Computer Graphics

Computer Graphics

Computer graphics is extensive, complex and diversified technology. Computer Graphics is a field of computer science that is concerned with digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual contents. It a technique of manipulate visual and geometric information using computational techniques. Computer graphics refers to the creation, storage and manipulation of pictures and drawings using a digital computer. Computer graphics are pictures that are generated by a computer using different technique. With developments in computing technology interactive computer graphics has become an effective tool for presentation of information in such diverse fields as science, engineering, medicine, business, industry, government, art, entertainment, advertising, education, and training. There is virtually no field in which graphical displays cannot be used to some advantage and that is the basic reason why application of computer graphics is so widespread.

Graphical representation makes the study of anything much more interesting. It is a fact that one picture is worth a thousand words. So quite naturally interfaces empowered with Graphics enhances the communication between the computer and its users. Representation of a huge numbers in the form of a graph or a picture helps in better understanding and interpretation of the characteristics or pattern of the data contained in the set of numbers. Graphic displays also improve understanding complex systems, and visualization of two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) objects.

Two major 2D graphic types: Bitmap (Raster) and Vector images.

Raster Graphics

Raster Graphics consist of illustrations created using pixels; Rectangular grid of cells of equal size and each cell has its own color. These cells are also called pixels. Raster graphics are also called bitmaps. Digital photographs are the most common type of raster graphics.

Digital photographs in general are raster graphics. Digital camera, uses a certain number of megapixels. This refers to the number of pixels used for a single picture. A defining characteristic of a raster graphic is that when it’s zoomed in very closely, it start to show the actual pixels.

An important property of a raster graphic is its resolution. Resolution indicates the amount of detail, so a higher resolution means more detail. Higher resolution means more pixels, which is why a larger number of megapixels for a digital camera results in sharper photographs.

Vector graphics

Vector graphics consist of illustrations created using line work. In technical terms, you use points, lines, curves and shapes to create the illustration. Vector graphics are based on vectors, also referred to as paths. One of the key characteristics of a vector graphic is that the line work is sharp, even when zoomed in very closely. In a computer application, the line work is stored as a mathematical formula that describes the exact shape of the line. So when its zoomed in, remains a line.

Photo-realistic illustration that is not actually a photograph, the illustration typically consists of very detailed vector graphic containing hundreds or thousands of lines. Vector graphics are created and edited using illustration software. There are a number of different illustration applications. One of the most widely used ones is Illustrator by Adobe. Others include CorelDraw by the Corel Corporation and the open source applications Inkscape and Xara Xtreme. Vector graphics can be stored in a number of different file formats, including AI, EMF, SVG and MWF.