RASTER & VECTOR FILES

Raster images use many coloured pixels or individual building blocks to form a complete

image. JPEG, BMP, TIFF, GIF are common raster image types.

**The data is in the pixel quantity & colour

Common raster image types when you do a general ‘picture’ search.

Raster images are specified in terms of their resolution, this is specified in terms of dpi

(dots per inch)

All raster image downloaded or photo taken will have a physical size and a dpi specification.

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves.

These are based on mathematical expressions, the colour/grading is also mathematical.

Graphic file types EPS, AI, PDF & export as DXF

Common vector graphic types when you do a general ‘picture’ search.

Common vector graphics in industry.

You can go to the site & download the Vector file data.

You can download these as images, (subject to copyright), & they will be raster files.

Converting a Raster to Vector

Import an image

into

Adobe Illustrator

Corel Draw

Inkscape

Other?

Converting a Raster to Vector

Black & White

Greyscale

mediumresolution

high resolution

originalimage

Laser Cutting & Etching

Cutting data

Combined Vector image

B&W Raster image

B&W Vector image

Laser Cutting & EtchingThe cutting data is a Vector line around the

perimeter....the red outline of the tree

In a Laser Cutter the laser follows the vector path. With a computer controlled machining process the cutter follows the vector path.

When etching using a Laser Cutter the data for the depth of the etch comes from the

different grey tones.

The darker the grey the more energy goes into the laser & the deeper the etch.

High resolution image required...High Resolution image = better quality tracing.

Low Resolution image = poor quality tracing

Laser Cutting & Etching

CNC Processes (Computer Numerical Control)