Unit 340 – Imaging Software

Aim of this unit

This unit is about the ability to use software applications designed to create, modify, and layout images for display in print or on a screen (eg vector graphics for design and drawing; raster graphics for photo manipulation or illustration).

On completion of this unit, a candidate should be able to select and use a range of advanced imaging software tools and techniques for complex and non-routine designs.

Imaging software tools and techniques will be defined as ‘advanced’ because:

• the software tools and functions used will be complex and at times require new learning, which will involve having the idea that there may be a tool or function to do something (eg. improve efficiency or create an effect), exploring technical support, self-teaching and applying;
• the inputting, manipulating and outputting techniques will be multi-step and complex, and will involve research, identification and application, and;
• the user will take full responsibility for inputting, structuring, editing and presenting the information.

Section One:

1. Obtain, insert and combine information for images

To obtain images for your brand or marketing campaigns, you can search for royalty-free images online. There are many sites that offer free and paid images. Once you find an image you like, you can download it to your computer and then insert it into your document or campaign.

You can also combine two or more images together to create a new image. This can be done using a photo editing program, such as Photoshop or Illustrator.

When you are finished creating your image, you can then save it to your computer or print it out. If you plan on using the image for commercial purposes, you will need to purchase a license from the copyright holder. Otherwise, you can use the image for personal use only.

If you need help obtaining or creating images for your brand, you can contact a professional graphic designer. They can help you create the perfect image for your needs.

1.1 Describe what images are needed

For this question, you will need to demonstrate your intent on selecting and using images appropriate to your upcoming project or marketing campaign. Document your process and show the purpose of each image selected.

Images selected can be designed for:

• Printed materials such as a poster, brochures or flyer
• Promotional material such as banners, rollups, signage or billboard
• Website pages
• Email or newsletter content
• Social media posts or profile settings such as banners and main images
• Product or service images to denote what you do

Another possible approach to this task would be to create a mood board to help capture the desired look and feel of the images needed. This could include both specific images as well as photographs, illustrations, and stock images that could be used. Including a colour palette with the mood board can also be helpful in ensuring a cohesive look to the final product.

If you’re working with a team, it’s important to make sure that everyone is on the same page in terms of the vision for the project. Once the mood board is created, it can be used as a reference point for all team members moving forward.

If you’re not working with a team, taking the time to create a mood board can still be beneficial. It can help you to focus your search for images and make sure that you’re choosing visuals that fit with the overall look and feel that you’re going for.

Once you have a clear idea of the types of images that you need, the next step is to actually find them. There are a few different ways that you can go about this.

One option is to search for stock photos online. There are a number of websites that offer royalty-free stock photos, which means that you can use them for your project without having to pay for them. This can be a great option if you’re working on a tight budget.

Another option is to hire a professional photographer to take the photos that you need. This can be a bit more expensive, but it’s also likely to result in higher-quality images. If you have specific requirements for the photos, it can be worth it to invest in a professional photographer.

Finally, you can also take your own photos. This is often the best option if you have specific ideas in mind for the types of images that you need. If you’re not sure how to go about taking your own photos, there are a number of resources available online that can help you get started.

1.2 Explain how the context affects the way images should be prepared

Images should be prepared differently depending on their context. For example, if an image is being used on a website that is targeting a general audience, it doesn’t need to be as detailed or high quality as if it were being used on a website that is targeting a specific group of people.

In the latter case, it would be more important to make sure that all of the details in the image are accurate and that it looks professional.

When it comes to preparing images for the web, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• First, always use the smallest file size possible without compromising quality. This will help to ensure that your pages load quickly and smoothly.
• Second, make sure that your images are saved in the correct file format. JPEGs are best for photos, while PNGs are best for graphics and illustrations.
• Third, always optimize your images for the web by compressing them before uploading them to your site. This will help to further reduce their file size and improve loading times.

By taking the time to properly prepare your images for the web, you can ensure that they will look their best and load quickly for your visitors.

The context in which the images you have selected can be used within your brand’s marketing campaign. The images will be used to help promote the brand and its products or services. Clearly demonstrate this with examples.

