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Bitmap Vector Images

This document provides an overview of bitmap and vector images. Bitmap images use a grid of pixels to represent colors, so they are resolution dependent and do not scale well. Vector images use mathematical equations to define shapes and colors, so they are resolution independent and can be resized without losing quality. The document includes examples showing how bitmap images become blurry when enlarged while vector images maintain crisp edges at different magnifications.

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32 views

Bitmap Vector Images

This document provides an overview of bitmap and vector images. Bitmap images use a grid of pixels to represent colors, so they are resolution dependent and do not scale well. Vector images use mathematical equations to define shapes and colors, so they are resolution independent and can be resized without losing quality. The document includes examples showing how bitmap images become blurry when enlarged while vector images maintain crisp edges at different magnifications.

Uploaded by

Q brg
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Guide

Bitmap and vector images


Bitmap images (also called raster images) use a rectangular grid of picture elements (pixels) to represent images.
Each pixel is assigned a specific location and color value to make the image. When you create bitmaps, you (using
your graphics program) essentially decide the color for each pixel. Graphics and photographs saved as GIFs or JPEGs
are bitmapped formats. Because bitmaps assign colors pixel by pixel, they are very good at representing gradations of
shade and color. If you import a GIF or JPEG, it will remain bitmapped in Adobe Photoshop.
Bitmap images are resolution-dependent. This means the size and quality of the image depends on the number of
pixels per inch in the image. Images saved for on-screen display have a resolution of 72 pixels per inch because that's
all most monitors can handle. Images saved for print should have at least 300 pixels per inch.
In contrast to bitmaps, vector images are not created pixel by pixel. Instead, vector graphics maintain crisp edges and
lose no detail when resized, because they make use of mathematical equations to calculate a line's shape. These
equations are stored in the image and determine the image's dimensions, color, shape, and thickness. The actual shape
is rendered (or drawn) on the screen at view time.
Because they use equations and not pixels, vector images are not resolution-dependent. As a result, vector images are
great for visual elements, such as logos, that will be used at various sizes. When you import images from Adobe
Illustrator, these are generally vector images. You also create vector images in Photoshop when you draw shapes on
shape layers.

Scaled bitmap and vector images


Because bitmaps are composed of individual pixels, they tend to scale poorly. That is, when you try to increase their
size, their edges become blurry (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Example of a bitmap image at different levels of magnification

Vector images, on the other hand, scale well, because they rely on mathematical equations to determine their
appearance (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Example of a vector graphic at different levels of magnification

© 2013 Adobe Systems Incorporated Bitmap and vector images 1

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