I decided to make a dictionary chain for no apparent reason. By 'chain', it basically means you can post a response, and I will edit my post with it. We're going to get together a list of commonly-used graphics terms. Please list the word and give the definition in the following form:
[Please try to limit this topic to entries, not discussion]
I'll start by giving the first word: Blend.
The List
Word: Abstract Definition: Another common style in graphic art. By definition any abstract graphic art taking no definite form. But in practice abstract does have a common style. Renders are not usually used in abstract art, but some people use abstract renders from programs such as Cinema 4D to enhance the art.
Word:: Anchor Point. Definition:: A marker that shows all the areas where you created a new path with your Polygonal Lasso Tool or your Pen Tool.
Word: Backround // Slang: BG Definition: The background of an image // Slang term referring to the backround of an image.
Word: Blend Definition: Associated with several aspects of a graphic: to flow. When a render fits in with its surrounding backround smoothly, it is blended. If text has certain blending options or effects that makes it fit in with its surroundings, it is blended. If a backround does not have any sudden or drastic changes from one color to another, you have a blended backround.
Word: Border Definition: A part that forms the outer edge of something; A decorative strip around the edge of something.
Word: Brightness/Contrast Definition: Found in Photoshop under Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast. This is used to brighten or darken the selected layer, and it also can create a richer tone/variety of colors in the image as a whole.
Word: Curves Definition: Very similar to Brightness/Contrast. This feature lets you adjust contrast by adjusting the lighting in a graphic.
Word: Graphical Definition: Having to do with graphics.
Word: Grunge Definition: A common style in graphic art. A very dark and grungy(duh) style, grunge brushes are usually dark, cloudy, and faded.
Word: Harsh Gradient Definition: A term referred to a gradient if the colors in the gradient change too rapidly.
Word: Levels Definition: Similar to using a Brightness/Contrast layer, this can be found in Photoshop under Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels. This feature is used to give depth and range to colors. Its different than Brightness/Contrast because it only adjusts the look of the black, white, and gray areas in an image. By doing this, you bring out the colors of the image and create excellent negative space.
Word: Pixelation Definition: Occurs when an object's size is increased or decreased dramatically. The object's features become blurred and lose a massive amount of quality.[/quote]
Word: Pen Tool Definition: The best tool used to do a Render (1). A tool, similar to the Polygonal Lasso Tool, but unlike the PLT, the Pen Tool is capable of easily creating curved paths. First, make sure the 'Paths' button in the top of your toolbar is selected. Then, click in your image to create your paths. When you'd like to create a curved path, simply click, hold, and drag out the mouse. When you're satisfied with the curve, let go of the mouse button. Click your first path to close your selection. Right click, hit 'Make Selection', and accept the next window with a feather of 0 pixels to show the 'maggots' of your selection.
Word: Polygonal Lasso Tool. Definition: Cutout tool that sets anchor points with every click that you make.
Word: Render Definition: The process of cutting an image, such as a character, out of its background; thus making it useable in a sig or other piece of graphic art.
Word: Render (2) Definition: The process of generating an image from a model by means of a modeling program.
Word: Resolution Definition: The number of pixels per square inch on a picture or other work of graphic art.
Word: Stock Definition: Same as render, but also: 1. A photograph with someone on it, un rendered/cutout.
2. A psd with a render/cutout in it.
Word: Tech Definition: Yet another common style in graphic art. Tech is usually somewhat accompanied by another style. Common characteristics are small pixel lines, numbers, and (meaningless) graphs and such. The purpose of tech is of course for the art to look techinical, somewhat like circuit boards, or displays.
Word: TSISBIWERI Definition: Acronym; That Sig Is So Bad I Won't Even Rate It. (Created by me as a joke, but apparently some people actually use it).
Word: Vector Definition: A one-dimensional array, usually based off of simplicity.
Add your definition today!
Last edited by RaVNzCRoFT on Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:39 pm, edited 7 times in total.
Word: Grunge Definition: A common style in graphic art. A very dark and grungy(duh) style, grunge brushes are usually dark, cloudy, and faded.
Word: Abstract Definition: Another common style in graphic art. By definition any abstract graphic art taking no definite form. But in practice abstract does have a common style. Renders are not usually used in abstract art, but some people use abstract renders from programs such as Cinema 4D to enhance the art.
Word: Tech Definition: Yet another common style in graphic art. Tech is usually somewhat accompanied by another style. Common characteristics are small pixel lines, numbers, and (meaningless) graphs and such. The purpose of tech is of course for the art to look techinical, somewhat like circuit boards, or displays.
Word: Render (2) Definition: The process of cutting an image, such as a character, out of its background, thus making it useable in a sig or other piece of graphic art.
Word: Vector Definition: A one-dimensional array. Word: Border Definition: A part that forms the outer edge of something; A decorative strip around the edge of something.
Cuda wrote:Word: Vector Definition: A one-dimensional array.
Just to extend this definition:
In true vectors, such as those created in Adobe Illustrator (The industry-leading vector software), only the mathematical data of a path is stored. So that you can zoom in as far as you want and image quality will never be reduced. In Adobe Photoshop, using vector brushes, this quality is lost, but from a zoomed-out point of view, it looks similar.
Word: BG Definition: Slang term refering to the background of an image
Word: Contrast Layer Definition: Found in photoshop under Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Brightness/Contrast. This is used to brighten or darken the selected image, it also can creat a richer tone/variety of colors in the image as a whole.
Word: Levels Adjustment Definition: Similar to using a contrast layer, this can be found in photoshop under Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Levels. This is used to create depth and range of colors. Its different then contrast because it only adjusts the look of the black white and grey area's in an image. By doing this you bring out the colors of the image and create excelent negative space.
Thanks for all of your posts! I've updated the list. Please continue to add definitions, if possible. I'd like for this to become a good resource for people trying to learn the basics of Photoshop.
Curves are a lot more indepth then brightness contrast. You can bring out dull areas and adjust color balance with curves, too.
Its a whole set of input/output for colors, thats what the line shows. Ill make a pic of it later and show exactly what you are adjusting. Curves are by far the most powerful image manipulation device for coloring. (compared to hue saturation, brightness contrast, etc.)