editable paths), and vector editors such as CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator are gradually adopting tools and approaches that were once limited to bitmap editors (e.g. 21st century versions of such editors support vector-like tools (e.g. Many contemporary illustrators use Corel Photo-Paint, Photoshop, GIMP, and other raster editors to make all kinds of illustrations. Raster editors are more suitable for retouching, photo processing, photo-realistic illustrations, collage, and hand drawn illustrations using a graphics tablet.
cartoons, clip art, complex geometric patterns), technical illustrations, diagramming and flowcharting.Īdvanced Raster editors (like Photoshop) use vector methods (mathematics) for general layout and elements such as text, but are equipped to deal with raster images down to the pixel and often have special capabilities in doing so, such as brightness/contrast, and even adding "lighting" to a raster image or photograph. Vector editors tend to be better suited for graphic design, page layout, typography, logos, sharp-edged artistic illustrations (e.g. The image is represented pixel by pixel, dot by dot, almost like a micro jigsaw puzzle where each pixel is a puzzle piece. This is the standard form for digital cameras whether it be. A raster image is made up of pixels, and is generally more photo-realistic. Each element is created and manipulated numerically essentially using Cartesian coordinates for the placement of key points, and then a mathematical algorithm to connect the dots and define the colors. Vector images are created mathematically (using formulas, as in geometry). The technical difference between Vector and Raster editors stem from the difference between vector and raster images. Vector graphics editors are often contrasted with raster graphics editors, yet their capabilities complement each other. Vector editors vs raster graphics editors Some editors specialize in the editing of photographs such as the popular Adobe Photoshop, while others are more geared to artist-created illustrations, like the Adobe Fireworks. Usually an image viewer is preferred over a raster graphics editor for viewing images. (February 2009)Ī raster graphics editor is a computer program that allows users to paint and edit pictures interactively on the computer screen and save them in one of many popular “ bitmap” or “ raster” formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF and TIFF. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article does not cite any references or sources.