Careers: Arts/Computer Art

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Expert: - 11/25/2004


Question
Do you know of a computer program that will enable the user to cut graphics into circles & then divide it into pie shapes? I am running Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Ulead PhotoImpact 8.0 & Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.0 but can't seem to find this type of facility. I am not too experienced with them as yet so perhaps I am not looking in the right place. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Eileen,

You know, I am not aware of such a program, but I wouldn't be surprised if it exists somewhere. Out of curiosity, I ran a Google search on “Pie Chart Software” and came up with a slew of results; many offering free trial downloads, though I cannot tell you if they allow for the incorporation of graphics.

However, in a pinch, I have discovered a back roads route to get a similar effect. Photoshop is a great tool for manipulating graphics, but getting precise pie chart pieces would be difficult, and would probably just result in you getting a frustrated headache. Microsoft Excel can create pie charts in a snap, but you can't incorporate graphics as a background – at least not as far as I know right now. Here's the trick: input your data into an Excel spreadsheet and create a pie chart with that information. The program will automatically assign colors to the different pie segments. Select the completed pie chart and right click to copy the image. Open your choice of graphic or photo in Photoshop and paste the copied pie chart on top in a new layer. Use the magic wand tool (the color select tool) to select each pie piece, and use that selection to cut slices out of your graphic. In essence, you're using the Excel pie chart as a template to follow, giving you the precise measurements to manipulate the graphic into a pie chart.

Does this make sense? If not, just let me know, and I'll break the process down into more specific step-by-step directions. This approach is slightly unconventional, but it should give you the desired end result.

I wish you the absolute best of luck!

Sincerely,
Gianina

Careers: Arts

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Gianina L.

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning most traditional mediums such as acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, collage/cut paper, graphite, charcoal, and pen and ink. I also have strong, advanced knowledge of Photoshop, Powerpoint and Publisher; and beginner to immediate level knowledge in Illustrator, Freehand, After Effects, and Flash. In addition, I can cover miscellaneous subjects such as portfolio preparation, applying to art schools, art school study skills, color theory, basic design and drawing principles, basic animation techniques, working on personal art styles and exploring new artistic techniques. Topics such as the detailed legal aspects of art, web programming and Flash action scripting do not fall under my area of expertise.

Experience

Experience in the Area
I graduated summa cum laude with a double BFA in Illustration and Computer Art (specializing in 2-dimensional animation) from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where as a student, I happily tutored fellow peers in all aspects of art and created numerous illustrations for the school newspaper. For the past several years, I have been illustrating seminar books, designing numerous graphics, and creating short animation sequences for use in video. In addition, I work as a private tutor and am co-director / co-owner of a company that focuses on and promotes the local music industry. I assist with all the day-to-day operations of this company as well as manage all art direction and design.

Education/Credentials
Savannah College of Art and Design
BFA Computer Art, Illustration
Summa Cum Laude
Dean's List, GPA 4.0

Awards and Honors
Induction into Alpha Pi Beta honor society for art and design, 2002
Outstanding Achievement in Computer Art, 2002
Outstanding Student for the academic year 2001-2002
Awarded "Most Dependable" for District, the student newspaper, 2002
Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, May 2001
Better Business Bureau Honesty in Advertising Essay Competition, Merit Award, November 1998
Mary Renee Whelan Scholarship, Savannah College of Art and Design

Exhibitions and Festivals:
Embodiement; Myths in Animal Form, www.postpicasso.com, December 10 - January 10, 2005
SCAD Alumni Show, Stardust Café, Orlando, FL; December 2004
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2004 - April 2005
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2003 - April 2004
Senior Showcase, SCAD Pei Ling Chan Gallery, Savannah, GA; May 2002
2D or not 2D, SCAD Trustees Theatre, Savannah, GA; April 2002
Small Works, SCAD Exhibit A Gallery, Savannah, GA; November 7 - December 31, 2001; art was purchased
Magnanimata Animation Festival, May 1999

Publications
Quoted briefly in Animation World Magazine, "Predicting the Future of Futurama" (April 1999) and "Ed, Edd, n Eddy: A Unique Approach" (June 1999)

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