TERMS: Computer Graphic

Raster Images/Bitmap Images

Raster Graphics/Bitmap Graphics

Any image that is made up purely of pixels. These files typically are produced in programs such as Photoshop, Procreate, etc.

Unlike Vector Graphics, Raster Images are resolution dependent, meaning the image resolution they start at cannot be changed without deleting or adding additional pixels that the computer has to create on its own. Therefore any image you make larger tends to look soft, or blurry, because as you enlarge the image the program tries to imagine what that image looks like bigger and generally does a poor job at doing so.

Vector Images/Vector Graphics

Vector Graphics are images that are created with lines and shapes in the computer using math to calculate the distance between various points. Unlike Raster or Bitmap Images, these graphics are resolution indep pendent, meaning they can be scaled to any size and always look perfect/sharp.

Vector Graphics tend to be much smaller in file size than Bitmap images. Artwork created in Adobe Illustrator, or similar programs, are sometimes referred to as Vector Images.

Many older designers may save their files in an older vector file format called EPS, so it is important to know that this file type is essentially the same thing that is created in Illustrator.

It is also important to know that although it may seem that only simplistic images can be created, in actuality very complex and photo-realistic images can also be created.