| Raster and vector are used for storing and | | | | vector points allow the computer to connect the |
| manipulating images and graphics data on a | | | | dots using straight and curves lines and strokes. |
| computer. All of the major CAD software and | | | | The vector file that is produced has no |
| GIS (Geographic Information Systems) packages | | | | jaggedness, no loss in detail and can be printed at |
| available today are primarily based on either of | | | | any resolution or any size. This vector images can |
| the two- raster or vector graphics. | | | | be scaled up or down without any loss in quality. |
| A raster image uses a framework of colors | | | | Vector data is geometrically and mathematically |
| known as pixels to represent images. A specific | | | | associated and comes in form of lines and points. |
| location and color value is assigned to each pixel. | | | | Points are stored using the coordinates, such as a |
| When editing objects or shapes, in a bitmap | | | | two-dimensional point is stored as (x, y). |
| image, you edit pixels. Because, raster images are | | | | Application areas for vector image formats |
| resolution dependent they tend to lose quality | | | | include: |
| when enlarged. A raster image has pixels | | | | 1. Company Logos |
| associated with it for all spatial locations, it is | | | | 2. 3D and CAD programs |
| strictly limited by how big a spatial area it can | | | | 3. Specialized text effects |
| represent. The total size of a two-dimensional | | | | 4. GIS systems |
| raster image will increase by 4 times, when the | | | | 5. Plumbing design and detailing |
| spatial resolution is increased by 2 times as the | | | | 6. HVAC |
| number of pixels are also doubled in both X and Y | | | | 7. Electrical Drawings |
| dimensions. | | | | Advantages of using a vector image formats |
| How to overcome the problem of lose quality | | | | include: |
| when enlarging the image? This is where raster to | | | | 1. Resolution independent |
| vector conversion need comes in! Vector images | | | | 2. No jaggedness when enlarged |
| are generally made of lines and curves defined by | | | | 3. Smooth curves |
| mathematical objects called vectors. These | | | | 4. |