6) Using a TABLE, compare and contrast the features available in these 3 graphics packages:

5) What are the characteristics of the following graphics file formats

Bitmap:
A representation, consisting of rows and columns of dots, of a graphics image in computer memory. The value of each dot (whether it is filled in or not) is stored in one or more bits of data. The resolution of bitmap images, such as digital photographs, depends on both the display device and the inherent resolution of the bitmap image.
http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/B/bit_map.html

GIF?
Known as Graphic Interchange Format. The majority of images on the Web are now in GIF format, and virtually all Web browsers that support graphics can display GIF files. GIF files incorporate a compression scheme to keep file sizes at a minimum, and they are limited to 8-bit (256 or fewer colors) color palettes.
http://webstyleguide.com/graphics/gifs.html

PNG?
A format for graphics that is useful primarily on the World Wide Web. PNG graphics can contain millions of colors and can be transparent, and are compressed without degradation of the image. However, many Web browsers can not display them. It supports alpha channels and has a and 48 bit true color (as compared to GIF's 8 bit color).
www.caddpower.com/cms/glossary

JPEG?
Joint Photographic Experts Group is also used to minimise graphics size, using compression, it is a file format used for good quality photographic reproduction on the Web. JPEG graphics are capable of reproducing a full range of color while still remaining small enough for Web use. Most of the photographs you see on the Web are JPEG format.
www.sorrentomesa.com/education/glossary.html

XCF?
A GIMP image file format that is unsupported by web browsers. It can save layer information and other information that you may want to use again, e.g. text layer.

PSD?
The suffix or extension used to by Adobe for files created using Adobe Photoshop software. Applications other than Photoshop may also be able to save or open files in this file format.
www.caddpower.com/cms/glossary

SVG?
An XML markup language for describing two-dimensional vector graphics, both static and animated. Can be used both by Web browsers and desktop publishing to produce vector graphics which are very fast and easily transmittable files.

4) What is an alpha channel? How can this be useful in your coursework project?

In computer graphics, alpha compositing is the process of combining an image with a background to create the appearance of partial transparency. this could be useful because we will have to import the design of the building into a picture of the site.

3) What does “RGB” have to do with graphic files?

RGB stands for the colous red, green and blue. Computer monitors use RGB to define the colours that appear on screen. Each color in the RGB combination is measured from 0 - 255. An example would be the colour blue, the RGB combination for this colour would be 0-0-255. http://www.artisan-ds.com/

2) What is the difference between VECTOR and BITMAP graphics? Explain both terms.

vectors are digital images created by placing lines and shapes in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. Some animation images are created as vector files.
www.gslis.utexas.edu/~vlibrary/glossary

bitmap=Representation of a document as an image file in digital form. For black and white images, each bit represents one unit of information. Logical 1 represents black and logical 0 represents white (bitonal). This allocation originates in printing where 1 = true = print black. Other allocations also exist. Gray-level and color information are represented in the same way, whereby the gray or color value of a pixel is defined by several bitmaps.
www.imageware.de/en/support/glossar/

1) What is a pixel?

Short for picture element, the information stored for a single grid point in the image. The complete image is a rectangular array of pixels.

www.w3.org/TR/PNG-Glossary.html

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