Bitmap vs. VectorObjective 1

Bitmap vs. Vector Graphics

Computer graphics falls into two main categories: Bitmap images Vector images

Bitmap images

Created using a square or rectangular grid of colored squares called pixels. Pixels: tiny dots of individual color that

makes up what you see on your screen. Tiny dots come together in the form of the images you see.

When the image is enlarged, you can see each individual square dot of color.

The number of pixels in a given inch are referred to as the image’s resolution.

Bitmap images

Bitmap images are resolution dependent. Resolution: # of pixels in an image. Stated in: Dpi (dots per image) Ppi (pixels per image)

Its difficult to increase or decrease the size of an image without sacrificing a degree of image quality. Reducing the image: throws away pixels. Increasing the image: creates new pixels.

Common Bitmap formats

.bmg .gif .jpg .tiff .psd

Popular Bitmap imaging software

Microsoft Paint Abobe Photoshop Corel Photo-Paint

Bitmap images

All scanned images are bitmap Digital camera images are bitmap Images can be converted from one

format to another.

Vector images

Graphics created in Adobe Illustrator are vector graphics.

Made up of many individual, scalable objects. Objects indentified by mathematical objects

rather than pixels. Always render the highest quality. Objects consist of:

Lines Curves Anchor points/paths Shapes with editable attributes: such as color, fill, and

outlines.

Vector images

Changing the attributes of a vector object does not affect the object itself.

Freely change any # of object attributes without destroying the basic object.

Vector images are resolution independent.

Increase or decrease the size to any degree and your lines will remain crisp and sharp on screen and print.

Vector images

Fonts are a type of vector object. Vector images are not restricted to a

rectangular shape like bitmap images. Used to create logos Disadvantage of vector images: unsuitable

for producing photo-realistic imagery. Vector graphics are termed resolution-

independent This means that any graphic that you create in

Illustrator can be output to fit on a postage stamp or on a billboard.

Vector image formats:

AI (Adobe Illustrator) CDR CMX

Popular Vector Drawing Software

Adobe Illustrator CorelDRAW Xara Xtreme Serif DrawPlus

Two categories of Graphic Software

Image editors (pixel/bitmap based) Illustration software (vector-based)

Image Editors

Most popular type of graphics software Also known as paint applications Allows you to create bitmap-based images

from scratch using a variety of painting tools intended to mimic natural painting tools.

Most image editors include features for photo enhancement and retouching

Advantage: you can get a great deal of detail, as much as a photograph.

Disadvantage: confined by the pixel resolution of the image.

Illustration software

Because they consist of points and objects rather than pixels on a grid, they are free from the confines of pixel resolution.

Cannot contain the high level of detail as bitmapped images so they often have a cartoon-like appearance.

Most often used to create stylized, cartoon-like images, logos, maps, and other design elements that need to be output at any size.