Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
vector image is made up of calculations that are drawn to the
screen rather than a large number of static, colored pixels.
Scaling and Zooming
When used correctly, vector graphics will not only lower your file
size, but, unlike raster images, they offer the ability to be indefi-
nitely scaled up or zoomed in on without any loss in quality. For
example, if you scaled a .jpg of a green sphere to 900%, you would
find that the curve of the circle is not actually a smooth curve at
all, but a series of pixels whose square shape creates a jagged edge.
However, the same green sphere created as a vector graphic proves
to have nice smooth curves no matter how much you increase its
scale. In Fig. 5.16, I
ve created a drawing of the sphere and saved it
as both a raster and a vector graphic. I then zoomed in on the
same area of each to show the results. The smoother vector graphic
is on the right while the raster image is on the left.
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Vector Considerations
Although using vector graphics correctlycansavefilesizeand
increase the scalability of the image, there are some things to keep
in mind such as the number of colors, the use of gradients, and
the complexity of the graphic as a whole. If your artwork starts to
get too complicated and has lines numbering in the high hundreds,
or even reaches more than 1000, you may want to reconsider using
a raster image instead. While the vector re-creation may be prettier
and you may be able to zoom in on it much closer, you have to
remember that the Flash Player on the end user
scomputerwill
have to recalculate every line contained within your drawing every
time that drawing moves even a single pixel. On its own, a very
complicated vector line drawing can end up considerably slowing
'
Figure 5.16
Vector versus
raster zooming and scaling.
