The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has announced an important update to the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) image format, a widely used standard for web content. Originally introduced in 1996, this is only the third update to the format since its inception.
The latest version introduces several significant enhancements. Notably, it now supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, which allow for a greater range of colors and brightness levels.
Additionally, the update includes support for animation through animated PNG (APNG) files and the ability to store EXIF metadata, which provides useful information about the image and its creation. The decision to update the PNG standard came after another group within the W3C recognized the need for HDR support while working on time-based text such as subtitles, captions, and audio descriptions.
This acknowledgment highlighted the growing demand for more advanced capabilities in the image format. Fortunately, the newest version of PNG is compatible with many popular web browsers, including Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, ensuring users can easily take advantage of its new features.
Furthermore, leading creative software such as Adobe Photoshop and Da Vinci Resolve have also integrated support for the updated format, providing creatives with more tools for their projects. This update marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the PNG format, enhancing its functionality to meet modern needs in digital imagery and web content.