Vector Image File



In the world of graphic design, you’ll hear about vector images a lot. But what exactly is a vector image?

  1. Vector Image File Extensions
  2. What Is A Vector Image
  3. Vector Image File Format
  4. How To Vector Image
  5. Vector Image File Extension

Table of Contents

Vector files are images that are built by mathematical formulas that establish points on a grid. Raster files are composed of the colored blocks commonly referred to as pixels. Because they can infinitely adjust in size without losing resolution, vector files are more versatile for certain types of tasks than raster files. Vector images consist of shapes like circles, rectangles, lines and curves, while bitmap images, also known as raster images, consist of a grid of pixels. Vectorization or tracing is the process of taking a bitmap image and re-drawing it as a vector image. Convert images to vector graphics 1. Choose image to convert. Tap the button below to choose a file to read into the system. A sample image has been loaded automatically if you want to simply play with how the app works below. Choose image to convert 2. Adjust image before download.

What is a vector image?

Vector files: Useful in many different environments. When you’re working digitally, there are two kinds of image file types: raster and vector. Both image types may be saved with several different file extensions. It’s important to understand when to use each image type and the best file. HOW TO CONVERT IMAGE TO VECTOR Step 1: Choose an image in PNG or JPG format from your computer. Step 2: Select the number of palettes for your output vector file. Step 3: Set the Simplify option to smoothen your output. Step 4: Click “Generate” Vectorize images. Easily Convert to SVG Vector files with one click.

A vector image is a digital file that is not pixel-based. This means you can zoom in and scale up the image a huge amount without seeing any loss in detail. In contrast, a pixel-based image, or a bitmap or raster image, would lose quality and become blurry, meaning it is limited to the size of the image itself.

Need to Download CorelDRAW?

Download a Free 15-Day Trial Now!

Vector image files

Vector images are based on mathematical formulas that define geometry such as lines, curves, circles, rectangles, and other clear bold shapes. Images tend to be flat, using line art and uniform colors, and are generally found when working with logos, letterheads, and fonts.

Examples of vector files are SVG, EPS, AI, and PDF files. Examples of raster image files are JPEGs, PNGs, and GIFs.

The main benefit of a vector image is that it is instantly scalable with pristine resolution. No matter the size of the image, it will not become blurry or pixelated like a bitmap image. They can easily be edited and manipulated to change colors, shapes, and text, making them a go-to tool for graphic design. Vector images are ideally suited for logos which may be blown up into print, for instance on clothing, car wraps, billboards, magazines, bus station ads - anything which requires the image to be scaled up a large amount. If you tried this with a bitmap image you would get a very blurry result.

Vector software

So how do you create a vector image? Well, there are plenty of different types of vector software out there to use. Examples include GIMP and CorelDRAW, used by graphic design enthusiasts and professionals alike.

How to make a vector image

There are two ways to create a vector image - the first is creating it from scratch within the software by designing something. Why cant my macbook pro download mac os high sierra. The second is by vectorizing a bitmap image.

How to vectorize an image

Let’s imagine you are working with a JPEG logo file but the person who sent it to you does not have access to the original vector file. You are creating a large advertisement that will be printed and hung as a banner, but if you increase the size of the logo file it will lose resolution. You can jump into CorelDRAW and vectorize the file you have to turn it into a vector.

Need to Download CorelDRAW?

Download a Free 15-Day Trial Now!

Vector tracing

The process of vectorizing an image involves tracing the outline. There are generally tools included in design software that help you with this. For instance, CorelDRAW includes a tool called PowerTRACE which intelligently detects outlines and guides the tracing process. By tracing and recreating the logo file you can then export it from the software as a fresh vector file and use that in your project instead.

The opposite of this process is called rasterizing and happens when you want to convert a vector image into a raster or bitmap image. Maybe you’re working with a website which only accepts PNG or JPEG files and you know you won’t be scaling the image up. In this case, a raster image file works absolutely fine. Just remember to use the vector file if you decide to print the image.

Some artists and designers also work with vector images as a form of art or illustration. Imagine a stylized image that uses striking colors and lines rather than detailed shading.

As a designer, you might explore different stock image websites to find vector images for your designs. Outlines and silhouettes of objects work great as vectors to use within your projects. You can download these pre-made designs and use them yourself, or you can create them directly within software like Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.

Another purpose for vectorizing images is to create art with them. Let’s imagine you had a photograph or an animal or a landscape. You could vectorize it in the same way you would work with a logo - by tracing the outline and key features within your design software - and creating a stylized impression of that photograph. You can color it digitally using bold, flat colors, and print it as a large piece of art.

Need to Download CorelDRAW?

Download a Free 15-Day Trial Now!

Raster vs vector

The final output of a vector file is usually an SVG or EPS file. When working with vector files, make sure to keep these final files in case you need to edit them. It’s easy to jump into your vector software and make changes to colors, text, lines, and other layers. That’s a huge advantage of vector files. If you were working with raster files though, everything would be flattened into one single layer, and the pixels would not be separated, so it would be extremely difficult to make any quick changes.

Vectors are powerful and useful image files that graphic designers cannot go without. If you want to elevate the quality of your designs and speed up your workflow then take the time to master using vector files, especially if you’re blowing up images to use in print.

Today we are going to discuss the most popular, 4 Vector Format Files and learn where and how to open them. We shall talk about the right applications to open and edit these 4 Vector format files so that you can make the most of these Vectors in your designs.

