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September 08, 2010
 
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Graphics
Which
Is Better? A Bitmap or Vector Image?
by Tim Donnelly, guest writer —
W
 hether
you realize it or not, you've probably come into contact with two kinds
of computer graphics: vector images and bitmap images. They may look the
same but upon closer inspection, you'll find they're quite different.
Which is best for your project?
Vector images
Vector artwork is prepared in a vector-drawing
program (makes sense) and is based on PostScript
code. Using this software, you place vector points on the page and connect
them with straight or curved lines. The shapes these lines create can
be filled with a color, a gradient, a pattern or nothing at all.
The benefits
The great thing about vector drawings is that they can be edited pretty easily
by moving the vector anchor points around. The best thing is that no matter if
the image is 1" wide, 1,000" wide or even 1 mile wide, the image will
not lose any clarity.
But wait . . .
A vector image uses PostScript code so, vector images will not print
well on printers that are not PostScript enabled. Most inkjet printers and many
PC printers are not PostScript-enabled.
Bitmap images
Bitmap artwork has been
either scanned by a scanner, downloaded from a digital camera or created
in an image-editing
program like Photoshop.
If someone gives you a photo file, it's bitmap image. Most image files
that you come into contact, including TIFF, PICT, BMP, WMF, GIF, JPEG
and some EPS files, are bitmap images.
 Clarity
Unlike vector graphics, you need to be very aware of the resolution
and the size of bitmap images. You can't size bitmap images up or down
and expect them to remain as crisp and clear. An image of 72 dots-per-inch
(dpi) may look just fine on-screen but won't look good in print. A photo
file of 200dpi (at 100%) is sufficient to use for a Word document. If
you use anything less, you may start to notice a pixelated appearance
or fuzziness.
Which is better?
It all depends on your use. For illustrations or artwork that you'll
want to use at all different sizes in print, the ideal choice is a vector image.
For photos or for artwork that will only appear on-screen, a bitmap image is your
only choice.
My advice
If you can create or request your graphic as vector artwork,
I would recommend going that way. Then, if you need to use it in a presentation,
print it on a non-PostScript enabled printer or display it on the Web,
you can easily convert it with a vector or bitmap-editing program. 
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