Graphics
Graphic and Graphical redirect here. For the
Victorian newspaper, see The Graphic. For graphic or graphical sequences, see Degree
graph theory #Degree sequence.
Graphics are visual images or designs on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, screen, paper, or stone to inform, illustrate, or entertain. In contemporary usage it includes: pictorial representation of data, as in computer-aided design and manufacture, in typesetting and the graphic arts, and in educational and recreational software. Images that are generated by a computer are called computer graphics.
Examples
are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols,
geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images. Graphics often
combine text, illustration, and color. Graphic design may consist of the
deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement of typography alone, as in a
brochure, flyer, poster, web site, or book without any other element. Clarity
or effective communication may be the objective, association with other
cultural elements may be sought, or merely, the creation of a distinctive
style.
Graphics can be functional or artistic. The latter can be a recorded version, such as a photograph, or an interpretation by a scientist to highlight essential features, or an artist, in which case the distinction with imaginary graphics may become blurred.
Graphics are visual presentations on a surface, such as a computer screen. Examples are photographs, drawing, graphics designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images. Graphics often combine text and illustration. Graphic design may consist of the deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement of typography alone, as in a brochure, flier, poster, web site, or book without any other element. Clarity or effective communication may be the objective, association with other cultural elements may be sought, or merely, the creation of a distinctive style.
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and the
representation of image data by a computer specifically with help from
specialized graphic hardware and software.
The interaction and
understanding of computers and interpretation of data has been made easier
because of computer graphics. Computer graphic development has had a
significant impact on many types of media and have revolutionized animation, movies
and the video game industry.
Computer graphics is
widespread today. Computer imagery is found on television, in newspapers, for
example in weather reports, or for example in all kinds of medical
investigation and surgical procedures. A well-constructed graph can present
complex statistics in a form that is easier to understand and interpret. In the
media "such graphs are used to illustrate papers, reports, thesis",
and other presentation material.
Many powerful tools
have been developed to visualize data. Computer generated imagery can be
categorized into several different types, two dimensional, three dimensional,
and animated graphics. As technology has improved, 3D computer graphics have
become more common, but 2D computer graphics are still widely used. Computer
graphics has emerged as a sub-field of computer science which studies methods
for digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual content. Over the past
decade, other specialized fields have been developed like information
visualization, and scientific visualization more concerned with the
visualization of three dimensional phenomena, where the emphasis is on
realistic renderings of volumes, surfaces, illumination sources, and so forth,
perhaps with a dynamic time component.
A graphic is an
image or visual representation of an object. Therefore, computer graphics are
simply images displayed on a computer screen. Graphics are often contrasted
with text, which is comprised of characters, such as numbers and letters,
rather than images.
Computer graphics can be either two or
three-dimensional. Early computers only supported 2D monochrome graphics, meaning
they were black and white or black and green, depending on the monitor.
Eventually, computers began to support color images. While the first machines
only supported 16 or 256 colors, most computers can now display graphics in
millions of colors.2D graphics come in two flavors — raster and vector. Raster graphics are the most common and are used for digital photos, Web graphics, icons, and other types of images. They are composed of a simple grid of pixels, which can each be a different color. Vector graphics, on the other hand are made up of paths, which may be lines, shapes, letters, or other scalable objects. They are often used for creating logos, signs, and other types of drawings. Unlike raster graphics, vector graphics can be scaled to a larger size without losing quality.
3D graphics started to become popular in the 1990s, along with 3D rendering software such as CAD and 3D animation programs. By the year 2000, many video games had begun incorporating 3D graphics, since computers had enough processing power to support them. Now most computers now come with a 3D video card that handles all the 3D processing. This allows even basic home systems to support advanced 3D games and applications.
Two-dimensional
2D computer graphics
are the computer-based generation of digital images mostly from models, such as
digital image, and by techniques specific to them.
2D computer graphics
are mainly used in applications that were originally developed upon traditional
printing and drawing technologies such as typography. In those applications,
the two-dimensional image is not just a representation of a real-world object,
but an independent artifact with added semantic value; two-dimensional models
are therefore preferred, because they give more direct control of the image
than 3D computer graphics, whose approach is more akin to photography than to typography.
Three-dimensional
3D
graphics compared to 2D graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional
representation of geometric data. For the purpose of performance this is stored
in the computer. This includes images that may be for later display or for
real-time viewing.
Despite
these differences, 3D computer graphics rely on similar algorithms as 2D
computer graphics do in the frame and raster graphics in the final rendered
display. In computer graphics software, the distinction between 2D and 3D is
occasionally blurred, 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects
such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques.
