"What's That?" Wednesday: Vector vs. Raster Graphics

Have we mentioned these terms to you and you are thinking in your head, "What language are you speaking?" If you are one of those people, we are here to help! Today, I will discuss the two types of digital graphics files: Vector and Raster.

Vector Graphics

Vector graphics are based on mathematical formulas that create lines and curves. This includes, but is not limited to, creative images, logos, and fonts. The most commonly used extensions for vector graphics are eps, ai (Illustrator), and pdf. A vector image will always appear to have smooth edges no matter how large or small you make it.

Raster Graphics

Raster graphics are images made of pixels which are countless tiny squares of color information. They are measured in DPI (dots per inch) and PPI (pixels per inch) where the higher both are, the better the resolution. The most widely used type of raster graphic is a photograph. The most commonly used extensions for raster graphics are jpg/jpeg, psd (Photoshop), png, and gif. You will lose image quality if you stretch a raster image. This is because you are working with the same amount of pixels on a larger scale, which is called pixelated.