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What is a "Vector" format?


A.J

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My first post here, so hello forum :).

I have been asked to create a logo for a client of mine and I have been asked for it to be made in vectors format?

Could anyone please explain what this means? I believe it has something to do with, if the picture needs to be stretched to a bigger size, it will not loose any quality.

Well this is what I am getting confused with, photoshop already seems to stretch things fine, without loosing any image quality, I have not had a problem with that before?

Thank you very much,
A.J.
 
Welcome, AJ.

There are 2 major 2D graphic types - vector and bitmap.

Bitmap images or raster images are composed of pixels - tiny dots of color which form the image you see. it's quality is dependent on the resolution which is the number of pixels in a given image grid usually referred to as dpi (dots per inch) or ppi (pixels per inch). What you are viewing right now is an example of this. Bitmap pixel images is the realm of Photoshop.


A VECTOR image is defined by mathematical equations rather than pixels, thus renders at the highest quality. A vector object may consist of lines, curves, and shapes with editable attributes such as color, fill, and outline. Changing this attributes will not effect the object itself and changing any number of object attributes does not destroy the basic object. You can modify its shape attributes,by shaping and transforming it using nodes and control handles. This is where vector programs like Illustrator and Corel Draw come in.


Tho both bitmap and vector are resolution dependent, a vector will retain its quality and clarity even as you increase and decrease the size of vector images to any degree both on screen and in print. Fonts are a type of vector object. Doing this with a bitmap image will definitely decrease its quality as you manipulate it in any way - even a simple rotation may degrade it.
 
Thank you very much for clearing me up on that.

So there is basically no option for me to choose on photoshop etc for me to create my logo in this format?

I am only really familiar in photoshop, and using another program may be a problem.

How does a graphics designer go about this? Do they all create logos in Vector format? I have offered a client a free logo and this is the first time I have came across a request asking for a vector type format logo.
 
You can also create a logo in Photoshop in Hi resolution. File size will be the drawback. And for as long as the resizing by your client isn't extreme, it will do just fine. Just don't save / overwrite the original file.

Vector files are usually small. In some cases, it may be the preferred image format by service bureaus in pre-production of other works.
 
In case you are unfamiliar with vector tools in Photoshop, they are the shape tool, the pen tool, and the type tool. I think that's it. Any color field you use will be fine. I'm not sure about gradients . . . Anyone?
 
Export the image as an eps or Ai file format which your client can supply his service bureau to open in Illustrator or imported into Corel draw.

Sorry, could you explain how I would do this please?

After I have created my logo in photoshop, what are the steps to create this into a vector image? Is it as simple as getting the logo converted by a software, or does it need to be re-created in another software?
 
Can someone clear this up for me.............are the vector tools in Photoshop true vector?
 
From what I know, Sam, it's what could be called pseudo-vectors - designed for PS to display a vector-like workpath. With a path, you can fill it with a colour or apply layer effects to it non destructively. This is the basic.

With Illustrator or Corel, a vector shape with a vector gradient within that shape is created. When resized, it recalculates the gradient thus to match the size and hence a smooth gradient. In PS, it is "forced" to do this which may result in the "banding" of pixels one gets from resizing.

Only Illustrator or other apps like Corel has advanced tools to edit these vectors. A Photoshop file is nowhere near the output of a an Illustrator AI or eps.


Bear in mind that PS is basically a bitmap application. It will never create a true vector without the mask functions. Hence, the PS mask is more like a "pattern die" with a raster content. Once you rasterize the layer, it reverts to a bitmap.

True, it makes object scaling easier in PS without degradation, but its the final output after the PS output that matters.
 
It's worth noting that it boils down to what the artwork will be used for.

If you intend is to use vectors to create a bitmap resulting file - a PNG for instance - Photoshop can produce a higher quality output than Illustrator.

Which ever way, both tools are the right choice for the job.
 
Sorry, could you explain how I would do this please?

After I have created my logo in photoshop, what are the steps to create this into a vector image? Is it as simple as getting the logo converted by a software, or does it need to be re-created in another software?


It's in Menu>Export>Paths to Illustrator.

If it's a true vector you want then you have to use Illustrator to get the output required. In Illustrator, the PS masks are discarded leaving you with an editable true vector shape.

One problem you or your client may encounter is that these image files can only be opened and edited for resizing without affecting quality in the native format it was created in or across compatible platforms.

This is what I meant when I said - the final output after the PS or Vector apps output matters.

I would suggest asking your client why he specifically needs a vector file. In most cases, a properly done, Hi-res , PS created artwork saved as a PNG or even a pdf format will suffice.

Even if you created the shape image in a vector apps, the client may only have the capability to handle tif, jpg, gif, png, or pdf outputs. Unless he has the required vector application at his disposal - this is another matter.
 


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