Unit 13: Assignment 1 – Digital graphics technology

INTRODUCTIONThis report will tell you what digital graphics are, and how this relates to producing graphics and images for games. Digital graphics are images and or texted notes created on a computer. Because it can be created on a computer you can edit the image like crazy; you can add colour tints to the image, add effects and hundreds of other things.

BITMAP (RASTER)Bitmap images are images that are made up of different colour pixels. Bitmap images can be made by either taking a photo on a camera or scanning a image from a magazine. Bitmap images are usually used in old arcade games such as Sonic and Mario. Some common file extensions are .Jpeg, .GIF, .BMP.Unlike Vector graphics when a Bitmap graphic image gets enlarged it tends to lose its quality. Like the example below. A few programmes that create bitmap images are Adobe Firework, MS Paint and CS Photoshop.

Zoomed in.Normal.

Advantages- Bitmap images are very easy to create. All it takes is to take a picture or scan something in then you have one.- Doesn’t cost anything.- A bitmap image uses solid color pixels, which can be identified and recolored easily.

Disadvantages- A disadvantage of a bitmap image is that they require higher resolutions and anti-aliasing for a smooth appearance.- The .bmp file has been created by Microsoft and ibm (International business machines) and is consequently they’re harshly bound to the

construction of the main hardware platform that both companies support.

The 2 images on the right shows the same picture but I’ve zoomed In to show you how the pixel become much more visual as you get closer into detail.The first picture is in high quality but no matter how good the quality is, once you’ve gotten closer to the image it vastly changes to a retro game visual style.

VECTORVector graphics are made up of points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics and gaming.

Also the graphics are created in packages, for example you can use certain programmes to make vector graphic photo; Some sort of imaging software like CS Photoshop or MS Paint.

Here is an example of how vector graphics work.

Common vector file formatsAdobe Illustrator – AICORELDraw – CDRShockWave Flash – SWFScaleable Vector graphics - SVG Windows Metafiles - WMF

Advantages- Vector graphics can easily represent simple geometric objects, in file sizes that are far

smaller and faster to operate on. - The objects used in a vector graphic can be resized and repositioned after they have been

created. The entire vector graphic can be resized to any dimensions without losing any information.

Disadvantages-Drawings containing trapping information can only be scaled up to 20% larger or smaller. Thin lines may disappear if a vector drawing is reduced too much.- Small errors in a drawing may become visible as soon as it is enlarged too much.

Factors that effect qualityPicture resize is a method to make image dimension smaller or larger. Here’s an example on how resizing effects the quality of the picture.

Picture compression is a method to store image in a smaller file size. This will effect the image quality because its reiterating the pixels in the image.

Drawing into a sketch pad.ADVANTAGESIf your good at drawing you could do it to make it feel realistic.Easily edited to make for quicker development.

DISADVANTAGES It takes some getting used to.Once you get used to it, it still might take a while because mistakes are quite easy to make when using a sketchpad.

Scanning an image. ADVANTAGESThe scanned image could be edited easily on Photoshop or some other editing software.It will make things easier instead of using a sketchpad which will take a lot longer

DISADVANTAGESThe details on your scanned image might become faint or you wont be able to see it at all.If the scanner machine brakes or something happens to it, then your stuck with a sketch of the item on paper.

Taking a photographADVANTAGESThe finished product will then become photorealistic.Will make it easier considering you don’t have to sketch a background/Scenery.

DISADVANTAGESYou need to have an expensive camera to take really good HD photos.Potential Equipment Failures.

Capturing images

OutputWhen using paper to view your work, the image is made up of pixels containing a colour model. For paper the colour model is Cyan, Yellow, Magenta and black.

When using a screen to view your work, the image is also made up of pixels containing a colour model. For screens the colour model is Red, Green and blue.

So the difference between the two is that they both use separate colour wheels.

OrganisationHere are a few ways of how to keep your files organised.Keep folders numbered for easy navigation.Make sure that the named folders have the necessary documents included.Make sure to save every piece of work you add, make sure nothing isn’t because it may mess things up in the future.Keeping your files organised is important because if you lose any valuable information to could make whatever your doing mess up real bad.

CONCLUSIONThis slideshow has explained what Bitmap and vector images are, What they do and what they are used for. I’ve given you a few Advantages and disadvantages on using these graphical styles. Also given advantages and disadvantages for using a sketchpad, scanning the image and taking photographs. Also shown easy methods for keeping work organised. I think research methods will help because it gives a variety of methods to use to carry out useful information.