We’ve all seen the trope on a crime TV show — a detective reviews a grainy image of a suspect and asks the station’s tech wiz to enhance it.
There’s a reason the image never blows up clearly. Sure, part of the reason is for TV drama. More importantly, the image is not made of vector graphics.
Vector graphics are images created using mathematical equations and geometric primitives like points, lines, and shapes. Unlike raster images, which are made up of pixels, vector graphics maintain their quality and clarity at any size, making them ideal for logos, illustrations, and designs that require scalability without loss of resolution.
In computer graphics, these shapes and figures are called primitives because they are the most basic figures to which a shape can be broken down. They can be combined to create more complex figures using graphics software.
Vector graphics software allows companies to create and edit images using mathematical equations and geometric commands. These solutions focus on delivering high definition, so quality is not lost while manipulating.
Vector format graphics are primarily source files for hard-edged graphics, logos, and illustrations. This format is typically leveraged to create simpler images that can be scaled up or down, depending on the use case. Vector files must be converted to raster for web use or printed, typically in a JPG or PNG format.
Vector graphics are versatile and widely used across various fields for their scalability and quality. Here are some common examples of vector graphics that showcase their capabilities and applications:
So many file formats exist in the business sphere; it’s easy to get confused about which. There are four common vector file types: .AI, .EPS, .PDF and .SVG. Let’s take a look at what each vector format means:
A proprietary Adobe Illustrator file type that can only be created or edited with Adobe Illustrator. These files contain vector graphics on a single page and have a restricted and compact syntax.
Best used for: Logos, graphics and illustrations
A vector and raster (bitmaps) file may contain graphics, illustrations and text. .ESP files may also include an embedded preview image in a bitmap format. These kinds of files support several different kinds of drawing platforms.
Best used for: Saving and transmitting art between different file formats and graphics editors
A vector image format that supports interactivity and animation, defined by XML text files. Scalable vector graphics were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) starting in 1998. SVG allows three types of graphics: vector, bitmaps and text.
Best used for: Interactive graphics, which can be easily compressed (without loss of quality) because they are built of repeated text fragments
.SVG files are a widely recognized graphic format specifically designed to render two-dimensional images. They represent images using vector data, which allows them to be resolution-independent. As a result, users can resize SVG images without losing quality, making them ideal for responsive web design, icons, and illustrations that require flexibility and clarity across various display sizes.
.PDF is a file format used to present documents filled with text and images. PDF files contain all the information necessary to render the document, complete with bitmaps, vector graphics, text, and interactive layouts.
Best used for: Text-rich documents that may contain interactive forms
Raster graphics are pixel-based and have a finite number of pixels; the image resolution determines that number. The file is composed of data detailing the color of each pixel.
There are four common raster file types: .JPG, .GIF, .PNG and .TIF. Every raster image file contains the DPI (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per inch) of the graphic. These numbers give the exact pixel count per respective file and an idea of the image quality.
To better understand vector graphics, we must first understand the two most common graphic design image file formats: vector and raster.
Raster format graphics (also known as bitmaps) are built using pixels. The term bitmap was derived from the fact that images in that format are literal maps of bits (or pixels) that are arranged in a specific layout.
A certain number of pixels construct raster graphics. Conversely, vector images are constructed with mathematical equations instead of pixels. Let’s take a closer look at vector graphics, as well as the different use cases for each file format.
Deciding between vector graphics and raster graphics really depends on the use case. The basic rule of thumb is that vector graphics are better for simpler, scalable images, while raster graphics software is better for photo editing and digital paintings.
A key benefit of creating vector graphics art is the ability to resize images without losing quality. Vector images are mathematical formulas, so it doesn’t matter if the image is blown up to 100 times its original size; the quality remains the same.
Frequent resizing of images is easy with vector images because they are scalable up or down with little effort. Raster graphics, on the other hand, will delete data (in the form of pixels) if scaled down, which increases the blurriness of the image significantly if it is scaled back up.
Vector graphics' main draw is their versatility, and simple image manipulation is easy. They are also fantastic for printing, as the creator can save an image in outlines and send it to the printer. This means that the shape will keep its integrity through transmission and printing.
One file format does not fit all. In some cases, vector file formats may not suit your needs. But if they are, here are some benefits of using vector graphics in your work:
Now that you’re well-versed in vector graphics let’s look at a selection of the best vector graphics software products we have listed in the category.
To qualify for inclusion in the vector graphics software category, a product must:
* Below are the top five leading vector graphics software from G2’s Fall 2024 Grid® Report. Some reviews may be edited for clarity.
