1. This report will discuss what digital graphics are and how this relates to
producing graphics and images for games.
Digital graphics and digital imaging is the creation of digital images, from a
physical scene. The term is often assumed to be the processing, compression,
storage, printing and display of images.
There are two types of digital images which are Bitmap and Vector.
Unit 13: Assignment 1
Digital graphics technology
Harley jones
12c

2. Bitmap (Raster)
In computer graphics the raster image, or bitmap is a dot matrix which is a 2-
dimentional patterned array, used to represent characters, symbols and images. Most
types of technology uses dot matrices for display of information including mobile
phones, TV's and printers. A bitmap corresponds bit-for-bit with images displayed on
the screen. A bitmap is technically characterized by the width and height of the image
in pixels and by the number of bits per pixel a color depth, which determines the
number of colors it can represent. Unlike vector graphics, when zooming in on an image
it tends to loose its quality.
Common bitmap files: jpg, ipeg, gif, png, tif, tiff, bmp
Common bitmap programmes: paint, Photoshop
Common bitmap images: photographs and paintings.
In uncompressed bitmaps, image pixels are generally stored
with a color depth of 1, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 48, or 64 bits per pixel.

3. Bitmap Advantages
Bitmaps are very easy to create and easy to come by.
Bitmaps are fairly simple to output, as long as your RIP or printer has sufficient memory.
They are very cost effective. You can take a picture or scan in a drawing, and easily show it on the Internet or send in an email.
A bitmap image uses solid color pixels, which can be identified and recolored easily.
The geographic location of each cell is implied by its position in the cell matrix. Other than an origin point, e.g. bottom left corner, no geographic
coordinates are stored.
Bitmap Disadvantages
The most common disadvantage of this image format is that they are not upward scalable. You can make a bitmap smaller withouttoo much loss, but you
cannot make it larger without loosing quality. If you ever see a bitmap image blown up, you’ll notice it has little individual squares or dots that make up the
image. When you see it at its optimal size you don’t notice the individual dots, but if you try to make it bigger, the image become fuzzy or pixelated.
Another disadvantage of bitmap images is that they require higher resolutions for a smooth appearance.

4. Examples of bitmap graphics
These are bitmap images, as you can see that when zoomed in to an image the pixels are
clearly visible and distort the picture however from distance the picture quality is fine.

5. Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of points, lines, curves and shapes which are all based
on mathematical expressions to represent images in computer graphics. These
graphics are based on vectors which lead through locations called control
points.
Common file formats: ai, cdr, ps, pdfs
Common vector graphic programmes:
adobe illustrator, CorelDraw,
Common uses of vector graphics;
drawing, illustrations, cartoons
Vector graphics can be resized and will not lose clarity and be printed at any
resolution .

6. Advantages of Vector images:
The most important point of vector images is their power of scalability. Vector images remain
smooth because your computer re-computes the coordinates of the points and adjusts the vector
equation constants.
Each set of lines in a vector image represent separate and distinct objects. therefore every object
can be re-edited at any time. For example, if you created a vector art file with a circle in the
background. You could open the drawing file at any time and change the circle to a square.
Another very important reason of using vector images instead of bitmaps is their size. Vector
images are much smaller in size than the bitmap image format.
Disadvantages of Vector images:
Drawings containing trapping information can only be scaled up to 20 percent 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.
Another important disadvantage of vector is the time and talent needed to create it. You cannot
take a photograph in vector. Vector images are drawn on the computer by a graphic artist using
vector editing software such as Adobe Illustrator.

7. Examples of vector graphics
These are vector images, here the pictures
show that when zoomed in the quality isn’t
ruined and no pixels are visible and they
remain in focus.

8. Pixels
In digital imaging, a pixel is a physical point in a raster image, it is the smallest
controllable element of a picture represented on the screen. LCD pixels are
manufactured in a two-dimensional grid, and are often represented using dots
or squares, but CRT pixels correspond to their timing mechanisms and sweep
rates.
Each pixel is a sample of an original image, more samples typically provide more
accurate representations of the original. The intensity of each pixel is variable.
In color image systems, a color is typically represented by three or four
component intensities such as red, green, and blue, or cyan, magenta, yellow,
and black.

9. When zoomed in
the picture resizes
and loses its quality.
A normal bitmap image.
Factors that effect
quality

10. Capturing images
Drawing in to a sketch pad
Advantages:
It makes it easier to edit your design and add different affects to it.
If you’re good at drawing, you can make it look realistic.
Disadvantages:
It takes time to get used to the sketch pad and the different tools used on the programme.
Scanning an image
Advantages:
The scanned image allows you to trace over the image on the programme and makes it easier to complete the design.
The programme also makes it easier to edit on the programme.
Disadvantages:
The detail on the scanned image may be faint and will make it harder to see it all.
Taking a photograph
Advantages:
The finished design will then become photorealistic.
Disadvantages:
You need a good equality camera to take HD photos.
There could be potential equipment failures.

11. Capturing images
Sketch pads can be used to draw an image on an
online website called Pixlr where images can be
uploaded to draw over or to start from scratch.
When finished the image can be saved as a picture.

12. Output
When using paper to look at your work the image is made up of pixels
containing a colour model. For paper the colour model is Black, Yellow,
Cyan and Magenta.
When using a screen to look at your work the image is also made up of
pixels containing a colour model. For screens, the colour model is Red,
Green and Blue.
The difference between the two is that they both use separate colour
wheels.
Organisation
Keep folders numbered for easy navigation.
Make sure the named folders have the necessary documents included.
Make sure you save every piece of the work you add.
Keeping files organized is important because if you lose any valuable
information it could ruin your work.

13. Report conclusion
In this report I have covered the advantages and
disadvantages of both bitmap and vector graphics
and what they are and used for.