Raster vs. Vector In Photoshop.?

Question

I have to explain the difference between Vector and Rastor in a very "understandable" way, meaning without using technical terms for people to really grasp the concept.

So, here's what I got, tell me if you think I got it right, or, what you would add or take off for the explanation to really makes sense.

There are two types of graphics, Raster & Vector.

Raster images are made up of pixels - small squares.

Vector is made out of points, paths and curves, you enter the point and the computer will automatically do the math for you and fill your shape with the color you select from point to point. It will calculate the size, radius and color. Therefore, when you would enlarge this shape you won't lose any quality.

A raster however, the more you increase it in size, the larger the tiny little squares get, therefore making it very unclear.

To sum it up, Vector will always be sharp and crisp no matter which size it is, and Raster which is made out of pixels, will be blurry and resized.

I think I'm messing it up at the end... please help me out.

Thanks.

Answer 1

You got it.

Answer 2

This is quite a good explanation, depending on which level you are aiming it at, I use something similar when explaining the same to my students (adult learners), I also include some visual examples for the visual learners, you could try that too.

Photoshop has a good explanation in the help menu, if you are teaching a group with varied photoshop savvy, you can ask your students to find the difference themselves as well as your explanation.

If you are aiming this at learners with no previous knowledge of photoshop or computer editing tools then, the explanation about curves, paths and points may confuse.

Keep it simple: You can make Vector images any size you want, but if you resize Raster images to much, they look as if they're made from lego and you loose all definition.

But as I said this is a good explanation.

Good luck.