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Design tip of the day: Vector art
Vector Graphics is a highly usable and aesthetically superior image format that is expected to replace raster graphics on the Web. Unlike pixelbased graphics, vector art is based on mathematical instructions which gives several advantages.
One great advantage that vector graphics have over bitmaps is that they are resolution-independent or scalable, giving rise to the term Scalable Vector Graphics or SVG's. This means they can be enlarged according to their output device such as a printer without consuming any more disk space. In terms of the Web, this means that the download time of an image will be the same regardless of the size of the image. They will also remain as sharp when scaled to a large size as when they are presented small, unlike bitmaps, which appear "blocky" when scaled upwards. This elegance in scaling that vector graphics can accomplish is one of the main advantages they have over bitmap formats and will be irresistible to website designers seeking to create more professional-looking websites in the future. Vector compared to Pixel graphics http://www.theukwebdesigncompany.com...e44/bitmap.gif Unfortunately bitmap formats are the standard graphic file formats on the Web at the moment, which means that vector graphics have to be rasterised in order to be displayed in current browsers or put in flash format which not all computers, browsers has installed. SVG is plain text XML. The code can be written within HTML code, eliminating the need for additional files, unlike Flash, which uses additional binary files. Predefined shapes will be created from the markup, which is at present being finalized by the W3C. Positioning of vector graphics will be determined using cascading style sheets (CSS). By harnessing the power of CSS, SVG will be able to accomplish the whole range of CSS capabilities such as layering and grouping. SVGs will have the ability to incorporate text. They will be able to be named which means they can be used in scripting, they can be defined and used elsewhere much like the class attribute in CSS - a very powerful capability. JavaScript could be used to manipulate SVG's meaning that techniques such as rollover effects and animation could be applied. The W3C are incorporating backwards compatibility into the SVG specification so that older browsers will be able to handle the format. The ability the use the equivalent of HTML's ALT tag will be available so that a GIF or JPG image could be displayed instead of the SVG. Both Netscape and Microsoft are co-authoring the new standard, ensuring compatibility across platforms, something that was lacking in the construction of HTML. So designers its time to take vector creativity to a new level - and webmasters its time you learned about the powers of vector driven graphics. |
vector art looks much better for sure
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Nice, thanks for sharing all that info.
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Great post...
I'd like to also add that both webmasters and designers need to completely quit using bitmaps for their logos, especially in logo contests. Logos should be built with 100% vector, nearly 100% of the time. Only exception is if the webmaster absolutely 100% knows that the logo will only be web-based and not used for print work, which in my opinion is a bad assumption because you never know down the road. |
nice post :thumbsup vector looks SOOOOOOOOOOO much better for sure
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Uhh.. Vectors Look better for SOME things... and SVG is another overhyped/underused technology... I remember in '01 when it was going to kill flash LOL. In fact this article is probably several years old.
I don't understand why there isn't the caveat that bitmaps are better at some things... like most photo images for example. Vector for logos and simple design elements.. bitmap for most everything else. *shrugs* |
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Bitmap takes the shorter straw on website design??? since when? logos yes because they are supposed to be simple. Not websites however. The heyday of full vector sites was sometime around '99 when flash 2 and 3 were around. every flash studio had a crazy cool full vector flash site that was lovely to watch but useless to use. Bitmaps will always be a core feature of the web. As more and more bandwidth becomes available we will go further towards video than vector. Not trashing vector, I like it for many reasons but pretending it's anything other than another tool in your belt is myopic. "bitmaps are better for photos yes" Do you ever think there will be a time when "website design" is less than 90% text and photographic? No. Toyota will always want pictures of their cars. Nike will always want pictures of their shoes. People will always want porn, people will always want to show pics of their kids or cars or whatever. Vectors aren't great for texture. Web site elements will always beconstructed with photographic elements. Vectors are also more CPU intensive when they get complicated, the math that makes them small in size when they're simple start to make them heavy and slow when they become complicated. Anyways not wanting to put a dent in your thread, but a ra ra SVG article at this point in time is humourous. It's been around 4 years since it was released and we are yet to even see it used on anything other than theoretical or exhibition sites. Flash just had the authoring base tied up. Not saying SVG isn't a good technology.. just like others such as web 3d, the real world practicalities ensure they don't live up to their promise for whatever reasons. |
We're turning into a vector world! I'm just hating it because I was raised in a Raster home. :(
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Thanks! How does one create vector images? I know photoshop "can" do it, but it takes a great deal of b.s. to get there. What programs are best?
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Though, Illustrator is the best for pure vector in my opinion. |
vector rules! :thumbsup
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i love vector art!
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