The purpose of the lesson: Get an understanding of the principles of raster and vector images;
get acquainted with the type of graphic files;
to cultivate interest and interest in the subject;
develop the creative potential of students;
develop the ability to work in groups, analyze, compare, draw conclusions.
Material and technical equipment
:
computer with installed package Microsoft office;
reference summary;
presentation "Types of graphic files".
Lesson type
: learning new material.
Lesson structure
1. Organizational moment
2. Updating the basic knowledge of students
3. Motivation of educational activities
4. Learning new material
5. Fixing the material
6. Reflection
7. Homework
During the classes
I. Organizational moment.
II. Updating the basic knowledge of students.
1. What is meant by computer graphics?
2. What is image processing?
3. What are the main areas of application of computer graphics do you know?
4. What do you know about input devices for graphic images?
III. Motivation of educational activity.
IV. Learning new material.
The class is divided into four groups: scientists who study theoretical basis raster and scientists who study the basics of vector graphics, researchers (perform a practical task according to the instructions, prepare a report on various types graphic files) and consultants (students who have knowledge of the topic and who were identified by the teacher).
The teacher informs the groups of tasks and deadlines (20 min.). Groups receive task cards and group work notes. Advisors assist groups in creating a response.
Handout
Group rules.
1. Remember, the effective work of the group depends on the participation of everyone.
2. Familiarize yourself with the material.
3. Exchange information with other group members.
4. Together prepare a short report on the topic (3x).
5. Select a speaker. The speaker is the representative of the group, and the work of the whole group is evaluated for his performance.
The plan of the report of scientists.
1. What is the main element of building an image?
2. What determines the file size?
3. What advantages does it have?
4. What disadvantages does it have?
5. For what kind of work is it used?
Theoretical information.
Students receive theoretical information from the presentation "Types of graphic files", or cards with theoretical material.
IN raster graphics Images are made up of multicolored dots (pixels) that together form a pattern. The file size is affected by the size of the image (number of pixels horizontally and vertically) and the number of colors. Raster graphics are used in the development of electronic (multimedia) and printing publications, as it allows you to effectively and realistically represent the object. Illustrations made using raster graphics are rarely created manually, using computer programs. Most often, scanning of images prepared by the artist on paper or photographs is used. Recently, digital photo and video cameras have been used to input bitmap images. Therefore, most raster graphics editors are focused on image processing. Large amounts of data is the main problem in using bitmaps. One of the problems with raster graphics is the inability to detail the image. Enlarging the image, we will see that the pixels have become larger. No additional details can be seen when the bitmap is enlarged.
The most popular programs for working with raster graphics are Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photo-Paint, Jasc Software Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft PhotoDraw, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, Corel Painter.
Graphic images created in programs for working with vector graphics
based on mathematical descriptions vectors, and not on the description of the coordinates of the points. The basis of such images (curves and straight lines) are called vectors. Since when depicting objects in graphic images, vectors are used that are described by mathematical formulas, the individual elements of the image that are obtained by such programs can be easily enumerated, enlarged or reduced without loss of image quality. To move an object on the image, just drag it with the mouse. The computer automatically calculates the size and new location of the image object. The idea of image vectorization is to describe image elements using mathematical formulas. Images are decomposed into simple objects - primitives. Primitives are created based on key points, which are defined as a set of numbers. The program reproduces the picture, key points.
Vector graphics are used in the creation of schematic images - in advertising agencies, design bureaus, editorial offices for drawings, design work. Vector graphics objects are stored in the computer memory as a set of parameters. For the image of one object, 20-30 bytes are enough random access memory.
The most popular vector graphics programs are CorelDraw Graphics, Suite, Adobe Illustrator Macromedia Free Hand.
Like any other data in a computer, graphic images are stored as files that have a certain data organization that is optimal for a particular program.
The graphic file format defines the structure of the file and how the data is stored. Knowledge of file formats and their capabilities is an essential key factor when working on publishing, creating images for web pages and electronic publications, and editing source images. Graphic files used to record images can be divided into three categories:
A metafile is a format that allows two or more types of image data to be stored in one file. Purpose files are widely used to transfer raster and vector data between different hardware and even software platforms.
Compression is the process of converting data from one format to another.
All available compression algorithms can be divided into two large classes:
lossless compression;
lossy compression.
Most lossless compression algorithms are based on searching for repeating pixel fragments in a bitmap image. By applying such compression, completely - pixel by pixel - the original images are restored. In this case, nothing is discarded or lost from the initial data. In such cases, a compression ratio of 10:1 is most often achieved. The lossless compression method is very efficient.
Lossy compression is applied to graphic files that do not have repeating fragments or large parts with a single color fill. For the format, a lossy compression algorithm is implemented. This means that in the process of compressing an image file, the data stored in the file is lost. The higher the compression ratio of the file, the lower the quality of the image.
