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Posted on 20/08/07 4:59:07 PM |
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chris berry
Overhead Overlord Posts: 724 Reply  |
What does vector-based mean?
What does vector-based mean when working in Photoshop? Chris |
Posted on 20/08/07 5:04:46 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply  |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
This pertains to anything drawn with the shape or path tools. Instead of drawing directly on the document, vector based images use a mathematical algorithm to join nodes together with either lines or curves. True vector graphics are produced in programs such as Illustrator. _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 20/08/07 6:22:51 PM |
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chris berry
Overhead Overlord Posts: 724 Reply |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
Just to clarify - does that include anything drawn with the pen tool? |
Posted on 20/08/07 6:46:16 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7068 Reply  |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
It includes the paths, yes - but, obviously, not the pixels within those paths. So if you make a cutout using Pen paths and then enlarge the image, you can still use the path to create a perfectly smooth cutout, although the pixels within will suffer from the enlargement. |
Posted on 21/08/07 01:12:03 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply  |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
The simple way this was explained to me ( along time ago) is this: To create a line with a vector, you indicate the first and last point only. Like a rubber band; whatever is between those 2 points will be completed mathematically by the software; you stretch or move the points and the quality will remain constant. Even the line thickness. On the pixel (or "bitmap") approach, the software mathematically describes all individual points (pixels-bitmaps) between the first and last points. If you stretch, you just increase virtual space between points and create "pixellization" (the staircase effect, or alising). This is why, for a given size, a pictor using vector based graphics uses less space on your hard disk. But theya re a pain to draw. See this link for funky examples (go down to the lower part of the page and look at the pictures): http://basangpanaginip.blogspot.com/2006/07/worlds-most-photorealistic-vector-art.html Simplw, huh?  
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Posted on 21/08/07 10:27:43 AM |
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chris berry
Overhead Overlord Posts: 724 Reply |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
Now. after looking at that, I'm very scared. C |
Posted on 21/08/07 12:45:42 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply  |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
[edit] double post |
Posted on 21/08/07 12:45:54 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
lol, Pierre's example displays some of the more extreme talents with Illustrator's Mesh tool. But if you're doing any type of logos, graphics, or anything intended for print and fabrication (except photographs...) a vector based program is really the best way to go. This design was created in Corel Draw at the size of a playing card. The final design ended up on the hood of a racecar, without losing a bit of quality. Also, the filesize was a whopping 792 kb! 
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Posted on 21/08/07 12:52:13 PM |
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chris berry
Overhead Overlord Posts: 724 Reply |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
Great stuff |
Posted on 22/08/07 02:55:09 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply |
Re: What does vector-based mean?
Tank172 is right. Although I showed the extreme (which, BTW, comes from a link David Ash gave us a while back), vector based graphics are as useful and as common as pixel based images. They just have different applications. Just to make things even simpler...  _________________ |