As ist name implies, graphic images created or edited on a computer. Computer graphics fall into two forms: bit maps and vector graphics which are somewhat analogous to the continuous tone and line art—respectively—dichotomy in conventional graphics. However, the comparison is only a generalized one; often line art can be reproduced as vectors, and sometimes as bit maps.
Computer graphics can be created either from scratch (using a drawing program such as Illustrator or FreeHand) or can be captured from an external non-digital; sourdce, such as a scanner or digital; camera. After being digitized, the image can be edited, corrected, etc. Computer graphics can then be output to a laser printer or an ink-jet printer, to an imagesetter as a negative or positive for prionting, to an electrostatic or ink-jet plotter for large-format output, or to a digital press for direct digital output. More often than not, computer graphics are incorporated into page layouts as illustrations. See Bit Map and Vector Graphics. Computer graphics also encompasses computer-sided design as well as three-dimensional graphics.