---
title: "JPEG File Format"
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/JPEGFileFormat.htm
product: "Graphics Mill 5.5 for .NET"
---

This documentation is for the old version. [Go to the latest Graphics Mill docs](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/)

# JPEG File Format
 
JPEG is a standard image format for storing photos. JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the original name of the committee that wrote this standard. JPEG stores images with lossy compression and it is designed for compressing either full-color or grayscale images of natural, real-world scenes. When writing original image to JPEG, the quality of image can be specified. The lower the specified compression quality is, the lesser size the resulting file will have.
 
JPEG images support three main color spaces:
 
- RGB,
- CMYK,
- grayscale.

There is a special type of JPEG images - progressive. Progressive JPEG rearranges the stored image data. When the JPEG file is transmitted across a slow communications link, it allows to decoder to generate a low-quality image very quickly, then gradually improve the displayed quality as more image data are received. The final image is identical to that of a regular JPEG file of the same quality setting. Progressive JPEG files are often slightly larger than non-progressive ones, but the possibility of incremental display is the main reason for using progressive JPEG.
 
## Format Name
  
JPEG
 
## MIME Type
  
image/jpeg
 
## File Extensions
  
\*.jpg
 
## Supported Pixel Formats
  
|  Description |  Read |  Write |
| --- | --- | --- |
 |  8 bit grayscale |  Yes |  Yes |
 |  24 bit RGB |  Yes |  Yes |
 |  32 bit CMYK |  Yes |  Yes |
 
## Metadata Available for Reading
  
|  Name |  Comments |
| --- | --- |
 |  [JpegReader.Exif](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegReader_Exif.htm.md) |  EXIF data collection. |
 |  [JpegReader.Iptc](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegReader_Iptc.htm.md) |  IPTC data collection. |
 |  [JpegReader.Xmp](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegReader_Xmp.htm.md) |  XML code containing the XMP metadata. |
 |  [JpegReader.AdobeResources](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegReader_AdobeResources.htm.md) |  Adobe® image resource blocks. |
 
## Encoder Options
  
|  Name |  Default Value |  Comments |
| --- | --- | --- |
 |  [JpegEncoderOptions.Exif](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegEncoderOptions_Exif.htm.md) <br> [JpegWriter.Exif](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegWriter_Exif.htm.md) |  **N/A** |  EXIF data collection you want to write into the file. |
 |  [JpegEncoderOptions.Iptc](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegEncoderOptions_Iptc.htm.md) <br> [JpegWriter.Iptc](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegWriter_Iptc.htm.md) |  **N/A** |  IPTC data collection you want to write into the file. |
 |  [JpegEncoderOptions.Xmp](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegEncoderOptions_Xmp.htm.md) <br> [JpegWriter.Xmp](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegWriter_Xmp.htm.md) |  **N/A** |  XML code containing the XMP metadata you want to write into the file. |
 |  [JpegEncoderOptions.AdobeResources](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegEncoderOptions_AdobeResources.htm.md) <br> [JpegWriter.AdobeResources](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegWriter_AdobeResources.htm.md) |  **N/A** |  Adobe® image resource blocks you want to write into the file. |
 |  [JpegEncoderOptions.IsProgressive](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegEncoderOptions_IsProgressive.htm.md) <br> [JpegFrame.IsProgressive](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegFrame_IsProgressive.htm.md) |  `false` |  Value that specifies if JPEG should be progressive. |
 |  [JpegEncoderOptions.Quality](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegEncoderOptions_Quality.htm.md) <br> [JpegFrame.Quality](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegFrame_Quality.htm.md) |  **75** |  Value in range [0, 100] specifying JPEG quality. |
 
## Examples
  
### Loading JPEG Files
 
The simplest way to load the JPEG file is to pass its name to the constructor:
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\Mountain.jpg")
```
 
```csharp
Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg");
```
 
Alternatively, if you already have an instance of the [Bitmap](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Bitmap.htm.md), you can use [Load](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/O_T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Bitmap_Load.htm.md) method:
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap
bitmap.Load("c:\Mountain.jpg")
```
 
```csharp
Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap();
bitmap.Load(@"c:\Mountain.jpg");
```
 
### Saving JPEG files
 
This code example demonstrates how to save the JPEG file with non-default encoder settings. Here we set low quality and make JPEG to be progressive (good for fast delivery via Web):
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\Mountain.jpg")

bitmap.Save("C:\Mountain2.jpg", _
    New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegEncoderOptions(50, True))

bitmap.Dispose()
```
 
```csharp
using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = 
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg"))
{
    bitmap.Save(@"C:\Mountain2.jpg", 
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegEncoderOptions(50, true));
}
```
 
Also you can use [JpegWriter](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_JpegWriter.htm.md) class instead of the [Save](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/O_T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Bitmap_Save.htm.md) method of the Bitmap. In particular it enables you to save the image asynchronously.
 
The JpegWriter class usage is demonstrated below:
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\Mountain.jpg")

Dim writer As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegWriter("C:\Mountain2.jpg")

Dim frame As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegFrame
frame.Quality = 50
frame.IsProgressive = True
frame.SetBitmap(bitmap)

bitmap.Dispose()

writer.AddFrame(frame)

frame.Dispose()

writer.Dispose()
```
 
```csharp
using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = 
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg"))
{
    using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegWriter writer = 
            new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegWriter(@"C:\Mountain2.jpg"))
    {

        using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegFrame frame = 
                   new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegFrame())
        {
            frame.Quality = 50;
            frame.IsProgressive = true;
            frame.SetBitmap(bitmap);

            writer.AddFrame(frame);                
        }

    }
}
```
 
