Vector images have a cartoon or line-art appearance.
Vector art uses mathematical formulas that specify line directions and colors to fill in the areas drawn by the lines. Raster, or bitmap images -- another popular image format -- are comprised of a grid of tiny squares that have assorted colors assigned to each square. This gives the image a photo-like quality. Vector art can't do this; however, it does have some advantages. It is used extensively in animation because computer resource requirements are smaller. It also is easy to scale up and and create billboard signs without losing quality, unlike bitmap graphics, which become jagged and blocky when enlarged greatly.
Instructions
1. Import the bitmap image into a vector art program, such as Adobe Illustrator. Adobe Photoshop is a bitmap editor and doesn't work well with vector art. Choose a vector program that works in layers and offers the ability to trace the bitmap image. All of the details of the image must be converted to lines, more commonly known as paths, and then filled with color.
2. Use a pen tool in the vector program and set points along the image outline. This is time consuming, and to speed things up, some programs have an auto-trace function. This can, however, establish tens-of-thousands of points along the image lines where they slightly curve or bend if the image is very complex. Most programs can automatically reduce the number of points, but extensive hand editing will still be necessary to achieve the desired result.
3. Fill the vector outlines with color. All of the outline paths have to be closed before filling the area with color, or the color will spill out into adjacent areas. To add a degree of realism, or depth and dimension to the vector art, gradient fills are used. This adds color from dark to light -- in varying degrees of intensity.
