Vector Graphics

[scroots]

I head about vector graphics that when you resize them the image stays the same and deosn't get distrorted, is this right?

what formats are vector grpahics in? how widely are they supported in terms of the internet and on computers?

Are there any free programs that i can use to make some vector grpahics? or any convertors to convert froma format into vector grpahics format?

thanks
scroots

[whackaxe]

i think .tiff is the common vector format. sadly, thre arent many free editors out there i think. if you find one that is freeware or OSS and not shareware pm me:) i remember there being a raster to vector converter ree though

[bradyj]

Sorry :D - Vector files are Mathematical lines that are created on your screen. They can be resized at any size because they are 'resolution independent'; meaning they will view only the resolution your screen has, and print only the resolution your type of printer has (this becomes more advanced in Screen Printing). Vector files are .ai (illustrator), .cdr (corel draw), .eps (encapsulated postscript file) and, interesting enough, Flash files, and some varying others for windows and other applications.

Rasterized graphics are 'resolution dependent' -- meaning that they hold the resolution in their file specifically, and, when sent to a printer, you need to math out the printers resolution and your file print resolution. These types of files are .gif, .jpg, .bmp, .tiff and others in this realm.

Most notably, Rasterized graphics use 'pixels' and the computer reads them as a mathematical series of 'colors'. Vector is read by a mathematical series of 'lines'. Make sense?

To answer your questions:
The only format that is vector for web use is Flash. Everything else is Rasterized by nature.

I am unsure if there are any free editors out there -- but there are useful programs that I know of which are not free. Adobe Streamline will trace your photograph and turn it in Vector lines (it is usually very choppy and complicated though). Flash also has a 'trace bitmap' option in it's program that is similiar. Photoshop can turn certain color selections into 'paths' but that is it -- none of the options produces clean work that does not need to be fixed.

[whackaxe]

ok man, don't have a cow....

isnt there a standard vector format? i thought there was

[jkd]

Can't forget vector graphics markup languages, like VML or SVG. Of course, don't waste your time with VML considering there is no standards body behind it; SVG on the other hand is a powerful standard published by the W3C. The advantages of it being XML based include the ability to hand-author, use DOM scripting to animate it, interoperate with other XML specifications (like XSLT or XLink for example), plus have integrated accessibility features.

I do believe Adobe Illustrator can export to SVG as well, if you're looking for a professional solution.

[bradyj]

No worries, I was just fooling around -- I meant to join those posts together, but I clicked submit by accident, sorry whackaxe -

A standard format for printing can be an EPS file, and, sometimes a PDF (however, pdf files can have rasterized files in them as well -- Adobe Acrobat files is their other name other than pdf).

For web, there is only the flash format.

<edit>
Yes, Illustrator can export to SVG -- you are correct Super Moderator -- I forgot about those -- thank you:)

BTW -- those formats are not very useful for print purposes (if you're looking for a web and print format)
</edit>

[jkd]

Originally posted by bradyj
For web, there is only the flash format.

No. I just talked about SVG. There are numerous implementations of SVG, ranging from plugins and viewers (Adobe, Corel, Batik, etc) to native support (Mozilla, Amaya).

[bradyj]

Originally posted by bradyj
<edit>
Yes, Illustrator can export to SVG -- you are correct Super Moderator -- I forgot about those -- thank you:)
</edit>

I know you did jkd, that's why I said 'I forgot about those -- thank you'. I think we are criss-crossing on posting and writing, sorry about that:)

[ionsurge]

Adobe are one of the best when it comes to vector graphics... try looking around their website for some products, I can't recall them off my head, but they do have quite a few.

[whackaxe]

thats all fine and dandy, but he said free. i think it's ilustrator though if you really want to go to adobe

[bradyj]

Yeah -- I don't believe Illustrator offers any free graphic programs, and it is the 'cream of the crop' so to speak. However, Corel Draw usually is cheaper and can do many of the things Illustrator can -- they usually offer a full 30 day demo as well. I don't know if they offer SVG support, but I would take a look at it... it's a more inexpensive option.

[whackaxe]

macromedia freehand as well. but its expensive as well

[scroots]

thanks for all your info, it was my curiosity to ask about ti when i was doing some graphics work.

so it looks like it is not free and it's not wdiely supported.

thanks
scroots

[jkd]

Originally posted by scroots
so it looks like it is not free and it's not wdiely supported.

Not at all. SVG is free. And is supported in every 4th generation browser and up through the Adobe SVG Plugin.

[MotherNatrsSon]

So if you use SVG and someone does not already have the plug-in they have to load it? Which means you have to do the "sniff" for it etc...???

MNS

[scroots]

jkd, what are the 4th generation borwsers? any on windows platoform? and how would i go about learning SVG?

scroots

[jkd]

Originally posted by MotherNatrsSon
So if you use SVG and someone does not already have the plug-in they have to load it? Which means you have to do the "sniff" for it etc...???

MNS

It would be the same deal with Flash. It would ask you to install an appropriate plugin, and probably point you to the Adobe SVG Viewer.

[jkd]

Originally posted by scroots
jkd, what are the 4th generation borwsers? any on windows platoform? and how would i go about learning SVG?

scroots

I'd call 4th generation NS4, IE4, and Opera 5. The Adobe plugin works in those, and in any browser which duplicates the NS plugin architecture (which I believe Opera does? maybe Konqueror too, though Konqueror might be able to use KSVG natively...)

Learn SVG here:
http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG11/

[scroots]

cheers jkd for the link i may have a dabble at doing some SVG.

scroots

[scroots]

I have installed adobe SVG viewer and it works in opera 6.

what should be my next steps in learning some svg making?

scroots

[jkd]

Originally posted by scroots
I have installed adobe SVG viewer and it works in opera 6.

what should be my next steps in learning some svg making?

scroots

Whip out a text editor and have some fun. SVG is very visual, best way of learning is writing some markup, viewing it, tweaking it, and doing it some more.

[scroots]

cool, is there any examples like an SVG bible?

SVG is really cool, if you can get the viewer do so.

scroots

[Roy Sinclair]

I found the SVG Elves site to be interesting:

http://www.svgelves.com/

Right now though I think Adobe may have the best forum on SVG.

[scroots]

cheers, i will take a look.

scroots