Vector vs. Bitmap Images

Images used in magazines, on the internet, and other places for advertisements or any other form of graphics may look the same when fully completed, but when you take a closer look there are differences. Images can either be vector or bitmap images, which, when looked at very carefully, have plenty of differences.

A vector image is created on the computer with editing programs such as Adobe Illustrator. A vector image, when magnified, looks completely the same as when it is at it's original size. The use of shapes and other types of graphics in these computer editing programs allow vector images to retain their sizes when distorted.

A bitmap image is created with pixels, which means when it is magnified upon or distorted in another way, it tends to get ruined. A bitmap image may not be easier to play around with when editing, however it looks a lot better when it is in it's original size when compared to a vector image.

This is a good example of a vector image that also shows the differences between vector and bitmap images when enlarged. As you can see, when the image is magnified by seven, the vector image stays the same and you can clearly see the word "ice" on the magnified label. If the image was a bitmap, however, you can barely see the word on the label, and the pixels are very noticeable. The more you were to magnify on a bitmap image, the more noticeable the pixels would become.

This is an example of a photograph taken of a flower. The image is obviously a bitmap image due to the fact that you can see the pixels in the photograph. The picture is zoomed in in order to show the pixels. The place that the bitmap pixels are most noticeable are on the edge of the rose and in the center of it, where the color transitions are the greatest.

This photo shows an original photo of a person, and then the vectored version of that photo. As you can see, the person stil looks very similar to the original, but you can tell that it was created on a computer. Various shapes, colors, and blending techniques were used in order to create the vector image. You also have the option to do whatever you want when creating a vector image. For example, the person who decided to make the vector of version of this female altered her hair in order to make it purple. This is one of the many benefits of vector images.