Photoshop is primarily a raster drawing program, but due to popular demand it has included some basic vector tools. A raster object is one that is made of pixels. If you were to zoom all the way in to a raster image, you would be able to see the enlarged pixels that make up that image. Look below for an example of a raster object; in this case, the letter A.
A raster image is confined to those specific pixels. You can enlarge the letter digitally, but there will be no more information within the image. As you increase the size of the image, you lose quality.
A vector image is different. In mathematics a vector is (very basically) a line that is defined by an equation. Photoshop allows you to create lines that it defines by equations. When you create a vector image the lines that make up the edges of the shape can be increased digitally to whatever size you like without losing any quality. Take for example a basic paint program such as MS paint. When you use the circle tool you are using a vector to map out the edges of the circle. Once you draw the circle it has been turned into a raster image and cannot be enlarged without losing quality. In Photoshop you can do the same thing, but the program does not immediately convert it to a raster image, which allows you to freely edit the shapes you have created. To change a vector into a raster, which is appropriate for saving in JPEG format or printing on non-vector based printers move the cursor up to the top menu, click “Layer,” click “Rasterize,” and click the appropriate option you desire.
1 comment:
Very clearly explained. Thank you.
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