Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Desktop publishing software, which you learned about earlier in this chapter, can straddle the line between
text and graphics software because it enables you to combine text and graphics to produce page layouts.
NOTE
Vector Image Drawing Programs
There are two main categories of graphic images: vector and raster.
Although they may look similar, they are structured quite differently, and
require entirely different types of software to create them.
A
vector-based illustration
is created with math formulas, like in
geometry class. A rectangle, an oval, a straight line—they all have a
math formula that plots them on a two-dimensional grid. A three-
dimensional vector graphic, such as a 3D representation of a cube or
sphere, plots the image in a three-dimensional grid space. (The software
does all the math, so you don't have to worry about that part—you
just draw by dragging your mouse to create the lines and shapes you
want.) Professional-quality programs such as Adobe Illustrator create
very sophisticated vector graphics for commercial uses, such as techni-
cal drawings and architectural plans. At a much simpler level, Microsoft
Office products like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel all come with basic
vector drawing tools you can use in their data files. Vector graphics also
figure prominently into many video games.
vector-based illustration
A drawing that is
constructed of mathematically created lines.
Vector images have many advantages. They do not take up much disk
space to store because the information needed to display them is very
simple and compact. They can also be resized to any size without any
loss of quality, because the math formulas behind them are simply
recalculated and the shape redrawn. The main disadvantage of a vector
graphic is that even the best quality drawings don't look completely real.
Most people would never mistake a character from a game like “Second
Life” or “The Sims” for a video of a real person, for example.
Step by Step
Creating Vector Graphics
Follow these steps using Microsoft PowerPoint to explore the vector graphic tools in Microsoft Office 2010:
1
Open PowerPoint 2010. A new presentation opens.
2
On the Home tab, click the Layout button, and click Blank.
3
On the Insert tab, click the Shapes button, and then click one of the shapes in the Basic Shapes section of the menu.
