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Unfortunately the PDF -- while exceedingly helpful, and thanks again to Tex for that -- does not appear to be current, as in the Images section it made no mention of converting all images to JPG XR in the upload, (as Amazon started doing in fall 2015, according to a link I included a few posts back).
It did specify PNG transp is not retained... which is stupid since JPG XR is capable of transparency. And also did not specify if GIF transp is retained.
Line drawings are not the only reason to use transp. (@ Granny that was great info about 8bit vs 24bit). My book involves a hobby that requires various products. As an example, an image might feature a few products which have been removed from their backgrounds in PS to be placed on the same canvas and arranged. The bg is transparent, which looks much more professional and much nicer than a block of white... and looks great no matter what background the user chooses for their e-reader. But from what I read in the PDF it looked like Amazon might not allow photo images that include a transparent bg. WHY NOT? This should be up to the author, not Amazon.
Amazon's arcane rules (imho) force authors to dumb-down and reduce the visual attractiveness and professionalism of their books... by forcing GIF over PNG and treating transparency like an unneeded luxury. This in addition to not making mobi compliant with standard epub code.
I also noticed the PDF stresses using pictures fit for a stadium screen (i.e. the largest Amazon tablets) which are only owned by a small percentage of the Kindle market, costing the author more in downloading, while making Amazon more money.
If I follow their guidelines I have to re-do all 130 images, JPG and PNG. And if I follow their rules for giant images, I also have to re-download larger images than the ones I chose., importing each into PS to apply effects like borders and contours all over again. I cannot say I am a happy camper.
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