INFORMATION SHEET 3.

1-3

Raster Graphics

Learning Objectives:

After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:

 Differentiate Raster and Vector Graphics

 Identify the tools used for creating bitmap images

Defining Key concepts

Raster graphics- image or bitmap is a data structure representing a

generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or
other display medium. Raster images are stored in image files with varying formats
(see Comparison of graphics file formats).

Introduction

There are two main types of image files: Raster and Vector. Raster images are created
with pixel-based programs or captured with a camera or scanner. They are more
common in general such as jpg, gif, png, and are widely used on the web. 

When using a raster program

you paint an image and it's similar
to dipping a brush in paint and
painting. You can blend colors to
soften the transition from one color
to another. (See figure 1.1)

Figure 1.1

Photographs are raster

images and are probably the
best example of images
completely made of color
blends - or shade blends in
the case of black and white
 photographs - and those images look very different when drawn in vector
format. (see figure 1.2

Pixels vs. Vector

Raster images are made of pixels. A pixel is a single point or the smallest single
element in a display device. If you zoom in to a raster image you may start to see a lot
of little tiny squares.

Vector images are mathematical calculations from one point to another that form lines
and shapes. If you zoom into a vector graphic it will always look the same.

Figure 1.2

A raster image has a specific number of pixels. When you enlarge the image file
without changing the number of pixels, the image will look blurry. When you enlarge
the file by adding more pixels, the pixels are added randomly throughout the image,
rarely producing good results.

When you enlarge a vector graphic, the math formulas stay the same, rendering the
same visual graphic no matter the size. Vector graphics can be scaled to any size
without losing quality.

Raster Bitmap Images

Bitmap (or raster) images are stored as a series of tiny dots called pixels. Each pixel is
actually a very small square that is assigned a color, and then arranged in a pattern to
form the image. When you zoom in on a bitmap image you can see the individual
pixels that make up that image. Bitmap graphics can be edited by erasing or changing
the color of individual pixels using a program such as Adobe Photoshop.

Bitmap images require higher resolutions and anti-aliasing for a smooth appearance.
Vector-based graphics on the other hand are mathematically described and appear
smooth at any size or resolution.

All scanned images

are
bitmaps, and all
images from digital
cameras are bitmaps.

Bitmaps are best used for photographs and images with subtle shading. Graphics best
suited for the vector format are page layout, type, line art or illustrations.

Bitmap images in general do not inherently support transparency. A couple of specific

formats--namely GIF and PNG--support transparency. In addition, most image editing
programs support transparency, but only when the image is saved in the software
program's native format

Tools used for creating raster graphics

Many beginners start with Photoshop as it is quite easily understood, yet doesn't allow
you to do everything, at least not in the best quality.

These are the three basic main tools needed to design almost anything simple, be the
outcome digital or print.
 InDesign used for layout, typographic work, flyers, posters
 Illustrator used for vector graphics as logos, infographics
 Photoshop used for photo and picture editing and enhancement and
manipulation. Photoshop is used for rastered, pixel based images. Even
though you can do vector work in Photoshop, it is not usually done as the
functions are rudimental.
 Information Sheet 3.1-4
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson that student will be able to:

 Identify the basic tools found in Adobe Photoshop

 Create a canvas
 Adjust image size

Definition

Adobe Photoshop - a popular image editing software that provides a work

environment consistent with Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop
and other products in the Adobe Creative Suite.

Canvas – the bed of pixels that make up an image.

Transform – refers to specific operations that you make to change the location of
pixels. It includes: Scaling, Rotating, Skewing, Distorting.

Cropping – is a basic task in which you define an area of an image that you want
to keep and then discard the remainder of the image.

Opacity – refers to how opaque something is. It is a term you will see used for a
number of different Photoshop elements.

Files Formats - are specific types of computer code that you use to save an image
for various types of output or use with other application.

Image size – refers to the physical dimension of the image – it’s width and height.

File Size – refers to how big the file is in computer

Starting Photoshop and

Viewing the Workspace
 Menu Bar

 If you look at the top of the screen you will see the Menu bar (Figure 3),
which contains all the main

 functions of Photoshop, such as File, Edit, Image, Layer, Select, Filter,

Analysis, 3D, View, Window, and Help.

 Toolbar

 Most of the major tools are located in the Toolbar for easy access.

 The Image

 The image will appear in its own window once you open a file.

 Image Name

 The name of any image that you open will be at the top of the image
window as shown above.

 Palettes

 Palettes contain functions that help you monitor and modify images. By
default, palettes are stacked together in groups. These are the palettes
that are usually visible: Color, Adjustments and Layers. If none of the
palettes are visible, go to Window in the Menu bar and choose the
palettes you need.

 History
 The History palette (Figure 7) stores and displays each action performed
allowing you jump to any recent stage of the image alteration.

 Adjustments
 The Adjustment layers palette give you the ability to apply an effect to a
group of layers in Photoshop, and then you can edit that effect later,
while preserving the original layers.

