Discuss functions of graphic software and its different types of packages.
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In computer graphics, graphics software refers to a program or collection of programs that enable a person to manipulate images or models visually on a computer. Computer graphics can be classified into distinct categories: raster graphics and vector graphics, with further 2D and 3D variants. Many graphics programs focus exclusively on either vector or raster graphics, but there are a few that combine them in interesting ways. It is simple to convert from vector graphics to raster graphics, but going the other way is harder. Some software attempts to do this.
In addition to static graphics, there are animation and video editing software. Different types of software are often designed to edit different types of graphics such as video, photos, and drawings. The exact sources of graphics may vary for different tasks, but most can read and write files. Most graphics programs have the ability to import and export one or more graphics file formats, including those formats written for a particular computer graphics program. Examples of such programs include GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Pizap, Microsoft Publisher, Picasa, etc.
The use of a swatch is a palette of active colours that are selected and rearranged by the preference of the user. A swatch may be used in a program or be part of the universal palette on an operating system. It is used to change the colour of a text or image and in video editing. Vector graphics animation can be described as a series of mathematical transformations that are applied in sequence to one or more shapes in a scene. Raster graphics animation works in a similar fashion to film-based animation, where a series of still images produces the illusion of continuous movement.
This software enables the user to create illustrations, designs, logos, 3-dimensional images, animation and pictures. Graphics software creates, edits, and manages two-dimensional images. These computer graphics may be clip art, web graphics, logos, headings, backgrounds, digital photos, or other kinds of digital images.
Common Applications
Common graphics editors include Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, CorelDRAW, The Apple Photos plugins from Macphun, Adobe Lightroom, Digital Image Suite, Canva, Picasa, and related programs.
Common graphics editors include Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, CorelDRAW, The Apple Photos plugins from Macphun, Adobe Lightroom, Digital Image Suite, Canva, Picasa, and related programs.
What Isn’t Graphics Software?
Software that people think of as graphics software, but isn’t, include programs that don’t directly manipulate individual images. Page layout software such as InDesign, QuarkXpress, and Publisher fall into that category. Likewise, presentation software such as PowerPoint or Apple Keynote isn’t graphics programs. And in general, home publishing or creative printing software doesn’t rise to the occasion, either.
Software that people think of as graphics software, but isn’t, include programs that don’t directly manipulate individual images. Page layout software such as InDesign, QuarkXpress, and Publisher fall into that category. Likewise, presentation software such as PowerPoint or Apple Keynote isn’t graphics programs. And in general, home publishing or creative printing software doesn’t rise to the occasion, either.
What are the Types of Graphics Software?
The two main categories of graphics programs are pixel-based image editors and vectorbased image editors. In a nutshell, an image is either comprised of a series of small dots (pixels) or a series of commands about how to draw an image (vectors). You’ll know the difference between pixel- and vector-based images by zooming on them. If they zoom very close without appearing fuzzy and blotchy, you’re working with a vector image. Some of the categories of specialized tools for managing graphics include:
The two main categories of graphics programs are pixel-based image editors and vectorbased image editors. In a nutshell, an image is either comprised of a series of small dots (pixels) or a series of commands about how to draw an image (vectors). You’ll know the difference between pixel- and vector-based images by zooming on them. If they zoom very close without appearing fuzzy and blotchy, you’re working with a vector image. Some of the categories of specialized tools for managing graphics include:
Publishing Software
• Publishing software, also known as desktop publishing software, can also combine text and graphics but the tools in this breed of software are much more sophisticated. Desktop publishing software offers tools for precise control over text and graphics placement, leading, kerning, and some image editing functions. Highend desktop publishing software has the power to handle layouts for books, magazines, and other large publications.When desktop publishing software first emerged, the only products available were expensive, high-end publishing packages. More recently, the low-end desktop publishing market has exploded with products intended for small businesses and home users (SOHO).
• Publishing software, also known as desktop publishing software, can also combine text and graphics but the tools in this breed of software are much more sophisticated. Desktop publishing software offers tools for precise control over text and graphics placement, leading, kerning, and some image editing functions. Highend desktop publishing software has the power to handle layouts for books, magazines, and other large publications.When desktop publishing software first emerged, the only products available were expensive, high-end publishing packages. More recently, the low-end desktop publishing market has exploded with products intended for small businesses and home users (SOHO).
