Other Graphics Applications
We have performed many graphics and imaging task with the basic "Paint" software. Now we will look at programs which make these tasks easier by combining and reconfiguring these tools into other tools. These new tools provide us with many different ways to accomplish the same tasks.
Learn to use any and all graphics applications available on the computer you are using. Every Computer Lab where this course is being presented has different software available. For this lesson we will discuss and look at programs available on the machines in this Lab.
The best "graphics tool" for your use is the one you are familiar with that performs the tasks you wish to do. There are so many that only Microsoft's Paint and "Paint Shop Pro" by JASC Software were chosen for this course. The selection for Paint Shop Pro was based on it's versatility and ease of operation. Another application which was used in earlier courses is "Photo Studio" by ArcSoft, Inc.
One of the objectives of this course is to provide an opportunity to become familiar with several Graphics Software Applications. Always investigate the menus, tools, and features of any application available to you.
EXPERIMENT WITH ALL THE FEATURES
USE THE MENUS AND TOOLS
TRY IT - YOU MAY LIKE IT !
Slide Shows are a fun way to present art work or enjoy photographs. Most Graphics packages have some capability for doing this. The screen saver software that comes with most operating systems will also serve as a slide show presenter. Many of these packages allow you to save graphics in files or groups referred to as albums. Another feature common with many packages is the ability to view and sometimes print "THUMBNAIL" or smaller images of graphics contained in a folder or file. Most of our classes have used this feature to present examples of tasks you can perform on graphics using the computer as a tool.
Never forget that with the WINDOWS Operating System you are working with a truly Multi-Tasking Tool. You can have multiple graphics documents open in RAM (various windows) at the same time. You can also have multiple copies of a single application open and/or several different applications open at once. We did this in Exercises 1-3 with Paint. This allows you to copy, cut, clone, or paste between graphics. Try it... A truly remarkable fascinating feature which is extremely powerful. In the following lessons we will use programs which allow you to have multiple images open within one copy of the application.
Windows XP is a very powerful tool for viewing graphics files. There are thumbnails available for display on folders. There is a Slide Show Viewer available to display all graphics files within any folder. Windows XP is an operating system for graphics.
This exercise has been included for use in becoming acquainted with new graphics applications. If no application is available try performing it with Paint. This exercise is good for becoming acquainted with new Graphics Software Applications.
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This page revised: Oct. 15, 2002
By: Dean Christensen