This class will provide you with a good overview of the types of art and their applications created on a computer. This is an introductory class of approximately 30 minutes and will be provided at no cost.
What programs to use; free or commercial, and why
Free is a great price getting started
Some free programs are full featured, some have saves disabled
Don't buy until you are sure you want to pursue doing art or graphics work
Studios and professional users pay $3,000+ for a single program
My art is created with programs collectively costing less than $1,000
Beginners could try Bryce (free) to get a feel for 3D
Eon-software provides a free version of Vue which is more advanced than Bryce and more complicated. Versions of Vue range in price from $100-$1,000
Google Sketchup is a free program that can be used to create 3D models of moderate complexity
Models of people provides greater expressive depth
DAZ Studio (free) can be used for people models (integrated with Bryce)
Poser is a semi-professional people/animal modeling tool $300+
Zbrush is a 3D modeling program $500+
2D or 3D, what's the difference?
3D takes care of the light and shadows
2D lets you choose what to paint and how
3D uses models that you can place into a scene
2D uses brushes that can place objects unto layers for a pseudo 3D effect
3D scenes have to be rendered to be viewed sometimes taking many hours
2D is more of what you see is what you get
3D can produce much more detail
2D is what a rendered 3D scene becomes
2D is used for most advertising in papers, magazines, and the web
2D is more like painting and drawing
3D is more like sculpting and pottery
3D is more difficult to learn
2D has many more plugins and is more widely used
Resolution matters in 2D (paint programs)
Resolution in 3D is more about rendering than modeling
Polygons matter in 3D
2D Programs
Vector programs are resolution independent
Small file sizes
Print to various sizes without resolution loss
Bit Mapped programs resolution is based on the canvass size
Large file sizes for printing
Will not scale up without resolution/clarity loss
Digital photography, scanners, printers, and image manipulation
In our 3D world most everything is presented (imaged) in 2D
Digital images are everywhere now
Scanners are just printers reading an image
Cropping, adjusting and scaling 2D images are techniques used to improve the image
Upscaling an image will cause a loose of resolution and clarity
Image manipulation can be art
Why is everything so complicated?
Choices add complexity
Increases in sophistication generate complexity
Basic principles are often embodied into the programs
Once you learn a tool, other similar tools are easier to learn
Attempts to simplify often result in programs with few choices
A menu with one choice isn't very desirable unless it it all you ever want
What type of graphics/art can I add to my web pages or send in email?
There are several standard formats that can be viewed by most everyone
jpeg, gif, flash, and png are the most common
jpeg is most common and all digital cameras create a jpeg image
Simple animations are possible using gif format
jpeg and gif are lossy compressed format
The png format can be lossless and maybe the best format for sharing printable content
There are some 3D formats but most require a separate viewer
Flash is supported by most browsers
An overview of Copyright Laws and Fair Use
Any original content once published is copyrighted by the owner of the content
You do not need to apply for a copyright unless you feel the item will likely be copied
Copyrighted content may not be used without the permission of the owner
Except for Fair Use
Satire, commentary, 'credited' and scholarly uses
Years ago it was thought that you could use a portion of an image/book without concern
Other than Fair Use, modifying any portion is considered a derivative work (copyrighted)
Creative Commons provides a copyright method that can be set for various restrictions
Open Source and GPL copyright licensing is less restrictive than standard copyright but with restrictions
If in doubt, then assume that copyright laws apply
