Functions of Software Programs

Transcription

1 Functions of Software Programs The Design Center contains a wide array of graphic design, web, video, and audio editing software. Many of these applications, such as Photoshop and Final Cut Pro are powerful, professional level pieces of software that you will have difficulty finding elsewhere on campus. Take advantage of these resources by familiarizing yourself with what's available. The following is a list of applications categorized by the main purpose for each. Additional information on what individual pieces of software can do and how to use them are available in the reference books. *Note: The versions listed below may not match the versions currently installed on the imac s. Their basic principles, however, remain the same. Graphic Design and Page Layout Adobe Photoshop: This is an industry standard graphic design and editing application. It allows users to create and/or edit images in multiple formats for print, web, and multimedia projects. Adobe Illustrator: As its name implies, this applications allows users to create sophisticated illustrations using a variety of drawing tools. This application creates vector graphics (as opposed to the bit-mapped graphics created by Photoshop), which can be resized without distortion. Adobe InDesign: This application is used to create a variety of page designs and layouts. Users can design complex, multi-page documents including newsletters, brochures, reports, and manuscripts. Fontbook: This application allows users to preview and categorize typefaces to facilitate easier selection of appropriate fonts for a project.

2 Apple iphoto: This application automatically downloads and stores photos from digital cameras. It allows for basic photo editing, such as cropping, color balance, and red eye reduction. It is also designed to function seamlessly with other Apple applications such as imovie. Web Development Applications Dreamweaver: This is an HTML-editing program for creating web pages. Users can edit pages visually or directly in the code and adding elements such as graphics, flash movies, or videos requires only the click of a button. Adobe GoLive: This application, designed to work seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Suite software, is used to design and create web pages. Multimedia Applications Flash: This is an application for creating interactive multimedia, primarily for output on the web. Using the timeline and keyframes, this software allows users to choreograph animations and design opportunities for user interaction. Apple Keynote: Similar to Microsoft s PowerPoint, this is a template-based application for creating dynamic presentations.

3 Digital Video Editing Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express: These are digital video editing applications. In addition to standard tools for editing clips, adding transitions, incorporating audio, and creating text/title screens, these applications allow adjustment of playback speed and color correction. Apple imovie HD: This application offers basic but useful video editing capabilities. In addition to editing video clips, the application also provides transitions for between scenes, additional audio tracks for importing music or voiceover, text/title screen creation, and output to a variety of file formats. Apple LiveType: This application is used to create special effects title screens for movies, movie credit, broadcast advertisements, and the web. Apple idvd: This application includes pre-set and editable templates for creating navigable menus on DVDs. Music and Audio Editing Garageband: This application allows users to create music with a diversity of computer-based instruments or through attaching instruments to the computer externally.

4 Soundtrack and Soundtrack Pro: This is a multi-track audio editing application. Containing a library of sound effects, music loops, and instrumental clips, users can create their own music, edit audio from external sources, or modify soundtracks in conjunction with digital video. Apple itunes: This application is most useful for obtaining Podcasts, importing music from CDs for listening or using in other applications, and for converting audio files to the popular MP3 or MP4 format. Web Browsers The following are web browsers installed on all Design Center machines, though others may be available: Utilities Canon CanoScan Toolbox: This application is used in conjunction with the Canon LiDE scanner to create scanned images. It allows users to select settings (color, resolution, size, etc.) appropriate to the scanned item and its intended output. Preview: Similar to Acrobat Reader, this is a quick opening application with basic functions for viewing.pdfs,.jpgs,.psds and other standard document formats.

5 Dashboard and Widgets: Part of the Dashboard, widgets can be accessed by pressing F12. Pre-loaded miniapplications include a dictionary/thesaurus, a calendar, sticky notes, and a calculator. Thousands of additional widgets can be downloaded at DVD Player: Placing a DVD into the computer should automatically launch this program to play it using standard DVD buttons for control of playback. Word Processing/Document Creation/Spreadsheet Applications: Microsoft Word: This is the standard word processing, text creation application. Includes basic text editing, layout, and collaboration tools. TextEdit: Similar to Wordpad, this is a very simplistic word processing application. Adobe Acrobat Professional: This application is used to edit and create PDFs which allows users to maintain exact document layout in a file format that is cross-platform compatible. Microsoft Excel: Spreadsheet application for creating tables which often require mathematical calculations.