However, the use of native vector formats is on the rise, thanks to their ability to easily scale to different resolutions for display on different devices. In most situations, vector images are only kept in vector format during the editing and saving process (for example while you’re actually working in Illustrator), and then they get exported in a normal raster image format like JPG for sharing and using online. They’re great at displaying the complex details and tonal ranges found in photos, but you can’t scale them easily without blurring the image.Įven when zoomed in to 1600%, the vector image in Illustrator is still perfectly crisp and clear Most of the images you see on your computer and around the web are raster images. Raster graphics, also known as bitmaps, are composed of pixels arranged in a neat, orderly grid. The biggest difference between GIMP and Illustrator is how they create and manipulate graphics: GIMP is a raster graphics editor, while Illustrator is a vector graphics editor. I’ll try to make it as quick and painless as I can, but it will help you understand the two programs much better. You’re going to have to forgive me, but we have to get technical for a moment. Is there a Free version of Adobe Illustrator?.

Gnu image editor