Instruction for the research team
1. Answer the question: "What factors affect the size of graphic bitmap files?"
2. Explore the changes that occur with graphic bitmap files when saving it with a different type.
Progress
1. Download graphics editor Paint. Open file D: Lesson 24. bmp.
2. Using the File / Save as... command, save the file to the same folder with the name 256color and the corresponding type. (Image changed?)
3. Use the File / Open command to open the 24.bmp file.
4. Using the File / Save as... command, save the file to the same folder with the name 16color and the corresponding type. (Image changed? How exactly?)
5. Use the File / Open command to open the 24.bmp file.
6. Using the File / Save As... command, save the file to the same folder with the monochrome name and the corresponding type. (Image changed? How exactly?)
7. Use the File / Open command to open the 24.bmp file.
8. Using the File / Save As... command, save the file to the same folder with the name F.jpeg and the corresponding type. (Did the image change? How exactly? Pay attention to the borders of the shapes.)
9. Use the File / Open command to open the 24.bmp file.
10. Using the File / Save as... command, save the file to the same folder with the name F.gif and with the appropriate type. (Image changed?)
11. Close the graphic editor.
12. In the My Computer window, open the folder with the created pictures. Set View/Table and compare the size of the generated files. (Which is the smallest, the smallest, why?)
13. View the drawings with an image viewer. Compare the quality of the drawings.
14. Discuss the results of the work, answer the problematic question.
15. Close all windows.
Brief theoretical information
The size of a bitmap file is affected by the quality of the picture (number of pixels horizontally and vertically) and the number of colors. With a monochrome image, 1 bit of code is allocated for each pixel - 1 bit (0 or 1). If a palette of 16 colors is used, 4 bits are needed for each pixel (0000, 0001, 0010, 0011, 0100 .... - 24 = 16), 256 colors - 8 bits (bytes). A 24-bit palette allows 224 = 16 million colors. colors. The code of each pixel thus occupies 3 bytes. When saving files of the gif, jpeg types, special information compression algorithms are used, which degrade the image quality in a certain way.
Instruction for consultants
Target
: to answer the question "Which files (raster or vector) are easier to edit?"
Progress
1. Open the graphic editor Paint.
2. Draw a simple image (fig.1)
3. Try to separate the oval from the rectangle.
4. Try to change the size of which shape (Fig. 2)
5. Is it possible to change the bitmap?
6. Open text editor word.
7. Repeat steps 2-4.
8. Is it possible to change the vector image?
9. Formulate a conclusion.
V. Consolidation of new material
Group work continues.
Students create comparison table raster and vector graphics.
Comparison criteria
1. Smallest imaging unit
2. File size
3. Image quality
4. Ease of editing
5. Image detail
A group of researchers reports on the results of their work.
Students formulate an answer to the question: "What is the difference between raster graphics and vector graphics? Which type of graphics is better? How to resize graphic files?
VI. Reflection.
The teacher invites everyone to summarize their work using the "Circle of Ideas" method:
What I remember most about today's lesson is...
Have we reached the goal that we set at the beginning of the lesson? Whereby? What helped you to master the material of the lesson?
What was easy and what was difficult?
What do you remember most about today's lesson?
What difficulties did you encounter during the lesson?
What advice would you give classmates to overcome these difficulties?
VII. Homework.
Study the material.
Today, you won’t surprise anyone with graphic images in a computer version, because even modern cameras are able to take pictures with enough high resolution. However, there are also special graphics programs that allow you to process one or another type of image with the best result.
Before talking about what graphic programs for a computer are, it is worth dwelling separately on the most common and used types of graphics as such. To date, there are at least two of them: vector and raster graphics.
Raster graphics is an obsolete type of creating and saving images or pictures, which is based on the pixel grid of the same monitor or using the capabilities of the printer when printing the image.
Vector graphics involves the creation and editing of complex objects that consist of several structural elements. Moreover, each element can have not only the main outline, but also a fill. In passing, it is worth noting that when creating such a complex structure, you can also use the overlay of layers, so that when editing or changing the image, the loss of overall quality is not significant.
It goes without saying that the types of graphics programs vary depending on the image processing for which they were originally intended.
As for the difference between the two types of graphics, based on the above, it is obvious: a pixel-based bitmap, even by a small percentage, will look like a set of squares when enlarged. But vector graphics objects can be enlarged by changing the layers used. As a rule, this does not affect the quality of the picture in any way. Moreover, with the appropriate products and special add-ons to them, the programs themselves become more powerful. A graphic image, say, a vector image, may not be available when opened, however, the subsequent raster conversion allows you to easily create a rather complex layout.
If we talk about specialized utilities or software packages, designed for raster processing, here among the main and most commonly used are Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.
The Corel Draw software package is, in general, almost the very first powerful software product, which allowed working with graphics at the highest level. All these “photoshops” appeared much later, but the ideas embodied in the principles of image and photo processing by the developers of this package are still alive.
