Vector is the file format you use when the image is made with paths and fills, It's the only format you can cut vinyl from. Raster would be used for photos, complex images, gradation colors and all other images containing more than two or three colors. Raster images can only be printed. Vector images can be printed or computer cut.

These terms are used to classify the type of data a graphics file contains. Raster files (also called bitmapped files) contain graphics information described as pixels, such as photographic images. Vector files contain data described as mathematical equations and are typically used to store line art and CAD information. Vector files have the additional capability of being scaleable meaning that ordinarily, no image editing is necessary.

The raster image size is based upon the resolution (dpi) and the physical size of the image. The vector file size is based upon the number of vectors required to represent the raster file: Say the raster image is comprised of curved lines and the vectorizing software mode selected only creates vector files comprised of straight lines, arcs and circles. In this mode the resultant vectors of the curves have to be represented by an arc, or a line or a circle.

If you have raster artwork (jpg, gif, psd, tif, bmp, Photoshop eps) or vector artwork with placed graphics, you can get the files converted into a useable format by CopyArtwork.Com for as little as $14.00. To get your art converted, visit CopyArtwork.Com by clicking the "Convert my file" link below CopyArtwork.Com will provide you an Illustrator file of your art in vector format. They will also provide a jpg for your viewing purposes only. Turnaround is 24-48 hours.

A raster image is a scanned or placed image that can be in color, gray scale, or black and white, whose clarity is dependent upon the resolution. The resolution of a raster graphic is the number of dots, pixels or lines per inch of graphic. Therefore, the higher the resolution, the crisper the image.

A raster image is roughly equivalent to a newspaper photograph. If you look closely you see that it is made up of lots of small dots. The density of these dots is referred to by resolution, measured in dots per inch (stated as 'dpi'). Raster files are stored in many file formats, TIFF is a common example. Vectors are used to describe specific objects defining their size, position and geometry. The image seen on screen in a CAD application is only a visual representation of the vector file.

Yes, this is a facility in TracTrix for CAD and is a handy way to check that the vectors represent the raster image.

Raster objects are made up of pixels and are considered resolution dependent because they contain a fixed number of pixels that are used to create the image. They will lose quality if enlarged beyond the number of pixels needed in a particular use. Since there is a fixed and therefore a limited number of pixels, the image becomes fuzzy as it is enlarged.

These images are described mathematically in terms of curves and vectors. This allows them to be scaled (and printed) to any size with no loss in resolution. Examples of vector formats include: This format serves as a 'source file' for your logo design, in that it can be used to generate other formats including EPS and bitmaps. It is important to keep a copy of your logo in this format.

A raster map is a picture. Just like you have a picture on the wall, you have a picture on the screen. Each one of the pixel elements, or pixels, on the screen is just a representation of a picture. With a raster image you do not have any access to the objects in the picture, so if you have a picture of a coastline with bathymetry and buoy markers and shipping lanes, there is no way for you to select the shipping lanes, buoy markers or get a different type of coast line for that picture.

A vector image is constructed as a collection of abstract mathematical shapes, and these shapes preserve their identity when you scale the image or add or delete a shape. So, a vector image is resolution-independent. But rendering the image on a screen or a raster printer (both laser printers and ink-jet printers are raster printers) requires calculating an equivalent bitmap, which is slow.

Vector images are the best type of artwork to give your image the best look on both the screen-printed and embroidered work. A vector image is made up of lines which are a mathematical equation. The benefit of vector art is that it can be sized as big or as small as you like, but the capabilities in quality of vector art is limited. Raster images are different from vector art because the image is made up of small dots or pixel. Each pixel on the image has an actual defined color.

PDF supports both raster (bitmap) and vector (line) formats. When a PDF is created by printing from a vector-based application such as AutoCAD or an illustration program, the resulting PDF contains vectors describing all the lines, arcs, and shapes in the drawing. The output can be scaled with no loss of resolution, and viewers can zoom in on the lines in the drawing without seeing any 'jaggies".

If your picture changes for each form, you will need it in raster format. Our system is a template driven process and as such your original document can contain either vector or raster formatted images. To further explain, say your business cards require a picture of the employee. Your company logo is a vector art image. We would set the business card template with your logo already imbedded. Each time you create a new card you would upload a picture of the employee (.