The most common vector formats are:

• EPS – the most common format developed by Adobe in the PostScript language, supported by most special programs.
• DWG – format known to all engineers and designers, developed by Autodesk, used in the universal drawing program AutoCAD. Incompatible with earlier and later versions. Can be opened in Corel Draw.
• CDR – a format designed for the editor Corel Draw. Not compatible with other formats and their own early versions.
• AI – files that are created by the editor Adobe Illustrator. May be incompatible with earlier and later versions.
• FLA – working format of Adobe Flash, focused on animation. Using the Action Script language allows you to create manageable scripts.
• SVG – a format based on markup language XML. Its structure is a text file, which makes it possible to edit vector files in a text editor. Manipulation of image attributes is possible with the help of CSS stylesheets. There is support for animation.
• SWF is the format for the Flash Player. It allows you to work with animation.

Advantages and disadvantages of vector graphics

Among the main advantages of vector images are such features:

• Relatively small file sizes with moderate to little complexity and detail in the pictures. The volume can increase significantly with the number and complexity of details.
• Ability to easily edit and scale images, rotate, stretch, move and other operations without degradation of quality.
• Versatility. A file created once in vector format can be used for different media and purposes without changing it substantially. This can be a small picture on the site, and full-size banner outdoor advertising. No need to render the image again each time, as it has to do when working with bitmap graphics.
• Easily translate vector format into bitmap. The reverse translation is much more difficult.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, intersection, addition over objects.
• Relatively easy to learn how to work with vector drawings.

In addition to the advantages, vector graphics has disadvantages. The main disadvantages of this method of image processing are as follows:

• Technical limitations in use. Vector format does not allow to make images of high complexity with a significant number of details and gradients. Technically it is possible, but the final files will be too large, which makes the work senseless.
• Lack of vector support technique – cameras, cameras, scanners. All this equipment performs the creation of graphics in raster format.
• There are problems with compatibility between different formats and software for working with vector graphics. They often compete with each other. As a result, when using “non-native” software it is not possible to get a quality image without defects.
• Increased system requirements to the computer when rendering complex images. This is due to the fact that the file contains only coordinates. Rendering is performed after it is opened, which may require considerable resources.
• Increased complexity and laboriousness of creating high-quality images.
• Restrictions on the use of effects. The principle of vector graphics does not allow the use of many effects, gradients and shadows.

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This principle of building a digital image makes it possible to scale it, change size without reducing quality, change shape, and regroup primitives to create new drawings based on the original objects. Vectorization of schemes and drawings – that is where the properties of such graphics come in handy. In addition, such a file takes up much less space than a bitmap file, which contains a considerable amount of information, including data about each pixel, its coordinates, color, and other parameters.

Where vector graphics are used

Given what is vector graphics, it is clear that its scope includes various areas where it is important to obtain graphic images of high accuracy, which can be modified and scaled while maintaining high quality.

The main areas of vector application include such industries:

• advertising production;
• printing production;
• architecture and design;
• preparation of drawings, diagrams, maps;
• printed publications, etc.

In addition, vector capabilities are used in many other industries as well, for example, when creating design developments.

The difference between a vector and a raster

The differences lie in the principle of image formation. Raster format uses colored pixels on a graphical grid, from which the picture is created. This allows you to create a high level of quality graphics and provide a high level of editing accuracy. However, the size of files with high detail can be just enormous. Another major disadvantage of a raster is the limitations on scaling. As you enlarge the image, the pixels move away from each other, so the quality of the picture deteriorates.

Vector Graphics are simple mathematical objects (points, lines, curves, etc.) that are arranged by coordinates and described by formulas. It does not require too much storage space, which reduces the size of the files. The most important plus of the vector is the possibility of unlimited scaling without loss of quality. Images can also be easily edited.

Clearly the differences between the two types of digital graphics can be demonstrated on the example of images made by both methods.

In this picture you can clearly see the problems with the scalability of bitmap images. When it is enlarged, it gets “washed out” and breaks up into pixels. At a certain point, the quality becomes unacceptably low. An image in a vector, on the contrary, can be scaled up and stretched almost endlessly, with no loss of quality.

Note that graphics made in vector format can easily be converted to bitmap. For example, a vector-drawn scheme, map or drawing can be scaled and then converted to a bitmap of desired resolution. The reverse conversion is much more difficult, and always leads to deterioration of quality.

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