INTRODUCTION TO

BASIC COMPUTER GRAPHICS

(SUMMARY)

FOR MASS MEDIA

(MAC113)
ND1 MASS COMMUNICATION

BY

AHMED BADARU

DEPARTMENT OF PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

KADUNA POLYTECHNIC

08069675111

JULY, 2021

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COMPUTER GRAPHICS
The dictionary of computing defines computer graphics (CG) as the creation, manipulation,
analysis and interaction with pictorial representation of objects and data using computers. In
this definition, computer is a tool that is primarily used to create and manipulate images which
are the representation of our objects and data. Thus, CG is about creating images that will
communicate effectively.

However, concepts such as visuals, graphics, images and pictures are not fields of study
but merely products of field of study called Computer Graphics in which these can be
generated as representations of the objects or data. It is worthy to point out here that the
use of computer graphics could be used not to mean field of study but images generated
from the computer – hence the concepts such as visuals, graphics, pictures and images
need further clarification.

Computer visuals refer to all possible computer outputs including text matter. The
computer-generated pictures share some physical resemblance to an actual person, place
or thing. These graphics range from clos e-photographic images to crude line drawings.
Also included in these categories is the non-representational graphics such as charts,
diagrams and schematics. These computer graphics are all visual information conveyed
through non-textual ways. It is expected that in media communication field, one ought to
be conversant with how these visuals and textualism are created using the computer

Place of computer Graphics in our society

Computer Graphics is quite a broad field of study that its application touches every aspect
of human endeavor. However, the few human endeavors that CG are applied are listed
below:

Computer Graphics User Interface (GUIs): - A graphic, mouse- oriented paradigm

which allows the user to interact with the computer
Business Presentation Graphics: - It said that a picture is a thousand words

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Cartography: - Drawing of maps, charts,
Weather Maps: - Real- time mapping, symbolic presentations
Satellite Imaging: - Geodesic Images
Photo Enhancing: - Sharpening blurred photos
Medical Imaging: - Computer-aided Tomography (CAT) scans, etc
CAD: - Engineering drawings, Architectural drawings
Typography:- The use of character images in printing and publishing that has replace the
hard metal type used in the past
Art: - Computers provide a new medium for artists
Training and Education: - Instructional Materials, Flight simulators and computer-aided
instruction
Games and Entertainment: - Movies, Cartoons and games
Scientific Visualization - Producing graphical representation for scientific, engineering,
and medical data sets and processes is generally referred to as scientific visualization.
The term business visualization is used in connection with data sets related to commerce,
industry, and other nonscientific areas.

Computer Aided Design

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) simply means the use of computer to design products by
designers. In achieving this, a set of methods and tools are used by designers to create
geometrical representation of artifacts. The use of CAD software allows graphic designers,
engineers, architects and other professionals to create designs on screens for different range of
products.
Graphic User Interface (GUI)
Graphical User Interface (GUI), GUI is a pictorial interface to a program. GUI is mouse-oriented
which allows the user to interact with the computer. GUI makes programs easier to use by
providing them with intuitive controls like push buttons, list boxes, sliders, menus and so forth.
It allows users to spend less time trying to remember which keystroke sequences perform what
functions and spend more time using the program in a productive manner. Therefore, a
consistent interface enables users to learn new applications faster.

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Medical Imaging

Computer Graphics has found a wide acceptance in the medical profession because of its speed in
solving problems. Computer Graphics is playing a significant role in adding value to a wide
variety of medical applications. The use of computer in medical diagnosis provide rich source
of data for further processing using CG and visualization techniques. For instance, Computer-
Aided Tomography (CAT) scans allow doctors to see cross-sectional slices of human bodies
for better treatment of ailment and diseases. Computer Graphics is integral to the imaging
system that delivers information from other medical sources such as X-rays, Magnetic
Resonance scan and so forth.

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Entertainment World
Computer Graphics is quite useful in the entertainment sector. For instance, the production of TV
program, movies, music, and wrestling all require the technology of computer graphics. Script
writers use word processors program to write and edit their works, artists and design
technicians use graphics software to create special effects on the scenes we watch on the
screens. Also, musicians compose songs using synthesizers and computer-controlled
sequencers. Commercial ads use high-tech computer graphics technologies to create animation
and sound that we listen to and watch on TVs.

