Glossary of Digital Imaging Terms M-Z


Magneto Optical - A medium for reading, storing and archiving data. CDs and laser discs are optical discs.

Magnify - To increase the size of the original image or element. Also to interpolate.

Mask - A temporary stencil restricting the action of various functions to a selected area within the picture or page. Masks can be created by drawing points around an element or automatically by specific density or hue values.

Mass storage - Media for storing large amounts of information -- or archiving data.

Megabyte - A unit of measurement for computer memory- - 1,048,576 bytes, or 1,024 Kb.

Merge - The function of overlaying two CT images so that both images can be seen in the resulting processing file.

Metafile - A graphic file format designed for exchange between different applications.

Micro Processor - An integrated circuit which is the intelligence of the computer. MIPS - Million of instructions per second.

MO - Initials for magneto optical.

Modem - MOdulate-DEModulate - A device that allows computers and peripherals to communicate over telephone lines.

Moire - An undesirable artifact - a pattern that can appear in output film. It appears as a regular pattern of "clumping" of colors. A moire pattern is created by juxtapositions of two repetitive graphic structures.

Monitor Calibration - The process of setting lookup tables to make the color monitor match output color.

Monochrome - Absence of gray tones - a black-and-white display.

Montage - Also photomontage. The process of combining and blending images or elements. Morphing - short for "metamorphosis". A 2-D process of changing a shape by stretching and deforming parts of the picture in a frame buffer.

Mouse - Also called a puck. Used to control the movement of the cursor on the screen.

MPEG - An image compression method for motion picture files.

Multi-media - The integration of various types of imaging including, slides, film, video and overhead transparencies, with audio for presentation purposes.

Multiplexing - A process that enables multiple RIPS to drive multiple film recorders.

Nanoseconds - Abbreviated ns - a measurement of RAM speed.
Negative - A term applied to images where the luminance values are inverted, i.e., all colors are represented by their corresponding complementary color value.

Netware - A term applied to software for networking.

Network - The interfacing of several computers and peripheral devices linked together.

Non-impact printer - Examples are inkjet, laser - those without a key strike.

NTSC - National Television Standard Committee - the standard broadcast system used in the U.S.

NuBus - Communications interface used in Macintosh computers to transfer video data from memory to the graphics display card.

Object oriented - Vector software that allows the user to define objects, i.e., images, line art ,text, etc. and manipulate the objects for placement in page layout or other creative graphics program.

OCR - An acronym for Optical Character Recognition (Reader), necessary in document processing because it is a requisite that a computer be able to read scanned type or handwriting.

OEM - A acronym for original equipment manufacture, that licenses other companies to sell their products.

Open architecture - A modular system designed that allows for expansion of the existing configuration by interfacing additional software or other manufacturers' products.

Operating system - Controls the computer's basic functions, like disk drives and display operations, and is used by the applications' software.

Optical scanner - A device that analyzes the light reflected from or transmitted through copy, art or film and processes an electronic signal proportional to the intensity of the light or color. Each picture element is converted to a number.

Optical storage - A peripheral device for storing data. It may be WORM or rewritable.

Optronics - An Integragph Co., Huntsville, AL, that manufactures the ColorGetterTM, ColorSetterTM, image manipulation and page makeup software, and other graphic arts hardware and software.

Output - A "catch all " term applied to transferring electronic data. It may be files, film, prints, tape, discs, etc. Output devices are drives, printers, plotters and recorders.

Overprinting - Printing over an area already printed.

PageMakerTM - An Aldus DTP program which integrates text and graphics for production of printed communications.

Paint - The creation of images of a specific, color and shape, just like an artist laying down colors on a canvas. Paint functions are usually associated with vector graphics.

PAL - Phase Alternation Line - A 625-line 50 Hz TV system used in Europe and Australia.

Palette - The number of colors a graphic expansion board is capable of displaying and producing.

Pantone® - Process colors numbering over 3,000, with screen values.

Paradigm - A model or pattern Parallel port - A computer interface that sends and receives 8 bits of information.

Parallel processing - A computer technique of performing several actions at the same time.

PC - A generic term used for personal computers.