### Working with Metadata
 
JPEG files can store EXIF, IPTC, XMP, and Adobe® image resource blocks metadata collections. Graphics Mill for .NET enables you to extract this data from the JPEG file and save it into another JPEG file (as well as into the other file format which supports such kinds of metadata). This code example demonstrates how to add metadata to the file:
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\Mountain.jpg")

Dim encoderOptions As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegEncoderOptions(50, True)

'EXIF
Dim exif As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary
exif(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary.Software) = "Aurigma Graphics Mill"
encoderOptions.Exif = exif

'IPTC
Dim iptc As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary
iptc(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Category) = "Nature"
iptc(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.CopyrightNotice) = "Aurigma Inc."
iptc(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Keyword) = "mountain"

encoderOptions.Iptc = iptc

'Adobe resource blocks
Dim adobeResources As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceDictionary
'Create new adobe image resource block with the required metadata
Dim arBlock As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceBlock("Copyright", New Byte() {1})
'Set this block to the item with 0x040A ID (copyright flag)
adobeResources.Item(&H40A) = arBlock

encoderOptions.AdobeResources = adobeResources

'XMP
Dim xmp As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpData()
'Create a node with the required metadata
Dim node As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpValueNode( _
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpNodeType.SimpleProperty, _
    "John Doe", _
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpTagNames.DCCreator)
xmp.AddNode(node)

encoderOptions.Xmp = xmp.Save()

bitmap.Save("C:\Mountain2.jpg", encoderOptions)

bitmap.Dispose()
```
 
```csharp
using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = 
           new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg"))
{                
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegEncoderOptions encoderOptions =
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegEncoderOptions(50, true);

    //EXIF
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary exif =
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary();
    exif[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary.Software] = "Aurigma Graphics Mill";

    encoderOptions.Exif = exif;
    
    //IPTC
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary iptc =
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary();
    iptc[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Category] = "Nature";
    iptc[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.CopyrightNotice] = "Aurigma Inc.";
    iptc[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Keyword] = "mountain";

    encoderOptions.Iptc = iptc;

    //Adobe resource blocks
     Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceDictionary adobeResources = 
         new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceDictionary();
    //Create new adobe image resource block with the required metadata
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceBlock arBlock = new
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceBlock("Copyright", new byte[] { 1 });
    //Set this block to the item with 0x040A ID (copyright flag)
    adobeResources[0x040A] = arBlock;

    encoderOptions.AdobeResources = adobeResources;

    //XMP
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpData xmp = new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpData();
    //Create a node with the required metadata
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpValueNode node = new
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpValueNode(
            Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpNodeType.SimpleProperty,
            "John Doe",
            Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpTagNames.DCCreator);
    xmp.AddNode(node);

    encoderOptions.Xmp = xmp.Save();

    bitmap.Save(@"C:\Mountain2.jpg", encoderOptions);
}
```
 
The code below does the same, but using JpegWriter:
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\Mountain.jpg")

Dim writer As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegWriter("C:\Mountain2.jpg")

'EXIF
Dim exif As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary
exif(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary.Software) = "Aurigma Graphics Mill"

writer.Exif = exif

'IPTC
Dim iptc As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary
iptc(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Category) = "Nature"
iptc(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.CopyrightNotice) = "Aurigma Inc."
iptc(Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Keyword) = "mountain"

writer.Iptc = iptc

'Adobe resource blocks
Dim adobeResources As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceDictionary
'Create new adobe image resource block with the required metadata
Dim arBlock As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceBlock("Copyright", New Byte() {1})
'Set this block to the item with 0x040A ID (copyright flag)
adobeResources.Item(&H40A) = arBlock

writer.AdobeResources = adobeResources

'XMP
Dim xmp As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpData()
'Create a node with the required metadata
Dim node As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpValueNode( _
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpNodeType.SimpleProperty, _
    "John Doe", _
    Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpTagNames.DCCreator)
xmp.AddNode(node)

writer.Xmp = xmp.Save()

Dim frame As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegFrame(50, True)

frame.SetBitmap(bitmap)

bitmap.Dispose()

writer.AddFrame(frame)

frame.Dispose()

writer.Dispose()
```
 
```csharp
using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = 
           new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg"))
{                
    using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegWriter writer = 
               new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegWriter(@"C:\Mountain2.jpg"))
    {
        //EXIF
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary exif =
            new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary();
        exif[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.ExifDictionary.Software] = "Aurigma Graphics Mill";

        writer.Exif = exif;
    
        //IPTC
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary iptc =
            new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary();
        iptc[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Category] = "Nature";
        iptc[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.CopyrightNotice] = "Aurigma Inc.";
        iptc[Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.IptcDictionary.Keyword] = "mountain";

        writer.Iptc = iptc;

        //Adobe resource blocks
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceDictionary adobeResources =
            new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceDictionary();
        //Create new adobe image resource block with the required metadata
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceBlock arBlock = new
            Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.AdobeResourceBlock("Copyright", new byte[] { 1 });
        //Set this block to the item with 0x040A ID (copyright flag)
        adobeResources[0x040A] = arBlock;

        writer.AdobeResources = adobeResources;

        //XMP
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpData xmp = new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpData();
        //Create a node with the required metadata
        Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpValueNode node = new
            Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpValueNode(
                Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpNodeType.SimpleProperty,
                "John Doe",
                Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.XmpTagNames.DCCreator);
        xmp.AddNode(node);

        writer.Xmp = xmp.Save();

        using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegFrame frame = 
                   new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.JpegFrame(50, true))
        {
            frame.SetBitmap(bitmap);

            writer.AddFrame(frame);
        }
    }
}
```