Many software applications include graphics components. Such programs are said to support graphics. For example, certain word processors support graphics because they let you draw or import pictures. All CAD/CAM systems support graphics. Some database management systems and spreadsheet programs support graphics because they let you display data in the form of graphs and charts. Such applications are often referred to as business graphics.

The following are also considered graphics applications :

In general, applications that support graphics require a powerful CPU and a large amount of memory. Many graphics applications—for example, computer animation systems—require more computing power than is available on personal computers and will run only on powerful workstations or specially designed graphics computers. This is true of all three-dimensional computer graphics applications.

In addition to the CPU and memory, graphics software requires a graphics monitor and support for one of the many graphics standards. Most PC programs, for instance, require VGA graphics. If your computer does not have built-in support for a specific graphics system, you can insert a video adapter card.

The quality of most graphics devices is determined by their resolution—how many points per square inch they can represent—and their color capabilities.

See The Science of Color in the Did You Know . . . ? section of Webopedia.

Also see JPG vs. GIF vs. PNG in the Did You Know . . . ? section of Webopedia.

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desktopPublishing.com resource page 
Offers numerous links to every aspect of desktop publishing. A few categories include: clip art, graphics, and image, computer related magazines, newsgroups, FAQs, file and FTP archives, and desktop publishing software information. A very good resource for desktop publishing professionals.

Explanation on antialiasing graphic objects 
Provides a guide for those creating graphics for the Web. Here you can find a definition on antialiasing, how it works, and how to achieve this effect. There are numerous graphic examples that go with each explanation.

The Graphics File Formats Page
Deep technical specifications of the most popular graphic formats.

Web icon and graphics archive
Contains links to Web icon and graphics collections.

Yahoo!'s computer graphics (non-business) page
Yahoo!'s directory of computer graphics software information, particularly shareware, freeware, and applications.

Yahoo!'s graphics page
Yahoo!'s directory of computer and internet graphics. It includes links to a large number of sites offering everything from individually designed graphics to software, to computer animation.

Corel Corporation home page
Corel's home page offers a search utility for locating product information, links to news, company information, a resource center, beta programs, conferences and tradeshow information, and service and support information.

GIF info
A brief overview of the GIF format. The pros and cons of using GIF images within your web site. Also overviewed are the different things you can do with GIF images including creating transparent sections, animations and interlacing.

Usenet FAQs on graphics
A collection of FAQs on graphics, file formats, animation, and specific software.

Webopedia's Graphics Software Terminology
Graphics jargon is confusing. To help you better grasp this genre, we look at graphics software and define common terminology to help you work more easily with digital images.