Question 1:

Categories of Multimedia Software Tools

Music Sequencing and Notation

Music sequencing refers to the use of a certain software to record, edit, play, and save
audio tracks or files. These audio files can be saved in several forms such as Musical Instrument
Digital Interface (MIDI), Open Sound Control (OSC), and CV/G. There are several software tools
that are used in music sequencing and notation, such as:

 Cakewalk – currently called Pro Audio, is an audio editing and sequencing software
produced by Twelve Tone Systems.
 Cubase – is another audio editing and sequencing software and is one of the most
popular Digital Audio Workstation. This software features integrated audio recording
and editing functions, audio mixers, MIDI sequencing and supports several plugins and
virtual instruments.
 Macromedia Sound Edit – is an audio sequencing and editing software that enables
users to produce audio for multimedia purposes and the web that incorporates well
with a few Macromedia products such as Director and Flash.

Graphics and Image Editing

Graphics and image editing refers to the modification and improvement of digital
images using different tools and software. Images and graphics editing is mainly for the
improvement of the overall quality of an image depending on the desired results. Examples of
software used in graphics and image editing are:

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  Adobe Photoshop – is a great graphics processing and manipulation tool which includes
many image editing and painting tools, allows manipulation on the layers of images and
texts, and also features a pool of effects and filters.
 Macromedia Freehand – a graphic editing software used to create illustrations and
layouts for prints and web purposes.
 Adobe Illustrator – a graphics editing software for professional vector-based designs and
drawings. Designers use Adobe Illustrator to make posters, logos, icons, etc.
 Macromedia Fireworks – is a software used in creating graphics for the web.

Video Editing

Video editing is the manipulation and rearrangement of video clips to produce a quality
video. In video editing tools, portions of the video can be rearranged, added or removed as well
as applying effects, color corrections, filters and transitions. Examples of video editing software
are:

 Adobe Premiere Pro – is the most popular video editing software for social sharing, TV
and film productions, commercials, etc. It features a non-linear editing interface and has
a vast pool of powerful video editing tools. Adobe Premiere Pro’s user-friendly interface
and huge effects, transitions, filters, and motions, enable users to edit and produce
videos with ease.
 Adobe After Effects – is a video editing software that is popular in the multimedia
production industry because of its powerful tools in motion graphics and visual effects.
After Effects is mostly used in producing pleasing visuals for web, TV, commercials, and
films.

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Multimedia Authoring

Multimedia authoring tools are used to create and edit a multimedia file. Users can
combine various multimedia data types such as graphics, images, text, audio, video, effects and
animations. Examples of software tools used in Multimedia Authoring are:

 Macromedia Flash – is a program that allows users to create interactive and animated
multimedia such as motion graphics and video presentations.
 Macromedia Director – now called Adobe Director, contains many multimedia
development tools to create interactive presentations, animations and applications.

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Question 2:

Areas Concerning Computer Graphics

Hardware

Hardware is relevant in computer graphics because it allows these graphics to be shown

on a certain display. The most important hardwares for computer graphics are: Central
Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), memory and displays. Graphics
hardware are computer hardware that creates computer graphics and allows these graphics to
be shown on a certain display, usually through the use of a video or graphics card, combined
with different device drivers to display the graphic images on the screen.

The Graphics Processing Unit is specialized for the rendering of all images shown on the
computer’s display. The GPU provides high speed graphics processing and can perform parallel
operations. Although it is commonly used in 2D data and for navigation on the screen, the GPU
is also necessary for smooth decoding and rendering of three-dimensional animations and
video files.

Rendering

Rendering is where an image is generated from a 2D or 3D model through the use of

special computer programs and this image is called as the render. The model is defined as a
three-dimensional object in a specifically defined language or data structure. The result of
rendering contains geometry, viewpoints, textures and lighting information in which the image
is called a digital image. Rendering can also be defined as the process of calculating the effects
in a certain video editing file to produce a final rendered video output.

There are two categories for rendering which are the pre-rendering and the real-time
rendering. The two can be differentiated by comparing the speed of computation and image
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finalization. Real-time rendering is used in interactive graphics and games where the images
must be generated in a faster pace. Since in such environment, the user’s interaction is
relatively high, a real-time image generation is needed. Pre-rendering on the other hand, is
used in cases where speed is not a priority and the calculations can be performed using just the
central processing units rather than the graphics dedicated hardware. This rendering method is
commonly applied in making animations and visual effects.

