Commons:Graphic Lab
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Images to improve or create [working] |
Maps to improve or create [not working yet]
Graphic Lab
The Graphics Lab helps improve all graphical content used by Wikimedia projects stored on the Wikimedia Commons.
The work to improve the quality and clarity of images that are proposed to them by the community. This work most often involves extracting key elements from photos, removing distracting elements, and improving the general appearance of images. Creation of drawings, diagrams and maps is also within the scope of this project if the requests are clear and the work is feasible (less than one hour).
The Graphic Lab School and the Graphics village pump aim to transform Commons from an uploaders' community to a true working graphist community, based on the four graphic skills and interests categories.
This project is in the beginning stages: please talk everywhere about it. Feel free to request image improvements as well. Active contributors are also really needed to lead the project too. We need all this to start!
Types of work done
For a better view of the capabilities of the Graphics Workshop, see examples of prior work.
Instructions
Requests for the Graphics Workshop are placed on the images to improve page with explanation of the work requested, following the instructions in the template. A Wikigraphist will sign up for the work, perform the requested actions, and, after approval, replace the original image with the improved one.
All help is welcome!
Requesting work
When requesting work to be done, please do so in the right place:
Images to improve: For improvement of images, creation of graphics, etc.
Maps: For work on maps (translations, coloration from data, etc.)
Wikigraphists
Graphists who volunteer to improve images (add your name):
- Often active : Editor at Large (talk • contribs), Vanderdecken (talk • contribs), Mmxx (talk • contribs) …
- Less active : Jak (talk • contribs), Greyskull (talk • contribs), Ivan_Akira (talk • contribs), Chech Explorer (talk • contribs), Jackl (talk • contribs) …
See also the list of Active Wikigraphists
Advice
Encouraged formats : PNG, GIF (animations only), SVG, Theora (.ogg) |
Photograph your objects on monochromatic backgrounds; |
The GIMP, for JPG-GIF-PNG images; |
Software
Here is where the are the Graphics Programmes, recommended by the Wikigraphists and Graphics Lab, are kept. These programs have been labelled the 'Stars' of cleaning up, editing and creation of images, illustrations, maps, photograph and animations on Wikipedia.
Installing these on your computer will allow you to get more assistance and advice from other experienced Wikigraphists, several of them, having improved their skills on the Graphic Lab itself. Below are the 4 most useable and free, graphic programs, ordered according to their importance :
| Name and Function | Operating System | Download | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inkscape, Specialising in the creation of vector images (SVG) | Linux ; Windows ; Mac OS X | All | |
| 2 | GIMP, similar to Photoshop. Used for the retouching of images, and creating of raster graphics (PNG, JPG, GIF). Can also be used to create animations when the GIMP Animation Package (GAP) is installed. | Linux; BSD ; Solaris ; Windows ; Mac OS X | Windows, Linux/BSD/Solaris Mac OSX | |
| OR | Gimpshop, A version of GIMP, modified to be more familiar to users of Photoshop, and said to have a less steep learning curve. (PNG, JPG, GIF) | Windows ; Linux ; Mac OS X ; Solaris | All | |
| 3 | ![]() |
hugin, For the stitching of panorama images, correction of perspective and various other things. | Windows; Linux ;BSD ; Mac OS X; Other Unix Systems | All |
| 4 | Blender, For the creation and editing of 3D images. | Windows; Linux x86/PPC ; Solaris ; Irix ; BSD ; Mac OS X | All |
|
Inkscape (see more) |
Links
Templates used
- {{User Wikigraphist}}, userbox for Wikigraphists;
- You can see a complete list of all cleanup templates at Commons:Templates#Maintenance.
- {{Commons:Graphic Lab/Ad}} ,Graphic Lab Ad Template
On Wikipedia
- Wikimedia Commons: Upload page, place to share your images with Wikipedia (need to be logged in)
Communities of users with Graphics Abilities on Commons:



