What Is the Difference Between a Vector and a Raster Image?
What is a vector image?
Vector graphics are made up of anchoring dots connected by lines and curves and are scalable without loss of image quality. They are are characterised as resolution independent since they are not depending on pixels, making them infinitely scalable.
No matter how big they are, their lines are precise and retain all of their quality and detail.
Also, because these graphics are device-independent, their quality is not influenced by factors like the number of dots on a printer or the number of pixels on a screen. The files are relatively compact because they are made up only of lines and anchor points.
What is a raster image?
A raster image is a specific size. If you make a raster larger, it will become "pixelated" and lose quality. That's because it is essentially made from a set of coloured squares.
If you remember old-school video game graphics. This is precisely how a raster image works, but with much smaller squares.
The resolution of a raster image is defined by dpi (dot per inch). The best resolution for screen/digital images is typically 72 dpi. The best resolution for print generally is 300dpi, although sometimes 150dpi is "acceptable.” That means any image will be around ¼ the size when printed.
What is the difference between vector and raster?
Vectors are scalable, and rasters are not - is the short answer. In reality, the two file formats tend to serve different purposes. Raster images are more "typical" and are used primarily for graphical work: photography, print, website images, digital artwork, etc.
Vector images are more "specialist" and are better for technical drawings, images that need to be scaled, high-accuracy plans, logo design, exporting to machines such as CNC, etc.
