Storage of image assets

File size
Image file formats the normal way to store and organize digital graphics. They are made of either vector data, pixels, or a mixture of the two. The image file size is shown by the number of bytes. The greater the number of rows and columns, the greater the image resolution, and the larger the file size.

File-naming conventions
The three most common image file formats, the most important for printing, scanning and Internet use, are TIFF, JPG and GIFF. However, Tiff cannot be used in Internet browsers.

Asset management
Digital asset management is made out of management tasks and decisions surrounding the annotation, cataloguing, storage and distribution of assets. Digital asset management systems have in it computer software and hardware systems that help in the process of digital asset management.

Optimising

Target image output
If you want to get the best image possible, you should be aiming for the best image output. Depending on your t.v. the best image output will vary. But if you have a HD TV the best possible setting is 1080P.

Image bit depth
Bit depth is the number of bits used to show the colour of a single pixel in a bitmap image. The more bits there are the better the image. Therefor you should want as much bits as possible.

Image resolution
Image resolution describes the detail an image has. Higher resolution means more image detail; therefor you want as high resolution as possible. Image resolution is important if you need a large image but if the image is being used with memory in mind, file size might be an important consideration.

Image dimensions
Image dimensions are the width and length of a digital image. It is more commonly measured in pixels, but some programs allow you to view and work with your image in the equivalent inches or centimeters. If you are using a high resolution digital photograph, you should probably make the image dimensions smaller. Where as if you are using a graphics or image-editing program you will have two options for changing the dimensions: Re sample or re size.

Compression
There are two types of compression, lossy and loss less. Lossy compression is a data encoding method that compresses by getting rid some of the data. Which means when it gets re sized it wont look as good as before it was shrunk. Loss less is effectively the opposite, it allows the exact original data to be re-made from the compressed data.

Image capture

Scanner
A scanner is a device that scans images, handwriting, printed text, or an object. It then transforms it into a digital image. Depending on the quality of the scanner, the quality of the image can be extremely good or not so good. An example of using a scanner is when you need to make a certain amount of copies of paper, you scan it and then print it off.

Digital camera

A digital camera is a camera that takes video or/and photographs digitally by recording images by using an electronic image sensor. Most camera's now are digital. There are a wide range of digital camera's, varying in sizes, capabilities and prices. The key difference between this and a scanner is that scanners use needs objects that are already existent, where as a camera creates an original copy of an image. An example of using a digital camera is when you're on holiday and want a family photograph. Nearly every digital camera






Graphics tablet
A graphics tablet is a device that you plug into the computer which enables the user to hand draw images as easy as drawing them on paper. it can also be used to trace images from paper, as long as the paper is strapped to the tablet. This is different to the other two because with a graphics tablet it's you personally creating something and being transferred to the PC, instead of doing most of the work for you. An example of using a scanner is when using a program like photo shop, if you're good at drawing then you would use a graphics tablet to draw what you wanted on to the program.

Pixels

Pixels

Picture element 

Pixel is a term that comes from picture element. A pixel is the smallest portion of an image or display that a computer is capable of printing or displaying. As you zoom into an image, the pixels become more and more apparent. This is because the closer you get the less quality the picture has. To the right is a picture example of a pixel.


Image resolution
Image resolution describes the detail an image holds. This term applies to raster images, film images and other images. The higher resolution, the higher amount of detail. Basically, resolution means how close lines can be together and still be visibly resolved. Resolution units can be connected to the overall size of a picture (lines per height), to physical sizes (lines per inch, lines per mm). A resolution of 10 lines per millimeter means 5 dark lines with 5 light lines, or 5 line pairs per millimeter. It is usually quoted as width × height, with the units in pixels: for example, "1024x768" means the width is 1024 pixels and the height is 768 pixels. Basically in computer games the higher the resolution the game the better it looks.

Intensity
The intensity is the number of pixels stacked on any one place, the more pixels you have stacked there the higher intensity it is.

Computer Game Graphics

2D Sprites

2D Sprites are two-dimensional images or animations that are in a larger scene.They can look like any number of images or animations.To give the illusion of movement. One massive game that used these was Super street fighter II.

                                                               Super street fighter II

World of goo

3D Sprites

3D sprites are just like like normal sprites, but they give the impression they are 3D.They look like 3D images or animations.The purpose of 3D sprites is to give the illusion of depth. They are used to try and give the effect of 3D. A massive game that used this was The Sims, another was Mario.

The Sims

Mario

Concept Art
Concept art is a type of illustration in which the main aim is convey a visual representation of a design, idea, and/or mood for use in video games and more.They can look like anything. But they most commonly look unrealistic as they are representations of someones imagination.The purpose of concept art is to get original and interesting ideas onto paper. Then if they are good enough they might be included in the game. Some games become renown for their concept art, such as the "Halo" series, they have whole books showing off the concept art.

                                                                           Viking

Halo

Textures

In the games industry texture artists create things such as objects and buildings. They make them look either realistic, e.g. making an old bike look rusty, or make it look like a cartoon, e.g. making an old bike really stylised.

                                                                        Random textures 

In game interface

The interface is everything that's on the screen 24/7 while in game play, such as the radar, aim and health bar.Basically everything you can see that isn't in the actual map.The purpose of it is to help the player. From helping them navigate the map to warning them their health is low. In both the pictures below there are radars on the screen, but both are very different, in placement, what they show and their appereance. For example, on Halo the radar is in the bottom left, where as on Call of duty it's in the top left. On Halo it shows the other players and wether they are above, on the same level or below you where as on Call of duty it shows the other players but not their height, it also shows the landscape/building layout around the character.

                                                                            Halo

Call of duty MW 2

Printed media

Printed media is all the types of media that get printed, such as posters, game manual and more.Most printed media is everything on paper that gets published. It is also the Cd's with the games on as well.Each of them have a different purpose; they can be from helping the player learn the buttons to making people hear/know about the game. Below is the game manual for Halo 3 and a poster for Forza 4.

Halo 3 game manual (Inside)

Forza 4 poster