September 19, 2000

BITMAPPED GRAPHICS
Bitmap graphics describe images using colored dots, called pixels, arranged within a grid. (like a mosaic) When you edit a bitmap graphic, you modify pixels, rather than lines and curves. Bitmap graphics are resolution-dependent because the data describing the image is fixed to a grid of a particular size. Resizing a bitmap graphic can change the quality of its appearance. Resizing a bitmap graphic can make the edges of the image ragged as pixels are redistributed within the grid.

From Illustrator Help

"Paint and image-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, generate bitmap images, also called raster images. The images use a grid (also known as a bitmap or raster) of small squares, known as pixels, to represent graphics. Each pixel in a bitmap image has a specific location and color value assigned to it. For example, a bicycle tire in a bitmap image is made up of a collection of pixels in that location, with each pixel part of a mosaic that gives the appearance of a tire. When working with bitmap images, you edit pixels rather than objects or shapes. Because they can represent subtle gradations of shades and color, bitmap images are the most common electronic medium for continuous-tone images, such as photographs or images created in painting programs. Bitmap images are resolution dependent—that is, they represent a fixed number of pixels. As a result, they can appear jagged and lose detail if they are scaled on-screen or if they are printed at a higher resolution than they were created for. Bitmap images are good at reproducing the subtle shading found in continuous-tone images, such as photographs. However, bitmap images do not enlarge well and can show jagged edges when magnified or output to higher-resolution devices.

VECTOR GRAPHICS
Vector graphics describe images using lines and curves, called vectors, that also include color and position properties. You can move, resize, reshape, and change the color of a vector graphic without changing the quality of its appearance. Vector graphics are resolution-independent, meaning they can be displayed on output devices of varying resolutions without losing any quality.

From Illustrator Help

Vector graphics, such as those created when using Adobe Illustrator, consist of lines and curves defined by mathematical objects called vectors. Vectors describe graphics according to their geometric characteristics. For example, a bicycle tire in a vector graphic might be made up of a mathematical definition of a circle filled with a specific color and set at a specific location. If you move, resize, or change the color of the tire, the program changes the mathematical definition of the shape or location of the tire, or the tire’s color, without losing the quality of the graphic. Vector graphics are resolution independent—that is, they are not defined by a fixed number of pixels and so are automatically scaled to appear crisp and sharp on any monitor or output device at any resolution. As a result, vector graphics are the best choice for type (especially small type) and bold graphics, such as logos, which require crisp, clear lines that can be scaled to many sizes. Note that because a computer display is made up of a grid of pixels, both vector and pixel images are displayed as pixels on-screen. Vector-based programs render their shapes into pixels for display.

Apps that create in vector - Illustrator, Flash
Apps that create in bitmap - Photoshop, Paint

On-line examples

Epoxy - http://www.epoxy.ca/

RSUB - http://www.rsub.com/

Copy the RSUB logo using Illustrator

Create your own logo.

Here are sample logos.

Illustrator 9.0 - Integrated with Web design