Raster or Vector?

What is the difference between raster and vector, and why should you care? In actuality, there is a big difference, and it helps to know what it is.
As I stated in the previous blog post, software like Photoshop is raster-based and software similar to Illustrator is vector-based. Raster-based images are usually saved with a .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .bmp, etc. and vector-based files are generally .ai, .svg, .wmf, etc.  That's all fine and dandy, but I still don't know what it means.
Take a look a the following image. The right side is a closeup of a raster file. Notice how it is all pixellated and made up of tiny squares called pixels. When a raster image is zoomed in too far, it will begin to lose detail.
Now look at the left side, it is a closeup of a vector image. The lines created by vectors are based on mathematical formulas and not pixels. This allows a vector image to be zoomed in and out infinitely without losing detail.
Due to the nature of each type of file, each is naturally suited to particular tasks. Photos are going to be raster files. They can not be zoomed into too far. Contrary to what you see on T.V. and in movies, you can not zoom into an image and "clean it up" to show details that are simply not there. Raster files are most commonly associated with things like corporate logos. They are usually solid colors and used to print on promotional materials, embroider on fabrics, etc.
In a recent winter Olympics, there were images placed on the sides of buildings depicting different sports. A raster file just would not cut it for something this size. A person walking by would only see a series of colored squares. If it were done in vector format, no matter how close or how far away it were viewed, it would still retain its detail.

Standard Software

 

While there are dozens of programs out there that can assist in creating graphics and animations, a handful consistently rise to the top. These are the “industry standard” programs that most people use at one point or another. Bear in mind though, that there is no single program that will allow you to do everything.

Let’s start with 2D images. This is probably the best place to begin since it is the most fundamental. Many consultants will tell you that Powerpoint is the most important graphic program. I disagree. Powerpoint is the most important for presenting graphics, but has severe limitations on creating them. It can put the parts together to make a dynamic presentation, but you need something else entirely to create those parts.  So what is at the top of the list? Hands down, it is Adobe Photoshop. I have used Photoshop for everything from removing backgrounds, to changing and manipulating colors, to removing unwanted items from an image. Sure, there are other programs that can do many of the same things, but none that do them all. A consultant may also use GIMP, CorelDraw, or Paintshop Pro.  Another program that consistently pops up is Adobe Illustrator. You may notice that both Illustrator and Photoshop are made by Adobe, and you may be asking yourself, “what is the difference? They both are for 2D graphics.” Well, they are both for 2D graphics, but for 2 VERY different reasons. Photoshop is a raster-based program and Illustrator is a vector-based program. Both have their unique advantages when it comes to using them in Powerpoint. Both have a somewhat steep learning curve to master, but both are well within reach of most graphic consultants.

Now let’s talk a little 3D. In the 3D graphics industry, two names again rise the highest. 3DS Max and Maya. Each was developed by a different company originally, but both have since been acquired by Autodesk, (the makers of AutoCad). There are several other programs like Cinema 4D, Mudbox, ZBrush, Vue, Poser, and Lightwave; and each has its own strengths. Compared to the 2D programs, 3D software has an exponentially higher learning curve. To create a good animation takes a lot of time, planning, and patience due to the sheer amount of work that goes into one. First, a 3D model or scene must be created, first with solid-colored geometry. Next, the models must be “textured” or painted. Some models can even get “materials” that mimic real-world ones such as glass, wood, or concrete. Textures are created in a 2D editing program like Photoshop and applied in the 3D package.  Finally, when the scene is finished and the lighting system is created, the animating can begin. Both 3DS Max and Maya can handle animation equally well. Animations can be simple in the case of an object moving from one place to another, or they can be complex when adding organic motion like a person walking. When the animation is finished, it must be “rendered” out to a video file, or a series of still-images.

The last software to be aware of is used for “compositing”. If an animation is rendered to still-images, those images need to be stitched together to create the final video file. (I would personally tend to not trust a consultant that renders directly to video, due to potential loss of data, causing delays) Compositing software can also be used to add text to existing video, or doing color-correction, chroma-keying, or lightening/darkening the file.

Presenting your graphics is likely to take place in Powerpoint, but by no means should a high-end presentation be created solely in it. Take advantage of the knowledge of your graphics consultant, that is what they do. Just as obtaining a degree in a professional field is difficult and time-consuming, so is a degree in animation.

Your graphics consultant should not only have extensive experience with Powerpoint, but also with Photoshop, Illustrator, and hopefully at least have some proficiency in compositing. The highest tier is going to be those can create the animations from start to finish.