If we consider more complex utilities, or rather, programs designed for more complex types of vector images, here, of course, programs like Photo Paint (the same name for all software developers of this type) and tools created by Adobe Corporation are in the lead (more on this later). ).
You should not discount the specialized utilities such as Paint.NET, which allow you to change the original size of images in the direction of its increase. You don't see that often. Note that this approach is applicable only to vector graphics, with a raster, no matter how hard you try, nothing good will come of it.
In principle, there are enough software products. However, even some programs for viewing graphic files can provide the user with unprecedented opportunities even for automatic editing of the same photos, taking into account changes in contrast, brightness, color saturation, etc. You don’t need to go far. What is the viewer called ACDSee.
And now a few words about the most versatile packages that can be used to process graphics of any type.
First of all, it is the eminent Adobe Photoshop. Apparently, even many professionals working with this software product do not fully know all its capabilities.
On the other hand, graphic programs like Ashampoo Photo Optimizer, although originally designed to optimize images, nevertheless boast a fairly good set of tools, sometimes not inferior to the same Photoshop.
However, such programs from the first acquaintance are quite difficult to understand. So if you are already engaged in editing or creating graphics (and even more so animated), you should start with the simplest. Having learned the basics, you can move on to more complex levels, when you can even make a full-fledged movie scene out of ordinary graphics.
Look at least how the fight between Morpheus and Neo was filmed in the first part of The Matrix. First, hand-drawn animation was created, consisting of a huge number of consecutive images in which the movements of the characters were recorded, and only then the images of real actors (Laurence Fishburne and Keanu Reeves) were superimposed on the animated image.
What can I say, the same animated series "Masyanya", popular in its time, was also created using graphic programs that can transform hand-drawn graphic animation into a full-fledged video, or at least save it as a flash movie.
2.2 Classification of application packages
Application software packages (APPs) are the most dynamically developing part of the IP and IS market. software. Improving the PPP contributes to the introduction of computers in all areas of activity. PPP development and hardware goes hand in hand - the emergence of powerful in their own functionality computers contribute to the creation of improved RFP, and vice versa, the requirements for improved RFP stimulate the development of the hardware base.
The structure and principles of building PPP are determined by the type of computer and operating system. Currently, among users, the most common software for IBM PC compatible computers running MS DOS and Windows. In general, the classification of PPP is shown in Fig.1.
Rice. 2.2 PPP classification
Problem-oriented PPPs are the most developed and numerous part of PPPs in terms of the number of packages. Let's take a closer look at some of the products.
Features of the construction and scope of the PPP.
Word processors (TP) - designed to work with documents (texts). They allow you to compose, format, edit texts, have functions for working with blocks of text, objects. Examples of TP for PC are MS Word, Lexicon, Chiwriter, etc. Working with text data will be discussed in a separate section.
Desktop publishing systems (NIS) - professional publishing programs that allow for electronic layout of the main types of documents. NIS funds allow:
Þ typeset text using master pages, create columns of text, work with long documents as a whole;
Þ carry out printing design by adjusting the baseline, text rotations, etc.;
Þ import a variety of data and collect text;
Þ process graphic images, ranging from the ability to import and ending with the ability to edit graphic objects, support printing color models CMYK type;
Þ ensure the output of printing quality documents, implementing the functions of color separation, converting additional colors to CMYK, overprinting, printing negatives;
Þ work in networks on different platforms.
The best programs NIS for PC are Corel Ventura, PageMaker, QuarkXPress. The last two packages are created in the Windows standard.
Graphic editor - packages to be processed graphic information. Divided into PPP processing bitmap And vector charts.
Raster graphics application packages are designed to work with photographic images. They include means for encoding images into digital form, processing and editing images (saturation, contrast, color gamut). There are tools for converting to images with different degrees of resolution and different data formats - BMP, GIF, PCX etc., as well as a means of outputting finished images in the form of hard copies. The leader among raster packages is Adobe Photoshop . Among others, it should be mentioned Aldus Photostyler, Picture Publisher, Photo Works Plus . All programs are designed to work in the environment windows.
PPP vector graphics - professional packages for work related to artistic and technical illustration, design and occupy an intermediate position between CAD and NIS. They include:
· tools for creating graphic illustrations - arcs, circles, ellipses, broken lines and polygons, etc.;
· means of splitting and combining objects, copying, shading, perspective;
· text processing tools - various fonts, alignment, paragraphs, etc.;
· means of importing and exporting graphic objects of different graphic formats – BMP, CDR, PCX, WMF, etc.;
· means of printing out printing performance of the screen image;
· sophisticated color adjustment tools - grayscale instead of colors, sublayer color replacement, dot size compensation when printing, etc.
Package is standardCoreldraw . Others includeAdobe Illustrator , Aldus free hand , professional Draw .
