Vector graphics
Vector graphics are stored as a list of attributes. The attributes are used by the computer to create the graphic. Rather than storing the data for each pixel, the computer will generate an object by looking at its attributes.
In the above example, the attributes are shown in bold, their values come immediately after the = sign.
Because the object is created from a list of attributes it is easy to scale vector graphics without having to worry about the resolution. To alter the size of the rectangle a designer would just need to change the values for height and width.
This would often happen by simply increasing the size of the image by using the pointer within a graphics package. It is also possible to layer objects on top of one another without losing the data that is underneath.
Changing the complexity of a vector graphic image will change its file size because of the additional information which needs to be stored.
Key points
- Vector graphics are stored as a list of attributes
- Vector graphics are resolution independent, meaning scaling is possible without loss in quality
- Resolution independence can make best use of high-resolution output devices
- Layering is possible when using vector graphics
- Each object and its attributes can be edited independently of the others
- Generally, file size is smaller than that of bit mapped images unless the graphic contains lots of layers or many complex objects
- SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a common file format used for vector graphics
