There are several editing programs that are used by professional editors. They are required to retouch, restore, manipulate or create new files. When they are worked on they can be saved in any format. But when they are on the editing table they are either vector or raster (also called bitmap). They have pixels that define the images. Some examples of bitmap are web based pictures or even pictures shot from an ordinary camera. The image resolution determines the grid. This in turn shows us how many pixels the image has. Has it ever occurred to you that the pixel is just a spot of color? And when several such spots called dots are put on a grid it makes the entire picture. Depending on the image size the number of the pixels is calculated. And because there are a limited number of pixels or dots, the image resolution is fixed.
It can be scaled only to a limited degree. Which means, if a bitmap image is reduced then some of the original pixels are discarded. This affects the overall look of the image. And if the same picture is increased in height, it appears distorted. Hence these bitmap or raster images need to be put in the vector format.The vector format is very flexible. The images in such a configuration can be maneuvered in many creative ways. There is no question of pixels or limited resolution. Hence they can be reduced or increased to any dimensions. The structure of these images is of malleable shapes and geometrical lines. This system is best to make multifaceted logos and a host of other things. Many architectural renderings and illustrations are also defined by this system. If a raster image is converted to a vector one then it can redefine it into a graphic art.
A vector image can be reduced to the size of a small business card, or a passport size picture.
Suc an image moves from point to point and can be traced also. This helps in editing as numerous clipping path techniques can be applied to achieve results. It can be enlarged too for an ad campaign. In either diametrically opposite size the quality of the image does not suffer. Now editors are making these images more creative. With the addition of a background (transparent or opaque) a new perspective is given. For more value addition, drop shadow or reflections also can be used. A vector image can be made into a pixilated (bitmap) one but it is difficult to do the technique other way round. Some of the editing programs that offer the best raster to vector conversions are Auto CAD, Adobe, Auto Desk, Corel Draw, Metafile, Macintosh, Windows, Illustrator, PNG, and Targa Bitmap.Using both the paths is also extending the creative imagination. Both are inter-dependent on each other. With the right program, the editor is capable of producing the best results. But for all practical purposes vector images are far more popular with the professional online editors.
