Compression/Image Capture/Optimisation/Storage of Image Assets

Compression

Compression is the process at which you reduce the size of an image, without degrading the quality. Because of the reduction in file size, your storage device is able to hold more high quality images while also reducing the time required, for images to be sent over the internet or downloaded. There are a few different ways in which a file can be compressed, the most common for the internet is the JPEG format which is used for photographs mainly. The smaller the image the smoother a website will run, therefore compression is an important part of graphics.

Image Capture

Image Capture is the simple act of using a device to capture an image, for example a photograph. By far the most common way of capturing an image is using a Camera/Smart Phone which you can then transfer to a computer and do what is necessary to the image. Other ways of capturing an image include Photocopying and Scanning. Motion Capture

Optimising

Optimising is where specifically for game development, you make sure that an image you are using is better suited to the platform you deploy your video game on. For example if you're developing a game for android you may opt for a compressed file size, so you can save as much storage as possible. Whereas if you where developing a game for a console or PC then you could use whichever format and still retain a high quality image. This is because there are less storage constraints on larger platforms so developers can exploit this and make game look as good as possible.

Storage of Image Assets

Storage of image assets is the how a user stores their assets that they have either created or edited. While working as part of a development company, the team may use a system where every developer contributes to a project over one storage device. This meaning that anyone part of the team has access to a graphic file and they can then change/edit things depending on their discipline. However in order to be accurate the assets must be stored in the correct folder, a model of a tree should be saved in a foliage folder or tree folder. Along with this a document should also be named correctly, a tree textured to look like it's in autumn should be titled in relation to this.