Fall 2005 Information

| calendar and deadlines for this semester | instructor's home | ACG home |
other learning resources on this site & this instructor's other classes:
| Intro to Computer Graphics | Electronic Illustration | Intro to Art |

Students in this class focus on one-off and limited-edition art--as opposed to art geared for reproduction, covered in a separate class for illustrators . Another area you may want to explore is the mixing of traditional and computer techniques. This is also the place for in-depth study of the leading program for raster graphics, Adobe Photoshop.

Whatever your interests may be, the instructor will help you find the best selection of digital media to match your artistic vision and unique talents.

• Class goals:
  • Evaluate graphics programs as artistic tools.
  • Demonstrate operative skills in the use of paint, photo-editing, and scanning software.
  • Produce artwork on the computer for a variety of visual arts applications.
  • Devise ways to incorporate software features into a personal stylistic repertoire.
• Evaluation:
  • The final course grade will be based on the student's performance in class and in completing assignments. Grade weight is the same for all projects.
• The recommended textbooks for this semester are:
  • Digital art studio, 1st ed.
    By Lhotka, Bonny Pierce et al.
    Published by Watson Guptill.
    ISBN: 0-8230-1342-1; Copyright 2004.
    Description: The computer is profiled as the ultimate mixed-media machine, allowing the artist to readily combine an unbelievable array of media. The book covers the basic processes for preparing commercially available surfaces (canvas and watercolor and printmaking papers) and custom surfaces (handmade papers, wood, leather, and antique fabrics). More advanced methods are covered, including transferring digital images to absorbent surfaces and transferring digital images to three-dimensional surfaces. Also showcases artists who have combined digital and traditional materials to produce outstanding work.
  • Secrets of award winning digital artists, 1st ed.
    By Sutton, Jeremy et al.
    Published by Wiley.
    ISBN: 0-7645-3691-5; Copyright 2002.
    Description: Technical and artistic insights from a very diverse field of practitioners. Features a gallery of works, divided into two parts:
    • Part 1: Fine Art. 1: Street Scene; 2: Bullpen; 3: Three Voyeurs; 4: Shrine of ART; 5: The Running Dress; 6: Hollywood & Vine; 7: Snapping Lines; 8: Archer; 9: Contemplations 11--Nature vs. Nurture; 10: A Place in the Sun; 11: boy/girl/boy/girl; 12: Trae; 13: Window with Chair; 14: Lantern Street, Autumn; 15: Sister of the Bride; 16: Missing Link; 17: Contemplating the System; 18: A Forbidden Love; 19: Royal's Flat; 20: A Few of My Favorite Things; 21: Bark Twain; 22: Visage; 23: Vertical 8; 24: Chloe; 25: Apple Series--Beth; 26: Art in Wartime.
    • Part 2: Photography. 27: First Aid Tin; 28: The Great Mystery; 29: On the Boulevard; 30: Spring Poppies; 31: Fragile; 32: Mort Mechanique; 33: Digital Ecstasy; 34: Orrery; 35: Tidal Pool; 36: At the Drive-In Theater-of-Consciousness; 37: Gesture V; 38: Kimonohawk; 39: Lily #4; 40: The Digital Divide; 41: Dawn at the Baylands; 42: Koi Pond; 43: Facing Time; 44: Autumn Window; 45: Primordial Fear; 46: Follow a Mile; 47: Agave Meadow.

Raster Graphics Topics

1. Technical orientation.
   1. System software user interface.
   2. Recommended workflow practices.
   3. Raster graphics vs. vector graphics.
2. Digital painting orientation.
   1. Historical overview of raster graphics.
   2. Impact of digital techniques on photography.
   3. Impact of digital techniques on painting and drawing.
   4. Integration of digital and analog image formats.
3. Raster graphics software interface.
   1. Default settings and user preferences.
   2. Document setup.
   3. Document-window features.
   4. Tools and commands palettes.
   5. Selection tools and techniques
   6. Object-oriented features.
4. Raster graphics image-creation features.
   1. Freeform tools.
   2. Geometric tools.
   3. Image replication tools.
   4. Masking features and techniques.
   5. Features specific to the program in use.
5. Raster graphics image-editing features.
   1. Global (whole image) vs. local (region of interest) control.
   2. Basic geometric transformations.
   3. Color and exposure adjustment.
   4. Packaged effects (extensions, plug-ins).
   5. Features specific to the program in use.
6. Raster graphics document management features.
   1. Layers.
   2. Channels.
   3. Modes.
   4. Undo and history features and techniques.
   5. Features specific to the program in use.
7. Input/output options.
   1. Raster file import.
   2. Scanners and digital cameras.
   3. Vector graphics rasterizing and vector import.
   4. Export formats for various uses.
   5. Applications of raster graphics software.
      1. Workflow automation: scripts, actions, batch commands.
      2. Color profiling and color management.
      3. Image indexing and retrieval.
      4. Integration with other graphics programs (vector, 3D, video, animation, etc.)
      5. Print media case study.
      6. Electronic media case study.

