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vector graphics

By Ben Lutkevich

What are vector graphics?

Vector graphics are computer images created using a sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.

In vector graphics, a graphic artist's work, or file, is created and saved as a sequence of vector statements. A vector graphic file describes a series of points to be connected.

These files are sometimes called geometric files. Images created with tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Corel's CorelDRAW are usually vector image files.

Simplified, vector graphics are like connect-the-dots drawings.

What are vector graphics used for?

Graphic artists, illustrators and designers use vector graphics for a variety of reasons, including the following:

Vector vs. raster

A raster graphics image maps bits directly to a display space, also called a bitmap. Raster graphics are made up of a fixed number of pixels, which makes them less scalable than vector graphics. At a certain point, when the raster image is enlarged enough, the edges become ragged, and it appears pixelated -- i.e., when the pixels become visible. Raster graphics cannot be scaled up without sacrificing image quality.

There is also a one-to-one relationship between each pixel and the memory raster graphics occupies on a computer. Computers must store information for every pixel of a raster image, whereas vector images only store the series of points that need to be connected by lines, curves, etc. Consequently, vector files are usually smaller than raster files. Vector image files are easier to modify than raster image files for this reason.

Vector and raster images can be converted into one another with the right software. Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are examples of software that enable users to convert one image format to the other.

Raster files are particularly good for portraying color depth, as each pixel can be a different color. And there are more pixels that can be unique colors than vectors that can be unique colors. This makes raster file formats good for editing digital photographs.

Certain file types can include vector and raster elements -- PDF and SVG files are two examples.

Advantages and disadvantages of vector graphics

It is important to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of using vector files.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Types of vector files

There are several commonly used vector file types. They include the following:

Different file types are used for different tasks. For example, AI files are commonly used in print media and digital graphics. EPS files can be both raster and vector files. They typically contain a smaller design element that can be embedded in a larger design. This makes them suitable for sending logos, which are often incorporated into larger designs.

21 Jun 2021

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