The Definitive Guide to Opening PNG Files

How to Open PNG Files on Any Device

Several image formats exist, each with its characteristics and intended uses. Here are some of the most common forms: JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, RAW, JP2, HEIF, and SVG.

These are just a few examples of the many available. 

The choice of format depends on factors such as the intended use of the pictures, the required level of compression, whether transparency is needed, and the balance between the size and quality of the image. This article will analyze this format in more detail, why it is needed, what programs and services will help us read png files, and what to do if the png file is not opening.

What Is A PNG File?

PNG is an acronym for Portable Network Graphics, a widely used image file format for storing images using lossless compression. This format originated as a replacement for the legacy GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), which was limited by its reliance on its compression algorithm. It is widely used on the Internet and in various digital media because they offer several advantages: lossless compression, extensive color support, metadata, interlacing, and transparency. Let's talk about these and other benefits of using PNG. We will also define the disadvantages and limitations of working with this format. This information will help you perform tasks correctly using this picture format.

Advantages of PNG files

They use lossless compression, meaning the quality of the photo is preserved, and the file size is reduced. Unlike lossy formats like JPEG, PNG images don't sacrifice the quality of smaller pictures. 

PNGs can store metadata such as text annotations, copyright information, and creation dates, providing a way to insert additional information into the file. 

They support:

1. An alpha channel that allows images to have transparent backgrounds or partially transparent areas. It is especially useful for creating irregular or non-rectangular-shaped images such as icons, logos, and web design graphics. 
2. Up to 16 million colors and a wide range of color depths, including 8-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit color depth, allow them to display images with different colors and hues accurately.
3. Interlaced encoding allows you to display the image as it is loaded gradually. It is especially useful for pictures that are displayed over slower internet connections.

Disadvantages of PNG files

Despite their many pluses, these files tend to be larger than other formats, such as JPEG, especially for photos with complex color patterns. For this reason, PNGs are often preferred for images that require transparency or need to preserve sharp edges and text detail. At the same time, JPEG is generally used for photos and pictures, where a small reduction in quality can be tolerated in exchange for much smaller file sizes. This format does not support CMYK color modes, so printing them can prove difficult. Although compressed PNGs contain high-quality, detailed image data, their larger size leads to slower page loading times. PNG cannot be scaled infinitely, as it is still a pixel picture.

Various Areas Of Using PNG

PNG is a form of raster file. That means they're built using a fixed number of color pixels rather than the mathematical algorithms used in vector files. Raster images work better for detailed graphics and photos, whereas vector pictures are usually better for logo designs and illustrations. One of the vivid examples of the vector format is SVG. 

Due to their unique features and capabilities, you can face PNGs in many areas. They are commonly used for web graphics, graphic design, and simple animations (APNG). Screenshots and screen captures are often saved in this format to maintain the clarity of the captured images, particularly when sharing step-by-step guides or technical documentation. These files are suitable for creating maps, diagrams, and charts, allowing for crisp lines and clear text labels.

Images that require transparency effects, such as watermarks or overlays, are often saved in PNG. This format can be used in print media for shots that need transparency or when preserving the photo quality is important, such as logos, illustrations, and high-resolution graphics. These files can store pictures such as X-rays, scans, and other medical imagery in medical applications. They can help maintain the accuracy of colors and data points when creating data visualizations, such as graphs and charts. They also are commonly used for buttons, icons, and other graphical user interface elements.

How Do I Open A PNG File

Opening a png image is usually straightforward, as it is a widely supported image format. Any internet browser and graphics editor will help you. Most modern operating systems have native applications to view PNG files, so you need to double-click the picture to open it. Let's figure out how to open our images on various devices, depending on what you have.

Windows PC

View png files easily on your laptop or computer. Double-clicking on the image should open it in the default image viewer (often Windows Photos). If the operating system can't open a png file, you get a "Windows can't open a file" error message. In this case, you need to look for an application that can do it. Right-click on the picture, select "Open with," and choose a different image viewer if you have one installed, such as Luminar Neo, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or IrfanView.

You can find many more just by searching the Internet for "png viewer," "png file opener," or "open png" in the search engine of your choice. Install the program you found and check if it can open your image.

Mac OS

How to open a png file on Mac? Similar to Windows. Find the needed picture with Mac OS Finder. Double-click on it, which should open in the default Preview app. You can also right-click on the image, select "Open With," and choose another image viewer or editing software. 

If it can not be opened in a Mac OS application, you get a "There is no application set to open the file" message. You should click "Search App Store" in the error dialog, and the system will show you different png file readers.

Linux

Like Windows and Mac, you can usually double-click the picture to open it with the default image viewer. Common viewers include Eye of GNOME and Gwenview.

Smartphones and Tablets (iOS and Android)

IOS and Android devices have built-in support for viewing PNGs through the Files and Photos apps. If you're using a third-party app, its interface might vary slightly, but the basic process remains similar: navigate to the file and tap on it to open and view the image. 

Tapping on a picture in your device's file manager or gallery app should open it automatically. Please note exact steps might vary slightly depending on the device's manufacturer and the version of Android you're using. 

PNGs are often associated with image apps on mobile devices, but you can also use third-party image viewer apps from the respective app stores.

Using Third-Party Apps: You can also use third-party apps from the App Store designed for image viewing, editing, and management. Some popular options include Google Photos, Adobe Lightroom, and Microsoft OneDrive. Install the desired app from the App Store. Open the app and navigate to the location of the image. Tap on it to view it using the app's image viewer.

Opening from Messaging Apps or Downloads: If you received the PNG through a messaging app or downloaded it from the Internet, you can tap on it within the app to open and view it.

Web Browsers

Every modern web browser, like Safari, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, has a built-in PNG reader to view images without additional software or plugins. This feature is especially useful for quickly previewing images, sharing visual content, and viewing website graphics. There are several ways what opens png files:

1. Ensure the image you want to open is saved on your device or accessible online. 
2. Launch your preferred web browser on your device. 
3. You can drag and drop needed pictures directly into an open browser window. Find your image in your file explorer or desktop, then click and hold it; the last step is dragging. Your picture will be loaded and displayed.
4. Some browsers have an "Open File" option in the menu. Click on this option and navigate to the location of the PNG on your device. Select it, and the browser will render and display the image. 
5. If the image is hosted online and you have a direct link or URL, click on the link. The browser will load and display the image from the provided URL. 
6. Right-click on the file (or control-click on Mac) and choose "Open with" to select your preferred web browser. The browser will open and display the picture.

Bottom Line

The PNG format is crucial due to its combination of lossless compression and support for transparency. It is ideal for the sharpness and detail preservation of pictures, such as icons, logos, and web graphics. Its ability to maintain quality while accommodating transparent backgrounds has become integral to web design, user interfaces, and digital art.

It is not typically used in professional photography as the primary format for saving photographs. Instead, formats like JPEG and RAW are more common for various reasons. And larger PNG file sizes are generally impractical for storing and sharing high-resolution pictures.

Now you know more about this amazing image format and how easy opening a PNG image is. Remember that the specific steps might vary slightly based on the operating system, software versions, and apps you have installed. You can install or download a suitable image viewer from the respective app store or software repository if you encounter difficulties. Therefore, taking into account all its advantages, features, and disadvantages, you can safely use your knowledge in working with it.