A graphic editor is a special program designed to view and process images on a computer. In addition, such software allows you to independently draw drawings. For the first time, the presentation of data in graphical form on a computer was realized in the 50s of the last century. It was at that time that graphic programs were developed for computers used in the military and scientific fields. At the moment there are three main varieties of graphic editors - raster, vector and hybrid.
The main functions of graphic editors
The main functions of graphic editors include:
- Create a picture. The image in the editor can be created both manually and using special tools (stamps, curves, etc.).
- Convert your finished image. Photos and pictures can be moved, rotated and scaled. Also, such programs provide the ability to work with individual parts of the image. For example, a feature such as deleting a fragment of an image is usually available. Pictures can also be copied in whole or in part, as well as glued and painted.
- Enter text in the picture. In this case, you can usually use a variety of fonts - both modern and stylized "antique".
- Work with external devices. The drawn or edited image, if desired, can be printed on the printer without leaving the program. Of course, the file can be saved to any folder on your hard drive or external drive.
Raster editors
A raster graphics editor is a tool designed primarily for processing ready-made images. This software guarantees the most accurate transmission of tones and midtones. A raster image consists of many points called pixels. Raster pictures are as realistic as possible. Quality is determined by the number of pixels, as well as their ability to transmit color. The more dots of different colors the image contains, the sharper it is. Raster graphics editors have one small drawback. Free scaling of images using them without loss of quality is impossible. The fact is that each picture contains a strictly fixed number of points. Therefore, suppose, when you enlarge the image, the points simply become larger. That is, the picture will lose clarity.
Most often, the bitmap image is saved in jpeg format. However, most editors also support such common formats as bmp, gif, tif, etc.
Vector Graphics Editors
Vector graphics editor is a program designed to create high-precision images. These may be, for example, drawings or diagrams. Such pictures are much sharper than raster ones. All elements of a vector image are described mathematically. Therefore, an increase in such a picture can be performed absolutely without loss of clarity. However, a vectorial cannot provide such realistic images as a raster editor.
Graphic editors of vector graphics allow you to not only perform drawings manually, but also convert bitmaps to schemes. For this, the so-called trace method is used. Thus, for example, an ordinary photo can be converted into a stylish poster. Files in which vector drawings are saved, in comparison with raster files, have a small volume.
Hybrid Graphic Editors
In a hybrid graphics editor, you can use both raster and vector tools to create an image. The main disadvantage of such programs is the difficulty in using. Therefore, they still have not received wide circulation.
Raster Paint Editor
So, a graphical editor - what is it? This is a very convenient software, an indispensable tool in the work of artists, photojournalists, engineers, architects, etc. Today there are editors, both very complex, designed for professionals, and simpler, used by ordinary people. The latter include Paint - a single-window raster editor that is available on almost every home computer. Most of the window of this program is occupied by the drawing area. The toolbox in Paint is on the left. The program allows for free drawing, scaling images, changing their color, erasing unnecessary details, as well as canceling all these actions in one click.
Adobe Photoshop raster editor
Like all raster graphic editors, Adobe Photoshop is designed to work primarily with digital photographs. This program was developed as a tool for professionals, but very quickly gained popularity among amateurs. Its main distinguishing feature is a truly unlimited list of tools. Using this program, it is easy to cut out individual parts of images, create masks, and change the proportions of images and their individual parts. If desired, a variety of effects can be applied to a photograph or picture, changing their color, brightness, saturation, contrast, etc.
Vector editor Corel Draw
The working tools of the Corel Draw graphic editor are, first of all, geometric shapes that can be transformed into any other images, as well as curves. Using the latter, it is easy to perfect a hand-drawn picture. You can paint over the resulting images in a variety of ways. If desired, it is allowed to use both simple colors and various kinds of patterns and textures.
Drawings in Corel Draw are created on a worksheet located in the center of the window. The toolbar is located on the left.
A graphical editor is a thing that can be useful in a variety of situations. Learning to use at least the simplest is definitely worth it. Using this software, you can turn any nondescript photo into a real work of art, make a caricature or draw an interesting picture and send it to friends.