Computer
A computer is an electronic device that accept data as input, process data as output and transform
it into useful information.
Graphic design is the profession and academic discipline whose activity consist in projecting
visual communication intended to transmit a specific message to social group.
Graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design industry who assembles together
images, typography, or motion graphics to create a piece of design.
Classes of Computer
There are four classes of computer which are:
a) Micro Computer.
b) Mini Computer.

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c) Mainframe Computer
d) Super Computer

a) Micro Computer: this is the fourth generation s of PCs, manufactured in the 70s. they are
smaller and cheaper (meaning smaller in size). They are also referred to as PC (personal
computer) or work station. The PCs are laptop, palmtop, hand held/pocket sizes.
b) Mini Computer: It is physically larger than the Micro-computer, Today, mini PC’s are being used in
an organization where large amount of data is processed. It is very expensive most modern armies have
mini computers which are used on the battle field to process large amount of data received from
satellite.

c) Mainframe Computers: It processes vast amount of data. IBM is a major supplier. They are
very large and have to be housed in a special room whose temperature and humidity are low. It
is very expensive and is avoidable mostly by multinational companies and government
parastatals. It processes a very large amount of data in seconds and responds to thousands of
users simultaneously.

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The picture above shows an example of a mainframe computer.
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 d) Super Computers: It processes large gigantic data in the quickest possible time and very
expensive to buy. They are commonly used by spaces center worldwide.

The picture above shows example of a super computer.

The Computer System
The computer system can be divided into two categories/systems
1. Hardware system
2. Software system
Hardware: They are the physical components of a computer that you can see, feel and touch.
Examples
 Keyboard : Device used to enter data into the computer
 Mouse: control the movement of the cursor on the computer screen and allow users to move
and select folders.
 Printer
 Monitor

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 System unit
Software: They are instructions that tells the computer what to do or perform a task.
Examples
 Operating system (widows 10, 7)
 Utility software (anti-virus)
The two types of software
Application software
System software
Application software: They are programs designed to help the user perform some task on the
computer e.g Microsoft package
Examples of application software include

-Microsoft packages i.e MS word, MS excel, MS PowerPoint

-Corel Draw
-Photoshop
-Photo paint
-Adobe illustrator
-Auto cad
-Macromedia flash
-Adobe indesign

System Software: They are programs that are preinstalled when ever a computer system is
bought. Allow operating system to interact with the hardware. Generally, the system software
performs the following functions:

-Communicate with hardware devices, control and monitor the proper use of hardware resources
like monitor, memory and printer.
-Support the execution of other application software.

System software are programs and files that make up the computer operating system (OS).
Examples of OS are

-Windows 10, 7 – operating system from Microsoft

-Linux – open source operating system for computers, servers, mainframe etc

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-Pentium – widely used on personal computer, microprocessor from intel cooperation
-Mac OS – operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc
-Ubuntu
-Dos

Utility software: Collection of one or more programs that help the user in system maintenance,
data backup, scanning for virus etc

Examples are:

-Anti-virus- Computer program used to prevent, detect and remove malware.

-Registry cleaners – clean, repair and optimize your window, restore smooth and stable operation.
-Data backup – practice of copying data from primary to secondary location.
-Disc cleaners – Help free up space on your hard disc, creating improved system performance.

Relationship between hardware and software

 Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work
together to make a computer produce a useful output.
 Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
 Hardware without set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.
 To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the
hardware.
 Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.
 Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.
 A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
 If hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then software is its 'soul'. Both are
complimentary to each other.

Input devices: Devices that accept data as input for the computer to process. These devices
provide a convenient means of transferring information into the computer for processing by the
CPU.

Example

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-Keyboard: The computer keyboard is used to enter text information into the computer, as
when you type the contents of a report. The keyboard can also be used to type
commands directing the computer to perform certain actions.

- Mouse: The mouse pointing device sits on your work surface and is moved with your
hand. A cordless or wireless mouse communicates with the computer via radio waves
(often using Blue Tbooth hardware and protocol) so that a cord is not needed (but such
mice need internal batteries).

-Scanner: Computer input device that uses a light beam to scan text, pictures, images into a
computer.
-Trackball : computer input device for controlling the pointer on a display screen by rotating a
ball set inside a case.
-Touch screen: computer display screen that servs as input device, allow users to give command
to the computer by touching parts of the screen rather than touching keyboard or mouse.

- Touch pad: Most laptop computers today have a touch pad pointing device. You move
the on-screen cursor by sliding your finger along the surface of the touch pad. The
buttons are located below the pad, but most touch pads allow you to perform “mouse
clicks” by tapping on the pad itself.

