There is a significant difference in how the resolutions of vector and raster formats are defined. High-resolution raster grids contain a large number of pixels, and thus consume a large amount of memory. This has led to multiple approaches to compressing the data volume into smaller files. The most common strategy is to look for patterns or trends in the pixel values, then store a parameterized form of the pattern instead of the original data. Common raster compression algorithms include run-length encoding (RLE), JPEG, LZ (the basis for PNG and ZIP), Lempel–Ziv–Welch (LZW) (the basis for GIF), and others. You can resize them without consequence, go back and edit their paths/anchors again if you want to, and you’ll likely save much more storage space than you would have otherwise.
During the 1970s and 1980s, pen plotters, using Vector graphics, were common for creating precise drawings, especially on large format paper. However, since then almost all printers create the printed image as a raster grid, including both laser and inkjet printers. When the source information is vector, rendering specifications and software such as PostScript are used to create the raster image. Usually, raster images can’t be scaled any larger than their original width and height.
Three-dimensional rasters
Rasters, on the other hand, are made up of pixels or tiny dots that compose an image using color and tone. Since their building blocks are pixels, raster images do not feature the kind of scalability that vector images do. Being significantly different in nature, the two kinds of graphics have different uses, strengths, and weaknesses.
Vector images represent mathematical calculations involving a point or place that form outlines or shapes(maintain quality.). Whenever one zooms over vector pictures, they look the same (infinitely scalable). When enlargement of images is performed without change of pixels, it looks blurry. If you add more pixels to the image the image becomes random and produces rarely excellent results. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the fundamental raster vs vector graphics, explore their advantages and disadvantages, and help you determine which format best suits your specific needs. Resolution applies to both raster and vector images, but it works differently.
Vector vs raster: how they’re different and which is better for photos, logos, and more
If you’re working primarily within a specific design software like Illustrator or CorelDRAW, using their native formats (AI and CDR) ensures full editing capabilities. Overall, whenever you need an image format that excels at capturing intricate details, realistic colors, and photographic quality, raster images are the way to go. The fundamental strategy underlying the raster data model is the tessellation of a plane, into a two-dimensional array of squares, each called a cell or pixel (from “picture element”). The size of each square pixel, known as the resolution or support, is constant across the grid. Raster or gridded data may be the result of a gridding procedure. If that technical explanation didn’t make much sense to you, think of it this way.
- High-resolution raster images have more pixels for sharper details, but zooming in too far makes them blurry.
- However, since then almost all printers create the printed image as a raster grid, including both laser and inkjet printers.
- Most modern color raster formats represent color using 24 bits (over 16 million distinct colors), with 8 bits (values 0–255) for each color channel (red, green, and blue).
- Raster graphics are resolution dependent, meaning they cannot scale up to an arbitrary resolution without loss of apparent quality.
- Learn how to come up with your own poster design ideas and see the process of bringing your idea to life in an online image editing tool.
- Vector images (line work) can be rasterized (converted into pixels), and raster images vectorized (raster images converted into vector graphics), by software.
Photographs are the most common raster images, but any digital graphic can be a raster. Other common raster images include 3D graphics, abstract backgrounds, and watercolor backgrounds. Choosing the wrong format can result in a loss of quality—a degradation of individual pixels that lowers image resolution.
How do I convert a JPEG to a vector image?
Every time you resize a vector image, its lines, curves, and nodes are recalculated, so the resulting image remains sharp and clear. Choosing the right vector image format depends on your specific needs. If web compatibility and open standards are crucial, SVG is a great choice. For professional digital printing, or complex artwork with embedded elements, EPS might be preferred.
Vector images don’t lose their sharpness and clarity, no matter to what extend or how many times you change their size. Vectors’ scalability make them ideal for design work consisting of logos and icons. Both logos and icons require immense detail and many size options, usually depending on their application. For example, you might use a logo on something as small as a business card or something as large as a billboard. Vectors are ideal for both large and small format prints, because rasterized designs will lose quality when resized.
When to Use Vector vs. Raster
Also, converting Raster to Vector is unnecessary as the printed images or photos captured with a digital camera are in Raster format. 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.
What this allows one to do is to zoom in an image to infinite precision. They are ideal for situations in which an image might be used at various resolutions raster and vector graphics and dimensions. If you want to create an image with intricate details mimicking natural textures like a digital painting choose Raster.
Raster images take more hard disk space than vector format images, even when they appear to look the same. That is because raster files include information about each pixel in the graphic. Compression techniques can mitigate this issue, although if space is a major concern these graphics may present you with a challenge. Typical raster graphic file formats include .bmp, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .psd, and .tif. If you are dealing with photos and require extremely intricate editing, raster is the most suitable choice.
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 main difference between raster and vector files is how they store information.
The main disadvantages are that vector graphics demand professional design software and the ability to use it. Vectors images are smaller in file size as their dimensions are controlled by mathematical formulas. This makes them suitable for transmission, also they carry a lot of data in small file sizes.
