Digital art software comes in different types, each suited for a particular artistic orientation. Raster programs save every bit of information, while illustration software only saves points and lines. Digital painting software mimics real brush strokes, and 3D software creates 3D models. Some programs combine features to create a wider variety of projects.
Artists can create both simple images and elaborate masterpieces on the computer using digital art software. There are many different types of digital art programs, each of which tends to favor a particular artistic orientation by including features that would be better for some art projects than others. Illustration, or vector graphics, are good for lines and curves, while bitmap and raster programs are best for adding elaborate effects. Digital art painting software works to emulate real paint strokes, and three-dimensional (3D) art programs create patterns. Some programs combine the features of several types to help the digital artist create a wider variety of projects with a single program.
A type of digital art software that is sometimes called an image editor or bitmap program is generally known as raster software. A raster program is one that saves every bit of information in every shape and layer of the art project, making the image heavier on memory, but also allowing for the use of effects. These programs are pixel-based, so they may appear pixelated when printed in an expanded size. The benefit of this program is that many layer effects can be used, and there are typically many features that allow the artist to warp shapes to make them appear textured, glassy, or metallic.
Illustration software is generally considered the opposite of raster software, because this digital art software only saves the points, lines and color of the image. Every single pixel isn’t saved, so the image takes up less memory, there won’t be any blurring from printing at expanded size, and the images themselves tend to look cleaner. The downside of illustration software is that it can only include line and color information, so the elaborate effects that are possible with raster programs are impossible in this arena.
Digital art painting software is for those who want to mimic real brush strokes. There are digital brushes that create the look of oil paint, water paint, dry paint, and many other types and techniques of painting. There is often the ability to control the drying and wind direction, to help the image look more realistic. While very similar to real painting, artists new to the digital art world may find it difficult to work with all the different tools and features.
With 3D digital art software, artists are able to create 3D models, usually from a wireframe or reference image. By taking shapes and manipulating them, artists will be able to create 3D scenes with characters, environments and architectures. This is more technical than other art programs, and the patterns have a tendency to look blocky when created by an amateur or beginner.
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