2. Raster Graphics
• Give a definition of Raster Graphics
• Made up of bitmaps.
Raster graphics are digital images created or captured (for
example, by scanning in a photo) as a set of samples of a given
space. A raster is a grid of x and y coordinates on a display space.
(And for three-dimensional images, a - z coordinate.)
3. Vector Graphics
• Give a definition of Vector Graphics
• Made up of vectors/paths.
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines,
curves, and shapes or polygons all of which are based on mathematical
expressions to represent images in computer graphics.
A few drawbacks of vector graphics are that their files have difficulty storing
extremely complex images. An example of this is an image where the colours
vary pixel by pixel.
High resolution raster displays are also required to effectively display the
vector graphics. This means that specific output devices are required to
display the vector graphics.
5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts Group.
Used For/Example JPEG compression is used in a variety of image
file formats. JPEG is the most common image
format used by photographic image capture
devices. JPEG is the most common format for
storing photographic images.
Advantage Has a small file size.
The user independently selects the file size.
Format is compatible and it is displayed
correctly in any browsers.
Suitable for realistic images with a lot of
contrast and colour.
Image quality is high with compression.
Disadvantage Image may “fall apart” when you squeeze it.
Due to this smooth colour – transitions may
become harsh or just disappear.
Loses quality after multiple edits.
6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged Image File Format.
Used For/Example A tiff file has the ability to store image data in a
lossless format. Unlike JPEG files, a TIFF file
using lossless compression may be edited and
re-saved without image quality loss.
Advantage Better image quality than even the JPEG fine
quality Good for More tolerant of poorly
exposed images, similar to print film.
Saved at the camera’s max colour bit depth.
Disadvantage File size is very large, meaning slow saving.
Fixing exposure in the photo editing program
will degrade the image to a certain degree.
7. GIF
Stands For Graphics Interchange Format.
Used For/Example Gif files are also compressed, which gives them
a small file size. You mainly use a gif file format
for logos and graphics with solid areas of colour.
You wouldn't use a photographic image, or a
graphic with gradients.
Advantage • lossless compression
• flat areas of colour with well defined regions
• suitable for icons
• support for transparency
• suitable for small animations
Disadvantage • The oldest format for the web.
• It has a bigger file size than formats.
8. BMP
Stands For Bitmap image file.
Used For/Example The BMP file format, also known as bitmap
image file, is a raster graphics image file format
used to store bitmap digital images.
Advantage No loss in compression
Pixel values may be modified individually or as
large groups by altering a palette if present.
Bitmap files may translate well to dot-format
output devices such as CRTs and printers.
Disadvantage They can be very large in file size.
Data compression can shrink the size of pixel
data and this can slow down the reading and
rendering process considerably.
10. PSD
Stands For Prevention of Significant Deterioration.
Used For/Example PSD is a proprietary file that allows the user to
work with the images' individual layers even
after the file has been saved.
Advantage Saves everything.
Saves, swatches, layers, page formatting
information, etc.
Image manipulation
Supports transparency.
Disadvantage Large file size.
Only people with Photoshop can view the image
file.
You cannot share a PSD on the internet.
11. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator.
Used For/Example AI is a file extension for vector graphics used in
an Adobe Illustrator drawing.
Mostly used for, editing, printing and creating
vector artwork.
Advantage Can be scaled big and small as Vectors
have no loss in definition
Most advanced vector format available.
Wider compatibility for a native vector
format.
Disadvantage The AI format is strictly limited.
The Al file is also highly simplified subset of EPS.
Recent versions may have compatibility issues.
Is not a standard file format.
12. FLA
Stands For Flash file.
Used For/Example FLA file is an Adobe Flash editable movie or
animation.
Flash files, which are used to create games or
animations.
Advantage High in quality, paired with a small file size
making them more efficient for the internet,
this is because they will not take as long to load.
Flash files are able to include sound and videos.
Disadvantage The software that can open an FLA file is very
limited.
13. WMF
Stands For Windows Metafile.
Used For/Example WMF is a windows format. It is used mainly in
things such as clipart. WMF files are also similar
to the Al file. WMF files are also used for
company graphics and logos.
Advantage They can be scaled smaller and larger without
loss in definition.
The file can contain bitmap, as well as vector
components.
Disadvantage The WMF file is only available on windows
platforms. Meaning the files can only be
generated on windows.
15. Compression
Definition Lossy compression is when the file size is
reduced, causing the file size to reduce the
amount of stored and saved information.
Advantage It reduces file size.
Also reduces the amount of memory that the
file requires.
Disadvantage Once compressed, the images lose quality. This
makes them appear pixelated. This is because as
the file is saved, less pixels are saved each time.
16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
A scanner is designed and used to digitalise physical
images. An example of this is taking a drawing and
converting it into a Photoshop document.
Method Camera
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
Firstly, light enters the lens of the camera, which is
then recorded by a sensor. The sensor then records the
information for each individual pixel, which produces a
digital image.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
A tablet is a piece of technology designed specifically
to allow you to control the mouse like a pen.
This creates a better, more precise control of selection,
drawing and hand writing.
17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? Images that are uploaded to the internet are
optimised to make viewing easier and more
accessible.
How can you optimise? One of the ways you can optimise an image is
through the changing of image size. You can also
optimise by reducing the bit depth, with regard
to the pixel colour.
Reduction of the resolution, as well as
compressing images.
Advantage to optimising When optimising an image, you are reducing file
size, meaning that the download speed is faster.
Disadvantage to optimising By optimising an image it reduces the amount of
pixel information. Usually up to the point where
images are no more than 500 pixels in width.
19. File Size
What could affect a Working Scale
(Photoshop) document file size?
The size of the image inside the document.
Colour bit depth.
The numbers of layers and channels.
How could you reduce the file size of a
Working Scale document without affecting
quality?
You could use compression to reduce the size of the
file. If done in moderation compression can have a
miniscule effect on the image quality.
What is an advantage of scaling up images
before exporting?
When you resize raster content in In design you are
altering the image pixel density - stretching and
compressing existing pixels. When you reduce a
raster image within InDesign you are "squishing"
pixels together increasing the effective PPI of the
image. When you enlarge a raster image within In
design you decrease the pixel density and stretch the
same number of pixels to cover a larger area.
What is a disadvantage of scaling up images
before exporting?
When the image is exported it will appear low
quality and pixelated. This is because the file cannot
remember every individual pixel, instead it groups
pixels of a similar colour together, giving a pixelated
effect when exported.
20. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions could you use
when creating your video game assets?
Level art
Environment
Characters
Props
Destructible objects
Cars, planes and other vehicles
Guns and other weapons
Why is it a good idea to accurately name
your assets?
It is a good idea to accurately name your
assets because it makes them easier to
organise when filing your assets. Accurate
names for your assets also speeds up the
hand in process, as you can quickly locate
the specific asset you are wanting to hand
in to be assessed.
21. Asset Management
Why would you use folders when storing
your assets?
So that you can easily find your assets in a
specific named folder. Instead of wasting
time searching for them.
What folders would you create and what
would you save within them
I would create several folders with specific
names for each assets. For example if I had
similar versions of assets I would save
them within a folder which has a title
depicting the type of asset in the folder. I
would also have a folder which contains all
of my assets. This means that when I come
to hand in my work for assessment, I can
quickly hand in all the assets, as opposed
to sending each asset individually.
