Understanding Bitmaps and Vectors
Sunday February 26, 2006
Recently I had to explain to a friend with a little bit of experience with Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro why those programs weren't the best choice for a type of diagram he wanted to draw. Pixels he understood well enough. Vectors were a whole other language. Sometimes one quick explanation isn't enough to drill home the difference. After reading these tutorials, looking at pictures, and watching some videos you should have a much clearer understanding of how to create and when to use pixel or bitmap images and how to create and use vector drawings.Graphic by J. Bear
- Definitions: It can help to read different definitions of the same words because the way one definition is worded might click with you when another (describing essentially the same concept) doesn't.
- Video and Animation: Sometimes moving pictures are a better way to explain some concepts.
- Vector vs. Bitmap formats is a one of the free demo videos from the VTC Professional Desktop Publishing on the PC series.
- Pixels vs. Vectors from the Scanning Principles with: Taz Tally, Ph.D. is part of the free video content at Lynda.com.
- Three InDesign Pen Tool Animations show how to draw straight lines, curves, and shapes with a vector tool.
- Vector vs. Bitmap formats is a one of the free demo videos from the VTC Professional Desktop Publishing on the PC series.
- Articles and Tutorials: Now that you understand more about bitmap and vector, learn when to use each type.
- Best Graphics File Formats for Desktop Publishing describes the most common bitmap and vector file formats and when to use each one.
- The Language of Curves provides a more in-depth look at vector drawing.
- Pixel Image Editors and Vector Illustration Software explains what to look for in software for working with bitmap and vector images.
- Use the Right Clip Art Format presents the facts about each graphic format in list form.
- The Language of Curves provides a more in-depth look at vector drawing.


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