Some examples of brands that have used images within their marketing campaigns include Nike, Adidas, and Puma. These brands have all utilized images to great effect in order to help sell their products and services.

When it comes to selecting images for a marketing campaign, it is important to consider the overall message that the campaign is trying to communicate. The images should be selected in a way that will help communicate that message to the target audience.

In addition to selecting images that communicate the overall message of the campaign, it is also important to consider the aesthetics of the images. The images should be visually appealing and should be able to capture the attention of the target audience.

When it comes to creating a marketing campaign, images can be a powerful tool that can help to sell the products or services of a brand. However, it is important to select the right images and use them in a way that will effectively communicate the overall message of the campaign.

1.3 Provide guidance on what and how any copyright or other constraints may apply to the use of own and others’ images

When it comes to using images in your work, be sure to understand the copyright and other restrictions that may apply. In many cases, you will need to get permission from the copyright holder before using an image. If you don’t, you could face legal penalties.

There are a number of online resources that can help you determine whether an image is copyrighted and who owns the copyright. The IPO – Intellectual Property Office website is a good place to start. You can also search for images with Creative Commons licenses, which allow people to share their work under certain conditions.

The exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material.

Definition of Copyright

When using someone else’s image, be sure to give them credit. This can usually be done by including a link to the original image or the photographer’s website. If you’re not sure how to do this, check out this guide from the Harvard Office of Scholarly Communication.

And finally, remember that you may not be able to use an image even if it is in the public domain or has a Creative Commons license. For example, some images may have restrictions on how they can be used. So be sure to read the fine print before using any image in your work.

Copyright laws protect the rights of people who create things like images and photos. This means that you can’t use someone else’s image or photo without permission, even if you think it would be a good idea. You might be able to get permission to use an image or photo if you ask the person who created it, but there is no guarantee that they will say yes.

There are some circumstances where you can use an image or photo without getting permission, but these are limited. For example, if you are using an image or photo for educational purposes, you may be able to use it without permission.

If you want to use an image or photo for commercial purposes, you will almost always need to get permission first. This means that you will need to pay the person who created the image or photo.

If you are unsure whether or not you need permission to use an image or photo, it is always best to err on the side of caution and ask for permission first.

Other areas that you need to be aware of in regard to copyright include:

Data protection is what controls how everyone’s personal information is used and your rights on knowing how your personal data is being used on the internet.

Intellectual property is someone’s ideas, creations and work that are property of their copyright or trademark that others cannot copy the idea of the piece of work.

Creative commons is an organisation that encourages and helps increase the range of images available legally for people to use on several platforms such as YouTube and image sites such as Pexels.

1.4 Obtain, input and prepare images to meet needs

Once you have the images that you need, the next step is to edit them to fit your specific needs. This can be done using a number of different software programs, depending on your level of experience. If you’re not familiar with photo editing software, there are a number of tutorials available online that can help you get started.

Once you have the final product, it’s important to make sure that it looks its best. This means taking the time to format the images correctly and ensuring that they’re sized correctly for the intended use.

Formatting the images correctly will ensure that they print correctly and look their best when viewed on a variety of devices. If you’re not sure how to format the images, there are a number of online resources that can help you get started.

Ensuring that the images are sized correctly is also important. If they’re too small, they may not be visible on all devices. If they’re too large, they may take up too much space and make it difficult to view the rest of the content on the page.

Creating great visual content doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning and some creativity, you can create stunning visuals that will help your audience to engage with your content.

Visual content is a vital part of any online presence, so it’s important to make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward. By taking the time to create high-quality visuals, you can ensure that your audience will see your content in the best light possible.

When it comes to creating visuals, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that the images you use are relevant to the topic at hand. Second, you need to ensure that the images are sized correctly.

Third, you need to make sure that the visuals are formatted correctly. And fourth, you need to take the time to ensure that the final product looks its best. By following these simple tips, you can create stunning visuals that will help your audience to engage with your content.