Peripheral - An accessory that expands a computer's capability.

Phase Change Printer - Similar to an inkjet except the ink starts as a solid which is then melted and liquefied. The paper must pass through pressure rollers to flatten out the wax droplets.

Photo CDTM - Eastman Kodak's digital image storage system for multiple color photographs on one CD disc. A CD ROM receiver is required for playback on a TV, and access software and CD driver are required for computer imaging.

Photoshop TM - An image processing program by Adobe designed for Apple/Macintosh, that lets you create, enhance and retouch continuous-tone images and artwork.

Pictrography - A Fujix digital image printer from Fuji outputs transparency film, or paper. A dye image forms in the film, and thermal transfer of the dye image gives the finished copy.

Pigment - The color substance in inks that absorbs and reflects lights.

PIW - Initials for Professional Imaging Workstation. Kodak's turnkey imaging workstation for Photo CD.

Pixel - Derived from the word "Picture elements - the smallest visual unit in a raster file, or a single cell of information.

Pixel cloning - Replicating or copying a single pixel or group of pixels. In retouching, pixels are transferred from an adjacent area to pickup color or texture.

Platform - The specific computer system on which hardware/software operates.

Plotter - A term applied to a peripheral unit that through computer control writes data on film. Also an electrostatic device that dispenses color toners through one or more passes.

PMS - Pantone® Matching System is a standard method of identifying specific colors.

PMT - An acronym for photo multiplier tube. A light sensitive device used in some scanners and film recorders, and provide a good single-to-noise ratio, and a wider dynamic range.

Positive - A photographic film or print that accurately represents tone values.

Posterization - A special effect created by using a limited number of gray levels within an image.

Post processing - Computer functions which cannot be accomplished in real time and immediately written to the disk require data processing. This time can vary according to the function and power of the system.

PostScriptTM - Adobe's proprietary language which translates computers' complex pages, graphics, and text so the file can be printed on a variety of PostScript printing devices.

PPI - Pixels Per Inch - measurement for the density of scanned information.

Presentation graphics - Ranges from the simple slide show to a combination of complex multi-media presentations.

Pressure sensitive pen - An electronic pen to be used with the digitizing tablet.

PremierTM - Eastman Kodak's high-resolution RGB image manipulation system running on a Sun platform, and can include scanner and film recorder.

Process colors - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black - CMYK.

Processing - The number crunching computer function by which interactive instructions from the workstation are carried out.

Proprietary - In graphics workstations, it is the opposite of open-architecture, ergo, a program or computer platform controlled legally by its owner.

Proof - A "check-out" copy, either for in-house or for customer approval.

Protocol - The set of conventions between communications lines - it exits to exchange information between a host computer and its interface.

Proxy - A sampling of an image or page.

QFX - A high level photo retouching program for PCs.

Quantel - A British supplier of high-performance graphic image and video manipulation systems, specifically, the Graphic PaintboxTM.

QuarkXPressTM - An integrated electronic publishing program developed by Quark, Denver CO, for Apple Macintosh computers.

QuickDrawTM - A part of the Macintosh operating system which defines graphic images for display on screen, and PostScript printer.

QuickTimeTM - Apple/Macintosh software application that allows the user to work with interactive information, such as video, animation, and sound.

QWERTY - A standard American (typewriter) computer keyboard.

Radius - A CA firm that produces Rocket series accelerator boards and color management products for Macintosh computers.

RAM - Random Access Memory - The primary memory in a computer where all information stored in RAM can be located very quickly.

Raster - A scan line on a CRT monitor. Each raster is composed of distinctly colored pixels.

Raster image - A collection of pixels or dots. A raster image of a line is stored in a bitmap that contains information about each pixel in the display.

Rasterization - A pixel-based image information file - the process of converting data into a series of dots.

Reflective - Photographs or artwork printed on material that reflects light.

Registration - Precise positioning of four printing colors - also exact placement of masks.

Removable media - Offline storage devices - those which are not part of the main computer system, such as tape and disk storage drives.

Replicate - A technique for increasing the size of a graphics file through pixel duplication.

