Graphics (computer)

Figures.

Graphics or graphics, in computing, is the name given to any image generated by a computer.

Originally histograms were called that, but, by extension, all the visual representations that the computer could generate that were not text began to be called that. Over time, the term has been generalized, applying to any type of computer image.

Formats

Graphic formats are mainly divided into:

• Bi-dimensional, both rasterized (PNG, GIF, JPEG, etc.), as vectors (SVG, SWF, etc.).
• Three-dimensional (VRML, 3DS, MAX, W3D, etc.).

Nowadays home computers and gaming machines have special integrated circuits dedicated to increasing the speed of displaying graphics. These are known as graphics processing units, or GPUs.