Listed below are some sources for acquiring photos, images, illustrations and more include:

– Pixabay – a royalty-free library of images which can be downloaded and used for free.

– Pexels – all photos and videos on Pexels can be downloaded and used for free.

– Canva – is a free-to-use online graphic design tool. Use it to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more.

– Adobe Photo Library – millions of royalty-free stock images, photos, graphics, vectors, video footage, illustrations, templates, and 3d assets. This is a subscription-based platform in order to use of the images.

– Shutterstock – a collection of professional photos and images for designers and agencies. A paid subscription is required.

– Dreamstime – another paid service aiming to be the world’s largest community for royalty-free photos and stock photography.

– Big Stock Photo – download affordable high-res stock photography and high-quality stock footage with a paid subscription.

1.5 Explain how file format affects image quality, format and size and how to choose appropriate formats for saving images.

When you take a picture with your digital camera or smartphone, the image is saved to the memory card in the camera in a format specific to that camera. There are many different formats that can be used, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Here are some tips on which format to use for saving images.

JPEG is the most common format for saving images. It is a lossy compression format, which means that some of the image data is lost when the image is saved in this format. The advantage of JPEG is that it can be saved at a very high quality, with only a small decrease in image quality. The downside of JPEG is that it can be very large in file size, and the quality of the image can deteriorate if it is edited or printed.

GIF is a lossless compression format, which means that no image data is lost when the image is saved in this format. The advantage of GIF is that it preserves all of the image data, so you can edit and print the image without losing any quality. The downside of GIF is that it can be very large in file size, and it does not support transparency.

PNG is a lossless compression format, which means that no image data is lost when the image is saved in this format. The advantage of PNG is that it preserves all of the image data, so you can edit and print the image without losing any quality. The downside of PNG is that it can be very large in file size, and it does not support animation.

.JPG images
It stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group
This file format is commonly used for high-resolution photographs, complex images and online use. As it is a RASTER type of image, when scaled up it will lose its quality, also making it not good for printing out.

PNG images
It stands for Portable Network Graphics
Used for transferring images online and like a jpg file, it is not ideal for printing as it will lose the quality when scaled up larger than the original. It is another file that you could use instead of a gif file.

GIF images
It stands for Graphics Interchange Format
It is a similar file format to png but has a lower-quality image. It is used primarily for online use, as it allows animation on images which can have a transparent background too. It compresses the file so that it can be easily used online and support the moving image without taking up too much storage. It reduces the number of colours in your image to 256, this is a way it reduces the file size.

PSD images
It stands for Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is used for editing your photographs and also web design, as it has so many tools and techniques that you can use. When importing and exporting an image from Photoshop, you can only open up the file if you have Photoshop downloaded onto your desktop, narrowing down who you can share these images with.

EPS images
It stands for Encapsulated Postscript File
Used to save vector images, for example, logos for a business and other vector illustrations made by using shapes and not pixels, making it re-sizable to any size without losing its quality. This makes these files perfect for printing off your image, even if the image is large it will still have great quality. Supports transparent background, perfect for use on websites, so it gives a clean look without borders as the pictures appear to be floating.

PDF images
It stands for Portable Document Format
Used to import and export documents, while keeping the image quality as it is a vector file. It can be used to send digital copies of hard-copy images by email for example.

AI images
It stands for Adobe Illustrator
This is a file that saves layered images and graphic designs. An example of this file format being used is for an original piece of work that a graphic designer would make for a business logo. Overall supporting vector images that are in the formats of EPS or PDF.

SVG images
It stands for Scalable Vector Graphic
An SVG file format is a popular tool for displaying two-dimensional graphics, charts, and illustrations on websites. Plus, as a vector file, it can be scaled up or down without losing any of its resolutions.

BMP images
It stands for Bitmap
A BMP file format, also known as a bitmap image file, device-independent bitmap (DIB) file format and bitmap, is a raster graphics image file format used to store bitmap digital images, independently of the display device (such as a graphics adapter),

1.6 Use appropriate techniques to organise and combine information of different types or from different sources

To organise and combine information of different types or from different sources, you can use various techniques. For example, you can group related images together, or create a photo album. You can also use online tools to help you organise and manage your photos.