Resolution - The ability to see one point in space from another, or the greatest detail or sharpness that can be seen in a image, and the size and total number of individual pixels used to build an image.

Retrieval - To bring back a file or information from internal or external medium.

Reverse out - An image in which the black and white areas are exchanged from those of the original subject, but the relationship of left to right is the same as in the original. Usually, it is a white image or type on a black background.

RGB - Red, Green, and Blue - primary colors. In electronic imaging, RGB system are usually used for photographic and CT output.

RIP - Raster Image Processor - A translator between vector and raster data, or bit-map instructions for output on imagesetters and printers.

RISC - An Acronym for Reduced Instruction Set Computer - a form of parallel processing architecture whereby multiple processors work on a part of a program simultaneously. Risc-based computers will facilitate photo retouching and manipulation.

ROM - An acronym for read-only memory, which can be read from, but maintains its contents even when the power is off.

Rosette - A pattern created as a result of placing 4/C HT screens at traditional angles.

Rotating - To turn an image element around its axis. Rotation is generally more effectively accomplished by correct positioning during the scanning process.

Sampling - Selecting a number of pixels - the number of samples per inch along the scan line.

Saturation - The amount of a primary color applied on any specific area. Also the amount of gray in a color.

SaturnTM - LVT's (Kodak) white light drum film recorder.

Scale - Change in size of an image or element in both X-Y directions. Also a change in the dimensional size of a file.

SCODL - A graphics format used by Matrix film recorders and other devices.

Scroll - Use of scroll bars or keys to bring objects or list boxes into viewing area.

SCSI - Small Computer Systems Interface to peripherals. A parallel data transfer mechanism, pronounced "Scuzzi." A fast local connect which requires special software drivers.

Seek - Term applied to finding data on a disk.

Seagate - Manufacturer of hard disk drives.

Separations - The process of making individual pieces of film output for each printing color.

Serial communication - A single-wire interface between computers and peripherals that transfers one bit of data at a time.

Server - As in file server. A processor that provides service to a network or single host computer.

Service Bureau - A business that accepts various discs and tapes media for outputting film and reflective prints, ranging from laser copies to CT film to separations.

SGI - Initials for Silicon Graphics, Inc., a manufacturer of software and hardware, and known for UNIX operating graphics workstations under the name IRIS Indigo and Crimson.

SGO - Second Generation Original. Generally refers to film recorder output.

Shade - The luminance (brightness) of an image. Depending on the system, it is possible globally or selectively.

Shadow - The information contained in the low light or D-Max area of an image.

ShoeboxTM - Eastman Kodak's image search and retrieval database software for Photo CD expands on the capabilities of BrowserTM software for a more powerful database.

Shuttle - The transferring of data from workstation to off line storage drives.

Silhouetting - A two-dimensional representation of the outline of an image or element. Also to outline and fill in with black, or display against a lighter back ground. A form of masking.

Skew - To slant a selected element in any direction when manipulating a page.

Slant - To incline an object, either horizontally, vertically, or both.

Smooth - To blur or defocus color or an element.

Soft-edge masking - An image processing function which increases the apparent sharpness of an image.

Solarization - A special effect to make color changes by reducing the number of available colors from 16 million to 10-100 in discrete steps.

SmartIcons - Innovative one-click shortcuts commands that automatically complete a function.

SolitaireTM - A CRT film recorder line manufactured by Management Graphics, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, for sizes up to 8x10".

Spooler - A means of placing multiple jobs in a queue to send to an output device in quick succession. The system will then batch process and output them sequentially.

Spray brush - Interactive deposit of specific color over certain areas of a picture, i.e.

airbrushing.

Stripping - The process of assembling elements or film together for one "ganged" piece of film or flats prior to platemaking.

Subtractive primaries - CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, when equally combined, will produce Black.

Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. - A Mountain View, CA company that manufactures the Sun VME - based UNIX Sparcstations computers.

Superimpose - The process of inserting one CT file into another so the one image appears to lay on top of the other.

SyQuest - A removable cartridge type storage device available in 44MB, 88MB, 200MB, 270MB and other formats.

System - An assembly of hardware and software, i.e., input device, workstation and output component.