Adobe Illustrator remains one of the most widely used software for graphic designers with vector graphics. With a comprehensive range of tools to aid in creating and editing digital graphics for multimedia use, Adobe Illustrator has been the industry standard for more than 20 years. One key component of the software is Adobe’s Creative Cloud, which allows users to access new features as soon as they’ve been added to the solution.
“It has many tools to create beautiful graphics; it is easy to use once you get the hang of it. I love how the layers and artboards are displayed because they are very intuitive, and it's easy to visualize what is in each of them and fix anything that should be in another layer. I also love the tutorials and the Customer Support; they're super nice and solve any problem you have immediately.”
- Adobe Illustrator Review, Maricarmen D.
“One area for improvement would be to streamline the learning curve for some of the more complex tools and features. While the software is user-friendly, some more advanced features may require more time to master. Additionally, the software can sometimes be a bit resource-heavy, which can impact performance.”
- Adobe Illustrator Review, Aditya P.
Adobe Capture is a photo-to-vector converter from Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries. Adobe Capture includes tools to build themes matching any image, create custom brushes, generate unique textures, identify fonts, record sound effects, and more.
“It's a fantastic tool that converts my sketches into vector pictures. I enjoy mixing and matching colors from various sources. It saves me a lot of time because it has a terrific user interface that is simple to use and comprehend. Consider it if you're looking for a better vector solution to become an artist.”
- Adobe Capture Review, Ryan P.
“The only downside is that you need an Adobe account to work on files saved in Adobe Capture, which was a bit of a bummer because I don't have an account or see a reason why I would need one.”
- Adobe Capture Review, Arifur R.
CorelDRAW is a powerful tool that provides creation and editing features for both vector and raster (bitmaps) graphics. The vector graphics suite has been a staple for many artists since the ‘90s; since the product was released, the company has consistently added features to improve the user experience.
“I think CorelDRAW is one of the best tools for vector-based drawing and graphic design. for me, it has been helpful in creating all types of great designs. I have been able to use it to create brochures, programs, flyers, etc.”
- CorelDRAW Review, Christian I.
“The biggest drawback to using CorelDraw was what seemed like constant new versions. Of course, I would always break down and get the latest version because it was a great product, and I wanted to be ahead of the pack, but I realized that the new features didn't warrant the price as they were usually minor upgrades to functionality. Also, it seemed like there were always quite a few bugs in every other version, so I learned to skip a version and wait for the more stable version that would replace the buggy version.”
- CorelDRAW Review, Carlos H.
Affinity Designer is a dual-threat vector graphics and photo editing tool that touts shape control and vibrancy of color as two of its hallmarks. This design tool allows users to create in both raster and vector graphics.
“This isn't a subscription-based software platform. That's what I appreciate most about Affinity Designer. Moreover, the price tag is beyond reasonable, given the mature and comprehensive feature set it offers. While I'm not a professional graphic designer, I do ask a lot from a vector graphics software package. Affinity handles it effortlessly and (more importantly to me anyway) intuitively.”
- Affinity Designer Review, Mark L.
“It has one of the hardest learning curves for me because my mind is locked into using other programs that all have similar settings and functions, but this one has a mind of its own, and it was all new for me, and I had to invest more time in it. It is now easy, but most folks have a stiff learning curve.”
- Affinity Designer Review, Kevin O.
Sketch is a powerful design tool made primarily to meet website and app user-interface design challenges. Sketch allows users to design something once and reuse as many times as necessary, which eases the process of working with repeated design elements. This vector graphics solution features many collaborative features and easy-to-use plugins to enhance functionality.
“The Sketch app is a user-friendly design tool that offers a range of features and a clean interface that makes it easy to use. It has a minimalistic approach to its UI, making it simple to navigate and find the tools you need. The app's vector-based design system allows for smooth and precise design work, with an intuitive process for creating, duplicating, and manipulating shapes and graphics. Additionally, Sketch offers a robust set of plugins and integrations with other design tools, making it a versatile option for designers.”
- Sketch Review, Hayley G.
“Sketch has very limited support for creating design systems. It is not as robust as some other tools. This can make it difficult for designers to maintain consistency across their designs.”
- Sketch Review, Riya J.
Whether you already use graphic design software for your vector images, there's always room to improve. There's automation, shapes, colors, fonts, brushes, textures, and more to influence your decision. Whatever you decide, ensure you're prepared to tackle that big picture!
Learn how to use vector art with AI to create impressive business graphics.
This article was originally published in 2018. The content has been updated with new information.
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