There are many online tools that can help you to organise and manage your photos. Some of these tools are free, while others are paid-for services. Here are some examples of online photo management tools:

– Flickr: This is a popular website where users can upload, share, and tag their photos.

– Google Photos: This is a free online photo management tool from Google.

– Google Drive: This is a free platform which can be tailored to store images within folders.

– Photobucket: This website offers users free photo storage and sharing, as well as tools for editing and organising photos.

– SmugMug: This is a paid-for service that offers unlimited photo storage, along with a range of editing and organisation tools.

– Zenfolio: This is another paid-for service that offers unlimited photo storage, along with a range of tools for editing, organising, and sharing photos.

These are just a few examples of the many online photo management tools that are available. If you have a large number of photos, or if you want to be able to edit and organise your photos in more detail, then a paid-for service may be a better option for you.

1.7 Store and retrieve files effectively, in line with local guidelines and conventions where available

It is extremely important to be able to store and retrieve files effectively in order to keep your work organized. This means following local guidelines and conventions where available, such as alphabetically and in hierarchical order within folders with sequential numbering or names that make sense. Being disorganized can lead to a lot of wasted time and frustration.

There are a few general tips that can help you stay organized:

• Keep your desktop clean and free of clutter. This will help you focus on the task at hand and avoid getting distracted.
• Create folders for different projects or topics and label them accordingly. This will make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
• Number or name files in a way that makes sense and is easy to remember. This will save you time and energy when trying to locate a specific file.
• Be sure to back up your work regularly. This will prevent data loss in the event of a system crash or other unforeseen issues.

Following these tips will help you stay organized and be more productive. Taking the time to develop a good filing system will pay off in the long run!

2. Use imaging software tools to create, manipulate and edit images

Using imaging software tools to create, manipulate and edit images is a great way to unleash your creative potential. These tools allow you to experiment with different colours, shapes and textures, giving you the ability to create unique and eye-catching images.

Moreover, by using editing features such as cropping, resizing and rotating, you can fine-tune your images until they are just the way you want them. So why not give it a try? The sky’s the limit!

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve put together a list of the best imaging software tools to get you started.

1. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is widely considered to be the gold standard when it comes to image editing software. It offers a comprehensive set of features, making it ideal for both professional photographers and hobbyists alike.

2. GIMP

GIMP is a free and open-source alternative to Photoshop that offers a similar range of features. It’s a great option if you’re on a budget or if you prefer to use software that is not proprietary.

3. Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is a great choice for those who want to edit and organize their photos in one place. It offers a wide range of features, including RAW image editing, colour correction and photo management.

4. Aurora HDR

Aurora HDR is a great option for those who want to create stunning HDR images. It offers an easy-to-use interface and a wide range of features, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced users.

5. Corel Draw

Corel Draw is a vector illustration and page layout software. With it, you can easily create logos, illustrations, and other graphics that can be used in both print and digital media.

2.1 Explain what technical factors affecting images need to be taken into account and how to do so

Some common technical factors that can affect the quality of an image include resolution, bit-depth, colour space, and file format.

Resolution is the number of pixels in an image. The higher the resolution, the more detail will be captured in the image. Bit-depth refers to how many bits are used to represent each pixel in an image. The higher the bit-depth, the more colours can be represented in an image.

Colour space is a way of describing how colours are reproduced or captured in an image. There are various colour spaces available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The file format is simply the type of file that contains the image data.

Different file formats have different levels of compression, which can affect the quality of the final image.

Ultimately, it is up to the photographer or designer to decide which technical factors are most important for the particular image they are trying to capture.

Images play a huge role on the web. Not only do they make a website more visually appealing, but they can also help to communicate information more effectively. However, it’s important to take into account certain technical factors when working with images, in order to ensure that they look their best and are correctly optimized for different contexts – such as on-screen or when printed.

In particular, page or canvas size, colour mode, file size and format, and the difference between screen and print resolution should all be considered.

