D2 - File Formats, resolution etc.

      File Types

      There are many different file format types and they all affect size and quality of images in different ways. File formats are how the information is put together so that it can be saved as a file type.  The main file formats for images are:
      1.       JPEG – these files would usually be used for digital/photographic images
2.       PNG – these files would usually be used for web images/graphics
3.       GIF – for text, graphs and icons etc.
4.       PSD (Photoshop Data File - can only be used in Photoshop)
·         PSD files allow you to save your Photoshop project so that you can go back and edit it at a later time. It keeps all the layers, layer styles and objects, but if you save a Photoshop image as anything other file you wouldn't be able to do this.
  
     Compression Techniques

      File Compression
      File compression is when a file which takes up a large amount of data is reduced/compressed. Compression of an image will reduce the quality, as you can see above I have changed my files to different JPEGS. The first image is a digital high quality JPEG that has the best and very clear quality and resolution. The problem with this is that it takes up 6.59M, whereas the other images range from 487.9k to 97.6k but the image quality differs, this depends on whether the JPEG has a high or low quality format. Compression is used mainly for images that are going to be put up on the internet because it means that they won’t take as long to load.

       Image Resolution

      Resolution is the measurement of the quality in an image and it is usually measured in pixels or dots, the measurement terms are PPI (Pixels per inch) and DPI (Dots per inch). PPI is for graphics on screen and computer resolutions and DPI is when referring to printing. 

     The higher the resolution in an image, the better quality it will but it will take up more memory when stored. Web graphics are usually 72 PPI and digital photographs can be around 300 PPI. 

    Vector files don't distort as they are made up of pixels and are made from mathematical equations, this means that they keep their quality.
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      Colour Depth

      Colour depth is the number of bits used to represent colours in an image or photograph, and the higher the numbers of bit of colour the better the image. Colour depth can affect the file sizes too as if the colour depth is high the file size will increase but the quality will remain good. GIFs have a limited colour palette so having a high colour depth would seriously increase the size on a GIF file.

ICT D1

D1 - Describe and evaluate the on-going developments in these printing/output techniques

Laser printing for leaflets and Flyers

This process uses an electrostatic printing process that produces texts and graphics by smoothly wiping a laser beam over a drum to produce a differently charged image. These printers use colour toner, this is dry ink and they use the colours CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black).

Vinyl cutter and laser cutters for signage

To make signage, vinyl and laser cutters are mostly used. The main types of signage are usually used for business purposes, e.g. Images on company vans. One company that uses the vehicle wrapping process are SKY, they have images wrapped around their vans, and this makes them look appealing and advertises the company. To make vinyl prints, companies use to have to use lots of materials, now that these machines have been updated they all use the same material making it more efficient and making it an easier process.

Inkjet and wide format printing for bitmap displays and posters

Wide format printing is usually used for bitmap displays, the main printings are usually general signage, banners and posters. They use a roll of print material because if they were to use individual sheets they could stick to each other which would affect the images quality. Bitmap images can become pixelated when enlarged; this could be a problem when using a wide format printer. One programme that is good for bitmaps is Photoshop because images can be manipulated and changed due to the user’s needs.They image resolution for a good quality image would be 72PPI.

3D Printing

3D printing is a manufacturing process that builds layers to create a three-dimensional solid object from a digital model.

To print a 3-D object, the manufacturer uses a 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) program to create a digital model that gets sliced into very thin cross-sections called layers. During the print process the 3-D printer starts at the bottom of the design and builds up successive layers of material until the object is finished. There are lots of different software programmes that can be used for 3D printing. One example is Google sketch up; this programme allows users to create 3D drawings.

P6

Legal Pitfalls

Copyright issues

Copyright issues are when somebody takes something that has been made by someone else. For example someone might copy someone’s image for a logo, but this is copyright and the other person may be angry and could get the other person in serious trouble. This legal pitfall means that peoples materials are safe and not copied. One example of this is Apple, the electronics company. Another electronics company couldn’t copy this brand name because it could confuse people and the company could press charges, they are receiving money by copying another brand. These graphics could only be used or altered if they have had permission from another company to use these images.  If something has been copyrighted you may see the copyright logo on the back of the product.

Trademark

Trademark is something that can protect a logo, company and a product. It protects the company by distinguishing your product from someone else. This allows companies to prove they haven’t taken, copied or sold a product without permission. It also proves that a product belongs to the person who has made it. If a company steals someone else’s trademark logo they can be punished and be put into a lot of trouble, this helps companies to make sure they are getting all of the sales/feedback and someone hasn’t taken it.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is things such as logos, designs, ideas that are no physical goods. There are 4 different types of intellectual property, these are:

1.       Patents

2.       Copyrights

3.       Trademarks

4.       Designs

People usually use it to sell it to companies to raise money.