Vector vs Bitmap

Work done by Helen Huang
Name unknown (illustrator)
Found from www.vector.tutsplus.com
The object of this post is to show my understanding of  vector and bitmap graphics. Vector graphics is the area that I have the most experience with, and that is why I have steered clear from using it for this project. Vectors are mathematical points that are plotted mostly using the pen tool to create shapes and colour fills. It is possible to create really complex images from these shapes and add effects such as Gaussian blur or patterns to smooth gradients to add some depth to a image. The main advantage of vector is the fact that any image can be scaled to as big as you like with no loss of quality and its for this reason that its the main tool to graphics designer to create logos, text etc for a small leaflet to a giant sign. Looking at the piece above I can see the process that have been used. Gradients have been used on her hair and clothing a pattern has been used on the dress, she has duplicated the leafs, I can see how she has created each shape, there is even a hint of Gaussian blur on her cheek for that rosy tint.

Work done by Greg Staples
The wall (Concept for the film Doomsday) Photoshop
www.gregstaples.com
Bitmap is the area that my whole project has been focused on because  it is the area that is unfamiliar to me. Bitmap  graphics (photos, digital paintings etc) are made up of pixels and if you zoom in on a image you can see these small squares of colour that make up a image. You have a lot more freedom to create realistic paintings and manipulate photos with a more painterly approach. Photography is the main area where they are used but concept artists favour bitmap as well. But on the down side you can only scale pixels so far until that loose quality (pixelate). But the images that can be created are truly amazing like the piece created by greg staples.