1. Technical Glossary
Resolution - Image resolution describes the detail an image holds. The term applies to
digital images, film images, and other types of images. Higher resolution means more image
detail.
Pixel - The smallest discrete component of an image or picture on a CRT screen (usually a
colored dot); the greater the number of pixels per inch the greater the resolution.
File Formats and Uses:
BMP - The BMP file format, sometimes called bitmap or DIB file format (for device-
independent bitmap), is an image file format used to store bitmap digital images, especially
on Microsoft Windows and OS/2 operating systems.
PNG -Portable Network Graphics is a Raster graphics file format that supports lossless data
compression. PNG was created as an improved, non-patented replacement for Graphics
Interchange Format (GIF), and is the most used lossless image compression format on the
World Wide Web.
GIF - GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format. GIF is an image format and is commonly
used for displaying graphics on web pages. GIF is well suited to images with less than 256
colors, and in particular, flat colors. GIFs are ideal for logos, drawings, and cartoons. Images
with more colors should be saved in JPEG format.
JPG - JPG (shortened from JPEG) stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPG is an
image format and is commonly used for displaying graphics on web pages. JPG is well suited
to images with more than 256 colors, for example, photographs. Images with less colors
should be saved in GIF format.
PSD- PSD is "Photoshop Data file"
PDF-file format that provides an electronic image of text or text and graphics that looks like
a printed document and can be viewed, printed, and electronically transmitted.
EPS -This format is created in Adobe Illustrator and is used for making signs, embroidery, silk
screening, etc. It can also be used in Adobe Photoshop as well as most desktop publishing
software.
AI - Adobe Illustrator Artwork (AI) is a proprietary file format developed by Adobe Systems
for representing single-page vector-based drawings in either the EPS or PDF formats. The .ai
filename extension is used by Adobe Illustrator.
Compression - Also called data compression. reduction of the storage space required for
data by changing its format.
2. Image Capture - Image capture (image acquisition) The process of obtaining a digital image
from a vision sensor, such as a camera. Usually this entails a hardware interface known as a
frame grabber, which captures single frames of video, converts the analogue values to
digital, and feeds the result into the computer memory. The conversion process is often
accompanied with image compression.
Optimising - Rearrange or rewrite data to improve efficiency of retrieval or processing.
Storage - The retention of retrievable data on a computer or other electronic system;
memory.