• High-End Publishing Software:
• SOHO Publishing Software:
• Adobe InDesign
• Corel VENTURA
• QuarkXPress
• Adobe PageMaker
• Microsoft Publisher
• SOHO Publishing Software:
• Adobe InDesign
• Corel VENTURA
• QuarkXPress
• Adobe PageMaker
• Microsoft Publisher
Illustration Software
• Illustration software, although not technically considered layout software, is also beginning to incorporate more and more word processing and text manipulation features. Many of the illustration programs have the ability to flow text, check spelling and grammar, and adjust kerning and line spacing. It’s becoming more common to use illustration software for page layout on smaller projects such as postcards, greeting cards, brochures, business cards, letterhead and small booklets.
• Illustration software, although not technically considered layout software, is also beginning to incorporate more and more word processing and text manipulation features. Many of the illustration programs have the ability to flow text, check spelling and grammar, and adjust kerning and line spacing. It’s becoming more common to use illustration software for page layout on smaller projects such as postcards, greeting cards, brochures, business cards, letterhead and small booklets.
Illustration Software:
• Adobe Illustrator
• CorelDRAW
• Macromedia Freehand
• Adobe Illustrator
• CorelDRAW
• Macromedia Freehand
Creative Printing Software
• Creative printing software is a market that has boomed recently as inkjet printers have become more affordable. This software is especially designed for creating greeting cards, postcards, business cards, signs, posters, t-shirt designs, and other crafts. As with all page layout software, they allow you to combine text and graphics in a single document, but the tools in this breed of software are often more specialized. You probably won’t find tools to adjust line spacing and kerning… what you will find are a number of fun, special effects such as curved and outlined text, image shaping and distortion, and possibly some limited image editing functions.
• Creative printing software is a market that has boomed recently as inkjet printers have become more affordable. This software is especially designed for creating greeting cards, postcards, business cards, signs, posters, t-shirt designs, and other crafts. As with all page layout software, they allow you to combine text and graphics in a single document, but the tools in this breed of software are often more specialized. You probably won’t find tools to adjust line spacing and kerning… what you will find are a number of fun, special effects such as curved and outlined text, image shaping and distortion, and possibly some limited image editing functions.
• Creative Printing Software:
• Print Artist
• The Print Shop
• PrintMaster
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Harvard Graphics
• Print Artist
• The Print Shop
• PrintMaster
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Harvard Graphics
Presentation Software
Presentation software is designed for creating on-screen presentations, reports, overhead transparencies, and slideshows. Like all the software mentioned above, it allows you to combine both text and graphics in a single document, but the final output is not always intended for printing.
Like creative printing software, presentation software offers limited text editing and manipulation with an emphasis on special effects, and possibly some basic image editing functions. Presentation software is unique in that you will almost always have functionality for working with charts and graphs. Also, most of this type of software allows you to incorporate multimedia into your documents.
Web Publishing Software
• Another development in recent years that is common among all the types of software above, is the ability to publish your work on the Internet. Just about every genre of software available today is adding built-in Internet tools. The low-end software will have the basics such as sending your files through e-mail or creating animated greetings; some may have basic Web page creation tools. The high-end software will have more sophisticated Web publishing tools for exporting to HTML or PDF (portable document format). And of course, there are many dedicated Web publishing programs. As you can see, the lines that distinguish the various types of layout software are beginning to blur. I hope this article has helped you to understand the differences between them, and how they all fit in to the world of graphics software.
• Another development in recent years that is common among all the types of software above, is the ability to publish your work on the Internet. Just about every genre of software available today is adding built-in Internet tools. The low-end software will have the basics such as sending your files through e-mail or creating animated greetings; some may have basic Web page creation tools. The high-end software will have more sophisticated Web publishing tools for exporting to HTML or PDF (portable document format). And of course, there are many dedicated Web publishing programs. As you can see, the lines that distinguish the various types of layout software are beginning to blur. I hope this article has helped you to understand the differences between them, and how they all fit in to the world of graphics software.
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