Introduction to imaging

We see the types, treatment and forms of storage of digital images.

The use of digital images in design projects necessarily involves obtaining them, their treatment and their storage in the appropriate graphic format. This process is completed with a successful management of the graphic material used in the project.

Obtaining the necessary images can be done by different means, the most common being their digitization by means of scanners, their direct obtaining using digital cameras or graphic programs, and their acquisition from companies or individuals dedicated to this work, either on thematic CDs. or through their websites.

Once the appropriate originals have been obtained, a treatment process is generally necessary to adapt them to the particular needs of our graphic composition or web page, a process that may include changes in the size or resolution of the images, obtaining any of the parts of them, retouching or application of filters, etc.

After processing, it will be necessary to store the images in the appropriate graphic format or formats for the project. If the image is intended to be displayed on the screen, we should preferably save it in a lossless format that maintains its original quality, such as BMP. If it is going to be used in a printed composition, it will be convenient to store it in one of the typical formats of this medium, such as TIFF. If it is intended for inclusion in a web page, the appropriate formats will be those that significantly reduce the weight of the file while maintaining the best possible quality, such as GIF, JPG, PNG or SWG.

Finally, the graphic material used in our projects must be compiled and stored properly, requiring a management process that defines the storage structure, the supports used, the preparation and form of the catalogues, etc., in such a way that conservation and quick recovery of the graphic material used is possible.

We are going to study in this chapter the main mechanisms for obtaining and retouching digital images, specifically scanners, digital cameras, graphic programs and digitizing tablets.