3D
computer graphics are the same as 3D models. The model is contained within the
graphical data file, apart from the rendering. However, there are differences
that include the 3D model is the representation of any 3D object. Until
visually displayed a model is not graphic. Due to printing, 3D models are not
only confined to virtual space. 3D rendering is how a model can be displayed.
Also can be used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations.
The study of
computer graphics is a sub-field of computer science which studies methods for
digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual content. Although the term often
refers to three-dimensional computer graphics, it also encompasses
two-dimensional graphics and image processing.
As an academic
discipline, computer graphics studies the manipulation of visual and geometric
information using computational techniques. It focuses on the mathematical
and computational foundations of image generation and processing rather
than purely aesthetic issues. Computer graphics is often differentiated from
the field of visualization, although the two fields have many similarities.
The phrase Computer Graphics was coined in 1960 by
William Fetter, a graphic designer for Boeing. The field of computer graphics
developed with the emergence of computer graphics hardware. Early projects like
the Whirlwind and SAGE Projects introduced the CRT as a viable display and
interaction interface and introduced the light pen as an input device. A
programmer for the Whirlwind SAGE system performed a personal experiment in
1954 in which a small program he wrote captured the movement of his finger and
displayed its vector on a display scope. The same individual, Douglas T. Ross,
working at MIT on transforming mathematic statements into computer generated
machine tool vectors in 1959 took the opportunity to create a display scope
image of a Disney cartoon character.
Graphs
A graph or
chart is a type of information graphic that represents tabular, numeric data.
Charts are often used to make it easier to understand large quantities of data
and the relationships between different parts of the data.
Diagrams
A diagram
is a simplified and structured visual representation of concepts, ideas,
constructions, relations, statistical data, etc., used to visualize and clarify
the topic.
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Computer Graphics
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Web Graphics
There are two types
of computer graphics, Raster graphics, where each pixel is separately defined
as in a digital photograph, and vector graphics, where mathematical formulas
are used to draw lines and shapes, which are then interpreted at the viewer's
end to produce the graphic. Using vectors results in infinitely sharp graphics
and often smaller files, but, when complex, like vectors take time to render and
may have larger file sizes than a raster equivalent.
In 1950, the first
computer-driven display was attached to MIT's Whirlwind I computer to generate
simple pictures. This was followed by MIT's TX-0 and TX-2, interactive
computing which increased interest in computer graphics during the late 1950s.
In 1962, Ivan Sutherland invented Sketchpad, an innovative program that
influenced alternative forms of interaction with computers.
In the mid-1960s,
large computer graphics research projects were begun at MIT, General Motors, Bell
Labs, and Lockheed Corporation. Douglas T. Ross of MIT developed an advanced
compiler language for graphics programming. S.A.Coons, also at MIT, and J. C.
Ferguson at Boeing, began work in sculptured surfaces. GM developed their DAC-1
system, and other companies, such as Douglas, Lockheed, and McDonnell, also
made significant developments. In 1968, ray tracing was first described by
Arthur Appel of the IBM Research Center, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
During the late 1970s, personal computers became more powerful, capable of drawing both basic and complex shapes and designs. In the 1980s, artists and graphic designers began to see the personal computer, particularly the Commodore Amiga and Macintosh, as a serious design tool, one that could save time and draw more accurately than other methods. 3D computer graphics became possible in the late 1980s with the powerful SGI computers, which were later used to create some of the first fully computer-generated short films at Pixar. The Macintosh remains one of the most popular tools for computer graphics in graphic design studios and businesses.
Modern computer
systems, dating from the 1980s and onwards, often use a graphical user interface to present data
and information with symbols, icons and pictures, rather than text. Graphics
are one of the five key elements of multimedia technology.
3D graphics became more popular in the 1990s in gaming, multimedia and animation. In 1996, Quake, one of the first fully 3D games, was released. In 1995, Toy Story, the first full-length computer-generated animation film, was released in cinemas. Since then, computer graphics have become more accurate and detailed, due to more advanced computers and better 3D modeling software applications, such as Maya, 3D Studio Max, and Cinema 4D.
Another use of
computer graphics is screensavers, originally intended to prevent the layout of
much-used GUIs from burning into the
computer screen. They have since evolved into true pieces of art, their
practical purpose obsolete; modern screens are not susceptible to such burn in
artifacts.
