SS2: FIRST TOPIC

Meaning of graphics packages

Graphics packages are application software that can be used to create and manipulate images on a computer.
Classifications
Computer graphics can be classified into two distinct categories:
1. raster graphics
2. vector graphics.

Raster graphics
A raster graphics editor is a computer program that allows users to create and edit images as an array of pixels interactively on the computer screen and save them in one of many popular bitmap or raster formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF. Simply put, raster graphics loose their quality as they are altered.

Vector graphics
A vector graphics use paths, points, lines, curves and shapes or polygons (which are all based upon mathematical equations) for the same purpose. Vector graphics retain their image quality when images are altered.

Simple difference between Vector and Raster Graphics
Raster images are based on pixels and thus scale with loss of clarity, WHILE vector-based images can be scaled indefinitely without degrading.
In other words, vector graphics are resolution-independent and thus can remain the highest quality at any scale.

Examples of Graphics Packages
Raster graphics
Examples of raster graphics include:
Corel Painter
Adobe Photoshop
Corel Photo Paint
QFX
Serif Photoplus
Picasa
MS Paint
GIMP, etc.

Vector graphics
Examples of vector graphics include:
Xfig
CorelDRAW
Adobe Illustrator
Harvard graphics
Corel Designer
Inkscape
MS Expression Design & MS Expression Studio
Adobe Fireworks
Adobe Flash Adobe Freehand
MS Visio, etc.