vector graphics

vector graphics

The representation of a digital image as points, lines and other geometric entities. All computer-aided design (CAD), drawing and diagramming programs create vector images (see graphics formats).

Vector graphics and "bitmapped graphics" are the two fundamental structures for digital images (see graphics for basic concepts). However, vector images are very space efficient compared to bitmapped images, and they maintain all their detail when zoomed in and out.

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vector graphics [′vek·tər ¦graf·iks]

(computer science)

A computer graphics image-coding technique which codes only the image itself as a series of lines, according to the cartesian coordinates of the lines' origins and terminations. Also known as object-oriented graphics.

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(graphics)

vector graphics - (Sometimes called "object-oriented" graphics, though it's nothing to do with object-oriented programming). The representation of separate shapes such as lines, polygons and text, and groups of such objects, as opposed to bitmaps. The advantage of vector graphics ("drawing") programs over bitmap ("paint") editors is that multiple overlapping elements can be manipulated independently without using differenet layers for each one. It is also easier to render an object at different sizes and to transform it in other ways without worrying about image resolution and pixels.