Vector Graphics

Vector Graphics are a method of organising image data, to reduce the file size. It involves specifying an image in terms of shapes rather than individual pixels. This makes the amount of storage space needed to store the actual image much smaller than if the image was to be displayed in raster graphics. However, a program is required to be able to translate the shapes into an actual display, and since this program uses a large amount of data, only a few very large programs are able to display vector graphics.

The other way to organise image data is with raster graphics, which is basically bitmapped images using pixels.

The effect of this is that a specific program is needed to read the image, but this pogram can then display a much higher quality of image, as it renders the image in relation to the display required. This means that when the user zooms into an image, then the objects will actually be produced to look larger, and not appear blurry. This contrasts to when a bitmapped image is enlarged, and the individual pixels are just changed to appear larger, with no more detail.

The disadvantage of Vector Graphics is that a specific program is needed to display it, as the format is not so general.

What vector graphics actually does, is it specifies different characteristics of an object, such as the position, size, shape etc. allowing the program to display an image as it is programmed to, within set conditions.