Lecture
notes
250.04 - Vector Art
Vector | File
Format | Color | Typography
& Fonts Vector (object oriented)
Vector art is made up of discrete objects created by connecting
mathematically defined points with curved line
segments (Bézier curves.) Many individual objects (from one
or two to perhaps thousands) are
combined within a document to create an image. Drawing and some
animation programs like Macromedia FreeHand, Adobe Illustrator
and Macromedia Flash primarily generate vector images.
Main characteristics: vector shapes tend to be characterized
by large solid areas and lines.
• Mathematically defined individual
shapes are not resolution-dependent and can be infinitely
altered without loss of quality. The same document will look
as good
at
billboard size as it would as a thumbnail
• At the same time,
vector image files take up relatively little storage
space (unlike raster files)
• Useful
for logos or images which frequently need to be resized,
text based images, scientific drawings, graphs, etc.
Limitation: vector shapes do not recreate the gradual
tonal and color shifts of photography well. Vector illustrations
tend to look primitive (which can also work stylistically as
an advantage.)
Editing: Vector shapes remain as separate, discrete
objects which can be easily selected and modified.
Image © 1999 Than’l
Interactive
For the previous lecture notes
of raster art, click here.
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