With vector images, you’ll utilize mathematical formulas made up of lines, curves and dots that allow your drawn-out elements to scale proportionally. These points are referred to as coordinates, whereas the curves are referred to as paths. Although designers and artists love vector graphics for those reasons, there are still some circumstances where choosing a different raster and vector graphics image format makes more sense. Visit a previous chapter to explore the pros and cons of vector graphics, and read on to learn more about raster graphics. Vectors are the appropriate choice in many situations, including logos, icons, illustrations, and more. Aside from providing the ability to scale up in size without losing quality, vectors also provide more flexibility.
Despite limitations, they offer efficiency and flexibility in digital artwork. By understanding the difference between these two image types, you’ll be able to create better-quality graphics for your projects. 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. A vector image’s formulaic makeup keeps file sizes to a minimum in comparison to its raster counterparts. This comes in handy when there are restrictions to file sizes or image storage.
Pros and Cons of Raster Graphics and Vector Images
One trade-off is that high-resolution raster image files tend to be quite large and take up a lot of memory on hard drives and cloud storage apps. There are two main categories of image formats in the digital art world — raster and vector. Both formats have advantages and disadvantages, and each is ideal for different types of digital projects.
Zoom out, and the pixels appear to blend seamlessly to create an image. The larger the image, the more disk space the image file will take up. We use algorithms that compress images to help reduce these file sizes. Image formats like jpeg and gif are common compressed image formats. 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.
How do I convert a JPEG to a vector image?
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.
- Aside from providing the ability to scale up in size without losing quality, vectors also provide more flexibility.
- If you increase the dimensions of the image, you’ll notice the pixels and the blocks will become much more obvious.
- Develop your edge as an artist and designer with CorelDRAW’s Guide to Vector Design.
- A raster file, also called a bitmap image, is made of a grid of pixels, each storing color data.
- Although designers and artists love vector graphics for those reasons, there are still some circumstances where choosing a different image format makes more sense.
- Vector and raster images differ in their resolution, the amount of detail they contain, and where they are used.
This material can include everything from billboards to posters and business cards. Hence, they need to make sure their illustrations are scalable and can be enlarged or reduced in size as needed. Design like a pro with an AI-powered editing platform for the everyday creator. License these images via Westend61 on Offset, Lithiumphoto, olga_wanderer, and oxygen_8.
Where Can You Use Raster Image?
Vector file sizes are typically smaller, enabling easier file storage and faster load speeds. 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. Resolution applies to both raster and vector images, but it works differently. High-resolution raster images have more pixels for sharper details, but zooming in too far makes them blurry. High-resolution vector images can be scaled infinitely without losing quality.
Vector images are better suited for digital illustrations, such as logos, graphic designs, and animations. And since scalability is not an issue with vector files, they are also suitable for certain types of print formats. Knowing how to convert vector graphics into raster file formats is another great technique to have in your design pocket. Here’s how you convert vector images into a raster file with two simple steps. 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.
Converting Raster to Vector (and Vice Versa)
Vector file formats can be used for different digital design purposes, like animation and logo design. To edit vector images, you must use vector-based programs, like Sketch or Adobe Illustrator. In raster images zooming in can cause some tiny squares (lose quality) to appear.
Raster graphics, also called bitmap graphics, a type of digital image that uses tiny rectangular pixels, or picture elements, arranged in a grid formation to represent an image. Raster vs. Vector is a debate that will always rage on in the graphic design world. Both have their pros and cons, but what’s best for your project? It’s most important that you understand the difference between the two file types so that you’re best prepared to choose the right file for the right occasion. Apart from offering flexibility in terms of scalability, vector graphics also provide ease in duplication.
Raster Images Explained
As a visual artist, it’s crucial to be comfortable with different file formats and mediums to convey your design in the most effective way possible. Knowing the differences between raster vs. vector file formats will help you understand when to use each one and for what purpose. Raster images are compatible with all recognizable and popular software. Most of the images that you see on the internet are Raster images.
It is a lossy format of raster images, and their size is denoted by the width and height of the image in pixels. The most common example of a raster file is a digital photo you take on your phone camera or DSLR. The most common file types for raster images are JPEG, GIF, and PNG. To break it down further, pixels are just minute square-shaped dots that use color and tone to make an image. And while a single pixel may appear as just a blob of color, many pixels can come together to create complex, multi-colored images.
How to Create a Raster Image?
If you want to preserve the quality of a Raster image you can only scale down the image. 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. Additionally, the individual elements of vector files can be edited in software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape at any time.