What is a "vector image"?

[LeetPCUser]

What is a vector image and how do I create one? Please pm me and let me know.

 

[HHDomains]

There are two main types of images. Vector and Bitmap.
Bitmap images are pixel based so if you enlarge them they will lose resolution.
Vector images are object based and can be resized without loss of resolution.

To create vector images you need vector software such as Adobe Illustrator.

 

[user-7256]

or Macromedia Fireworks! ^_^ (i LOVE that program!)

 

[LeetPCUser]

so if i design something inside of photoshop I can save it as a psd then open it in illustrator?

~Bryan

 

[HHDomains]

You can open it in Illustrator but it won't be a vector file.
Photoshop only creates bitmap files. The file will still not resize like a vector file.

 

[abs636]

I need to get Fireworks...

 

[will7]

Just to elaborate a bit ...

A bitmap file contains a raster image made up of small dots called "pixels". When the image is resized, these pixels, too, are resized which gives loss of quality because they are just enlarged, not changed in any other way.

A vector image, however, is made up of many mathematical formulae which tell the program to draw a line from point-to-point. When this type of image is resized, then the mathematical formulae are simply changed accordingly giving perfect quality, no matter what the image size

That's the difference between a vector image and a raster image. There are lots of programs that can be used for creating vector images, including:

Adobe Illustrator
Macromedia Fireworks
CorelDraw
Xara X1
Macromedia Flash

It's not just Fireworks and Illustrator

 

[trifolic]

Photoshop will also allow you to do vector as well, its just more of a pain, using shapes the PEN tool and just about all fonts are vector.

 

[ThreeD]

Illustrator and Flash are both good for vector based graphics as well It all really depends on what you want to do..what kind of vector gfx..

 

[zaros64]

get the 2CD version of the .net UK magazine.. has fireworks,flash and dreamweaver MX 2k4 on it for free

 

[will7]

Photoshop will also allow you to do vector as well, its just more of a pain, using shapes the PEN tool and just about all fonts are vector.

Photoshop does very limited vector design. It'll do outlines and shapes, but try doing gradients and anything else even merely advanced and you'll be screwed.

I can not deny that Photoshop does vector design, but what I can say is that it does terrible vector and is really not worth the bother !!

 

[little_china]

thank you for bringing this topic up! however, can you point us to online tutorials for these vector-creating programs? thank you so much!