What is the difference between vector graphics and rasterized graphics?

(subtitled... "why can't i have real fire explosions and blood dripping from our youth name: "Xtreme Cross Brigade for Christ, Making a 180 4 Him" (X.C.B.F.C.M.A.180.4.H) with a hand breaking through a brick wall and a dove landing on the world in the background?"...)

Vector vs. Raster (Bitmapped) Graphics
Compiled from definitions provided by Webopedia.com and Techweb.com

A vector graphics image is a collection of graphic elements, such as lines, squares, rectangles and circles.  All the shapes within vector images are represented as mathematical formulas.  Although grouped together, each element maintains its own integrity and identity and can easily be selected, modified and resized independent of all the others.

The other method for representing graphical images is through bit maps, in which the image is composed of a pattern of dots. These images are often called raster graphics or bitmapped graphics .  Examples of raster image file types are BMP, TIFF, GIF, and JPEG files.  A raster file is usually difficult to modify without loss of information

Vector graphics have three distinct advantages over bitmapped graphics.  Vector graphics are more flexible than bitmapped graphics because they look the same even when you shrink or enlarge (scale) them to different sizes. In contrast, bitmapped graphics become jagged when you scale them.  Vector images also look better on devices (monitors and printers) with higher resolution, whereas bitmapped images always appear the same regardless of a device's resolution. And finally, vector images often require less memory than bitmapped images.

Although vector graphics is the method employed by computer-aided design (CAD) packages because intricate illustrations can be made with drawing (vector) programs, bitmapped images have two distinct advantages over vector images.  First, bitmapped images are better than vectors at providing the photo realism of an original scene.  That's why digital images that are either created from scanned analog photographs or captured by digital cameras are stored as bitmapped images.  Secondly, bitmapped images are supported by web browsers, whereas vector images are not.

Programs that enable you to create and manipulate vector graphics are called draw programs , whereas programs that create or manipulate bitmapped images are called paint programs .  Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator are two of the leading draw programs.  Corel Paint and Adobe Photoshop are two of the leading paint programs on the market.

 

What does that mean to me and my logo design?

Vector graphics is the standard method for creating and delivering logos. When I design logos I always limit myself to the boundaries of a vector image. Every GREAT logo is reduced to that basic vector image... think NIKE... think Pepsi... think Cingular. Every great vector logo can be enhanced in a rasterized program by adding cool textures and 3d bevels and shadows. But those same effects can be applied to a boring piece of text.

For example:

a Logo is your identity in it's most simple form... from there it can be enhanced in any of a vast number of ways, but that doesn't change the logo design, it merely enhances a logo.

The 2 styles of a graphic are the following:

Vector and Bitmap (or rasterized as some call it)
each format has pros and cons:

Vector:
Pros: infinitely Scalable... it can be scaled down to the size of a nickel or scaled up to the size of a bill-board or bigger! That is because it is based on geometric lines and mathematic values...
these files are usually quite small. they can support gradients and are the accepted STANDARD for logo design.
Cons:
Restrictions make it difficult (to near impossible) to achieve a wide array of color values such as those found in a picture or a 3d rendering of an object with all it's intricate details.
This means you can't get that vector logo with all it's great scaling options.. and have it also have photo-like effects applied to it.

Bitmap: (or rasterized)
Pros: VERY cool looking... shadows and textures millions of colors and variations Photo realistic quality and unlimited opportunity to design practically anything! this is because it isn't based on Mathematics, like Vector files. It is based on pixels... if you take a photo and start zooming in on the file you are going to see it degrade in quality.. lines will start getting fuzzy and eventually you will end up looking at each individual pixel!
Cons: IS NOT infinitely scalable. Whatever product or print job you want to output it to, the file has to be designed to that size in high quality. This result is larger files than the vector files with the potential of being file being MASSIVE... It also take a huge drain on computer cycles! The bigger the output needs to be, the longer it takes to apply effects and filters to make the original vector logo look so cool! For example I did one project for an 8 foot tall by 4 foot wide banner at 300 dots per inch...(the preferred high quality resolution the printers needed) and applying simple effects literally took hours to do... click "ok" and let the computer go to work on it!

Formats that support Vector are/COULD BE .cdr .ai .eps .svg .wmf .emf .cgm .fmv
Popular programs that design vector based files are: Corel Draw (which I use) Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand.

basically think of it like this.... Nike, adidas, windows, nbc, vaio, pepsi, cingular, coke....
what do you think of when you see those names... you don't think about  the logos with cool chrome bevels and shadows... you think of that basic logo design that is the unique identity of the company....

that is the what I shoot for in logo design.

Hope that clears the air a bit, and my apologies if your ministry name is: "Xtreme Cross Brigade for Christ, Making a 180 4 Him" (X.C.B.F.C.M.A.180.4.H) It wasn't my intention to make light of ...um...your name...um, yeah. : )