Rendering is most commonly used in computer and video gaming, simulators, TV and
film special effects, and design visualizations. For movie animations, lots of frames and images
must be rendered, and are arranged together in a software that is capable of producing these
kinds of animations. Examples of rendering software are Unity, 3ds Max Design, Keyshot, Maya,
Cinema 4D, Blender, Substance, V-Ray, etc. These rendering softwares are carefully engineered
programs that are created based on different graphic development disciplines such as light
physics, visual and texture perception, mathematics, software development and graphic
modelling.

Modeling

In three-dimensional computer graphics, modeling is the process of creating a

mathematical representation of every surface of any given object in three-dimension
coordinate based models through special modeling softwares. 3D models are commonly
applied in different media such as video games, TV shows, film animations, architecture,
blueprints, illustrations, engineering layouts, etc.

Models are most often exported into other programs for other uses such as games or
movie animations. But there is a few 3D modeling software that allows users to create 2D
images through a process known as 3D rendering. This modeling technique is great for the
creation of very realistic models through manipulations in the lighting algorithms.

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Question 3:

Industries and Applications that Drives Computer Graphics

Movie Industry

Digital technology such as the Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) has played a major
role in conjunction not only with animations but also with live action films. CGI had undergone
many changes since its bloom in the late 60’s with an animated model of a bird using a
computer. There have been many relevant innovations in CGI such as the animated wireframe
graphic effects used in Star Wars and the first use of CGI in the Superman movies. CGI
technology is now the leading compared to other special effect generation techniques. CGI is
the safest, affordable and also allows a wider control on the different aspects of film
production. This technology has overshadowed the use of physical and mechanical effects on
the filming sites because it would be safer and quicker to create these effects through
computer graphics. In addition to that, CGI allows filmmakers to add effects to their movies that
cannot be achieved through real time mechanical manipulations. As technology continue to
advance and artists learn more and grow more skillful, it has become more relevant to use this
technology to create a much more believable and fantastic action in films. There are endless
possibilities in CGI and filmmakers have these tools to even create new worlds in which their
movie stories could take place. (Chung, 2013)

Game Industry

Computer graphics in the gaming industry has been relevant in line with the continually
increasing popularity of games and increasing demand for new games to be released. In the
1970’s, computer technology was not developed enough to create the games in the current

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environment with very excellent graphics. The game graphics back then were very plain and
basic, with those simple shapes taking lots of hours to code and finish.

Over the years, computer graphics processing power has improved drastically where the
greatest development is when there is a greater number of pixels that can be showed on the
screen at once. In the earlier years of game production and development, the pixel count for
games is relatively low. From this, the graphics look monochromatic, low gradient and low
quality in general. (Carlson, 2016)

Computer Aided Design

Computer graphics performs a key function in computer aided design (CAD) and
computer aided manufacturing (CAM) to generate a virtual world for digital prototyping.
Graphics allow a designer to interactively synthesize different product shapes and visualize
these shapes in various settings to evaluate their actual performance. Product modelling is the
central factor of any computer aided design and manufacturing since it creates the core
repository of data to suit the other application tasks like FEM Analysis, CNC Programming and
others. The creation of product models, representation and validation are the main issues that
guide the efficacy of computer aided design and manufacturing. (Pande, 2011)

Medical Imaging and Scientific Visualization

Computer graphics played an important role in the continuous advancement of

medicine. The use of computer graphics in medical diagnosis provided the medical field the
ability to visualize, measure and evaluate human body structures without any form of intrusion.
The discovery of the use of computer graphics allowed the invention of several medical imaging
techniques such as x-ray radiography, fluoroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
ultrasound, sonography, endoscopy, thermography, and some nuclear medicine functional
techniques in imaging such as the special gamma camera and single-photon emission-
computed tomography.

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 One of the most important areas in medicine where computer graphics is most
commonly used is for training. Computer graphics provide new methods to teach and learn, as
these professionals can use and test their skills in simulators and evaluate their performances in
a virtually controlled environment. (Bayarri, 2011)

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References

Bayarri, C. (2011). Applications of graphics in medicine training. Available at:

https://www.cs.upc.edu/~virtual/G/5.%20Treballs%20opcionals%20d'altres%20cursos/

Applications%20in%20medical%20training.pdf. (Accessed: 10 June 2021)

Carlson, W. (2016) Computer graphics and computer animation: A retrospective overview.

Available at: https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/15-4-influence-

of-games/. (Accessed: 10 June 2021)

Chung, W. (2013). The Importance of CGI in films today. Available at:

https://prezi.com/fexocq1xlqr_/the-importance-of-cgi-in-film-today/. (Accessed: 10

June 2021)

Pande, S. (2011). Computer Graphics and Product Modelling for CAD/CAM. Available at:

https://dl.acm.org/doi/book/10.5555/2161704. (Accessed: 10 June 2021)