Vector Vs. Bitmap
Vector Artwork does not rely on pixels per inch like a Bitmap. A bitmap and other standard file types such as jpeg, gif and png use pixels to render complex images at the expense of being able to be sized up or down without losing quality. Rather, vector uses lines and shapes to create its imagery, which through mathematical expressions are able to be scaled up and down without losing any clarity, unlike a bitmap image.
Vector Artwork does not rely on pixels per inch like a Bitmap. A bitmap and other standard file types such as jpeg, gif and png use pixels to render complex images at the expense of being able to be sized up or down without losing quality. Rather, vector uses lines and shapes to create its imagery, which through mathematical expressions are able to be scaled up and down without losing any clarity, unlike a bitmap image.
Left: bitmap sized up 400%, Right: Vector sized up 400%
What Are The Limitations Of Vector?
Vector artwork can’t create the same kind of photo realism and detail that a bitmap image can. A photo realistic image redrawn in vector will always look more like a cartoon or sketch. Some objects, such as cars or machinery, can translate pretty close to the original image and look very impressive.
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
People do not fare as well as machinery.When drawing something from a photograph, even the most talented vector artist can’t create a perfect likeness of something that requires a more organic depiction. Shapes and lines simply can’t create the level of detail needed to create a lifelike visage. The examples below show the outcome of redrawing a person in vector.
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
What About Paintings and Drawings?
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
What About Buildings?
Buildings fare a bit better than people, but again keep in mind the detail and realism involved. Some impressive things can be done when a line art of a building is requested, and even vectoring a more realistic rendition, but as always, a photograph will never be 100% to the original.
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Vector Artwork also can't perfectly mimic organic textures such as pencil, crayon or paint.
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Vector Can Make Stylistic Graphics
As seen above, a bitmap image can create the proper shading and detail by laying enough pixels to work in realistic shades, vector artwork’s shapes and lines can’t quite match photorealism, so if the goal is to create a 100% faithful rendition, vector artwork just isn't able to do so. This can be used to your advantage however, to create fun and stylized line art of people, buildings, etc.
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
Left: Original Image, Right: Vector Re-drawing
So When Do I Need Vector? When Do I Need Bitmap?
If a picture perfect image is needed, the only way to achieve this is to have a photo at a high resolution and at the proper size as required by the file. Vector artwork can do many amazing things and is a very useful tool in the industry for creating high quality logos, and re-sizable imagery, but it simply can’t produce lifelike humans and scenery.
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