When it comes to page or canvas size, images should be sized appropriately for the context in which they’ll be used. For example, if an image is going to be displayed on a website, it’s important to make sure that the file size isn’t too large, as this will slow down the website’s loading time. On the other hand, if an image is going to be printed, it’s important to ensure that the resolution is high enough so that it doesn’t appear pixelated.

The colour mode of an image also needs to be taken into account. For web use, images should generally be saved in the RGB colour mode, as this is the format that monitors use to display colours. For print use, images should be saved in the CMYK colour mode, as this is the format that printers use.

When it comes to file size and format, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it’s important to choose an appropriate file format for the context in which the image will be used. For example, JPEG is a good choice for images that will be displayed on the web, as it’s a relatively small file format.

However, for images that will be printed, PNG or TIFF might be better choices, as they have higher resolutions. Secondly, it’s important to make sure that the file size isn’t too large, as this can cause problems when uploading or downloading the image.

Finally, it’s worth considering the difference between screen and print resolution. Screen resolution is generally much lower than print resolution, so an image that looks fine on screen might appear pixelated when printed. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that the resolution of an image is high enough for the context in which it will be used.

2.2 Select and use suitable tools and techniques to efficiently create images

As anyone who has ever tried to create a presentation or design project knows, generating original images can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. It’s often difficult to find the right image to fit the message you’re trying to communicate, and even harder to make that image look the way you want it to.

But there are now a number of online tools that can help make the process of creating images much easier. These tools allow you to quickly and easily create custom images for your projects, without having to spend hours poring through stock photo websites or struggling with complicated design software.

One such tool is Canva, which allows you to create professional-quality designs using a simple drag-and-drop interface. With Canva, you can easily create custom graphics, logos, presentations, and more. And best of all, it’s free!

Another great option for creating images is Pablo by Buffer. Pablo is a simple tool that allows you to create beautiful images for your social media posts in just a few clicks. With Pablo, you can easily add text, logos, and even filters to your images, and then share them directly to Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

Both Canva and Pablo are great options for quickly and easily creating custom images. So next time you need to create an image for a project, give them a try!

There are many techniques that can be used when creating images. Some of these include adjusting properties such as line width, fill colour and transparency, downloading photos from a camera or scanner, and adding text and other elements to an image.

More complicated designs can also be created by using painting, drawing or image manipulation software.

When creating images, it is important to be aware of how to draw basic shapes and adjust properties. This will help you to create more complex designs and make your images more visually appealing.

Additionally, downloading photos from a camera or scanner can be a convenient way to get high-quality images.

Finally, adding text and other elements to an image can help to make it more informative and interesting.

2.3 Use guidelines and dimensioning tools appropriately to enhance precision

When creating or working with images, it is important to be precise in order to ensure accuracy. This can be done by using guidelines and dimensioning tools appropriately. By doing so, you can avoid potential mistakes and produce images that are of the highest quality.

Guidelines are lines that can be added to an image in order to act as a reference point. They can be used to align objects within an image or to help with the overall composition. Dimensioning tools, on the other hand, can be used to measure distances and sizes within an image.

This information can then be used to create accurate dimensions for objects within the image.

2.4 Select and use appropriate tools and techniques to manipulate and edit images

It’s not difficult to improve the quality of your photos with just a few easy steps. All you need is some basic photo editing software and a willingness to learn how to use it.

Once you have those things, the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can do with your photos. You can make them look like they were taken by a professional photographer, or you can completely change their appearance and turn them into something completely different.

One of the best things about photo editing software is that it’s not just for professionals. Even if you’re just starting out, there are plenty of easy-to- tools that will help you make your photos look great.

When it comes to photo editing, the options really are endless. However, there are a few basic tools and techniques that every photographer or designer should know how to use. By mastering these, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning images that will wow your friends and family.

The first thing you need to do is choose the right photo editing software. There are dozens of different programs out there, so it’s important to find one that suits your needs and skill level. If you’re just starting out, opt for something simple and easy to use like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Once you’ve got the hang of things, you can move on to more advanced software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.

