HA2 Task 1 - Technical Glossary

Pixels:

A pixel (picture element) is the psychical point of the raster image ( a raster graphics image, or a bitmap format, is a dot matrix structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels or points of colour) or the smallest addressable element of an image in a display device. So it's the smallest controllable element of a picture represented on the screen. Each pixel is a sample of an original image; more samples typically provide more accurate representations of the original self. here is a example of pixels:

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel


Resolution:

The resolution of an image is the detail it holds, either its good or bad quality. In addition higher resolutions necessarily means a more detailed, clear image. With resolutions you can try and improve a images quality and comes in different sizes. For example.
Pixel resolutions:  As you can see there's an image with different pixel resolutions e.g. 20 x 20, 5 x 5, 2 x 2. etc.

Spatial Resolution:

The spatial resolution is the measurement of how closely the lines can be revolved in an image. Depending on the properties of the system creating the image, and not just the pixel resolution in PPI (pixels per inch). The clarity of an image is decided by its spatial resolution, not the number of pixels in an image. In affect spatial resolution actually refers to the independent pixels values per unit. The spatial resolution of a computer monitor is generally between 72-100 lines per each inch, corresponding to pixels resolutions of 72-100 ppi.

Spectral Resolution:

The spectral resolution is the colour images that distinguish between different spectra. Multispectral images resolve even finer differences of spectrum or wavelength than is needed to reproduce the colour. Multispectral images have higher spectral resolution than normal colour images.

Temporal Resolution: 

Movie production cameras and high-speed cameras can resolve events at  different points in time. The time resolution used for movies is usually 24-48 Frames Per Second (FPS), while high-speed cameras may resolve 50-300 frames or even capable than some.

Radiometric Resolution:

Radiometric resolution determines how finely a certain system can represent or distinguish differences of intensity, and is usually expressed as a number of levels or a number of bits, for example 8-bits or 256 levels that is typical of computer image files. The higher it goes the better subtle differences of intensity or refelctivity can be represented at least in theory.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_resolution

Vector Images:

Vector images/graphics is when the use of geometrical primitives such as the points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygons that are all based on mathematical expressions. They represent images in computer graphics basing them on vectors (also called paths or strokes) which lead, through locations called control points. Each of the points have a definite position on the x and y axes of the work plan, each point as well is a variety of databases. Including the locations of the points in the work space, and the direction the vector is based on. Each track can be assigned a colour, a shape, a thickness and also a fill. This does not effect the size of the files in a way because all information is residing in the structure; it describes how to draw the vector.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics

File Formats

In computer graphics various different image formats are used as each format has its own advantages. GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is limited to 256 colours and uses compression for quicker downloads. This format is best used for images with solid colours or creations such as illustrations or logos.

JPEG

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) Use for photogenic image. It can use a full spectrum of colours unlike the previous GIF format. Similarly though to the GIF,JPEG  formats that sue compression for quicker downloads too. However JPEG compression involves discarding some data in the process which means once it is saved to JPEG, the data is permanently lost so it cannot be used/edited in the future to prevent this.

TIFF

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) Used for bitmap images only and is supported by all graphic applications.

EPS

EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) Used for both vector and bitmap and theu are unique as they contain a postscript description of graphic data and you can use them for bitmap or vector pages. 

Adobe PSD

Used for Photoshop documents. Many applications support them and they are able to keep images elements on layers which can be edited in a other application.

Adobe Portable Document Format or PDF - Used mainly for electronic documents being published over the internet. They are compact, platform independent, the software to view and print them is free, no fonts have to be installed as they are embedded within the PDF and they can contain hyper-links to pages or videos. It is also worth noting that vector art within the PDF will be of amazing printed quality at any resolution.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_format

Compression

Compression for images is very important in digital imaging. If files are left uncompressed, transferring them could take a lot of time. One example I found on the internet made me realize that textures in games would alter the size of the game if textures and images were left uncompressed. In consoles, this may lead to slower loading times and lag in the game especially in RPGs due to the fact that the console will have to load so many large textures for the game itself.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_compression

Image Capture Device

An image scanner is a device which optically scans images, printed text or an object and converts it into a digital image. It is used a lot in businesses so companies can scan letters and documents so they can either print more out or save them as a file on a computer. Hand-held scanners also exist to scan smaller items and so do 3D scanners to scan 3d objects. Scanners in the modern era usually use a CCD which stands for Charged-Coupled Device or a CIS which stands for Contact image sensor. CIS is where a printed image or text is at close contact to the images sensor and the device uses mirrors to bounce light and detect the image. It is then scanned and converted into a digital image. This method is becoming more popular and is starting to replace CCDs.

Source:http://paprofessional.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/scanner.jpg
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_scanner

Storage

Considering in the games industry, hundreds of elements within a game would have to be made, storage needs to be managed. One computer should not hold all game files as it would be too big in some cases and if the computer is damaged, it is lost forever. Backing it up on external hard drives is usually done so that data is kept safe all the time and there will always be a backup of it. In a games studio, it would be wise to connect all the computers on to a kind of network so that each computer level designer for example could easily get the resources they need. They could also make it so that each computer will have to save all the data on the 'master' computer so that each computer in the facility will be able to back it up and have its own copy of the data.

The gaming industry relies on storage and asset management would be very important as game elements would need proper names or else level designers would have no idea what any of the objects the 3D modellers have made would be for example. This and other variations would happen a lot to various roles within the games industry if items, textures or objects are not managed properly.

No sources used for storage.