The size of each square pixel, known as the resolution or support, is constant across the grid. Raster or gridded data may be the result of a gridding procedure. These online tools can help you turn pixelated raster images into smooth, scalable vector graphics. Between raster and vector images, the „better“ choice depends on the content and purpose of the image. Meanwhile, vector images are in the format of SVG, and some others.

Vector images also have the tendency to stand out with their attractive use of color, texture, depth, and layers. This gives businesses another reason to use them in their promotional content. This material can include everything from billboards to posters and business cards.

Image storage

The main difference between vector and raster graphics is that raster graphics are composed of pixels, while vector graphics are composed of paths. A raster graphic, such as a gif or jpeg, is an array of pixels of various colors, which together form an image. Vector images make use of mathematical equations, lines and curves to form an image.

With logos, you’ll be using vector graphics, whereas with your print advertisements, you’ll be using raster images. They don’t just carry pixels but also all the information regarding the assortment of the pixels. With raster files, you’ll typically use extensions like GIF, JPEG and PNG. With vector images, you’ll utilize mathematical formulas made up of lines, curves and dots that allow your drawn-out elements to scale proportionally. These points are referred to as coordinates, whereas the curves are referred to as paths. The fundamental strategy underlying the raster data model is the tessellation of a plane, into a two-dimensional array of squares, each called a cell or pixel (from „picture element“).

Raster vs Vector: What is the Difference?

They retain their clarity and sharpness even when you enlarge the image. If you look closely at a Vector image you will see seamless curves and well-defined lines. Vector images can be created with specialized software like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw or InkScape.

Take a look at the image of the black panther illustration below. Technically, they are both raster images now, but for demonstrative purposes, the native file of the one on the left was a raster JPG and the one on the right was a vector EPS. As you can see from the zoomed-in views below, you can begin to see the individual pixels that make up the picture on the left, giving it a blurry – or pixelated – appearance. Meanwhile, no matter how much you zoom in on the panther on the right, you will always see smooth lines. A vector image’s formulaic makeup keeps file sizes to a minimum in comparison to its raster counterparts.

Raster and Vector Images Explained

Shutterstock’s collection of images includes tons of scalable vector graphics and images available for download, like fonts, patterns, and illustrations. To view vector images exclusively, change the Image Type located under the search bar and select Vectors. Raster images are compatible with all recognizable and popular software. Most of the images that you see on the internet are Raster images.

However, you can rescale the vector image infinitely without losing the quality of an image. Raster and vector are two file types we use to store digital images. The basic difference between these two types of digital images is that the raster image is formed using pixels. However, the vector image is formed using a mathematical expression, lines and curves with fixed checkpoints. For most images, this value is a visible color, but other measurements are possible, even numeric codes for qualitative categories.

Differences Between Raster and Vector Images

In both cases some information is lost, although certain vectorization operations can recreate salient information, as in the case of optical character recognition. Rasterizing is the process of converting a vector image into a bitmap image. Sometimes, you need to rasterize an image because the file format you’re using doesn’t support vector images. Or, you might need to rasterize an image because you want to apply a Photoshop filter or bitmap effect that can only be applied to raster images.

Raster images can be created with software like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. Converting a Raster image to a Vector image is complicated and time-consuming. difference between raster and vector Also, converting Raster to Vector is unnecessary as the printed images or photos captured with a digital camera are in Raster format.

To edit raster images, you must use raster-based programs or plug-ins like this PowerPoint add-in to edit your raster icons. Raster images are made up of a fixed number of pixels that determine the resolution quality of the image. When a photographer takes a picture with their camera, the image is built out in pixels.

• Each image can only contain a fixed number of pixels; the amount of pixels determines the quality of the image.
• To view vector images exclusively, change the Image Type located under the search bar and select Vectors.
• Generally speaking, there are also far more programs and apps that support raster formats compared to those that support vector ones.
• With these mathematical formulas, vector images are infinitely scalable.

Early mechanical televisions developed in the 1920s employed rasterization principles. Electronic television based on cathode-ray tube displays are raster scanned with horizontal rasters painted left to right, and the raster lines painted top to bottom. Some compression algorithms, such as RLE and LZW, are lossless, where the original pixel values can be perfectly regenerated from the compressed data.

Rather than being comprised of square-shaped pixels, vectors are made up of mathematical curves and lines, meaning vectors display visual information differently than raster images. So, while vectors are ideal for scalable logos, typography, and design, they’re not the best choice for photographic images. In the example image above, the raster version of the photograph (on the left) looks best. The vector version of the image (on the right) is oversimplified, as vector programs visualize graphics in groups of solid colors.