Spreadsheets (spreadsheet processors) – software packages designed to process tabularly organized data. The most common and popular at presentexcel , Quattro Pro , supercalc . The use of spreadsheets is discussed in a separate section.
Work organizers - PPP, designed to automate the procedures for planning the use of resources (time, money, materials) and have two varieties: 1) project management and 2) organization of the activities of an individual.
Packets of the first type designed for network planning and project management. These packages allow you to:
· manipulate data at the level of graphical objects;
· manage multiple tasks (> 1000) and resources within a single project;
· plan to the minute;
· use individual resource schedules;
· use lead tasks with a fixed duration and delay;
· work with a changing staff load and resource costs;
· use a library of standard solutions;
· generate reports with graphs and instructions;
· export and import to spreadsheets
The first type of packages are: MS project, Time Line, CA-Superproject.
Packages of the second type represent an electronic assistant to a business person. At their core, they perform the functions of electronic secretaries and are designed to manage business contacts. The main functions are as follows:
* formation of a schedule of business activity with automatic control over its implementation;
* maintaining an electronic filing cabinet;
* storing an arbitrary amount of data in a large number of databases;
* the presence of a full-featured word processor, including all the necessary tools for creating business documents;
* generation of standard documents on the database;
* ensuring the security and confidentiality of data;
* work with a telephone line (autodial, autodial, etc.);
* work with E-mail and Fax.
The most famous packages are Lotus Organizer , Microsoft Schedule and ACTI .
Database management systems (DBMS) designed to create, store and maintain databases. A great number of DBMSs have been developed for various classes computers and operating systems. They differ in the way data is organized, the data format, and the query language. The most popular are relational DBMS for IBM PC compatible PCs: dBase, Paradox, MS Access, FoxPro . For servers and networks, products are popular Oracle . The use of databases is discussed in a separate section.
Demo Graphics Packs - designers of graphic images of business information, i.e. means of creating a similarity of a video show, making it possible to present the results of an analytical study in a visual and dynamic form.
The work with the package is built according to the following plan:
· development of a presentation plan;
· choosing a template for designing elements;
· formation and import of texts, graphs, tables, diagrams, sound effects;
Accordingly, the package includes:
1) a planner that allows you to create a plan and format it for printing;
2) templates for creating slides, filling them with text and graphic objects;
3) means for output to a printer, printing on a transparent film for transparencies;
4) tools for controlling the speed, the order of the slides, importing diagrams and data for graphs from spreadsheet processors, databases.
Among the packages of this type, it is worth highlighting MS PowerPoint, Harvard Graphics, WordPerfect presentations etc.
Media software packages - means of processing audio and video information. Their use requires additional hardware– audio and video boards, speakers, CD-ROMs, etc.
The essence of multimedia packages can be described as the conversion of various types of analog information into digital. Multimedia requires significant computational costs of the computer.
Multimedia programs can be divided into two big groups. First includes packages for education and leisure. They are supplied mainly on CD-ROMs with a capacity of 500 - 700 MB.
Secondthe group includes tools for preparing video materials, demo discs, poster materials, and animation. IN this group various tools are included.
The packages of the second group are Director for Windows, Multimedia ViewKit, Nec MultiSpin.
Design automation systems designed to automate design work in mechanical engineering, construction, etc. They include a large set tools, allowing to implement the following main functions:
· object scaling;
· grouping, moving with stretching, turning, cutting, resizing;
· work with layers;
· redrawing (background, manual, interrupted);
· file management in terms of library catalog and drawing catalogs;
· usage a large number various drawing tools; use of the symbol library, execution of inscriptions;
· automation of procedures using the built-in macro language;
work with color
· teamwork in the network;
· export-import of files of various formats.
The standard among packages of this class is AutoCAD by Autodesk. It should also be noted that the programs DesignCAD, Drawbase, Microstation, TurboCAD, TopoMaster (for drawing topographic images) .
Character recognition programs designed to translate a graphic image of text (letters and numbers) into ASCII character codes. The main products of this type are supplied together with scanners. In programs of this type, they try to implement the following features:
* setting for different font sizes;
* stable character recognition when tilted;
* multiple fragmentation - recognition of multi-column texts, several fonts at the same time;
* separation of text from graphics;
* input of multipage documents;
* font type setting (printing, typewriting, etc.);
* selection of brightness;
* import of graphic images of different formats;
* built-in dictionaries to check spelling;
* automatic translation document text as you type.
These types of packages are FineReader, CunieForm, Tigertm, OmniPage.
Financial programs designed for personal finance management, automation of accounting of firms and enterprises, analysis of investment projects, economic justification of financial transactions, etc. Gained particular popularity personal money planning programs, For example, MS Money, MoneyCounts, MECA Software. Such programs provide means of maintaining business records in the form of notebook and calculation of financial transactions.
