Today, graphics processing by computer systems is at such a high level that even any novice user can create a real masterpiece in a short period of time. And creating pictures using programs has a long history. Let's try to consider some of the most popular graphic packages used for different purposes, however, tools for viewing images will not be included in the list.
History of creating pictures on a computer
At the dawn of the creation of computer technology, graphics did not play a particularly important role and was used exclusively for printing data. With the advent of personal computers with displays in the 70s, many programs were written in assembly language, which made it possible to create color images based on a 256-color palette.
Since the mid-80s. multimedia standards came into use, and the role of graphics has increased significantly. Even then, in schools, students could master the creation of pictures with inscriptions and even with the addition of 8-bit sound reproduced through the system speaker in Basic. However, this breakthrough was still far away. And only in the 90s did a revolution happen when new types of images (vector and raster) began to be applied, and computers themselves became much more powerful, not to mention the changed types of software. At that time, even in a regular Paint application, you could draw something interesting. And when the Corel Draw package came out , graphics processing took off to a new level.
Creating Pictures: Graphics Views
Today, vector graphics and bitmap images are generally accepted graphics standards. Separately, animation should be distinguished, as well as distinguishing between the concepts of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) graphics.
Accordingly, there are quite a lot of formats that are used to store such objects. After all, each package has its own format, although in most cases it allows you to process files created in other programs.
Frequently Used Programs for Beginners and Professionals
Actually, today you can find many tools for creating and processing images - from simple applications to entire software systems. For example, creating pictures with text is quite elementary in the graphical editor Paint, which is included in the standard set of Windows-systems. However, if we approach the issue of creating pictures of a high level of quality and complexity, more powerful packages should be highlighted. Of course, all of them cannot be considered, but at least some of them can be cited:
- Adobe Photoshop
- GIMP
- Picasa
- Paint.net
- Artweaver.
- Paint Tool SAI.
- Tux Paint
- Photoscape
- AutoCAD
- Blender et al.
Let us briefly consider some aspects related to the capabilities of these applications and the tools included in the set.
Adobe Photoshop
This software package in the modern computer world is the undisputed leader in its field, and it is designed more for professionals, rather than unprepared users.
Not only is the program capable of processing almost all currently known image formats, it allows you to create an image of any complexity using professional effects from scratch, has the most powerful backgrounds for creating images, easily transforms images with pixel-by-pixel hyper-enlargement, and has wide functionality for creating and editing layers , and also has a high speed even with the use of 64-bit computing.
Gimp
Creating images (animated or stationary, two-dimensional or three-dimensional) using this package for a beginner may seem somewhat complicated due to the clearly overloaded interface.
However, professionals call the GIMP application a kind of Photoshop analog and even a fairly powerful alternative. In addition to creating images, it has a huge set of tools for all occasions, professional effects and filters, support for animation and graphics in 2D / 3D formats and much more. It is not surprising that novice animators around the world use this particular package to draw their characters.
Picasa
This program is positioned by users as one of the easiest means to organize collections of pictures and photographs.
However, with its help, you can easily create collages, slideshow screensavers and videos within a couple of minutes. The application itself is perfect for beginners, as it has many automated tools at its disposal.
Paint.net
Unlike the standard Paint application, this package is a very powerful program that belongs to the semi-professional level.
It is distinguished by a well-thought-out structure, a good functional set and a simplified interface, which makes the program universal for both professionals and beginners. She knows how to work with many modern formats of vector and raster graphics, supports the imposition and editing of layers, uses numerous auxiliary effects, supports the connection of additional plug-ins, but most importantly, it has low computer resource consumption.
Artweaver
This package is mainly intended for professional editing of bitmap images, however, its capabilities go far beyond the usual photo changes.
The present set of tools makes it easy to apply built-in effects, achieve high definition images, and also works great with text layers. Among other things, the application has a version adapted for tablets, but the free computer version is somewhat limited in capabilities.
Paint Tool SAI
This utility is designed for professional designers and artists. By the way, the developers themselves do not hide the fact that it is better to use the application to someone who already has certain skills working with at least early versions of Corel Draw.
Among the tools, it is worth highlighting the ability to edit the canvas texture, the presence of 25 customizable tools and anti-aliasing functions for minor errors during the drawing process, full customization by your own criteria, working with layers, as well as editing several documents that are simultaneously open. But the package, alas, is shareware and functions normally for only 31 days.
Tux paint
Before us is another small program that is popular with children and adults. Many call its main advantage an extremely simple and convenient interface and a unique hint system.
For a novice artist, there is a whole arsenal of pencils and brushes, about 60 effects and customizable tools or custom templates. There is even an interesting โMagicโ function, which is a section that stores a huge number of pictures for sketching, which will be especially interesting for a children's audience.
Photoscape
This is another good graphics processing utility. Not to mention a professional set of tools, it is especially worth noting the possibility of creating animated GIFs from several stationary images.
In addition, the application is equipped with the function of publishing material in online repositories or in photo albums.
AutoCAD
Finally, we have before us one of the most powerful packages of our time for creating images of high complexity. And although it is believed that this package is mainly used exclusively for engineering development and design, one can disagree with this.
For example, creating 3D images in it is done so professionally that many other editors can simply be envious. In addition, the package has the most powerful tools for parametric drawing, ratifies any objects from any source without the need for manual export, supports working with Excel tables and can create technical documentation, uses the automatic update function of the project with the establishment of links and can interact with cloud services and storage.
Blender
This is a free package for 3D modeling, which has great opportunities for working with vector fonts and primitives, modeling sculptures, creating animations, visualizing rooms, buildings or other objects, etc. There is support for non-linear editing and combining videos.
The package also provides for the connection of additional plug-ins and the use of unique rendering engines. In addition, the program has a very small size, plus a fully customizable interface, as they say, for themselves.
Conclusion
As you can see, the set of programs that allow you to create pictures of any complexity and format, as well as to edit them, is quite wide. What exactly to use? It all depends on the tasks and skills of the user. And of course, the presented set can be supplemented for a very long time.