It is very often that you come across an image or a graphic on your computer, either online or offline, and never know the technology used to achieve the idea.
You are not meant to either because the creators of the image have created it in a way that you can have a seamless experience when you look at it on your device or in your favorite magazine.
However, this is not the case for those interested in graphic design since any work done in graphics requires an in-depth understanding of how images are rendered to deliver what the client wants.
An example is that images printed on billboards require different settings than images displayed in online media.
The main types of images you will deal with in graphics are vector and raster art. When an image is captured using a camera or a scanner, it is in the form of a raster image. Pixel-based programs are also used to create raster images by graphic designers.
All images that end with file extension .jpg, .gif or .png are all raster images.
To achieve vectors, you will have to use the services of vector software. Images in vector form can be enlarged to large sizes without losing quality and are ideal for printed images.
The practical implications of all this in the image’s appearance is that for raster art, the image will appear seamless in that transition from one color or shape is gradual.
This is almost similar to painted art, where the painter has dipped a brush into a bucket of paint and painted onto a canvas.
For the vector art, the lines are clear, and the colors are static. This image is apparent, and whatever level of magnification does not affect the quality of the picture.
The experience of using vector software is that you will get the experience of using different objects to achieve your image, with each object displaying its own distinct color.
How Raster and Vector Art Differ
To begin with, raster art is built from pixels. This means that the image will be composed of many tiny pixels, each with a color distribution that works to achieve the complete picture.
The consequence of this is that you end up with an image with many details. Sometimes images created this way have the potential for detail, similar to paintings done by professional painters on a canvas.
Now you can easily understand the use of raster art, which will ensure that the end-user gets the images in the best quality and with a high level of detail.
The backdrop of raster art is that the image begins to lose quality as you try to enlarge it.
You will see a pixelated image that does not have the same quality as its former size if you enlarge the image.
To solve this problem, you may try to add more pixels to the image. Still, the random nature of how the pixels are added cannot assure you of any quality improvement.
This is where vector imaging comes in.
Instead of using pixels as the building blocks for imaging, vector images use a mathematical model, which calculates the distance between points and uses this rule to create lines and shapes.
Since the mathematical formula remains the same, you can enlarge the image to whatever size you need, and the quality of the image will still be the same.
Large printed images, such as those found on advertisement billboards, require vector imaging and where the image is enlarged, and its quality is not lost.
The main setback of a vector image is that you cannot create an image with the same detail as raster images and the same color quality.
Qualities That Vector Art Brings to Imaging
1. Simplicity of Color Editing
You can simply limit the amount of color required to create an image. This is often beneficial to processes requiring limited colors, such as screen printing. Other processes that benefit from limited color are stencil cuts and vinyl signs.
2. Scalability
We have already determined that the resolution of vector images does not deteriorate with magnification. This means that any image printed from the vector image can be of the highest resolution, the only limit being the printer used.
3. Ease of Creating Wireframes
When you use vector imaging software, it will present the image as you would see it in full color. Still, it also has the option of allowing you to simply view the outline of the picture that you are creating.
These outlines, known as wireframes, are critical for some organizations. For example, in design conceptualization of web designs, a wireframe may be required before a proposed design is accepted.
Advantages That Raster Art Offers In Graphics
Gradation
Graduation is an aspect of art that employs a technique of gradual changes that allow transitioning between color hues, allowing for the differentiation of shades and textures.
This aspect attempts to create an impression in digital art close to reality as much as possible. Still, it is also used in abstract ideas as well.
Using different color pixels in raster art allows the artist to create a detailed and rich image by having the pixels arranged like how a jigsaw puzzle fits all the individual pieces to bring the bigger image to life.
Detailed Printed Images
We have already seen why raster images are not ideal for printing. However, in some cases, raster images are still used for printing purposes.
When printed images use raster images, they are usually of the highest quality. An example is the printing of an image onto a t-shirt.
For the printing to be a success, you must provide the printing company the correct size of the image.
The main details of this are the pixel dimension of your image and the image resolution (pixels per inch that the printer can print without losing the quality of the image).
How to Choose Between Vector Art and Raster Art in Your Design
The design that you are working on will determine the art you choose. For example, suppose you are editing a photo or creating an image with the same level of detail as the photo. In that case, you are best served by using raster art.
On the other hand, if you are designing an image that requires clear contrast between objects, then the way to go is vector art. These are images that resemble drawings and illustrations.
Ideally, for companies with their logo in rich colors and details, the logo is a raster image. Still, due to some printing requirements, the company usually has a secondary logo that is simplified and is in the form of a vector image.
