Raster images are also called software#

One of the biggest disadvantages is the compatibility. You can easily recognize vector by looking at the edges, doesn’t matter how much you scale, they will always stay crystal clear and smooth. And because vector images don’t have to handle millions of tiny pixels, these files are usually smaller than their raster sibling. They have also no resolution restriction and therefore they are not depended on the output device. You can scale them up and down easily and perfectly. Vector images are more flexible and versatile. Because vector graphics are composed of geometrical primitives, it is very best to use it for more structured images like logos, line art, illustrations with flat uniform colors, letterheads, and fonts.

Raster images are also called software#

Vector graphics have to be created in software that is designed to create lines includes node position, locations, lengths, and curves. Total opposite from pixel images, vector images are created with a mathematical formula that’s defining lines, curves and primitive shapes like polygons, circles, and rectangles known as paths. In which hobbies or jobs I can use pixel graphic Photographs and pictures in books or magazines are usually also pixel images, but these images are saved with very high resolution what is making them very big files in the end. Today we are not going so deep into this, so just put it simply – CMYK is for printing method, RGB is for electronic displays – monitors, phones, tablets etc.Īlmost all the pictures you will find on the websites are raster images (even though they could be vector images before).

That’s why we as digital artists can work with two different color schemes CMYK and RGB. DPI is set by the printer itself and cannot be manipulated. So how do they do it with raster images? They reproduce the image by spitting out tiny dots consisting of a mix of colors – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black) per the pixel of your image. Printers are not printing little squares. PPI can be modified with photo/painting editing software.ĭPI (dots per inch) means how many dots per inch my printer will print on the paper. PPI describes the number of pixels for the digital screen.

A 72 PPI image will have 72 pixels per inch. PPI (pixel per inch) means how many pixels will fit into one inch. They are both describing the resolution or clarity of an image, but they are not the same thing. We have two main names using raster images. There is a possibility to change the number of pixels up but the pixels will be added randomly, rarely producing a good outcome. Scaling down its not such a big problem, but the smaller version could be less crisp or softer than the original. If you will try to resize the picture bigger without changing the number of pixels, it will get blurry and not nice to look at anymore. Raster format is resolution specific – that means that the photo you just took is displayed in one specific resolution. You have many brushes to choose from, you can blend colors easily to soften the transition, you can apply many filters, gradients, undefined lines and shapes, and complex composition. Creating such artwork is pretty similar to traditional painting or drawing. Usually, almost every drawing/painting app is raster oriented. Bitmaps are created with pixel-based programs, captured with a camera or scanner. Closer you look, more blurry the image becomes and in the end you will be able to see the little pixels. Try to open any photo you have and zoom in. It’s pretty easy to recognize it by yourself. It’s the smallest physical element of a digital display device.

They consist of millions of tiny little squares which we call pixels. Today we will look at the basics of these to get a better understanding. Also, every single file format is giving you different options. Each of them has special software and needs, each of them is used for different purpose.

For which projects I should use vector or raster?įor a digital artist, it is very important to understand the difference between vector and raster art.

Which formats are used for each of them?.

What is actually the difference between vector and raster?.

jpeg, probably you have never downloaded a wallpaper then but do not worry, everyone has to start somewhere, someday! For the others who are just starting, it can be a little bit overwhelming – raster, vector, bitmap, pixel. If you are a photographer or designer, you probably know what you are dealing with.