression, animation, transparency, and HDR.
- Open Standard: Being an open-source format, AVIF is free to use and implement.
The AVIF Challenge: Limited Software Support
While AVIF holds immense promise, its adoption has been hindered by limited software support. Currently, on macOS, Pixelmator Pro stands out as one of the few native applications capable of saving images in the AVIF format. For the majority of users, this means relying on online tools to convert images to AVIF, which can be inconvenient and potentially compromise image quality.
There is also support in Graphic Converter and with Imagemagick.
You can only save AVIF format if you select Export. AVIF doesn't show up for "Export for Web."
The above image is in AVIF format. When I saved it as JPEG it was 61 KB, which is pretty good. When I saved it as AVIF it became 8 KB - which is amazing!
Looking Ahead
As the benefits of AVIF become more apparent, we can expect to see wider adoption and increased software support. This will likely lead to a significant shift in the image format landscape. Until then, enthusiasts and early adopters might find it advantageous to explore AVIF, even if it requires additional steps in the workflow.
Have you tried using AVIF images yet? What are your experiences with this format? Share your thoughts in the comments below.