Back to the Library & Resource Center

Vector graphics displays

Vector Images = Draw Graphic Objects
These graphics are defined mathematically as lines, angles, arcs, and fills. Every individual element making up a vector graphic can be edited separately from the rest of the graphic. Vector graphics are scalable. If you increase the size of a vector, no resolution is lost. The image looks the same as before, only bigger. Vector images print out at the maximum resolution the printer can produce. Vector images (except for very complicated ones) take up less disk space, and are good for graphs, simple maps, and cartoons (by cartoon is meant a simple diagram that illustrates a point, not necessarily a graphic featuring Calvin and Hobbes). Examples of vector formats include EPS, CDF, Illustrator, GEM, and DXF. Programs that can create and edit vector images include Corel Draw, Aldus Freehand, Adobe Illustrator, SuperPaint, AutoCad, Canvas, and DeltaGraph. Vector graphics can be turned into bit-mapped images through a process called rasterization. This is useful in creating snapshots of highly complex vector graphics. Simple raster images can be converted to vector graphics through auto-tracing. Auto-traced graphics almost always require some tweeking to clean them up.

Visuals

Visuals encompass many subsets within its realm, such as graphics, images, pictures and nonverbal information, as well as other subsets within its parameters. This can include what one perceives through the eyes or the mind. Visuals include the field of experience that each person encompasses.

Visualization