In computer graphics, vectorization refers to the process of converting raster graphics In computer graphics, a raster graphics image or bitmap is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium. Raster images are stored in image files with varying formats into vector graphics Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics.
Popular applications:
- In computer-aided design Computer-aided design is the use of computer technology for the design of objects, real or virtual. CAD often involves more than just shapes. As in the manual drafting of technical and engineering drawings, the output of CAD often must convey also symbolic information such as materials, processes, dimensions, and tolerances, according to (CAD) drawings (blueprints A blueprint is a type of paper-based reproduction usually of a technical drawing, documenting an architecture or an engineering design. More generally, the term "blueprint" has come to be used to refer to any detailed plan etc.) are scanned, vectorized and written as CAD files in a process called paper-to-CAD conversion or drawing conversion.
- In geographic information systems A geographic information system , or geographical information system, is any system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to location. In the simplest terms, GIS is the merging of cartography and database technology. GIS systems are used in cartography, remote sensing, land surveying, photogrammetry, geography, (GIS) satellite or aerial images are vectorized to create maps.
- In graphic design Graphic design is a creative process — most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form — undertaken in order to convey a specific message (or messages) to a targeted audience. The term "graphic design" can also refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines that and photography Photography is the process, activity and art of creating still or moving pictures by recording radiation on a radiation-sensitive medium, such as a photographic film, or an electronic sensor. Photography uses foremost radiation in the UV, visible and near-IR spectrum. For common purposes the term light is used in stead of radiation. Light, graphics can be vectorized for easier usage and resizing.
Unlike the opposite process rasterization Rasterization or Rasterisation is the task of taking an image described in a vector graphics format and converting it into a raster image (pixels or dots) for output on a video display or printer, or for storage in a bitmap file format, vectorization is not well defined, meaning there is not a single correct method. Many different algorithms exist, and each gives different results, as vector representations are more abstract than pixels.
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The photograph at left vectorized with RaveGrid, 1.64 MB |
Same photograph vectorized with AutoTrace in the Delineate GUI, 677 KB |
Same photograph vectorized with Inkscape Inkscape is a vector graphics editor application. It is distributed under a free software license, the GNU GPL. Its stated goal is to become a powerful graphics tool while being fully compliant with the XML, SVG, and CSS standards's "Trace Bitmap" function, 1.05 MB |
See also
- Scanning In computing, a scanner is a device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of the desktop scanner where the document is placed on a glass window for scanning. Hand-held scanners, where the device is moved by hand, have evolved from
- Digitizing Digitizing or digitization is the representation of an object, image, sound, document or a signal by a discrete set of its points or samples. The result is called digital representation or, more specifically, a digital image, for the object, and digital form, for the signal. Strictly speaking, digitizing means simply capturing an analog signal in
- CAD data exchange
- Comparison of raster to vector conversion software
- Optical character recognition Optical character recognition, usually abbreviated to OCR, is the mechanical or electronic translation of scanned images of handwritten, typewritten or printed text into machine-encoded text. It is widely used to convert books and documents into electronic files, to computerize a record-keeping system in an office, or to publish the text on a
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