-Light pen
-Digital camera
-Barcode reader
-Bluetooth
-OCR: Optical character recognition
Characteristics of a mouse
1. Click
2. Click and drag
3. Right click
4. Scrolling
5. Double click
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Output devices: Responsible for bringing out information from the computer and display it on
the VDU (visual display unit) or produce it as hardcopy with a printer.

Examples

Monitor (VDU) E.g

-LCD- Liquid crystal display

-LED – Light emitting diode
-CRT- Cathode ray tube
Projectors
Speakers
Printers
Printers: Devices that are used to output information on paper.
Two types: Impact and Non-impact printers.

Impact: prints characters by striking them on the ribbon which is then pressed on the paper.
Characteristics of impact printers:
-Low cost
-Noisy
-Useful for bulk printing
-Physical contact with the paper to produce image.
Non-impact printers: They print without using ribbon
-Laser printer
-Inkjet printer
Characteristics of non-impact printers
-Faster
-They are not noisy
-High quality print
-Support many font and character size.
-
Adummy is a set of blank sheets of paper that are folded and numbered to test the layout and
pagwe imposition.

Storage device: Computing hardware that is used for storing data files, it can hold and store
information both temporarily and permanent, and can be internal or external to a computer.
Primary and secondary storage

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Primary storage: They are smaller in size, hold data temporarily and are internal to the
computer. E.g RAM
Secondary storage: They have large storage capacity and can store data permanently. They can
be both internal and external. E.g Hard disc, Compact disc, digital video disc (DVD), flash
drives, memory card, SSD (Solid state drive).
RAM: Responsible for storing data temporarily, it is volatile in nature.
ROM: Permanent, stays active regardless of power outage.

Storage capacity
-Byte- 8 bits
-kilo byte ----- 1000 byte smallest unit of measurement but greater than a byte
-mega byte-------1000 kilo byte
-giga byte……1000 mega byte
-terabyte …….1000 gigabyte
-petabyte -------1000 terabyte
-Exabyte -------1000 petabyte
-Zettabyte ------1000 Exabyte
-Yottabyte------1000 zettabyte
-Brontobyte ---1000 yottabyte
-Geopbyte -----1000brontobyte

Computer Acronyms
-PC- Personal computer
-CG- Computer Graphics
-LAN- Local area network
-WAN- Wide area network
-RAM- Random access memory
-ROM-Read only memory
-BR- Barcode reader--------- optical scanner that can read printed barcode, decode the data
contained in a barcode.
-QRC- Quick response code--- type of barcode that can read easily by a digital device
-IPO- Input processing output
-MODEM- Modulator demodulator
-HTTP- Hypertext transfer protocol – used to transfer data over the web
-HTML- Hypertext transfer markup language – used for web page development
-URL- Universal resource locator. It contains address e.g http://www.example.com/index
-CD – Compact disc
-HDMI- High definition multimedia interface—transmitting digital video and audio from a source
such as, computer, monitor, TV, projector
-VDU- Visual display unit
-WIFI- Wireless fidelity
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-WWW- World wide web
-LED- Light emitting diode
-CPU- Central processing unit--- portion of a computer that retrieve and execute instruction, the
brain of the computer.
-UPS- Uninterrupted power supply-- provides battery backup when electric power fail or drop to
an unexpected voltage level.
-GIGO- Garbage in garbage out
-CRT- Cathode ray tub
-WYSIWYG
-JPEG
-TIFF
-PNG- Portable network graphics
-PDF

Some basic terms used in computer

Pixel: computer images are made of the individual dots called pixels. It is a smallest item of
information in an image. Pixels therefore make up a bitmap image.
- Single point in a picture
- Stands for Picture element
- All pixels together make up a picture.
Image resolution: Refers to number of pixels in an image, it is identified by the width and height
of the image as well as the total number of pixels in the image. E.g an image that is 2048 pixel
wide and 1536 pixel high (2048x 1536) = 3,145728 pixels or 3.1 mega pixel.
Bitmap image: Are stored as a series of tiny dots called pixels. Each pixel is actually a very small
square arrange in a pattern to form the image. When you zoom in on a bitmap image you can
see the individual pixels that makeup that image.
Vector images: They are not based on pixels pattern, but instead they are created by lines and
curves that can be combine to create an image. E.g CorelDRAW images.

