Raster vs Vector.

Hariharan
2 min readJul 28, 2021

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Raster

A raster is filled with pixels or dots, arranged in a grid that creates the image. When you capture an image on your smartphone or digital camera, you can see colors of pixels when you magnify it.

Photo by Mehdi on Unsplash

Let’s take the above image of a sculpture’s head, for example, when we see it normally, there would be no pixels.

If we zoom in close to the sculpture’s face, we can see the pixels of colors.

Raster image file format:

.BMP, .TIF, .GIF, .JPG, .PNG

vector

A Vectors consist of paths. vectors are infinitely scalable and the edges of these images will smooth and continual lines regardless of their size. Because vector graphics are created more mathematically and uses lines and curves along defined paths within each image.

Vector illustration by Hariharan on Instagram

Let’s take the above image of a vector illustration, for example, there are no pixels in this illustration because every line, curve, and fill is a path completing the image.

If we zoom in close on the illustration face, it is impossible to see the pixels because they fill with paths.

Vector image file format:

.SVG, .EPS, .PDF, .AI, .DXF

Thank you.

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