 Layers
 Layers let you organize your work into distinct levels that can be edited
and viewed as individual units.

A) Layer Visibility -The eye shows that the selected layer is visible. Click
on or off to see or to hide a layer.

B) Layer Locking Options -Click the checkered square icon to lock

Transparency, click the brush icon to lock the Image, click the arrow
icon to lock the Position, and click the lock icon to lock all options.
 C) Layer Blending Mode -Defines how the layer’s pixels blend with
underlying pixels in the image. By choosing a particular blending mode
from the drop-down menu you can create a variety of special effects.

D) Fill -By typing in a value or dragging the slider you can specify the
transparency.

E) Opacity -By typing in a value or dragging the slider, you can specify
the transparency of the entire layer.

F) Layer Lock -The icon shows when the layer is locked and disappears
when it is unlocked. Double-click the icon to unlock the layer.

G) Layer Options Menu -Click the black triangle to display the following
options: New Layer, Duplicate Layer, Delete Layer, Layer Properties, etc.
Some of the options are presented as icons at the bottom of the Layers
palette.

H) Link Layers – Can be used to link layers together.

I) Layer Styles -If a layer has a style, an “F” icon shows at the bottom of
the Layers palette. Click the little black triangle to see style options.

J) Layer Mask -Allows you to hide certain parts of the layer, which can
then be revealed by using the paintbrush and the white paint color to
expose portions of the layer.

K) Layer Set -This option helps to organize images with multiple layers.
Click the icon to create a folder for several layers.

L) Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer -Have the same opacity and
blending mode options as image layers and can be rearranged, deleted,
hidden and duplicated in the same manner as image layers. Click the
icon and select an option to create a new fill or adjustment layer.

M) Create New Layer -Click this icon to create a new layer.

N) Delete Layer -To delete a layer, select a layer in the Layers palette
and drag it to the trash can icon, or select a layer and click the icon.

Using the Zoom Tool and the Hand Tool

• Zoom Tool – use to enlarge and reduce the image on your screen.

• Hand Tool – use to scroll around to see other areas of the image.

Useful Quick Keys:

 Command Windows

Open Ctrl O

Fit on Screen Ctrl 0 (zero)

Fit on Screen Double-click Hand Tool

Zoom in Ctrl +

Zoom Out Ctrl -

Access Zoom Minus Tool Spacebar Alt

Access Zoom Plus Tool Spacebar Ctrl

Access Hand Tool Spacebar

Saving a document and Understanding file formats

File Format Extension Use

Bitmap .bmp Bitmap images, popular

with Windows and OS/2
operating system

CompuServe GIF .gif Web graphics

Photoshop EPS .eps Photoshop graphics with

live type or shape layers

Photoshop PSD .psd Basic format for all

Photoshop documents

JPEG .jpg, .jpeg Web graphics, images to

be e-mailed

PICT .pct, .pict Graphics to be used in

presentation programs,
such as PowerPoint
 Portable Network .png High-quality Web
Graphics graphics

Tagged Image Format .tif, .tiff Graphics to be used fro

print in page layout
programs
 TASK SHEET 3.1-4a
Title: Creating Canvas and change Image size
Performance Objective: Given a Supplies and Materials, you should be able to
create canvas and change image size.
Supplies and Materials: CBLM
Equipment: Computer with Adobe Photoshop
To create an image:

1. Choose File > New.

2. Type a name for the new file. In this activity, type Output1_Create
Image as file name.
3. Use the guide below to set your desired document size and settings.

1
2
3
4
5
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7
8

9
10

1. Name
The name field is where you can add a name to your new document.
This should be a name that helps you easily identify the file.
2. Preset
The Preset field is where you can choose whether you would like to
base your document size on a provided preset or by creating your
own custom size.
3. Size
If you choose to use any other Preset above, then you will see size
options based on the Preset you selected. For example, if you
selected U.S Paper, you will then see common U.S paper size such
 as Letter, Legal, and Tabloid.
4. Width and 5. Height
If you did not select a Preset and choose to create a custom size,
then this is where you can type in your desired document width and
height.
6. Resolution
The resolution is what determines the quality of the image and
refers to the number of pixels per inch (or centimeter) of the image.
7. Color Mode
Color mode allows you to choose what mode and bit you wish to use
for your new document. Note: CMYK refers to print colors and is
generally used for images that will be printed. RGB refers to the
colors as intended for use of web, video, or any digitally displayed
image.
8. Background Content
This allows you to determine the color of your Background layer.
Choosing White or Transparent will make your layer respectively
white or transparent.
9. Color Profile
If you are using a color-managed workflow or want to use a color
profile of a specific device or Color space, you may select that profile
from this dropdown.
10. Pixel Aspect Ratio
The pixel aspect ratio is useful for those who are creating graphics
to be used for video that is not HD or does not use square pixels.

4. Save your file with the same file name and choose the format PSD.

Assessment Method: Performance Criteria