Graphics Vs Images – Understand the Difference

Today, graphics on one’s computer could be vector or raster images. An image primarily comprises several individual pixels in the form of a grid called a bitmap. A raster graphic is a bitmap, whichis a collection of several thousand small pixels. Each of these pixels or squares are made of a specific shade or hue and is a physical point in your picture. Similar to an atom, a pixel is the smallest component of an image seen on a screen. You may think they are of no significance. However, when put together, they are parts of the bigger image. Most people get confused as to what the differences between them are coming to raster and vector images. Let us look at the vector vs raster comparison.

Pixel-Based Raster Images

You could use raster graphics to create digitised photographs, detailed graphics, and artworks that have been scanned.Non-line art images rely on raster graphics because they include undefined lines and shapes, chromatic gradations, and mixed composition. However, raster images suffer because they are based on pixels. Hence, they are victims of image degradation. Suppose you’ve noticed how your pictures get blurry and destroyed when zoomed in.This is what happens to a raster image. This is because when they are blown up, you begin to see the small, individual pixels that the representation is made up of. However, often they can give a slightly softer appearance than the original picture by scaling down.  

A resolution-specific format for the raster image is to be kept in mind while looking to increase its quality. This means that the image is held at a single resolution, measured in dpi or dots per inch and is defined. Remember that the more the dpi, the better the image resolution. Also, keep in mind that the resolution you see is dependent on not the internal system by the output capacity. This means you should only use HD images if your device is suitable to depict them. 

Unfortunately, everything comes at a price, including resolution. High-resolution raster images are much larger than the low-resolution ones. So, compared to vector images, raster files may be too expensive, take too long to load and print, and most importantly, challenging to work with. Even today, several images are displayed in raster such as photographs in formats like TIFF, JPEG, GIF, PCX and BMP. Despite all the trouble it gives, raster files are still regarded as a standard. However, we know that they are going to be replaced by vector files that are gaining popularity very soon. 

The More Structured Vector Images

Entirely based on mathematical formulae defining geometry such as lines, curves, polygons, and rectangles, vector images differ broadly from pixel-based raster images. Vector images are made up of geometry,so they are used to create images that are more structured like line art and uniform colours. They are used to create logos, fonts and letterheads as well. 

It is not surprising that vector files are easier to work with than raster files since they are flexible, versatile, and easy to use. When compared to raster images, they can be quickly and correctly be scaled as well and unlike raster images, they have no limit to sizing images. Like how all numbers in mathematics abide by the same rules, all vector graphics can also be quickly rendered with size. 

Moreover, vector graphics are not dependent on resolutions like raster ones. They have no fixed resolution from the start; hence they can display whatever resolution the output device renders them with.  They also tend to be smaller than raster files as they don’t require to memorise all the pixels that the image is made up of.  There is no doubt that vector images are much more versatile, efficient, and comfortable to work with. Some of the standard vector files that we usually work with are in EPS, AI, SVG, and PDF formats. 

It is easy to convert a vector file into a raster image; however, going the opposite way can be painstaking. In this scenario, there is a chance for the image to reduce in size drastically.