What Are Computer Graphics & Multimedia?
Computer graphics are an essential conveyor of information. Graphics make programs and demonstrations more appealing, and help to capture and retain the attention of an audience. Similarly, multimedia plays an equally important role in conveying information in the digital format. Both of these media have become increasingly important throughout the evolution of the computer and will continue to be so.
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Graphics and Multimedia
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Broadly speaking, computer graphics are any visual element displayed on a computer screen. The term is most commonly used to refer to digital images or video, such as those used in video games, films, or digital artwork. Multimedia is an interactive combination of several types of media. Common examples of multimedia are video games, presentations, and dynamic websites. With the advent of the personal computer and the Internet, computer graphics and multimedia have become inseparable.
The Basis of Computer Graphics
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All computer graphics have their genesis within the computer's graphics card. This card is responsible for translating raw data into data that your eyes can make sense of. When stored within a computer hard drive, a digital photo is a series of bits in a particular order. When you click on an image or press "Play" on a video, the CPU sends that data to the graphics card for processing. Furthermore, the computer's display is not a solid screen. It is actually a collection of very small dots called pixels. The graphics card must determine how the image will relate to those pixels.
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Types of Multimedia Software
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Multimedia applications are used by individuals and industries to create, edit, manage and display computer graphics and other types of media. Flash and Java are two examples of multimedia platforms used by most computer users. These cross-platform applications allow multimedia to be played on almost any operating system, on any browser. Programs such as Gimp and Photoshop allow users to edit computer graphics in real time, and video editing software can turn those images into computer-generated movies.
Uses of Multimedia
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Multimedia can literally be seen anywhere, from the Internet to Times Square. Huge digital billboards flash advertisements from the sides of roads, and informative websites display visual ads alongside their content. More and more, people absorb visual information from graphics that were created with computers. Computer graphics-driven multimedia is used in education, and is the driving force behind the video game industry. The movie industry, as well, benefits from advancements in computer graphics technology. As the state of the art in computer graphics continues to advance, new applications will be put into practice.
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