When you create an image by Raster programs the file types will be .png, .jpg, .gif, .tif, .bmp, .pdf, and .esp. Raster graphics are made up of pixels, which are tiny dots that carry certain color information, and, combined together, they form an entire image. Vectors, meanwhile, have math as their building blocks and, consequently, do not offer the type of nuance that rasters do. These online tools can help you turn pixelated raster images into smooth, scalable vector graphics. Rasterizing an image changes the file from a vector format to a raster-based image. A rasterized image will no longer be composed of vector paths and curves, but will be made up of pixels, and you won’t be able to edit it using vector editing software.
Vector image formats are file types specifically designed to store vector graphics. Unlike raster image formats that rely on pixels, vector formats use mathematical formulas and paths to define shapes, lines, and curves. This allows for several advantages, such as infinite scalability and smaller file sizes. A vector image is a type of digital image that’s created using mathematical equations instead of pixels. Vector images are created in specialized programs like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Unlike raster images, which are dependent on resolution, vector images can be scaled to any size without loss of quality.
Resolution of vector and raster
Design like a pro with an AI-powered editing platform for the everyday creator. License this cover image via Westend61 on Offset, Lithiumphoto, olga_wanderer, and oxygen_8.
Hence, they need to make sure their illustrations are scalable and can be enlarged or reduced in size as needed. It’s common to work with a mix of the two e.g. where you have a photo and other elements. The image below shows a comparison of how Vector and Raster images are created. Vector images also have the tendency to stand out with their attractive use of color, texture, depth, and layers. This gives businesses another reason to use them in their promotional content. Let us throw some light on the subject and explain the basic differences between them.
When should I choose raster or vector graphics?
More pixels within a unit area means higher resolution and quality. If you want a good quality Raster image you will have to create it in a specific size. This is the reason that they cannot be used in different projects.
It would be a pain to edit vector images with pixel-point precision, and the result won’t be as impressive as a raster anyway. Similarly, if you wish to create a very nuanced image raster and vector graphics that features complexity in terms of color, tone, depth, and content, go for raster graphics. Pixels have the ability to offer the kind of detail that vectors simply can’t.
Pros and Cons of Raster Graphics and Vector Images
This is because each equation defines a single line or shape in the image. Some common examples of vector files include logos, flyers, and illustrations. For clear images like photos that convey subtle gradations of color, shade, and light, raster images are perfect despite their loss of quality at larger scales and occasionally unwieldy file sizes.
- On the other hand, vector images are composed of mathematical paths, or lines, that connect to make shapes.
- To edit these images, you need access to raster-based programs like Adobe Photoshop or Shutterstock Editor.
- Vector and Raster graphics are two types of digital graphics used in various projects.
- If you’re drawing something with a limited number of colors, choose vector images.
- Vector images also have the tendency to stand out with their attractive use of color, texture, depth, and layers.
Vector images are slower the more complex they are, so it takes longer for the computer to render them. However, once a vector image is loaded, it can be manipulated more quickly than a raster image. Raster images are best for displaying digital photography and graphics that have a lot of detailed and subtle gradations in color. And, because they’re more accessible and easier to view online, they’re better for using on social media and when sharing images to an audience who may not have the tools to open a vector image.
Scalability of vector and raster
Though the Vector images are less detailed they offer precise paths. Vector images can be transformed into Raster graphics to port between systems. Both are essential tools for digital designers and content creation professionals, but outside of art school, you might not have really heard of either of these terms. The first factor that will help you define whether a certain image is in vector or raster format, is scalability.
It’s true that 72 dpi raster images are usually the norm for web publications and they work just fine. You should either work with a vector source or use high-resolution raster files. The latter option is often the preferred one, because, sometimes, vector images are not accurately printed. If you don’t want to compromise on the image’s clarity, the recommended raster resolution is 300 dpi.
Scaling down these images is easy but enlarging a bitmap makes it pixelated or simply blurred. Hence for images that need to scale to different sizes, we use vector graphics. Instead of relying on millions of tiny of pixels per inch, vector graphics use mathematical formulas to define shapes, lines, and curves. Imagine them like digital blueprints where each element is precisely defined. On the other hand, vector images are best for any project that demands scalability. As previously mentioned, marketing material such as logos and brochures are good examples of such projects.
In doing so, you’re asking the image editor to add more pixels where there aren’t any more. This results in an unattractive, blurred image—at least, in most cases. Certain printers might be better at printing photographs, so think about what you need to print before buying a printer. They often Some common vector files types are SVG and PDF files and are typically used for backgrounds, templates, and banners.
Create something amazing. Easy.
They are ideal for use when an image will only be used once, and will never need to be enlarged, or if portions are coming from a photograph or other real-world image. I understand from prior knowledge that there are two different image format / composition options available for creating images; raster and vector. Generally speaking, there are also far more programs and apps that support raster formats compared to those that support vector ones. Knowing when to use raster and when to use vector in specific applications is an essential skill for anyone engaged in graphic design. They’re more flexible as each shape is separate and you can scale up and down as much as you like, but it’s harder to make the images look natural. Vector graphics are graphics in which the image is represented in a mathematical fashion.