Layout: Is the arrangement of visual element, text and images on a page e.g a book, magazine,
newspaper etc.
Layout stages
Thumbnail layout
Rough layout
Comprehensive layout
1. Thumbnail layout: These are small quick pencil rendering that shows relationship of type,
line drawing and white space. They are smaller in size and do not necessarily carry the actual
wording, that will appear in the final product. Pencil lines are used to indicate type placement.
2. Rough layout: A detailed expansion of thumbnail sketch that carries all the necessary
information i.e
-the exact size of the end product.
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-The margin as related to book work, magazine etc
-The exact color
-The exact size.
3. Comprehensive layout: This is the prediction of the final or finished layout and in most
instances the customers choice and approved design. It is a designer rendering of the job that
attempt to duplicate the appearance of the final product.

Microsoft word: Word processor designed or developed by Microsoft, used to make professional
quality documents, reports etc.
1. Tittle bar- Display the tittle of a document on which you are currently working on.
2. Menu bar- It is located directly below the tittle bar and it displays the menu. The menu begins
with the word file and continues with home, insert, design etc
3. Ruler – This is found below the ribbon; you can use the ruler to change the format of your
document (view tab)
4. Vertical and horizontal bar- enable you to move up and down.
5. The status bar- located at the bottom of your window and provide information as current page
number of words in your documents.

CorelDraw package
CorelDraw package is a vector-based drawing program that makes it easy to create professional
artwork.
The tutor teaches you on the Corel window and how to design with the tool bar and also work
with bitmaps, text, fills, and special effects.
Like many application programs, there are two main methods of starting CorelDRAW in a PC:
1. The first is to click on the start button/ task bar on your task bar, and then click on programs,
after clicking the programs, different programs pop up, then search and click on CorelDRAW.
The second method is to double click on CorelDRAW icon on the desktop.
Note:
CorelDRAW has different versions e.g 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 etc. file saved in a
higher version cannot be opened with a lower version but those saved in a lower version can be
opened with a higher version.
In some cases, Corel 9 or 10 will not be compatible with another version depending on the work
in question.

CorelDRAW common features

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Title bar: As the name implies, this is the first line of the CorelDRAW screen; it displays the
name of the program and the name of the current file application on use. This bar also contains
the control buttons (minimize, maximize/restore and close), which are used for sizing the
window and the control menu.
Menu bar: This bar contains the available menu in the CorelDRAW package. A menu can be
accessed by clicking on it or by pressing ALT key on the key board plus the underlined
character in the menu name.
Standard Tool Bar:
The bar below the menu bar contains icons that perform some of the operations in the menu bar.
Tool box:
The tool box is usually located at the left side of the coreldraw window for quick access. Some of
the tools have fly out- which can be noted by a small black arrow at the bottom right corner of
a particular tool.
Property bar:
This are display tools that are used with the application, you can change whatever that is
displayed to suite your needs.
Scroll bars:
These are used to view various parts of the window.
Color palette:
This contains colors that can be applied on outline information or to fill an object. It is at the
right-hand side of the window.
Status bar:
The bar is located at the bottom of the screen. It displays information about every ongoing
CorelDRAW operation in the computer.
Page setup:
-Click layout on the menu bar
-Select page setup
-Choose either portrait or landscape
-Click ok
-Or
-Click on the outline shadow of the style of the drawing page that you inted to use on the status
bar.
Selecting paper size:
-Click layout

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-Select page setup
-Choose options A3, A4 etc
-Click ok
To set your ruler:
-Right click the ruler
-Choose ruler setup
-Select measurement of your choice (millimeter, centimeter, inches etc)
Getting started with drawings
-Once you opted for CorelDRAW on the program the following folder options appear:
a. New graphics
b. Open as edited
c. Open graphics
d. Template
e. Corel tutor
f. What’s new
Starting a new drawing:
-Click the new graphic icon
-Or
-Click on file
-Click new
Saving a drawing/ design
-The command save, allows your drawings or designs to be stored in a computer memory for the
first time.
Procedure
-Click on file (on the menu bar)
-Click save or save as
-From the save in box, choose your drive i.e specify the location on which the information will be
saved, ie hard disc or removable media.
-Type in the file name in the file name box, i.e you give your document or file a name or keyword
for accessing, reproducing, retrieval or removal.
-Click save or press enter key to save.
To close a file:
-Click on file menu
-Click on the close button
-Click on the close button on the right side of the drawing window.
To close an application:
-Click file menu

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-Click exit
or
-Click on the X sign at the top extreme right-hand side of the drawing.

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