- Raster images are composed of individual elements, called pixels, arranged in a grid. Each pixel has a specific location and color. If you magnify raster data, you can see the individual pixels as squares of colors. Raster images can display jagged edges if magnified on screen or printed at a large magnification.
- Vector graphics or images use geometric characteristics-lines, curves, and their locations-to define objects. Vector graphics do not lose clarity or detail when scaled to any size or printed at any resolution.
- In Paint Shop Pro, you create and edit raster and vector data on separate layers. With some tools you create raster data, and with other tools you can choose whether you want to create raster or vector data.
The techniques we will be using today require vector objects, so first we must create a new, separate, vector layer. Select the New Vector Layer icon on your Layer Palette (2nd from left) and give layer an appropriate name.