Bitmap Images versus Vector Images - Understanding Graphic Types

When it comes to computer graphics, there are many of programs about for creating, manipulating, and saving image files. Although images can be done and stored in different programs and will have different file types or extensions, when considering down to business, all digital images are classified as either vector images or bitmap images.

In very general terms, the gap between bitmap and vector images is the way the computer reads and displays the picture. Bitmap Images
The most typical image type is bitmap. All scanned images and pictures from digital cameras are bitmaps. Web images are almost always bitmaps.
Bitmaps, sometimes called rastor images, depend on individual pixels which can be mapped into a grid. The complete height and width of the grid depends upon the image's resolution.



So what is a pixel? A pixel (or Picture Element) is just a dot of color. 100px x 100 pixel bitmap image is actually comprised of 10,000 individual pixels that, when viewed together in general, constitute the image.
Since bitmaps are dependent upon resolution, it is not easy to increase or decrease their size without image quality. Bitmap images are the most appropriate for photographs and images with complex color variations.

Vector images are made of well defined geographical shapes, lines, and curves, essentially points connected by lines of various sizes and shapes which can then contain color. Vector images are mathematically derived with the computer and never determined by pixels. Vector images are more ideal for logos and illustrations, particularly those that want precise measurements.
Because vector images are highly scalable, they are often used to create logos. Vector images may also have transparent backgrounds, making them easy to place or layer on top of other graphics. Vector images can easily be transformed into bitmaps, but a bitmap image can't be as fast transformed into a vector image.

Image Source : http://vector-images.org/the-advantages-of-vector-images

 

Why Choose Vector Images?

Should you be employed in the skill or graphics business, the de-facto software for vector based image editing and creation is Adobe Illustrator. This program functions by allowing you to assist vector based images, layouts and fashions, in a short time and easily. Other individuals like Photoshop cs4 accommodate true image editing to occur with brushes and effects, whereas Illustrator deals mainly with geometrical shapes and patterns. The vector file contains different elements which can be known as "objects". The start and end points are known as anchor points as well as the points in-between that can cause the curve or surface shape are classified as vector points.

Another benefit of using vector images is they aren't dependent upon the look size. In Photoshop, if you try to increase or decrease the size of the picture, you have distorted pixels, but as vector images provide points on the watch's screen, the photos could be resized without affecting the complete quality. Vector images look better on devices who have a higher resolution or size but work perfectly well on smaller screens for example smartphones. The Illustrator image can be stretched to your proportions mainly because it is not going to lose it's quality. A Photoshop image, which can be produced from single dots filling a canvas will result in the crooks to become distorted should they be stretched.