Glossary

Welcome to the glossary of technical terms. Browse through the alphabetic list to find the term(s) you’re looking for.

F

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

Common questions for a particular subject and the answers to them.

Feather:

To soften the edges of an image so that the image blends into the background. ACD FotoCanvas photo editing software includes a feather tool.

Fiber Optics:

An optical data-transfer system that uses glass or transparent plastic fibers as light transmitting media.

Field:

A fixed-size data structure in a file.

File:

A collection of information, such as text, data, or images saved on a disk or hard drive.

File Element:

The smallest unit of logical information within a file, such as file headers and color triples used to store RGB pixel data.

File Format:

A medium for encoding information in a file. Each type of file has a different file format that specifies how the information is organized. Some common image file formats include TIFF, PICT, and EPS.

File Header:

A data structure containing information on the data stored within a file. Graphic file headers contain information such as the height and width of an image, and the number of bits per pixel.

File Name Collision:

An action that results from moving or copying an item to a folder or drive that already contains an item with the same file name.

File Server:

A computer that serves as the storage component of a local area network and permits users to share its hard disks, storage space, files, etc.

Fill Color:

A color used by a rendering application when filling a closed area.

Film Recorder:

A device that is used to record a digital image onto photosensitive film.

Filters/Optical:

A glass or acetate sheet usually placed over a camera lens for changing characteristics of an image or to create a special effect.

Filters/Software:

A program that accepts data as input, transforms it in some manner, and then outputs the transformed data. For example, a software program such as PhotoShop can take blurry pictures and filter them to produce a clearer picture.

Firewire:

A very fast external bus that supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. Firewire was developed by Apple and falls under the IEEE 1394 standard. Other companies follow the IEEE 1394 but have names such as Lynx and I-link.

FITS (Functional Interpolating Transformation System):

A format that contains that contains all data used to design and assemble extremely large files in a small, efficient mathematical structure.

Fixed Focus Lens:

Worry free camera operation. Fixed-focus lenses have their focus distance set to obtain good results within a wide range of distances without the need for a focus mechanism.

Flash:

A built-in flash supplies auxiliary light to supplement natural or available lighting conditions often resulting in better color, better exposure, and improved picture sharpness.

Flash Memory:

A type of memory chip that can retain data after the system has been turned off. Its advantage is that digital cameras with flash memory can have batteries go "dead" and yet retain image data.

Flatbed Scanner:

An optical scanner in which the original image remains stationary while the sensors (usually a CCD linear array) passes over or under it. The scanned material is held flat rather than being wrapped around a drum.

Floppy Disk:

Typically, a removable computer storage medium consisting of a thin flexible plastic disk, coated with a magnetic material on both sides. The most common type, a 3.5-inch, is protected by a hard plastic case.

Footer:

A data structure appended to the end of a file, or bottom of a page, containing general information about the document (for example page numbers, chapter titles, author name, etc).

FPX:

Trade name for a new multi-resolution image file format jointly developed and introduced in June 1996 by Kodak, HP, Microsoft and Live Picture. See our web feature for more specifics.

Frame:

One of the still pictures that make up a video.

Frame Rate:

The number of frames that are shown or sent each second.

Frequency:

The speed at which a monitor can update the image displayed on the screen. The higher the number, the faster the refresh.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol):

An abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol and is a universal format for transferring files on the Internet.