Vector vs. raster...huh?

Vector graphics are composed of curves connected by points, mathematically defined. A circle is four curves connected by four points. A rectangle is four curves, connected by four points. (No, that wasn't a typo...they are considered curves even though they're straight lines. No, I don't know why...math and I never really got along all that well.) When you want to make the circle larger or smaller, the mathematical formula is redefined, and the circle keeps it's perfect crisp lines. Creature House Expression, Macromedia Freehand, and CorelDRAW are three examples of vector programs. These programs are considered object oriented because everything you make, even text, is an object that can be manipulated independent of other objects and the background (which can also be an object if you put something there, such as a rectangle covering the page.) You can arrange them so they are in front of each other, in back of each other, stack them, or group them. Vector programs are also sometimes called drawing programs, while programs like Adobe Photoshop and Procreate's Painter are paint, or raster programs.

A raster program constructs what you see on screen by using pixels. When you enlarge the picture, the only way it gets bigger is for the pixels to get bigger too, and you lose the nice edges. So when you work in a raster program your best bet is to make your picture the size at which you'll ultimately be using it, because you will be limited in how much sizing you can actually do. And that is the beauty of working with vectors! You can work on a 4" object and enlarge it to 4' if you want. And it'll look just as good at 4' as it did at 4".

Northlight Designs (2004), http://northlite.50megs.com/illus/