Vector Graphics Explained

Do you need to produce illustrations on your computer for your company or organization? Understanding how to use object-oriented graphics will improve your business literature, and vector drawing software isn’t hard to use.

Vector graphics make a world of difference to any form of illustration produced on a computer. This article explains what they are and the differences between vector and raster graphics. Learn how to use object-oriented graphics to enhance your organization’s posters, brochures, and letterhead.

What are vector graphics?

They are created on a computer and are a popular illustration format.

In the following article, we’ll explain exactly what they are, what benefits they have over raster graphics, and when it’s best to use them.

A vector is a line.

But it doesn’t have to be a straight line. Object-oriented graphs are mathematical equations consisting of coordinates, positions, and curve information. They are similar to a dot-to-dot drawing, although a bit more sophisticated.

Think of an airplane taking off from the ground and rising high in the sky. There are a number of factors that determine the curve between the point at which the aircraft leaves the ground and the point at which it reaches cruising altitude, such as airspeed, take-off angle, etc.

And it’s a similar case with object-oriented graphics. To draw a curved line, for example, your vector graphics program requires the coordinates of the two endpoints of the line. Once they’ve been traced, you can create a curve between them. The math will have been calculated in the background.

If a shape needs to be enlarged, numbers are added to the equation behind the scenes to render the same shape with the same quality, but much larger. Then colors and styles are added.

But object-oriented graphics don’t restrict you to simple 2D images; Incredibly detailed, almost photographic results can be achieved.

Increase size without decreasing quality

No matter how big you scale the object-oriented graphics, the quality will remain exactly the same; it will be 100% crisp and clear.

Compare this to raster graphics where images are made up entirely of colored squares known as pixels. Resizing these graphics forces the software to estimate which pixels will fill a larger image, which causes pixelation that gives a fuzzy, blurry effect.

The ability to increase the size of a vector without sacrificing quality is also closely related to file size. Even if your vector graphic is the size of a billboard, the file size will still be relatively small, especially when compared to a raster image.

This is because a vector file only records the information related to the objects on the graphic, i.e. coordinates, positions, etc., while raster graphics need to record each pixel of an image, resulting in a file size much older.

One disadvantage of vector graphics in the past was that it could not achieve anywhere near the realistic, photographic quality that could be achieved in a raster image. However, advances in software mean this is now more feasible, although the process can be time consuming.

Perfect for print and screen.

Vector graphics are used in websites, animations, and branding materials such as logos, letterheads, and flyers. A logo, for example, needs to be flexible and versatile in its design so that it can be applied in different sizes and on a variety of media from an A4 piece of paper to the side of a car.

The fact that you can easily scale vector graphics to any size makes this possible. And it’s not just in print where vector excels.

The format has also become popular on websites due to a combination of small file size, high quality, and compatibility with all major browsers and most smartphones.

Raster graphics, on the other hand, can boast high quality, but at the cost of a larger file size. The downside here is that a larger file forces page load times to increase, which could mean a potential visitor has to wait for a page to appear.

Vector graphics software makes it easy

As you can see, vector artwork is ideal for a number of situations, and with software readily available and far from expensive, there really are plenty of reasons to give it a try.

The tools are also easy to use, changes are made quickly, and the results are sharp and sophisticated, making it perfect for materials that represent your business.

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