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Chapter 9: Software

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What You Need: Software

  • Text editing and word processing tools
    • Word processors such as Microsoft Word and�WordPerfect are powerful applications that include�spell checkers, table formatters, thesauruses, �and prebuilt templates for letters, résumés,�purchase orders, and other common documents.
    • OpenOffice is a free, downloadable �word processing program.

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What You Need: Software (continued)

  • OCR software
    • Converts bitmapped characters into electronically recognizable ASCII text.
    • Makes use of probability and expert system algorithms.
    • Is very accurate and saves time and effort.

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  • Painting tools allow you to create and modify bitmap images.
    • PhotoShop, Fireworks, and Painter are examples.
    • Bitmapped images provide the greatest choice and power for rendering fine detail and effects.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Drawing tools allow you to create and modify vector graphics.
    • CorelDraw, Illustrator, and Canvas are examples.
    • Vector graphics are used by Adobe Flash to reduce download time and scaling problems with web graphics.
    • Many authoring systems can only import bitmap graphics.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Painting and drawing software features�include:
    • An intuitive graphical user interface
    • Scalable dimensions
    • Multiple undo capability
    • Scalable text font support
    • Support for third-party special effect plug-ins
    • Layering capability

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Painting and drawing software features�include (continued)
    • Painting features such as smoothing coarse-edged objects into the background with anti-aliasing.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • 3-D modeling tools allow rendering of objects in a three-dimensional perspective.
    • VectorWorks, AutoDesk Maya, and Strata 3D are examples.
    • Many applications allow you to export and save moving images as QuickTime or AVI animation files.
    • 3-D graphics usually take a long time to render, �so plan accordingly.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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What You Need: Software (continued)

  • 3-D modeling tools allow rendering of objects in a three-dimensional perspective.

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  • 3-D modeling software features include:
    • Good color and palette management
    • Multiple dimension windows and unlimited cameras
    • Lathe and extrude features
    • Ability to drag and drop primitive shapes, sculpt organic objects
    • Color and texture mapping

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What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Image-editing tools
    • Are specialized and powerful tools for enhancing and retouching existing bitmapped images.
    • Many painting and drawing programs also serve �as image editors.
    • Features include conversion of image-data types and file formats, masking features, employment �of virtual memory scheme, etc.
    • Support third-party plug-ins.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Sound-editing tools
    • Enables the user to see music as a waveform as well as hear sound.
    • This is done by drawing a representation of sound in fine increments.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Animation, video, and digital movie tools
    • Animation is a sequence of bitmapped graphic scenes or frames, rapidly played back.
    • Animations can be made within some authoring systems by moving objects or sprites to simulate motion.
    • Moviemaking tools take advantage of QuickTime and AVI formats to create, edit, and present digitized motion video segments.

What You Need: Software (continued)

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  • Helpful accessories
    • Screen-capture software enables the user �to move bitmapped images by placing them �on the clipboard.
    • Format converters are useful for projects where the source material originates on different platforms.

What You Need: Software (continued)

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved