Bitmap and Vector Images

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What is the difference between "paint" and "vector" drawing software?

Bitmap and Vector Images

Programs used to create original images can generally be broken into two types: Paint programs and Vector programs.

Paint programs, which creat bitmap images, range from the original black-and-white MacPaint (which came bundled with every Mac system from 1984 through 1986) to high-end paint programs like Photoshop.

Vector drawing programs, like Corel Draw and Macromedia's FreeHand, produce raster images. They can often create more sophisticated images than Paint programs, but are generally more complicated to learn.

In general, if you wish to create a complex drawing which can be expanded to any size without showing the dreaded "jaggies," you will need vector software. If you are creating an image for the web, a small graphic or icon, perhaps, you should probably use a paint program.

   

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