2. Raster Graphics
• Give a definition of Raster Graphics
They are the first of two forms of digital graphics. Raster graphics are made
up of bitmaps which are in turn made up of pixels which represent a tiny
speck on digital information and are used as a way of storing images in a
certain format. These files are usually larger and can suffer more from
modification which can lose quality in an image. This loss in quality can occur
through compression and re-compression due to repeated opening and
closing of the file meaning the data is being enlarged repeatedly.
3. Vector Graphics
• Give a definition of Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are the second form of digital graphics and are made up of
vectors or paths which are in turn made up of strokes. These are defined by a
start and end point with encompass curves, point and angles which can form
any shape. These are therefore immune from pixilation. These are usually
smaller file sizes to raster graphics and retain quality better when modifying.
Vector graphics can be converted in raster graphics for purposes such as
exporting images to different programs that work in different formats.
5. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts Group
Used For/Example Used for web formats such as social media
(Facebook, Instagram etc.)
Advantage It is a small file size meaning they won’t
clog storage and more can be stored. This
was more important a few years ago when
memory space was often smaller and so
not much could be stored.
Disadvantage JPEG files are known to lose quality after a
long period of time due to multiple counts
of editing due to repeated compression of
the file when it being opened and closed.
6. TIFF
Stands For Tagged Image File Format
Used For/Example Used primarily for desktop publishing such
as newspapers and magazines.
Advantage These are multi-page files which means
they are ideal for files that will take more
than one page such as a magazine. They
also have lossless compression meaning
quality isn’t lost.
Disadvantage Due to them being multi-page files the file
size is very large and can therefore
increasing loading times.
7. GIF
Stands For Graphic Interchange Formats
Used For/Example They are used for a small moving image
illusion that is really a series of images
repeated on a loop.
Advantage These images often form a short loop of
only a few seconds which means the file
size is often very small. Also they are not
supported by every single browser
meaning they can be inaccessible by some.
Disadvantage Because the file size is small it means the
GIF is bad quality. This also means they are
restricted to 256 colours and so can look
blocky and pixelated.
8. BMP
Stands For Bitmap Image File
Used For/Example These are very similar to JPEG and TIFF
files in their uses i.e. web formats.
Advantage This type of file has lossless compression
meaning no matter how many times the
file is compressed and expanded the
quality will not falter.
Disadvantage Because there is lossless compression it
means the file size is especially large and
so speed of opening is often reduced.
10. PSD
Stands For Photoshop Document
Used For/Example Used primarily for image adjustment and
manipulation for front covers.
Advantage An advantage of these files is that they
save layers and so during the manipulation
process layers will not be lost and due to
advanced features transparency is
supported.
Disadvantage If saved as a PSD file, it is only viewable on
Photoshop and so if you wanted to
showcase your work, the receiver would
have to have the required software.
11. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator
Used For/Example Used for logo creation, clipart and various
other kinds of graphic creation.
Advantage Usually include embedded PDF so other
programs can view and edit the image or
graphic. This means the AI file is a lot more
compatible.
Disadvantage However, updated versions of AI have
removed this feature meaning it’s
compatibility has been lost.
12. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example Used mainly for game creation and
animation.
Advantage This is one of the only file formats that can
combine good quality of the graphic will a
relatively small file size and can also
include sound and video in the file.
Disadvantage This software is fairly new and many users
have experienced difficulty in using it and
with major changes being made to it.
13. WMF
Stands For Windows Metafiles
Used For/Example ClipArt's are the main use of these and
some logos.
Advantage They are freely available to everybody and
often come with Microsoft Office as part
of the license. They feature lossless
compression meaning they will not lose
quality.
Disadvantage However, they are often seen as over-
used, unprofessional and cheesy to
employers and audiences. They are also
only available on Windows and so are
inaccessible to some.
15. Compression
Definition Is where the amount of information in an
image is reduced in order for it to be
acceptable in certain formats. For
example if you wanted to email a file it
would have to be compressed because
email has small capacity.
Advantage The main advantage is that by reducing
the amount of information in the file, the
file size gets smaller meaning that it takes
up less space in storage terms.
Disadvantage As a result of the amount of information in
the file being reduced, the image
therefore becomes more pixelated.
16. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
By taking physical images and turning
them into a digital format.
Method Camera
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
By taking physical images on something
like a DSLR.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image capture of
graphics
By drawing on existing images or creating
new images.
17. Optimising
Why would you optimise? in order to make images on the internet
and webpages load quicker for viewers.
How can you optimise? There are 4 ways: reducing image size,
reducing resolution, reducing bit depth
and compressing the file.
Advantage to optimising The website is ready to use quicker for
viewers which looks more professional.
Disadvantage to optimising Image quality can be lost in the process
meaning that the quality you gained from
faster loading times is gone.
19. File Size
What could affect a Working Scale
(Photoshop) document file size?
One thing that could affect a Photoshop
file size is the amount of effects and
layers on the image.
How could you reduce the file size of a
Working Scale document without
affecting quality?
You could get around this problem by
merging the layers or converting the file to
a JPEG.
What is an advantage of scaling up images
before exporting?
This means that the image will have the
maximum amount of quality available in it.
What is a disadvantage of scaling up
images before exporting?
This also means the file size will increase
drastically meaning it will take a long time
to export.
20. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions could you use
when creating your video game assets?
You would try to pick a name that you will
recognise even if you have no contact
with it for a long period of time. The
name should also be clear and concise so
that if necessary other people can find
their way round.
Why is it a good idea to accurately name
your assets?
This is a good idea because this way it is
clear to everyone what the file is and what
it contains so that you can recognise it in
the future.
21. Asset Management
Why would you use folders when storing
your assets?
This makes sure that your assets are
organised so if you come back to them at
a later date they are easily found.
What folders would you create and what
would you save within them
• You would create a folder that
described the entire topic and within it
would either be sub-folders or all your
files depending on the size
