FAQ
1. What is vector graphics? Back to About Us
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics. Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the representation of images as an array of pixels, as it is typically used for the representation of photographic images. There are instances when working with vector tools and formats is best practice, and instances when working with raster tools and formats is best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.
Computer displays are made up from small dots called pixels. The picture is built up from these dots. The smaller and closer the dots are together, the better the quality of the image, but the bigger the file needed to store the data. If the number of pixels is kept constant, the size of each pixel will grow and the image becomes grainy when magnified, as the resolution of the eye enables it to pick out individual pixels.
Vector graphics files store the lines, shapes and colours that make up an image as mathematical formulae. A vector graphics program uses these mathematical formulae to construct the screen image, building the best quality image possible, given the screen resolution. The mathematical formulae determine where the dots that make up the image should be placed for the best results when displaying the image. Since these formulae can produce an image scalable to any size and detail, the quality of the image is only determined by the resolution of the display, and the file size of vector data generating the image stays the same. Printing the image to paper will usually give a sharper, higher resolution output than printing it to the screen but can use exactly the same vector data file.
2. What are different file formats used for?
.AI (Adobe Illustrator)
AI is an Adobe Illustrator file, one of the most widely used graphic design programs in the world. Usually a file with the tag AI is an original design file, meaning that this is the file originally used for developing your logo or other designs. AI files can generally only be opened successfully using the Adobe Illustrator program and cannot be generally brought into other applications.
.EPS vector files
EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. It can contain both vector and bitmap data. PostScript is the universal language used by computer printers as well as professional printers. If the file contains only vectors it can easily be reduced or enlarged without loss of resolution and is the best file to give to a professional printer for reproducing your logo on the printed page.
.JPEG raster files
This graphics file is compressed and can open into almost any other application. JPG files are typically used for on-screen purposes such as on Web sites or within email messages; this is because the files are small. They are not ideal for printing and cannot be resized or edited too often without significant loss of image quality.
.PDF
PDF is a universally accepted file format for saving page layouts and contents. The letters PDF stand for Portable Document Format. Universally printable, PDF files are based on the PostScript language imaging model. This enables sharp, color-precise printing on almost all printers. Being PostScript based means that PDF files are an acceptable medium for supplying art work to print companies.