Graphics Software, Continued
Image-editing
Image-editing programs are used primarily with preexisting images such as
pictures and photographs, scanned into memory for manipulation. Image-
editing software shares many of the features and options available in image-
creation programs with higher resolution and greater pixel manipulation.
Image-editing programs often have greater selections of blending tools and
stylizing filters than image-creation programs.
programs
Image-
presentation
programs
Image-presentation programs offer cookbook solutions to the task of
preparing information for presentation in briefs or in training environments.
You select slide or viewgraph formats from menus in memory and plug
information into it. You may import photographs and illustrations through
scanners or select from stocks of copyright-free artwork held in memory as
clipart. You program how the image appears and disappears from the screen
and for how long the slide remains on the screen.
Common
graphics
software
features
Features common to graphic software applications include the use of
layering, movement tools, auto-trace tools, shape tools, rendering tools,
blending tools, and stylizing filters. Each software program has its own set
of tools. Your software program may have any or all of the following listed
tools and features, You may have additional features that are program or
platform specific but, whatever features and tools your software offers, get to
know and understand how to use them.
Layering
Layering is creating art in stages or on electronic overlays. Every element of
a design is placed on separate layers. Because the number of layers can
become excessive, it is a good idea to combine or group layers that contain
small design elements. Any layers so grouped may also be ungrouped. Most
graphics programs create art in multiple layers with the exception of painting
programs, which may use only one layer. Working in multiple layers gives
you complete control of every drawing element and is convenient when
preparing color separation work or isolating segments for changes. The
disadvantage of multiple layers is that it complicates the creation process by
making it difficult to select the appropriate layer to change and to assess how
changes made affect previous and subsequent layers.
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