Bitmaps Vs Vectors
Raster (Bitmaps) Images
Raster images are created through the process of scanning source artwork or "painting" with a photo editing or paint program such as Adobe PhotoShop. Resolution of a raster image or scanned image is expressed in terms of the dots per inch or dpi. A printer or scanner's resolution is also measured in dots per inch. Typical desktop laser printers print at 300 - 600 dpi. Image setters are capable of printing over 2,500 dpi. Printers with higher dpi ratings are capable of producing smoother and cleaner output. The output quality of a printing device is dependent upon the resolution (dpi) of a bitmap or scan. A 300 dpi raster image will output at the same quality on a 300 dpi laser printer as on a 2,500 dpi image setter. Take a 300 dpi bitmap and increase the size in a graphics program, and presto - you have created a bad case of the "jaggies". The only thing that happened is that the tiny pixel squares got bigger and created jaggy edges on your image. Decrease the size of your image and the squares get smaller. The image retains its original edge definition without producing "jaggies". In other words, raster images do not scale up very well. The quality of an imprint produced from a raster image is dependant upon the resolution (dpi) of the raster image, the capabilities of the printing technology and whether or not the image has been scaled up.
Vector Images
A vector file is a file that’s constructed from shapes that are defined by mathematical equations. As a result, when you zoom into a vector image, the quality remains sharp.
The fact that vectors are constructed using mathematical equations is their strength. It keeps the details in the image as high as possible, and means that if you want to change how large or how small you would like the image to be printed, you can do so without worrying about quality.
The fact that vectors are constructed using mathematical equations is their strength. It keeps the details in the image as high as possible, and means that if you want to change how large or how small you would like the image to be printed, you can do so without worrying about quality.
Materials
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Paint
- SnagIt (Screen Capturing)
- Microphone
- Computer
- Internet
There are two documents that were designed in Photoshop (Pixel) and in Illustrator (Vector). Document sizes are the same, but when you zoom in you see the differences between them. The file which is designed in Photoshop turns blurry when you zoom in because of the pixels. On the other hand, the file which is designed in Illustrator doesn't change when you zoom in because of the vector.
Raster (Bitmaps) - Paint
Raster (Bitmaps) - Photoshop
Vector Design - Adobe Illustrator
File Format Examples
Reflection Questions
- What is something you accomplished during this project that you are proud of? Creating my website
- What are the three most important things you learned during this project? The difference between bitmaps and vector images, the different programs that I can use to create the different images, and the history of these different graphics.
- What are six adjectives that best describe this project? challenging, different, distinctive, artistic, elaborate, detailed
- When you consider the rest of your life, what percentage of what you learned during this project do you think will be useful to you? 40%
- What advice would you give students who will participate in this project next year? Make sure you pick a topic that interests you, but also is on topic for the class.