Bitmap To Vector : Differences

By Author: Briley D.
Total Articles: 3
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Before an image is converted from bitmap to vector, it is important that one understands the difference of the two file formats. The major difference between these two major image file types of when comparing bitmap to vector is the fact that Bitmap images are built from single discrete dots called pixels.

There are a number of different picture file types in use today; file type is usually dependent on the type of image producing software or hardware. For example, most digital cameras and real life image capturing machines will always produce images in bitmap formats with the quality being determined by the settings on the device or the device’s hardware.

Before an image is converted from bitmap to vector, it is important that one understands the difference of the two file formats. The major difference between these two major image file types of when comparing bitmap to vector is the fact that Bitmap images are built from single discrete dots called pixels. The difference is colours of the pixels are achieved through intelligent mixing of red, blue and yellow colours in different percentages for every pixel.

Vector ...
... images are made up of vectors; these are a series of geometrical shapes and lines or strokes. The image shapes are achieved through passing the lines through a series of locations known as control points. Increasing the size of bitmap images results in a significant increase in the size of the pixels forming the image, the result is degraded image quality. Vector images however are able to maintain their quality no matter the size. Artists perform bitmap to vector conversions where significant manipulation of the image size is required.

In order to increase the quality of a bitmap image especially for use in higher resolution displays, the pixel density has to increase significantly, this result in larger file sizes. Vector images on the on the other hand remain the same no matter the size, the result is high quality images. Graphic designers also perform bitmap to vector conversions when they require higher quality images without significant increase in file size.

It is for this reason that most graphic designs such as logos, emblems and corporate brand images have to be converted from bitmap to vector whenever they need to be printed out on t-shirts, banners and outdoor branding media.

Bitmap images usually appear rough in nature especially at lower resolutions as compared to vector images displayed on the same resolution. Converting from bitmap to vector allows for significant change in picture quality without any change in the resolution. Vector images are very ideal for final printouts especially where quality is a major concern.

Some graphic software are compatible with both bitmaps and vector images, however, the most universal type of image file types today are bitmaps. Images that have been converted from bitmap to Vector may be incompatible with most common image viewing applications. This can be solved by through installing the necessary compatible application software such as pdf viewers which are able to open the vector file formats. Unless an image has been created in vector format, it is important to remember that the final quality of the image is still dependent on the capture device. For such instance bitmap to vector conversion may not significantly improve the image quality. The use of vector in this case simply prevents further degradation of the image quality.
Resource: http://www.xhtmlchop.com/bitmap-to-vector.html