{"id":69975,"date":"2020-06-08T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/?p=69975"},"modified":"2024-10-24T05:38:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T09:38:31","slug":"what-is-a-vector-image-how-to-make-view-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/what-is-a-vector-image-how-to-make-view-one\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Vector Image & How To Make & View One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever zoomed in too far on a photo and seen it pixelate? Images created using a digital camera can only appear at certain resolutions. You can decrease their size, but scaling them up can be tricky—you lose quality in the process. These images (raster images) are perfect for selfies, but they need to be created with sizing in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For scalable images, you\u2019ll want to use a vector image, but what is a vector image? Logos, print designs, and more—these often lack set sizing. Vector images give you the ability to scale images like these up (or down) without losing any quality. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about vector images, including how to make your own.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What Is a Vector Image?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A vector image is like a map—scalable, with distances between points A and B that remain in proportion, even if the overall image increases in size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vector images, in essence, are digital instructions for how an editor or viewer should create an image. This allows your device to generate the image with clear curves and lines that have no blur, no pixelation, and no image degradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than the static, inflexible grid of pixels that you\u2019ll see when you zoom in to a raster image file such as JPG or BMP, vector images are created digitally using set mathematical instructions. Thanks to the magic of mathematics, the same point between A and B on a vector image will remain in proportion. <\/p>\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re a graphics designer, you\u2019ll immediately understand the advantages that vector images offer you over raster images. Rather than having to worry about the resolution of your image before you begin, you can create your image with any size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, it\u2019s all about scale—vector images in formats like SVG can be made as small or as large as you like. That\u2019s why vector image formats are usually best for art and design projects, especially if you\u2019re creating a logo or a design you\u2019re looking to print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To View Vector Images <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vector images aren\u2019t an unusual image format. You should be able to open them in your web browser, or by using vector image software like Inkscape<\/a>. Vector images will also open in standard image editors like Photoshop or dedicated graphics editors like Illustrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most users, however, the easiest method is to use your browser. Most major web browsers support vector images. To open a vector image in Google Chrome, for instance, click File > Open File<\/strong> and select your vector image file. If it\u2019s in a standard format like SVG, Chrome should generate the image and allow you to view it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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SVG images can also be opened in text editors like Notepad++<\/a>, as SVG files are merely lines of XML code. You can edit your vector image design this way if you prefer. The image is then generated on the fly using the design specified in the file. This process is the same, whether you\u2019re viewing it in a browser or image editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other image file formats may work differently, however. Some document formats such as PDF are considered to be vector images but can be generated to contain other types of content, including raster images. These can also be opened in your web browser, but may also require a dedicated PDF reader<\/a> to open instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating & Editing Vector Images In Inkscape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to create or edit a vector image, you\u2019ll need a suitable vector image editor. As we\u2019ve mentioned, you could manually edit an SVG image file using a text editor, but this isn\u2019t really practical for most users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vector image editors exist on all major platforms. Of these, two are considered to be the most well known—Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator. For beginners and amateurs, Inkscape is the best option. It\u2019s a free, open-source vector image editor, available for Windows, Linux, and macOS users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n