Rhino Red Prints Blog
Raster Files compared to Vectors
Jun
When working with drawings, photos, graphics and similar applications, raster and vector files are the two most used types that you will encounter. We’ve already talked about vector files in another article. Those are what Rhino Red Prints have to offer in the form of completed 2-, 3- or 4-sided drawings. Here, were going to take a look at raster files compared to vectors and also will focus on their specific features.
Raster files are easy to explain in general. Raster files are like a mosaic. The mosaic art is an image created by small tiny pieces, usually marbles or stones. They are painted in different color and arranged in a specific pattern, so once far enough from the mosaic, you can visualize an image. They have a long and rich history, but we know of them mostly because of Ancient Romans.
As you might imagine, the more stones one such image has, the more vivid and detailed it is. Same goes with the Raster File. It is made by pixels, unlike the vector file. The higher the number of pixels you have, the better the image is. That is interrelated with the specific file type, which can be GIF, PNG or JPEG. That gives you the option to work on pixels, therefore adjusting the image appearance and its details.
Raster Files compared to vectors are used mostly for photography. That is why we, at Rhino Red Prints are working with available vector options. Another reason besides using the specific vector method is the size of the file. Raster files can be quite large compared to vector files. That is because they can contain millions of pixels with astonishingly high level of details embedded.
Rasters are being worked using software like Adobe Photoshop. While vectors we use, are using different software, like Adobe Illustrator. There are many others of course. But in general, raster files are oriented towards different type of work. Blueprints /or redprints in our case/ are made with vectors. The reason for that is that raster will keep the number of pixels when expanded or shrunken, while the vector drawing won’t loose any of its qualities. Since we are dealing with drawings and not with photos, our best choice is to use various types of vector file extensions. Raster files – we leave to photographers.