Vectorial Images Vs Bitmaps

Image files are divided into two major categories: vector images and bitmap images. Both types of file are used for creating icons, but they are differentiated by what they are made of. For beginning we can say vector images are built of lines and curves while bitmap images are built of small dots (square shape) called pixels which are displayed in a grid. Having only these few information about the two categories of files we can say that they are dissimilar.

An image calculated based in its dimensions is called Vectorial.These images are represented by geometrical traces controlled with mathematical formulas that allows you to enlarge an image as much as you want without loosing quality and details (like the example below)

When you manipulate each point you are sending information to your computer, telling it to move every curve and line that builds the whole image.

You can do a lot of stuff with a vectorial programs like (Corel or, Illustrator) they allow you to reflex, move, rotate, warp figures loads of actions to give shape to a form, you can also change the order In the Z exe (this is the one that defines deepness in 3D) you can build up images from primary forms in order to get a complex object.Also you can animate vectorial images whit softwares like flash ( to turn into .Swf files)

ADVANTAGES

*the plane coloured images allows user to save them in smaller files (compacted ones) such as (.Ai),(.Cdr),(.Fla) the most known.

*A vectorial image can be taken at its maximum large size (as big as it can get) and it won’t be deformed you will have the same quality like when the image was in its small size.

*You can rotate , twirl, wrinkle and play along with it and it won’t lose its quality even if you make zoom on it.

*You can change characteristics like lines color, thickness, filled and whatever the program allows you to do.

*Vectorial images can be very useful if you need to work with a cutting plotter for example as the plotter recognizes the lines where it needs to be cut (the material).

*Vectorial images can be animated with some softwares like (.Fla) it allows you to animate vectorial images.

DISADVANTAGES

*One of the biggest disadvantages of vectorial images comes along when you make complex effects such as shadows and degrades,the files will acquire more KB weigh than a bitmap image.

*Vectorial can’t be used to make photorealistic images, as they use plane colors, that in fact can be manipulated but it will never reproduce the sutil color variations called pixels which a bitmap image can indeed.(a bitmap image is made with information rectangles which contain color information called pixels those are the little spots that form the whole image, if we make a zoom on the image we will see the spots that conform it. In some Formats like (.Jpg)(.Gif)(Bmp)(.Tif)(.Png)

Wen you make a zoom in a bitmap image, you end up seeing the pixels(the little squares) that conform it like in the example above.
Bitmap images, we have already mentioned that they are made of small, squared points arranged in grids, called pixels. Each pixel is assigned a certain position and color that is seen at its best quality only at a certain resolution. If the resolution at which you are viewing the image is not the correct one then the bitmap image will not be a quality one.

*It is easier with Bitmap images than with vector ones to make cool effects like degrades, shadows and play with opacity too.

Now you Have this two concepts of both formats clearly understood . Although, regarding the quality of the icons and the easiness to work with them the best format is the vector one, it has some disadvantages too: for the vector files used on the Internet they all require plug-ins, for printing certain vector file types it is required a PostScript printer to print properly, etc. This is why, presently, the most commonly used file formats are the bitmap formats.

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