Article Abstract:
Virtus Corp's $99 Alien Skin Textureshop draw software offers a simple, straightforward method of creating alien skin textures for layout or photomontages, but it does not allow texture creation from scratch. The application can be used either as a standalone program, or as a plug-in for other graphics applications. As a standalone application, files can be saved as PICT, RGB TIFF, or CMYK TIFF formats. The application is used by picking a pre-defined image from the application's 150-image library. This image is then mutated by the application by changing its colors, texture and patterns until an image is selected. Selected images can be stored in the Storage Bin area for future use, or they can be chosen as a beginning image for mutation. The application is not designed to allow the user to create new images from scratch, but that is a small matter. Each image is given a 3D contour and is composed of a 24-bit color pattern.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
Today's design shop must come to grips with a disorganized bevy of digitized images on a variety of hard drives, CD-ROMs and SyQuest cartridges. The solution is to get organized with an image database. An entry in an image database includes a thumbnail version of the visual, plus conventional database information in words or numbers. Image databases import visuals, either one at a time or in batches; create thumbnails; and provide fields for entering relevant textual and numeric data about the visual. Because an image database can be searched by descriptive information, users will not waste their time trying to remember cryptically short Windows or Macintosh filenames. The images in many photo-stock CDs come already tagged with keywords, which can then be exported to a design shop's image database.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
BeInfinite Inc's $149 Infinite FX and HSC Software's $199 KPT Vector Effects are two third-party plug-ins for Macintosh drawing programs, with Vector Effects proving the far better product. Vector Effects works with both leading drawing packages, and provides a powerful resource for vector graphics. Infinite FX can not adapt to host applications' keys the way Vector Effects can, and its filters are profoundly inferior to Vector's as well. Vector Effects sports an impressive interface and a variety of special effects, and is considered an imperative for artists trying to optimize the leading draw packages.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: