Brief discussion about vector graphics

VECTOR GRAPHICS

Vector Graphics

a method of generating images that

uses mathematical descriptions to
determine the position, length, and
direction in which lines are to be
drawn.

Vector Graphics

an alternative to raster
graphics

THE ANATOMY OF
ILLUSTRATION

An ILLUSTRATION is composed
of different vector OBJECTS

Illustratio
n:

Objects:

Each OBJECT have one or more

PATHS

Paths:

Line Segments and Anchor Points:

PATHS are composed of LINE
SEGMENTS that usually have
ANCHOR POINTS at each end

Anchor Points
are the fundamental components
of any vector image
define the position and curve
properties of a line segment
Bezier
Curve

 Anchor Points may or may not have

CONTROL HANDLES
Each Point has one or two Control
Handles

Objects
Stroke can be applied to the PATH of
an object
Fill can be applied to the area
enclosed by the PATH

 Stroke may have properties such as

weight, color, Solid vs. Dashed, Line
Caps or Corners
Fill may have properties such as
Color, Uniform or Gradient, Pattern or
Texture

Common Vector Formats

SWF (Shockwave Flash)

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
AI (Adobe Illustrator)
CDR (CorelDRAW)
CMX (Corel Exchange)
CGM Computer Graphics Metafile
DXF AutoCAD
WMF Windows Metafile

Stroke
Examples:
Solid

Dashed

None

Pattern*

Fill Examples:
Linear
Gradient

Radial
Gradient

Pattern

Texture*

Path and Subpaths

Open or Closed

Open

Closed

Comparison on the two types of images

RASTER VS. VECTOR

Raster Image

Vector Image

WHEN TO USE VECTOR

GRAPHICS?

Resolution
Independen
You can increase and
tdecrease the size of
vector images to any
degree and your lines
will remain crisp and
sharp.

Rasterizingg
nizirotceV

Vector images can be

easily converted into
raster images but not
vice versa.

Vector
Raster

No
background
Vector objects can be
placed over other
objects, and the
object below will
show through.

DISADVANTAGES OF
VECTOR GRAPHICS

Cartoonish
Property
They're unsuitable for
producing photorealistic imagery.

TRN
Once converted to
Bitmap format, it
loses all its features.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

HISTORY OF ADOBE
ILLUSTRATOR

Initial Release
Version 2-5
Version 6-10
Versions CS (11) & CS2 (12)
Versions CS3 (13)

PARTS OF ADOBE
ILLUSTRATOR

Parts
Artboard
Scratch area
Toolbox
Pallets