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7.2. Software used for presentations


The categories of programs, and products available, which can be used to
prepare graphic displays are changing rapidly. The main categories, and some
examples, are as follows:


Drawing and painting programs


These programs, usually inexpensive and often easy to use, are suitable for
the creation of static diagrams to be used as overhead projections, or on paper.
Drawing programs produce static illustrations and slides based on combinations
of lines and geometric shapes. Unlike paint programs, they allow diagrams and
illustrations to be re-sized without distortion or loss of detail. Some
popular examples include Adobe Illustrator (Macintosh), Aldus Freehand
(Macintosh/Windows), CorelDraw (Windows), Micrografix's Designer and Draw
(Windows) and MacDraw (Macintosh)(see Byte April 1992 at p226 for a
comparative review). Paint programs are used to manipulate bit-mapped images,
and may sometimes be included with drawing programs. Examples include PC
Paintbrush (DOS), Publisher's Paintbrush (Windows) and Fractal Design's
Painter (Windows).



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