What's the Difference Between Raster and Vector?

2 What is a vector image?

Unlike raster graphics, which are comprised of colored pixels arranged to display an image, vector graphics are made up of paths, each with a mathematical formula (vector) that tells the path how it is shaped and what color it is bordered with or filled by.

Since mathematical formulas dictate how the image is rendered, vector images retain their appearance regardless of size. They can be scaled infinitely. Vector images can be created and edited in programs such as ]]> Illustrator]]>,]]> CorelDraw]]>, and ]]> InkScape]]> (don’t worry, these visual editors do the math for you).

Though vectors can be used to imitate photographs, they’re best-suited for designs that use simple, solid colors. Vector images are comprised of shapes, and each shape has its own color; thus, vectors cannot achieve the color gradients, shadows, and shading that raster images can (it is possible to mimic them, but it requires rasterizing part of the image – which means it would not be a true vector). ]]> True vector graphics are comprised of line art,]]> sometimes called wireframes, that are filled with color.

Because vectors can be infinitely scaled without loss of quality, they’re ]]> excellent for logos]]>, illustrations, engravings, etchings, product artwork, signage, and embroidery. Vectors should not be used for digital paintings or photo editing; however, they’re perfect for projects such as printing stickers that do not include photos.

It’s important to note that, with the exception of the ]]> SVG format]]>, vectors must be rasterized before they can be used on the web.

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How are raster images and vector graphics different?

We’ve covered the key differences, advantages, and disadvantages between raster and vector graphics in their respective explanations; now, let’s break them down for comparison purposes. Here are the three most important differences between raster and vector.

1. Pixels versus math

Since raster images are comprised of colored pixels arranged to form an image, they cannot be scaled without sacrificing quality. If you enlarge a raster, it will pixelate, or become blurry. The lower its resolution (pixels-per-inch), the smaller the image must be to maintain quality.

In contrast, the mathematical equations that form the foundations for vectors recalculate when they’re resized; thus, you can infinitely scale a vector graphic and maintain crisp, sharp edges.

The difference is easy to see when you zoom on in a raster versus a vector; you can see individual pixels in the raster file, but the vector is still smooth. With vectors, resolution is not a concern.

Raster images are capable of displaying a myriad of colors in a single image and allow for color editing beyond that of a vector image. They can display finer nuances in light and shading at the right resolution. Vector images are scalable, so that the same image can be designed once and resized infinitely for any size application - from business card to billboard.

2. True-to-life graphics

Though it’s possible to make a vector resemble a photograph, the minute nuances of blended colors, shading, shadows, and gradient make it impossible to get a true-to-life representation of a photograph with vectors. Even if it were possible, the process would be excruciatingly tedious, as every color change would require a new shape to be created.

Rasterized effects can be added to vectors, but it’s not the same as a true vector and things like scalability and resolution become factors to consider.

Rasterized images, on the other hand, are perfectly capable of rendering true-to-life graphics: visually-perfect color blends, shades, gradients, and shadows. Of course, unlike vectors, they’re still limited by dimensional size and resolution.

3.File type and size

The most common raster file types include JPG, GIF, PNG, TIF, BMP, and PSD. The most common vector file types are AI, CDR, and SVG. Both rasters and vectors can be rendered in EPS and PDF format, where the software that created the file dictates whether it’s a raster or vector file.

Common vector creation and editing programs include Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, and InkScape. The most popular raster editors are Photoshop (which has limited vector capabilities) and GIMP.

Because rasterized images must contain all the information necessary to render the image (pixels, colors, arrangement of pixels, etc.), they can have large file sizes – and the higher resolution and dimensional size, the larger the file.

Compression can help minimize those file sizes, but compared to vectors, rasters take up a lot of space. Why? Since vectors rely on calculations to be performed by the programs that load them, the only information they need to contain are their mathematical formulas.

This table compares some of the differences, advantage (pros), and disadvantages (cons) between raster and vector images.