| Before You Buy Web Graphics Software | |
Before choosing a Web Graphics tools, it helps to know a bit of background information on the different types of Web graphics editing and creation tools. I'll be using this terminology in the product summaries. There are three main categories of Web graphics tools:
Bitmap-based
editors
When
working with bitmap-based editors, you're working with a series
of pixels in a grid-like pattern. It's helpful to think of this
like painting on a canvas. Once the paint is laid down on the
canvas it cannot be moved or changed without covering over it
with new paint. The same is true of bitmap-based editing tools.
This is why bitmap-based image editors are often referred to
as "paint applications". These types of images are
said to be resolution-dependent because the number of pixels
in the image limits their size. Their size cannot be changed
without adding additional pixels or throwing pixels away. More
on bitmap images
Vector-based
editors
When
working with vector-based editors, you're working with a series
of individual objects. Each of these objects has its own unique
properties such as fill, color, outline, shape, and size. All
of these properties are completely editable as long as the image
is saved in your software's native format. Size can be increased
or decreased, colors can be changed, and so on; all without
destroying the quality of the image. More
on vector images.
Object-based
editors
The
lines are beginning to blur between the two primary types of
editors listed above, and that's where object-based editors
come in. Object-based editors consist of a combination of bitmap-based
objects and vector-based objects. When working in an object
based editor, the bitmap-based objects all have the same properties
of bitmaps mentioned above, and the vector-based objects have
the same editable properties of vectors. To confuse matters
even more, some editors have the ability to switch between various
editing "modes"; meaning, you can start out by creating
an image in vector-based mode, and then switch to bitmap-based
mode to complete the image. Generally, switching from vector-based
editing to bitmap-based editing destroys all editable qualities
of the once-vector image. Going from bitmap to vector mode,
on the other hand, is rarely an option without using additional
software or redrawing the image.
For more information on the differences between bitmap painting and vector drawing programs, see Image Editors and Illustration Software or Vector and Bitmap Images.
Back to Before You Buy Web Graphics Software
Sue
Chastain
Your Guide to Graphics Software
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