The range of specialized accounting programs is unusually large. Among the most popular domestic developments should be called Turbo accountant, !C: Accounting.
Analytical RFPs – programs of statistical calculations. Significantly cover the possibilities of statistical analysis Spreadsheets. This type of package includes popular foreign programs StatGraphics, SPSS, Statistika. The use and analytical capabilities of statistical packages are discussed in a separate section.
Integrated Application Packages
The most powerful and dynamically developing piece of software. Within this software, two most significant groups can be distinguished: 1) fully connected packages and 2) object-related packages.
Fully Bound Packages – are a multifunctional stand-alone package in which the functions and capabilities of specialized (problem-oriented) packages related in data processing technology are combined into one whole. In fact, in such programs, the functions of the text editor, DBMS and spreadsheet processor are integrated. Packages provide a link between data, but at the cost of narrowing the capabilities of each component individually. Representatives of this class of packages are: for OS MS DOS - FrameWork, Symphony, for Windows - Microsoft Works, Lotus Works.
Object-Related Integrated Packages is the latest word in software technology. Integration Approach software tools is to combine specialized packages within a single resource base and ensure the interaction of applications, i.e. package programs, at the object level and a single simplified center - switcher between applications.
The most powerful packages of this type: Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSute, Borland Office. IN professional version packages there are four applications: text editor, DBMS, spreadsheet processor, demo graphics package. IN custom option DBMS is missing. In object-oriented packages integration effect is not reduced to the simple sum of the constituent components - additional features are obtained due to the interaction of the package components in the process of work. In fully-bundled packages, the benefits of integration are often negated by the lack of a particular feature found in a specialized package.
The object-linked approach to integration involves giving the components a consistent consistent interface: icons and menus, dialog boxes, macro language, etc. The main feature is the use of shared resources. stands out four main types shared access to resources:
1. the use of common utilities for all programs of the complex (for example, a spell check utility);
2. the use of objects that may be in the joint use of the programs of the complex;
3. easy transition or launch of one application from another;
4. a single macro language as a means of automating work with applications, which allows organizing complex information processing, since programming is carried out in a single macro definition language.
Sharing objects is the cornerstone of modern integration technology. On this moment exists two standards :
· Object Linking and Embedding OLE2.0 dynamic linking and object embedding by Microsoft.
· OpenDoc (open document) firms Apple, Borland, IBM, Novell.
OLE2.0 makes it possible to place information created by one application program in another - while it is possible to edit information in a new document using the tools of the product with which the object was previously created.
OLE2.0 allows objects to be moved from the window of one application to the window of another.
OLE2.0 provides for the possibility of sharing the functional resources of programs: for example, the ET plotting module can be used in a text editor.
The main drawback of OLE2.0 is the limitation on the size of a single page object.
OpenDoc is an object-oriented system that uses the Distributed System Object Model (DSOM) as an object model, developed by IBM for OS/2. Compatibility between OLE and OpenDoc is expected.
Graphics packages are application programs designed to create and process digital images. Depending on the purpose, graphics packages (very conditionally) are divided into several groups. Graphics packages for creating images (interactive graphics and software generation)
2D graphics:
vector static graphics ( CorelDRAW , AutoCAD );
vector dynamic graphics (animation) ( AutodeskAnimatorPro );
bitmap static graphics ( Paint , Canvas , World Builder , Adobe Photoshop );
raster dynamic graphics ( Giffy the Animation , Adobe ImageReady );
combined graphics ( Corel Xara , Adobe Photoshop ).
3D graphics (vector and composite packages):
for simulation ( character studio );
for rendering ( RayDream 3D );
for animation ( Soft Image 3D );
universal packages ( 3DStudio , 3DStudioMAX ).
Graphics packages for image processing (raster, two-dimensional graphics)
Specialized packages (focused on a specific type of images and equipment).
Universal packages (work on typical PC hardware - Adobe Photoshop , PhotoStyler ).
Combined graphics packages for creating and processing images (raster graphics, statics and dynamics) : Adobe Photoshop , AdobeImageReady . Graphic packages for viewing and converting graphic file formats : Sea , display and etc.
Graphic packages for morphing (gradual transformation of one image into another) : Adobe Morphing , GRMorph and etc.
Graphics packages for converting digital image models
Tracers (bitmap to vector conversion) – CorelTrace , AdobeStream-Line .
Rasterizers (converting vector images to bitmaps) - rendering programs, functions in CorelDRAW and in Adobe Illustrator .
Graphics packages for optimizing web graphics Universal packages - Adobe ImageReady , Adobe Photoshop . Specialized Packages: Color Palette Optimizers – HVSColor ; GIF Animators - Animation GIFs , GIF Construction Set , MS GIF Animator ; navigation map editors - CrossEye , MapThis ; packages for filtering-smoothing - SmoothScaling . From the above list, we can highlight the most powerful and most widely used packages. For raster graphics, the undisputed leader is Adobe Photoshop, for illustrative vector graphics the palm is divided: in the field of professional printing, Adobe Illustrator, in other cases in Russia, CorelDRAW is most often used.
