What Is Vector Graphics [An Introduction]

If you’re planning to start a career in graphic designing, you must know the nooks and corners of vector graphics. In this blog, we are going to discuss what are vector graphics and their advantages. There are two basic types of graphics images: bitmap (or raster) images and vector images. A raster image is defined in terms of rows and columns of individual pixels, each with its own color whereas vector images are defined in terms of lines, both straight and curved.

Vector graphics is the use of polygons to represent images in computer graphic designs. Vector graphics are based on vectors, which lead through locations called control points or nodes. Each of these points has a definite position on the x- and y-axes of the work plane and determines the direction of the path; further, each path may be assigned various attributes, including such values as stroke color, shape, curve, thickness, and fill. Vector Graphics are also ideally suited for detailed illustrative work and industrial illustrations. They are also called object-based graphics or object-oriented graphics.

Here are some vector graphics examples to help you understand them better:

Vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. If you blow up a raster graphic, it will look blocky, or “pixelated.” When you blow up a vector graphic, the edges of each object within the graphics stay smooth and clean. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card but can also be scaled to fill a billboard. You must invest in graphic designs wisely. Common vector graphics software are:

• Adobe Illustrator

• SketchBook Pro

• Corel Draw

There are several Vector graphics file formats, but the ones most commonly used for logo design are:

1. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript): Adobe’s EPS format is the most widely used Vector graphic format. It is the standard interchange format for the print industry and is a well-supported export format from Vector graphics software.
2. AI (Adobe Illustrator Artwork): Adobe Illustrator’s native format is AI which is a modified version of the EPS format. The AI format is fairly common but is less universal than the EPS format.
3. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic): SVG is the W3C Vector graphic standard. SVG is gaining in popularity as modern browsers increase their support of the format. SVG is becoming increasingly important as the various screen resolutions that websites need to support continues to broaden.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF VECTOR GRAPHICS?

Advantages of vector graphics in designing are as follows:

1. They can be easily created
2. Vector drawings are scalable
3. There’s no problem of image distortion
4. They are easier to re-edit
5. Their file sizes are small
6. They are ideal for detailed illustrations
7. They look good in print
8. These graphics are usually more aesthetically pleasing
9. Their file size is based on complexity and not on the size of its color depth
10. They are good for animation and presentations.

WHAT ARE VECTOR GRAPHICS USED FOR?

They are ideally suited for detailed illustrative work, logo designing, artworks thus supporting your creative personality. And because of their infinite re-scalability without compromising on the quality they can also be used for reproducing print at any size, large or small.

CONCLUSION

Basically, what we learned is that vector graphics are clean, camera-ready, and can be scaled infinitely, without any loss of quality or fidelity.

So, if you are thinking to use vector graphics to design your website but don’t know how to begin with then, you must contact us for customized website design and development services as we understand every website is unique.