Notes of the designer: what is a vector image and what are its advantages?

Surely everyone has heard about raster and vector images. However, how do they differ among themselves? In fact, a vector image is formed from a large number of individual scalable objects. Unlike raster ones, they are determined by means of special mathematical equations. This means that vector images retain excellent quality under all conditions. The objects themselves can consist of curves and straight lines and shapes. Their main properties are color, fill and contour. No matter how the user changes these properties, the object is not distorted or deformed.

The main advantage of vector images is the ability to arbitrarily change their sizes. The lines will remain sharp and distinct both on the screen of any size, and when printing. For example, all fonts are vector objects. In addition, unlike raster images, they are not limited to a rectangular shape.

The only significant drawback is that they can not be used to create photorealistic images. As a rule, they use pure gradients and colors. That is, such a transition of tones, which is typical for photographs, can not be achieved. However, it is likely that this will change in the near future. Compared with previous years, the technology of creating vector images has been significantly improved.

Modern artists and designers can experiment with transparency of objects, shadows, soft transitions and even raster textures, achieving ever greater naturalness. Until recently, vector images were associated only with cartoon pictures. Now they are more and more consistent with the notion of realism.

The vector image can be converted to a bitmap without problems. The reverse process is also possible, but it is an order of magnitude more complicated in execution. Therefore, if you need to rasterize a picture, do not be too lazy to save the vector source separately. If later you need a copy of the bitmap image based on the same initial but larger size, you can easily get it. Also, do not forget that if a vector picture is opened in the program to process files of a different kind, it will automatically change its type and lose its unique properties. To avoid this, be careful when choosing software.

There are special formats for vector images. The main ones are CDR (CorelDRAW), CGM, WMF, AI (Adobe Illustrator), CMX (Corel Exchange) and DXF CAD.

Most often, the vector format of the image can be opened only in a certain program. These editors, unlike raster ones, often conflict with each other, so getting an undistorted picture will be problematic.

A vector image is really necessary, when it comes to creating plans, drawings, logos, design of websites. Artists and designers around the world actively use it for a variety of purposes. Despite its external simplicity, the vector image is extremely functional, and there are often situations where the use of a bitmap is simply impossible.