Vector images are composed of shapes wherein each shape has its own solid color. As each vector art software differs, raster image editing programs also vary. Do some research to determine which will work best for your needs. Apart from offering flexibility in terms of scalability, vector graphics also provide ease in duplication. This makes them perfect for businesses looking to create material such as logos, brochures, merchandise, and so on. See how the edges become pixelated (losing image quality) and jagged when magnified?
Unlike raster graphics, vector files are smaller and best for logos, type, and geometric design. Vector graphics are often used for product artwork because they’re scalable, meaning they can be easily resized for use on everything from matchbooks to billboards. Vector programs can also take longer to render objects with more complexity, such as a photograph or landscape. Because raster and vector images are different digital materials (pixels vs shapes), each format naturally results in a different visual style.
How Do I Know if My Image is a Vector?
The pixels get enlarged if you try to zoom the image that makes the image blurry. You can always scale down a Raster image to maintain its quality. If you look closely at a scalar image you will see many equally sized squares. Vector images are infinitely scalable as the mathematical formulas change when you resize the image. They retain their clarity and sharpness even when you enlarge the image.
- If you want to upload the image on the Internet, use it for PPT, or email it, then a raster image is perfect for your use.
- Since their building blocks are pixels, raster images do not feature the kind of scalability that vector images do.
- But, if you can zoom in very close, even at 1000% or more, without seeing any pixelation, there’s a good chance the image is a vector.
- Use this simple guide to help you choose the right files to send.
- If you are on a budget choose Raster graphics as they cost less.
And as the number of pixels goes down, so does the sharpness and detail of a raster image. Vector images, unlike rasters, can be indefinitely scaled and still retain their quality. Because of this feature, vector graphics are the primary choice for businesses when they need to design material for marketing campaigns.
Raster vs. Vector Overview
The mathematical formula recalibrates to the new size you give the file, so it is possible to maintain the same image quality across various dimensions. To create and edit a vector image, you can use Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw programs. Understanding the difference between raster and vector programs and mastering the ins and outs of raster vs. vector image formats will help you create your best digital work.
But, if you can zoom in very close, even at 1000% or more, without seeing any pixelation, there’s a good chance the image is a vector. Develop your edge as an artist and designer with CorelDRAW’s Guide to Vector Design. Learn the basics of vector graphics and design, and feel empowered to tackle any challenge that comes your way. Many raster programs simulate paint brushes to make image production feel as natural as possible. Artists often connect a digital tablet to their computer and make brush strokes with a stylus pen.
Where Can You Use Raster Image?
This chapter will provide more tips and insights about raster images to help you choose the best file format for your next graphic design project. That includes how they work, when to use them, and how to approach the raster vs. vector question. Raster and vector images each raster and vector graphics have benefits and drawbacks, which is why it’s important to determine your design project’s imagery needs right away. If your project will be printed at a single size, will contain stock photography or will have a general painterly style, raster images are the way to go.
Among free options, Inkscape and Vecteezy are very popular programs, and both feature a lot of robust tools to make your best vectors come to life. Knowing when to use raster and when to use vector in specific applications is an essential skill for anyone engaged in graphic design. This is a screenshot of the farmer’s face on the example vector logo from above, zoomed in as far as the computer would allow. No matter how far you zoom in on a vector image, you will always see smooth lines.
What are Raster Image Formats?
As a rule of thumb, it’s best to only downsize a raster image to avoid heavy pixelation. The amount of pixels within a raster image, referred to as pixel density, is what determines image resolution, or the degree of visual detail and clarity. At a low resolution, the pixels become more visible, which is why a raster image might look blurry or “pixelated.” At a higher resolution, the raster image is detailed and clear. Raster images have large file size defined by DPI or PPI with fixed height and width. To transfer Raster files, it’s a good idea to compress them first. In this content, we will explore the possible differences between the raster and vector images.
On the other hand, vector images work on mathematical calculations. You can hence resize, rescale, or even reshape a vector image without compromising on its quality. There are also times you’ll need to export a vector design to a raster format, especially for certain web uses. Not all parts of all websites support SVG files, so raster versions of your vector-based assets can come in handy. The most common and recognizable raster image use case is photography. Cameras replicate real-world scenes as accurately as possible by capturing as many pixels as possible.
Common Uses of Vector Images
On the other hand, vector images are composed of mathematical paths, or lines, that connect to make shapes. When you zoom in on a vector image, you’ll see the individual paths that make up the image. The file storage method is one of the main differences between raster and vector images. Raster graphics store visual information as a two-dimensional map of pixels, also known as a bitmap. Zoom in on a raster image, and you’ll see the information it stores — data about the color of each pixel. Zoom out, and the pixels appear to blend seamlessly to create an image.
While a raster image comprises of a series of individual colored pixels. Most often they are vector files, but it depends on what program was used to create it. For example, if the PDF was created in Photoshop, it will be saved as a raster file. And sometimes, a PDF can contain raster images, like JPEGs and PNGs as well as vector images. Thus, vector images are composed of lines, curves, and points (anchors), all mapped out on a grid. Instead, they use mathematical equations to capture the shape, border, and color that build an image.
Can raster images be converted to vector?
If your project will be printed in multiple different sizes, often edited and won’t require photorealistic detail, vector images are the better choice. And when it comes to creating and printing your images, avoid the technical hassles and work with a professional. A vector image is any digital image constructed out of points and lines, commonly referred to as paths. The position and curvature of these paths are determined by mathematical formulas the computer calculates behind the scenes. When the image is resized, placing the paths in different positions, the computer automatically recalculates these formulas to reproduce the image at a new scale. This makes vector images infinitely scalable with no loss in visual quality.
