Vector V/s Bitmap Graphics 1.

Vector-based images generally contain well-defined elements such as curves and shapes of various colors. These elements can either be pure graphics, western alphabets or Asian characters. Vector-based files are more suitable for illustrations that require precise measurements. They are also easily scalable due to their mathematical nature. However, the vector-based file format has its drawbacks as well. It is not good for displaying photo-realistic images such as a photograph because images of this type generally do not contain well-defined shapes and curves.

Bitmap-based images, on the other hand, do not rely on mathematical formulas to define their various elements. Each bitmap-based image is mapped into a grid. The size of the grid is based on the image's resolution. For example, a bitmap-based image of 1 inch x 1 inch with a 600 dpi resolution would be defined by a grid of 600 x 600 pixels. Hence, a bitmap-based image is like a mosaic of pixels with each pixel holding a specific color value.

Bitmap-based files are more suitable for photo-realistic images that require complex color variations. They are, however, not easily scalable because each bitmap-based image is mapped to a non-flexible grid. If a bitmap-based image were to be enlarged, it would lose its sharpness. All edges within the image would appear to be jagged.

Base of Raster Scan System Random Scan System Difference Electron The electron beam is swept across the screen, one row at a The electron beam is directed only to the parts of Beam time, from top to bottom. screen where a picture is to be drawn. Its resolution is good because this system produces Its resolution is poor because raster system in contrast Resolution smooth lines drawings because CRT beam directly produces zig-zag lines that are plotted as discrete point sets. follows the line path. Picture Picture definition is stored as a set of intensity values for all Picture definition is stored as a set of line drawing Definition screen points, called pixels in a refresh buffer area. instructions in a display file. The capability of this system to store intensity values for pixel Realistic These systems are designed for line-drawing and makes it well suited for the realistic display of scenes contain Display cant display realistic shaded scenes. shadow and color pattern. Draw an Screen points/pixels are used to draw an image. Mathematical functions are used to draw an image. Image

Painting and Drawing Tools

Painting software, such as Photoshop, Fireworks, and painter is dedicated to producing crafted bitmap images. Drawing software, such as CorelDraw, Freehand, Designer and Canvas, is dedicated to producing vectorbased line art easily printer to paper at high resolution. Some software applications combine drawing and painting capabilities, but many authoring systems can import only bitmapped images. Typically, bitmapped images provide the greatest choice and power to the artist for rendering fine detail and effects, and today bitmaps are used in multimedia more often than drawn objects. Some vector-based packages such as Macromedia's Flash are aimed at reducing file download times on the web and may contain both bitmaps and drawn art.

What is the difference between hypermedia and hypertext?

Answer:

Hypertext - Hypertext is basically the same as regular text - it can be stored, read, searched, or edited - with an important exception: hypertext is text with pointers to other text. The browsers let you deal with the pointers in a transparent way -select the pointer, and you are presented with the text that is pointed to.

Hypermedia - Hypermedia is a superset of hypertext. Hypermedia documents contain links not only to other pieces of text, but also to other forms of media - sounds, images, and movies. Images themselves can be selected to link to sounds or documents. This means that browsers might not display a text file, but might display images or sound or animations. Hypermedia simply combines hypertext and multimedia.

GIF
GIF is best for images that have solid colors, text, and line art. It is good for computergenerated images, such as those produced by a drawing program like Corel Draw. It is also best when the image has detail, like text, where every pixel (dot on the screen) counts. It does well with images that are made up of a limited number of colors. It does not compress photographs very well, especially images that show texture or color gradations, or that are 24-bit color. GIF is a "lossless" form of compression. Every pixel in the original image is preserved. GIFs are rarely used for large images on web pages because the benefits of noloss are not visible to all but the most technical of viewers, but the huge differences in file size, and therefore download time, are noticeable to all.

JPG (JPEG)
JPG is best for photographs, and scanned photographs, of natural images. JPG gets its good compression by doing approximations, and is not as good for images where every pixel counts, or when you can get compression by using less than 24-bit color. It is usually a "lossy" compression, where you do not get back every pixel exactly as it was in the original image. There are different levels of JPG compression, ranging from little loss of detail and poor compression ("higher quality") to possible loss of detail with

great compression ("lower quality"). On web sites, it's often best to use the greater compression, even if it means loss of detail ("lower quality") because it savesdownload time. The software you use to edit or scan your images often has a setting to control the JPG quality. You can always link the low quality image to another page with a higher quality, perhaps larger, image for people who want to print out as good a copy as possible.