What is a vector??????????

Question

I have been learning The Gimp and someone asked me if i do Vectors. Can someone explain to me what the heck a vector is? Or send me off to a good tutorial website?

Answer 1

computer graphics is ALL either vector or bitmap:

Many of the graphics on the web are .gif and .jpg files, which are bitmap. Others of that type include .bmp (actually short for bitmap, just to keep things confusing!) .png, .tif, etc; each has it's strong and weak points.

vector software includes Adobe Illustrator ( .ai files) and CorelDraw ( .cdr files) and bitmap software includes Photoshop and Gimp (and Corel's PhotoPaint). Basically, with vector files (.eps, .wmf, .dxf, etc), you are dealing with files that you can scale from postage stamp size up to billboard size with no distortion or 'bitmapping'. Basically, vector saves shapes instead of a 'bitmap'. Picture a grid, like graph paper, and label both axes (vertical/horizontal) X and Y. X-1/Y-1 R=132 G=55 B=200 for example means that the top left square- pixel- is that RGB color. Now do that for every square! Lot of data, right? This is why bitmap files are usually larger, sometimes very much so, than vector files. Vector files are saved based on the shapes that their made of/colors fo those shapes/transparency, etc.

...ya know what? I'm probably creating more confusion than clarity- these are decent explanations*. Just remember; vector if you want to enlarge it or do something like cut vinyl for banners, bitmap for fancy stuff like crazy fades and effects. Also, bitmap software can usually do some vectors and vice versa. I usually work as much as possible in vector as it is easily re-sized/re-colored etc.. Besides, you can always put a bitmap image into a vector file

you wanna see if I know what I'm talking about? Check this out (wheels not finished; got sick ofg working on this one & still need to go back in for some touch-up, but it's a decent example of hwo you can get a vector image to look like something out of bitmap software, even though this was done in Illustrator-

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=17096466&albumID=501855&imageID=1779165

and this one is a decent example of bitmap work in Photoshop...

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=17096466&albumID=501855&imageID=28046316

Answer 2

A vector is a shape/ line/ curve/ image etc. Even a doodle on the computer can be a vector. The angle of each point, line and shape are subject to a mathematical equation so when enlarged or shrunk or altered in any other way, it keeps to its original ratio without pixelating. This means a picture of... lets say a smiley face, will look the same 2cm tall or 2 metres tall, it won't be pixelated.

Answer 3

Vector is a type of graphic that can stretched without getting pixelated. this is based of shape and lines instead of pixels. adobe illustrator is the best program to make vector art

Answer 4

In computer science

A one-dimensional array

Vector (C++), a data type in the C++ Standard Template Library

Vector clock, an algorithm for generating a partial ordering of events in a distributed system and detecting causality violations

Vector (malware), methods used by computer viruses and malware to propagate themselves

Distance-vector routing protocol, a class of routing protocols used in packet-switched networks for computer communications

Dope vector, a data structure used to store information about an array

Feature vector, in pattern recognition and machine learning, an n-dimensional vector of numerical features that represent some object

Initialization vector, used in cryptography

Interrupt vector, the location in memory of an interrupt handling routine

Vector game, refers to any video game that uses a vector graphics display

Vector monitor, a display device used for early computers

Vector processor, a computer processor which works on arrays of several numbers at once

Vector graphics, images defined by geometric primitives as opposed to bitmaps

Scalable Vector Graphics, a family of specifications of XML-based file format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics

Vector graphics editor, computer program that allows users to compose and edit vector graphics

Vector Markup Language, an XML language used to produce vector graphics

Vector Architect, a vector graphics editor designed by Owl Island Software

Support vector machine, in machine learning, a supervised learning method used for classification and regression

Vector space model, an algebraic model for representing objects as vectors of identifiers

Vector-06C, a computer developed in the USSR

[edit] In biology

Further information: Vector (biology)

[edit] In business

Vector Engineering, a company that specializes in the application of civil engineering, hydrogeology, geology, and geotechnical and geological engineering

Vector Limited, a New Zealand gas and electricity supplier

Vector Marketing, marketing arm of Alcas Corporation

Vector Motors, an automobile manufacturer

Vector M12, a vehicle designed by Vector Motors based on the Lamborghini Diablo

Vector W2, a concept car created by Vector Motors

Vector W8, a production car produced by Vector Motors

Vector WX-3, a prototype automobile created by Vector Motors in 1992

Vector SRV8, a prototype automobile created by Vector Motors in 1999

Vector Graphic, an early manufacturer of 8-bit microcomputers

Vector Group, a publicly traded holding company run by Bennett S. LeBow

Vector (company), a telecommunications company based in Poland

Vector Informatik, a software tool and components provider for development of embedded electronics

[edit] In entertainment

Vector (band), a 1980s New Wave rock band

Vector (Battle Angel Alita), a fictional character in the Battle Angel Alita manga

Vector (comics), a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe

Vector (game), a 1970 board game

Vector (journal), the critical journal of the British Science Fiction Association

Vector (novel), a 1999 novel by Robin Cook

Vector 13, a comic strip in the 2000 AD anthology

Vector Lovers, moniker used by British electronic music producer Martin Wheeler

The Vectors, a Swedish punk band

Vector Prime, a Star Wars novel written by R. A. Salvatore

Vector Prime (Transformers), one of the original thirteen Transformers, created by Primus

Vectorman, a game for Sega Genesis platform

[edit] Fictional characters and elements

Vector the Crocodile, a character in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series

Vector (Battle Angel Alita), a character in the Battle Angel Alita manga series

Vector Sigma, a computer in the Transformers universe

Septima Vector, a character in the Harry Potter universe

Vector, a location in the video game Final Fantasy VI

Vector Industries, an organization in the Xenosaga video game series

Vector, in the Manga and anime series Elfen Lied

Vector class, a beginner racing class in Wipeout video game series

[edit] Other uses

Lift vector, an upwards force acting on aircraft

Light verb, or vector, in grammar, a verb participating in complex predication

The Vector, the student-run newspaper of the New Jersey Institute of Technology

Parker Vector, the name of a family of pens

TDI Vector, a prototype .45 ACP submachine gun developed by Transformational Defense Industries

Thrust vectoring, the ability of an aircraft or other vehicle to direct the thrust from its main engine(s)

Vector (food), a cereal manufactured by Kellogg's

Vector (journal), the critical journal of the British Science Fiction Association

Vector Arena, a 12,000-seat arena for sports and cultural events in Auckland City, New Zealand

Vectors Journal of Culture and Technology in a Dynamic Vernacular, an online journal

Vector, the British Army version of the Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle

Vector Map, a vector-based co