Apparel Computer Design Key Terms
PIXEL : Short for Picture Element, a pixel is a single
point in a graphic image. Graphics monitors display
pictures by dividing the display screen into thousands (or
millions) of pixels, arranged in rows and columns. The
pixels are so close together that they appear connected.
RESOLUTION : Refers to the sharpness and clarity of an
image. The term is most often used to describe monitors,
printers, and bit-mapped graphic images. In the case of
dot-matrix and laser printers, the resolution indicates the
number of dots per inch. For example, a 300-dpi (dots per
inch) printer is one that is capable of printing 300
distinct dots in a line 1 inch long.
DPI : Abbreviation of dots per inch, which indicates the
resolution of images. The more dots per inch, the higher
the resolution. A common resolution for laser printers is
600 dots per inch. This means 600 dots across and 600 dots
down, so there are 360,000 dots per square inch.
VECTOR : Vector graphics is the use of geometrical
primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or
polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical equations,
to represent images in computer graphics. Images stored as
vectors look better on devices (monitors and printers) with
higher resolution.
RASTER IMAGE : A raster graphics image or bitmap is a data
structure representing a generally rectangular grid of
pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper,
or other display medium. Raster images are stored in image
files with varying formats.
LAYERS : Layers are something like sheets of clear acetate,
stacked on top of each other. Any painted area (opaque
pixels) on one layer will cover whatever is below it on
lower layers. Semi-transparent pixels will allow some of
what is below them to show, and completely transparent
pixels will allow what is below to show as if there was
nothing above it (mostly because there's not.)
RGB : The RGB color model is an additive color model in
which red, green, and blue light are added together in
various ways to reproduce a broad array of colors. The name
of the model comes from the initials of the three additive
primary colors, red, green, and blue. The main purpose of
the RGB color model is for the sensing, representation, and
display of images in electronic systems, such as
televisions and computers.
CMYK : The CMYK color model (process color, four color) is
a subtractive color model, used in color printing, and is
also used to describe the printing process itself. CMYK
refers to the four inks used in some color printing: cyan,
magenta, yellow, and key black. The CMYK model works by
partially or entirely masking colors on a lighter, usually
white, background. The ink reduces the light that would
otherwise be reflected. Such a model is called subtractive
because inks “subtract” brightness from white.