Computer Graphics

Computer GraphicsUnit 23 Computer GraphicsComputer GraphicsComputer generated imagery can be categorized into several different types:

Vector or Bitmap (Raster) images2D or 3DStill or animated graphicsVector GraphicsVector GraphicsVector graphics are re-scalable - they are comprised of shapes mathematically defined by curves and points. When vector images are stretched, they will redraw themselves and still look good

Vector Graphics SoftwareHere are some of the best applications which can create vector graphics:

Adobe Illustrator (similar to Adobe Photoshop)Adobe Flash (formally owned by Macromedia)CorelDRAW

Some other vector applications:Serif DrawPlusInkscape (free, download)MS Visio (mainly charts and diagrams)Google Sketchup

Google SketchUpSketch-Up enables you to draw fast 3D models. Sketch-Up tools are simple and allow many 3D effects.

Illustrator is a professional level vector graphics application for graphic design, static images. In 2013, the current version is CS6 (CS = Creative Studio)Adobe Illustrator (vector graphics)

Adobe FlashFlash movies are graphics, text, animation, and applications for Web sites. They consist primarily of vector graphics, but they can also contain imported video, bitmap graphics, and sounds.

In order to view a Flash movie on web page or as a standalone file, it must be save in shockwave format (swf, pronounced swiff - these swf files are much smaller and save space)

SWF file example(Click on the image)Flash is used to create web pages, animated graphics as well as static 2D images. It works with vectors, but images can be exported to bitmap format.Flash (vector graphics)

Blender 3DBlender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games.

http://www.blender.org/

Blender is powerful computer graphics software and free to download and use. It has been used in creating films and advertisements in the media industryBlender 3D - Computer Graphics

Clip art is a vector graphic, and can be found in Office software and in web libraries, such as this daffodil found in the openclipart.org website (available to share)Clip Art

VectorGraphicsThese have:Generally small file size (except AI format)Crisper edges.

File formats (file extensions) include:SVG - Scalable vector graphics (opens in web browser) - a universal format, used for clipartAI - Illustrator file (can become very large)WMF, EMF (Windows/Enhanced Metafile - used for clipart)PDF (Portable Document Format) - any file (image or text) can be converted into this - viewable on web browser or in any PDF reader - PDF printers available online to convert files to PDFVectorGraphicsFile formats (file extensions) also include:FLA - Flash files use this file extension.

Here are some examples of different vector file types, showing the file extensions on the end:

Bitmap Graphics

Bitmap Graphics SoftwareHere are some of the best applications which can create bitmap/raster graphics:

Adobe PhotoshopGIMP (free)Corel PaintShop Photo (formally Jasc Paintshop Pro)

Some other useful bitmap applications:Irfanview (free, very useful for quick edits)Paint (simple)MS Picture Manager (inside the MS Office tools folder)

Adobe PhotoShopPhotoShop, like Illustrator, will allow you creative freedom to accomplish tasks (e.g. background removal, layering, cloning, etc.)

CloningGIMPGIMP is a free bitmap graphics editor software and has many interesting features to help you be creative with images.

IrfanViewIrfanview is a free bitmap graphics application. It opens quickly so you can make swiftchanges. It also has several built in Macro functions such as creating a web gallery, batch changes (e.g. apply a change to a folder of images) and even plays media.

Bitmap Graphics/pixelsBitmap graphics are made of square pixels so when resized suffer from pixelation, e.g. on down-sizing, text can become distorted (a d becomes more like an a etc.)

PixelationPixelationBitmap/Raster imagesAdvantages/disadvantages:Very portable, easy to edit, versatilePixelation when image stretched or shrunkSome file formats offer file size compression

The two most popular file formats are:JPG(JPEG) - photographic use (compressible)GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - max 256 colour palette, therefore better for flat images such as logos and graphics. Can also animateBitmap/Raster imagesOther bitmap file formats are:PNG (Portable Network Graphic) - combines advantages of JPG and GIF. Not as popular thoughTIF (Tagged Interchange Format) - retains the quality though file sizes much biggerBMP (Bitmap format) - a basic format which is universal though not compressible as GIF

Here are some different files showing with the extensions:

butterfly.gifTutorialshttp://gcseglossary.t15.org/flash/flash-lessons.swf

http://www.teach-ict.net/software/flash/flash.htm

Flash resourcesSearch for any content (any media):http://search.creativecommons.org/

Search for clipart:http://openclipart.org/search/?query=bath

Creative Commons