Most modern color raster formats represent color using 24 bits (over 16 million distinct colors), with 8 bits (values 0–255) for each color channel (red, green, and blue). By understanding the difference between these two image types, you’ll be able to create better-quality graphics for your projects. This simple guide will explain the differences between raster vs. vector image types and go over the common uses, the pros and cons of each one, and describe when you should use one over the other. Vector graphics are often used for product artwork because they’re scalable, meaning they can be easily resized for use on everything from matchbooks to billboards.

That’s not the case when working with vectors since they can scale to any size. Raster graphics are resolution dependent, meaning they cannot scale up to an arbitrary resolution without loss of apparent quality. This property contrasts with the capabilities of vector difference between raster and vector graphics, which easily scale up to the quality of the device rendering them. Raster graphics deal more practically than vector graphics with photographs and photo-realistic images, while vector graphics often serve better for typesetting or for graphic design.

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When you zoom in on an image, the pixels become more apparent while the details of the image become blurry. A source of high-quality vector graphics offering a huge variety of premade character designs, graphic design bundles, Adobe Character Animator puppets, and more. When you’re preparing a file for print, it’s essential to save the text as outlines. When the printer opens your file, it may not have all of the fonts used in the file. If the printer doesn’t have a font, the program will convert the text to another font. How many pixels you use and how you organize them allows for some flexibility in image compression, or making image files smaller while retaining as much quality as possible.

• The vector image consists of mathematical formulas that control the path of the image.
• However, they are unsuitable for projects involving different software.
• When you’re preparing a file for print, it’s essential to save the text as outlines.
• For example, you can save a vector file in .svg format using Adobe Illustrator, but only the active artboard saves.
• Vector images can be transformed into Raster graphics to port between systems.

Other common raster images include 3D graphics, abstract backgrounds, and watercolor backgrounds. Vector and  Raster graphics are two types of digital graphics used in various projects. The vector image consists of mathematical formulas that control the path of the image. While a raster image comprises of a series of individual colored pixels. A vector image’s formulaic makeup keeps file sizes to a minimum in comparison to its raster counterparts.

What’s the difference between vector and raster images?

Aside from providing the ability to scale up in size without losing quality, vectors also provide more flexibility. You can design an image in vector format and later save it as a raster image file if needed. This is another advantage for vectors in the raster vs vector comparison. When you take a picture with a phone or camera, the image is recorded as pixel data. When these images are uploaded online, the end result is a raster image.

This gives them the adaptability for whatever size the user needs. In addition to JPEGs, PNGs, and GIFs, mentioned above, raster graphics also consist of BMPs, TIFFs, and many other more specialized formats. Headers may also include the number of rows, georeferencing parameters for geographic data, or other metadata tags, such as those specified in the Exif standard. Overall, it is important to ask yourself at the start of the designing process what it is that you are designing, and what style you are aiming to achieve. Whether it is a poster, book cover or logo design, once you have a clear vision it will be easy to decide to choose between a raster and a vector image.

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It’s most important that you understand the difference between the two file types so that you’re best prepared to choose the right file for the right occasion. While vectors do incorporate math, you can leave your advanced calculus degree at the door when working with them. Native tools in programs like Adobe Illustrator allow designers to create vector graphics quickly and easily. Vector graphics are very useful in many circumstances — they have small file sizes and are highly scalable, so they don’t pixelate when zoomed in or blown up to a large size.

They’re made of paths and curves dictated by mathematical formulas. These paths and curves are produced exclusively through software designed for vectors, like Adobe Illustrator or Sketch. Due to their algorithmic makeup, vectors are infinitely scalable, and remain smooth and crisp even when sized up to massive dimensions.

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When you’re saving to a legacy version, you may see a warning about data that will be lost. We have millions of free vectors that can be used in your personal and commercial design projects. Take product photos, for example — their quality can make or break an ecommerce store. Online vendors want their photos as realistic as possible so the customer can make a more accurate judgement of what it’s like in person.

Being significantly different in nature, the two kinds of graphics have different uses, strengths, and weaknesses. Why go through all the extra effort when raster graphics can do just fine? Vectors retain the same resolution no matter the size because the pixels are not fixed, they’re dictated (or calculated) by the image dimensions. A vector graphic always looks its best, no matter whether a thumbnail or a hero image.

Flexibility of vector and raster

The video below shows just how effective pixel imaging can be at lower resolutions. For a frame of reference, high definition photos are 300 DPI or more, while standard definition photos are around 72 DPI. Additionally, the individual elements of vector files can be edited in software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape at any time. With many different graphic file types available, choosing the right one is an important part of the design process. Here, we’ll talk about raster vs. vector, the details of each, and when they should be used.

Because of lossless compression their file sizes tend to be big, but the indexed color palette reduces the image quality as well. If you want a video clip that’s quick (within a few seconds) and don’t need sound, GIFs are the best choice. Raster images are best for displaying digital photography and graphics that have a lot of detailed and subtle gradations in color.

Some programs, like Adobe Photoshop, can open vector files, but they don’t offer the capability for editing vector files or creating new vector graphics files. For example, in Photoshop, you can open a vector image, view it, or print it. However, you won’t be able to edit the vector file without rasterizing it.