The storage and processing of digital images is not an end in itself. In any case, the digital image must be reproduced in some way. This is what the visualization subsystem does. Visualization is the conversion of digital images stored in computer memory into visual images. The software and hardware parts are responsible for visualization. The first one is implemented with the help of graphic packages of the appropriate purpose (see above). The main task is to decode digital image data and write RGB channel brightness codes to the corresponding video memory cells to display or form halftone dots of the corresponding colors when printing. The hardware is implemented using special output devices, which include monitors, video projectors, projection panels, printers, and plotters.
Adobe Photoshop is the world's most popular graphic package, which has long become the standard for working with raster graphics. In Russia, it is used not only by most professionals, but also by a considerable number of amateurs, which was facilitated, on the one hand, by the high level of piracy, and, on the other hand, by the almost complete absence of popular information about possible alternatives.
There is no doubt that Photoshop is truly the most versatile graphic editor in its group, and no other graphic application has yet been able to surpass its wide capabilities. However, Photoshop is designed for professional designers and requires a lot of time to master - amateurs often can't handle it, and simply don't need it. Many operations in this application are by no means trivial and require certain knowledge, while alternative packages may provide simple solutions accessible even to beginners. Yes, and the too high cost of Photoshop also serves as a serious obstacle, because only reputable professional studios can afford it. Therefore, sooner or later, a large part of Russian home users (who actually do not need such a powerful program at all), and some professional designers will be forced to switch to alternative packages that are not so multifunctional (although there are solutions that are quite similar in terms of capabilities), but but not so expensive either. Let's try to evaluate which of the other graphic applications can be considered as a cheap alternative to Photoshop.
The list of graphics products on the market that are positioned as solutions for working with raster graphics (some of them, including Photoshop, also have some functions to support vector graphics), in addition to Adobe Photoshop, there are a lot of very diverse applications that differ in the supported platform and spectrum. provided opportunities. Among them there are solutions that are focused on a single platform or are cross-platform, included in other packages (mostly office) or presented standalone. There is also a huge range of prices. The most expensive solution is Photogenics at $699 (by comparison, Adobe Photoshop is $649) and the cheapest ($20) is Brush Strokes Image Editor. If you wish, you can find generally free solutions, such as, for example, GIMP. If we discard non-Windows graphics packages that are positioned as solutions for artists (and therefore focused on creating images from scratch, and not on processing them like Adobe Photoshop), as well as those that cannot be purchased standalone and rank the rest by price, then you get the picture shown in Table. 1 .
It can be seen that even if you set the bar at $ 100 (as the real price for many users), then the list is still theoretically possible solutions will turn out to be significant. Therefore, we will try to rank the packages and immediately discard insufficiently functional ones, based on the lack of some basic features in them: support for basic color models, the availability of tools for working with selected areas and color correction, support for layers (with saving in psd format), automation and latitude of available graphic formats (Table 2). The number of possible contenders will be reduced to five - in the table they are marked in color.
It is worth noting that only two of the remaining five solutions - Corel Paint Shop Pro and Ulead PhotoImpact - can somehow compete with Adobe Photoshop in terms of functionality and be considered as its cheap alternative (for professional designers). The rest are an order of magnitude or more inferior to the leaders (and it makes no sense to compare them with the leading packages), but these solutions may well be of interest to home users, so we will also include them in the review.
Developer: Corel Corporation (formerly Jasc Software, Inc.)
Paint Shop Pro, which works with both vector and raster graphics, provides almost all the same features as the more famous and almost ten times more expensive Photoshop. But this is not the only plus. The application has much more modest system requirements and is more convenient to use: many non-trivial operations (using filters and applying effects, adjusting and color correcting photographs, etc.) are performed with one click; frequently repeated actions are very easy to automate (templates, scripts and image batch processing); support customization technology user interface(Dynamic Personalization) provides convenient configuration of the program in accordance with the decision specific tasks or personal preference. And it turns out to be an order of magnitude easier to learn, not only because of the simpler interface, but also thanks to a well-thought-out built-in learning system: extended help, a series of lessons, the Learning Center module and a training film from Lynda.com.
Paint Shop Pro allows you to create stylish creative projects by drawing from scratch, processing photographs and creating graphics for print, presentations, web and more. The package supports layers, masks and alpha channels and comes with a fairly large set of gradients, masks, patterns for fills, textures, frames, tubes, shapes and brushes, the number of which is easy to increase by downloading your favorite add-ons from the Internet. The variety of selection methods available in Paint Shop Pro provides not only the usual copying and cutting of areas, but also quick removal background, as well as automatic selection of similar pixels. Support for vector graphics will allow you to embed a variety of vector shapes into the image (based on existing in the system or loadable templates), arbitrary vector curves and text. Moreover, the created text can be placed along any curve, decorated with brushes and tubes, gradient and texture fills, use various edging options, achieve unique effects thanks to masks, etc.
