Vector vs Bitmap (Raster) Graphics: Which is Best?
Grrrrrr! Ever find yourself using an image only to find out that it's pixelated? It's because you are using a Raster (Bitmap) image like PNG instead of a Vector image like SVG. But, sometimes it is better to use raster than vector. What's the difference between Raster and Vector? Raster , or bitmap , images are built on a dot matrix (aka a grid). For example, a 100-pixel bitmap is a grid of 10,000 squares (pixels), because 100 x 100 = 10,000. Each square is completely or partially filled in so that collectively, when zoomed out, they create an image. When scaled out, the image can appear smooth, but when zoomed in, the edges become jagged (pixelated). Common raster formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG Vector images are built on mathematical equations that are created with points (nodes), each defined by an (x,y) coordinate, and paths that connect the points to create lines and enclosed shapes. No matter how much you scale or zoom the image, the edges are v