Raster graphics refer to digital images that are stored in pixelated form, meaning they are made up of a grid of tiny colored squares called pixels. These images are associated with bitmap images, which means they represent graphics by mapping every pixel to a specific location on the screen. To understand raster graphics better, here are answers to some of the most popular questions about it:
Raster graphics are made up of pixels. Pixels are tiny square-colored dots that combine to form an image. The pixel density is the measure of the number of pixels per inch (PPI) in an image. The higher the pixel density, the greater the density of pixels you have for each inch in your image.
Image resolution refers to the number of pixels present in an image while image size refers to how those pixels are distributed across the width and height dimensions of an image. Image size is not necessarily equivalent to resolution as size only describes how much space your image takes up on your screen or paper.
Compression artifacts occur when a raster graphic is compressed using lossy formats like JPEGs or GIFs. This leads to some amount of data loss and visual noise in the resulting image due to compression algorithms used.
Scaling refers to resizing an image without altering its aspect ratio. Since raster graphics store images as a set number of pixels, this means that when you scale up an image, it will appear blocky or pixelated if you do not have a high enough resolution.
Some advantages associated with raster graphics include their ability to capture intricate details and textures with more accuracy than vector graphics. However, they take up a lot of storage space, are less versatile in terms of scaling and can lose quality when compressed.
Selecting the right file format depends on the intended use of your image. For instance, lossless formats like PNGs are best suited for text or graphics with a transparent background. In contrast, lossy formats like JPEGs are ideal for photographs where slight data loss can go unnoticed while reducing the file size.
Some popular tools that you can use to edit raster graphics include Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. These tools allow you to edit and modify pixels or layers within your image in more detail, making it easier to make precise changes.
Looking to learn more about raster graphics? Here are some helpful resources:
