What Is Vector?

[YaSHaRz]

Hello,
In the web design contest some people say they want the design to be vector what does that mean?

 

[JYM]

Well there are two kinds of images: vector and non-vector.

Non-vector is something like a .psd, or a .jpg, it is a picture that has a defined resolution. If you shrink it, it will be okay, but once you enlarge it it wlil become pixelated.

A vector is an image defined by mathematical formulas, so that it can be stretched or shrunk without affecting the image quality at all.

Hope this helps

 

[Varelse]

Check vector graphics definition at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics

 

[SKETCHi]

There are two types, vector and raster.

All web based images are raster, however the source files for those images can be vector. Vector is the plotting of points rather than the plotting of pixels, which is what raster is.

Vector images contain mathematically plotted points so that it is endlessly resizable. Raster on the other hand uses absolute pixel points, so if you try to blow it up you will eventually see the pixels.

The vector format is most often used for things like logos because they need to be used for a variety of things. All printed material is done in vector as well.

Raster is mainly used for websites, where the quality doesn't have to be top notch and the image and file sizes are small. All of the images that make up this website are raster. Flash on the other hand is vector.

 

[LeetPCUser]

Vector images are crazy. You can design a vector image and make it as small as a logo...or as big as a billboard add. Like other people have said it uses mathematical equations rather than set lines.