Graphics

DESKTOP PUBLISHING

Desktop publishing programs, or page layout programs, allow you to mix text and graphics to create publications of professional quality. While word processors focus on creating text and have the ability to combine text and graphics, desktop publishers focus on page design and layout and provide greater flexibility. Professional graphic artists use desktop publishing programs to create documents such as brochures, newsletters, newspapers, and textbooks. Popular desktop publishing programs include Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher, and QuarkXPress. While these programs provide the capability to create text and graphics, typically graphic artists import these elements from other sources, including word processors, digital cameras, scanners, image editors, illustration programs, and image galleries.

IMAGE EDITORS

One of the most common types of graphic files is bitmap. Bitmap images, also known as raster images, use thousands of dots or pixels to represent images. Each dot has a specific location, color, and shade. One limitation of bitmap images, however, is that when they are expanded, the images can become pixilated, or jagged on the edges. For example, when the letter A is expanded, the borders of the letter appear jagged, as indicated by the expanded view.

       Image editors, also known as photo editors, are specialized graphics programs for editing or modi fying digital photographs. Popular professional image editors include Microsoft Paint. Adobe Photoshop, and Corel Paint Shop Pro.

ILLUSTRATION PROGRAMS

Vector is another common type of graphic file. While bitmap images use pixels to represent images, vector images, also known as vector illustrations, use geometric shapes or objects. These objects are created by connecting lines and curves. Because these objects can be defined by mathematical equations, they can be rapidly and easily resized, colored, textured, and manipulated. An image is a combination of several objects. Illustration programs, also known as drawing programs, are used to create and edit vector images. Popular professional illustration programs include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe FreeHand, and Corel-Draw.

IMAGE GALLERIES 

Image galleries are libraries of electronic images. These images are used for a wide variety of applications from illustrating textbooks to providing visual interest to presentations. There are two basic types of electronic images in these galleries:

• Stock photographs-photographs on a variety of subject material from professional models to natural landscapes.

• Clip art-graphic illustrations representing a wide range of topics. Most applications provide access to a limited selection of free clip art. For example, in Microsoft Word, you can gain access to several pieces of clip art by issuing the command Insert>Pictures>Clip Art.

        There are numerous Web image galleries. Some of these sites offer free images and clip art while others charge a fee.

GRAPHICS SUITES

Some companies have combined or bundled their separate graphics programs in groups called graphics suites. The advantage of the graphics suites is that you can buy a larger variety of graphics programs at a lower cost than if purchased separately.

      Two popular suites are Adobe's Creative Suite and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite includes five individual graphics programs plus a large library of clip art, media clips, and fonts.