ICT - software review

• Using Fireworks, you can also add special features to work made on it-such as luminescent glows, drop shadows, outer bevels, inner bevels, halos and opacity.

• Fireworks images/letters can share layers or have a layer of their own.
• All objects can be scaled, skewed, rotated and made transparent.
• Can export images using Jpeg and GIP files.

Most of the Characteristics (above) are also advantages.

Advantages:

• Advanced image control.
• Easy to learn and use.
• Many tools to make images/text etc. seem professional.
• Many different stroke styles and texture fills to choose from.
• Can export images using Jpeg and GIP files.

Disadvantages:

• The interface of the program is rather ‘cluttered’ and sometimes it is hard to find the one button you are looking for.
• If you have no experience with it, It may take some time to understand the function of each button.

 Other Applications I could have used:

Application 1:

Software item I could have used: Adobe Photoshop.

Characteristics of this software package:  

• Photoshop Filters for adding special visual effects. 
• Reference Library allows you to save some of your key test images and related text files into a folder.

• Images/letters can share layers or have a layer of their own.

• Blur Of Choice- as you can see in the image you have more of an option of simple blur or no blur:

There are different types of blurs to choose from.

Advantages:

• There is a huge option of filters to play around with which you can then apply to work e.g. distort, skew, sharpen, sketch, blur an others.
• Photoshop supports plug-ins which allows you to use filters from other software developers Things which are commonly added are: The Flux Collection, Visual Manipulation, Alien Skin etc.
• There are other tools such as the lasso tool, which allows you to cut a specific line around a piece of your work or the texturiser which lets you specifically change the harshness/softness of each pixel.

Disadvantages:

• If you are a professional-there is not much for more experienced manipulation.
• I do not have it at home so I cannot use it.
• No inbuilt on how to use the programme.
• Is quite expensive to get.

Application 2:

Software item I could have used: Paint

Characteristics of this software package:

• ‘Fill’ allows you to fill the inside of a whole image or create a background of one colour with just one click.
• You can have different thicknesses of lines and change lines’ colours.
• Very easy to understand what to do.
• You can choose your own custom colours.
• Has an airbrush which allows you to give a spray affect to your work.
• Has a paintbrush with different thicknesses of appliance.
• Easy to add Text.

Most of the Characteristics (above) are also advantages.

Advantages:

• Fill Tool makes it easier to have something in one colour.
• Easy to add Text.
• Airbrush has three different thicknesses of appliance and can be used in different colours.
• Magnifier to zoom in and change flaws.
• Eraser of different sizes.
• Freeform tool allows you to select a random object with a box of your own size.

Disadvantages:

• Very, Very basic use of colours, text, line, shape. (pretty much everything)
• Not a lot of colours to choose from. (including custom colours.
• Cannot import pictures into it.
• Cannot have gradients of colours.
• Does not have many special visual effects at all. It stretches to: