Vector images are where math and art collide. Rather than using individual pixels, vectors use mathematical formulas to calculate paths of various colors to create an image. The bonus to working with vector software to design is the ease of scaling an image. When an image is a raster image (pixel based image) it is difficult to enlarge the photo without stretching the pixels too much. Last fall, I purchased a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud and it was one of the best decisions I have made for designing. Illustrations made with vectors can be shrunk down as small as needed or scaled to massive sizes. The picture of the corgi shows that when scaled for detail, vector illustrations can preserve the details far better than an image made with pixels.
What are the main uses for a raster image then?
- Photos
- Larger images
- Photoshop
What are the main uses for vector images?
- Logos and other graphic design
- Scale-friendly images
- Illustrator
Over this past semester, I've worked with Adobe Illustrator (see my last blog post about one of my pieces here) and the versatility is amazing. Illustrator and Photoshop really work hand in hand when you want to incorporate raster images with vector elements. Although, Illustrator displays vectors, on the web vectors must be converted to raster format.
If you have any questions or want to share your vector art, just comment! Tune in next week to see what is next!
If you have any questions or want to share your vector art, just comment! Tune in next week to see what is next!
http://www.psprint.com/resources/difference-between-raster-vector/
http://www.psprint.com/resources/wp-content/uploads/difference-between-raster-and-vector.jpg
