Graphic File formats can be broadly categorized into bit-mapped formats and vector formats.
Vector graphics use geometrical formulas to represent images. Bit-mapped or raster graphic are composed of a pattern of dots.Programs that enable you to create and manipulate vector graphics are called draw programs, whereas programs that manipulated bit-mapped images are called paint programs.
Vector-oriented images are more flexible than bit maps because they can be resized and stretched. In addition, images stored as vectors look better on devices (monitors and printers) with higher resolution, whereas bit-mapped images always appear the same regardless of a device's resolution. Another advantage of vector graphics is that representations of images often require less memory than bit-mapped images do.
Example of vector graphic image - Flash Graphic File Format
- file extension - .swf
- vector image which can be scaled up and down without any loss of quality.
- used for simpler drawings. Not for photographic images.
- small file size.
- proprietary format - need special plug in to view Flash movies in your browser. Plug-in is available free from Macromedia.
Reference:
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/tutorials/vectorversatility/
http://www.wise-women.org/resources/abc/graphics/
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/vector_graphics.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Have you been able to apply these concepts to your own teaching? If so did you see any clear benfits for the students?
My students (yr3) are probably a little young to understand these complex definitions, however, they do recognise the difference in flexibility between basic graphics programs such as 'Paint' and more advanced ones such as 'Paint Shop Pro'.
It's easy to spot vector versus raster images:
Resize an image, making it bigger.
If the image becomes pixellated, then it's a raster image, such as a JPG or GIF.
If the image's sharpness remains the same, then it's a vector image. And yes, because the CPU is using mathmatical vectors to display the image, rather than millions of 'dots' of colour, the file size is tiny in vector images compared to raster.
Hi Frances,
My students are in year six and I do not use the technical terms to explain to by pupils of the different image file formats. I use terms like rough edged or smooth edged to explain the effects of rastor and vector file formats.
Danam.K
Thanks Jenny,
You have summarized the differences well.
Post a Comment