Vector Graphics

scroots · 07-10-2003, 12:27 AM

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 · 07-10-2003, 12:46 AM

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 · 07-10-2003, 01:13 AM

Sorry

- 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 · 07-10-2003, 01:21 AM

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

isnt there a standard vector format? i thought there was

jkd · 07-10-2003, 01:22 AM

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 · 07-10-2003, 01:24 AM

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 · 07-10-2003, 02:08 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-10-2003, 02:11 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-10-2003, 12:22 PM

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 · 07-10-2003, 12:52 PM

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

bradyj · 07-10-2003, 05:44 PM

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 · 07-10-2003, 07:02 PM

macromedia freehand as well. but its expensive as well

scroots · 07-11-2003, 08:32 PM

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 · 07-11-2003, 08:56 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-11-2003, 09:01 PM

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

07-10-2003, 12:27 AM	PM User \| #1
scroots Senior Coder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Vector Graphics 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 __________________ Spammers next time you spam me consider the implications: (1) that you will be persuaded by me(in a legitimate mannor) (2)It is worthless to you, when i have finished

07-10-2003, 12:46 AM	PM User \| #2
whackaxe Senior Coder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: paris, france Posts: 1,218 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 __________________ photoshop too expensive? use the GIMP! www.gimp.org

07-10-2003, 01:13 AM	PM User \| #3
bradyj Senior Coder Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,469 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry - 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. __________________ // Art is what you can get away with. <-- Andy Warhol ...:.:::: bradyjfrey.com : htmldog : ::::.:... Last edited by bradyj; 07-10-2003 at 01:21 AM..

07-10-2003, 01:21 AM	PM User \| #4
whackaxe Senior Coder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: paris, france Posts: 1,218 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ok man, don't have a cow.... isnt there a standard vector format? i thought there was __________________ photoshop too expensive? use the GIMP! www.gimp.org

07-10-2003, 01:22 AM	PM User \| #5
jkd Super Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: metro DC Posts: 3,168 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	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. __________________ Adventures in Browser Land - jasonkarldavis.com - MarginLeft

07-10-2003, 01:24 AM	PM User \| #6
bradyj Senior Coder Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,469 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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> __________________ // Art is what you can get away with. <-- Andy Warhol ...:.:::: bradyjfrey.com : htmldog : ::::.:... Last edited by bradyj; 07-10-2003 at 01:26 AM..

07-10-2003, 12:22 PM	PM User \| #9
ionsurge Senior Coder Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A 4D universe Posts: 1,341 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ http://www.mudsplat.com - Web design, print, and marketing solutions.

07-10-2003, 12:52 PM	PM User \| #10
whackaxe Senior Coder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: paris, france Posts: 1,218 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thats all fine and dandy, but he said free. i think it's ilustrator though if you really want to go to adobe __________________ photoshop too expensive? use the GIMP! www.gimp.org

07-10-2003, 05:44 PM	PM User \| #11
bradyj Senior Coder Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,469 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ // Art is what you can get away with. <-- Andy Warhol ...:.:::: bradyjfrey.com : htmldog : ::::.:...

07-10-2003, 07:02 PM	PM User \| #12
whackaxe Senior Coder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: paris, france Posts: 1,218 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	macromedia freehand as well. but its expensive as well __________________ photoshop too expensive? use the GIMP! www.gimp.org

07-11-2003, 08:32 PM	PM User \| #13
scroots Senior Coder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 __________________ Spammers next time you spam me consider the implications: (1) that you will be persuaded by me(in a legitimate mannor) (2)It is worthless to you, when i have finished

07-11-2003, 09:01 PM	PM User \| #15
MotherNatrsSon Senior Coder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: OHIO Posts: 1,436 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: