Navigating Raster Graphics and the Challenge of Scalability
Most of the images we encounter on computer screens are raster graphics, including pictures from the internet and photos captured by digital cameras. These graphics are composed of a grid of pixels, commonly known as a bitmap.
The size of the image file increases with the image dimensions, as each pixel requires storage space. For instance, a 640 x 480 image necessitates storage for 307,200 pixels, while a 3072 x 2048 image from a 6.3 Megapixel digital camera demands information for a substantial 6,291,456 pixels. Due to the vast amount of information they need to store, large bitmap images result in sizable file sizes.
Vector graphics, unlike raster graphics, can be scaled to different sizes without compromising the clarity and smoothness of the image, making them ideal for applications where scalability is crucial.
To address this issue, various image compression algorithms have been developed to reduce file sizes. JPEG and GIF stand out as the most prevalent compressed image formats on the internet, although several other compression methods are available. Compression helps manage file sizes without significant loss of image quality. Raster graphics can generally be scaled down without a noticeable loss of quality. However, enlarging a bitmap image can lead to a blocky and pixelated appearance. This limitation is a significant factor in the preference for vector graphics in specific scenarios, such as creating company logos.