Web graphics
In the
1990s, Internet speeds increased, and Internet browsers capable of viewing
images were released, the first being Mosaic. Websites began to use the GIF
format to display small graphics, such as banners, advertisements and navigation
buttons, on web pages. Modern web browsers can now display JPEG, PNG and
increasingly, SVG images in addition to GIFs on web pages. SVG, and to some
extent VML, support in some modern web browsers have made it possible to
display vector graphics that are clear at any size. Plugins expand the web
browser functions to display animated, interactive and 3-D graphics contained within file formats such as SWF and X3D.
Modern web
graphics can be made with software such as Adobe Photoshop, the GIMP, or Corel
Paint Shop Pro. Users of Microsoft Windows have MS Paint, which many find to be
lacking in features. This is because MS Paint is a drawing package and not
a graphics package.
Numerous
platforms and websites have been created to cater to web graphics artists and
to host their communities. A growing number of people use create internet forum
signatures—generally appearing after a user's post—and other digital artwork,
such as photo manipulations and large graphics. With computer games' developers
creating their own communities around their products, many more websites are
being developed to offer graphics for the fans and to enable them to show their
appreciation of such games in their own gaming profiles.
Graphics Uses
Graphics are visual
elements often used to point readers and viewers to particular information.
They are also used to supplement text in an effort to aid readers in their
understanding of a particular concept or make the concept more clear or interesting.
Popular magazines, such as TIME, Wired and Newsweek,
usually contain graphic material in abundance to attract readers, unlike
the majority of scholarly journals. In computing, they are used to create a
graphical interface for the user; and graphics are one of the five key elements
of multimedia technology. Graphics are among the primary ways of advertising
the sale of goods or services.
Graphics education
The majority of
schools, colleges and universities around the world educate students on the
subject of graphics and art. The subject is taught in a broad variety of ways,
each course teaching its own distinctive balance of craft skills and
intellectual response to the client's needs.
Some graphics courses prioritize
traditional craft skills—drawing, printmaking and typography—over modern craft
skills. Other courses may place an emphasis on teaching digital craft skills.
Still other courses may downplay the crafts entirely, concentrating on training
students to generate novel intellectual responses that engage with the brief.
Despite these apparent differences in training and curriculum, the staff and
students on any of these courses will generally consider themselves to be
graphic designers.
The typical pedagogy
of a graphic design or graphic communication, visual communication, graphic
arts or any number of synonymous course titles will be broadly based on the
teaching models developed in the Bauhaus school in Germany or Vkhutemas in
Russia. The teaching model will tend to expose students to a variety of craft
skills currently everything from drawing to motion capture, combined with an
effort to engage the student with the world of visual culture.
Famous graphic designers
Aldus Manutius designed the first Italic type style which is often used in desktop publishing and graphic design. April Greiman is known for her influential poster design. Paul Rand is well known as a design pioneer for designing many popular corporate logos, including the logo for IBM, NeXT and UPS. William Caslon, designed many typefaces, including ITC Founder's Caslon, ITC Founder's Caslon Ornaments, Caslon Graphique, ITC Caslon Old Face and Big Caslon.What is graphics:
Refers to any computer device or program
that makes a computer capable of displaying and manipulating pictures. The term
also refers to the images themselves. For example, laser printers and plotters
are graphics devices because they permit the computer to output
pictures. A graphics monitor is a display monitor that can display
pictures. A graphics board or graphics card is a printed
circuit board that, when installed in a computer, permits the computer to
display pictures.
Many software
applications include graphics components. Such programs are said to support
graphics. For example, certain word processors support graphics because
they let you draw or import pictures. All CAD/CAM systems support graphics.
Some database management systems and spreadsheet programs support graphics
because they let you display data in the form of graphs and charts. Such
applications are often referred to as business graphics. The following are also considered graphics
applications:
Paint programs:
Allow you to create rough freehand drawings. The images are stored as bit maps
and can easily be edited.
Illustration
design programs:
Supports more advanced features than paint programs, particularly for drawing
curved lines. The images are usually stored in vector-based formats.
Illustration/design programs are often called draw programs.
Presentation
graphics software : Lets you create bar
charts, pie charts, graphics, and other types of images for slide shows and
reports. The charts can be based on data imported from spreadsheet
applications.
Animation software: Enables you to chain and sequence a series of images to
simulate movement. Each image is like a frame in a movie.
CAD software: Enables architects and engineers to draft designs.
Desktop
publishing : Provides a full set of word-processing features as well as
fine control over placement of text and graphics, so that you can create
newsletters, advertisements, books, and other types of documents.
