How to Create a Vector Graphic

Vector illustration in the fine arts.

Unlike raster graphics, vector illustrations represent the points, lines, shapes and colors of an image using mathematical formulas. This approach allows images to be resized without degrading image quality, which is critical in mediums like print--where images may be resized from a magazine ad to a billboard. Vector graphics are popular in illustration, three-dimensional modeling, film and other applications because vector representations are typically much smaller, and independent of image size. The steps for creating vector images are highly dependent on the editing software you use. One general-purpose tool that is widely used in both commercial and fine art is Adobe Illustrator.

Things You'll Need

• Vector graphics editing software
• Basic pen-tool skills

Instructions

Adobe Illustrator

1. Open Adobe Illustrator, and create a new canvas of any size.

2. Select the "Pen Tool."

3. Draw the points to create the letter "E."

4. Select a "Fill" color and fill your letter with it.

5. Add an "Extrude & Bevel" effect to give your letter a three-dimensional look. Choose "Extrude & Bevel" from the "3D" drop down located in the "Effects" menu.

6. Add other effects as desired.

7. Save your file. Adobe Illustrator will automatically handle vector and raster representations.

Tips & Warnings

• Use layers to organize complex vector renderings.

• Vector graphics created in Illustrator can be copied into Photoshop as reusable paths.

• Be careful not to rasterize the image unintentionally. Some effects in Photoshop and Illustrator require that you rasterize the image before applying the effect. You cannot return a raster image to its vector representation.

References

• W3C: Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) standard.
• PlanetSVG: What is SVG?