Image Capture and Storage of Image Assets

Forms of Capturing Images for Digital Graphics


Scanner

   An image scanner is a device that can scan a number of things (e.g. images and writing) and convert them into a digital image. The device can only scan images from a particular angle which obviously limits the user to a certain degree. According to Wikipedia "scanners usually read RGB data from the array and then it is processed with proprietary algorithm to correct for different exposure conditions". The file is then sent to the connected computer where the user can access the file and edit it within editing software on the PC. The colour depth of the scanner depends on the models characteristics but it is usually low, having at least 24 bits; higher quality models have 36-48 bits. Recently scanners have become very unpopular due to the development of the digital camera. The digital camera can do a very similar job with better quality. The scanner is now mainly used when a written document must be converted into a digital image.


Digital Camera

   A digital camera is a device that can capture still images and videos using an electronic image sensor. Digital cameras are much more popular than film cameras because they can display the images on the built-in screen straight after being captured. Digital cameras also have the ability to store thousands of images on the smallest of storage devices and delete them to create more space. The majority of digital cameras can also record videos with sound and allow the user to edit images straight on the camera by using editing tools such as crop and remove red eye. These devices are widely used in every day life and can be found in most mobile phones and vehicles. There are many uses of for digital cameras; most people have them so they can capture special moments; professional photographers have them so they can produce photographic graphics for a living whereas they can also be used for more serious matters (e.g. security cameras).


Graphics Tablet

   A graphics tablet is a device that allows its user to hand-draw images and graphics straight onto a PC stored file. Tablets replace the use of the mouse and makes some tasks much simpler. There are many uses of this devices; for example you could use it to capture data or signatures, to trace images from paper onto a file on the computer or just hand-draw imagery. Using the device to hand-draw imagery gives the user control and the ability to go into deeper detail. Graphics tablets aren't the cheapest of the devices which is why they are primarily used by people in creative professions that do a lot of graphics designs.



Storing Image Assets Effectively


Naming Files Logically

   Naming files logically is very important so that the user finds it much easier to find certain files among the other ones. When naming files you should think about what the document consists of and name it accordingly; naming a file a specific name will cut down the time you would usually spend trying to find it especially if you have a lot of files. When a file is given a name that goes with its purpose the user is more likely to remember it which will allow them to access the file as quickly as possible.


Carefully Managing Assets

   Carefully managing assets is very important so that the users documents are organised. Organising files is very easy and can be most effectively be done by creating a number of folders that hold different files. It is important to remember to keep all of the related files in a certain folder titled with a name that matches the trending theme of the files. Creating folders will prevent cluttering and will make it much easier for the user to access the files that they need at any given time.


Keeping Control of File Sizes

   Keeping control of file sizes is very important so that large files aren't taking up a lot of space on the hardrive and making the PC run slow. This can be done simply by deleting unessessary assets within a file. With smaller files a PC will run faster and will have more room available for other files.