In
general, applications that support graphics require a powerful CPU and a large
amount of memory. Many graphics applications-for example, computer animation
systems-require more computing power than is available on personal computers
and will run only on powerful workstations or specially designed graphics
computers. This is true of all three-dimensional computer graphics
applications.
In
addition to the CPU and memory, graphics software requires a graphics monitor
and support for one of the many graphics standards. Most PC programs, for
instance, require VGA graphics. If your computer does not have built-in support
for a specific graphics system, you can insert a video adapter card.
The
quality of most graphics devices is determined by their resolution-how many
points per square inch they can represent-and their color capabilities.
Use of graphics and images
Graphics and
images, used appropriately, can bring life to a report and focus your reader's
attention on key points and data. This does not mean scattering pleasant
pictures across the report in an attempt to make it look more attractive - any
image or graphic you include should add something to the points you are making.
Generally, images such as pictures and photographs would not be included in
formal business reports - although graphs may be appropriate. For example, if
you are presenting the results of a staff survey you may wish to include a bar
or pie chart, which presents the data in a way that is easier for the reader to
quickly access than if it was embedded in a paragraph of text.
Common Uses of Graphic Design
Graphic design is a
perfect blend of technology and fine arts. This creative and artistic process
is used for communicating ideas visually. Two majors tools used in graphic
designing are typography and images for dissemination of ideas and conveying
messages effectively. There are several fields in which graphic designs are
used. For instance, it is used in the designing of banners, logos, company
brochures, websites etc. In short, graphic design is helpful in building brand
identity.
Companies looking to
build up their brand employ graphic designers. Logo is basically a symbol that
depicts the values and goals of the company. In other words, logo is the miniature
image of the company and hence it is of utmost important in catapulting the
company brand image in the market. A good graphic designer creates the logos
which can strengthen the image of the company.
A majority of corporate houses both small and
big are making use of creative graphic designing so as to make their business
cards unique. The same thing holds true for the brochures, banners and other
printed stuff of the company. A good graphic designer helps to make your brand
distinct from others by adding artistic value to it.
Uses of Graphics & Animation
Graphics and
animation are used to explain ideas, and to bind a programmer together with a
visual unity that adds luster and prestige to the production. This can be very
exciting to look at and it’s always very impactful – which means the target
audience will be impressed, which is always one of your key business
objectives. Graphics and animation can explain that which cannot be seen. If
you want to get across a concept or an idea, and this concept is important to
you, then a graphic will do the job where a camera cannot – because there is
nothing to be shot as it’s only an idea, a concept, principle, or an invisible
process. A camera can’t see inside somebody’s head, or a management system, or
inside a machine. Possibly a presenter or a person being interviewed on camera
could talk about the idea, but a graphic often does it better.
The use of computer graphics is wide spread. It is
used in various areas such as industry, business, government organizations,
education, and entertainment and most recently the home. Let us discuss
representative uses of computer graphics in brief.
User friendliness is one of the main factors underlying the success and popularity of any system. It is now a well established fact that graphical interfaces provide in attractive and easy interaction between users and computers. The built-in graphics provided with user interfaces use visual control items such as buttons, menus, icons, scroll bar etc, which allows user to interact with computer only by mouse-click. Typing is necessary only to input text to be stored and manipulated.
In industry, business, government and educational organizations, computer
graphics is most commonly used to create 2D and 3D graphics of mathematical,
physical and economic functions in form of histograms, bars, and pie-chats.
These graphs and charts are very useful for decision making.
The desktop publishing on personal computers allow the use of graphics
for the creation and dissemination of information. Many organizations does the
in-house creation and dissemination of documents. The desktop publishing allows
user to create documents which contain text, tables, graphs, and other forms of
drawn or scanned images or pictures. This is one approach towards the office
automation.
The computer-aided drafting uses graphics to design components and
systems electrical, mechanical, electromechanical and electronic devices such
as automobile bodies, structures of building, airplane, slips, very large-scale
integrated chips, optical systems and computer networks.
Use of graphics in simulation makes mathematic models and mechanical
systems more realistic and easy to study. The interactive graphics supported by
animation software proved their use in production of animated movies and
cartoons films.
There is lot of
development in the tools provided by computer graphics. This allows user to
create artistic pictures which express messages and attract attentions. Such
pictures are very useful in advertising.
By the use of computer now it is possible to control various processes
in the industry from a remote control room. In such cases, process systems and
processing parameters are shown on the computer with graphic symbols and
identification. This makes it easy for operator to monitor and control various
processing parameters at a time. Computer graphics is also used to represent
geographic maps, weather maps, oceanographic charts,
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