2D Computer Graphics
lastmod 2014-05-03created 2014-05-031 edits
2D computer graphics refers to digital images rendered in two dimensions using a computer, and also means the technology for producing them. The term and the technology dealing with it are recognized as a branch of computer science. 2D computer graphics is mainly used as a substitute for drawing techniques that appeared before 2D computer graphics did, such as typography, calligraphy, and technical drawing. In these particular cases, the 2D image produced this way is not realized in the real world but is regarded as an independent artifact with value of meaning, because it develops into 3D computer graphics. In many fields such as desktop publishing, engineering, and business, documents based on 2D computer graphics technology can be smaller than digital images by a factor of 1/1000 or more. This representation is very flexible because it can be fitted to different output devices at different resolutions. For this reason, many documents and drawings are stored in 2D graphics file formats or sent from other people. The development of 2D computer graphics began with vector images in the 1950s, which quickly began to replace raster graphics. The PostScript language and the X Window System are known to have made major contributions to this field.