   ---

   Additional resources

   • A number of printed manuals are available in the lab: ask the lab aide for them, with your student ID in hand.
   • Several relevant magazines are available in the Graphics lab. These are especially useful because of their timeliness.
   • Program reference manuals:
     • A variety of books are available providing step-by-step instruction and reference information. Make sure that any books you choose match the version of the software we will use.
     • The programs used in this class come with electronic manuals and/or online help, which you can view directly on the computer.
   • A useful reference for the main program we will use for this semester is:
     Show Me! Adobe Photoshop CS
     By Andy Anderson and Johnson, J., Perspection, Inc.
     Published by Que.
     Series: Show Me.
     ISBN: 0789730677; Copyright 2004.
     Table of Contents:
     1. Getting Started with Photoshop CS. Viewing the Photoshop CS Window. Managing System Requirements. Installing PhotoshopCS. Launching Photoshop CS - New! Optimizing Photoshop. Working with Photoshop Tools. Using Drawing Tablets. Defining Shortcut Keys - New! Managing Libraries with the Preset Manager. Controlling the Workspace. Adding and Subtracting Palettes. Creating a New Document - New! Creating a New Document for Video with Auto Guides - New! Working with Non-Squared Pixels - New! Importing Raw Data from a Digital Camera - New! Inserting Images in a Document. Using the Status Bar. Checking for Updates and Patches. Getting Help While You Work. Creating Personalized Tips. Saving a Document. Closing a Document. Exiting Photoshop.
     2. Understanding Navigation and Measurement Systems. Changing the View Size with the Navigator Palette. Changing the View Area with the Navigator Palette. Changing the Color of the Navigator Palette View Box. Changing the Screen Display Mode. Changing the View with the Zoom Tool. Increasing or Decreasing Magnification. Moving Images in the Document Window. Moving Layers Between Two Open Documents. Working with the Info Palette. Changing How the Info Palette Measures Color. Working with One Image in Multiple Windows. Working with Rulers. Creating Notes. Creating an Audio Annotation.
     3. Working with Preferences. Setting General Preferences - New! Modifying File Handling Preferences. Working with Display & Cursor Preferences. Controlling Transparency & Gamut Preferences. Working with Units & Rulers. Working with Guides, Grids & Slices. Selecting Plug-Ins & Scratch Disks. Allocating Memory & Image Cache. Working with the File Browser - New!
     4. Mastering the Art of Selection. Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool. Using the Elliptical Marquee Tool. Using the Single Row and Single Column Marquee Tools. Using the Magic Wand Tool. Using the Lasso Marquee Tool. Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. Using the Magnetic Lasso Tool. Selecting by Color Range. Modifying an Existing Selection. Using Freeform and Transform. Adding, Subtracting, and Cropping a Selection. Using Channels to Create and Store Selections. Using Smart Guides - New! Organizing with Multi-Level Groups. Using the Quick Mask Option.
     5. Working with Layers. Understanding the Layers Palette. Defining Layer Designations and Attributes. Creating a New Layer. Creating a Nested Layer Set - New! Creating a Selection from a Layer. Creating a Layer from a Selection. Converting a Background into a Layer. Control Image Information Using the Layers Palette. Moving Layers Between Documents. Organizing Layers with Sets. Using the Merge Layer Options. Working with Layer Blending Modes. Duplicating a Layer. Deleting Layers. Changing Layer Properties. Working with the Layer Comps Palette - New! Exporting Layers as Files - New! Setting Layer Palette Options.
     6. Working with the History Palette. Setting History Palette Options. Working with Linear and Non-Linear History. Controlling the Creative Process with Snapshots. Duplicating a History State in Another Document. Saving the History State of a Document. Reviewing the History State Text File. Controlling History States. Combining the History Brush with a History State. Using the Art History Brush. Changing the Eraser Tool into the History Brush.
