What is Vector?

All digital output devices (printers, fax machines, image-setters, plate-makers, etc.) use a basic grid to produce art. Each point on this grid (or pixel) is either filled or empty. Placing enough filled points together creates an image. When the grid is small enough, the human eye fails to see the separation between the points creating the appearance of a seamless image. The difference between vector art and raster art is in the way the points of this grid are filled or colored.

Vector art is based upon mathematical calculations. When an output device is told to print a vector image the grid is broken down into mathematical x and y coordinates. The output device is then told to fill the point at x2+y5. The output device is then told to fill the point at x23+y5. Finally the output device is told to fill all points between x2+y5 and x23+y5 no matter how many there may be. This creates a straight line between the two points. Filling the output grid this way ensures straight lines and clean edges that can be scaled, rotated or manipulated in other ways while maintaining the same mathematical equations. Each time the image is output the mathematical equation is recalculated based upon application settings and the output device's settings. These calculations can add or subtract points based upon the area available to reproduce the image.

Adobe Illustrator primarily creates vector artwork. Adobe Photoshop primarily creates raster art. Both Illustrator and Photoshop are capable of going beyond their standard format. It is possible to create raster art in Illustrator and vector art in Photoshop. However, learning to use the proper tool is extremely valuable. If you know your image will be scaled to fit many different needs, a logo for example, then vector art should be the your first inclination because it certainly would be the best solution.

Why Photoshop is not a vector tool . . .

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