Raster graphics are digital images composed of pixels arranged in a grid. Each pixel can be a different color, allowing for complex, detailed images. Raster files can represent photographs realistically but are large in size. Vector graphics use mathematical formulas to define images as sets of points and lines. They are smaller files that can be scaled smoothly without quality loss but cannot represent photos as well. Common file formats for raster graphics are JPEG, TIFF, and PSD, each with advantages and limitations for file size, quality, and editing capabilities. Formats like AI and 3DS are used for vector graphics and 3D modeling but little information was found about their specific advantages and disadvantages.

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Unit 51 Task 1
By Jessica Grundy

2. Raster graphics are digital images created or captured as a set
of samples of a given space. E.g. scanning a photo. In
computer graphics, a raster graphics image is a dot matrix
data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of
pixels, or points of colour, viewable via a monitor, paper, or
other display medium. Raster images are stored in image files
with varying formats. A raster graphic or image is made up of
pixels. Pixels are small squares of information. In order to
understand what a raster graphic is, imagine a large grid that
is made up of many squares (pixels) of all the same size. If
you put a different colour in each square and then, you back
away from the grid, the individual squares blend together to
make up a picture. This is a raster graphic or bitmap graphic.
Raster graphics are wonderful for rich, full-colour images
such as photographs. Raster graphics are rendered images
on a pixel-by-pixel basis and they are fantastic when
handling shading and gradients.
Raster Graphics

3.  Raster graphics are great when creating rich and
detailed images. Every pixel in a raster image can be a
different colour therefore you can create a complex
image with any kind of colour changes and variations.
 Almost any program can work with a simple raster file.
The most recognized application that handles raster
graphics is Adobe Photoshop however there are also
several other image editing software options out there
for you to choose from.
Advantages

4.  Raster images cannot be scaled up in size very well. If you do try to enlarge a
raster image, it will look grainy and distorted. This is because raster images
are created with a finite number of pixels. When you increase the size of a
raster image, the image increases in size however, because there are no
longer enough pixels to fill in this larger space, gaps are created between the
pixels in the image. The photo editing software that you are using will try to
fill these gaps the best they can however, the resulting image is often blurry.
 Raster graphics files are often quite large. Raster graphics files contain all the
information for every single pixel of the image that you are working with.
Each of these pixels has an X and Y coordinate as well as colour information
associated with it therefore raster graphics files tend to be very large. Also,
because these raster images hold so much data, they may be slower to edit.
 Raster graphics are not great for embroidery. Because raster images are
based on square pixels, your embroidery may look like it has jagged edges. If
you want to embroider an image with smoother edges, it is best to use vector
graphics instead of raster graphics.
Disadvantages

5. Vector graphics are based on mathematical formulas. A
vector graphic is made up of a series of small points that
combine together to make lines and images. The most
recognized applications which handle vector based
graphics are Adobe illustrator, Macromedia freehand and
Corel draw. Vector graphics are generally used for line art,
illustrations and embroidery. The term vector graphics is
typically used only for 2D (planar) graphics objects, in
order to distinguish them from 2D raster graphics, which
are also very common. 3D graphics as commonly
implemented today.
Vector Graphics

6.  Vector files are small because they contain a lot less
data than raster files.
 Vector graphics are more flexible than raster graphics
because they can be easily scaled up and down without
any loss to the quality of the image.
 Vector graphics have smoother lines when compared to
square, pixel-based raster graphics therefore, they are
better with straight lines and sweeping curves than
raster graphics.
Advantages

7.  If there are small errors or faults in a vector graphic,
these will be seen when the vector image is enlarged
significantly.
 Vector graphics are generally filled with a solid colour
or a gradient. They can’t display the lush colour depth
of a raster graphic.
Disadvantages

8. JPG files, also known as JPEG files, are a common
file format for digital photos and other digital
graphics. When JPG files are saved, they use
"lossy" compression, meaning image quality is
lost as file size decreases. JPEG stands for Joint
Photographic Experts Group, the committee that
created the file type. JPG files have the file
extension .jpg or .jpeg. They are the most
common file type for images taken with digital
cameras, and widely used for photos and other
graphics used on websites.
Jpeg

9.  The JPEG file format has been around for many
years, and is support by every image editor and
web browser on the market. It is also supported
by every digital camera, and any video
camcorder that can also take pictures. Every
digital photo print shop also supports the JPEG
standard.
 Doesn’t take up much storage space.
Advantages

10.  The compression algorithm is “lossy”, which means
data is discarded when the file is compressed. For
the most part, however, you won’t notice any loss of
data – unless you start to edit the file.
 The more compression you use, the more artefacts
may appear. These usually look like “smudges” in
the image, and can really reduce the quality of the
image.
 All the settings from the digital camera have already
been applied to the JPEG. This can be a downside if,
for example, you had the wrong colour balance set,
then your digital pictures would have a colour cast
to them.
Disadvantages

11. TIFF (Tag Image File Format) is a common format for
exchanging raster graphics (bitmap) images between
applications programs, including those used for
scanner images. A TIFF file can be identified as a file
with a ".tiff" or ".tif" file name suffix. The TIFF format
was developed in 1986 by an industry committee
chaired by the Aldus Corporation (now part of Adobe
Software). Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard were
among the contributors to the format. One of the most
common graphic image formats, TIFF files are
commonly used in desktop publishing, faxing, 3-D
applications, and medical imaging applications.
Tagged image file format

12.  No loss of image data.
 Free exchange between applications and
computer platforms.
Advantages

13.  Difficult to store.
 Large file format.
Disadvantages

14. A PSD file is a layered image file used in Adobe
Photoshop. PSD, which stands for Photoshop
Document, is the default format that Photoshop uses
for saving data. PSD is a proprietary file that allows
the user to work with the images’ individual layers
even after the file has been saved. When an image is
complete, Photoshop allows the user to flatten the
layers and convert the flat image into a .JPG, .GIF,
.TIFF or other non-proprietary file format so it can be
shared. Once a PSD image has been flatten by
conversion, however, it cannot be converted back to
PSD and the user can no longer work with the image's
layers. It is important, therefore, so always save the
.PSD file and not overwrite it during conversion.
PSD

15.  Can preserve layers. PSD files can handle
simple vector layers, making them more
suitable for importing and exporting data from
programs like Adobe Illustrator. PSD also
supports masks, colour profiles, alpha channels
and spot colours.
 PSD files’ large size and capability to save
significant amounts of file information make
them an excellent choice for working files.
Advantages

16.  The PSD format is a proprietary Adobe file
format. The company does not release its
specifications to the general public. PSD
support is often inconsistent outside of Adobe’s
products.
 PSD files tend to be extremely large, since these
lossless images use no compression. This
preserves all image information, but can make
the file itself unwieldy and difficult to email or
transfer.
Disadvantages

17. AI is a file extension for a vector graphics file
format used in an Adobe Illustrator drawing.
Adobe Illustrator is a popular vector graphics-
based drawing program. The AI format is a
strictly limited, highly simplified subset of EPS.
AI stands for Adobe Illustrator.
AI

18. For advantages I was unfortunately unable to
find some from Internet explorer.
Advantages

19. Along with Disadvantages, I was unable to find
some for this file format.
Disadvantages

20. 3DS is one of the file formats used by the
Autodesk 3ds Max 3D modelling, animation and
rendering software.
3DS

21. Unfortunately I could not find any advantages for
3DS.
Advantages

22. I was also unfortunate enough to not be able o
find any disadvantages for this file format.
Disadvantages