There is a lot of discussion about the differences between raster and vector art. Each graphic art has its own sweet advantage depending on the purpose and application. In today’s digital world, where ultra-realistic graphics have become normal, raster vs vector arts are commonly used in indie game development for simple point-and-click products. Moreover, games with 2D vector and raster graphics are developed much more quickly and can be run on systems with lower specifications.
But the question arises, which one to choose? Both have complex formats and it is on the developer’s plan. This blog will clear all your doubts on raster vs vector by providing you with the key differences and similarities between these two graphical image formats. But let’s first start with each of them.
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Also known as bitmap, Raster graphics are images that are made of tiny colored square pixels in large numbers that collectively form highly detailed images. Each color pixel has a self-contribution to the overall image. The more pixel quantity, the better the quality of the image. However, the pixels become sharper and image details become more blurred by increasing a raster image’s size.
The quantity of pixels in a photo is determined by the file type. Here are the common types of raster files:
| File Type | Description |
| JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) | The main and most commonly used file format for compressing and storing the photos. |
| PNG (Portable Network Graphics) | A file format that allows displaying a transparent background. |
| GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) | A file format for animated raster images. |
| TIFF (Tagged Image Format File) | It is a lossless file compression format. |
An important feature of raster art compared to vector graphics is that there are a fixed number of pixels in an image. This means that the image is resized when it is resized. This is why raster images are not used for logos or illustrations that are frequently resized.
Generally, all photos are delivered in raster format. Raster arts are most commonly used for photographs. Raw photo files are taken directly from the camera sensors and converted into a bitmap file. By editing separate pixels, you can change the photo’s look. Due to pixel restrictions, you can’t have fun with its size.
There are two terms to understand here. DPI and PPI. DPI stands for dots per inch which is the resolution of a bitmap file. PPI is pixels per inch that is a determining factor for changing the file size. The majority of graphics files available on the internet are bitmapped and saved for 72DPI screen resolution. Printing images requires a larger file, where the standard resolution is 300 DPI.
These graphics are created using mathematical formulas, curves, and lines. The vector graphics consist of points placed on the grid providing the infinite scaling possibilities of the image in zoom in/out direction without losing resolution and quality. The most common types of vector graphic formats are:
| File Type | Description |
|---|---|
| AI (Adobe Illustrator) | It is an Adobe Illustrator file type displaying vector images. |
| PDF (Portable Document Format) | Format used representing 2D documents in a form independent of output device and resolution. |
| EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) | This format is used for printing large and detailed images such as big posters. |
| SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) | It portrays 2D vector and mixed vector/raster graphics in XML format. |
Vector graphics are often used to create brand identity elements, fonts, and logos. The logo created in vector format scales easily for printing on business cards, posters, caps, and t-shirts, and does not lose resolution and image quality.
Unlike bitmap files, Vector graphics are relevant as the image can be scaled without blurring, no matter what size you need. Gradient is not allowed in vectors. Vector images are made of shapes where each shape has a different color, making it impossible for a vector to provide the shading and color gradients that bitmaps can have.
Raster vs vector graphics are different in the way they represent images. Here is a comparison table showing the key differences between them.
| Raster Graphics | Vector Graphics |
| Scaling with loss in resolutions | Scaling without resolution losses |
| Used for photos | Used for illustrations |
| Raster uses graphic formats like JPEG, GIF, PNG, etc. | Vector uses graphic file formats like EPS, SVG, WMF, etc |
| The file size is large | The file size is small |
| Made up of pixels | Made up of mathematical formulas |
| More realistic shading and lighting | More schematic shading and lighting |
| Complex combination of colors | Difficult to mix colors without rasterization |
| Image printing under certain conditions | Image printing without limits |
| We can use rasters in Photoshop and paint shops | We can use vectors in Illustrator and CorelDraw |
| Highly compatible with a wide range of apps and browsers | Requires specific software for editing |
| We can easily convert a raster file to any file format | We cannot change the vector file |
Vector and raster art differences can be determined using the pros and cons of each type of graphic art.
In game development, raster art is used for detailed and pixel-based visuals like character, textures, and backgrounds. It provides rich imagery but cannot scale without losing on quality. This makes it an ideal choice for predefined sizes. On the other hand, Vector art uses mathematical formulas to create shapes by allowing for infinite scaling without losing on quality. It’s often used for UI elements, icons, and scalable 2D assets.
While vector graphics offer cleaner, crisper visuals, raster art provides greater detail, making both essential for creating a visually balanced and functional game world.
As already mentioned above, indie game developers prefer to use 2D vector graphics and raster graphics in developing games. However, raster graphics are still highly common among developers. They provide realistic shading and lighting. They offer a wide range of rich colors. When comparing vector graphics vs raster graphics in detail, it is clear that:
“Raster graphics is more realistic while vector art is more cartoonish”
Vector game art has its own fan base. It is a specific graphics type usually consisting of geometric primitives. However, it’s not that vector graphics are only found in old games. Modern-day vector art games also exist.
For example: The Cyber Shadow video game, released in 2021, is a perfect example of a modern game created in the spirit of classic 8-bit side-scrolling action games from the late ’80s and early ’90s. The pixel art visuals and fast-paced gameplay takes us back to the era of games like Ninja Gaiden and Shatterhand. However, despite its retro appeal, Cyber Shadow has modern design elements, such as more fluid controls and tighter combat mechanics, enhancing the experience while preserving the nostalgic feel. The developers successfully revived the look and feel of that time, combining it with modern-day innovations to appeal to both old-school and new players.
Related: What are Cross Platform Games and how they are developed?
While vector graphics have a strong position in its niche, raster graphics still commands the web and digital art. Vector graphics are preferred for its unique infinite zoom properties in digital printing, web elements, and 2D/3D animation. It is suitable in cases where you need scaling and do not need complex color combinations.
There are numerous differences between vector and raster arts. But each of them has its plus points that make them unique and favorable for different applications. Raster is suited for detailed illustrations and photos. Vector is for logos and materials that need scaling up. No one is better than the other as there is no final verdict. It’s up to you to one choose over the other as it is solely based on your project’s requirements.
BR Softech can help you choose the perfect graphics art for your game development project!
Raster art is made up of pixels whereas vector art is made up of mathematical structures and lines.
Raster graphics are still highly common among game developers.
Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw are the prominent software used to create vector graphics.
Adobe Photoshop and GIMP are the two software used to create raster art.
Raster. JPEG file type is created by using raster art. The most common examples are digital photos and graphic files.
SVG image file is created using vector art.