Once you’ve chosen your software, it’s time to start playing around with the various tools and features. To get started, try experimenting with the crop tool to change the composition of your photos. Then, play around with the brightness and contrast settings to make your images pop. You can also use the clone stamp tool to remove unwanted blemishes or objects from your photos.

Some elements to be aware of include:

• Align, rotate, flip, arrange, cut, paste, resize
• Change font, text and colour
• Group, ungroup
• Change templates

If you really want to get creative, you can also experiment with filters and special effects. Many photo editing programs come with a variety of built-in filters that can instantly transform your photos. For example, you can use the vignette filter to add a soft, dreamy border around your images. Or, you can try the HDR effect to make your photos look like they were taken with a high-end camera.

Finally, don’t forget to experiment with the various ordering and layer options. By playing around with these, you can create truly unique and customized images that will really stand out.

2.5 Check images meet needs, using IT tools and making corrections as necessary

Most people today rely heavily on technology to get their work done. And while that can be a great time-saver, it can also lead to some common mistakes.

When working with images, it’s important to make sure they’re the right size, aligned correctly, and have the appropriate file format. If you’re not careful, your images can end up being too small or too large, misaligned, or in the wrong file format.

Not having the right orientation can massively affect the end result and mean starting all over again. This is especially the case when it comes to printed publications requiring the right size, orientation and print-ready artwork needing to be supplied in a CMYK 300dpi format.

Therefore, it makes sense to enquire as to the required finished format, what its purpose is to ensure you produce something suitable to both size and resolution, and any other considerations such as colour, style and is suitable.

2.6 Identify and respond appropriately to quality problems to ensure that images are fit for purpose and meet needs

When it comes to images, quality is of the utmost importance. Whether you’re a business owner who needs high-quality product shots or an individual who wants clear and concise pictures for your social media profile, ensuring that your images are of the best possible quality is essential.

However, this can be easier said than done. Even if you have the necessary software and hardware, accurately identifying and responding to quality problems can be a challenge. In order to ensure that your images meet all necessary requirements, it’s important to be aware of common quality problems and how to address them.

One of the most common quality issues with images is resolution. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image, and the higher the resolution, the more detailed and clear the image will be.

When it comes to print images, a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (PPI) is generally considered to be high quality, while resolutions below 200ppi are considered to be low quality.

For web images, a resolution of 72ppi is typically sufficient. If you’re unsure of an image’s resolution, you can check by opening the image in a photo editing program and looking at the Image Size information.

If an image’s resolution is too low, there are a few ways to improve it. One option is to simply resize the image to make it smaller. This will decrease the number of pixels in the image, but if done correctly, shouldn’t have a significant impact on quality.

Another option is to increase the resolution by resampling the image. This process essentially involves adding or removing pixels from an image in order to change the resolution.

However, it’s important to note that this can often lead to a decrease in quality, so it should only be done as a last resort.

Another common quality issue is image distortion. This can occur for a variety of reasons but is often caused by using the wrong file format or saving an image at too low of a quality setting. Image distortion can also be caused by cropping an image improperly or by using poor editing techniques.

To avoid image distortion, it’s important to use the correct file format for the intended purpose of the image. For example, JPEG is a good choice for photos that will be posted online, while TIFF is better suited for images that will be printed.

Care should be taken when cropping or editing images to avoid accidentally distorting them.

Blurry images are also a common quality issue. Blurriness can be caused by a number of factors, including camera shake, poor focus, and using a low-quality lens. To avoid blurry images, it’s important to hold the camera steady, use a tripod if possible, and make sure that the subject is in focus before taking the picture.

Finally, another common quality issue is poor lighting. This can make an image appear dark, dull, and unappealing. To avoid poor lighting, it’s important to take pictures in well-lit areas and to use a flash if needed.

If you’re unsure of how to fix a quality issue with an image, there are a number of online tutorials and forums that can offer guidance.

Additionally, many photo editing programs offer tools for fixing common quality issues. By taking the time to learn about common quality problems and how to fix them, you can ensure that your images are of the highest possible quality.