     7. Working with Adjustment Layers, Filters, and Tools. Creating an Adjustment Layer. Modifying an Adjustment Layer. Merging Adjustment Layers. Creating a Temporary Composite Image. Grouping Adjustment Layers. Deleting an Adjustment Layer. Using Blending Modes and Opacity with Layers. Using Masks with Adjustment Layers. Creating Masks with a Selection. Using the Add Noise Filter. Using the Gaussian Blur and Despeckle Filters. Using the Unsharp Mask Filter. Using the Clone Stamp Tool. Using the Dodge and Burn Tools. Using the Healing Brush and the Patch Tools. Controlling Tonal Range. Working with the Histogram Palette - New!
     8. Understanding Colors and Channels. Changing Color Modes. Understanding the Bitmap Color Mode. Understanding the Grayscale Color Mode. Understanding the Duotone Color Mode. Understanding the Indexed Color Mode. Understanding the RGB Color Mode. Understanding the CMYK Color Mode. Understanding the Lab Color Mode. Using the Multi-Channel Color Mode. Working with the Channels Palette. Using the Replace Color Adjustment. Working with the Color Palette. Working with the Swatches Palette. Using the Stroke and Fill Commands. Creating Spot Color Channels. Using the Variations Adjustment. Using the Levels Adjustment and Command. Using the Auto Contrast and Color Commands. Using Curves and Color Adjustments. Using the Saturate and Desaturate Commands. Using the Match Color Adjustment - New! Using the Selective Color Adjustment. Using the Channel Mixer Adjustment. Using the Gradient Map Adjustment. Using the Photo Filter Adjustment. Using the Shadow/Highlight Adjustment - New! Using the Invert and Equalize Commands. Using the Threshold and Posterize Adjustments.
     9. Using the Paint, Shape Drawing, and Eraser Tools. Understanding Foreground and Background Colors. Using the Painting Engine. Modifying the Brushes Palette. Selecting Brush Tip Sets. Creating Customized Brush Tips. Saving Customized Brush Tips. Working with the Paint Engine. Working with the Paintbrush and Airbrush Tools. Working with the Pencil Tool. Working with Auto Erase. Working with the Line Tool. Using the Standard Shape Tool. Working with the Custom Shapes Tool. Creating a Custom Shape. Saving Custom Shape Sets. Using the Paint Bucket Tool. Working with the Eraser Tools. Working with the Magic Eraser Tool. Creating and Applying Gradients. Creating and Saving Customized Gradients. Using the Color Replacement Tool - New!
     10. Creating Layer and Channel Masks. Understanding the Role of Layer Masks. Creating a Layer Mask. Working with the Paint Tools. Using Selections to Generate Complex Layer Masks. Using Layer Masks to Generate Soft Transparency. Blending Images with Layer Masks. Using a Layer Mask to Create a Vignette. Creating Unique Layer Mask Borders. Understanding Channel Masks. Creating Channel Masks from Scratch. Modifying Channel Mask Options. Creating Channel Masks from Selections. Making Channel Masks from Native Color Channels. Loading Channel Masks. Moving Channel Masks Between Documents. Combining Channel Masks. Using the Quick Mask Mode. Working with Quick Mask Options.
     11. Using the Paths Palette. Understanding Vector and Raster Images. Converting a Selection into a Path. Working with Pen Tools. Creating Paths Using the Freeform Pen Tool. Using the Magnetic Option with the Freeform Pen Tool. Adding and Deleting Anchor Points. Modifying Anchor Points. Modifying Existing Direction Lines. Converting Straight Points and Curved Points. Working with Clipping Paths. Filling an Area of an Image Using Paths. Stroking an Area of an Image Using Paths. Creating Shapes as Paths. Exporting Paths to Adobe Illustrator. Exporting Paths Using the Export Method.
     12. Working with Layer Styles. Understanding Layer Styles. Adding a Layer Style. Creating and Modifying a Drop Shadow. Working with Bevel and Emboss. Working with Contour and Texture. Applying a Color Overlay. Using the Stroke Layer Style. Using Pattern Overlays. Working with Outer Glow and Inner Shadow. Applying an Inner Glow Style. Creating Customized Layer Styles. Creating Customized Styles Using the Styles Palette. Moving Existing Layer Styles.
