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Graphic art software^[1] is a subclass of application software used for graphic design, multimedia development, specialized image development, general image editing, or simply to access graphic files. Art software uses either raster or vector graphic reading and editing methods to create, edit, and view art.

Many artists and other creative professionals today use computers rather than traditional media. Using graphic art software may be more efficient than rendering using traditional media by requiring less hand-eye coordination, requiring less visualization skills, and utilizing the computer's quicker (sometimes more accurate) automated rendering functions to create images. However, advanced level computer styles, effects and editing methods may require a steeper a learning curve of computer technical skills than what was required to learn traditional hand rendering and visualization skills. The steeper technical learning curve may hinder creativity, despite the lure of enhanced creativity with reduced development time and reduced utilization of mental energy.

Contents 1 Specialized software 1.1 Graphic design software 1.2 Multimedia development software 1.3 Image development software 1.3.1 Traditional medium effects 1.3.2 Photorealistic effects 1.3.3 Hyperrealistic effects 1.4 Specialized graphic format handling 2 Software 3 References 4 See also

Most art software includes common functions, creation tools, editing tools, filters, and automated rendering modes. Many, however, are designed to enhance a specialized skill or technique.

Graphic design professionals favor general image editing software and page layout software commonly referred to as desktop publishing software.

Multimedia development professionals favor software with audio, motion and interactivity such as software for creating and editing hypermedia, electronic presentations (more specifically slide presentations), computer simulations and games.

Image development professionals may use general graphic editors or may prefer more specialized software. Although images can be created from scratch with most art software, specialized software applications or advanced features of generalized applications are used for more accurate visual effects. These visual effects include:

Main article: Non-photorealistic rendering

Vector editors are ideal for solid crisp lines seen in line art, poster, woodcut ink effects, and mosaic effects.

Some generalized image editors, such as Photoshop are used for digital painting (representing real brush and canvas textures such as watercolor or burlap canvas) or handicraft textures such as mosaic or stained glass. However, unlike Photoshop, which was originally designed for photo editing, software such as Corel Painter and Photo-Paint were originally designed for rendering with digital painting effects and continue to evolve with more emphasis on hand-rendering styles that don't appear computer generated.

Unlike traditional medium effects, photorealistic effects create the illusion of a photographed image. Specialized software may contain 3-D modeling and ray tracing features to make images appear photographed. Some 3-D software is for general 3-D object modeling, whereas other 3-D software is more specialized, such as Poser for characters or Bryce for scenery. Software such as Photoshop may be used to create 3-D effects from 2-D (flat) images instead of 3-D models. AddDepth is a discontinued software for extruding 2-D shapes into 3-D images with the option of beveled effects. MetaCreations Detailer and Painter 3D are discontinued software applications specifically for painting texture maps on 3-D Models.

Specialized software may be used to combine traditional medium effects and photorealistic effects. 3-D modeling software may be exclusively for, include features for, or include the option of 3rd party plugins for rendering 3-D models with 2-D effects (e.g. cartoons, illustrations) for hyperrealistic effects. Other 2-D image editing software may be used to trace photographs or rotoscope animations from film. This allows artists to rapidly apply unique styles to what would be purely photorealistic images from computer generated imagery from 3-D models or photographs. Some styles of hyperealism may require motion visual effects (e.g. geometrically accurate rotation, accurate kinetics, simulated organic growth, life-like motion constraints) to notice the realism of the imagery. Software may be used to bridge the gap between the imagination and the law of physics.

This may include software for handling specialized graphic file formats such as Fontographer software, which is dedicated to creating and editing computer fonts. Some general image editing software has unique image file handling features as well. Vector graphic editors handle vector graphic files and are able to load PostScript files natively. Some tools enable professional photographers to use nondestructive image processing for editing digital photography without permanently changing or duplicating the original, using the RAW image format. Other special handling software includes software for capturing images such as 2-D scanning software, 3-D scanning software and screen-capturing, or software for specialized graphic format processing such as raster image processing and file format conversion.

• List of raster graphics editors
• List of vector graphics editors
• 3D computer graphics software (description and list)
• Presentation software (description and list)
• Desktop publishing (description and list)
• List of media players (viewing access only)
• Comparison of media players

• Computer art
• Computer generated imagery
• Computer graphics
• Digital artist
• Graphics programs
• Kaleidica Light Instrument
• Raster graphics editor
• Vector graphics editor