The two types of graphics I will be discussing are vector
graphics and pixel graphics they both have advantages and disadvantages; I’ll
start by comparing these;
Bitmap graphics are made up of pixels (which are tiny
squares) of different colours, these are arranged to make an image; you can see
these pixels when you zoom in on an image. When you edit an image made up of
pixels, you have more control; you will be able to edit each and every pixel of
an image (adding more pixels, changing colour, removing pixels). Programs such
as Adobe photoshop, GIMP, paint tool sai, etc. will allow you to edit these
pixels.
On the other hand vector graphics are made up of objects instead
of pixels and they use mathematical formulas to draw lines and curves which
then can be used to make objects which then make up the image, to edit vector
graphics you have to change the lines and curves that make up the objects,
programs such as adobe illustrator and Corel draw allow you to manipulate these
lines and curves.
Vector images are more scalable than pixels, when you scale
pixel images you will lose the quality because it scales each of the pixels and
you will be able to see the tiny squares of different colours that make up the
image this is most noticeable on the edge of an image. There are ways of
getting around this problem but then the whole image will get blurry. Vector on
the other hand uses formulas instead of pixels so it uses that to redraw the
lines resulting in no loss of quality.
Vector images have advantages over pixel because they are
smaller in file size this is because pixel images have to store information for
each and every pixel such as the colour of the pixel, while vector just stores
the formula that makes the image. Disadvantage of using vector is that it isn’t supported on
the internet (websites), most popular format used to display images are JPEG
which are pixels. There are few ways of getting an vector image on the web, you
must rasterize it in Photoshop or you have to use adobe flash to make the
format into SWF.
Vector is good for logo design or images that don’t have
colour gradient such as some style of cartoons and animations, while pixel
should be used for photos and images with a lot of colour gradient and Varity.
What is a game engine and what is it's purpose?
A game engine is what makes a game
function. It’s a tool you will use to make your game, however it is incomplete because
it doesn’t contain every cog and gear that will make your game work, however it
contains the basics which allow the developers to focus on other things such as
the detail that will go into their game instead of making everything from
scratch which will make it more time consuming so a game engine basically
contains reusable software components. It is the core of the game, and game
developers use these to cut down the time spent on developing, because the game
engines already contain the basics, such as the graphics, AI functions; If the
developer wanted something advance they would have to make that themselves and
implement it into the engine.
The game engine controls everything such as rendering,
physics, Interface, AI, loading, etc. However it doesn’t make the game, it only
brings it to life. The models, textures and how everything interacts with each
other in the game environment; is what makes the games and not the game engine.
Some examples of game engines are UDK (Unreal development kit), Cryengine and
frostbite. Each game engine is different
to each other, some are good at one thing the others are good at something
else. Like how some cars are good at accelerating while using a lot of fuel on
the other hand some cars are good at using less fuel but taking longer to get
to the destination.