Built-in tools for automatic correction and red-eye removal will help improve low-quality pictures, and advanced color correction, distortion correction, image straightening and perspective correction will eliminate almost any defects in low-quality photos and even restore old pictures or vice versa - age modern ones. One Step Noise Removal and One Step Purple Fringe Removal help you quickly remove noise and purple edges, while Smart Photo Fix delivers optimal correction results by combining auto-correction and precision manual setting. With the help of cloning tools, it is easy to retouch photos, eliminating image defects such as small scratches, dust marks, scan lines, etc. Using the naturalistic tools of Art Media Tools, you can turn ordinary photos into real masterpieces of fine art, reminiscent of paintings drawn in oil, chalk, pastel, etc. Miscellaneous different variants framing will add sophistication and expressiveness to your shots, and an impressive range of built-in effects and filters will make them even more artistic.
Web designers will appreciate such specialized features as image optimization, creating textures and buttons (including interactive ones), cutting pictures into slices, developing rollover elements, creating hyperlink maps and gif animations.
Developer: Ulead Systems Inc.
A professional solution for working with raster and vector graphics - the PhotoImpact package - contains the minimum necessary for processing digital photographs and creating web graphics. At the same time, many repetitive operations in it can be automated using macros and support for batch mode of their execution. Compared with Photoshop this graphics editor is compact, less demanding on system resources and much easier to learn. In terms of its capabilities, it is close to the Paint Shop Pro package, and it is very difficult to say which one is better. However, for beginners, it's probably better to start with PhotoImpact - it makes it faster and easier to get spectacular results from the very first steps by installing a simpler and more beginner-friendly interface, quick access To key functions programs directly from start page, convenient browser filters and effects, etc.
The package supports layers and comes with a huge database of templates, brushes, textures, fills, photo objects - for creating collages and 3D styles ("gel", "glass", "plastic", etc.). It offers users a variety of brushes (including artistic ones - to imitate drawing techniques with chalk, charcoal, pencil, etc.), an extensive set of ready-made shapes and handy tools for manual drawing and editing nodes when working with paths. The classic tools for working with selected areas are supplemented with a number of unique ones - for example, the Object Extraction Wizard allows you to quickly remove objects from the background, and the SmartRemove Scene Compositor tool helps you quickly cut out the necessary fragments from several images and create one new one based on them. A rich set of options for processing text objects allows you to easily deform text, rotate it and snap it to free-form guides. A huge set of filters and special effects for graphic images and text objects, with the possibility of expanding it with plug-in Photoshop plugins, will provide you with the results you need quickly. You can, for example, create stunning gif animations with the effects of disintegration of the image into parts, filling with bubbles, rain, clouds, etc. or create images in various styles (abstract, classic, modern, etc.) by applying the appropriate artistic effect to them . PhotoImpact makes it very easy to create 3D compositions: all you have to do is define colors, textures, gradients, bevels, object transparency, and more.
In terms of web graphics, the program allows you to create pop-up menus, rollover elements, slices, image maps and gif animations, and you can save web elements not only in the standard gif, jpg or png compression formats, but also in the still little used, but perspective SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format. Cascading style sheets support advanced web page markup, and the Link Object module allows you to connect video, sound, Flash, Java applets, and more.
PhotoImpact provides an easy way to capture photos from digital cameras, manage photo albums, auto enhance and batch processing images. Its convenient photo retouching tools will help you effortlessly get rid of unwanted parts of images, and automatic and manual ways corrections will allow you to achieve professional quality: eliminate spherical and keystone distortions introduced by the camera lens, improve the quality of the color gamut, imitate the technique of photographing moving objects, etc.
Developer: The GIMP Team
Popular among amateurs (due to the fact that it is available for free), the GIMP graphics editor (as well as its modification GIMPshop with an interface that mimics the interface of Photoshop) can be considered as a possible alternative to Photoshop, although it is certainly far from PhotoImpact and Paint Shop Pro. It works with both raster and vector graphics, and at an amateur level can be used to create simple images (emblems, logos, etc.), animations, and also for photo processing.
