Activity 24.1 // What is a digital graphics computer system?

Mouse: A mouse is a computer hardware object which allows a user to control objects on a screen (see screen) a mouse can be used to edit photos or place a curser somewhere on a page. The most common use of a mouse is to use it to select objects on a screen, click desktop shortcuts and navigate through folders. A mouse is the key element of using a computer, without one a computer is very difficult to use and keys are a last resort. A mouse is usually wired through USB either in the front of the computer or the back. A mouse can be used to move images and edit them, this can range from distorting an image to adding effects all by clicking the mouse button.

Screen: A screen is another key object for a computer. A screen is what makes a computer usuable and without one a computer cannot be used. A screen is used to view what a computer processes. This means when a computer opens an application for example, the user will see it on the screen. Without a screen using a computer is pointless although if a computer doesnt have a screen attached then it could possibly used as a server. A monitor/screen connects via VGA or DVI via the ports on the back of a computer.

Graphics Tablet: A tablet is something which can be very similar to a screen/monitor. A graphics tablet can though be used as a flat piece of hardware which plugs in via a USB port which can then be operated using a stylus which controls actions on a screen much like a mouse but more for image manipulation and detailed control. Tablets can come in two forms, either a flat piece of hardware as explained or as an LCD screen type which is touch screen and shows a computers display within. A graphics tablet is used mainly to draw objects or edit images in a similar fashion to a mouse but alot more precise.

Digital Camera: A digital camera is an object which is used to take images of current actions whether it be a person or an area of scenery. A digital camera will store the photos taken which can later be processed and transfered onto a computer. The photos can then be transfered either by a USB cable which is usally included in with the camera or by a SD card. Once images have been transfered to a computer they can be manipulated and editing through an image editing program with either a mouse or a graphics tablet.

Scanner: A scanner is a hardware object which allows a user to scan an object whether it be a hand or a piece of paper onto a computer which can then be viewed on the screen. The scanned object is then saved as an image file on the computer usually either a high resoulation PNG or BMP, very rarely do scanners save files as a JPG. A scanner connects to a computer using a USB cable. Images which have been scanned through the scanner onto the computer can be edited or saved for later use on the computer system.

Flash Cards: A flash card also known as a USB pen or a USB drive is something which is commonly used by people working on computer systems frequently. A USB Drive can be used to transfer information from one piece of hardware to another, this could include a camera or a pda of which then the information would be transfered to a computer or any other hardware object which is capable of accepting a USB connection. USB Comes in two forms, USB 1.0 and USB 2.0, the latest version being USB 3.0 which is yet to be released. Every USB pen is different and genuinely vary in price due to the different versions and types of security. USB drives are an ideal tool for storing light files especially images which can be transfered at any one time to another device.

SOFTWARE

Software can be used to edit graphics on computers such as popular applications like Photoshop and Fireworks. Photoshop and Fireworks can manipulate and edit images very well and can do things to images which can changed them drastically. Software like Photoshop and Fireworks can also be used to create images with such tools like the free form shape tool which allows you to insert various shapes to make things like logos or banners.

These shapes which can be imported are vector images but when imported can be saved as a JPG or any other file format. Photoshop and Fireworks can be used to benifit a graphical artist in many ways with various tools which can be used by people of all types of ability. Photoshop and Fireworks can also export files in various file formats which means that its very flexible when it comes to peoples needs for the use of the images, whether it be online use or offline high resolution displays.

there are other programs though which can be used for image manipulation including vector programs which can make high resolution images which can be zoomed and displayed at any size.
This website http://www.techenclave.com/graphics-and-eyecandy/angelina-jolie-vector-image-130108.html shows a vector image of Angelina Jolie. If someone wanted to make a picture like this they would have to use a program like Adobe Illustrator. A graphical designer may use Illustrator so that he can produce images of such like this wheras as Photoshop can not make images like this. A graphic designer may want to use Illustrator as he may want to make high resoultion images which can be zoomed in at any level without loosing quality of the image. A designer may use Illustrator to design such things as large posters and banners which may be used on buildings etc;. If he used Photoshop to do this however then he would produce and image which may probably appear grainy or burry due to the stretch of the image. Illustrator doesnt use BMP or JPG it only uses Vector.