Tablet - The pad or digitizing tablet used in conjunction with a styles or mouse to give instructions to the computer.

Terabyte - TB for short, 1,099,511,627,776 bytes.

Texture - Simulated detail on the surface of a two dimensional image.

Thermal-transfer printer - Conventional thermal printers produce different colors using a dithering technique.

Thermal wax printing - A medium-resolution color output device that must first separate the color information for continuous-tone and spot color into three or four primaries, and are printed in multiple passes, one for each color. The printer's ribbon has a heated wax substance that is transferred to a special paper.

TIFF - Tagged-Image File Format developed by Aldus. A neutral format used to represent black-and-white or color bit-mapped images.

Tiling - The process of breaking down an image or page into sections for editing purposes. This is necessary for editing large files in most imaging systems.

Tint - A percentage of a color - to alter existing hues without affecting the gray component.

Toggle - An on/off switch, allowing the user to switch back and forth between a function.

Toner - A color chemical used to print onto various materials on non-impact printers.

Trackball - A controlling device for various functions on a image workstation.

Trade shop - A color separation company that produces haftone films for platemaking used in offset lithography and other printing processes. In addition to film "prep" services, trade shops now are involved in DTP, high-resolution graphics retouching/editing and CT film output, short-run printing and CT displays off their proofing devices.

Transform - The process of transferring one color to another or CMYK to an RGB file.

Trapping - An overlay between abutting colors/elements. Traditionally done by using chokes and spreads, but graphics software gives users the ability to do traping for type and objects.

Turnkey - A computer system that is usually on a propriety platform, and linked together for input, graphics manipulation and output, such as Kodak's Premier and Delores. The benefits are faster throughput and easier color calibration.

Typography - The art and craft of assembling alphabets and characters UNIX - A powerful operating system invented by AT&T. Its capabilities include multi-tasking, multi-user, and can accept many applications and transfer them to other computers.

Unzip - (See decompression).

Utility - A program which is usually bundled with the graphics system for managing the computer, i.e., saving and restoring files, disk handling and copying, etc.

VAR - An acronym for value-added retailer. In the electronic imaging marketplace, it is common practice for a dealer or integrator to sell various brands of components, sometimes being responsible for their connectivity, training and service.

Vector - A term given to a graphic drawing, specified as a color, start and end point, and applied to line segments, type and tints.

Versatec - A Xerox company that manufactures electrostatic plotters.

VGA - Initials for Video Graphics Array - medium resolution monitor.

Vignette - The transition of color from one set value of hue and saturation to another over a given distance, in vertical, horizontal or circular directions. Also Gradation.

Virtual memory - A system of managing RAM and disk space so that a computer appears to have more memory than it actually does. Data is moved back and forth between the system's memory and disk.

Virtual Reality - Interactive supercomputer 3D graphics. Simulates realism to users in application areas ranging from scientific visualization and visual simulation to high-definition design and digital film production.

Virus - A computer program written by pranksters bent on vandalism for the expressed purpose of destroying computer files in any computer memory into which the virus may be inadvertently introduced. Also a term applied to a corrupted program.

Volatile memory - Non-permanent memory (RAM) that is lost when the computer is turned off if not saved to the hard disk or peripheral storage.

Wacom - A Paramus, NJ manufacturer of pressure-sensitive stylus and digitizing tablets.

WindowsTM - A Microsoft operating system for PCs which uses its own GUI and makes the programs more "user friendly".

Windows NT - Microsoft's Windows New Technology with multitasking capabilities to run on a DOS platform.

WORM - An acronym for Write Once Read Many applied to a type of optical discs or CD ROM.

Work Station - The WS of computer which manipulates and edits images, text, lineart, and pages. WP - Initials meaning word processing.

Write - Write to disc" or transfer from disc to tape, or to print.

Writer - See film recorder.

WYSIWYG - An acronym for What You See Is What You Get - generally a misnomer, because it means matching the screen to the output.

XWindowsTM - A Microsoft operating system for UNIX platforms, using its "friendly" GUI and incorporating all Windows' functions.

Zoom - A computer function of focusing down to the element or pixel for editing purposes.

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