What is Vector Graphic?
Key Takeaways
- Shapes are described by formulas, not stored pixel by pixel.
- A vector can be enlarged to a billboard or reduced to an icon with the same clean edges.
- Common formats include SVG, AI, EPS and many PDF files.
- Vectors suit logos, icons and illustrations with solid shapes, not photographs.
Understanding Vector Graphic
A vector file records instructions, such as a curve between two points with a stroke width and a fill color. When the image is displayed, the software draws those instructions at whatever size is needed.
Because the drawing is recalculated each time, edges stay crisp at every scale. This is why logos are normally kept as vectors, so the same file serves a business card and a building sign.
Vectors handle flat shapes and clean lines well. Photographs, with their continuous tones, are not well suited to this approach and are normally stored as raster images instead.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What file types are vector graphics?
SVG, AI, EPS and many PDF files can hold vector artwork.
Why are logos usually made as vectors?
They need to be used at very different sizes, and vectors stay sharp at all of them.
Can a vector be turned into a raster image?
Yes. It can be exported at a chosen pixel size, but the result then has a fixed resolution.