Vector Format Picture Types

Vector format is a complex graphical structure, containing all components of a picture as elementary geometrical shapes (lines, curves, polygons etc.) and filling textures. Vector format software can scale these figures with or without keeping all relations between components, to simplify drawing and scaling.

Vector Format Picture Elements

The key component of a vector image is a vector, a simple line with coordinates and direction angles. Any vector can be a part of more advanced figure, such as a curve, a polygon or even a hyper-figure (vector graphics format allows multi-dimensional representations).

• Some polygons and other bordered objects in vector format types can also bear a texture, a raster format image that fills a bordered shape evenly). Thus, a vector format picture can contain raster image components, say, to add a bit of reality to geometrical shapes.

Where to Use a Vector Format File?

Scalable and Printable Images

Vector format pictures are easier to scale than bitmap graphics. To scale a vector format file, you need to multiply all offsets by selected factor, without losing or filling any part of an image. For example, you can use the same vector format of logo either for Web pages or printing a billboard banner.

Drawing Graphics Manually

Besides using vector format for Web comic or logo, you can also make vector format images as standalone pictures or as parts of some art creation. Vector-based images are easier to draw and to correct than raster files, turning almost all popular products for artisans into vector format software!

Using Vector Format Types as 3D Models and Animation Base

The most advanced area of using vector formats is a base for 3D graphics and even for more complex mathematical representations. Almost any vector format software supports dynamic transitions and animation. Thus, any vector format file can be a base for 3D modeling or animated graphics picture.

Vector Format Extension Samples

These are many vector format types. Among most popular file extensions for vector formats are:

• CDR — vector files for Corel Draw, a popular graphical editor.
• SVG — the open vector format for many editors and image software such as Inkscape.
• AI — the proprietary vector format graphics type for Adobe Illustrator software.

Vector format types are much less plentiful than raster files, so you can open almost any actual vector format extension with any software solution that you utilize in your work.

Vector Format Converter Software

Most vector format software solutions support all base vector file types, at least for exporting/importing files. Therefore, you can always find and utilize an appropriate software or website as vector format image converter. Here are the two examples:

• Inkscape. Vector format converter free solution, as well as a mighty graphical editor. Available for all popular OS types: Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Supports many formats and tools.

• Online Image Vectorizer. Builds a vector format file from a raster image. Available as Web application (a site). These are some similar applications that also allow installing as local apps.