Course detail

Introduction to Computer Typography and Graphics

FEKT-BKC-ZSGAcad. year: 2020/2021

The course is devoted to the overview of fundamental principles, algorithms of computer graphics and the techniques of document typesetting (preparation and production of presentation materials in general, basic qualification for work in a graphical studio or DTP, typesetting a diploma thesis). In the area of practical graphics/image processing the students become acquainted with the GIMP and Inkscape graphic editors, in the area of document typesetting, the course is aimed mainly at the LaTeX system.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

* Student gets acquainted with the basic principles of plane (2D) computer graphics and image processing.
* He/she learns the fundamental linear and non-linear image processing methods for publishing purposes.
* He/she learns the optimal way of image data reduction from the point of view of print economy and data amount.
* He/she understands modern technologies of image compression and learns to utilize them.
* He/she learns the basics of typography.
* He/she learns the basics of the Photopshop editor and the LaTeX typesetting software.

Prerequisites

Knowledge on the secondary school level; basic knowledge of continuous and discrete signal processing.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods include lectures and computer laboratories. The course is taking advantage of e-learning (Moodle) system. Students have to work out an individual typesetting project during the course.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Tests during semester: 25 points
Individual project: 25 points, minimum 10 points
Final exam: 50 points, minimum 25

Course curriculum

1 Introduction. Image as a two-dimensional signal. Vector vs. raster graphics. Rasterization, sampling, aliasing
2 Colour models and spaces. Colour management. Colour amount reduction, monochromatic images. Graphic formats
3 Discrete image transforms and their utilization. Image compression (RLE, Huffman, JPEG, JPEG2000)
4 Scanning. Parameters and classes of scanners. Technical photography. Linear and non-linear image processing - brightness, contrast, histogram, filtering
5 Typical cycle in document preparation. Analogy with program code creation
6 Logical vs. visual structure of documents. Mark-up and mark-up languages, SGML, XML, MathML, HTML, and CSS
7 Principles of book design. Typesetting foundations, measures, terms. Specifics of the Czech text. Specifics of publishing on the Internet
8 Types and formats of fonts, ways of their representation and design. Bézier curves
9 Typesetting systems. TeX/LaTeX as a representative of batch system. WISIWYG systems and Adobe InDesign
10 Pre-press fundamentals. PostScript language, bounding box. PDF format. Adobe Acrobat
11 Printing technologies. Output units. CtP technology. Postpress
12 Graphics in LaTeX - internal and external images. Using additional packages. Document class 'thesis' for typesetting bachelor and master theses. Conversion from TeX to HTML. Publishing XML documents via TeX

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

To provide students with an overview of the basic principles of plane (2D) computer graphics and image processing. To acquaint them with the raster based software Photoshop as a representative of computer graphics editors. To teach them the basic operations in a document preparation process. To acquaint them with typography basics, with the specifics of Czech documents and with mathematical and technical materials. To teach them to typeset a basic technical document in the LaTeX system.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Žára, J., Beneš, B., Felkel, P., Moderní počítačová grafika. Druhé vydání. ComputerPress, 2005. ISBN 80-251-0454-0 (CS)
Beran, V. Typografický manuál : učebnice počítačové typografie. 1. vyd. Náchod : MANUÁL, 1994. přeruš. st. Bibliogr. ISBN 80-901824-0-2. (CS)
Rybička, J. Latex pro začátečníky [3. vyd.]. 3. vyd. Brno : Konvoj, 2003. 238 s. ISBN 80-7302-049-1. (CS)
RAJMIC, P. Základy počítačové sazby a grafiky. Brno: Vysoké učení technické v Brně, 2012. s. 1-152. ISBN: 978-80-214-4451- 5. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

eLearning

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BKC-SEE Bachelor's, 3. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme BKC-TLI Bachelor's, 3. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction. The scope of the course. Image as an 2-D signal. Vector vs. bitmap graphics. Sampling, aliasing.
2. Color models (RGB, CMYK, HSB, Lab...) and their relationship. Reduction of the color spaces, duplex, monochromatic images. Types of graphical formats.
3. Discrete image transforms and their utilization. Image compression (LZW, JPEG, JPEG2000, GIF).
4. Scanning. Technical photography. Graphical edidor GIMP. Linear and non-linear image processing: brightness, contrast, histogram, gamma correction, filtering. Retouching.
5. The typical cycle in document preparation. Analogy with program code creation.
6. Logical vs. visual structure of documents. Mark-up languages: SGML, XML, HTML, CSS.
7. Principles of book design. Typesetting foundations, measures, terms. Specifics of czech text. Specifics of web publishing.
8. Types and formats of fonts, ways of their representation and design. Rasterization algorithms.
9. Typesetting systems. TeX as a representant of a batch typesetting system. History of TeX. Algorithms used in TeX. LaTeX. WISIWYG systems.
Macro-languages.
10. Pre-press. PostScript. Bounding-Box. PDF format.
11. Print and distribution. Output units and methods of print.
12. Conversion between various graphical formats. LaTeX2HTML.
13. Drawing technical schemes directly in LaTeX. Bezier curves, splines. Preparation of graphs an images in MATLAB and embedding them into an electronic document. PSFRAG package for LaTeX.

Exercise in computer lab

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the computer exercises. Scanning. Color spaces and their reduction. Image compression.
2. Linear and non-linear image processing. Resampling algorithms, aliasing.
3. The LaTeX system. The "Editor-Compiler-Viewer" Cycle, add-on packages.
Basic formatting of plain text. Mathematical objects - equations, matrices etc.
4. LaTeX - complicated formulas, systems of equations. Cross-references - automatic numbering of equations, figures, tables Bibliography.
5. Manipulation with figures. Importing images into LaTeX. Generating hypertext PDF.
6. Individual project - preparation of a technical text according to the assignment.
7. Individual project - preparation of a technical text according to the assignment.

eLearning