What Is a Vector File?
A vector file is a graphics file that contains a vector image, rather than a raster, or bitmapped, image. Shapes and lines make up vector graphics, which are fully scalable images, while raster images are made of pixels and cannot be scaled up without loss. Graphic designers prefer vector images for logos and line art because they can be converted to a wide range of sizes without distorting the image.
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Significance
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Vector graphics can be scaled based on their intended use, allowing a single graphic file to be used for both a business card and a billboard. The ability to scale vector graphics significantly reduces the amount of time that the graphic designer needs to produce different sizes of the graphic, as well as reducing the amount of space necessary to save multiple versions of the same graphic file.
Format
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Vector files saved in their native format are scalable, and designers can easily change their colors to incorporate the image into any design. Each vector editing program has its own native format that is recommended for loss-free saving. However, EPS and SVG are the primary vector formats for exchange. EPS is more commonly used in printing, while SVG was designed for Web use.
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Features
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Vector graphics are unlike raster graphics such as JPEGs, PNGs or GIFs, which use pixels to define areas of image information. By using lines and shapes to define the image, vector graphics allow more flexible manipulation of the image file. Vector graphics appear smooth at the edges no matter how they are sized, whereas raster graphics appear jagged, or pixilated, when up-scaled.
Benefits
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With the ability to easily alter the image to suit design needs, it becomes unnecessary to have multiple oversized raster files for a variety of projects. Vector files enable graphic designers to keep a master copy of each logo or graphic that can be changed based on need. Another benefit of vector files is the high quality of reproduction based on their clean lines and curves.
Creation
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Vector files are usually created in dedicated vector graphics editing programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw or Inkscape, or in special purpose software, such as computer-assisted drafting programs. Vector editing programs fuction the same way; the designer builds up the image by drawing lines, curves and shapes. The specific interface and tool-use conventions vary by program though.
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References
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Comments
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Ben Apacible I'm not sure you understand what a vector file is. You don't "download" a vector file. If you need a vector file for your logo, it has to be created. A vector file is like another type of image file like jpeg, gif, tiff, png, etc. Except that it has more information and can later be saved as a jpeg.
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Admittedly I have not used a vector in my life. As a beginner and wants to retain my jpeg format, what kind of vector file must I download to have quality pictures and images and save them in my picture files and at the same time receive pictures or images in vector format and save them. Your suggestion will be much appreciated. Best regards
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I need instructions how to down load free vector file and retaining my jpeg file. Thanks
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Well, if you're laying it out in Word or Pages or a higher-end app like InDesign, Quark or Illustrator, as long as it's text, saving as a PDF will create essentially a "vector" file. Photos and pixel images won't become vectors, but what you're generally going for is the text and any logos being vectors, so when they scale up, they don't become all pixel-y.
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A promo piece. What do I need to be able to do that on my Mac?
