Computer aided mural

Computer-aided mural (CAM) is the use of computer technology for designing mural art and wall decoration resulting in the frescography procedure, which was invented in 1998 by German muralist Rainer Maria Latzke. CAM may be used to design completely individual illusionary or decorative mural art. It is especially useful for artists who re-use certain images in each project, but also for people who cannot draw or paint at all.

When starting a new project CAM software requests a user to fill in measurements, these will usually be of the wall which the frescography is later mounted to. Once the project has been created the user may choose from a library of images which are categorized into themes and motives. The library will either be filled with content by the user himself, or the user can purchase a CAM software which is already filled by the manufacturer, the Dreamworlds Design Studio. The user creates designs by placing the motifs on the workspace. By giving the motifs layer attributes, it is possible to put image elements such as skies or oceans in the background and a beach or vegetation in the foreground. With additional options such as re-sizing and cropping individual motifs, a design gains depth and realistic proportions.

To avoid long waiting times when selecting new motifs CAM software uses low-resolution preview images. These are often only a hundredth of the original size, yet still large enough on a computer screen. After a design is completed it is converted into a PSD where each motif is automatically placed into its own layer to allow further changes and editing to be made with Adobe Systems's Photoshop.

In the past, standard image editing software such as Photoshop or Illustrator were used to digitally create wall decoration such as theatre backdrops or billboards. The market for this type of art was scarce due to computers being expensive, and not being able to cope with the high resolution image files. Only recent advances in computer and hardware technology allow artists to scan and print their work in very high and detailed quality.

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