The GIMP library includes 48 standard brushes and a classic set of highly customizable brush, pencil and airbrush painting tools. The program can use different color models (RGB, CMYK, etc., however, to support the CMYK model, you need to install the additional Separate module) and many formats are supported, which makes it possible to prepare images both for display on the screen and for printing. To work with selections, there are tools for rectangular and oval selections, a magic wand and a lasso. Support for layers with the ability to select a mode, adjust transparency and hide, allows you to create multi-layered images, including transparent and translucent. Channel support provides the ability to add color effects to images. It is possible to work with contours represented by Bezier curves - contours can be named and saved, and brushes, textures and various border options can be used to decorate them. If desired, contours for areas with the same fill can be automatically created using the iScissors tool. The package provides for standard work with text and it is possible to apply effects and filters, which are about 150 in the standard package. If desired, the package's capabilities can be expanded with a variety of add-ons, and repetitive operations can be automated thanks to the support of macros.
In terms of working with photos, GIMP's capabilities are somewhat modest (if you compare them with the professional products discussed above), but in theory they can suit many home users. The list of supported functions includes resizing and cropping photos, toning, merging images through layers, removing unnecessary image details with a stamp and converting from one format to another. The package also provides standard corrective operations such as adjusting levels, curves, hue/saturation, color balance; and automatic modes, allowing you to enhance images with a single click. But all this is not implemented as conveniently as in professional solutions, and not only from the position of professionals, but also for beginners. For example, you can color correct images using PhotoImpact and Paint Shop Pro much faster, and you don’t need any knowledge, since there are high-quality quick correction options. In GIMP, the same actions will require more time, some knowledge about the correction features, and often download and installation. additional modules(UFRaw - for adjusting white balance, adjusting exposure using curves, adjusting brightness, contrast and saturation, Redeye - removing red eyes, etc.).
It should be noted that to install the GIMP package on Windows, you will need the GTK + library, and users who are used to Photoshop may not like a completely different interface organization principle - a different menu design, different hot keys, the initial absence of the main window (instead of it - a miniature set of buttons ). However, for some home users, free this application may well outweigh the individual inconveniences of installing, configuring and using it, since the possibilities of GIMP are really quite wide.
Developer: Pavel Kanzelsberger
Pixel Image Editor (previously known as Pixel32) is a very attractive package for home users (both in terms of price and features) an image editor similar to Photoshop. It is compact and fast, supports the Russian language and works under different operating systems, which enables easy image conversion between platforms. The application supports TWAIN devices (scanners and digital cameras), Tablet PC and graphics tablets, viewing images is conveniently organized, as well as their quick search.
Pixel Image Editor supports Grayscale, RGB, CMYK, CIE Lab and HDR color models and all major graphic formats including png and psd. It provides for the use of layers with support for layer effects, adjusting their transparency and the ability to save layer settings as styles, it is possible to work with color channels and create masks. Users are provided with a set of customizable brushes, standard drawing tools (brush, pencil and airbrush) and working with selections (rectangular and oval selection, lasso, magic wand) and contours (pen).
Using the package, you can optimize images in gif, png, jpeg and wbmp formats, cut them into slices, create link maps and animations for web pages in animated gif format and directly edit the generated program code at the html level. As for specialized photo processing, it is limited to color correction at the histogram level, the use of special image retouching tools to eliminate details that spoil them, and the use of filters. Therefore, for photographers who need versatile image correction, Pixel Image Editor will not seem very convenient. However, it is quite suitable for amateur photographers who can use the package for creating amateur collages - it is easy to cut out the necessary fragments from different photos and combine them into one image thanks to layers and create complex framing options for pictures using masks. But most importantly, the package will be very popular with those who like to develop the design of web pages with their own hands, as it has impressive functionality in terms of developing web graphics.
Developer: WnSoft Graphic Software
PixBuilder Photo Editor is a compact and user-friendly (similar to Photoshop) photo editor that supports major image formats. The package is inexpensive, supports the Russian language and has professional tools for working with selected areas and for color correction of photos. At the same time, PixBuilder is extremely simple, so you can figure it out in just 15 minutes. This allows us to consider PixBuilder Photo Editor interesting enough for amateur photographers, and even just home users who want to improve the quality of pictures and experiment with creating a collage or make a photo montage.
PixBuilder Photo Editor supports layers (adjusting transparency, adding a drop shadow and grouping), allows you to work with color channels, use masks and apply gradient fills. It has basic drawing features - you can draw with a pencil or brush, or create geometric objects based on shapes. To form selected areas, a rectangular and oval selection, a magic wand, a magnetic and a polygonal lasso are provided. The text is created on a separate text layer and can be styled with a texture.
The program has standard image transformation operations: resizing, cropping and free rotation. But the most important plus is the wide range of image correction options, for which it is proposed full set professional color management functions: adjusting color balance, changing brightness, contrast and saturation, editing levels and curves. Most of the color-correcting functions are set to manual control - automatically the program can only adjust levels and contrast. To retouch images and eliminate unnecessary details from them, the tools "stamp" and "healing brush" are provided, and "free transformation" and "transformation of the selected area" will correct the wrong perspective. The effects included in the package will help you adjust the sharpness or, conversely, blur image fragments, and support for masks will allow you to complement your pictures with spectacular borders and frames.
