What is a vector graphic? An overview of the popular graphics format

Vector graphics play an important role, especially in web design and in the creation of advertising media, flyers and other media content. They differ from conventional raster graphics such as photographs. The structure of a vector graphic makes its field of application as special as it is special.

What is a vector graphic? The direct comparison

The easiest way to explain a vector graphic is to compare it to a conventional image file.

1. Photographs and image files are usually saved in a format such as JPG, PNG or PDF.
2. These files all have something in common, they consist of pixels.
3. The resolution of a photo indicates how many pixels are included and thus how sharp or blurry the result is.
4. So when an image is enlarged or reduced, all pixels are compressed or stretched. From this circumstance arise either fragments or a blur.
5. A vector graphic, on the other hand, consists not of pixels, but of information.
6. The position, length and color of each point are calculated and thus precisely converted to any shape and size.

What is a vector graphic? Die Anwendungsgebiete

1. Besonders auf Webseiten sind Vektorgrafiken oftmals entscheidend, da nie sicher ist, mit welcher Auflösung der Nutzer die Seite betrachten wird.
2. Auch bei der Erstellung von Plakatwänden sind Vektorgrafiken wichtig, da eine so hohe Auflösung meist kaum umgesetzt werden kann.
3. Für Logos und Icons werden Vektorgrafiken ebenfalls gerne genutzt, damit diese einheitlich auf verschiedenen System gleich angezeigt werden können.