A presentation by: Gabriela Rubio Churruca

Unit 8_Vector images

Information Technologies, 4º ESO

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INTRODUCTION

Do you remember the difference between vector and bitmap images?

Bitmap images are formed by pixels, whereas vector images are formed by independant geometrical objects. Each object (segment, arc, polygon…) is defined by mathematical values of shape, position, size, color, etc.

For example, if we think of a graphic object such as the A in the image above, the first one is defined by arcs of different radius and centers, lines of different lenghts… The second one is defined by little squares of information or pixels.

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INTRODUCTION (2)

Normally, the amount of memory that vector images use is smaller than that of bitmap images. That is because the computer understand the shapes as simple commands or orders (draw a circle of radius x, center on (x,x), color xxxxxx…), as opposed to the complex and big amount of information that each pixel can contain.

When we increase the printing size of a vector image, it does not lose precision, as it happens in bitmap images. The only thing that the computer needs to do, is to scale all the geometrical elements up by mathematical calculations.

Nevertheless… the screen’s technology is based on pixels, so the computer has to turn the vector map into a bitmap so that the screen can show it to the user. It will be al the time of printing, when we will enjoy its maximum definition!

What is bigger (more bytes), a bitmap or a vector image?

If we think of resolution, what is the advantage of vector images?

How is a vector image output by the computer?

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APPLICATIONS OF VECTOR IMAGES

Vector images are both used for technical drawing…

…and for graphic or artistic design.

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SOFTWARE TO WORK WITH VECTOR IMAGES

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INKSCAPEFreeware.Vector images edition.

OpenOffice.ord DRAWOpen source licensed sofware.Belongs to OpenOffice suite.

FreeHandLicensed software by Adobe.Vector images creation.

IllustratorLicensed software by Adobe.Addressed to artistic design and illustration.

CorelDRAWLicensed software created by Corel Corporation.Vector drawing and editing.

AutoCADLicensed software created by Autodesk in 1982.Replaces traditional 2D and 3D technical drawing in the architecture and engineering fields.

QCadLicensed (for Windows) of free (for Linux) software.For 2D technical drawing.

CATIALicensed software.Specific for aerospatial construction, it’s also used in architectural design (i.e. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao).

Google SketchupFreeware (also licensed premium version) created by Google.3D design for architecture, videogames, engineering…

BlenderFreeware.3D design.

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So now, it’s time for you to practise!!

We will start by knowing Mr. Inkscape…

…and hopefully, we’ll have some time to play with Mr. Google Sketchup…

By the way… do you think these two images are vector or bitmap?