Digital Graphics

Formats: BMP – Bitmap image file which is used to store Bitmap digital images PNG – Portable Network Graphics GIF – Graphics Interchange Format which supports 8 bits per pixel which has a palette of 256 different colours JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group which is a method of lossy compression Lossy compression is a method used to compress multimedia data /09/13

Data Compression Data compression is used to make a file size smaller by compressing data. Loseless compression is used so that no information is lost, loseless compression replaces pixels quickly. Lossly compression removes unnecessary data. Compression can be expensive and is very time consuming. Compressing a file can reduce the quality of the file. – 9/09/13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_compression

File Conversion Some web pages need a specific type of file (e.g. JPEG) to work, some images work better for example JPEG doesn’t have a white background whilst PNG does, so PNG would work better. File conversion can make a file take up less room so more space is free /09/13

Vector Graphics Software There are two forms of graphics software, Vector and Raster. A raster image is made of up pixels, each a different color, arranged to display an image. A vector image is made up of paths, each with a mathematical formula (vector) that tells the path how it is shaped and what color it is bordered with or filled by. Raster are used with photos, Photoshop is a Raster editing program. Raster should be used if you are drawing something from scratch with only a few colours, but if you need to edit a photo with multiple colours you would use Vector /09/13

Graphics Card Graphics Card is used for rendering graphics onto a display. Graphics cards offer various functions such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, video decoding, TV output or the ability to connect multiple monitors. This links into digital graphics as a graphics card is needed to produce the graphics. A graphics card uses four main components. These are: A motherboard connection for data and power. A processer to decide what to do with each pixel on the screen. Memory to hold information about each pixel and to temporarily store completed pictures. A monitor connection so you can see the final result. 11/09/13

Graphics Tablet Graphics Tablets are used to hand-draw images and graphics and to replicate the use of a pen and paper. Capturing this data is called digitizing. Graphics tablets work by taking physical pen strokes and making them into a digital image. Graphics tablets link into digital graphics as these are used to create your own graphics which are then transferred onto the computer’s monitor /09/13

Digital Camera Digital Cameras encode digital images and video. Digital Cameras are used to turn points of light into a digital image and store them for later reproduction. Digital cameras work by focusing light onto a semiconductor to create a digital image. Digital cameras link into digital graphics because a camera is used to capture the graphic and show it on it’s display. photography/digital/digital-camera.htmhttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cameras- photography/digital/digital-camera.htm - 11/09/13

Printer Printers produces a representation of an electronic document on physical media such as paper. Printers use layers of ink to replicate a digital version of a document/file into a hard copy. A type of printer called an inkjet use a technique of placing small droplets of ink onto paper to create an image. Printing presses or media production companies may use very large computers to print out detailed images/photographs. This links into digital graphics as a printer uses it’s graphic capability to produce the graphics onto paper. – 9/09/13

Monitor A monitor is an electronic visual display. It is used to display information or documents that are on the computer. Without a monitor you would not be able to see the digital graphics the computer is producing. Monitors use either a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT) technology. This links into digital graphics as a monitor is used to show the digital graphics that are being produced on the computer /09/13

CD-ROM CD-ROM’s are used to store large amounts of data and can be used to distribute computer software, including video games or other multimedia applications. injection-molded piece of clear polycarbonate plastic. During manufacturing, this plastic is impressed with microscopic bumps arranged as a single, continuous, extremely long spiral track of data. This links into digital graphics because on a CD-ROM you can store digital graphics for example, photos or videos. = 9/09/13

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is used to store programmes and files. It is used in many computers and laptops. Data is read in a random-access manner, meaning individual blocks of data can be stored or retrieved in any order rather than sequentially. This links into digital graphics because a HDD can store digital graphics, for example, photos, videos and applications /09/13

SD Card SD cards are flash cards which can store data from different devices. SD cards are used because they are universally compatible with many digital devices, for example digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones and MP3 players. This links into digital graphics because an SD card can store digital graphics, for example, pictures and videos /09/13

Paint Paint is a simple graphics software which is good for creating small pictures. Paint may not be good for experienced users who want to create more detailed and technical pictures. Paint is mostly used for fun. – 11/09/13

Photoshop Photoshop is used to create and edit images. People would prefer Photoshop over something paint because it allows you to create more detailed images. Photoshop is a raster graphics editor /09/13

Corel Draw Corel Draw is an editing/drawing software that is more advanced than Paint not as much as Photoshop. Corel Draw is a bitmap software. Corel Draw is a vector graphics editor. Corel Draw can open file formats which it’s competitors can not, for example PDF files, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint /09/13

Best Graphic Software I think that Photoshop is the best program as it offers a lot of features and you can go into detail of what you’re editing or drawing. Photoshop is a photo manipulation software. It is superior to Paint as it is much more graphically adept. Pros: Manipulation of colour Filter capabilities/effects Fonts/graphics Multiple platforms/cross platforms Cons: Plug-ins are essential (can be expensive) As you can see the pros of Photoshop outweigh the cons. Photoshop is most effective at scanning and editing, logos and web production.