Graphics Programs
Introduction
Graphics
software
As a DM, you will be using some type of graphics software package in your
shop. More shops are becoming computerized and just as the command
mission varies at each duty station so does the graphics software
requirements. Periodically assess the computer graphic capabilities of your
shop and stay as current as you can.
Graphics software allows you to create artwork and images to stand alone or
to insert into text. Some programs create primarily presentation graphics in
the form of 35mm slides, overhead transparencies, electronic presentations,
and audience handouts. Other graphics software allows you to modify or
combine existing artwork, edit and enhance photographs, create line graphs,
pie charts, and organizational charts. The two types of graphics software
technology are bit mapping, or raster-based, and vector mapping. How
easily the graphics program permits image manipulation and how sharp the
resolution of that image is part of the software program. Monitor resolution,
the VGA card, and the devices used to make the hard copy end product also
affect resolution. Regardless of manufacturer and because there are so many
graphics software programs used in Navy Graphics shops, this segment
covers only those features common to the majority of programs.
Bit mapped
software
programs
Bit mapped images create an image using a point or hundreds of points of
light in a matrix. These images are slower to manipulate and create than
vector graphics but more spontaneous and easier to learn. Multi-layering bit
mapped matrixes into distinct gridmapped forms is called raster-based
imagery. Raster-based images create painterly effects and encourage
creativity. They also require an enormous amount of power and memory
which slows program execution. To modify or create in the bit mapped
mode is to work at the pixel level which can be time consuming and tedious.
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