Digital Digital Graphics and Graphics and ComputersComputers

Hardware and SoftwareHardware and SoftwareWorking with graphic images requires Working with graphic images requires

suitable hardware and software to suitable hardware and software to produce the best results. produce the best results.

Large amounts of data need to be Large amounts of data need to be moved between components such as moved between components such as the hard disk and RAM and video the hard disk and RAM and video display, which can result in a very display, which can result in a very slow system if the components are slow system if the components are not ideal. not ideal.

Hardware for GraphicsHardware for Graphics GraphicsGraphics cardcard-needed to produce a -needed to produce a

display at a resolution and colour display at a resolution and colour depth that meets the needs of the depth that meets the needs of the user within the capabilities of the user within the capabilities of the monitor.monitor.

Internal memory (RAM)-Internal memory (RAM)-to hold the to hold the running software and graphic images. running software and graphic images.

ProcessorProcessor-to run the software and -to run the software and work out the calculations needed to work out the calculations needed to manipulate digital graphics. manipulate digital graphics.

Digital cardDigital card readerreader-to quickly and easily -to quickly and easily accept graphic images from a digital accept graphic images from a digital camera. camera.

FileFile storagestorage-to save the graphic images.-to save the graphic images.

InputInput devicedevice-to capture graphical images -to capture graphical images and transfer them to the computer and transfer them to the computer system.system.

The higher the spec the better. A high The higher the spec the better. A high resolution display with good colour depth resolution display with good colour depth is essential for most graphic designers.is essential for most graphic designers.

Graphics CardsGraphics CardsGraphic cards take digital information from Graphic cards take digital information from

the operating system specifying what is to the operating system specifying what is to be shown on the screen and makes this be shown on the screen and makes this into a signal that the display understands. into a signal that the display understands.

This signal usually travels along a video This signal usually travels along a video cable to the monitor which uses it to cable to the monitor which uses it to create the picture. create the picture.

Most graphic cards are very capable of Most graphic cards are very capable of producing an image that meets the producing an image that meets the highest needs of any monitor without highest needs of any monitor without noticeably slowing the system down. noticeably slowing the system down.

DVI / VGADVI / VGA

Professional graphic designers Professional graphic designers will work with a Digital Visual will work with a Digital Visual Interface connection between Interface connection between graphics card and monitor as graphics card and monitor as opposed to the older VGA, opposed to the older VGA, visual graphics array cable visual graphics array cable connection as it gives a connection as it gives a better picture. better picture.

1.1. Research and make notes on Research and make notes on how the following hardware how the following hardware components affect the components affect the performance of a computer performance of a computer system used to manipulate system used to manipulate digital graphics. digital graphics.

Hard driveHard drive Graphics cardGraphics card ProcessorProcessor RAMRAM

RAMRAMRAM stands for random access memory. It is RAM stands for random access memory. It is

an electronic memory plugged into the an electronic memory plugged into the main motherboard inside the system unit. main motherboard inside the system unit.

It is primarily used to hold programs when It is primarily used to hold programs when they are running and any documents or they are running and any documents or graphic files that the user has open. graphic files that the user has open.

RAM is often 1 GB or more in a modern RAM is often 1 GB or more in a modern system and is often replaced when a PC system and is often replaced when a PC has a memory upgrade. has a memory upgrade.

When a software application is run, the When a software application is run, the program is first copied from the hard program is first copied from the hard disk to RAM. From here the program disk to RAM. From here the program can travel at a very high speed to the can travel at a very high speed to the processor where the program code processor where the program code can be run. can be run.

RAM works at the speed of electricity, RAM works at the speed of electricity, much faster than a hard disk that much faster than a hard disk that works at the speed the disk spins. works at the speed the disk spins.

Research taskResearch taskResearch and make notes on the Research and make notes on the

following:following:

What is Cache memory?What is Cache memory?

What is FAT?What is FAT?

Cache memory is very fast electronic Cache memory is very fast electronic memory between RAM and another memory between RAM and another device, used to make the system run device, used to make the system run faster. faster.

The FAT (File Allocation Table) is held The FAT (File Allocation Table) is held on the disk to connect names of files on the disk to connect names of files and folders to where they actually and folders to where they actually are on the disk. When a file is are on the disk. When a file is opened or saved the disk address opened or saved the disk address needs to be looked up in the FAT needs to be looked up in the FAT before the file can be found. before the file can be found.

Cache

Hard

disk

RAM

Cache

Processor

Software being run and documents being opened

Documents being saved

CPUCPUThe central processing unit is another The central processing unit is another

name for the processor. It is a chip name for the processor. It is a chip that fits into a socket on the that fits into a socket on the motherboard. It is the heart of the motherboard. It is the heart of the computer system. computer system.

AMD – Athlon and OpteronAMD – Athlon and Opteron

Intel – Pentium and CeleronIntel – Pentium and Celeron

The processor is very important to The processor is very important to maintaining performance with complex maintaining performance with complex digital images, so one with two or more digital images, so one with two or more processors such as a dual or quad Xeon processors such as a dual or quad Xeon motherboard helps to keep the computer motherboard helps to keep the computer responsive. responsive.

Many graphic operations involve a lot of Many graphic operations involve a lot of processor work such as:processor work such as:

Rescaling an image, saving or exporting, Rescaling an image, saving or exporting, converting a bitmap into a jpg, applying converting a bitmap into a jpg, applying an effect. an effect.

Any of these operations needs a good, fast Any of these operations needs a good, fast processor to operate effectively. processor to operate effectively.

To summariseTo summarise

A graphics computer system needs to A graphics computer system needs to handle large files and complex handle large files and complex software programs efficiently and software programs efficiently and quickly.quickly.

In order to do this the major hardware In order to do this the major hardware components need to be of a high components need to be of a high spec and capable of operating spec and capable of operating together to optimum performance. together to optimum performance.