2. Raster Graphics
Raster graphics are images that are digital and are created
from individual pixels in a given space. These pixels can then
be manipulated but then become stretched giving the image
a low quality look. A raster works on a grid system with the X
and Y coordinates and if the image is three-dimensional (3D)
then the Z coordinate is used.
Vector Graphics
Vector graphics use vectors which are also known as
paths or strokes, they also use geometric shapes such as
points, curves, lines, circles, squares, and other polygons.
Vectors are mathematically based. They also don’t loose
quality when manipulated.
4. JPEG
Stands For Joint Photographic Experts
Group
Used For/Example JPEG’s are used to compress images so that
they are easier to use and upload onto the
internet. This is the most common file type
that people use for images.
Advantage Advantages of a JPEG are, that they keep all
the colour information.
Using a JPEG will also compress the image
to a smaller file size so it is easier to
use and upload.
JPEG’s are used by everyone on all formats
of devices.
Disadvantage JPEG’s can be bad because they do not
support transparent backgrounds which are
found on logos etc...
The image is compressed which may result in
the image becoming a lower resolution.
Finally, every time you open and close a
JPEG it compresses it further and also
reduces the quality.
5. TIFF
Stands For Tag Image File Format
Used For/Example These are popular with graphic designers.
These are used because the have lossless
compression unlike the JPEG, which
compresses the image. These are less
common then JPEG’s.
Advantage The colour is always kept because of TIFF’s
being 16-bit.
A high quality image maintains its resolution
and is not lost due to compression.
TIFF’s are used for more personal things
like editing because it has the best quality to
offer.
Disadvantage The file sizes are massive due to there
being no compression, this makes them
difficult to upload or email to others.
It does not always work with all devices or
formats.
6. GIF
Stands For Graphics Interchange
Format
Used For/Example Used to create a moving picture for a few
seconds without sound. These are mainly
used as memes on social networks because
they are easy to upload and make.
Advantage GIF’s compress the image to a very small
quality. A main feature of GIF’s are that they
support animation effects and transparent
backgrounds, which is why they are used
for logos and graphic text.
Disadvantage GIF’s only support a few hundred colours
due to the fact that it compresses the image
a lot and to avoid really colourful images.
7. BMP
Stands For Image File Format (Bitmap)
Used For/Example Bitmap files are used to store bitmap
images, these are mainly used on Microsoft
Windows and OS operating systems.
Advantage The file size is not compressed so the
image won’t loss quality, you can also edit
individual pixels if the right software is used.
Bitmap files are good for printing due to
each individual pixel because printers use a
dot-format device which reads the individual
pixels.
Disadvantage Because the image is uncompressed the file
sizes are massive and so are not easy to
share with others online or through email.
The images do not scale well and if
stretched too much then the image can end
up distorted and loss quality in resolution.
9. PSD
Stands For Adobe Photoshop
Document
Used For/Example These can only be used on adobe software
but mainly on Photoshop. PSD files are
mainly used by graphic designers as
Photoshop is the best photo editing
software out there.
Advantage The images can be manipulated easily and
don’t loss much resolution. Photoshop files
can also save in layers which is useful for
logos or magazine covers, they also support
transparency.
Disadvantage Even though PSD files can be very useful
they only work on Adobe software, so they
don’t work on other photo editing software
like GIMP or Paint.net.
10. AI
Stands For Adobe Illustrator
Used For/Example AI’s are mainly used for logos and graphic
design. Not many people use them as PSD
files are better to work with.
Advantage AI’s can be scaled bigger or smaller with no
loss of quality or resolution to the image,
this is good for logos if the company wants
to print a big logo on a billboard or a small
logo on an letter for example.
Disadvantage To work with AI’s you specific software, like
Adobe Illustrator, but this can limit who edits
it and where it can be used.
11. FLA
Stands For Flash File
Used For/Example Flash files are used to create animation or
small interactive games. They are used for
this because they can contain sound and
video.
Advantage FLA files can use audio and video in the
animation or game.
The file size is also quite small so they are
easy to upload and share with others,
though email or social media.
Disadvantage Similar to AI’s a FLA file can only be used
by certain software so they are not that
commonly used by the public.
12. WMF
Stands For Windows Metafile
Used For/Example WMF files are used only on Microsoft
Windows and used to create logos and
other graphics. It is also used in clipart on
windows.
Advantage These types of files can contain either or
both bitmap images or vector style images,
they can also be scaled bigger or smaller
with no loss of quality.
Disadvantage Similar to the last two file formats, WMF can
only be used on Microsoft Windows
software so it is limited to where it can be
used.
14. Compression
Definition Lossy compression is the way which
file sizes are reduced and shrunk by
reducing the amount of information
saved on the image.
Advantage Compression of an image can be really
good as it reduces the file size of the
image.
Disadvantage This does come with a disadvantage
and that is when you do compress an
image then the quality of the image
will be reduced as well as the file size.
15. Image Capture
Method Scanner
How is it used for image
capture of graphics
A scanner is used to scan what is
placed onto it and copy that image
and digitalize it, so then it can be used
on software and can be edited.
Method Camera
How is it used for image
capture of graphics
For a camera to work you need light to
enter the lens of the camera which is
then read by a sensor. The sensor
reads all the information given and
then produces a digital image made of
pixels.
Method Graphics Tablet
How is it used for image
capture of graphics
Graphics Tablets are tablets that allow
the user to draw on the surface of
them with a special pen and it shows
up either on the tablet screen or on
the monitor.
16. Optimising
Why would you optimise? Optimising an image makes it easier to
upload and view on the internet. It ensures
an easy viewing for the viewer. It is used for
company website etc...
How can you optimise? Optimising consists of:
•Reducing the size of the image
•Reducing the depth of the image (the
bit size)
•Reducing the resolution of the image
Compressing the image itself
Advantage to optimising Reduces the image size so it is easier
to work with when uploading.
Easy access for the viewers when they
try to view the image.
Disadvantage to optimising The image losses its quality definition
when you reduce anything. This can
result in less defined image.
18. File Size
What could affect a Working
Scale (Photoshop) document
file size?
Compressing an image will result in a
lower quality image but the file size
will be smaller. Also resizing the image
in Photoshop will affect the quality of
the image.
How could you reduce the file
size of a Working Scale
document without affecting
quality?
By compressing it into a zip folder, and
when you want to use it then unzip
the folder and the image will
uncompress.
What is an advantage of
scaling up images before
exporting?
The advantage of this is that the
image will be at the size you want it to
be without compressing it.
What is a disadvantage of
scaling up images before
exporting?
The disadvantage is that the image
will have a large file size when
exporting.
19. File Naming Conventions
What naming conventions
could you use when creating
your video game assets?
• I would use naming conventions to
make my files and images easy to
read and notice them.
• For example I will name y main
assets folder ‘assets’ and it will
contain ‘characters’ or
‘Backgrounds’
• Within those folders will contain my
assets which will be named after
what they are.
Why is it a good idea to
accurately name your assets?
So you know where things are when
you need them. For example if I had a
file named ‘Characters’ and it
contained all my game characters in it
then I’d be able to fine easier, then if I
named it ‘backgrounds’ or ‘untitled5’.
20. Asset Management
Why would you use folders
when storing your assets?
To be able to find your assets more
easily in order for you to use them.
What folders would you create
and what would you save
within them
• I’d have a main folder which would
be named ‘Print’ then within that
folder I would have ‘Assets’ and
‘Proformas’