     13. Getting Creative with Type. Using Standard Type Tools. Working with Type Options. Working with the Character Palette. Working with the Paragraph Palette. Setting Anti-Aliasing Options. Using the Warp Text Option. Using Spell Check. Finding and Replacing Text. Using the Rasterize Type Command. Creating Work Paths and Shapes from Type Layers. Creating Shape Layers. Creating a Type Mask. Isolating Image Pixels Using a Type Mask. Creating Chiseled Type with a Type Mask. Using Masks to Generate Special Effects. Creating and Modifying Text on a Path - New!
     14. Manipulating Images with Filters. Working with the Filter Gallery. Applying Multiple Filters to an Image. Modifying Images with Liquify. Working with Liquify Tool Options. Working with Liquify Mask Options. Working with Liquify View Options. Creating a Liquify Mesh. Applying a Liquify Mesh. Using the Lens Blur Filter - New! Working with Photo Filters - New! Using Online Services to Print Photos - New! Building Custom Patterns. Using the Fade Command. Controlling Filters Using Selection. Using a Channel Mask to Control Filter Effects. Protecting Images with Watermarks. Viewing Various Filter Effects - New!
     15. Automating Your Work with Actions. Examining the Actions Palette. Building an Action. Recording an Action. Adding a Stop to an Action. Controlling the Playback of a Command. Adding a Command to an Action. Deleting a Command from an Action. Working with Modal Controls in an Action. Changing the Order of Commands in an Action. Copying an Action. Running an Action Inside an Action. Saving Actions into Sets. Saving Actions as Files. Moving and Copying Actions Between Sets. Inserting a Non-Recordable Command into an Action. Using Enhanced Scripting - New! Enhancing the Process with Droplets. Using a Droplet.
     16. Controlling Image Output. Working with Page Setup in Macintosh. Working with Page Setup in Windows. Using Print With Preview. Printing a Document in Macintosh. Printing a Document in Windows. Printing of a Document. Printing One Copy. Understanding File Formats. Saving a Document with a Different File Format. Inserting File Information into a Document - New! Understanding File Compression. Preparing Clifor the Web. Preparing a Photograph for the Web. Preparing an Image for the Press. Preparing an Image for the Inkjet or Laser Printer.
     17. Working with Automate Commands. Working with Batch File Processing. Creating a PDF Presentation - New! Creating a Contact Sheet. Working with Conditional Mode Change. Using the Crop and Straighten Photos Command - New! Converting a Multi-Page PDF to PSD. Designing a Personalized Picture Package - New! Using the Web Photo Gallery Command - New! Using Photomerge - 390 - New! Using the Fit Image Command.
     18. Managing Color from Monitor to Print. Setting Up Soft-Proof Colors. Changing from Additive (RGB) to Subtractive (CMYK) Color. Working with Rendering Intent - New! Printing a Hard Proof. Using Monitor Calibration to Produce Consistent Color. Working with Color Management. Embedding ICC Color Profiles. Assigning a Different Profile to a Document. Converting the Color Space to Another Profile. Working with the Out-Of-Gamut Command. Printing a Target Image. Using the Hue/Saturation for Out-Of-Gamut Colors. Using the Sponge Tool for Out-Of-Gamut Color.
     19. Designing for the Web. Saving for the Web. Working with Save for Web Options. Optimizing an Image to File Size. Working with Web File Formats. Optimizing a JPEG Document. Optimizing a GIF Document. Optimizing a PNG-8 Document. Optimizing a PNG-24 Document. Optimizing a WBMP Document. Creating a GIF from Scratch. Opening an Existing Animated GIF. Modifying an Animated GIF File. Slicing Images the Easy Way. Modifying and Compressing Individual Slices. Creating a JavaScript Rollover. Defining and Editing Web Data Variables - New! Exporting Directly to Flash - New!

   | return to top | general class info |

   ---

   Created 1995-01-10. Last modified 2005-08-22. This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/LEARN/ACG/ACG_132.HTM> Copyright 2005 by Sandro Corsi.