File

Vector formats are widely used in Graphic and Web Design and are more design friendly. Meaning, they can be resized and edited extensively to suit varied design requirements. If you open your Vector files in a Raster editing application you may not be able to get the entire benefit that Vector format files offer. So, if you need to make the most of the Vector file by editing and modifying its contents you’ll have to open it in appropriate applications. Each of the formats discussed today have specific applications that suit these formats the most and are perfect to edit and modify these Vectors. We are going to open these files in Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Inkscape which is a free vector application.

Let me list down popular 4 Vector Format Files that we shall discuss today

  • EPS – Encapsulated Postscript
  • AI – Adobe Illustrator
  • CDR – CorelDRAW
  • PDF – Portable Document Format

These 4 Vector Format Files are most popular formats and you’ll find most Vector artwork available in these formats. We shall discuss each of these formats at length and explore the right applications and techniques to open them.

How To Open EPS – Encapsulated Postscript Vector Format Files

You will find most of the Vector Files available online in this format. Renowned Stock agencies too, offer Vector files in an EPS format. EPS is a compound format which can actually hold bitmap as well as pure Vector shapes. But over the years this format has become a preferred format for Vector. It’s one of the most compatible formats that can be opened in popular Vector applications like Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW, where your Vector file can be edited too. Other Applications where you can open EPS files are Adobe Acrobat Reader and GSView. Though these applications are used to view Vector files and not edit them.

The most appropriate application to open and edit EPS files is Adobe Illustrator. Let us look at the steps to open an EPS in Illustrator.

Steps to open EPS in Adobe Illustrator

Formats
  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the EPS file format and Click Open

Another way to do this – Select the EPS File > Right click > Open with > Choose Adobe Illustrator.

Though you Illustrator is the recommended format for editing EPS vectors, you may want to do this in CorelDRAW if you do not have Illustrator. Canon ip2820 download macbook pro.

Steps to open EPS in CorelDRAW.

  1. Go to File Menu
  2. Click Import
  3. Select the file and Click Import

In the Import dialog choose between Import as ‘Text’ or ‘Curves’. You may choose ‘Text’ if the EPS contains text and if you would want to edit it. The imported EPS can now be ungrouped and edited as required.

Note: Importing EPS in CorelDRAW does not import as a editable Vector format. Choose from Curves or Text if you want to edit and modify the EPS graphics.

How to Open AI – Adobe Illustrator Files another Vector Format File

Adobe Illustrator is a widely used Vector Creation and editing application used by designers worldwide. Hence, its native format AI is the second most preferred Vector Format after EPS. Since AI vector format is native to Illustrator, it’s most compatible with Illustrator, which is also the recommended software to open and edit AI files. Let’s see how to open AI files in Illustrator.

Steps to open AI files in Adobe Illustrator

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the AI file and Click Open

You can also open AI files directly by double clicking on them. This way Illustrator identifies the format and opens them directly. Studio one 3 download mac.

Unfortunately for not all AI files can be imported or opened in CorelDRAW. That said, CorelDRAW X5 opens AI files saved in up to Adobe Illustrator CS5.

Steps to open AI files in Inkscape

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the AI file and Click Open
  4. Click Open in the PDF import settings dialog.

Though Inkscape opens the AI file through the PDF import settings dialog, the file is still in Adobe Illustrator format within Inkscape and the graphics can be edited completely.

How to Open CDR – CorelDraw Vector Format File

CorelDraw is another Vector editing application which is popular among designers. There are many websites where you can find Vector files in a CDR format. Let’s see how to open CDR in CorelDRAW

Steps to Open CDR in CorelDRAW

Vector Image File Extensions

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the CDR file and Click Open

You may also directly open the CDR file in CorelDRAW by double clicking it.

Steps to Open CDR in Inkscape

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the CDR file and Click Open

Note: The text should be converted to curves in CorelDRAW to open in Inkscape, as CDR opens in Inkscape with the text missing. For this reason opening CDR files in Inkscape is not recommended.

CorelDRAW files do not open in Illustrator.

What Is A Vector Image

Image

How to Open PDF– Portable Document Vector Format File

A PDF file too, like the EPS is a compound format which may hold Raster as well as Vector graphics within them. Though Vectors saved in a PDF format can be opened in most Vector applications, such as Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Inkscape (from the opensource). Let’s see how to open this format in these applications.

Steps to open PDF in Adobe Illustrator

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the PDF file and Click Open
  4. Click OK in the Open PDF dialog.

Note: Illustrator opens single pages of a multipage PDF. You may choose the page number in the Open PDF dialog.

Steps to Open PDF in CorelDRAW

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the PDF file and Click Open

If you have versions older than CorelDRAW X5 you may have trouble opening the PDF. Save the PDF in an older version so that you can use it in older versions of CorelDRAW too.

Steps to open PDF files in Inkscape

Vector Image File Format

  1. Go to the File menu
  2. Click on Open
  3. Select the AI file and Click Open
  4. Click Open in the PDF Import Settings dialog.

How To Vector Image

Inkscape too does not open all pages of a Multipage PDF. You may choose the page number of your choice in the PDF Import Settings dialog.

Vector Image File

I hope you find these solutions to opening Vector format files helpful. Please don’t hesitate to share your problems or some solutions that may be helpful for others. Do let us know if you have anything about Vectors that troubles you. We would be glad to write about it.

Vector Image File Extension

Images © pojoslaw – Fotolia.com