CAGCAGHardware and Software Tools

Input and Output Input and Output DevicesDevices

We use lots of different products when producing work on the computer. The Input and Output devices are the physical parts of the computer that we touch.

This is called the Computers Hardware.

Input DevicesInput Devices• Keyboard. Enters Text and

Numbers into the computer. • Mouse. Controls the cursor

on the screen. • Trackerball. Similar to a

mouse. However the ball is on top and the user controls it with their fingers.

• Joystick. Mainly used for Computer Gaming. Gives more of a feel than a control pad.

Input DevicesInput Devices• Graphics Tablet. Works

with the position of the cursor. Is very useful for creating Graphics.

• Digital Camera. Saves images that can then be transferred to a computer for editing,

• Flatbed Scanner. Scans in hardcopies and converts it to electronic format for editing or saving.

Output DevicesOutput Devices• Monitor, Screen /Visual

Display Unit (VDU). The screen we view the Computer Generated work on.

• Flatbed Plotter. Extremely useful for CAD Drawings. Produces a medium quality hard copy.

• Drum Plotter. Deals with larger Drawings than a Flatbed Plotter. The paper is supplied on roll form.

Output DevicesOutput Devices• Ink-Jet Printer.

Reasonably priced printer that produces good quality prints. Running costs are expensive.

• Laser Printer. Expensive priced printer with reasonably low running costs. Produces high quality prints and are faster than an Ink-jet.

Storage DevicesStorage DevicesWhen working on a computer creating a back up of

your work is a very important thing to do. Unfortunately working with computers and having access to the internet makes a computer susceptible to viruses and loss of work could occur.

To ensure this does not happen we can back up our work using Removable Discs.

Storage DevicesStorage Devices• External Hard Drive: A

large memory area that is suitable for backing up files and can be moved from Computer to computer. Like a larger version of a Memory Stick.

• Memory Stick/ Pen Drive. Most modern Back-up method. It is a small, strong and mobile method of transferring files. Storage capacity goes up to 80GB.

Storage DevicesStorage Devices•  CD (Compact Disc). Can

be read in any CD-ROM drive however a special drive is needed to record work. A disc that can hold up to 650 MB.

 • DVD (Digital Versatile

Disc) Works in exactly the same way which a CD does. Storage can vary up to 17 GB.

Exam QuestionExam Question1. State a suitable piece of hardware that would

allow an architect firm to transfer old manual drawings into electronic format to be stored on a computer.

2. State the output device that would allow the architects firm to print out large location plans.

3. At the firm it is good practice to store your work once on the computer and then again onto a portable storage device. State the name of this method and name a suitable storage device.

CAG/DTP TechniquesCAG/DTP TechniquesThe techniques are used to create visual excitement on a page. They can add to the over feel and mood that the designer is trying to portray. They also provide the designer with a method of using stock photos and editing them to suit the scene that they want.

GridGuidelines

and Columns

Frame Colour Fill

Fonts

Crop

Text Wrap

Flow text along a

path

Bleed

TransparencyDrop Shadow

Reverse

MirrorRotate

Import/Export

Text and CAGText and CAGFont

Text Wrap

Reverse

Flow Along a Path

Images and CAGImages and CAGRotate

Mirror

Transparency

Drop Shadow

Colour FillsColour FillsSolid

Pattern

Texture

Gradient

Page and CAGPage and CAGGrid

Guidelines

Frame

Crop

Bleed