Bitmap or Vector Format?
Bitmap or Vector Format?
Vector images are based on
pixel patterns that are edited by the lines and curves that make up the image being
manipulated through a program like Adobe Illustrator. Whereas Bitmap Images use
draw lines and curves using mathematical formulas which can be combined to
create an image from geometric objects such as circles and polygons.
Vector images are often a lot
smaller than Bitmap images due to a Bitmap image having to store colour
information for each individual pixel that constructs the image, while a Vector
image only has to store the mathematical formula that makes up the image,
therefore taking up less space.
Also, Vector images are able to be enlarged while keeping a high quality, with crisp lines and edges because when they are scale dup, the mathematical formula is used to redraw the image, resulting in an almost exact, smooth copy. But, Bitmap images begin to show individual pixels of the image, which is especially noticeable on the edges of the image. The pixelated edges of a scaled up Bitmap image can be made less obvious, although this will often cause the image to become blurry and appear out of focus.
Also, Vector images are able to be enlarged while keeping a high quality, with crisp lines and edges because when they are scale dup, the mathematical formula is used to redraw the image, resulting in an almost exact, smooth copy. But, Bitmap images begin to show individual pixels of the image, which is especially noticeable on the edges of the image. The pixelated edges of a scaled up Bitmap image can be made less obvious, although this will often cause the image to become blurry and appear out of focus.
Image formats JPEG, PNG and GIF are all Bitmap formats and are the sot common formats for images found on the internet, but all major browsers do support the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format. The reason most images on the internet are Bitmap is because this is the best format for photos and images with gradients. The Vector format is best used for images with large blocks of colour and little gradient, such as logos.
The pixelated edges of the Bitmap format can however be used to create interesting effects. When drawing on a device, the ‘airbrush’ or ‘paintbrush’ for example, will appear to have a gradient along the edge of them which makes the effect look more realistic and natural and have a slight glow. The pixels of Bitmap edges will create this gradient appearance, while the Vector format would be for ‘ink’ or ‘drawing’.